As planned I had my first session with a local personal trainer last week. Dave knows I can’t afford to buy stacks of PT sessions, but we’ve worked out a plan that (for a month or two anyway), will see me having a one-on-one session each week and attending two of the small group circuit classes he runs.
In our first session we did the usual. I had to get weighed (don’t ask!) and he took my measurements. We talked about my exercise likes and dislikes and a little about food. We also discussed short and long-term goals.
I had a similar conversation with a friend recently and both discussions have really cemented my ‘new’ approach (in my little mind).
Once upon a time I slowly worked my way up to bootcamp type classes, tabata and the like. I did stuff I hated (like running around with jerry cans and tyres and up hills) because that’s what I needed to do. To get fit. I felt like I needed to be fit enough to do those things.
Now – I wonder…
What the fuck was I thinking?!
I’ve talked before about my exercise history. I did a stack of stuff as a youngster and was relatively okay at basketball and netball and also played a little tennis. And I trained for them all. I had to be fit, so I had to do some extra training as well. My life was very much about training FOR something and (ultimately) competing.
It wasn’t until I got to university in the mid-late 80s that I met people who ran or exercised just for fitness, rather than training FOR something. The idea was quite foreign. I could understand going for a walk or having a game of tennis for fun, but running when you weren’t preparing for ‘something’ seemed ridiculous.
Of course, keeping fit became more mainstream toward the late 80s and 90s and remains that way today.
However… I now wonder when (and why) I decided I (also) needed to become someone who could climb 1000 stairs in a set amount of time, run up hills, carry tyres for the hell of it, or do burpees?! It was as if – because I disliked them – I felt they HAD to be good for me and something I HAD to master.
I talked to my trainer about my overall goals: I said I wanted to be fitter so I didn’t get puffed from minimal activity. I said I wanted to lose enough weight so I could walk without getting shin splints. I said I wanted to not get an aching back and hips so easily. I said I wanted to fit into my older clothes. And I said I wanted to be able to get up off my sofa without channelling a sumo wrestler… and so forth.
He asked specifically about my exercise goals – did I want to re-start playing sport, for example? I thought about those who run to build their fitness for a 5km run, a 10km run or half marathon. I thought about those who challenge themselves via HIIT workouts or meticulously monitor the amount they bench-press. Which is great if that’s your goal, or if you enjoy running.
However I realised… I want(ed) none of that.
The ideal me – I told him – would do a couple of strength-based classes a week (like the circuit classes* he runs / pump / yoga / pilates etc) and then just go walking most days. Perhaps an occasional dance-based class would be nice as well, if I can find something I enjoy. But that’s it. I have no desire to go running. I have no desire to do star jumps or burpees. I just want to be able to walk long distances without pain and discomfort. And most importantly I want to try to enjoy whatever it is I do. (Or at least not dread it!)
Naturally however, I can’t help but wonder if I should aspire to more than that? I usually tend to be a bit of a perfectionist and hate the notion of ‘settling’. So, I’m not sure if this change in mindset is a good or bad thing?!
Should I be shooting for the moon when it comes to my health and fitness goals?
Is my approach a cop-out?
* At the moment I find the circuit classes hard, but that’s because I’m very unfit so struggle mainly to recover from one of the two cardio-based exercises we do there. In general I like circuit classes because they allow us to push ourselves while keeping some control.
Cos it’s Tuesday I’m linking with Essentially Jess.
January 13, 2015
I’m taking a similar approach these days. I just want to be fit for life. As a result I’m mostly walking, with some strength work (even though I hate it) for the whole getting older thing. It seems (ahem) sensible.
January 13, 2015
Ah yes… our #ageing bones! I was worried it was just a cop out – saying I don’t want to start to run, push myself too hard etc. I just mentioned in a comment (to another post); I’m happy to get outside of my comfort zone a little, but not so much I dread it and it’s not sustainable!
January 13, 2015
I TOTALLY agree with your approach. Doing what feels right is always the right answer, I say. I often looking at runners and admire them but, for me right now, long walk are ideal.
