Just wrapped up another four-week training program with Force Barbell. These last four weeks were really challenging. . .at times. Of course, with the first session of a new training program, the bar is raised. It’s very gratifying at the end of that four-week period to see how much stronger I am and how my body has adapted to the challenge.
For example, instead of sled-dragging 90 lbs. around the parking lot once a week, Tyler had me sled-dragging twice a week. And, Tyler got me on a stationery bike for the first time in over 10 years. The last time I was on one was during rehabilitation for my knee replacements. I’ve been on a recumbent bike over the years, but not a straight-up stationery bike. The first time I mounted the bike, I got kicked in the shin with the bike pedal. Ouch! Took my breath away!! I don’t feel that was one exercise that got better over the four weeks. Plus, my left knee didn’t like bending quite that much.
And, there were days, particularly the Monday of the last week of this program, when I walked out of the gym and every joint in my body screamed. Got in my car and drove to do an errand and my joints hurt beyond description. Usually, I wait a day or two before taking Aleve if the pain gets intolerable. On that day, it was a matter of hours. However, by Wednesday of the same week, I was moving easily and felt agile and limber. Since this process is new to me, I have no idea why this happens, but it doesn’t stop me from moving forward.
I think Tyler gets a kick out of my lovingly referring to my workouts as “torture sessions.”
And, just when I wonder if all of this is making a difference and why am I doing it, a friend compliments me from out-of-the-blue, saying she can see a difference in how I look or how I move. Unsolicited compliments keep me going. They’re telling me that it’s making a difference and it’s noticeable. I know that Rome wasn’t built in a day and I didn’t get as out-of-shape as I was when I first walked into Force Barbell overnight. It takes time and commitment to undo bad habits.
Then there’s the fear that, if I were to miss one appointment, I wouldn’t get back into the groove. While it’s hard getting up at 6 a.m. (okay, many of you may be laughing, but 6 a.m. isn’t my bewitching hour; I’m a night owl), but when I return to my car at 9 a.m. after having exercised, that fuels me for another day. I feel I’ve accomplished something good. It makes it all worthwhile.
And, I’m using the days when I come in to exercise to redirect stress that I know I’ll face later in the day. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. For example, I’m not a good dental patient. But, there have been days when I would schedule a dental appointment in the afternoon after exercising that morning. The energy expended on my morning exercise routine helps to burn off some of my fear and stress. But it doesn’t always work. . .especially when facing a root canal. Drat. Curses. Foiled. Got into the dental chair at 1 p.m. and the assistant took my blood pressure, which was high. Then the dentist came in and took one look at my blood-red face, left, and returned with another doc to offer me options. Like I said, channeling my stress in a constructive manner doesn’t always work.
When I go in tomorrow (Monday morning), Tyler will have lovingly crafted another series of “torture sessions” for me. Can’t wait to learn what he’ll have me doing next. And, better yet, how I’ll master them.