Friday,
February 1, 2002

Kicking it at home

I'm currently enjoying the lacuna between the end of my contract and the beginning of my permanent job as the first day of a a three day weekend, which is a goodness after the kerfaffle and fluster of the last couple of days. I can use a few days off before the whirl begins anew on Monday.

I'm forward-thinking that way, you know.

Speaking of enjoyment, I'm also enjoying the results of the free weights I've been using for the last two weeks. I haven't been what I would call dedicated with them, but I've been trying to get at least two sessions a week, in addition to the time on the crosstrainer, and I can see the difference in my legs -- my calves are starting to harden nicely and develop definition like you would not believe, and even the thighs are starting to lose some of their pudge. The rest of the body doesn't have as solid a base for muscle development as my legs (all those years of marching band were good for something, it seems), but I can see some improvement in my arms and shoulders, and the tum does seem to be receeding the tiniest bit. Gotta love ab crunches on a Swissball.

Of course, the real reason why I like to lift weights has nothing to do with weight loss (well, very little with weight loss, although it's a hella side effect) -- I lift because I like to feel strong. I have no idea if this is related to the reason why I like to fence or what, but being strong and competent and holding a weapon just feels gooooood. Which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who really knows me -- I just look like a matronly earth mother who bakes cookies. Piss me off or threaten me and mine, and you'd better hope your insurance plan covers death and disability.

Hmm. Must be having a hormone surge -- usually I don't wax quite so Xenaesque.

But it's been fun with the iron, yeah. I don't use pastel-covered weights or do low weight/high rep combinations, since that's 1) moderately useless in building adequate amounts of muscle, and 2) I know that there's no way lifting heavy weights are going to turn me into Arnold Schwartzenegger -- I simply don't have the requisite testosterone to bulk up like that. I use regular weights, in the double-digit range (although I'm working up to 100 pounds on the lat pulldown), and I'm following the beginner workout recommended by Mistress Krista.

And man, I love the way I feel. If I can keep this up, I'll post pictures, I promise.