I think one of the major curses of trying to improve your fitness when you're not in the first flush of youth, you have the audacity to possess female secondary sexual characteristics in a public place *and* you aren't Jennifer Aniston is that every pillock has an opinion.
The people who love you are "Yay! Go for it! Good for you!".
However the rest are, I regret to say, a bunch of cosmic wank hats.
Today, when I was out for the first run I have done in many a year (doing walk/run intervals - 2.98 km, go me!), some "yoof" who appeared to be trying to impress a teenage girl, starting giving it "Run, Forest, Run", "You're meant to be RUNNING" - Me "Er, no I'm not, it's called interval training for a reason", "Your arse is wobbling and so are your tits!" etc.
Startling, I say, startling powers of observation there, mate. Also I hope your harassment of a random woman in sportswear, whose face is so red that she resembles a match, alerts your young friend to the fact that you are a complete douche canoe, and that she kicks you, unceremoniously, to the kerb.
So here is my retort.
Firstly, fat shaming is so effective at making people lose weight....er, no, it's not. (There's sound on the article so switch off if at work)
Secondary, being 40-odd, rather overweight, and currently built like a busty prop forward, I'd be bloody worried if those areas didn't wobble. On account of them being areas on the female body where fat is stored and because it would mean that I had become a slim bloke since leaving the house, and that, for me, as a cisgender woman, would be just weird. Either that, or I'd mutated into a gazelle.
I think we can all agree that that's kind of unlikely.
Thirdly, I'm seriously pleased with myself, because I went out for a run and did not expire.
Fourthly, I'm seriously pleased because none of my broken bits are playing up.
Fifthly, I'm doing this because I don't want my heart to explode, my bones to crumble to dust and maybe, just maybe, I might be able to wear dresses with an actual waist band again at some point. You know, so I can hopefully have an existence free from being riven with pain, and potentially, free from premature death. That harshes one's buzz somewhat.
Sixthly, I reserve the right to wobble, jiggle, ripple and even (if I'm in the fettle) undulate, where ever and when ever I bloody well like.
Seventhly, I possess a mirror and clothes therefore I possess enough self awareness to realise that I don't look like Jessica Ennis.
Once upon a time this would have put me off, now it's a challenge :)
Showing posts with label ouch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ouch. Show all posts
Not so much back with the programme as redefining the programme....
I know it's been a while since I've done a proper post, but I haven't packed in this lifting-heavy-stuff, moving-about-more shizzle, but I have had to modify what I do to ensure that I can keep doing it.
As mentioned before, I have several injuries of the not-really-going-to-get-much-better type. They play up from time to time, and what I do is try to rest up, get better and...generally get squirrelly because I've worked hard for a while, and everything has been working...and then I have to stop. I've worked out that on an average non-pregnant, non-falling-down-a-hole year, I'll still lose up to 3 months to aches and pains of some description which does tend to bugger the schedule somewhat. After all, I have to force myself to be careful, otherwise I start listening to gung-ho me and that's when it really starts to hurt.
I didn't write up while I was doing all this ruminating, basically because "went for a walk and ate a salad" isn't very exciting. In fact I almost went to sleep typing that sentence, however it's all been to the greater good. I have been boring the ears off my other half, but that's a whole other story.
I think I might have found the way forward, especially where the strength training is concerned...
1. Limit myself to two sessions of weights a week, with one "big" session at the weekend and one smaller session in the week. Recovery time and all that.
2. Lots of walks whenever the rain gods decide not to try and wash this bit of Northumberland away. Short but lively. Also an apt description of me on a good day.
3. One full no exercise day per week.
4. Vibroplate/Powerplate once a week to shake out the aches and pains. 10 minutes, Jobs a good 'un.
5. Eat more bloody protein.
5 is proving interesting...I've been tracking with MyFitnessPal and realised I was a bit low. I wasn't even hitting their minimum, never mind the 0.5 - 0.75 per pound of body weight calculation for someone with my activity levels. Let's see how that one goes...today I am at least 20% Cottage Cheese and 7-8% broad bean with some beef thrown in for good measure. Though I have discovered that Hazelnut butter on a Digestive biscuit is the dogs' danglies. This low protein carry on could explain the long recoveries and occasional wet spaghetti arm problem....
I also discovered that I was really quite allergic to something I was eating all the time (and with 20/20 hindsight, now realise has been making me poorly for years. Now I feel quite well. Weird, huh?
