Yesterday I completed the last of my Phase 2 Cardiac Rehab workouts. The nurse/trainers tell me I've done very well, and I feel like I have. In my final workout I did 20 minutes on the treadmill at 3.6 mph and 3.5 incline (any faster and I get into that funky gait somewhere between walking and running). Then I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine at a resistance level of 5, averaging 115 watts and 8 METs over the 20 minutes. Most important, I'm able to sustain that level of physical activity without any pain in my chest whatsoever. I followed up the aerobic part of my workout with 15 minutes of weight training. Over the past three months I've really come to like my workouts at the heart center. They have a nice facility staffed with good people. And lately I had been wondering how I would sustain my routine through the winter at a reasonable cost. So yesterday I signed up for the M Power program. I can use the facility Monday through Friday, 6:00am through 7:00pm. Treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, rowers, weight machines, etc. Several other guys from my Phase II class are already in the M Power program, so there's also a social aspect to it that I find motivating and enjoyable. We talk, we joke, we rib, and we encourage each other. Using a facility that actually in a hospital also provides some additional peace of mind. And with the insurance kick-in my total cost is just $5/month. So I feel like I'm set for the winter. I don't start again until November 1st, but next week I'll be on a business trip and the resort I'll be at has a very nice fitness facility that I intend to use every day. I'm a little concerned about meals, since I know they'll be fairly high in sodium, but if I make smart choices I should be fine. Besides, at the height of my workout yesterday my blood pressure was 135/70, and when I finished it was at 102/56. I'll take that any day of the week.