Exercise 2024 - Week 5

“No pain, no gain” was a popular motto for exercising in the 1980’s. The idea actually goes back to the ancient Greek poet Hesoid and playwright Sophocles who expressed in their works that “nothing truly succeeds without pain.” Ben Franklin, under the psuedonym Poor Richard, also wrote about it using the phrase “There are no gains, without pains.” So the thought is not new, but it is fitting, not that I am advocating hurting myself, but I can feel it in my muscles when I am pushing further than before. Whether it is doing a few extra repetitions, or stretching a little further, I can feel the tightness or strain in the muscles. It almost feels good to have the muscles pushed beyond their comfort zone. After a few days of doing the increased workout, it becomes easier and the pain decreases. I will keep pushing the muscles and joints, feeling better in the end.

My progress as noted in my measurements as of January 5, and February 2, 2024.

01/05/24 / 02/02/24

Neck: 16.125 / 15.75

Chest: 43.5 / 43.0

Left bicep: 13.75 /13.75

Right Bicep: 13.75 / 13.75

Belly: 40.25 / 39.25

Waist: 38.25 / 37.75

Hips: 42.0 / 41.75

Left Thigh: 22.5 / 22.75

Right Thigh: 22.5 / 22.0

Left Calf: 16.25 / 16.5

Right Calf: 16.25 / 16.25

I will keep tracking this to see if there is measurable change, or only in how I feel

The new power center/converter for Lynn’s van was delivered late in the day on Wednesday. We needed a few other bits and pieces to install it, so Lynn and I went to Blythe on Thursday to pick them up. We found what we needed at the hardware store, and then stopped for a few groceries before coming back to the RV. The rest of the day was only suitable for ducks, as it started raining while we were in the store and kept on all day.

Today, the weather was much better so we tackled the project of replacing the power center. Tom made omelets to get us fueled, and with our bellies satisfied, we were ready to work. Tom got everything taken apart, carefully marking everything so he could attach them to the correct spot on the new one. The new unit is much smaller and lighter than the old one, which is good for space saving, but bad for working on it since there is less room to fit everything. We decided to remove a little more paneling to square it off for a neater appearance, replacing it with a new section. This gave us a fresh starting point for the new, smaller power center and it wouldn’t look like a patch. We finished it in clear wood-tone after changing our minds about painting it black or covering it in contact paper. When it was done, it closely it matched the tones of the existing wood. It took most of the day to get all the work done, but it was installed and working before darkness set in. We also had time to put the refrigerator back in it’s cabinet. We will now have to monitor it to see if the fridge temperature stays consistent after this change.

Having forgot to take pics of the work today, I’ll share another sunset photo from a couple days ago. I aim to appreciate every colorful one that is bestowed upon us.

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