As an incentive for my husband to replace football with another form of exercise we both joined a gym. The same gym so that we can car share! I do the classes and he works out on the sweaty machines.
However, I have travelled solo to at least two classes every week and my husband has only done two workouts in the last six weeks! I’ve given up on the car share idea! It was good while it lasted! Once! Hopefully we’ll get into a routine soon. Urgent chores have been dealt with and the garden can begin to look after itself! Weeding and pruning have become less of an issue and we can enjoy the fruits of our hard labour. And get time to do other things!
I did have a personal trainer, Dan. He showed me how to use the relevant equipment to tone certain ‘problem’ areas and increase cardiovascular fitness. We started with interval training. On a static bicycle! It was awful! Two minutes slowly (I found this really tedious) and thirty seconds flat out, for ten minutes! Not for me!
We moved onto the machines. I have no practical gene. He had to show me a few times how to set them. I needed to load a ‘pretend’ bow and then push with force. Two separate exercises but on the same machine. Both needed different settings. I needed a pen and paper to draw diagrams but didn’t come prepared! I mentally ruled those exercises out!
We then moved on to kettlebell weights doing squats and arms. These were easier to understand. I just needed to remember the size of the kettlebells! There were rows of them. Not wanting to sound even more aged and pathetic I tried to make a mental note by checking the physical sizes and seeing where they slotted back on the rack. Somewhere near the front …..
We moved onto the floor work. This was a doddle! No weights, just a sponge roll which I used for reverse curls, rolling backwards and forwards to strengthen my back and sit ups. I had found my comfort zone. I finished with an impressive plank and, shaking Dan’s hand, I left the machine room, never to return!
I enjoy the classes. I do ‘body pump’ and have learned how to slide the weights on and off the well worn bar in the allotted time. I have finally ‘got’ the dance moves and don’t knock into the ladies closest to me sashaying the wrong way! I have even stopped tripping over my step and finished with the same leg and facing the same way as the rest of the class this morning!
I need to enjoy exercising. That has been my motto for years. I have to set my alarm two mornings a week and I’m not working so it has to be worthwhile! I am paying to go to the gym and this is another incentive. I jog on the treadmill after my classes so won’t panic if the summer continues to be a washout. I enjoy walking with my friends when we don’t have to carry paddles to get back home!
I’m doing my bit to stay healthy and keep fit. It’s Friday tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the weekend when I can relax and enjoy a G&T and wine with my meals. It’s all about balance. A rich, full-bodied Shiraz with delicate tones of blueberries, cherries and spices is always well balanced and always good ….. 🍷 👠
Jenny Burrell 