Hello everybody!

I finally got my butt in gear and went to the gym!!! I will update everyday with my excercise, however much or little I do!!!

Thursday 22nd September

20 minute walk from train station to work.

60 minute walk along the river at lunch time

AT THE GYM

5 minutes on the X-Trainer (I need to build this to 20 mins)
3 sets of 10 Leg Press
3 sets of 10 Leg Extensions
3 sets of 10 Chest Press
3 sets of 10 Chest Pull?
3 sets of 10 Some other chest machine?
3 sets of 10 Rope Pull
3 set of 15 ab crunches
8 minutes run (I tried for 10 but I had lots of pain in my sides so had to stop at 8 mins)
Stretching

20 minute walk home (why get the bus when I can walk and get more excercise!)

So about 90 minutes in the gym and 100 minutes walking.

And that's my 1st ever gym log!!

Woohoo Pany. Wait until Debbie gets a load of this!!! She'll be so proud. I'm very proud of you. Great job!!

Thanks for the kind words Brenda! If it helps with the confidence, I'll go everyday!!

Thanks for the kind words Tinky Winky! I hope Debbie is proud, she inspired me to go to the gym.

Thanks alot Debbie!!

I half changed my mind a few times. My journey to the gym from work usually takes 45 minutes. This time it took 1 hour 50 minutes!! And I had to change buses at the bus stop 200 feet from my house!! I was so tempted to just go home! But I thought to myself "No, Debbie would be disappointed in me". So I went to the gym!!

Thanks alot Debbie, you are a true inspiration!

Monday 26th September

25 minute walk from train station to work.

60 minute walk along the river at lunch time

AT THE GYM

5 minutes on the X-Trainer (I need to build this to 20 mins)
3 sets of 10 Leg Press
3 sets of 10 Leg Extensions
3 sets of 10 Chest Press
3 sets of 10 Shoulder Press
3 sets of 10 cant remember the name. Annoyed now! basically sitting down and start with weights high and then you pull them down?
3 sets of 10 Rope Pull
3 set of 15 ab crunches
12 minutes run (I walked half of it, had bad pains in my side)
Stretching

25 minute walk home (why get the bus when I can walk and get more excercise!)

So about 60 minutes in the gym and 110 minutes walking.

I'm a little concerned how quickly I got out of there. Maybe I went too fast? Too quick between sets, using machines too fast? I'm not sure really.

Sounds like lat pulldowns. http://www.shapefit.com/back-exerci...-pulldowns.html

Usually 40-60 seconds between sets is about right if you're not going too heavy. You got plenty of cardio in. I see you're still doing it BEFORE weights. You know my feelings about that, so I won't say anymore about it. Except for this, if you're doing it for a warm up.....all the walking you do before you ever get to the gym is PLENTY of "warm-up." Now I won't say anymore about it. Unless I think of something else I feel is necessary .
Lookin' good Pany.

http://www.shapefit.com/training.html incase you can't remember the names of something else, this is a good site.

That's the one, thanks Debbie.

But I did 17 minutes of cardio, only 5 were before weights. I got the train straight from work and did no walking at all before! I walked for 60 minutes but that was 2 hours before I went to the gym. Surely I need some cardio? You don't think I need any?
Thanks for the link and the excellent advice Debbie

One thing that bothers me is the shoulder press. I have to stop after about 6 reps. Then after reducing the weight to practically nothing, I was still unable to complete a set without stopping. I'm fine with the pulldowns but the shoulder press (which is a similar movement) is hard with even just a 3rd of the weight. Are my shoulders that weak?

I just think you are getting plenty with all the walking you're doing. If you want to do 5 mins. of cardio to get going once you get to the gym, that's fine. You said you got in 110 mins. of walking yesterday.....that's a great deal of cardio. I know in your ever day life you do a LOT of walking, so I just don't think cardio is a big issue for you. My point is that you don't need to be depleted when it comes weight training time.

Are you using a machine for shoulder presses? I think you are. Is it painful in your shoulder? Or are you just saying you give out....you're weak there?
After a couple of weeks, I hope you get started on free weights. And a different routine. You are working arms in a secondary manner, so not a good work-out for them. And next time, do your shoulder exercise after your back. Always biggest to littlest muscles. Shoulders and arms come in last.

Pulldowns and shoulder presses are not similar. Pulldowns are incorporating those big back muscles and biceps mostly. Shoulder presses are incorportating those little MUCH weaker deltoids. Everyone has to go much lighter on shoulders. And what you DON'T want to do is hurt your shoulders. They will put you out of commission if you do. So listen to them for any pain that isn't fatigue-type pain. And readjust or pick another exercise, or stop working them for the day.

That a very good point Debbie. I think I just go straight for a quick warm up as it's just 2nd nature for me when I go to the gym. I will try to go straight to weights!
I think I am just very week. I just am unable to finish the reps as my arms just wont go any higher, even with very light weight.
I thought I was! What would you change round?

Thanks for all the help Debbie!

I'm sorry! You smartass!!
I didn't realise, they seem like practically identical excercises. Maybe my seat was too low and I was stretching? Thanks for the excellent advice as usual!