Signing out

Well, that's me done for 4 weeks x 3 classes = 12 classes!! It does NOT feel like that many, as I enjoy them so much. And I had related good news today. Two years ago I had a health check and was told my blood pressure was raised, so I should 'lose weight, exercise more', blah blah. Soon after that I had the start of my back trouble which eventually led to me starting Pilates with Jane. Well, had a check again today and lo and behold my bp is perfect!! Another reason to be glad to be able to exercise: one way or another it's probably the reason my bp is good again. I'm only about four pounds lighter than I was then, so doubt that would have made the difference. It's probably a bit physical, a bit psychological (exercise makes you happier, more positive, less stressed) but whatever, but I'm sure it's the reason it's gone down.

Have had a bad week class attendance wise - parents' evening Tuesday, busiest-week-of-the-month-at-work time and stressed older son who has school assessment on Friday and as a consequence has not been sleeping well (and keeping me awake as a result). May miss my favourite Thursday class as I could be called upon to help mount photos and stick stuff AND may have to miss Saturday, also. Jane is probably thinking she'll never see me again now the blog is finished, but fear not - I'll be back (with my back) for more!!!

So, take it from me, enjoy your healthy body while it's still in good nick, as it's only when it lets you down that you wish you'd taken better care of it. I've been lucky to be able to get back to some sort of fitness, but I've seen plenty of people younger than me on crutches and with sticks and even needing hip replacements in their forties! I'm just grateful that I saw Jane's classes advertised just when I needed them and that they're so welcoming, handy and happy places to go. And here endeth the lesson!

See you all soon.

Jenx

back in the red . . .

Just as I thought the colour of my face was adjusting to more exercise (ie getting less red) I ventured to Circuit last night. Wrong move. On my second go around (and I was almost done in by the heavy-duty warm up, let me tell you), while doing press-ups on the pilates ball I seriously thought my face was going to burst!!!! You could have fried an egg on it - baking. Although I found Circuit more arduous than Jane's classes, and a bit serious and less fun, I'm certainly feeling the benefit today. My legs are aching all over, but the back and sciatica are no worse, which is the most important thing. Wendy was concerned at the beginning, although I explained that my back was pretty good at the moment, and we agreed I'd do what I could. She shadowed me when I was doing weights, showing me how to put less strain on the back. The trouble with this class is that you sort of go round in twos, and it's a bit more competitive, so the onus is on you to 'keep up'. Maybe that's my perception, and my need to feel I'm 'doing fine'. I felt shattered afterwards, and where I sometimes run home from the aerobics class, I felt every footstep walking back last night!!!!

Glad I went, though, and great I reckon if you only have space for one class a week - a bloody big workout (two for the price of one, so to speak) but be prepared to sweat. Also, for me, not one I'd particularly look forward to right now, like I do with the aerobics classes, but maybe a good one for when I'm fitter and leaner (ahem) later on this year.

Well, only a couple of classes to go 'til the end of the blogging. I WILL continue to go to at least two classes a week - three is stretching it, having kids at home NOT doing their homework (although that's a good reason in itself TO go - it beats nagging and stressing). So I'll be trading in my pay-as-you-go for a monthly pass from Monday! I definitely feel better, my sciatica is less pronounced, I run for the bus more without being puffed out, feel more flexible, my knees aren't so noisy(!) and I sleep like a baby and just feel happier.  Imagine how you'd feel if you went to a class every day. And without cutting down on food much I've lost a couple of pounds into the bargain, although there's a long way to go on that score!!!!!