A Step Up

     Tonight I brought Emily and a friend to the gym. Not exactly what I wanted to do, but it made her happy. While the ladies were strolling the indoor track, I figured I'd get in some cardio. I used the Stair Stepper and the Recumbent Bicycle. I finished up with the multi hip machine because that's become one of my new favorites.

     I woke up this morning expecting the worse from my knees. I pushed heavier weight yesterday than I have in literally years, so I was ready for some pretty severe aches. I was nothing less than shocked when I got out of bed without knee pain and went downstairs like a normal person, without wincing, grimacing or grunting in pain. The only thing I can think is that the stretching I'm getting from the multi hip machine as well as the inner/outer thigh machine is lessening some of the strain on my knee caps. I can't say it's because I've gained muscle because it's much too soon for that. But stretching? Yes, I think I could see results from that in a week. I don't know how to explain how wonderful the absence of pain is. I'm by no means 100%. Deep squats are still totally out of the question - acute angles are not my friends right now. But to be able to go downstairs and get laundry without pain, or simply get up from the couch without issue, is a wonderful thing. 

     Here's what got done tonight:

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STEPPER MACHINE:

556 steps in roughly 13 minutes on level 1

I wasn't too into this machine. I don't think I was doing it quite right or something. I dunno. It felt like I couldn't get into a good rhythm with it. I'll try again next cardio day.

RECUMBENT BIKE:

I set it on the "Rolling Hills" setting. I tried various levels, but settled on level 5 for most of it. Including a cool down period, I went 7 miles in roughly 30 minutes.

MULTI HIP MACHINE:

I set the weight at 7 lbs for all of the movements.

Inner/Outer thigh x15 ea leg

hip flexor x15 ea leg

glute x15 ea. leg.

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     And that was it. I was toasted after that. I was a sweaty, red-faced mess, but I don't care. I'm enjoying the work and I'm enjoying the effects it's already having. Now If I could start dropping a few of these extra pounds, that would be great. All in due time, I suppose.