Embrace Your Destiny: Enjoy the Improvements

A new stretch 

Week by week, I'm getting stronger. I see improvement in leg strength almost daily. How do I know? My most immediate example is what else, just walking. 

I had done hot yoga followed by an hour workout at the gym. I had worked on leg strength that day. Normally, after doing both activities, my legs feel heavy and tired.They did feel a bit tired, but my son-in-law, Philippe invited me to take a walk with him. I love walking and it was a beautiful day. Of course, I said yes. We walked on a gravel road that was very rough in places. It had holes and uneven loose gravel and was hilly. We went to the top of a hill then turned around to go home. Even on the return hike, I had no problem with balance or leg motion. My right foot rarely toe-tapped and I didn't need to hold Philippe's arm very often. That's progress!


Every lesson with trainer Lacey at Gold's Gym is interesting. She gives me challenging but doable exercises working one or more areas of strength development. I particularly enjoy using new equipment and trying new things. Lacey said we would concentrate on upper body strength today. This is a big weakness in my body and probably contributes to my deteriorating posture. 

Right side weak

Squat below perpendicular

You can see in the picture, the weakness in my right side when I try to hold up the 8 pound weight as directed. The other squat exercise is an upgrade in strength from ones I had done earlier in my practice at the gym. Lacey said I am actually sitting below perpendicular on this exercise at 15". She had a pole for me to grab, but I was able to do it without the pole for support. Lacey said the process is working! 

First we warmed up the lats and shoulder muscles with the stretch above and another. Then she showed me a new TRX exercise which is a facilitated pull-up. Actually, with theTRX the body is the key to difficulty. Lacey helped me get in a good place with my feet so it would not be too difficult and then made sure I did it properly.  By the third set, I was able to make it a harder exercise requiring more upper body strength. For this exercise I lower all the way down slowly then stand back up quickly.

A TRX pull-up

I try to go to Gold's three times a week. Once for my session with Lacey and two on my own. Progress is incremental. I don't see it everyday, but I recognize it month to month. I firmly believe that strength is a key to my improvement, so I will continue into 2018 for more improvement.