Reality hits!!
Just when I was starting to feel a lot happier with the amount of exercise and the increase in my activity - reality hit home today - it not only hit home but gave me a good swift kick up the backside!!!
Today I had an assessment at the gym - for various reasons this is the first one since before Christmas last year. The assessment before Christmas the bike I was on for the fitness assessment stopped in the eighth minute because my heart rate got up a bit high. They said not to worry as this would because of my high blood pressure and maybe not really a true indication but even so the reading took my fitness level from a much worked for 3 (average) down to a 2 (fair).
Today I had an assessment at the gym - for various reasons this is the first one since before Christmas last year. The assessment before Christmas the bike I was on for the fitness assessment stopped in the eighth minute because my heart rate got up a bit high. They said not to worry as this would because of my high blood pressure and maybe not really a true indication but even so the reading took my fitness level from a much worked for 3 (average) down to a 2 (fair).
Today I was concerned about going back and just hoping no hiccups this time and that I would finish the 10 minutes to see the result - I was sure if I did the result would be good, I mean I'm working so hard aren't I?
But right in the last minute - it stopped again!! My fitness level is now 1 (poor) I was gutted!! My thoughts where what the hell am I doing all this for!!! Once again my BP was up a little before the test, but not overly high. The instructor didn't feel it was quite right - but the end story for me is after all I'm doing I can't complete a fitness assessment!!
I can't even describe how I felt. The instructor was fantastic and we had a good talk. I finally admitted how I worried I get when doing cardio about how I can feel my heart going. She understood but explained that I was then lessening the intensity and really should be pushing myself a bit and not to feel frightened. (this feeling is probably due to fact in my whole life I've never pushed myself to that rate - now when I do it's scary, I'm not used to it) Far too many years sitting on my backside:(
I can't even describe how I felt. The instructor was fantastic and we had a good talk. I finally admitted how I worried I get when doing cardio about how I can feel my heart going. She understood but explained that I was then lessening the intensity and really should be pushing myself a bit and not to feel frightened. (this feeling is probably due to fact in my whole life I've never pushed myself to that rate - now when I do it's scary, I'm not used to it) Far too many years sitting on my backside:(
Also the heart monitors on the bikes at the gym are crazy and inaccurate - going from anything in the 90's to 210! (not the assessment bike - just the general ones) The instructor has offered to strap a monitor onto me to give me a true reading when there and to try and push myself a bit more, incerasing gradually from 10 minutes to 15 and at a higher level.
I know deep down I don't overdo it when I work out - I think of the cardio session as a warm up (although I do really try with the weights) I know I'm not pushing the cardio side too much at all - it's because I hate the feeling of my heart rate being raised!
It got a a little worse:
My weight is up 1.5 kilos - which I sort of knew
My fat mass was only a smidgen less
My waist measurement stayed the same!! I desparately want that to go down.
On the plus side:
The muscle mass increased a fraction by just over 1.5% - feels pathetic but better than nothing.
My chest was down 1.5 centimetres
My calf and thighs measured between 1 and 1.5 centimetres more. (I want thicker legs!)
Well where to from here?
Well you know me, stubborn, determined (hope MM does not read this!) so:
A new program working at increasing the cardio in intensity and duration
Lots more leg work, some muscles newly discovered after the intro today!
Increasing the reps I do (I had increased the weights but she explained it was important to increase the reps as well)
Most important is that I'm getting re-assessed in 8 weeks and a new program set
As I said the instructor was great - I felt comfortable with her, she had a sense of humour (much needed with people like me!), and she was understanding and supportive. This is the first time I feel I can call out to someone from the gym for help! It has to get better - doesn't it?
I had my last session of aqua deep today (end of summer) and now it's back indoors to aqua aerobics - have decided that gym will come first with me for the next few weeks and aqua can be a reward when I can fit it in.