January 13, 2015
Thanks Tonia!
January 13, 2015
I think your approach is bloody perfect.
I’ve just seen the #thisgirlcan & stumbled across @sprinkleofglitr on YouTube which you may also enjoy… Timing is everything! xoxo
January 13, 2015
Oh, thanks!
January 13, 2015
Good on you for taking some action for yourself Deb! I have decided that no longer will I do what everyone else does to get fit / lose weight just because that is what I supposedly should do – coz usually I hate it! Remember bootcamp? Well there were parts of that I liked (boxing and other stuff that didn’t involve running) but parts I absolutely hated (eg running and crawling up a bitumen hill on hands and knees for example). I like walking. I like swimming. I like dancing. The main thing is to MOVE and do it REGULARLY. Good luck! 😉 x
January 13, 2015
Absolutely agree Min. That training session I met you was when I’d just started 12WBT (hadn’t started the other bootcamp with Ange et al). I was told it was no problem that I couldn’t run and I arrived to find that we had to run for a warm up!!! Argh! Of course I did as much as I could cos I hate the idea of failing, but still…. I never went back!
January 13, 2015
What Kanga Rue said. It sounds bloody perfect 🙂
January 13, 2015
Thanks! Not sure why / when I ever decided otherwise?! (The old perfectionist me perhaps?)
January 13, 2015
Hi Deb, I think your approach is the right one. One of my daughters absolutely hates exercise and would never come “training” with me. However if I say , “let’s ride a River Loop and have a milkshake and coffee”, she is in like Flynn. The best exercise program is the one you enjoy!
January 13, 2015
Thanks for the encouragement Liz as it means more coming from someone with a background in exercise physiology and who trains hard themselves. I wrote something at Christmas about noticing I’d become more zen (without being conscious of the gradual process) and I think this is part of it!
January 13, 2015
I agree with the others–do whatever works for you! I do run (well, jog is probably the better word) but somehow I have a lot of friends who are real distance runners. “Come run with me,” they say, “You can run 4 miles, or 5 miles, or 13 miles, or 26 miles, or whatever.” No. It’s nice that they think I can, and I’m sure I could get there (eventually) but I would be miserable doing it. So I stick to my own distance. I throw in group exercise classes I enjoy a couple of days a week and I’m pretty happy with myself and my routine. I do change things up when I get bored, so I’ve kept up my exercise habit for over 3 years now, the longest ever! You can do it!
January 13, 2015
Ah yes, mixing it up is important. I remember when I did Les Mills classes (think they’re international) and they have the same routine for weeks on end. I used to like Body Jam, but it drove me insane. Once I could do the routine I was ready for something else!
January 13, 2015
I think each to their own. If people want to run marathons then let them aim for that, but I think your goals are realistic and ones that I would want to go for too. Puffing from minimal activities is definitely one I would want to work on. Good on you with the personal training. Wish I could afford one. x
January 14, 2015
Not sure how long I’ll be able to afford mine Bec, but he’s charging an okay price at the moment. Sadly I get A LOT of bills in Feb – April, so I suspect I’ll start to panic at my lack of savings and have to cut back then! Hopefully this will get me started though. (Fitness-wise anyway!)
January 13, 2015
Shoot to that annoying moon my friend. Go as hard as you can but don’t pop a bone or an ovary! What doesn’t kill you makes you (drink vodka) stronger. Proud of you. I’m yet to get my fitness level above -2 xxx
January 14, 2015
God Em I hate to think what fitness level would be…. #argh!
January 14, 2015
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head Deb. You need to enjoy what you do otherwise it becomes a pointless chore and you become bored and will likely give up. You don’t need to be chasing the fitness of someone running a half marathon or even 5km, you just need to feel fit within yourself. I think your aim of a few strength based classes and frequent walking is a great goal. Good luck with it. x
January 14, 2015
Thanks Jodi!
