Showering before working out

I use to tease my wife for showering before going to the gym. Why would someone take a shower to go to the gym?

I don't tease my wife anymore.

A few Sundays ago, my wife and I went to Gold's Gym.

Like usual, she went upstairs to do cardio, while I stay downstairs with the machines.

I'll be honest, I don't perspire easily. Not like the other people at the gym. And I know I don't emit a pungent stench. Really.

After doing the machines for fifteen minutes, I make my way upstairs to do 20 to 30 minutes of cardio.

Upstairs there is a variety of cardio machines, such as stair machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical and striders--my wife calls it a "stepper."

I went upstairs and selected the closest stepper strider to the stairs, which also happens to be next to the paper dispenser and disinfectant spray.

In front of me was an attractive athletic blonde running on the treadmill.  My wife was down the end of the treadmills walking on an incline.

Honestly, I thought this couldn't be a better view day, until something pungent wafted towards me. I couldn't place the source of the smell. Could it be the guy two steppers striders away? Perhaps it's me?

I kept striding along and smelling my arm pits concerned that the smell was my own.  This went on for several minutes until the attractive blonde girl stopped her treadmill and walked towards the paper dispenser and disinfectant spray.

Eww! I had found the source.

What did it smell like?  Ever walked past a trash bin in a downtown alley? That's what it smelled like. No joking.

So, I thanked my wife for showering and since then have made it a point to shower as well before heading to the gym.

Gym Crush

I've debated for the past few weeks about posting this blog entry... okay, here it goes: I have a gym crush. 

No, this blog entry isn't about that cute redhead but about a lady who seems to have an attraction to me.  Let me explain: this girl resembles the large WB abominable snowman who wants Bugs Bunny as its "George."

"You didn't even sweat," the voice came from the large woman in front of me while I wiped off the seat after doing twenty reps of abs and deciding to stop when I felt uncomfortable with her peering eyes.  I shrugged and grinned and moved off to the next machine.

A few weeks later, the same abominable snowman chick decided to run next to me on a treadmill avoiding the fact that there were probably five others open and free.

She tried to talk to me, but I pretended my music over my iPod muffled her voice and I couldn't hear.  Of course, I heard clearly when my wife approached me from the opposite side to ask if I was ready to leave.  I quickly responded yes, stopped the treadmill and hopped off. Unknowingly, my wife claimed her territory.

Of course, perhaps all this was in my mind and this poor large lady was just another client working out and didn't even think about flirting.  Of course, I like thinking that I still got game.

Engage muscles during work days

So this blog entry isn't entirely about the gym but of the workplace.  My workplace to be more precise.

I work in an office building full of cubicles.  It's quite a maze--trust me.

I use to be that employee who would stay behind the desk with my eyes fixated on the computer in front of me--the perfect specimen to an authoritarian boss.

Not too long after, my back started aching, I became overweight and depression became my new best friend.  I questioned my relationship with my wife and son and at one point wondered why life in general was turning against me.

It wasn't until I got to know my office best-friend who happened to work on the other side of the building. Not before long, I was visiting my new best-friend periodically during the day.  My confidence improved.  I lost weight.  My depression diminished.

A few weeks ago, I came across an article in Redbook Magazine suggesting taking a three minute break every hour at work to walk around.  Walking around the office helps "engage your muscles and improves blood flow which helps metabolism."

I totally agree.  However, I should add that taking a break from your computer does help with your social skills, creativity, and mental health.

Source: "You're typing away at your computer," Jamie Beckman, Redbook Magazine, October 2011, page 100

Getting rid of belly fat

UPDATED.

For the past few months, I have been visiting the gym.  The best thing about going to the gym is that my health and physical strength has improved compared with previous years.  But although I feel great, I haven't been successful in getting rid of my belly fat.

I came across an article in the August 2011 issue of InStyle magazine that provided suggestions on how to loose the tummy fat.  Since InStyle is a women's magazine, I'll only highlight those I think men can benefit doing.

• "Switch to green tea" - Scientists at Tufts University in Massachusetts have found that green tea, which contains catechins, a natural antioxidant, helps trim body fat--along with exercise, of course. 
• Do cardio instead of focusing on crunches.
• Avoid pasta and white bread and opt for wheat, whole grains and berries.
• Shop fresh (organic) food, protein and herbal teas instead of canned foods and carbonated drinks.
• Strengthen your back muscles to maintain good posture to help suck in that gut.

