On a Health Kick

New Orleans and Christmas really took it out of me. I mean, I was fat and bloated, and by New Year's Day, if I never saw another glass of beer/wine/gin/cocktail again, it wouldn't be too soon.

So for the last week all I have done is exercise and eat healthily. The Boy has finally conceded that he will try and eat less meat. For him, it's an animal welfare issue whilst for me, it's a environmental thing. Nonetheless, we're going to try alternating meat-free a meat-y meals. I think my digestions enjoying the smoother ride, though it may also be something to do with me trying not to gorge myself as much as I usually do.

In terms of fitness, I've been trying all the classes under the sun offered at my gym. This week I tried three new classes: Barre Fitness, Groove Hoops, Pilates Fundamentals and Total Body Challenge tonight alongside my usual classes. We also had a sub for Kickboxing Bootcamp, so it was like that was a completely different class.

I've learnt a lot from trying those three new classes:
1) I have avoided those classes because I knew I'd be rubbish at them. I proved myself right in all three classes, most spectacularly in Pilates Fundamentals, oh, and Barre Fitness, too. In pilates, the instructor had to give me a fourth toned down option to the roll-up, which is essentially a sit up. (She had already offered three intensity levels to the whole class, the most basic of which I still couldn't manage). Dear friends, you will know that I physically can't sit up without using my hands. It is indeed an impediment. In Barre Fitness, the instructor would congratulate everyone on their excellent form and stretching abilities, get to me, stop, smile, and move swiftly onwards. I am not a graceful ballerina.
2) There's a lot of getting in touch with your inner self, particularly in Barre Fitness and Groove Hoops. In Barre Fitness, we had to imagine a hummingbird was inside our chests pulling us up and outwards. In Groove Hoops, we had to hula hoop as if we were a specific animal. I chose a bear, which fortunately meant I could be super bulky, awkward and clumsy. Ta dah!
3) Stuff is hard when you don't know what you're doing. In the Kickboxing Bootcamp class today, the sub got us to do loads of strange moves that I've never seen before. Again, I sucked. But, it does prove that you need to challenge yourself to move outside of your comfort zone.
4) As a consequence of my extra ab workouts, I am having trouble discerning whether I a) have a super sore tummy from all the core work b) still hungry as I'm not eating as much. It's a mystery.

In any case, I've lost around three pounds in eight days. Might be time to scoff those turkey dinners I froze on Boxing Day...