Ross A. Laird

My program seems to be moving forward smoothly, despite my few aches and pains and my tendency to convince myself — every time — that I will not be able to make it through twenty minutes of running. Yet I do make it, and sometimes I even manage increase my pace. My strength training regimen is going very well, and I’m enjoying it a great deal.

Here are the bare details:

Strength Training
I’ve managed surprising results in this area. On most of the machines I am completing between 8 and 12 slow repetitions, using 140 pounds (twice per week). This is almost a fifty per cent increase in weight since I started. On the lat pulldown machine I am completing two sets — one with arms facing forward, one with arms facing each other — just because it’s fun. Though I still struggle with the quad machine, the pain in my right hip (which is quad-related) has almost completely vanished.

Running
Within the past two weeks I have increased my running so that I complete a total of two miles in about twenty minutes. This is not a fast pace, but I run after forty minutes of intense strength training, and the combination seems to feel about right. I plan to increase my pace slowly as I go on.

Badminton
I’m only managing once per week, but it’s such fun when I do play that I’m planning to increase to twice per week very soon. I find that I can now play for an hour without exhaustion. This is due, no doubt, to the other fitness activities.

Overall, I’m very happy with my progress. My energy is higher and I feel more fit — though I do not seem to be losing any weight. As I have some to lose, it would be good to make progress in this area. Increasing my running may help. Eating less sugar probably will too. But I am not going to go on a diet, or buy into any of the crazy quick-fix schemes out there. I am going to continue what I’ve been doing: staying active, paying attention, working toward improvement.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this program at the moment is that it feels easy (now, finally); like a habit. I’m not pushing myself but rather following my enjoyment. That feels good.