I know the results will be slow this way, but I actually can't be crazy, all the empirical evidence says "Ouch" and who am I to disagree?
*also I managed to make a 220g Bag of Haribo last a week. I'm practically the Zen Master of Jelly Sweet Refusal.
As mentioned before, I have several injuries of the not-really-going-to-get-much-better type. They play up from time to time, and what I do is try to rest up, get better and...generally get squirrelly because I've worked hard for a while, and everything has been working...and then I have to stop. I've worked out that on an average non-pregnant, non-falling-down-a-hole year, I'll still lose up to 3 months to aches and pains of some description which does tend to bugger the schedule somewhat. After all, I have to force myself to be careful, otherwise I start listening to gung-ho me and that's when it really starts to hurt.
I didn't write up while I was doing all this ruminating, basically because "went for a walk and ate a salad" isn't very exciting. In fact I almost went to sleep typing that sentence, however it's all been to the greater good. I have been boring the ears off my other half, but that's a whole other story.
I think I might have found the way forward, especially where the strength training is concerned...
1. Limit myself to two sessions of weights a week, with one "big" session at the weekend and one smaller session in the week. Recovery time and all that.
2. Lots of walks whenever the rain gods decide not to try and wash this bit of Northumberland away. Short but lively. Also an apt description of me on a good day.
3. One full no exercise day per week.
4. Vibroplate/Powerplate once a week to shake out the aches and pains. 10 minutes, Jobs a good 'un.
5. Eat more bloody protein.
5 is proving interesting...I've been tracking with MyFitnessPal and realised I was a bit low. I wasn't even hitting their minimum, never mind the 0.5 - 0.75 per pound of body weight calculation for someone with my activity levels. Let's see how that one goes...today I am at least 20% Cottage Cheese and 7-8% broad bean with some beef thrown in for good measure. Though I have discovered that Hazelnut butter on a Digestive biscuit is the dogs' danglies. This low protein carry on could explain the long recoveries and occasional wet spaghetti arm problem....
I also discovered that I was really quite allergic to something I was eating all the time (and with 20/20 hindsight, now realise has been making me poorly for years. Now I feel quite well. Weird, huh?
I know the results will be slow this way, but I actually can't be crazy, all the empirical evidence says "Ouch" and who am I to disagree?
*also I managed to make a 220g Bag of Haribo last a week. I'm practically the Zen Master of Jelly Sweet Refusal.
30th July 2013 - Gym day...feeling quite badass
As opposed to just bad.
I was at the gym today so wandered off piste a bit with the Beautiful Badass stuff...however bits of me were worked, I moved some heavy stuff and, despite the fact that I'm still barking like a consumptive seal, the cardio did not kill me. I am feeling incrementally better though, so all good in the end.
Today's workout details:
30 Mins Recumbent Bike
So far, so sweaty, like a sweaty woman from Sweatoville.
10 Reps Leg Raises
Fair to say, I've still a way to go with the old "slice and diced" lower abdominals. I tried for 12 but by the 10th one there was trembling. And now there is light hurting.
3x5 plus 1x12 Tricep Extensions - 80 (lbs - I think)
Quite chuffed with this as I could manage far heavier than I'd anticipated. Limbs still feeling ok, so hopefully I won't be typing this blog with my toes tomorrow.
3x5 plus 1x12 Leg Press - 90 (lbs - I think)
Slightly grumpy knee did not protest so I've got to be getting stronger (Thank you squats).
3x5 plus 1x12 Standing Dumbbell Bicep Curls - 8 (lbs - I think)
I must admit one of the downsides of doing this when I'm overweight is that when you're looking in the mirror to check that your form is right, it's all to easy to fall prey to the thoughts of "Oh joy, physically I'm a dead ringer for the Anti-Aircraft Battery at Blyth Beach". I think they've got a picture of me in the dictionary with the definition of the word "Sturdy" underneath it. Then again it's not exactly like my skeleton can go on a diet. Hey ho.
3x5 plus 1x12 Seated Row - 60 (lbs - I think)
Must keep up the back work to balance up the ab stuff.
15 mins walking on treadmill at 3.5 mph.
I've also decided to set my calorie allowance at 1800, because while I do want to lose weight, I'm going to be better off in the long term ensuring that I'm giving my body enough of the right things to heal. Plus at least this way I won't be hungry (even 1600 doesn't feel enough - no wonder on that popular-weight-loss programme-that-shall-remain nameless, I was going around the bend, and I was trying to run on it too. Oh, the benefits of hindsight). Healing has to take precedence because for a start, because of the back problem, I'm already working at a disadvantage. Plus it's better for the family and me if I don't get hurt or poorly....18 month olds don't go round lifting themselves into bed after all...
