I just started a new fitness routine on March 20 and will track my progress on my blog. The first couple of weeks were a little thrown off, as we’ve been adjusting to MyAdvertiser.com’s new platform.

I decided to try the Hawaii Athletic Club (HAC), located across Hooters in Aloha Tower Marketplace, since it is ultra convenient to my workplace. (Don’t get me wrong, I am still a member of Central YMCA. But given the weird hours I put in, I ALSO need something close since I can’t always run home for a workout.) I’ve been running for years, and used to do weight training, but the weight training has waned and I have absolutely no upper body strength.

In addition: at my last job, it was so stressful that I ended up gaining a LOT of weight, not to mention a host of health problems. After I got to Aloha Tower Marketplace, the health problems immediately disappeared, but the weight has not. HAC owner Ray Sagum suggested that, although I run 2-3 times a week, I might need to jump-start my metabolism.

The first thing they do is weigh me, then use a state-of-the-art machine to measure my body fat. HAC’s machine is more accurate than calipers, and a lot less intrusive. My fat is at 28 percent; our goal is to get me down to the 19 – 22 percent range. I’ll tell you more about my weight and post the "before" photos once the progress starts to show!

"We’re going to ‘tear’ the muscle, and build it back up," Ray explained. I do legs on Monday, arms on Tuesday, a full hour of cardio on Wedesday, then harder reps on Thursday and Friday. Unlike previous weight training programs I’ve done before, these are timed—I have to do 15 reps of each exercise in 30 seconds. Each exercise has 5 sets of 15, with 5-second breaks in between. These don’t just test my strength, they push my cardio, and I end up sweating as much as I do when I run! (I still run 2-3 times per week.)

I’ll tell you more about the exercises as I go along, as well as the diet recommendations. I hope to get these check-ins once a week. In the meantime, I have put out an inquiry to various people to get a "challenge" together. Anyone want to join me? We can track our progress together, either on separate blogs or consolidated on this one. Email me! Let me know!

First milestone: For the last 6 months, my blood pressure suddenly got elevated again. It was in the 160-170 range up until a few weeks ago. Well, this week I went to the doctor, and it’s plummeted to 136/66! Still slightly elevated, but pretty darn good.

Hawaii Athletic Club
www.hawaiiathleticclub.com
Aloha Tower Marketplace
Open 7 days a week
(808) 537-1131