Each week Michelle (of Michelle Bridges’ 12 week body transformation challenge fame) records a message which we can watch at our leisure. Her week two message was about ‘working out’.

Although she proffered Woody Allen’s “80 percent of success is just showing up” quote, she also reminded us that we need to get as much as possible out of our workouts.

I must admit I haven’t been overly anxious about the exercise side of things as yet. I have, however, taken heed of Michelle’s expectation that we are doing: 3 cardio workouts; 2 strength workouts; and 1 stretch-type workout a week. But although I say I’m following the program, it could be said that I’m not actually following the program.

I am incredibly unfit at the moment. Before I joined the program I hadn’t even been for a walk for 8 weeks (and before that I went once a week). My excuse is that I get shin splints – so I can’t walk. And I’m certainly too unfit for aerobics and the like.

So, I have been quite proud of the fact that (since starting this program) I have re-commenced my pilates reformer classes (2-3 times a week), and hired an exercise bike for my thrice weekly cardio sessions. Yay for me! I know I’m not burning the calories of my 12WBT cohorts and I cringe a little with embarrassment when I read of their accomplishments – 5km runs; boot camps and some even do a couple of classes in a day. And here I am, stoked about my 20 minute (5km) interval cycle. But essentially I’ve been amazed I’m doing 6 days of exercise a week – a gazillion (at least) times more than I was doing before I started the program.

But yesterday I finally watched Michelle’s week two message and I realised that soon I will need to ‘step it up a notch’. She provided a number of ‘tips’ for our workouts. Some I’m already on top of (not in Michelle’s order):

1. Exercise in the morning if possible – check
2. Don’t drink sugary drinks during our workout – check
3. Mix up the training – ummm… sort of check (I did walk one day instead of cycling – despite the shin splints!)
4. Finish with a bang – well, I do try not to ease off…
5. Monitor the calories burned – fine; and if 100+kg we should be burning 600-1000 calories a session – OMFG!
6. Learn to run if possible – OMFG x 2!

None of these is me. Which may not surprise you.

I have a dodgy hip, so am not sure that running is an option for me. I injured it about 18 months ago and it has never improved, despite a heap of physio and targeted pilates. But more concerning (than my inability and disinclination to run) is her tip referring to the calories we should be burning per workout. The battery on my heart rate monitor (strap) has died so I am guestimating calories from Calorie King website calculations based on my weight and type of exercise. My 20 minute interval training on the exercise bike, which leave me gasping and grunting apparently only burns off 204 calories. So… that would be a bit less than the 600-1000 I should be burning. Shit a brick!

I know I shouldn’t stress too much. I lost 4.1kg this past week, and 1.1kg the (short) week before that. So, all is not lost and I am not a complete failure. On one hand I tell myself that I will struggle through this round of the program, and – once I have dropped some weight and can walk without getting shin splints – focus on ‘upping’ my exercise during the next round. On the other hand, the competitive perfectionist (type A personality) in me feels really slack and guilty for not pushing myself harder.

Hmmm… what to do?

I’ve actually agreed to go to a boxing session thingy tomorrow morning. (Gulp!) The motivated Brisbane-based 12WBTers have organised many a boot camp and other training activities. I don’t think I’m ready for a boot camp (cos I would probably have to – you know – run), but I’m hoping I could stagger my way through a boxing session in the park, assuming that the trainer is sympathetic to the fitness-challenged such as myself! I’m seriously dreading it but figure I will be with a supportive bunch of people and if I vomit uncontrollably I can go away and hide and never have to see any of them ever again!