January 14, 2015
I think your goals are just right. Moderate. Sensible. You don’t have to run a marathon or cycle around mountains to be fit. It’s just about being able to do your daily activities with ease and keeping your body healthy.
January 14, 2015
Thank you muchly Char!
January 14, 2015
Hi Deb. I have read your blog to the end and the comments. (Male point of view.)
Like you I have never really enjoyed exercise to become fitter. It is boring most of the time especially on your own.
What if you could learn something and exercise at the same time? I have always been fascinated by martial arts and at 40 began to learn Taekwon-Do. Many years later and at what could be considered old I have no ailments or aches and pains as do most at my age. No illnesses or arthritis etc.
During those years I have learnt some of the ‘art’ but it is a life time pursuit which I pursue as an instructor. It can make you fitter, healthier and control weight gain. It is never boring and can be done anywhere but usually with a qualified Instructor.
I would recommend it to all women for self defence and confidence, plus the ultimate in health and ageing well.
Kind regards.
Garth Ovenden.
3rd Dan.
Senior Branch Instructor.
Queensland Self Defence and Taekwon-Do Academy. (QSDTA)
January 14, 2015
Thanks so much for your comment Garth and congratulations on your achievements! And how fabulous that it’s had such a good effect on your overall health. I’m not sure about Taekwon-Do (although I like the idea of it for self-defence purposes!), but I hope to get back into some yoga for similar holistic health benefits!
Thanks again for dropping by and commenting!
Deb
January 14, 2015
I totally understand this struggle. I strated running last year and I was really enjoying it. I am a competitive person by nature, so it was really fun to compete against myself and challenge myself to get better and faster. The I got plantar fasciitis and I haven’t been able to run since. I’m struggling to find stuff that I can do at home without having to do a massive clean of the house first (bloody kids and their toys) and I know I will find something, but in the meantime I’m just talking small steps and making small changes in other ways that will hopefully see me build some fitness. #teamIBOT
January 14, 2015
I used to get plantar fasciitis a bit Kylie – many years ago. I first got it doing a step class when I put the ball of my foot backwards onto the ground I literally felt the snap-like sensation under my foot. It recurred for ages and was really problematic. A physio once told me part of my problem was the lack of flexibility in my ankles and lack of strength in my calves. My hamstrings are strong and flexible (even with minimal exercise) so I think they take over when my calves should kick in. Anyhoo… I’m not sure I’ll be having any problems on that front in the near future, but I certainly hope you get back into things soon!
Deb
January 14, 2015
Don’t you hate those shin splints! I hope you feel great results soon, Deb. I always find that a great motivator.
January 15, 2015
Thanks Susan – and yes… I REALLY hate shin splints! 🙂
January 14, 2015
Sometimes it feels like you’re in my head! I relate so much to this post and many of your others. I’ve readjusted my fitness goals and realising that at the weight I am, it’s ok if I am not walking further than 1km without pain. Any movement that I do is still better than sitting on my couch.
January 15, 2015
Absolutely Tegan. Like I said – I’ve done bootcamps and the like before and I come to dread what’s involved (shuttle runs etc) but when my exercise has involved things I’ve enjoyed (dance classes for eg) I’ve made a commitment and stuck at it. I didn’t always feel like going but didn’t dread it!
January 15, 2015
You’re not being a cop out at all. Starting with realistic goals always gets me results, I’ve discovered. And then it inspires me to do a little more.
I’ve tried making big goals and I just set myself up for failure. There’s nothing wrong landing in the stars. Stars are beautiful!
January 16, 2015
Ah yes, stars are beautiful Grace! xx
January 15, 2015
I actually think it is really smart and sustainable. Boot camps and Burpees are overrated and not essential. A lot of people have similar feelings towards them. When I was training people sosososos many clients said they wouldn’t run or jump or do anything that reminded them of PE.
January 16, 2015
Ah yes, and of course when we hate stuff we don’t stick with it!!!
PS. PE has a lot to answer for. At my high school they often couldn’t think of what to do so had us playing softball all of the time. I HATED softball! 🙂