First Workouts

   The time had come I joined a local gym. Nerves and anxiety were through the roof. The feeling of not belonging somewhere was at an all time high. What was I doing there?

   My first workout 15 minutes of cardio on an elliptical machine at the lowest level. Followed by a hour of roaming around machines and trying to figure how to use them. Eventually I'd work my way up to free weights but for now machines were going to be my best friend.

   As the week's went on my cardio improved. Every workout  I'd aim for 1 more minute of cardio until I reached 30 mins. My weight sets (still on machines) increased from 3 sets of 6 to 3 sets of 8. Once I hit 3 sets of 10 my next goal was to go 4 sets of 10 and work my way up until I can hit 5 sets of 20. Remember I'm doing light weights.

   

The weight loss didn't come right away but more importantly I started feeling better about myself. Sometimes the pain in my knee would slow me down. I'd remind myself the pain is either going to be there from being obese or from working out. There's no way to avoid the pain it's not leaving.

   It was now time for my monthly follow up with my surgeon. For nearly 2 years of monthly follow up I'd posted an increase in weight from month to month. For the first time and to our surprise I was down 4 lbs. Not much still surprising since it was the first time that she's ever charted a decrease in my weight.

She asked me what I was doing to lose the weight. Knowing she had told me 10 mins on a bike is the maximum I told her I'm doing 15 minutes on a bike and dieting. The look on her face was puzzling and she tells me that 15 minutes every day isn't good. I need to rest and that every other day would be better.