What I get from going to the gym

For the past one month, I have been going to the gym regularly on an alternate-day basis. As it is getting cold and wet in the winter season, it makes outdoor activity more difficult. No hiking, no outdoor jogging. To maintain a healthy body and a strong heart, I had to go to gym. (the idea of going for a heart checkup sends me a signal of poverty, it cost me a fortune on my previous checkup, have to take good care of my heart, I couldn't afford to have anything happen to it)

In Altera SJ, we have a fairly big gym room with many different equipments and a big locker room with lockers and shower. To get access to the gym, employees have to attend orientation. I guess this is to make sure people know how to use the equipment safely.

I go to the gym alone all the time because those freaking friends that I know, they never gain weight or extra fat even though they are eating regularly and are not exercising. I don't get it. Anyway, even though alone, I was always eagerly awaiting my gym day. I supposed the reason would be because of the set of complete equipment in the gym and the fact that I have an iPod to accompany me while I'm working out. The thought of being able to burn out the oily food I ate that morning or the night before gives me great satisfaction.

In the beginning, I'd be in the gym only for jogging. I'd hoop onto the treadmill and set a 30mins manual run continue with a set of 15 sit ups, usually giving up around 25mins into the run. That's all I'd do which takes about 30 to 35mins.

After a few times, I get knee pain on the left leg. Maybe too much exercises or too much hiking? Or maybe arthritis because of the cold weather? I don't know, have to go to a doctor when I'm back to Msia. So I change to cycling. I actually sweat more when I cycle. I'd try to maintain RPM of 65 or higher.

As I get more used to exercise in the gym, I don't get as tired. I increase the activity to include some weight lifting, very minor weight only. After some adjustments, the time I spend in the gym now is exactly one hour.

So, eager to see what I have achieved after one whole month, I consult the weighing machine. I have not been checking my weight for the past one month. To my surprise, I have gained 3lbs. What??!! I've been visiting the gym so often and now you tell me I've gain weight instead of losing weight? Yau mou gau chor ahh....

After some thinking, I have got 2 theories:
One: I eat more than I burn
Two: I have built muscle, and the fact that muscle is heavier than fat increases my weight

Of course I hope the second theory is what applies to me rather than the first one. What I should be doing now is to continue the routine, the best is to maintain it for another one or two months. If the second theory is true, I believe the muscles built will be burning away the fat very soon. But with CNY just around the corner, I doubt my wish of losing weight will come true. Furthermore, being away from home for so long, I missed all the oily Malaysian food. I'm gonna eat up all the authentic Malaysian food I can find back at home.

New policy: "Eat first, worry later" ;)
Policy expiry date: "After Chap Goh Meh"