I was at the gym today so wandered off piste a bit with the Beautiful Badass stuff...however bits of me were worked, I moved some heavy stuff and, despite the fact that I'm still barking like a consumptive seal, the cardio did not kill me. I am feeling incrementally better though, so all good in the end.
Today's workout details:
30 Mins Recumbent Bike
So far, so sweaty, like a sweaty woman from Sweatoville.
10 Reps Leg Raises
Fair to say, I've still a way to go with the old "slice and diced" lower abdominals. I tried for 12 but by the 10th one there was trembling. And now there is light hurting.
3x5 plus 1x12 Tricep Extensions - 80 (lbs - I think)
Quite chuffed with this as I could manage far heavier than I'd anticipated. Limbs still feeling ok, so hopefully I won't be typing this blog with my toes tomorrow.
3x5 plus 1x12 Leg Press - 90 (lbs - I think)
Slightly grumpy knee did not protest so I've got to be getting stronger (Thank you squats).
3x5 plus 1x12 Standing Dumbbell Bicep Curls - 8 (lbs - I think)
I must admit one of the downsides of doing this when I'm overweight is that when you're looking in the mirror to check that your form is right, it's all to easy to fall prey to the thoughts of "Oh joy, physically I'm a dead ringer for the Anti-Aircraft Battery at Blyth Beach". I think they've got a picture of me in the dictionary with the definition of the word "Sturdy" underneath it. Then again it's not exactly like my skeleton can go on a diet. Hey ho.
3x5 plus 1x12 Seated Row - 60 (lbs - I think)
Must keep up the back work to balance up the ab stuff.
15 mins walking on treadmill at 3.5 mph.
I've also decided to set my calorie allowance at 1800, because while I do want to lose weight, I'm going to be better off in the long term ensuring that I'm giving my body enough of the right things to heal. Plus at least this way I won't be hungry (even 1600 doesn't feel enough - no wonder on that popular-weight-loss programme-that-shall-remain nameless, I was going around the bend, and I was trying to run on it too. Oh, the benefits of hindsight). Healing has to take precedence because for a start, because of the back problem, I'm already working at a disadvantage. Plus it's better for the family and me if I don't get hurt or poorly....18 month olds don't go round lifting themselves into bed after all...
25th July 2013 - So what have I been up to???
Sorry for not making it but I've been hella busy with the wee family going up the coast, went to see Amanda Palmer in Edinburgh and at a fabulous wedding at the weekend. All in the best weather the UK has seen since 2003. My golfers tan has come on a treat and my neck and shoulders don't match, but when you get good sun like this as rarely as we do, it's an inevitable hazard of existing.
It's been amazing.
The husband and I have danced, sung (in a very croaky voice - still fighting off this hideous throat scruff), plodged in the sea and made sand castles with the little chap, walked miles, ate, drank and were merry to the point of embarrassing ourselves and those who love us....so it's fair to say I've been pretty tired for the last couple of days. I've been staring at my screen of a night time thinking "come on, woman...blog, blog...ooh telly...".
I had a small confidence dip in the middle when I tried on the dress that I bought for the wedding, which due to period bloat no longer fitted. The thing is, in the past I might have freaked out, instead I shopped for new shoes to go with a roomy LBD that I've got and though I dashed around a bit and cracked on with the festivities, perhaps my mindset is changing after all...
Though, yeah, my focus has been...patchy.
But...what I've been doing is sticking with the programme, just not on a do-it-three times a week sort of way. When I've been busy with the wee man, I've done press ups when he's been eating, done bicep curls when during nap time and focussed on enjoying my life. Doing planks while he's playing on the floor....Just not being so focussed on the "I must do x number of hours per week and to do less or differently is a failure"mentality.
I also had a "Big" period in the middle, so did what I could exercise-wise but didn't injure myself and listened to my body instead of fighting it. I can feel my strength building, but I need to work on getting more sleep and eating better to get the results I want. However I do feel mentally a lot freer.
It's been amazing.
 |
| Warm? In Northumberland, whatever next? |
I had a small confidence dip in the middle when I tried on the dress that I bought for the wedding, which due to period bloat no longer fitted. The thing is, in the past I might have freaked out, instead I shopped for new shoes to go with a roomy LBD that I've got and though I dashed around a bit and cracked on with the festivities, perhaps my mindset is changing after all...