It got a a little worse:
My weight is up 1.5 kilos - which I sort of knew
My fat mass was only a smidgen less
My waist measurement stayed the same!! I desparately want that to go down.
On the plus side:
The muscle mass increased a fraction by just over 1.5% - feels pathetic but better than nothing.
My chest was down 1.5 centimetres
My calf and thighs measured between 1 and 1.5 centimetres more. (I want thicker legs!)
Well where to from here?
Well you know me, stubborn, determined (hope MM does not read this!) so:
A new program working at increasing the cardio in intensity and duration
Lots more leg work, some muscles newly discovered after the intro today!
Increasing the reps I do (I had increased the weights but she explained it was important to increase the reps as well)
Most important is that I'm getting re-assessed in 8 weeks and a new program set
As I said the instructor was great - I felt comfortable with her, she had a sense of humour (much needed with people like me!), and she was understanding and supportive. This is the first time I feel I can call out to someone from the gym for help! It has to get better - doesn't it?
I had my last session of aqua deep today (end of summer) and now it's back indoors to aqua aerobics - have decided that gym will come first with me for the next few weeks and aqua can be a reward when I can fit it in.
I have an eight week challenge ahead - let's see what I can do!
Funny - it's not the weight gain that's bothering me, before this would have been the big concern, now it's about my health.
So pleased Karen has decided to keep updating when she can! Although would have totally understood what ever she decided. I see she had a few lurkers there reading and now commenting - interesting, have I got any out there?
10 comments:
Bugger on the BP!! But watch out in 8 weeks time - I'm SURE it will be lower!
hi there sexy legs! awwwww mate! focus on the positives, just think how much better off you are now than what you were before christmas - great news about finding a trainer that you are comfortable with ... makes all the difference!
A comment Sue left someone really struck me, and is so fitting here too. A post like yours shows that we are in this for our health rather than just as a 'diet' when you can afford not to be too worried about 1.5kgs but more worried about the general health.
This is a very healthy attitude, and with all your plans I am sure the weight, and waist will come down too.
Hope you have a lovely day tomorrow :D
So sorry that you didn't see the results that you wanted after all the work you have put in but as the others and yourself said - it is about having a healthy body and I certainly think that you are well on the way to that.
Good luck for the next 8 weeks - I am sure that things will be better at your next assessment.
Take care and be good !
Me
I feel for you - you don't mind when you know you haven't been trying and things don't happen but it's just so disheartening when you're working so hard and it's just not happening. But just think back to that old Anne - and how much you've done for her health and made her into the new Anne - just keep doing what you're doing it's definitely the way to go, and I'm sure it will all come together soon.
What a bugger about the fitness test - but you sound like you're bouncing back with your usual guts and determination! I love the way you nut out a problem and come out with a great solution. It may even be worth investing in your own heart monitor, then you can use them in all sorts of situations - some of them can even be used in the pool. Mind you, I'm a gadget-geek!
So the fitness test amchine said u r still not up there but I bet your body tells you different...there are different levels of fitness and my theroy is if u can do more now than u could then well then u r fitter.
Heart monitors are great hun! And like Sue says it could be very worth while in investing one as I know I was going to just before I fell pregnant... If - no when I get back to exercising properly I think I may still consider getting one.
You will do just fine with the 8 week challenge and we are all here for ya 100% of the way!
Don't really know if I count as a lurker, but I'm here!!
Good luck with your cardio, it really is fabulous to see so many bloggers looking after their health, not just their weight.
I don't think ANY of us would EVER have the guts to rank your fitness as 'poor'!!!!!
Anne.. I so know what you mean about the cardio. When I first started I was just the same. I would stay at the comfortable level and pace because I was convinced I couldn't do it.
Sometimes those machine aren't good for judging things like that and you should go by how you feel and how you feel your fitness is going.
These next 8 weeks are going to be amazing for you and you will achieve lots.
Keep up the good work hun.
Love Chubbymum
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