Feeling a bit down today. Had been referred for exercise by my GP at around the same time as I started C25K but what with waiting times & holidays , today was my first day at the gym for an induction session.
I used to go to the gym quite regularly a few years ago, so I fondly imagined that it would be a piece of cake, particularly after my C25K progress (W9R2 tomorrow.)
Well it wasn't. I could barely move weights I was flinging about like confetti last time I was at the gym. Worse, my knee twinged when I tried the leg press (at 40kg! I used to press 100kg no problem.) I felt pathetic, and I haven't felt like that at all during C25K - I've felt strong, empowered, fit. I saw myself in the mirror at the gym and I just saw this obese, grey-haired middle-aged woman who can't hack it.
Anyway, the Exercise by Prescription thing requires me to go >= 2x per week till flipping Christmas. I told the (nice, pleasant, friendly, helpful) gym guy that I wasn't coming back until after Saturday - I can't let any stupid injury picked up at the gym to derail my C25K graduation Parkrun on Saturday.
Now I want to eat cake and watch TV. That's not going to help, is it!
Greetings to all xxx
Nia (my actual name btw)
Written by
Languid_Lil
Graduate
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Hi nia ..dont be down your doing fantastic ...your quite right to finish your c25k ...... Dont let anyone tell you diffrent ..well done so far your smashing this program ...😊😊🏃🏃
Oh Nia love, I'm having a pity party too tonight after picking up an ankle problem, so I know pretty much how you feel Although, you only want to eat cake and watch telly, I want to drink a LOT of wine, watch telly and eat a HUGE packet of cheese balls.
I'd do exactly the same as you and do your graduation run as planned this Saturday.
What you saw in the mirror was just a gremlin, nobody here sees what you saw. We see and support the strong, empowered and the fitter person that you are. Your posts have been inspiring me since I started coming on here and trailing in your footsteps.
So, chin up, eat cake if you like and tomorrow things will look different. Sending you a virtual hug (and some virtual cake and wine x)
Chin up... you are doing this and doing wonderfully.. so...maybe.. take the mantra from here.. slow and steady and just move on with your exercise at the gym gently!
Aww hun - big hugs - you are doing fantastic and I'll be cheerinģ you on Sat x
Do you know what if the gym wasn't easy - remember you've tackled this plan with such grit and determination we have all felt inspired following your posts.
Enjoy that graduation - be proud and be happy - then kick that gyms butt so hard it won't sit down for a long time😊
Don’t be so hard on yourself. We’re all our own worst critics. As Oldfloss says take it easy. You haven’t done this for a while and just like c25k it needs to be treated with respect 😀.
No bulls in china shops required ☺️
Good Luck with graduation.
Then show that gym who is the boss, in a slow, gentle and controlled way 😀
There is a huge difference between C25K running program and lifting weights..although strength training on your rest days can help with your running ..
Certainly no need to be so hard on yourself you have achieved a lot already ..a slice of cake as a treat for your progress is perfectly ok ..and deserved ..😀😀
I wish i could give you a hug too. If you want to eat cake today just do it .; you will be fine . As for your reflection at gym ; think how you are now compared to W1 . You got this far ,this is a blip ...enjoy the cake and then graduate . Go girl 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Put your graduation first. Then tackle the gym. BUT, running is very different to gym work. I feel you went at it believing you'd cracked running, so the gym would be a piece of cake (couldn't resist the analogy ) You need to pace yourself similar to how you've done with C25K. There are lots of programmes online or a good gym will have trainers there to advise you.
So, graduate and then slowly build up your gym work, if that's what you want. If you feel bad about eating cake, I'll go halves with you - yum yum
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Take it easy it was after all an induction to the gym. It’s slowly does it. Try to refocus on your grad run this weekend and I’m sure once completed and it will be a huge turning point and make you feel your more positive self.
Aww Nia, don’t be so hard on yourself. I think you’re an amazing woman and you’ve inspired me as I’ve been following your posts and progressing with c25k myself.
I see you and I see a runner. Keep running and that referral won’t be needed. Graduate and go see your GP for testing again... you will have come a long way. Watching TV won’t harm, you have a run tomorrow! Cake maybe needs to wait a little... but keep this going and the carb/sugar/fat concoction that is cake makes for great running fuel!
Thank you for the support you have given me and now is my turn. Lifting weights is a completely different beast to running. I think you perhaps need to look at it a different way. It takes time to build up just like You did in this programme. If you had been told to tun 5k in week one there is no way it would have been achieved even if you were able to do it in the past. but with time and hard work and determination you can do it. I have faith in you xx
Gyms are over-rated, all those poseurs. Mirrors are over-rated too, I have all my mirrors coated in Vaseline, it really helps as it gives me a soft focus look and there are no wrinkles either.
Do your run and celebrate the achievement. Then think about other core strength exercises at home and do those on your rest days. Go to the gym on your terms, not somebody else's. 😊
Just wanted to join the chorus of support and also let you know I felt the same the other week. I used to swim - not to any speed, mind, but I swam every week in an hour-long class, and could happily do 1K, tread water, tow a boy much bigger than me (it was a lifeguard class by the end) ... fast forward 15 years, I get into a pool and can't remember how to breathe, open my eyes underwater, and by the end of a length I was wheezing. In the mirror was a hairy (mind you that's not changed) woman with a belly.
But I'm now on my 4th week regular swimming and I'm not wheezing any more . Well done for getting back to the gym and I know you'll be flying in a few weeks!
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Although, you only want to eat cake and watch telly, I want to drink a LOT of wine, watch telly and eat a HUGE packet of cheese balls.
W2R1 done!! And a little bit extra !
A bit disheartened today
Feeling a bit glum
W9R3... I'm a graduate! 🏆
Should I feel insulted or flattered? 😍
