- The mini-weights circuit in full.
- 100 reps on the ab crunch and leg press, 30 on all the rest.
- 20 minutes (4 miles) on the recumbent bike

I would have done more but apparently it was “National Be a Douchebag at the Gym Day” and I was unaware. Sooooo many people – mainly guys, but one girl too – being absolute arseholes to both me and other respectful people working out. I’m not going to get into detail just exhale a collective *sigh* accompanied by a “where do these utter ignorant wankers come from?” thought.

2012 Distance:- 25.48 + 1.00 = 26.48 miles

Quite the successful work-out too..

• 20 minutes (4 miles) one on of Urban Active’s new recumbent bikes, which ‘kick my arse’ a lot harder than the older models
• The entire mini-weights circuit x30 reps per machine, except the ab crunch x80 and the leg press x100. Yes, 100!
• 10 laps – 1 mile – on the walking circuit

Not bad at all, considering.

However, I am painfully aware that it has taken me some 24 days to achieve the walking distance I was doing in a week during my 2011 heydays! *sigh*

2012 Distance:- 25.48 + 1.00 = 26.48 miles

I’m still not enjoying it that much, but I’m aware I need to do something if my more beloved walking is otherwise off the table as an option.

All the recumbent bikes were in use so I thought I’d try out their newer elliptical and walk/spread machines. Sorry to report that they both beat me after just five minutes on each, the walk/spread machine proving to be a weird contraption which seems to throw your hips all the place and puts strains on muscles I’m not sure I need to strain?!

I did improve my output on the weights circuit a little though. I did 30 reps per machine on 8 pieces of the equipment, but on two others I very much upped the ante.

On the Leg  Press I pushed out 80 reps, whilst on the Ab Crunch I popped out 100!

There is a certain method to this madness. I am painfully aware that my mid-section is expanding again – the result of a) not getting enough exercise and b) comfort eating too much food.

Eagle-eyed readers will have noted that I haven’t weighed myself in several weeks/months… there IS a reason for that… namely that I don’t want to depress myself even more! I KNOW I’m heavier.

2012 Distance:- 25.48 miles

Yes, I returned to the gym this morning. My first visit in 2012.

It was fraught.

Temperatures have dropped to below freezing, accompanied by some strong cold winds. I think my body got FAR too cold walking from the car to the gym’s doors, then rebelled when I started to work out.

I couldn’t do anything without levels of certain discomfort. The complete mini-weights circuit plus 5 miles on the recumbent bike sounds like a successful morning, but believe me when I say every movement came with pain I could have certainly done without. Needless to say I abandoned the notion of also doing my favoured swimming pool exploits.

I had worried that the heart meds (especially the blood thinners and beta blockers) I am on would make me feel uncomfortably cold this winter. It looks like I was right to worry?!

>edited to add 3.13 miles for Sunday 1/14<

2012 Distance:- 15.03 + 5.12 + 2.20 + 3.13 = 25.48 miles

Today, of course, the weather turned colder and more ‘winter’-like, rain, sleet and snow now all moving into the Tri-State. It should – and could – have stopped me from going out but I decided to brave the drizzle and walk to the levee complex for a movie this morning (pre-midday screenings are just 6 bucks!). This gave me a useful 2.20 mile distance round-trip.

Not a lot, but better than nowt.

2012 Distance:- 15.03 + 5.12 + 2.20 = 22.35 miles

With the weather remaining nice, sunny and mild – against ALL expectations – again today, I got ‘out there’ once again, walking into downtown to meet the missus at work and then walk back home with her.

Another 5+ miles under my belt. I shouldn’t but I could get used to this!

2012 Distance:- 15.03 + 5.12 = 20.15 miles

Today’s combination of mild weather and me feeling closer to 100% rather than less than 50% as I have done resulted in a walk to meet my wife downtown for lunch and a stroll back via Covington’s riverfront.

A very credible almost 6 miles for the day!

Yessssssssss!

>edited to add 2.23 miles for Friday 1/6<
>edited to add 1.77 miles for Saturday 1/7<
>edited to add 2.66 miles for Sunday 1/8<

2012 Mileage = 2.43 + 5.94 + 2.23 + 1.77
+ 2.66 = 15.03 miles

A very modest 2.43 mile stroll in better-than-expected weather – which turned very nasty within 5 minutes of getting home!

2012 Mileage = 2.43 miles

A combination of “hey, its the holidays”, poor weather conditions, illness and abject apathy has found me doing very little.

I did manage a 2.39 mile stroll Christmas Eve, and a more modest 1.71 miles on Boxing Day. But that has been it. Pathetic really.

>edited to add 2.42 miles on 12/29<

Total number of miles in 2011 = + 4.10 + 2.42 = 1173.64 miles

Today, whilst heading back to my car from my barbers, I managed to step on an uneven piece of brickwork whilst crossing the road, turning my left ankle over on itself in the process. Not initially painful, but now a few hours later… excruciating!

In hindsight the worst thing I could have done lunchtime is to walk to the courthouse – a 1.66 mile roundtrip – to collect my new driver’s license.

I should/could’ve laid my ankle up and rested it, thus also maybe alleviating my groin. I did neither. I am officially stupid.

Total number of miles in 2011 = + 1.66 = 1166.12 miles