Saturday, January 16, 2010

What was I thinking?

I woke up the morning of my first personal training session in June excited, anxious, ready to start this journey of mine. My first dilemma however was "What do I wear?". I didn't think to go out and buy myself an outfit that would remotely help me feel fit. So I put on an old pair of black bike tights that were too small - but I figured thats why they called them TIGHTS :), and one of Stephen's t-shirts. Up went the hair in a pony tail and I whacked on a cap. I was ready! Or so I thought.
My first class was a fitness assessment. Oh boy! This was to be an eye opener, but even with all the dread I held in my heart i was really ready for the answers. I needed to see where I stood and what it was going to take to get me where I wanted to be. I can remember looking at Barry (the trainer) and thinking lets get on with it. I am sure he felt my anxiety and as such he proceeded gently and cautiously so as not to bruise my already battered self image.
The fitness assessment went as follows:
  • Flexibility - +1
  • 50m run - 10.4 seconds
  • Push Ups - 20
  • Sit Ups - 30
  • Chin Ups - 0
  • Steps Ups in 2 min - 53
  • Beep Test - 3.7
  • Rating - Cat 7

I only found out recently what the Category 7 stood for - VERY POOR. I thank him with all my heart for not having given me the "very poor" status as I think it may have just crushed all my hopes. I thought there were 10 categories, not 7!!!

That very night I could hardly walk. The pain in my back was excruciating. I felt deflated - how was I going to cope with doing exercise if my back couldnt cope with an easy fitness test. I went to bed that night and cried. But when I woke up the next morning, although my back was sore the defeatist attitude had gone into hiding and there was a tiny spark of the old Barbara resurfacing. I got up, took the kids to school and went for a swim with my friend.

Your hard work will be rewarded.

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage