Statistics: my scale weight is down two pounds and my bodyfat percentage is down 1.5 points.
Translation: I have burned 2.6 pounds of fat and gained 10 ounces of muscle since I began this 50-day holiday fitness challenge. Not bad, although I would like to have torched a little more fat. But the muscle is a delightful benefit.
A major success: I have gotten some form of intense exercise daily, whether it's a workout in the gym or a long ride on my bike. Unfortunately, the rowing season is about over, so I won't get to enjoy many more rows until spring.
Today's exercise: upper-body workout in the gym.
Postscript: Today I met one of my short-term goals—bench pressing six reps at 85 pounds. That's a far cry from where I was 20 years ago, but there's been a lot of sedentary life since then. I know I can get at least as strong as I used to be and indeed stronger. Next short-term bench goal is six reps at 95. That'll take a little while.
The best I ever did on the bench was a maximum single at 125, which at the time was my body weight. Not too shabby. But as an older person, I actually have more confidence. If I got to 125, why not 135? Why not 145? Give me a couple of years, and we'll see.
