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maoribadger
Posts: 1,837 Member
I thought I might post this here where it is hopefully read by people who may understand
I had my first personal trainer session yesterday. After a brief warm up she had me do some press ups and I was pleasantly surprised to find I can still do full press ups albeit less of them than I used to be able to. Then I progressed onto jumping pull ups, back raises and squats. 10 of each and 4 sets in total. I then did a cardio circuit of rowing 250m, get off and do 5 press ups and repeat 3 times before cooling down. Again I surprised myself as she told me on more than one occasion I could stop if I needed to but I managed the whole session at the pace she set without having to stop.
During cool down we discussed my goals. I said I had set myself a personal target to run 5 miles by next september and she said she could help with that. I also said that although I wanted to lose weight the numbers seemed to becoming less important to me. I just want to be roughly a UK size 12 and be happy with my size. I said that actually as a former black belt in kickboxing and karate to be at this level of fitness was really depressing and that I've never been skinny but I used to be really strong and athletic and I just want to get that back, Id rather be strong than slim. She looked me right in the face and said 'You ARE really strong. I dont expect anybody to be able to get their head to the level of their hands the first time they do a jumping pull up and you did it consistently every time. Once you lose weight you will probably kick my *kitten*. Its still in there, it just needs a bit of work'. Then we started to stretch and she added 'And you are more flexible than I am'.
I cant quite explain the effect hearing that has had on me. The last 5 years have been as rough as they have been amazing. I've had 2 fantastic children, in rough circumstances and weathered 2 bouts of post natal depression. To hear a 'professional' tell me that actually I am still the person I used to be inside and not beyond help really makes me feel like I can do this. I've spent so long being down on myself for gaining so much weight and becoming fat and weak. To be told its not all been lost it just got buried a bit has really made a difference. I know this sounds stupid but when I told my husband on the phone and he said he was proud of me I got quite emotional.
Its given me a lot of food for thought. For starters I re evaluated my goal weight. 135lb might make me inside my healthy BMI but actually I havent been that weight since I was 15 and its probably unrealistic and setting myself up for failure. When I got to my best before I got married I was about 11 stone 4 and was carrying a *kitten* ton of pure muscle in my legs and shoulders so although I was technically overweight I was the size 12 I am happy being and I looked fit and healthy. My profile pic is me at that weight. So I have reset my goal to 11 stone (154lb) giving me 19 less pounds to lose and that also means I now have less than 100 to lose (88 to be exact). Which feels much less overwhelming.
Sorry for the immense long post. I just needed to get it off my chest
I had my first personal trainer session yesterday. After a brief warm up she had me do some press ups and I was pleasantly surprised to find I can still do full press ups albeit less of them than I used to be able to. Then I progressed onto jumping pull ups, back raises and squats. 10 of each and 4 sets in total. I then did a cardio circuit of rowing 250m, get off and do 5 press ups and repeat 3 times before cooling down. Again I surprised myself as she told me on more than one occasion I could stop if I needed to but I managed the whole session at the pace she set without having to stop.
During cool down we discussed my goals. I said I had set myself a personal target to run 5 miles by next september and she said she could help with that. I also said that although I wanted to lose weight the numbers seemed to becoming less important to me. I just want to be roughly a UK size 12 and be happy with my size. I said that actually as a former black belt in kickboxing and karate to be at this level of fitness was really depressing and that I've never been skinny but I used to be really strong and athletic and I just want to get that back, Id rather be strong than slim. She looked me right in the face and said 'You ARE really strong. I dont expect anybody to be able to get their head to the level of their hands the first time they do a jumping pull up and you did it consistently every time. Once you lose weight you will probably kick my *kitten*. Its still in there, it just needs a bit of work'. Then we started to stretch and she added 'And you are more flexible than I am'.
I cant quite explain the effect hearing that has had on me. The last 5 years have been as rough as they have been amazing. I've had 2 fantastic children, in rough circumstances and weathered 2 bouts of post natal depression. To hear a 'professional' tell me that actually I am still the person I used to be inside and not beyond help really makes me feel like I can do this. I've spent so long being down on myself for gaining so much weight and becoming fat and weak. To be told its not all been lost it just got buried a bit has really made a difference. I know this sounds stupid but when I told my husband on the phone and he said he was proud of me I got quite emotional.
