im really happy. have i mentioned that? life is good.

yesterday i went to the gym for the first time in nearly five months. holy cow that’s a long time. i have been on a few runs since i got back from phoenix, but they have all made me feel tremendously out of shape. my lungs are really bad…i am wheezing after ive gone about a mile and im still on an inhaler as a precaution post-pneumonia. ugh.

the good news is that i had a blast at the gym yesterday. i was shooting for just 15 minutes on an ellipse, but i did 20 (which used to not be much, but i wasnt quite sure what to expect since it’s been so long). i then went to do free weights and while ive obviously lost most of my strength and muscle tone, it was great to lift again. i think sitting in front of a mirror for an hour three times a week really helps a person feel good about their body. i know it at least makes me feel better.

the best part was the fact that the gym has gotten new weights and some new machines in the free-weight room. i dont mean machines in the real sense — i mean like a new leg press with independent suspension for each leg and this *awesome* squat machine. both rely on disk weights (so it’s like a barbell, in a sense), and you therefore know the weight youre lifting (as compared to a nautilus machine, where you basically just get a weight ratio). the leg press with separated legs requires a great deal more coordination and concentration, which is fun. and the squat — let me tell you about the squat machine:

since im a girl and my legs are stronger than my arms, ive never attempted to do weighted squats. i figured my upper body couldnt support enough weight to make a difference to my lower body. but this machine allows you to put weights on bars that are supported by pads on your shoulders. you stand on a slanted platform and are forced to have good position when squatting. im loving it! i *hate* those normal hamstring curl machines and refuse to do them, so this is a good ass and ham workout that i am soon to be obsessed with. yippee!

now i just have to get back into good enough shape that i am not embarassed to go back to step classes. im also a little scared ive forgotten the steps…like around the world, helicopter, mambo, etc. i cant even remember all their names….