thirteen times

Today was pretty special.
This was the thirteenth time this month that I've gone to the gym.
Yes...
me...
at a gym...
repeatedly...
on purpose...
making the change in my life.
I'd like to say I'm already seeing a difference.
Others won't see that slight increase in tone of my upper arms...
but I do.
Others might not notice an increased firmness of my thighs...
but I do.
Slow and steady, that's what is making the difference.
All of this flab and loose musculature didn't happen overnight.
I realize, as I told the trainer, Elton, that I must have patience.
Small steps toward a healthier, firmer, me.
Today, I even carried a small journal around with me.
I logged in the names of the machines I utilized -
machines that I have already attended class on at least once:
hip adduction, seated leg curl, hammer strength MTS shoulder press,
hammer strength MTS row, leg extension, hip abduction, hand weights -
as well as the number of repetitions for the specific counterweight.
For the treadmill, I noted the amount of time and the highest walking
speed used during my session. Primarily, I use it to begin my course,
to loosen and warm up my body, then again, at the end, to have one last
dancing-while-I-walk-fast bout.
I've made good progress on the treadmill.
When I first started, I had to use a speed of 0.5 miles per hour, then
gradually increase up to 1.2 mph.
Now, I start our walking at 2.0 mph!
I'm quite pleased about that.
So far, my outings at Planet Fitness have lasted about 90 minutes, total.
Sometimes I'm there a little longer, sometimes a little less.
Sometimes I'm there in early afternoon, sometimes at late night hours.
For the most part, I'm actually enjoying myself.
Who would have thought that?
(smile)