Tuesday 10 March 2009

Service Interruption

There just aren't enough hours in the day!

I am being very good and going to the gym, really went for the burn tonight! I have days and days of stuff to post but I am so tired, I need to rest and catch up on some sleep.

Soon!

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Medieval Back Torture

Or deep tissue massage!

I had my first ever back massage today. Can't say it was an entirely pleasant experience. Very beneficial though. The gym has a little spa attached and I thought "why not?" :)

I think it's in Heather Moffett's book she recalls the story of a dressage horse who almost sat down after she ran her hand along his back, he was so sore. Well, I empathise completely with that horse! There were a couple of times during my half hour session, I emitted a little squawk of pain, and more than half a dozen times my back twisted away from the therapist's hands! It really does hurt to touch, can't believe I hadn't realised this before now.

I have little sensation in my lower back which is worrying. The middle of my back is ok. But the top, oh my days! Knots in great numbers, and very sore too. I could feel them clicking under the therapist's thumbs :s

There seems to be a knot under where each bra strap goes, which is depressing. Not much I can do about having to wear a bra! And lots between my shoulder blades, on my shoulders, and up my neck. The cause might be as much an emotional one as a physical one. Not quite sure how I am to chill out, I don't think I've ever been relaxed in my life! Certainly could only manage a moment or two at a time today during the massage before my muscles braced and I held my breath.

It has made me realise how much of a saint my little horse was to 'wear' me despite my tension, I really have no business being on or near a horse! I am glad I was so fastidious about his back and his health if not mine. It also explains why he sometimes used to try and kill his physiotherapist early on in his treatment, I know how the poor love must have felt!

So, I really ought to have regular massages. Not that I can afford this at the moment, but I will endeavor to have another before I go offshore. Hopefully once I am working more I can have a couple a month, I am even toying with the idea of alternating weekly between physio and massage.

I also met up with a personal trainer at the gym to go over what I need to achieve. He said he should have a programme ready for me tomorrow, and I can have a look at it when I have my health assessment. I did have my BMI recorded today. Apparently for someone my age, it should be between 21 and 33. Mine is a portly, put-down-the-mince-pie-fattie 36.something...

But wait, there's more! I have a personal training session of Friday. Just the one, I can't afford any more, but I should be able to get a handle on what I'll be doing.

Unfortunately, my new routine will probably involve swimming and jogging. Euch! I harbour a deep repulsion for both activities. Hope there's no danger of the Japanese harpooning me in the pool, it'd be an easy mistake to make!

Monday 2 March 2009

Broken Blog

*lol* Very apt Claire!

I haven't blogged for a bit because I haven't done anything. That all changed today and I made my way to the gym for the first time in three weeks.

It was busy despite it being mid-morning on a Monday. Why are these people not at work?!

What a good little gym bunny I am, I did all my warm-up stretches. I decided to use the cross trainer today, since the last few workouts I had I was feeling like I ought to work my arms too. What a strange and stupid contraption! I just couldn't get into a rhythm with it, I think it only served to accentuate my very odd gait. My boyfriend assures me I just have to get used to it, but I'm sure I looked something like a drunken spider!

I did have an untimely palpitation whilst using the cross trainer after only 10 minutes, so swapped onto the treadmill just to walk off the heaviness in my limbs. I only lasted another 5 minutes before I had to go downstairs.

I was so annoyed I was on the verge of tears. I can't even go for 10 minutes gentle exercise without practically collapsing :'(

My action plan for the week is:


  • to have a deep tissue massage on Wednesday to begin working out the knots in my back
  • to go along and review my fitness programme with some more specific aims
  • to have a general health assessment with the gym (they offered me one for free!) to help chart my progress (ha!) over the coming months


Of course, none of this will do anything to remedy the deep loathing I have for this bod of mine.  Am thinking of removing/covering all the mirrors at home.  I'm just grateful the changing room at the gym is softly lit, for other people's sakes!