265!

That's what the scale read tonight at the Y. I knew I lost something since I became sick last Thursday, but I didn't think it was as much as 3 lbs.

Actually, the illness allowed me to test a theory of mine. Recently I've come to believe that I've past a point at which regular strength training is more of a hindrance than a success. Assuming that I'll lose muscle mass as soon as I'm off my regimen, and that I was too weak to go anyways, I avoided the Y for four days. The results, as you can see, speak for themselves.

Tonight I met up with Amy, the trainer that initially set up the equipment for me. After talking to her for a while, we discussed if I should change my strategy. After some debate we settled on a new plan for me. Until now, I've been doing 3 sets of 12 reps for all 15 machines at reasonable resistance. Amy suggests that I do 2 sets for each machine at higher weights, followed by 20 minutes of cardio (treadmill, elliptical). The following two days will be 40-45 minutes (I'm currently doing 50) of cardio each. The four day will be recovery.

The new plan is designed to maintain my current strength while focusing on the fat-burning cardio exercises. I will not be dropping strength training entirely, as the muscle mass increases metabolism and thus makes fat-burning easier. I still believe that my previous regimen of 1 day of strength training, 1 day cardio, 1 day off, was good starting out. I needed to build up the muscle and endurance for more cardio.

While driving home I also thought of the possibility of working on writing while doing my cardio exercises. In the past, I've watched anime as a kind of incentive. It is also possible for me to read or write during the workout with music as a background. This may help my difficulty in maintaining -- well, maintaining any creative output at all. Maybe if my legs are busy, I won't overthink my writing either. ^_~