# 111 - My Savior

 I have God to thank that my gym routine has become my savior. With the almost unbearable work-related and personal stress that I been going through the almost-daily routine from 7 – 9:30 pm has given me a way to escape into a place where I can just be happy and feel good about myself. Yes, perhaps 2.5 -3 hours at the gym is really pushing it, and I don’t really know how this is going to effect my health but I believe with all my heart that InshAllah it will do me good.

Weight training is something which I have to do to tone, but what I love most is cardio, especially running, running for ages on treadmill. It at times drains the life out you, you feel like your heart and lungs might explode with exhaustion, but you feel alive, the pain, frustration and anxiety that you have experienced during the day burns out of you in a great steam of energy.

 By the time I get home I am usually beyond exhausted but you know whats the best thing about that? I’m too tired to think, and hence too tired to worry. This is the best drug I have ever come across and I hope I never kick the habit.

# 110 - Ever try that?

Have you ever tried to do something that you haven't tried before? Did it ever work? 

For example have you ever tried just kicking a habit that you had been stuck with for a long time? Not just tapering it off but just changing like *snap* cold turkey?

Like one day you just stop having caffeine, or start going to the gym, or stop watching that Godawful indian drama series that your mom insists on watching everyday, or sometimes just stop interacting with those people who have become bad habits?

There are a few people I know who have become bad habits for me, and I need to stop talking to them. Trouble is, sometimes I don't know what to think.

# 109 - Gym

I have finally started going to the gym! It's been a month now and it's been helping me feel better. I have not lost any weight in pounds, but I lost in inches and am generally feeling better.

My trainer said that my metabolism is slow and I need to keep it revved up by weights and lose calories by doing cardio. I also, as we all know need to eat 6-8 small meals a day instead of 2-3 big ones. This is the biggest challenge and it really is easier said than done. Espcially if one is working. Imagine, I need to pack 4-5 tiny lunch boxes when I go to work and half the time I end up not doing it. It is so much hassle. Plus all the work stress these days leaves little time to actually think of so many things to eat during the day! 

My workout routine is the following

Monday: Upperbody weight training + 45-60 minutes cardio

Tuesday: Lowerbody weight training + 45-60 minutes cardio

Wednesday: Core training+ 50 minutes cardio

Thursday-Saturday ( repeat of Monday-Wednesday)

All this easily comes to about 90 minutes of exercise a day, 6 times a week. *gulp* I haven't really gotten into the routine yet. It's only my first week on this upped intensive plan. Hope it goes well, I need to lose 4 pounds by the end of October!