In another article I came across suggested that doing the "bicycle" motions can help flatten the belly.  An article in Redbook by Maridel Reyes states that "activating muscles on the front and sides of your belly works twice as much harder than crunches.  The article, only available in print, goes on to instruct how to do the bicycle at home without a actual bicycle.

Sources: "10 ways to a flatter tummy," InStyle, August 2011; http://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/2009/02_1/briefs/02/; "The #1 Move for Flat Belly," Maridel Reyes, Redbook, October 2011, pg. 100

Travel Pass

Earlier this month, I visited my parents in deep South Texas. Yes, there is life south of San Antonio.  And guess what? They have a whole lot more than other metropolitan places and stuff are much cheaper.

But this blog isn't about comparing amenities. It's about my experience at Gold's Gym with a Travel Pass.

In Austin, I know my surroundings.  As a "travel guest," I am new to an environment.

I enter Gold's Gym and ask if I could use my RF tag to check in or if I need to use the travel pass. The young lady behind the counter tells me that I need to use the travel pass. She quickly completes an index card with all my information and checks me in.  I was then set free to roam the gym.

Of course "roam" is an understatement.  Let me explain. The gym in Austin's north location is perhaps 10,000 sqft big. The gym in Mission, Texas is maybe a quarter of the size. The majority of the equipment are weight-based--meaning, I have to physically add my desired weights onto the equipment.

Although the cardio is upstairs, similar to the Austin location, the selection and variety is limited.  The gym does, however, carry equipment to work the abs that other Gold's Gyms don't offer, which was a total plus. And unlike other Gold's Gyms I've visited, they have tanning capsules.

Being a visitor, I was a bit intimidated using the weight machines, so I mostly focused my workout to cardio and abs.  So, in a way, my workout during my visit to the Valley was far from being intense.

Regardless, I did manage to spend an hour using their equipment and coming out feeling fulfilled. The staff was friendly, and the location was convenient--however, beware of traffic when exiting.

Before 5 o'clock

The best time to go to the gym is before five o'clock in the afternoon.  That's if you despise people. 

You can basically fart without offending the person next to you.  Lifting 30 pounds on a circuit won't be as embarrassing.  More importantly, walking back to your car after working out a full 45 minutes isn't challenging.

Sad, isn't it.  Parking two rows from the entrance has caused us dismay and frustration.  What's next?  The water fountain at the far right corner of the gym?  Oh, wait.  That's already the case.

Before the legislative session ended, I decided to leave the office a few hours early.  Early being 1:30 in the afternoon.  Hey, it was Memorial Day, and I was just a few people in the office.

When I got there, I was able to park one row from the entrance.  All the equipment was available to me.  Circuits were sparsely used.  I was actually able to do three sets of each circuit weights.  Yes, my mom, who has bragged to do more, would be proud of my achievements.

Nonetheless, I was able to do cardio and circuits and cardio and circuits.  I was feeling great achieving so much before 4 pm. 

30 pounds

Perhaps it wasn't such a bright idea to avoid the gym for a week.  My muscles were becoming achy and my legs restless.

I, however, have a good excuse.  The state's legislature was wrapping up their business and I needed to stay late and watch whether the bills we were tracking would pass.  Needlesstosay, our good governor decided to call the elected representatives back to the Capitol and finish their business within another 30 more days. 

But this post isn't about politics. It's about me avoid the gym for the week and the struggle it was to get back into the routine.

I left early from work on Wednesday to try and put in an hour and a half of cardio and circuits.  Yes, an hour and a half may not sound like a "routine."  However, for someone who is as petite as myself and who lacks upper body strength, it is a struggle.  Okay, I'm over-exaggerating, but I need to in order to keep you interested in this blog.

So, working out has become a sort of a job.  You perform well, you'll see results.  For me, I haven't seen any results except now I'm HWP rather than hwp.  I do have to admit that my upper body strength has improved.  I can now lift up a cooking pan without problem.  Don't ask how big the cooking pan is.

One thing I did worry about when getting back into the routine was that I would not be able to lift 30 pounds--stop laughing!-- but I did.  I actually lifted a little more.

Now the goal is to continue this throughout the summer.  I'm thinking one hour each day.  Maybe more.

Although I am planning a trip to the Valley to visit friends and family in the next couple of weeks, I need to make it a point to visit the gym at least an hour.  Oh, but the food in the Rio Grande Valley is soooooooo goooood!  This will definitely be a struggle.