Gym: Day 2, and Compliments Are Nice

So day 2 at the gym was a bit better. I changed before we went, which meant just throwing my purse into a locker. No changing in a hurry, praying no one comes in. No trying to hurry while the husband waits. We also took my oldest niece along as she is staying with us for the next week and a half. I wasn't sure if she would want to, or if I wanted her to, but it all worked out pretty well. Her and I rode stationary bikes and talked while Matt walked on the treadmill before joining us.

Somehow, the bikes at the gym are so much different than mine at home. Mine has less resistance bands, which means at the gym that I have to set it at 5-6 to feel like a 2 on my home bike. So one would think it would be easier to do more/go farther on the gym bikes. Ugh, if only. Instead I log my activity and see that I've gone considerably slower, like 5 mph slower. It just makes no sense to me. But today my outer thighs are slightly sore, so I must have worked them more than normal.

I met my trainer by chance. She was talking to a woman by us, then came over and asked how things were going. I was immediately annoyed that I said "I'm dyin'" and her response was "no no, we don't say those words around here! you're not dying!" Well yes, woman, I understand in the literal sense that I am indeed living, and in fact prolonging my life, but as a matter of speech, I was tired, sweaty, and wishing I could stop. So my trainer is this very thin, blond woman from CA who overly perky, enthusiastic and positive. While I understand why my husband points out that they kind of have to be, I know that while I am pushing myself to the point of hurting, I don't want a cheerleader. Well, maybe I do, but I don't!

Today I told two co-workers about our new "changed lifestyle." Both were extremely supportive, of course. One offered some tips, which the gym employees had already covered: strength training first, then cardio. I was taken a bit off guard at the info he seemed to have learned from his friend, namely because he's lost weight via depression/starvation. The other co-worker was "inspired." I told her to wait a good 6 months before being inspired, but it was nice to hear.

Two Milestones Today

I rode the bike twice today! Twice!! The first time, I spent 32 min at the second resistance level. Normally I only spend about 5 min before I feel too tired in the knees/thighs, but today I spent the whole time on that level. Then we did some errands, got some more items for the gym, and I rode again while we watched a show... for 55 min! I feel great just knowing I rode not once, but twice, let alone on step 2 and for almost 90 min today! Crossing my fingers for a great weigh-in tomorrow!

Oww!

I realize that I didn't ride the bike for 5 days and therefore, my butt should hurt from riding the bike. But after riding for 3 days in a row, the pain isn't getting any better. So, today I bought a Zoic Urban Assault Wide Pad. After looking around at what others suggest for an aching rear end, I came across two suggestions: new saddle, or wear bike shorts. My big concern with a saddle was that most recommend going to a local bike shop to ensure you can try several seats, make sure it is fitted properly, etc. Seems a bit hard to a stationary bike. So shorts seemed like a good, no-brainer idea. Instead of a padded seat, pad your own seat! The price ranged a lot, as did size, and then I worried I would either get a pair that were too big or too small, or that they would eventually need replacing from losing weight. Somehow I came across the removable piece, and while there aren't any reviews that I can find (unbelievable, I know!), I figure you can't lose with something that fits in whatever you want to wear, no matter the size. That's my hope anyway....

What A Dilemma

So today I face a dilemma I never thought I would have: whether or not to ride the exercise bike. And not like "ugh, I don't feel like riding it but I really should...boo." The dilemma is more that I rode for 24 min on Tuesday, and 25 min last night, and the seat has made my ass hurt really, really bad. I've been doing research this morning about different types of bike seats, wider seats, etc. and all I can really conclude is that it might be more of an adjustment issue. I guess the seat could just be too hard. Trying to find a better seat, or even info. about what the issue could be, is like finding a needle in a haystack. I found some interesting looking "lawn chair style seats" but a) they look like they would slouch onto the metal poles that hold them up and b) they cost half of what my bike did! I found a bunch of seat styles claiming they are wider, soft, gel, adjustable in width, the list goes on and on, but nothing really guarantees it will fix the issue. So, I guess even though I feel like riding tonight, I might have to take a night off, already. Sitting on it yesterday hurt tremendously bad, even with a pillow on the seat, until I adjusted to this magical spot, which then meant that my, um, nether regions and ass went numb.

I guess of all the things I could complain about, this has to be the best one!