I’ve managed to hold down a pretty regular workout routine for the past few months now, despite the odd ‘I DON’T WANT TO MOVE’ day causing me to watch The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in less than 48 hours. They happen. It’s cool. Netflix can takeover sometimes. I’ve found that the key to keeping it interesting is to try different things. I started with Blogilates and Fitness Blender videos, moved onto running, gave classes a go, discovered Reformer Pilates and now thanks to a shin injury am currently trialling a mix of low-impact cardio and Yoga. In fact I’m getting so into Savasana’s, Sun Salutations and all the rest of the lingo, that it may be my favourite way of working up a sweat that I’ve tried so far.
Along the way I’ve done workouts that just didn’t work for me – whether it be mentally or physically. That’s not to say that they’re never routines I’d get into, but right now there was just something that wasn’t quite clicking for me. I gave swimming a go and it was a lot harder than I remember it being when I was using floats and swimming widths of a 5 metre wide pool back when I was in junior school. I tried not to be put off by the super tight and high cut swimming costume it required, (and let’s not forget the rather fetching rubberised swim cap), but even with these fashion statements aside I just didn’t enjoy whirling round a pool being splashed in the face by a small child who was constantly lapping me. It was cold and I smelt like chlorine for days afterwards. Never say never, but not right now.
The other one I gave a go was the Bikini Body Guide routine by Kayla Itsines. I came across Kayla on Instagram; tanned with abs that are seriously dreamy I can completely see the appeal of following a routine devised her. The transformations people have using this guide are incredible *gets out of seat and applauds*, women have real results using this and it took me all of about one minute to go from scrolling to purchasing her e-book. Three workouts that take half an hour to complete to do three times a week for 12 weeks, using a mix of plyometrics, weight-training, body weight resistance – it’s almost a bit bookcamp-y and being someone who’s still a beginner at all of this but isn’t too unfit I thought I could cut it. Turns out I couldn’t. I have attempted to do Day 1 about five times now. Each time failing to get past the 10 minute mark before I open the windows for air gasping that I think I may vom. One time I even realised I was sweating out the backs of my knees. It’s hardcore. It wasn’t just the extreme sweating that put me off, it’s the technique too. Right now I’m into routines shown on YouTube or classes. I need the guide, the encouragement and having to count myself through burpees just wasn’t that fun for me and if I’ve learnt one thing with this whole getting sweaty thing, it’s that if you don’t find it fun, it’s not something you’ll want to do again. So, like before – never say never, but right now I haven’t got the balls or discipline for BBG.
It appears that I have just rambled on about my workout grumbles for over 500 words (why couldn’t I be this flowing when it came to my dissertation all those years ago?) and I’m not quite sure what the point of it all was. I’m not knocking the routines and sports mentioned above or attempting to put you off them – give ’em go, you might love them! It’s more just a reminder that it’s ok not to enjoy certain workouts and just because you really hate running, it doesn’t mean you hate sweating and getting your heart rate up full stop, there’s just something else out there for you. There’s always something new to try. Get sweaty. Enjoy it. Watch The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. There – could have said it in three sentences.
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