Fear and Fitness

Tuesday felt like a long fitness day for me -- I did weights in the morning followed by MetaFit and then 2 hours of Jiujitsu in the evening. I was so tired by the end of the day but also happy with my workouts.

Working on my deadlifts. 

I still have a lot of practice to do before I can work up to my max from a couple of years ago, but I'm happy I felt nice and strong with my 3 sets of 8 reps at 60 kg (132 lbs)

As D and I were driving home from Jiujitsu, he asked me how I was feeling about the MetaFit training course that I was going to the next day. I told him I was excited, but I was also scared.

MetaFit is a tough class. I find it quite challenging, but that wasn't why I was feeling scared.

I was scared I wouldn't fit in. I pictured myself entering the training studio filled with all these super fit and skinny people and there I would be - still the fat one.

I'm confident in my abilities. I know I give it my all. I know that I work well training other people ... but still, first impressions are not easy to break through. I know that when people look at me they don't see a strong, fit person ... it's frustrating, it's annoying, it's sad.

Still, I knew that I couldn't let these thoughts overwhelm me. I was determined not to let what I was ASSUMING others MIGHT think of me get in the way of having a good experience.

So, come Wednesday morning, I prepared a yummy chicken and avocado salad, put it in my already prepared gym bag and hopped on the tube to head down to the training studio. An hour or so later, I arrived.

I arrived first and I sat at the second of four tables. Two other people arrived a few minutes after me - one sat at the first table and the other sat at the third ... I guess this is the sociologist in me noticing this dynamic. Even though there were 4 chairs around each table, we each chose to sit in one on our own. Since I didn't want to sit and wait in silence, I went ahead and introduced myself. The chit chat started, a bit slow at first, but then it picked up ... and more people came so there was more chit chat --- by the time we were ready to begin, things felt good.

Not everybody had done a MetaFit workout before. There were a lot of big, buff guys who had come. They were personal trainers at different gyms, and they were sent by their gym to do the course. One guy I was talking to told me that he basically only did strength training and hadn't done any cardio in a long time.

We all got ready for the workout. There were 3 staggered lines. I tried not to pay attention to body sizes, but it was hard for me not to noticed that I looked like one of the chubbier people there. Still ... it was what it was ... besides, the true test was coming with the workout.

It was a 17 min HIIT workout with lots of jumps, sprints, push ups, and burpee style exercises ... It was interesting to see how people were barely able to move by the end of the workout. Of course even I was near collapse, but I kept going. Those big guys who started with plyometric push ups and crazy jumps were just about crawling towards the end.

Although I was absolutely exhausted, I was happy with my performance. It also definitely showed that those people who looked like fitness models didn't necessarily equate to them being the best at the exercise.

My confidence was definitely restored more after that. I had to keep reminding myself that I worked to get to where I was. I studied. I worked hard. Most importantly, I believed in what I was doing. I was still on a mission to lose weight -- I knew the struggle to get to where I am and I know that I'm still going to have to work bloody hard to get to my goal. I think this actually puts me at a much bigger advantage to those who have no idea what it's like to be unfit, overweight, and full of self-loating and low self-esteem. I had hit rock bottom ... and now I'm working on climbing to the top.

The rest of the course was great - theory, teaching techniques, group work ... I didn't let any voices of doubt creep into my head. It was an important experience for me -- not just the physical training but also the emotional/mental experience.

By the end of the course, I felt like I had a good grasp of how to approach the class. I enjoyed the group that I worked with, and I went home feeling happy and satisfied ... and then later that evening very, very sore.

So now, I'm a MetaFit Coach! I have to work on a few academic tasks before I really pursue anything with coaching, but I'm glad I went through the certification. It was a great experience!

MetaFit Coaches -- Training in London

Right Back into It

I think my jet lag has worked in my favor this time -- well, slightly.

I did not get much sleep on the plane, so I was more than ready to hit the sack soon after I got home (just before midnight). I slept so soundly that I woke up refreshed at 6 a.m. and I was ready to go.

I mainly took care of a few errands, did a ton of laundry, and got in my workouts.

I was debating whether or not I should lift weights. In the end I ended up doing just over 3 km on the treadmill before MetaFit class. As exhausting as all that jumping around was, it was the perfect way to get right back into my fitness routine.

Although I started to get more tired towards the evening, I powered through and got to Jiujitsu class in the evening.

I am so determined to make the most of each day in terms of my workouts and food -- I just feel like no matter what kind of routine or plan I set for myself, inevitably something will come up. With that in mind, I want to focus on the day ahead and give it all I've got.

Speaking of giving it all I've got ...

Another round of the Whole LIfe Challenge begins on September 13, 2014. I've done the Whole Life Challenge several times over the past 2 years and I've always been so happy with the results. Aside from the 8 weeks of the challenge, I've found that the results are long lasting because the good habits you develop over the course of the challenge become part of your routine. It's been the main thing that has helped keep me from straying too far from my goals.

The big question I have for you is -- are you brave enough to try it out?
For more information, you can check out my blog post: http://plumpetalsfitwlc.blogspot.co.uk

And if you feel like you're ready to join, then copy and paste this link:
http://www.whole.lc/wlcfall14/pt/plumpetalsfit -- and follow the prompts to complete the registration process.

(Early registration $39/GBP 24; regular registration feel $45/GBP 27.5) The official website has answers to many frequently asked questions (www.wholelifechallenge.com)

Where did the Week Go?