Though, yeah, my focus has been...patchy.
But...what I've been doing is sticking with the programme, just not on a do-it-three times a week sort of way. When I've been busy with the wee man, I've done press ups when he's been eating, done bicep curls when during nap time and focussed on enjoying my life. Doing planks while he's playing on the floor....Just not being so focussed on the "I must do x number of hours per week and to do less or differently is a failure"mentality.
I also had a "Big" period in the middle, so did what I could exercise-wise but didn't injure myself and listened to my body instead of fighting it. I can feel my strength building, but I need to work on getting more sleep and eating better to get the results I want. However I do feel mentally a lot freer.
15th July 2013 - concluding workout of week 1
Actually went to my regular gym and did some weights surrounded by fellas. Was odd but I (and they) will get used to it.
I do need to make some weight buddies though...
14th July 2013 - More rest...and some words on "Virtue"...
Husband gave me the "Give yourself a break today or you'll break yourself"pep talk today. To be honest, though I'm clawing to crack on, this was a very good idea. It's averaging 28-29 degrees C at the moment, and this thing that is definitely a cold (my sooper dooper hay fever drugs make not a bit of difference) isn't going anywhere, so best to play the long game.
This competes with the part of my brain that is telling me to "go on, work out, not doing it makes you lazy" which is the internal narrative that I've been arguing with for years.
The thing is, fad diets and trendy new exercise regimes, create a mind set where you think to yourself " this is the mother lode, the eternal cure, the solution to my *fat* ass, squiggly middle" and your failure to adhere to it is you being weak. It all boils down to the concept of virtue, which is quite frankly, tripe.
Doing a lot of exercise doesn't make you a better person, it just makes you a person who does a lot of exercise...simple. Avoiding gluten and sugar won't do it either. Do what feels right...for you...and avoid the charlatans...
This competes with the part of my brain that is telling me to "go on, work out, not doing it makes you lazy" which is the internal narrative that I've been arguing with for years.
The thing is, fad diets and trendy new exercise regimes, create a mind set where you think to yourself " this is the mother lode, the eternal cure, the solution to my *fat* ass, squiggly middle" and your failure to adhere to it is you being weak. It all boils down to the concept of virtue, which is quite frankly, tripe.
Doing a lot of exercise doesn't make you a better person, it just makes you a person who does a lot of exercise...simple. Avoiding gluten and sugar won't do it either. Do what feels right...for you...and avoid the charlatans...
13th July 2013 - So let's play catch up...
Right. Now I feel human again, I can get back with the programme. In this case, literally.
First off, Thursday's Workout and How I Fared....
(For info, I've communicated with Nia and she's happy for me to detail the workouts as long as I give credit and that is what I shall do) :)
There's a bit of tweaking (not in a Breaking Bad sense) involved as my home kit involves dumb bells, myself and the furniture. Also the pretty epic abdominal soreness (Let's just say CATS). When the "summer cold that ate Manhattan" has gone, I'm going to go to my gym and get someone to show me around the scary kit that the big lads use, but for now, I'll stick with the kit I have to hand.
The Ab wheel roll out was a bust because I don't have an ab wheel, and besides, trying to do anything requiring that degree of core resilience probably would have made me cry. It was actually that bad, I'm relatively fit but strong core work on top of a slow recovery from a birth, and a slipped disc is something I approach *very* gingerly. I still did a lot of very small ab curls but thought it best not to get too hard core too early. I checked myself before I wrecked myself, so to speak.
In place of the Suspended Push-up/Press-up, I did a sort of 45 degree-ish one on the edge of the sofa. This went okay, but I kept losing count so I probably did about 40 push-ups all in. Arms are surprisingly not giving me much gip so I can't complain :)
Similar with the suspended inverted row, did some lying down dumbbell lifts.
The lunges were great, apart from the next morning when walking down the stairs for the first time was initially "problematic". This whole programme is *really* working for me already.
I am so pleased that I've proved to myself that this is doable, that I'm not as unfit, weak or pained as I thought, and to be honest, I'm finding it very freeing. With guidance, and the application of a bit of thought, I'm getting to define how I go about improving my fitness, without slavishly attempting to follow a defined "system". Too many years of falling off the wagon with overly restrictive or boring programmes of eating and exercise.
