However, after several hours of feeling anxious and drenched in sweat from yet another hot flush I called the ‘Nurse Line’ our medical insurers offer and talked my symptoms through with what seemed like a trained caring professional.

She advised me against going to the hospital as my combined issues did not not seem to add up to any kind of ‘heart emergency’. She suggested both it and the prior day’s event may have simply been akin to ‘panic attacks’, nevertheless recommending that I see my cardiologist a.s.a.p to be certain.

As I had an appointment already scheduled for tomorrow I took that advice and option, thanking her for calming me down a little. I eventually mellowed enough to (surprisingly) enjoy a very good night’s sleep.

The wife got home early this afternoon and we took advantage of the nice weather to have a quick brisk stroll round the neighbourhood. It was only 1.56 miles but, like yesterday, I feel tons better for it.

Fingers crossed I don’t experience a hat-trick of bad nights later!

2012 Distance:- 30.21 + 1.56 = 31.77 miles

I had to try and shake off some of the ‘funk’, almost wishing to do something to punch this bad feeling square in the face.

I wrapped up warmly – including a fabby new thermal undershirt, a Christmas gift from the wife – and headed out into a crisp, dry, but sunny Sunday afternoon.

I walked further than I perhaps imagined I would, managing 3.81 miles in the process.

It did make me feel a little better. I do miss the daily walking regime – maybe my body misses it a lot too?

2012 Distance:- 25.48 + 1.00 + 3.81 = 30.21 miles

- 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