I’ve made a bit of headway into exercising again. I’m trying to keep it casual and not put too much pressure on myself. I’m also determined to mix it up, so I don’t get bored. Last week, was about dancing and this week I had a triathlon in my sights.
I got my bike out again, for the first in months, and went for a ride. I love the feeling I get when riding my bike. Like a kid – free.
Then on another day we took the kids to the local pool. It was a stinking hot day and a surprise after-school trip to the pool is always a cool thing to do. I took the opportunity to swim some laps. To be honest, I am not much of a swimmer, I probably should take lessons to get my breathing and stroke sorted out. It is much harder than it looks when you see people gliding up and down the pool. I sort of splash around awkwardly and gasp for air. I didn’t have much time, so I snuck in four laps. Next time I’ll do 6, maybe 8. It’s really kind on your body, swimming. And it’s so quiet under the water.
I’d like to say I ran on the other day of exercise, but instead it was a fast walk. I met my buddy Sonia. She is the publisher of the blog Sonia Styling. Luckily for me, she also lives around the corner and is great company. We met at 6.15am and walked for 45 minutes around our lovely neighbourhood. That time of morning is so delightful. I think we might have talked faster than we walked. We’ve decided to make a weekly thing. I’m already counting down the days.
So as you can see I am slowly, yet enthusiastically, embracing my return to exercise. Soon, I hope I’ll get back into the groove of not eating so much ice cream and potato chips. It’ll come. Bit by bit.
Did you get out moving this week? Love to hear your exercise stories.
Bianca x
Hi, I'm Bianca Wordley, I write about life.
I got in a half hour walk on Thursday (I think my new drugs are starting to work…first time I’ve managed that much exercise type walking for a long time), and 20 mins on my bike on Friday morning. Yesterday out most of the day with my beloved, so lots of incidental walking…paid for that later – feet and ankles were like balloons come evening. And somewhere in amongst all the NOT exercising, addition of the dreaded weight loading prednisone to my arsenal of daily substances (HATE that stuff), Ive managed to lose a few kilos, cos a cautious advance to the scales (which I usually ignore) showed me a drop since the last time I looked. The pool is starting to call me too, now the weather’s warming up. Now sure how that will be – my shoulders have deteriorated a lot in the last six months of constant flaring, so we’ll see. And if you don’t usually swim, and that was a 50m pool, four laps is awesome – seriously. 50m pools are HARD. The last quarter of the lap can be just diabolical!
How amazing of you Karen. I am so damn proud of you. Take it slow. xx
ps: yes it was a 50metre pool and and yes the last quarter of the lap is hard!
Thanks Bianca! Apologies for the typos, hand are shot this morning. I’m just SO stir crazy now. The last month, I’ve been pretty much prostrated by this damned disease, so just feeling a LITTLE bit better is enough to make me want to go climb a mountain – which I won’t attempt…! My partner is a cyclist, and building up to some serious endurance rides, so I watch him get leaner and fitter and feel so motivated to get going…note to self: baby steps… Little by little.
Go you with the swimming – it’s such a good way to get fit and toned, and, as you say, SO much kinder than a lot of the things we try and do. The cycling’s good too – nowhere near as rough on the feet as walking and jogging. I had to MAKE myself swim, years ago. Hated it. That was before I got so sick, and I’d got up to 1km four days a week – in a 25m pool. I got the endorphin rush once I passed the 30 lap mark…then it got to be fun. I’m a long way off that now, but who knows?!
Good on you! Exercising in the morning is my favourite time of the day. It’s so peaceful. I’ve been doing couch to 5km. I’m on the last week and I’ve tried to do a bit extra for the last two weeks so have reached 5km. It’s not easy though. I’m certainly not one of these people who loves running. I love the feeling after I’ve run but during I really have to force every step forward.
Good on you for doing the 5km run program. I’d love to be able to run that long and am thinking of trying it at some stage, but like you the whole process is a mind game x
I’m a reluctant runner too and used that program. I was absolutely amazed how it worked – but it does actually work. I would have categorically denied it was possible to get me running for longer than 5 minutes at any intensity, but bugger me if I didn’t manage it. Quite empowering really. I’ll never claim to like running, but I certainly liked learning I could!
You have inspired me …
That makes me smile x
I loved our walk last week! It’s inspired me to get out each day and get moving. See you Thursday! x
Me too – I’ve walked most days since! x
Well done on the swimming – and, if it is any encouragement, I have never been a swimmer (something to do with fear of swallowing water and therefore no breathing), but last year, I tried swimming lessons for about the fifth time and this time I was ready plus had a great teacher. I finally got it – stroke was ok, just the breathing needed help – and now can swim 1/2 km comfortably, and a further 1/2 with effort (that’s just a fitness thing). Only took 40+ years, but I think I’ve finally worked out how. Sure you can too!
Good on you that is super awesome. I too fear the swallowing water thing. I must try swimming lessons. You are an inspiration!