I did grant myself another "rest day" today, but that's because I did a charity walk for St Oswald's Hospice this morning, which was 4.5 miles over lightly undulating terrain in 28 degree C heat, pushing about 40lbs of child and associated clobber in a pushchair for an hour and a half. I also have weird sunburn...So not exactly sitting on the sofa eating pizza all day....
First off, Thursday's Workout and How I Fared....
(For info, I've communicated with Nia and she's happy for me to detail the workouts as long as I give credit and that is what I shall do) :)
There's a bit of tweaking (not in a Breaking Bad sense) involved as my home kit involves dumb bells, myself and the furniture. Also the pretty epic abdominal soreness (Let's just say CATS). When the "summer cold that ate Manhattan" has gone, I'm going to go to my gym and get someone to show me around the scary kit that the big lads use, but for now, I'll stick with the kit I have to hand.
The Ab wheel roll out was a bust because I don't have an ab wheel, and besides, trying to do anything requiring that degree of core resilience probably would have made me cry. It was actually that bad, I'm relatively fit but strong core work on top of a slow recovery from a birth, and a slipped disc is something I approach *very* gingerly. I still did a lot of very small ab curls but thought it best not to get too hard core too early. I checked myself before I wrecked myself, so to speak.
In place of the Suspended Push-up/Press-up, I did a sort of 45 degree-ish one on the edge of the sofa. This went okay, but I kept losing count so I probably did about 40 push-ups all in. Arms are surprisingly not giving me much gip so I can't complain :)
Similar with the suspended inverted row, did some lying down dumbbell lifts.
The lunges were great, apart from the next morning when walking down the stairs for the first time was initially "problematic". This whole programme is *really* working for me already.
I am so pleased that I've proved to myself that this is doable, that I'm not as unfit, weak or pained as I thought, and to be honest, I'm finding it very freeing. With guidance, and the application of a bit of thought, I'm getting to define how I go about improving my fitness, without slavishly attempting to follow a defined "system". Too many years of falling off the wagon with overly restrictive or boring programmes of eating and exercise.
I did grant myself another "rest day" today, but that's because I did a charity walk for St Oswald's Hospice this morning, which was 4.5 miles over lightly undulating terrain in 28 degree C heat, pushing about 40lbs of child and associated clobber in a pushchair for an hour and a half. I also have weird sunburn...So not exactly sitting on the sofa eating pizza all day....
Soo...yesterday...
If my lower abdominal muscles had a voice, the noise they would have made would have been the noise when two cats successfully achieve sexual congress.
YEEEEOWWWWWLL.
More or less.
However, that was just because I'd had a decent sleep, and fortunately things did improve immensely.
Problem is it's 10.50pm and 25 degrees C. I feel as much like writing as wearing a gigantic rug. We Northumbrians just aren't used to this carry on....
YEEEEOWWWWWLL.
More or less.
However, that was just because I'd had a decent sleep, and fortunately things did improve immensely.
Problem is it's 10.50pm and 25 degrees C. I feel as much like writing as wearing a gigantic rug. We Northumbrians just aren't used to this carry on....
11th July - Did day two but feeling yucky
I'll post about today's workout tomorrow as the throat infection was the precursor to a head cold and I'm feeling decidedly poop...
10th July 2013 - The first rest/recovery day
I knew there was a reason why I called this blog 40 Ouch.
Every part of me bar one is pleasantly fatigued. You know, when your muscles tell you that you've done good work but it's not actual "pain". That feeling is nice.
That regrettably is not the feeling that I currently have in my core. There is no spasming or any of that sort of thing so I know I'm not injured. However what I do have is a lot of scar tissue from a c-section 18 months ago. To cut a long story short, (pardon the pun), I was immobile in pregnancy, had an emergency section and had a long recovery so I suspect that the pretty gnarly core ache that I'm suffering from is something to do with that, as I've not really had the ability to get active enough to break it down. Suffice it to say, it knacks. A lot.
It hurts even more when playing with the former inhabitant of my abdomen on the floor. (I know, school girl error, getting down on the floor in the first place). There's nothing like lying there, terrified to clench your muscles because you know it's going to hurt, while a happy but dementedly determined toddler lurches towards your head wielding a wooden bee on a string like a mace...
It hurts even more when playing with the former inhabitant of my abdomen on the floor. (I know, school girl error, getting down on the floor in the first place). There's nothing like lying there, terrified to clench your muscles because you know it's going to hurt, while a happy but dementedly determined toddler lurches towards your head wielding a wooden bee on a string like a mace...
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