Now that you know all about my history as a blogger, the ups and downs and the reasons behind my blog I thought it might be time to explain how I am trying to get fitter.
Those of you who have read my previous blogs will know that I thoroughly detest running. My friend is a running nutcase and is always entering half marathons and trying to get me to go on a Saturday afternoon for a little jog. And I have to hold my hand up and say that I have been running with her, but disliked every step of it. Running is just not for me, so despite one of my aims to run 6 miles in an hour (or whatever it was way-back-when), I have failed. And I’m not remotely bothered.
However, I do enjoy swimming; having pushed myself to swim a mile in under 60 minutes I was really pleased with my progress. I am trying to add some more size at the minute so I have cut back (just for now), on doing so much cardio, but I will definitely continue as it is a good all round exercise. Plus it’s good for my shoulder which I strained on holiday.
Otherwise, most of my keeping fit revolves around weight sessions at the minute. I am not allowed to go back to boxing class until January so I spend my time building my strength and trying to add a bit of muscle at the gym. Up until the last couple of months I was very ‘anti-gym’, however I have started to enjoy it more and more. Even though I tend to frequent a town centre gym (run by my local council), it is a nice quiet, but well equipped, gym. The staff are great, will help out and ‘spot’ you sometimes, have a chat with you as you exercise and assist me when they see I need help or do something that could be improved. I think this great service is why I am happy with attending the gym.
With the help of iBodz, the personal trainers at the gym (I received a free programme as part of my membership) and an app on my phone, I have created a routine which I am working on at the minute. I am aware that I need to change the routine every so often so that my body doesn’t get used to doing the same thing all the time, but for now I have been doing it for 4 weeks:
- Monday: Chest & Abs
- Wednesday: Legs & Biceps
- Friday: Shoulders & Abs
- Monday: Back & Triceps
- Wednesday: Chest & Abs etc etc
It’s basically four routines that I perform in a cycle. Since I started the gym about 3 months ago I have noticed a difference. My legs are getting bigger and my chest firming up too which I am VERY happy about as my pecs have always proved difficult to work on. Being a beginner there are questions I need to ask, so I will be contacting Oliver and picking his brain, as well as the trainer at the gym.
So to round off…I am surprised at how much I am enjoying the gym considering I had an aversion to it for so many years; I’m pleased with the progress I am making (baby steps of course); and I am keen to hit my targets and get back in the pool.
Let me know what your experiences of the gym are like! Do you love it or loathe it…or something in between?
Graham
