January 9, 2006
So for the first time in at least three years, I lifted today. Good Lord, I was not ready for that. It started off just fine with a light cardio warm up. Of course, those 10 minutes on the elliptical machine had me seeing stars afterwards. But, I did burn 186 calories, which is equal to one and a half cans of Coke. So that was nice.
I wasn’t too worried about my panting and huffing, though. I know I will have to build my stamina. I moved on from there, ready and willing to conquer the weights, but so not able.
Bench press was first. I did a humorously low weight of 95 pounds, just to make sure my muscles hadn’t died. The first set had me feeling like a champ. The plan was to do three sets of 10, but I felt so good, I did 14 in the first set just to get the feel of the bar back. Second set, I could only do 10. Third set, nine. I pussed out, I know, but I didn’t have a spotter and I think it would have been slightly embarrassing to call someone over to pull the equivalent of an Olsen twin off my chest.
But the bench press was a complete success, otherwise. Then it was on to the incline press. That is where the trouble began. I hate the incline, I always have. The problem is, I didn’t remember how much I hated it until I was under the bar this morning. I had the same 95 pounds on there, since the bench was so easy. First set, I got 10. Then there was a steady decline on the incline. A set of eight followed. That’s when I started breathing heavy. After my third set, which lasted six reps, my arms burned with the sweet crackle of a summer campfire.
I rested for a second, but I was determined to finish. I went on to curls. I wouldn’t say that was a mistake as much as just a bad idea. I got three sets in (10, 10, 9) but seriously, I wasn’t sure my arms could move above my shoulders afterwards. Good news, though, I still had full range. So I went on to shoulders - a vertical press in a seated position where you lift the weight directly above your head. I think I have a mental deficiency or something because I thought I could actually do this at that point. I struggled through three sets. I had to go down in weight on the third because, well, a torn labrum (I don’t really know where that muscle is, but it sounds like it should be in the shoulder) wasn’t going to help my workout plan.
Article comments
1 - chantal stone
keep up the great work dan! i'm routing for you!!!
2 - RJ Elliott
I once dropped 30 pounds in a month. I was back to a fairly slim, attractive weight. But it was utter hell doing it, and I only kept it off for about a year.
Now I need some motivation to do the same thing one more time. I need to drop about 30 pounds, and I wanna do it quick.
Maybe Dan can help motivate me. Dan, once you get under 350, let me know. After that, we can do this thing together...
3 - zingzing
i just started (yesterday, 1/12) working out at a gym for the first time since high school (i am as old as you are, dan). i'm not really there to lose that much weight... i broke up with a girl about three weeks ago, and after the week of "no, i'm not hungry, i can't eat yada yada," the metabolism dropping off, the "god i'm hungry, feed me some goddamn tacos," the pudge coming on in my stomach, feeling unattractive to the opposite sex which i want so much right now... i felt i should. needless to say, the first day was embarassing. i was curling 60 pounds, and my left arm was failing me. i dunno. i smoke, so running exhausted me after only 5 minutes... runner's high? ha! runner's wooziness. but! i brought my workout clothes with me today to work, i'm going right after i get off, and i'm gonna make that woman so damn jealous... i saw her last night, and it was the first time i've felt any confidence around her in a while. keep up the good fight, dan, and may we all get some action soon. of course, stay healthy, keep working out, and don't fall apart. god, my shoulder hurts.