I actually didn't exercise at all until the last two years but have been training off and on since then, gaining muscle here, losing it again there(and by there I mean recently. And a lot. With a side order of wine-insulation). I'm 5'5'', around 58kg and run a 10.5 minute mile and a half which I'm dying to get back down to my 9.55 PB. So my fitness right now is good to average. But average isn't exactly inspirational, is it?
I appreciate there are much curvier ladies battling the bulge and doing awesomely and am under no illusions that those in the sizes 6 to 12 brackethave been dealt an awkward hand, but my whole thing is about striving for... well...
This.
That's a serious body.
Not only to look at- that's a body that screams hard work. So here's the plan to kick off a new, healthier 2014.*
Stage 1 - join the gym (achieved! It's amazing what five minutes on the net with your visa will do)
Stage 2 - make a plan (Achieving! Check me out!)
Stage 3 - Complete the Les Mills 'Grit' 21 Day Challenge.
The challenge involves a 21 day diet plan plus completing at least 7 'Grit' sessions over the three week period as well as whatever additional exercise you and your body feel comfortable with.
I'm in the market for some serious results - and having gone through some pretty tough training about a year ago I know what my body can take - so I'm working on a 'the more the merrier' principle, with five to six workout days a week BUT these are a mixture of strength training, cardio and less strenuous activities like yoga and pilates to ease those aching muscles and allow for the fact I'm seriously out of shape. As much as possible I'll work different muscle groups on consecutive days.
You can find the official GRIT diet plan here. It's pretty low-carb with one protein shake and four small meals per day, consisting of a palm sized amount of protein, a thumb-sized fat portion and some veggies. The aim is to rev that metabolism and help strip away excess wobble. Life is too short to be puritanical so I will still be enjoying the odd red wine, fruit juice or Graze low cal popcorn snack - those are just non-negotiable when giving up jelly tots! Obviously this is not a long term solution and it's best to slowly reintroduce some low GI carbs after your 21 days is up - think sweet potato!
So. The below is what the first week of my 21 days looks like. I'm trying lots of different classes to see what works for me (and give me lots of lovely review-fodder) but overall aiming for around 9 hrs of exercise with at least 4 cardio workouts per week, 3 strength sessions using weights and a couple of nice stretchy flexibility workouts...
Monday - AM Grit Plyo (plyometrics) PM Pilates (flexibility, tone)
Tuesday - AM/PM Rest day
Wednesday - AM Body Pump (strength) PM Grit Cardio (cardio)
Thursday - AM Express Spin (cardio)
Friday - AM Grit Strength (strength) PM Zumba (cardio?)
Saturday - AM Spin (cardio, legs)
Sunday - AM Yoga (tone, flexibility) PM 3 mile run, abs/push ups at home
So let's get started. Horribly pasty before pictures coming your way after a 'last weekend' of unparallelled excess, and by excess I mean gin, cake and an enormous Sunday lunch with my favourite ladies.
Sparrow x
*yes, 2014. February is the new January, without the poverty and depressing lack of social life.
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