Sometimes it takes balls to be a woman

Well, that’s it. All done. 6 weeks of sweat, “F**k my life” glances thrown in Ella’s direction and moments of unconsciousness has come to an end. It’s come just in time as I’m moving away next week but I couldn’t be more upset; I have absolutely loved it and am going to miss it massively. The outcome is visible, I’ve lost 14.5 inches and gone down a dress size, but the impact it’s had on my general aura are more substantial I feel. I’ve had a rough couple of months but instead of moping around on the pity train I’ve powered through with a disgusting amount of burpees. I feel bouncier, less stressed and my smile rate has shot through the roof - vibes on fleek. Weight wise, I don’t tend to carry extra weight in a particular area i.e stomach, thighs, I always just feel like I’m carrying an unwanted layer, generally hefty. Thanks to the copious amount of thrusters, burpees and explosive star jumps though, I feel like I’ve shed that layer, as if I’m in a vacuum bag and my body has been sucked up. I'm a lot lighter on my feet, duh, but you know what I mean, and feel, well, bonnie!

.... but squats will make me a badass

From a health point of view, my fitness levels have increased by an overall 40.6%; on one exercise in particular, push ups, I more than doubled the amount I could do when I started! Ella says she has noticed the most significant difference in my upper body, apparently my arms are more defined and I’m generally a lot stronger which is great! I should bloody well hope so though considering the amount of burpee/belly-flopping seal movements I have endured! 

Suicides!

There have definitely been moments where I have considered violence upon Ella, like the time she grinned whilst telling me to get ready for “Burpee Hell” or when she says “nearly there” knowing full well she only means to the end of this set, not the bloody session. The obvious truth is that you need to be pushed, need to challenge what your body can do, and that is exactly what Ella has done 3 times a week for the past 6 weeks for me. It’s such an awesome feeling to skip out of that warehouse unit having just completed something you thought you had no chance of doing, I guess that feeling is pride. Shock and pure disbelief, but also pride. 

There’s only been one session I was cba to go to and that was just because I was tired and it was an early one, but everything changes as soon as you walk in, you get your game face on, kick some ass and walk out a sassy little theng! 

It’s been fantastic; pure therapy for the mind, body and soul and I can’t thank Ella enough. The perfect rehab for a chubby, but “jolly”, 25 year old cheese-aholic. Not only have I lost weight, tightened up and re-found my happy, I’ve also gained a friend. A lot of conversations and epiphanies were had in-between fat pounding and major exhales; the best medicine for a rough chapter is exercise and a good friend. Amen to that, now where’s that 6 week old bottle of Prosecco!

Feeling Bouncy!

You see sweat? I see a sexy glow ;)

Week, let’s call it “Four to Five-ALIVE!”

Okay so the upward rollercoaster that is week 1 - 3 of my PT programme hit a glitch. Not a detrimental track malfunction, but a hiccup let’s say. Results were good, energy was good, mindset was great! But then I found myself in a bit of a pickle, no excuse for not eating healthily, but the emotion-inducing discovery I made affected my positivity slightly. True or false, this information can only benefit me in the long run so I was in The Unit sweating it out an hour later. The challenging news has seen me power through circuits, “get it done’s” and, what I like to call, “A partridge in a pear tree” sessions. That one was a toughie! Here’s my explanation: 12 reps of an exercise (for me it was “Get Ups” - killers!), 11 reps of another exercise, then back to 12 reps of the exercise, 11 again and then 10 reps of different exercise, and so on and so on. Each circuit takes a little longer as you are adding on another exercise; my God it’s about mind games because, consequently, each one is harder and more tiring!

So this week I had a few days off as I was away in Lisbon with some friends; it was wonderful and we had a great time. It’s a lovely city with beautiful scenery, cultural attractions and of course, incredible food. I’m not going to lie, I ate and drank more than my weekly plan allows. Hands down way more treats than a normal week, but I did’t go crazy. It was more alcoholic treats than foodie treats; I didn’t have desserts, ice creams in the afternoon or lavish breakfasts but we did embrace the tapas (it’d be rude not to surely?) Good news is I’m straight back on that healthy band wagon, let’s not rush to the scales though ey. 

We hear it all the time, exercise is the best medicine for stress, anger, sadness, etc. Obviously it’s true, but it’s never felt more appropriate for myself than working through this Personal Training Programme. The trick is, because you’ve made an appointment, booked one of their slots, you can’t just not turn up. If I relied on encouraging myself to get my fat ass to the gym I could chose to not go, stay at home, “treat myself” to a tasty dinner. Feeling unmotivated more often than not leads you to make the wrong choice, the unhealthy option whereas in actual fact, the best thing for your self-esteem and well-being is to sweat. I can honestly say I walk out of that building euphoric; the days I’m already on cloud 9 are enhanced and the days I feel like crying the tears are zapped away, they seep through my sweat! It is by the far the best investment I have ever made. I’ve paid a fifth of what I paid for my Mac and yet all Apple does for me is make me feel thick as a brick for not knowing how to use the bloody mouse pad! 

Feeling good about yourself and feeling confident radiates from you, it’s noticeable to others and when you give off such an energy good things happen. Whether it’s within your career, social life or relationships, inner wealth is by far more valuable, to me anyway, than monetary wealth.