Active Rest at the Gym ... YEAH RIGHT!!

Back to the Gym this morning, with a little more focus than what I’ve had over the last three weeks.  Have been at block courses for the last three weeks and was feeling pretty exhausted by the end of last week … I did realise though, if everyone else could just keep THEIR lives under control and follow MY instructions and just simply work around ME … my life would be a lot more SIMPLE!!

I was feeling pretty confident about actually walking into the Gym today … that’s a plus for me; I’ve learnt to wait for the DOOR to click before trying to OPEN it!  Did have this sudden panic that damn, I didn’t have time to shave my legs … now women will know that there are times when these things are IMPORTANT … this for me is one of those times.  Also realised that I needed to take a pill for my HEADACHE (yes, I still went to the gym despite this) so as I walked through the door I swallowed a couple of neurofen … then panicked and thought OMG (remember, that’s goodness for those worried about my faith) they probably think I’m on steroids … because I’m SURE that’s the image I portray!

Roger (my personal trainer … I AM SO COOL - not sure feeling cool about this is every going to wear off!) was his usual friendly happy self and said I was SMILING so that was a good thing … what I suspect he didn’t realise is it was probably my PMT smile as I put on boxing gloves … hehehe  I only nearly missed the target ONCE …  I reckon I should get a set of these for HOME, at least they’d get used once a month!  I’m almost used to the whole boxing glove routine … except that today the PT (real trendy abbreviating it) moved the target (not sure what the word is … those pad things he wears that I am meant to hit) up higher … he obviously hasn’t noticed that I’m VERTICALLY CHALLENGED and that actually that’s hard work reaching up to hit those.  The other dodgy thing about this fun routine is when I have to lift my knees to hit pad things he has … I don’t particularly ENJOY this part … if I’m self-conscious about anything it would be THIS.  Can you picture it … someone largish (me), trying to lift my knees  in my super tight sexy gym pants (gross), plus try to keep my top down with the gloves on, plus try and not worry about all the wobbly bits (that are well and truly wobbling) that I’m trying to shrink … hence one of my reasons for going to the gym … not a pretty PICTURE … I am very much relieved that I remembered the sports bra … YOU CAN IMAGINE.

Moved onto some other exercises … wish I knew what they were called! Am thinking about taking some FLASH CARDS next time I meet with the PT … he’s seriously struggling with his COUNTING and I’m not convinced he knows much about WEIGHTS and how much I can actually LIFT or PULL or whatever it is that I’m doing on some of those machines.  If it looks easy maybe it’s because I’m doing really WELL at it … not cause I need it set HARDER?? LOL … not funny – I won’t be able to lift my arms above my head in about an hour … which is a shame because I’m sure I NEED to do that all through my day. Although it might get me out of hanging washing OUT … good plan Roger …

One of the exercises that I normally find ok (I was going to say easy but if the PT reads this, then I will pay next time) is a leg press thing (actually it may not be called that at all).  I get to SIT and push this thing in and out with my legs … pretty simple really, even I can do it.  But TODAY, I do a few of these and then get off and get to do ACTIVE REST! Seriously, not only can John Kirwan do it when he cooks tea, but I CAN as well at the gym … the DIFFERENCE is of course … there is nothing at all RESTFUL about doing squat things while catching your breath in between activities … NOTHING AT ALL … and I’m sorry PT … but squat things aren’t even fun … this is not one of those things I COULD DO ALL DAY!

Finally did yet ANOTHER squat type exercise with a weighted ball being swung in the air as I crouch down ... or it could be the other way around (what’s the name of that) … and honestly, I think it LOOKS as funny as it sounds.  A poor lady next to me moved in case the ball ended up in HER direction … I did say to her, trust me it’s not YOU I’m aiming for … Roger moved too.  Again Roger seems to have lost the concept of keeping me HAPPY and gave me a massively heavier ball … you would think that would concern HIM if I really wasn’t aiming for the lady next to me (bearing in mind the PMT smile from when I first arrived).

Finally, the stretches … YEP, panic again about the non-shaving leg fear.  Although, to be fair, this is more what I would call ACTIVE REST (well that and a massage & a spa and maybe some wine & chocolate … but I can’t see that happening – well not at the gym anyway).

Had a small discussion on myfitnesspal.com with my (hehehe) personal trainer and it was suggested adding him as a “friend” on it … LOLOLOL … great idea because it would be AWESOME for you to see exactly what I’m eating each day … NOT.  But at least I did eat breakfast … so I am taking your advice (but I wouldn’t want you to see that the breakfast was two Girl Guide biscuits).

So there you go, after a pretty intense three weeks of study and personal dramas I’ve made it back to focussing on my goals … and I can HONESTLY say, that I do feel so much better for the exercise.  Yes, weight loss is a goal (obviously) but RIGHT NOW I’m enjoying the benefits that at least SOME exercise is bringing me! (And the laughs for other people)