Its given me a lot of food for thought. For starters I re evaluated my goal weight. 135lb might make me inside my healthy BMI but actually I havent been that weight since I was 15 and its probably unrealistic and setting myself up for failure. When I got to my best before I got married I was about 11 stone 4 and was carrying a *kitten* ton of pure muscle in my legs and shoulders so although I was technically overweight I was the size 12 I am happy being and I looked fit and healthy. My profile pic is me at that weight. So I have reset my goal to 11 stone (154lb) giving me 19 less pounds to lose and that also means I now have less than 100 to lose (88 to be exact). Which feels much less overwhelming.
Sorry for the immense long post. I just needed to get it off my chest
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Replies
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You did fantastic!! What a boost to you! Also congrats on re-evaluating how much you want to lose. I would LOVE to be a UK 12, that was always my goal, closest I got was a 16.0
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Wow, Maori...that is a lot of progress in one session, so to speak. I'm glad that what your trainer said really got through. So many other people would have blown it off as flattery or not really applicable.
That is a huge number of major successes. I've been heavier far longer than you, and I have lost a fair bit of my strength. It makes me sad and angry and confused.
But I'm glad to see you reevaluate your numbers. Did you know that the majority of body builders, professional and amateur, are considered to by unhealthy by BMI alone, because of muscle weight? I heard that and I couldn't help but laugh... So you are right on target. Weight is just a number. Body fat and muscle ratio and health are far more important than anything a scale could tell me!
So good luck to you...I'm so impressed by what you achieved, realized, planned, and everything. That was more progress than most people can make in months! You were ready for it...primed for it...
I'm so looking forward to following your progress!!!0 -
Thanks carly. It did hit home, I'm in a much better place mentally than I have been for.a few.years and after a lot.of.counselling I'm slowly learning to appreciate that my perception of myself is.a little.skewed as I have a.husband and plenty of friends who care.for.me.so I can't.be all bad. And more.importantly than anything.my two amazing.small people who love.their mummy no matter.what size.she.is.or even if she's having a bad day and.just wants.to.lie.on the sofa.and snuggle. In fact they love.those.days. So I could have blown it.off but I am trying.to use the tools I've been taught in the last few years to.challenge negative thoughts and replace.them with positive ones. What she said.mostly drove home because.it.gave me some hope I can carry on doing this and.I will eventually be the weight I'd like to be and.fit and healthy for.my.babies.
My size 22 jeans fell down today. I don't.seem.to be an out and out.20 yet. I've.got.one pair that fits but.two.pairs.I.tried on were too tight. I suspect I'm a 21! But.I've got.plenty trousers to wear til I.slim into.them. Thankyou both for.your words about.my.goals though, it has lifted a little of the weight (see what I did there haha) to make that decision.
Excuse the full stops. My phone is.psychotic and seems to slot them in at random. It's that or fat fingers. I prefer the first explanation
Lise x0 -
That's awesome, Lise. Mental progress makes physical progress go so much faster!
My personal goal is 160, and I'm 5'5". It's not a "healthy BMI" weight for me, but I think it's where I'll be happy with myself. I might adjust that once I get closer. We'll see.
I'm in awe of your strength. That workout sounds intense! Good for you pushing through!0 -
Thankyou. It was intense. I've been going on my own the last two nights and have made sure Ive done at least 40-50 of the jumping pull ups, back raises, squats and press ups alongside my weights and I am really feeling it. I seem to be the only one in the free weights area sweating though...0
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Congrats on a job well done. I'm so glad your PT was able to instill a sense of pride back in you. Kudos to her and you. Big cyber hug for getting out there and doing it.
Carrie from DE0 -
Thanks Carrie. BTW where is DE?0
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Delaware, I believe... Most US states have a two letter abbreviation code for mail/post purposes...0
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Sorry for the delayed response..... Last night I crashed. DE is Delaware. Thanks Carly!!!!!!0
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Just wanted to say that I think it's great that your ENJOYED your session. I had a session with a trainer once and was so discouraged. He didn't seem to care if I lost weight and really wasn't all that informative. Thankfully, it was a free session. It sounds like this trainer is a good match for you and is definitely dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.0
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Unfortunately, sherambler, the things that are free are not always of the best quality. I'm not in a position to be able to pay for something like this right now, but I plan for the day I will again do so!
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