I am sold. Elliptical machines are outstanding. The bike will now likely be a last resort. I still don't like Smith machines however. I went to Gold's today and had them show me around just so I could get away later and get on a bench. This was the first time I've lifted free weights in literally years. Over 5 years.

It felt really good to throw around the weights again. And I was very surprised at how easy I could knock out reps with 135. I know it's just a warm-up weight, but still, I haven't lifted in so long, and this was done after I had benched on the Smith in my apartment gym. I'm seriously thinking of getting a six-month membership, but they want $39 to sign up and then $39.99 a month. That's too much.

I haven't been slacking off. In fact, today (Monday) is my first off-day in four days. It's just that on Saturday I went to our apartment complex fitness center and lifted weights for the first time in years. I did the same thing yesterday and am pretty sore today-especially back and biceps. Not my chest so much--I think I was in pretty good shape from all those push-ups.

Plus, what they have is a Smith machine, and even back when I lifted weights regularly I never did like them for bench press work--thought they were kind of gimmicky--you think you have 150 pounds on there, but the machine helps out so much that you're likely lifting 20% less. But it went well, and I even enjoyed tossing around the barbells again--never thought I would see the day.

What I'm really going to focus on down there are the elliptical machines. Again, this is another piece of equipment that I always thought was more gimmick than reality. But I'm willing to give it a try--as noted, I've been busting my hump on my cycle for five months, and I really can't see any noticeable difference.

I did a 40 minute session on the elliptical and at the 30 minute mark, I was actually ahead in calories burned than at the same point riding. And for the 40 minutes (plus 5 minute cooldown), I burned 560.1 calories. I guess it's because you nominally use the upper body--which means more calories burned--it makes sense.

So I think for the next three months or so, I'm going to stress elliptical, with a split-routine using the Smith and dumb bells (and chinning machine) they have down there. I'll try to make a progress report each week.

Level 10
25 minutes
27 February (345 cal)

Level 10
25 minutes
26 February (341 cal)

My back is not improving, so I've decided to cease push-ups until next Monday. Today's ride was tough. It was a very discouraging day. I don't think my body shape has changed much for the better, even after hundreds of push-ups, and busting my ass each ride. At least I think I am--I sweat bucket loads.

I may have to shake things up significantly. I'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Level 10 25 pushups x4
25 minutes
24 February (346 cal)

4x30 at FSI.

Level 10 25x25x25x23
25 minutes
23 February (344 cal)

Have a slightly sore muscle, upper back, right side. This may be affecting push-ups. 4x30 at FSI.

Level 10 24 pushupsx4
25 minutes
21 February (343 cal)

Had a protein shake and whole foods vitamin pill about 1.5 hours before ride. Felt tired and a bit heavy, but energy ok. Had no idea I was on record pace until after final hills.

Level 10 24 pushupsx4
25 minutes
20 February (338 cal)

good energy, pleased with result, stayed above 110 rpm at all stages--though pulse rate was high today--by about 10 bpm. Late ride today--7:00pm. Headaches have returned, today was pretty bad--most of the day. Had a movie party for Lao class today--went to classmate's house and watched "Air America"--awful. But our Lao teacher made food--I had three heaping servings of veg pad thai and two of papaya salad and sticky rice, one BeerLao Dark and four brownies. Came home and took a 2.5 hour nap, woke up, still had headache, took two aspirin. Decided at last minute to ride--glad I did, headache disappeared. 2x30 at FSI. (I may well have done three sets, but since I honestly can't remember, I have to take the lower figure).

Level 09 pushups: 24x20x24x24
25 minutes
19 February (320 cal)

I cannot account for the failure in the second set of push-ups. That's usually the set where I have the most energy--both the first two sets went slowly. It may be that I am a bit tired: 4x30 at FSI.

Tomorrow will proceed to level 10.