I can't believe it's Friday already! I actually didn't realize what day it was until I read somebody else's blog with the same opening statement! I was like what?! How did that happen?

It has been a busy, busy week. A quick update:

1) Weight training: I only got 2 weight sessions in this week, but they were both really good. Ever since I came to London (and also during the time I was training on vacation), I've been rotating 3 weight lifting routines (5 different exercises in each routine, 10 reps each). I'm so happy to see progress! I have one more weight training session left of this program before I move on to something a bit different.

2) Cardio: My cardio has mainly been walking and circuit training through MetaFit class. I did a couple days of HIIT training on the treadmill, working in a few sprints, but it's still not easy on my knees. I so desperately want to run, but I keep getting knocked back. I think I need to continue to work on strength training and hopefully that will have a positive impact on my running.

3) Jiujitsu: I finally restarted jiujitsu training this week! I was so happy to get back into it, but not so thrilled to be training in a gi. I just don't find it comfortable. Still, the two sessions were really good. We worked on rear naked chokes and triangle chokes - some of my favorite moves :)

4) Weight Watchers: My first weight watchers weigh in was frustrating. I lost 1/2 kg. I wasn't surprised. I had 3 meals out during the week so I'm sure that didn't help. This week they started talking about pro points but it all sounds a bit complicated for me for where I'm at. I'm sticking to the simple start plan until I see a bit more movement with my weight.

5) My Food: The biggest effort I've made this past week as to cut down my dinner portions. Even though my dinners are clean and healthy, I know that I need to watch how much I'm eating. I've been doing that, but I've been going to bed hungry, and I really hate that feeling. Still, I survive through it. I'm going to keep at it for a while and see where it goes. The discipline has to pay off at some point.

6) Tracking: I wear my Fitbit to track my steps and I've been logging into My Fitness Pal for the past 2 weeks now. I don't rely on the numbers they give for calories burned during activities, but tracking food has been good. I've connected with a few people on My Fitness Pal -- if you're on it, do look me up! I find the extra connection helpful and motivating!

7) Update on my brother: He's still in hospital. There's still no confirmed diagnosis. Today, for the first time after his surgery last week, he was able to move his legs a bit (after an aggressive treatment with steroids). I'll be flying to Bangkok next week - I'm just too far away from my family during such a stressful time. Applying for my visa too huge chunks of time out of my days this week. It's always such a frustrating process. If you don't have to apply for visas to travel, count your blessings!!!

8) Final thoughts: I was so hoping to fall into a more normal routine starting August 1st. However, with my upcoming travel, it looks like that is not going to happen. I know that several blog posts ago I accepted the fact that my norm was to have a chaotic schedule, but still -- the lack of routine is so difficult to deal with. I'm trying to stay positive and keep working at it. Regardless of what's going on, the basics never change -- eat healthy and keep exercising.

MetaFit

Regardless of my schedule, I've found that if I can hit the gym regularly, my life begins to feel 'normal.' I still have a lot of house stuff to deal with, but I feel like I finally have a bit of a routine. My main goal right now is to wake my body up! I'm happy with the weights program I have for myself. I've mixed in both my own workout plus the one set up by one of the trainers at the gym -- it feels great. I'm not lifting heavy, but I am challenging myself with every rep. I can't even put into words how good it feels to get back into it!

On top of weight lifting, I've started doing one more thing -- MetaFit class.

Metafit actually originated at the gym that I go to. It's a circuit of body weight exercises, choreographed to specific work/rest intervals. Here's a link to a brief intro video -- MetaFit Class. The class reminds me of CrossFit, just minus the weights.

When you hear the description of 'bodyweight' exercises and 'no equipment' and '30 minutes' -- it can raise a lot of questions.

How difficult can it be?
Will it be effective?
Will it be interesting enough to keep me motivated?

It all boils down to one basic answer: It depends on you.  

It is very, very challenging. As with anything, it all depends on how much effort you want to put into it. The good thing about the class is that you can adapt it to your physical capabilities -- there are always ways to modify an exercise if you need to and there are always ways to turn it up a notch (or two) if something is easy.

As with any type of HIIT training, I think it is very effective. Again, it also depends on what you put into it -- not just in class, but after class. The workouts get your heart rate up, they really push you, and the effects are long lasting … however, if you leave class and eat unhealthily, it can negate the positive impact of the class.

In terms of being interesting -- I've gone to 5 classes so far and I've only had 1 repeated workout. It really depends on your attitude towards the exercises. There are so many bodyweight exercises that I dread -- mountain climbers, burpees, explosive jacks -- but if you take it as a challenge to get at least one more rep in each time or at least improve your form, then it keeps it interesting. Add to that the dynamic of the class and the coaches motivating you and I think you've got a winning formula. Let's put it this way, it's no more monotonous than going to a spinning class or a Body Pump class -- you know what to expect, you have your basic set of moves, but somehow each class is different.

While you can do all of the exercises at home with no extra equipment or the need for much space, it's not the same when you don't do it with the class or with a trainer. You know that you'll push harder when somebody else is there with you -- that in itself adds to the perks of the class.

So that's what I've been doing here. I've really been trying hard and I can feel it in my body. I've got that good kind of sore feeling going on all the time and I love it. All I need to do now is fit in some proper MMA training and I'll be set!