Observations/Short Term benefits of exercising

A "sassier" walk due to decreased knee and hip pain - I was in constant pain for some reason at the beginning of the year, to the point that I was taking Tylenol just to get out of bed!!!  That's over.

Frozen shoulder improving yep, I can do my own physical therapy!!

Diminished appetite I eat less garbage after I work out, for some reason

Stress management  no more stress-related heart issues, as long as I keep active.

Better cardio ability instead of focusing on cardio only, a weight-training program has enabled me to do more intense cardio, getting my endorphins up. YAAAAY

Improvement of knee pain - oh YEAH!!!  I'm about to undergo some type of knee procedure, due to my need to play tennis and impress someone, while maintaining a largely sedentary existence, about a year ago.  My knee has been hurting for a year, but I only attributed it to fat.   Realizing that I was limited in my ability to participate in the Boot Camp at my gym, I spoke to my ortho... I have a TORN MENISCUS!!!  This may require surgery!!!

Would not have happened if I had not gotten sedentary/unhealthy. 

Checkin - May 1, 2014

So, with this being the official start of a new approach, a new measurement method will be required.  I am expecting to build muscle mass while reducing fat, so the expected improvements may not show on the scale.  Due to my inability to hit the cardio intensity I sought, my weight fluctuated within five pounds of my starting weight documented on January 7.

Currently, my baseline measurements are as follows for May 1, 2014.  I will repeat on the first of each month at approximately 5:30 PM.
waist - 42
hips - 50
thigh - 31

I will be focusing primarily on short-term personal rewards, like the improvement in my walk.  Currently, the positives of weight lifting are:

• I no longer walk like I'm decrepit.  That is VERY important to me. 
• I also can feel the cut between my deltoids and triceps.  This is not really visible due to the fat overlaying the muscle, but I'm happy about it.
• My shoulder is experiencing improved range of motion, apparently due to the increased strength from muscle training.  (I'm not pushing my range of motion, at all, but I *am performing modified strength training with the injured shoulder.)

Stay tuned...