As soon as I signed up, I felt like I'd done something really stupid.
The title of the blog series is a testament to that.
But it wasn't stupid after all. In fact, it was rather smart. As it's my last week, I thought I'd run through some of the things I learned and hopefully, if you're contemplating taking an exciting or scary step in your fitness journey, it might inspire you. Remember, if I can do it, anyone can do it.
This isn't good as, if you don't enjoy something, you make excuses to avoid it and it's very hard to keep up a long-term routine. Here's what I did to get around this:
One of the things that surprised me most was how fast things changed. I very quickly transformed from "This is a waste of time!" to "Look how it's working!"
I want to reduce the resistance training down to two days a week (mainly because it's the part I enjoy least.) I'm hoping those days will be enough to maintain my current weight and shape.
I'll be looking to continue exercises like the hamstring curl (which I think will be very helpful for badminton), squatting, reverse lunging and the half plank (which, although I hated it, actually became quite relaxing.)
If you're looking for help to transform your body, give me a shout. Phil has a client referral programme that I can share with you. I would heartily recommend it as long as you are willing to put the work in. Phil also gives clients access to various training modules every week that are helpful in going through the science of the process.
Wherever you are in your fitness journey, keep at it!
The title of the blog series is a testament to that.
But it wasn't stupid after all. In fact, it was rather smart. As it's my last week, I thought I'd run through some of the things I learned and hopefully, if you're contemplating taking an exciting or scary step in your fitness journey, it might inspire you. Remember, if I can do it, anyone can do it.
The Weekend - Exercise can be fun
I've always hated exercise. I'm far happier curled up reading a book or typing away at my desk. I wish I loved going to the gym (so far, I've never even set a toe through the door!) or working up a sweat, but I hate every second.This isn't good as, if you don't enjoy something, you make excuses to avoid it and it's very hard to keep up a long-term routine. Here's what I did to get around this:
- I figured out what I did enjoy. I like racquet sports, especially badminton. This may be because it's more social and you can have fun and a laugh while you sweat your way around the court. Either way, I picked a form of exercise I did actually like and went for that.
- If you don't feel like it, aim to do a little and see how far you get. This is a tip from Phil and it really works. Once you begin, it's amazing how much easier it is to finish the whole workout - even when it was the last thing you wanted to do!
- Measure your progress. Seeing myself getting stronger and fitter encouraged me to do more. Which got me stronger and fitter again. A very positive cycle.
Day Seventy-One - The wall
I think I hit the wall fairly early. I'd been working so hard, tracking my calorie intake, exercising, following Phil's instructions to the letter - and it just didn't seem to make a difference. My weight was going up, I felt like I looked worse and I was so frustrated.
I kept going - though it would have been so easy to just give up. But I'd invested time and money - plus I really wanted to see it through. Pushing through that meant that, the very next week, I actually saw amazing results in my improvement photos.
Day Seventy-Two - A glimpse of hope
The difference between my progress photos on the 15th of May versus the 29th of May was incredible. I couldn't have been happier and, once I saw a glimpse of hope that all this hard work was finally paying off, I was determined to keep going.One of the things that surprised me most was how fast things changed. I very quickly transformed from "This is a waste of time!" to "Look how it's working!"
Day Seventy-Three - Planning for the future
I'm quite a determined person so I want to make sure I keep my exercise up - even without Phil's support and encouragement.Day Seventy-Four - Stuff I don't want to do
There have definitely been some exercises that I don't feel helped, such as the side lying clam.
My shoulders also make horrible sounds when I try and do side lateral raises (think nasty, cracking bones), so I might leave them off the programme.
Day Seventy-Five - Stuff I will be doing
My plan is to keep playing badminton, ideally on Mondays and Thursdays, and aim for 30 minutes on my bike three days a week.I want to reduce the resistance training down to two days a week (mainly because it's the part I enjoy least.) I'm hoping those days will be enough to maintain my current weight and shape.
I'll be looking to continue exercises like the hamstring curl (which I think will be very helpful for badminton), squatting, reverse lunging and the half plank (which, although I hated it, actually became quite relaxing.)
If you're looking for help to transform your body, give me a shout. Phil has a client referral programme that I can share with you. I would heartily recommend it as long as you are willing to put the work in. Phil also gives clients access to various training modules every week that are helpful in going through the science of the process.
Wherever you are in your fitness journey, keep at it!
