Lower Body Workout

Today was my "Day 2" in the new workout schedule:

I did everything it said on the sheet, but I think I need to get someone to watch me do the lunges and squats to make sure my form is right. I focused on learning more of the lower body and abdominal machines, making sure I was really doing as much weight as I could for ten-twelve reps, and doing multiple sets. I can't afford to get a trainer to help me with the free form exercises, but the abdominal ones like crunches and planks I am confident I am doing well. Maybe I can find a video on squats :)

Before and after my strength training session, I filled out the rest of the hour with uphill walking. I did 10 incline and 3 miles per hour for five minutes on either end of the strength training. Somehow even though it was only a short time, this exercise seemed way harder and more painful than the bike and rower. I really struggle with the treadmill and always have. I  felt a searing, burning sensation in my chest. I don't feel this when I am walking, and I think maybe the treadmill psyches me out because I have fallen off of it before and I don't like feeling out of control of my pace (bc of the moving floor). I will try it again but maybe at a more moderate incline.

This evening I had very bad abdominal pains. They didn't feel like being sore (and I have experienced that plenty recently) - it felt stabbing and sharp. I'm not sure if it is because of the exercises or not. I'll have to keep an eye on that... it's possible that contracting and tightening my abdomen is not a good plan for now. the problem is, I don't know how long "for now" is going to become.

Generally I am feeling empowered by my revved up exercise. I figure, if I can perform rigorous exercise, I can go on job interviews and go to work.

More to come! Thanks for reading :)