Exercise and painting

I've been worrying about the gradual expansion of my waistline for some time, but other than some low-grade dissatisfaction, it hasn't had a major impact on my life - until recently. The other day, my kindergarten-aged son discovered the joys of placing his hands against my belly and pushing until I barked at him to quit. He was amazed (and I, disconcerted) to discover just how far he could press in.

So, now I'm going to the gym. My strategy is as follows: first, I will focus on increasing muscle mass. That will help to increase my caloric needs, with the fringe benefit of helping my self image (I currently resemble a lump of uncooked bread dough). Second, I will "fill in the corners" with cardio to improve tone and overall fitness. Tactically, that means I will lift weights until I think I can't anymore, and then use an elliptical trainer until I want to puke. At my current level of capability, I'll certainly be able to handle more strength training than cardio, but over time I think the ratios will balance out.

In practice last night, it worked pretty well. The gym at the hospital for which I work is open twenty-four hours, so I had the place to myself at three in the morning. I did some squats and some calf work (at an embarrassingly-low weight, but there is after all a reason that I'm working out), and then pounded on my upper body for a while. I didn't feel comfortable using the free-weights. First, even though they have safety bars, I've had it pounded into me that you have to have a spotter. Second, and more immediately pressing, was my phone. I loaded up my iPhone with books-on-tape, to provide me with some mental activity. I don't have a bluetooth headset yet, so around the free weights I constantly worried about where to put my phone. Close enough to reach my head? Far enough to avoid constant drops? Too much to worry about.

So I used the weight machines, and sat my phone on the weight stack instead, and did what I could, and went home. I then sat down to paint some PanOceania Fusiliers, and boy did that not work out. It seems that heavy physical exertion in the upper-body promotes involuntary muscle tremors. I've got some good technique, but there's only so much that bracing your arms can do.

Moral of the Story: Paint before you lift weights, not after. I'll have some photos of my Fusiliers to share soon.