Forty and fit still a few weeks away

BY ALBERT KRAMBERGER

editor@transcontinental.ca

(Part two of a seven week fitness series)

I finished my first week of workouts last Friday with Steve Frischman at Power Fitness Centre in Pointe Claire. Although I experienced some soreness and tightness in a few places (hello abs) after each of the three sessions, the ordeal didn't send me running to hide behind some trees in nearby Terra Cotta Park.

The importance of warming up, properly, was the first thing driven home. Five minutes on the elliptical machine to 'get the blood' flowing and then toe to head stretching techniques were in order. So far, the workouts have been conducted without using weights (bar bells), instead relying on a number of activities, from arm rotations, jumping jacks, squats, sit ups, push ups, punching bag to circuit training. The first workout was used to determine strength and endurance (both, it seems, could use some improvement).

So while the physical side has been a challenge (trying to find the will power to continue a set while running out of steam), the next five weeks will also have me start on a meal plan suggested by Frischman. (Since I was only given this meal plan information during last Friday's session, I can be forgiven for having one last buffet lunch last Thursday with my Chronicle co-workers). The plan looks reasonable enough with an emphasis on smaller meals and light/healthy snacks in between. While eating more 'greens', fruits and smaller meals is not a big worry for me, a switch to protein shakes for breakfast will probably be tougher to swallow. Frischman said the meal plan isn't written in stone and it does allow for some indulgences, like a barbecue chicken dinner on Saturday night, to a "go for it" Sunday lunch.

I assume workouts will be getting more strenuous as we move along. (Sorry, but I have to get along, my carrot-stick break is approaching as I write this Monday afternoon.)

Stay tuned to your favourite West Island community newspaper and website for weekly updates.

— Albert Kramberger, the editor of The Chronicle, is taking a six-week challenge to become fit as a fiddle with Steve Frischman at Power Fitness Centre located in Pointe Claire Plaza.