Before I started at the gym the idea of it filled me with dread. Walking up hills was an effort, and any sort of exercise usually resulted in pain and discomfort. I imagine it must be like that for a lot of unfit people. And, I wondered how long I’d have the willpower to keep visiting the gym and putting myself through. As the kgs have dropped away and the gym has become a routine, I’ve suddenly realised something interesting: I no longer worry about the pain. Not only because my program is so well designed that I’m not left with pulled muscles and aches after a workout, but also because the pain has actually become enjoyable! I never thought I’d hear read myself say that! It feels good to crank the treadmill up another few notches, or do another 10 seconds on the cross trainer (OK OK I’m at 1 minute 30 seconds on the cross trainer but it’s really hard if you’re built like me and have never done it before!).
It used to be the workout days that I didn’t look forward to (I alternate between upper and lower body workouts and days of just cardio – treadmill and bike work). Now it’s the cardio days, because walking for 30 minutes is boring! So it’s all about the iPod playlists now 
But I hadn’t realised that I was enjoying the “burn” because it crept up on me, and now that makes me really happy, because the gym is no longer something I dread.
I been to (and thrown) a few parties recently and have received a number of flattering comments on my weight loss, and despite being suspicious (“they’re just saying that because they know I’m going to the gym now”) it does really make a difference.
I’m also working on my site, into which this blog will be incorporated – it’ll be an online way to store all my stats and data. A fun hobby for a geek like myself!
Take care!
