Did you survive our best friend, Dirty Harry yesterday? Heh-heh! He came in with an encore, didn't he?! Ole' Mr. Fats didn't have a chance against our champion lawman on his quest to obliterate the bloat! Heh-heh! Sure glad I'm on his team.
We are approaching the end of our 2nd week, though it seems like we just started this month. I guess time flies when you're having fun and beginning to see your own transformation take shape, however slightly or dramatically.
Today was the last workout with The Brian until next week. We are going to lose him for tomorrow because of a convention he needs to attend in Las Vegas. As much as I miss Brian on those rare occasions he is gone, I think its absolutely fabulous that he is going to learn more up to date stuff regarding physical therapy & fitness that all of us will benefit from. It is vital that a leader in fitness and physical body training maintain continuing education to stay current and thrive on the cutting edge. And besides, there is nothing better than a smart coach!
I must say I was still extremely sore and tired from yesterday's workout! It was a monster, but I worked it as hard and intense as I could. Brian has mentioned in some of his emails and blogs the importance of recovery and knowing your body's threshold. I believe I am working up to that edge, but not getting stupid about it. Sometimes we can be addictive about exercise and not know when to back off. That's when injuries, feeling burned out, and even feeling a little melancholy can begin to surface.
However, I am delighted to realize some of the results from my hard work. My legs are one of my weakest body parts, so to be able to increase my weights and maintain my form is very satisfying. I am able to do things I could not do when I started at Adventure. However slow my results are coming, I can actually do full lunges, squats, jump, and do bunny hops that were totally impossible when I was a newcomer at Adventure BC.
Today Brian had us work on our chest, back, and arms. I always enjoy working my chest, and especially my back. Its time to annihilate those little pockets of flab that have suddenly redistributed above my bra strap! Arrrh! Things start changing as you get older, and I never know what I'll find when I wake up the next morning. Its not exactly a treasure hunt, friends, but its always a surprise when its something you've never seen before!
Some of the exercises we did to carve into some of that extra cushioning were figure 8's, line stepovers, pushups with our partner, and chest presses with the bands. Even though this was not a cardio day, we do a little just to keep the blood flowing. ;)
We did a nice variety of arm exercises, too, that included concentrated curls, cross-over curls, regular curls, and the all favorite tricep exercise with the bands. Brian helped me a couple of times to get my form correctly, and I always appreciate that immensely.
Though the triceps still remain elusive for upping my weights, my biceps continue to get stronger and stronger. I have gone from 5 lbs to 8 lbs, and now use 10 lbs. On part of the sets, I am able to handle 12 lbs weights.
Isn't that awesome? These are just more quantifiable measurements that prove to me that Adventure Boot Camp works!! Not only that, but I have had a few people come up to me and say I look like I've lost weight. Oh, it is so mighty nice to hear that! All I got to do is keep it up!
Although we are in the midst of a contest, I have not personally embraced this experience as a race. For some, it gives them an adrenaline rush. For me, I like to compete against my own record. I am quite content at making consistent, permanent, progressive strides towards improvement. I do not feel defeated in the least that my pace and weight loss changes are not as dramatic as my neighbor's or any other camper thus far. I need to stay focused on my own journey. Inch by inch, step by step, the pink tiger is winning with herself and making her own dreams come true!
How did I learn such patience and acceptance? Age and maturity, my dears! I have found that our expectations can be the root of our misery, resentment, unhappiness, and anger if they are not in keeping with you and the situation at hand. I have learned as I've grown older that there are things you have to accept, and some of them are the speed in which your body will change, able to exert itself, and recover. Our resiliency may slow as Mother Nature winds us down. The important thing is to fight back and stay on top of the mountain! This is no time to lose ground.
My body's ability to process changes has vastly changed since I was in my twenties and thirties. It has changed even more since I passed 52. Whether I like it or not, this is where I am, so I might as well enjoy the ride.
Expectations, whether positive or detrimental, can be our grace or undoing. I intend to keep my expectations high, but reasonable and appropriate. What you can accomplish in a month when you are 25 is way different than what you can achieve in a month when you are 55.
I hope all my friendly competitors and warriors out there will find their own understanding and silver lining in their experiential journey too!
Tomorrow we will be enchanted by the delectable Velvet Hammer! I know it will be a gritty workout, so get ready for the slaughter! Brian has worked up a routine for our shoulders, legs, and abs that should be awesome, and push me to my edge and threshold that much closer!
Regarding shoulders, our last shoulder routine on Tuesday was smoking! I'm still fatigued from that workout. And we did a lower body circuit on Wednesday that took me over the moon! Doing shoulders and legs in the same monster workout with a bunch of planks and crunches will certainly get my freak on! Bring it on!
I know the Velvet Hammer will delegate for Brian in a big way and make him proud. Are you up for the challenge? You know Brian doesn't say goodbye without a going away present! ;)
The pink tiger will be checkin' you out. Be there!
the pinK tiger......
....gonna get ready for the "Hammer".....
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