I’m not a natural athlete. I have done some form of exercise for as long as I can remember, not always because I want to, but because I am vain and like to feel fit and well!
Currently I do two circuit classes, take plenty of walks (weather permitting!) have a run and do a yoga class once a week. However, I don’t do any exercises early in the morning. I get up slowly, have a coffee, watch the news programme, have breakfast and catch up with any outstanding admin. This sounds indulgent but I have earned these lazy mornings! My 5:45 am alarm clock wake ups are a thing of the past! I can now pander to my natural body clock and gently ease myself into each day, relaxed and stress free!
So when I received an email from the circuit instructor offering a new class called Kettlercise I was up for the challenge until I heard that it was on Friday morning at 9:15 am! It could have been worse, the class could have started at 8:15 am but it was still early. I needed to have breakfast and allow it to settle. I also had to, as my husband calls it, paint and decorate (hair and makeup)! Anyway, it meant that I had to forgo my comfortable morning routine. Not good!
I could have turned this ‘opportunity’ down but a friend was also nagging me to join her. I felt too embarrassed to share my new found luxurious freedom so bit the bullet and went to the class last Friday.
I was handed a 4kg kettlebell and took my place in the fast filling village hall. I had begun to stiffen up from the previous evening’s circuit class, in addition to my natural early morning lethargic state. The loud blast of music wasn’t enough to trigger the usual anticipation I feel when starting my evening classes. The gentle warm up exercises felt anything but gentle. I began to dread the full onslaught of the pain and discomfort when told to lift the kettlebell and the class would begin in earnest!
Unfortunately I was in the second row from the front so a quick escape, unnoticed, would be impossible! I had no choice. I had to soldier on! And soldier on a I did! I have set myself certain standards over the years and had to maintain them! I was with a number of friends who attend the circuit classes so couldn’t let myself down. I had to work through the next 45 minutes as though I was a capable, fit and energetic woman and not the exhausted old lady I was feeling!
It was a long 45 minutes! I had to almost scrape myself off the floor when we stood up after the last exercise. I dropped my 45kg kettlebell (it had morphed as the class progressed) unceremoniously onto the mat and struggled through the cooling down session. The deep breaths were short pants and, for someone who never sweats, I had left my DNA on the mat and liberally sprinkled around the floor.
Saturday morning was a challenge just to get out of bed. Sunday morning I needed help, empathising with all the people who battle with their mobility, just to stand up every time I managed to sit down, choosing high chairs over comfortable sofas.
But Monday has dawned, albeit grey and damp and I am alive, mobile (thankfully because my carer has gone to work) and ready to confront the pile of ironing (yuck) in the kitchen. I’ll have my morning walk later, visit Mum and go to the circuit class this evening, a sucker for punishment! But I am grateful that, at my ripe old age of ….. I can lead this energetic life and hope to follow in the footsteps of a good friend, who, at 72, joins me in the classes and is an inspiration to us all! 👠
Jenny Burrell 