EXERCISE IS TOUGH.

Hey guess what?…today marks three weeks done and dusted on my 84 day health and fitness challenge. It was a short week because of the public holiday but it was still tough.

Exercise is tough. I know some of you will say that if it’s tough or hurts then I shouldn’t be doing it, but sometimes it just does hurt.

Not because it’s bad for me but because I’ve led a sedentary lifestyle for far too long. It also hurts because my body has been through the wringer…and then there’s nerve damage.

Bloody hell nerve damage sucks! It’s like electrical impulses that are sometimes hot , sometimes prickly, sometimes sharp and always zappy. I’m not going to sook about it though, I show up five mornings a week and do the classes. It is what it is but I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s tough and there’s some classes I really don’t like but at the end of the class when the buzzer goes off its done…all done and time to go home.

Sure my hormones and hot flushes leave me burning up and red in the face. I suck for air as my damaged heart beats faster than a racehorse, and sometimes my exercises are adjusted to allow for my limitations but I do them ALL.

And a few hours later I’m feeling great. I’m noticing changes too. I don’t think I’ve lost weight but I’m pretty sure I’ve lost centimetres and my shape is changing. I can actually see shoulders, oh, and how cute is this *retro swimsuit? 🙂

I’m getting stronger. This week I stretched my arm up and over my head, lifted the roof to my MG over and closed with one arm! This is a huge feat, normally I needed to get out of the car and pull the roof closed then get back inside the car to snap the roof locks closed.

I’m also lifting heavier weights. I’ve gone from 3 kg for one arm dumbbell bent-over-row to 7 kg…pretty impressive right!

My lat pull downs are now at 50kg and I skipped 15 jumps in a row! Last week I could only jump 3 times before tripping on the skipping rope. Have you tried skipping lately? It’s bloody hard when you’re my weight!

I purchased weight lifting gloves and gloves to go under my boxing gloves…I know, like a pro!

I also treated myself to new workout tights. I bloody love them because the print just makes me happy. They’re not the most practical for jumping around as the back is meant to sit lower but makes me feel like I might flash some butt crack at any moment so I find myself pulling them up. I think I’ll save them for the days that have less ‘jumping’.

Do you treat yourself to new workout gear? It really makes a difference and helps to make me feel better and motivate me. I’ve already got the next pair of workout tights picked out.

This week I was allowed to have ‘one’ cheat meal, it’s hard to stop at one and I may have had a few extra things that I shouldn’t have. Self control is a mind game and one that I struggle with. I’m not going to let it rule me though, Instead I recognise it and will try better next time.

I’m eating lots of tuna, lots of green vegies and lots of herbs.

I’m also drinking lots of water and green tea.

Which means I spend a lot of time on the loo!

I’ve still got barriers to overcome, some physical but most mental. Let’s see what this week brings. How’s your health? Do you exercise regularly? Tell me you find it tough like me…

Til next time

Jen x

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