Level 09 24 pushupsx4
25 minutes
18 February (312 cal)

had hoped to get over 315--not particularly tired--just didn't get the calories. Will push harder tomorrow. May try to get back to level 10 on Friday. If not, then certainly Monday. Did light series of push-ups while in New Orleans.

Level 10 24 pushupsx4
25 minutes
12 February (340 cal)

Good energy today, above 110 rpms for entire ride, but did not think I was on a particularly fast pace, as I did not push myself. Surprised at result. For lunch I had two veg samosas, a protein shake with juice and frozen fruit, followed by a grapefruit half hour later--two hours before ride.

Will drop to level 9 because I will not be able to ride again until next Wednesday or Thursday--need to go back to New Orleans tomorrow for aunt's funeral.

4x30 at FSI.

Level 10 24 pushupsx4
25 minutes
11 February (335 cal)

Easier today, but I pulled back. Still managed to stay above 110 rpm on all hills. After the final steepest hill, on the flat recovery minute, I slipped to 109 rpm, but then recovered. Struggled on the last set of 24 push-ups.

Today was not a good day--woke up at around 0530 with a slight headache, which has remained with me for the rest of the day. Took two aspirin at 1430. No headache during ride.

4x30 at FSI.

Level 10 24 pushupsx4
25 minutes
10 February (336 cal)

Really hard. I had a protein shake about an hour and a half before the ride--this on top of my normal lunch. This may have been a mistake. It was no more than 350 calories, but I cramped up and got dizzy after the hills. Managed to stay above 110 rpm. From now on, I'll have the shake, if any, after the ride.

5x30 at FSI.

Level 09 23 pushupsx4
25 minutes
07 February (324 cal)

Good energy again, will definitely move to level 10 on Monday.

Level 09 23 pushupsx4
25 minutes
06 February (325 cal)

5x30 at FSI. Excellent energy today. If I exceed 120 cal tomorrow, I will move up to level 10 Monday. I may stay at 25 minutes for some time to come, because it seems I don't overtrain as easily at this duration.

Level 09 23 pushupsx4
25 minutes
04 February (322 cal)

5x30 at FSI.

Level 09 23 pushupsx4
25 minutes
03 February (322 cal)

4x30 at FSI.

Level 09 23 pushupsx4
25 minutes
02 February (321 cal)

3x30 at FSI.

Level 09 22 pushupsx4
25 minutes
31 January (316 cal)

ran out of gas on steepest two hills; may be because I rode early today and have not had lunch. For breakfast had a bowl of 粥 and some fried soybeans.

Level 09 22 pushupsx4
25 minutes
30 January (316 cal)

4x25 at FSI.

Level 09 22 pushupsx4
25 minutes
28 January (317 cal)

4x25 at FSI.

Level 09 22 pushupsx4
25 minutes
27 January (314 cal)

4x25 at FSI.

Level 09 22 pushupsx4
25 minutes
26 January (311 cal)

4x25 at FSI.

Level 09 21 pushupsx4
25 minutes
23 January (309 cal)

5x25 at FSI.

Level 09 no pushups today
20 minutes
17 January (256 cal)

Level 09 21 pushupsx4
20 minutes
16 January (254 cal)

4x25 at FSI. Struggled to complete last set of 21.

Level 09 21 pushupsx4
20 minutes
14 January (247 cal)

rode above 110 rpm except for final steep hill (107+), heart rate low 180s bpm for final hill. Winded, but energy good overall. Much happier about push-ups today---still pretty sore.

2x20 at FSI.

Level 09 21 pushupsx3, 16x1
20 minutes
12 January (232 cal)

was sick as noted, then left that following Tuesday to New Orleans. I could've (should've) started back last week, but was in a pretty lousy frame of mind.

Felt ok today, had a peak heart rate of 171 bpm at the highest hill. Having the right thigh problem, as I always do when I start up. Stayed at 105 rpm or higher. Will stay at 20 minutes the next two rides, then Friday and Saturday see about moving up to 25 minutes. 5x20 at FSI.