Rather than go on and on about the fact I have not lost any weight for an eternity and am still struggling to get back into it with dedication and longevity I am going to reflect on the things I’ve done since starting this Wobbly journey.
So here it goes. Things I’ve done:
1 – I got back on my roller skates.
The first few lessons were terrifying and there are still moments I get the fear in the me and want to just sit on the ground instead of risk slamming onto it. The whole skating thing has seen me standing in a skate shop in LA talking wheels with dudes that really know they shit. As we left the shop I felt this sense of FAR OUT how freaking cool am I understanding what they were talking about and shooting the breeze with those cats and buying super rad skates from their awesome shop in downtown LA. I walked on air back to the car. It’s a similar feeling I get when I learn a new trick like the Moonwalk or simply just skating round-and-round with the wind tickling my face and swooshing in my hair.
2 – I walked to the top of Mount Lofty and back down again.
While I have bush walked before, I’ve never attempted this. The 8km round trip is very steep and one of the most challenging things I’ve done. I cried for about 1km. I actually thought I was going to die and Twiggy started pushing me up the hill for part of it. When I got to the top I had a mixed response – I thought I was going to pass out and I was dreading having to walk the return trip back down into the gully. Once I didn’t think I was going to vomit in front of a heap of tourists taking happy snaps of the beautiful vista, I actually felt a sense of pride. I don’t think it was until a few days later, when I could walk properly again, that I really basked in the personal glory of it. Pretty sure I won’t do it again.
3 – I rode my bike on a 16km round trip.
About a month ago I asked Twiggy to get my bike out of the shed and for the first time in about seven years I rode it. At first it felt very wobbly, but then something clicked and I loved it. It feels so freeing. Road riding is a bit scary, but luckily we have a heap of bike tracks near our house. I started out with short rides to get back into the swing of it and then this week I set out to try a different track that goes to the beach. I told the family I’d just go a for a little ride to see what the track was like, but I’d decided I was going to ride all the way to the beach and back AND I DID. All 16kms of it. It felt awesome. I felt awesome. I can’t wait for the weather to get a little sunnier so I can do it again. Next time I’ll make sure I have a better seat so my bum doesn’t hurt so much afterwards.
4 – I swam 10 laps, of an Olympic-sized pool, in a row.
I’m not the best swimmer, I’m not even an average swimmer. One day I challenged myself to swim 10 laps and I did. It was a mixture of sidestroke, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and almost drowning stroke but I did it. I had big plans to go back and do it three times a week, but it just got too tricky. Next Summer I will. I might even do a stroke training class to help make it a little easier. There’s nothing like the quiet of the pool. Nothing.
5 – I worked out in a gym alongside a Miss California entrant.
That’s right. It was in Santa Barbara and I was in the gym on the elliptical trainer. Next to me was a blonde leggy woman, one of the many beauty contestants who just happened to be sharing out hotel. Instead of retreating, I pushed myself harder than ever and left smiling. The gyms in California were awesome and the extra motivation of twenty amazonian girls traipsing around in bikinis and sashes really helped.
Now I have my sights set on trying Yoga for the first time and getting back into Pilates which I love. I’d also really like to give rowing a go. I’m not sure how to go about that, but in the meantime I might need to get our canoe out and go for a paddle. A friend also suggested we try and find an exercise class where you dance in the dark. Sounds a little like a rave without the drugs, but I’d give it go simply for the laughter factor. Overall, I’m still eating far too much, but I’m definitely getting back into moving more. One day I’ll get serious again, that’ll happen. I’m just happy that I’ve been open to trying new things and pushing myself to not give up when it counts.
How about you? Tried anything new lately?
bigwords x
Hi, I'm Bianca Wordley, I write about life.
