1. I love knowing I will be stronger the day after my S.T. session than I am the day of (once my muscles have had time to heal up a bit).
2. I love keeping track of how many pounds total I have lifted during a particular session. I don't do this every time but when I do multiply repetitions x pounds lifted and realize I have lifted a total of over 15,000 pounds it makes me want to put on a superhero cape (like sparkler MamaDwarf). Hint (deadlifting 50 or 60 pound barbells makes the total go up much faster).
3. The results from strength training tend to show up quicker than results from cardio (at least on my body).
4. Drinking chocolate milk afterwards is ENCOURAGED. Chocolate milk is a perfect recovery drink because of the ratio of carbs and protein. I often consume something other than chocolate milk after S.T. just so it is the magical blend of carbs and protein, and is within the magical 30 minute window when the body goes looking for it, but it is nice to know that if I am on the go, and have forgotten to bring something with me, stopping and buying a nice cold chocolate milk is me doing my body a favor.
5. I love when I am focusing on my form, breathing properly, lifting slowly for the full range of motion, and my friend (who owns the gym, is a trainer, and possesses gorgeous muscles) walks by and says "perfect". I do not hear the word perfect very often, as it applies to me and anything I am doing, (nor do I aspire to it, honestly) so it is fun to think I have done something perfectly for a moment.
6. A body with more muscle requires, and burns, more fuel than a body with less, or weaker, muscles.
7. Strength training does not just make my body stronger, it does wonders for my brain. I have NEVER left a S.T. session in a worse mood than when I arrived. I forget my troubles for a while, focusing on just-one-more-rep, many times. It reminds me that I am tougher than I sometimes feel, stronger than I sometimes know, more disciplined than I sometimes behave, and capable of enduring more than I think I can.
8. I like the idea that, as I oh-so-slowly shed some of the excess insulation I accumulated on my body, I will be uncovering toned muscles. I do not possess the discipline to shed weight solely through eating far less food but I am actually glad because I do not aspire to the "deflated" look I would have if I shed a lot of weight quickly by eating drastically less. By losing slowly while toning muscles, I have a better chance of looking fitter, not just less fat, of looking more toned not just possessing less soft, squishy stuff.
9. I LOVE being able to lift and carry heavy objects - I love possessing "functional" strength. I take pride in not having to ask for help with certain tasks. I like when my family is surprised by some of the things I am able to do.
10. I feel good that I am (hopefully) taking out a little insurance policy against being fragile as I get older. I move with more confidence at 52 because of my exercise habit (especially S.T.), hopefully it will continue to pay benefits.

Too bad I locked myself into only 10 things I love - there are more. Perhaps I will do a follow-up blog someday but, for now, I have to go put my muscles to use, mowing the yard (with a push mower - no engine for me, baby).