Workout Thurs 9 April 2015

Despite continued low levels of motivation, I dragged myself to the gym.

Programme for today was upper body and went as follows:

Workout time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm

1. Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 0.90km

2. One-arm dumbbell row - 6 x 12 - 7 kg

3. Seated tricep press - 3 x 12 - 7 kg

4. Alternate hammer curl - 3 x 24 - 2 x 5 kg

5. Tricep dumbbell kickback - 6 x 12 - 3 kg

6. Dumbbell curl - 3 x 12 - 2 x 5 kg

7. Seated bent-over rear delt raise - 3 x 12 - 2 kg (one of my least favourite exercises)

8. Bench press - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

9. Seated cable row - 2 x 12 - 22.5 kg

Completing this session made me feel better than I have in a while, and, in a small way reminded me why I lift.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Mon 23 Mar 2015

I decided to get back into training this week.  Last week was chaotically busy and ended with a visit to the chiropractor who booked me off exercise for Friday and Saturday.

I really felt stiff in my neck and back after this chiropractor visit and really battled with my yoga practice this weekend.

Today was leg day and the programme was as follows:

Workout time:  6:40 - 7:25 pm

1. Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 0.85 km

2. Leg press - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

3. Seated calf raise - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

4. Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

5. Leg extension - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

6. Deadlifts - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

7. Walking lunges - 3 x 12 - 2 x 5 kg weight plates

I will probably be a bit stiff tomorrow.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Thurs 12 Mar 2015

I have had a chaotic week and so haven't been able to make time for proper gym sessions.  I usually put everything aside for my weights programme, but I have had a hefty amount of work to do lately.  Combine this with uncharacteristically low motivation levels, and you've got a Foxy who hasn't been lifting regularly.

I decided to focus on upper body and my programme was as follows:

Workout time:  2:00 - 3:30 pm

1.  Elliptical - 10 mins - 0.95 km

2.  One arm dumbbell row - 6 x 12 - 8 kg

3.  Zottman curls - 3 x 12 - 2 x 4 kg

4.  Tricep dumbbell kickback - 6 x 12 - 4 kg

5.  Alternate hammer curls - 3 x 24 - 2 x 5 kg

6.  Dumbbell shoulder press - 3 x 12 - 2 x 5 kg

7.  Bench press - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

8.  Wide grip lat pulldown - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

9.  Seated cable row - 3 x 8 - 30 kg

10.  Tricep cable pushdown - 3 x 12 - 25 kg

That bench press nearly killed me.  I'm going to feel that in my chest tomorrow.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Thurs 5 Mar 2015

I have been focusing on yoga much more than I have on my weight training these past 2 months, which is the reason that posts about my training programme have been irregular.

I did yoga this morning and then decided to head to the gym for a weight training session.  Leg day was on the schedule and this is what I did:

Workout time:  12:45 - 1:45 pm

1.  Elliptical - 10 mins - 1.03 km - average heart rate 135 bpm

2.  Leg press - 3 x 8 - 45 kg (new PB)

3.  Leg extension - 3 x 8 - 10 kg

4.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 8 - 20 kg

5.  Seated calf raise - 3 x 8 - 45 kg (new PB)

6.  Back extension - 3 x 8 - 8 kg

7.  Standing oblique crunches - 6 x 8 - 8 kg

8.  Crunches - 3 x 12 - 8 kg

Feeling pretty chuffed that I hit two new PBs.  Probably going to feel this all tomorrow.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Wed 25 Feb 2015

Gym programme is back in full swing.

Today was upper body day and the programme was as follows:

Workout time:  3:00 - 4:10 pm

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 1.05 km

2.  One-arm dumbbell row - 6 x 12 - 8 kg

3.  Seated tricep press - 3 x 12 - 8 kg

4.  Dumbbell shoulder press - 3 x 12 - 2 x 4 kg

5.  Bench press - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

6.  Barbell curl - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

7.  Alternate hammer curl - 3 x 24 - 2 x 5 kg

8.  Tricep pushdown - 3 x 12 - 25 kg

9.  Hula hoop - 5 mins

10.  Standing oblique crunches - 2 x 12 - 8 kg

I did quite a bit of stretching afterwards because my shoulders and biceps were aching.

I do feel like a boss though.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Tues 24 Feb 2015

Had to drag myself to the gym today because I got busy with a few other things and didn't feel like tearing myself away from my work.

Today I hit legs and programme is as follows:

Workout time:  2:55 - 4:05 pm

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 1.01 km

2.  Standing calf raise - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

3.  Seated calf raise - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

4.  Leg extension - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

5.  Leg press - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

6.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

7.  Back extensions - 3 x 12 - 4 kg

8.  Crunches - 2 x 12 - 8 kg

9.  Stiff-legged deadlift - 3 x 12 - 16 kg (2 x 8 kg kettlebells)

10.  Standing oblique crunches - 4 x 12 - 8 kg

I think I'm going to be stiff tomorrow.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Thurs 19 Feb 2015

I haven't done one of these posts in a while because I have really not been in the mood for weight lifting these last two weeks.  I went to the gym last week Friday as well as yesterday but didn't record my workouts.

I am seriously ashamed to say that I have been dreading going back to my "serious" programme because I know that the first few days back after a short break are punishment.

Today I decided to smash an upper body programme and it went as follows:

Workout time 10:20 - 11:15 am

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 0.83 km

2.  One-arm dumbbell row - 6 x 12 - 8 kg

3.  Alternate hammer curls - 3 x 24 - 4 kg

4.  Dumbbell shoulder press - 3 x 12 - 2 x 4 kg

5.  Bent-over barbell row - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

6.  Bench press - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

7.  Seated tricep press - 3 x 12 - 7 kg

8.  Low row - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg

Enjoyed today's session, and I need to get back to a committed weights programme.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Fri 6 Feb 2015

I went to the gym on Monday but didn't record my workout.  I didn't enjoy Monday's workout as I was in pain in a few places and I was trying to exercise despite the pain.

I haven't been to gym much this week, but have been doing yoga.  I went to gym yesterday and decided to pick up my programme on leg day.  Programme was as follows.

1.  Cycling - 15 mins - not sure how many km were cycled as I used a spinning bike.

2.  Seated leg press - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

3.  Seated calf raise - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

4.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

5.  Stiff-legged deadlift - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

6.  Walking lunges - 3 x 10 - 10 kg (2 x 5 kg weight plates)

7.  Back extension - 3 x 12 - no weight plate

8.  Barbell step-up - 3 x 12 - 10 kg (used a weight bag that looks like a mini punching bag)

9.  Crunches - 3 x 12 - 8 kg kettlebell

Going to have a social weekend and that means I'll be back at yoga class on Sunday afternoon.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Fri 30 Jan 2015

I spent some time on my yoga mat this morning and had to drag myself to the gym.  I felt quite sleepy after this morning's restorative yoga session and so included a more energetic practice into my day before I left my mat.

I did eventually get to the gym, however, and put some legwork into leg day.  Programme as follows:

Workout time - 1:00 - 2:10 pm

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 1 km

2.  Leg press - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

3.  Leg extension - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

4.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

5.  Seated calf raise - 4 x 12 - 30 kg

6.  Stiff-legged deadlift - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

7.  Standing oblique crunches - 4 x 12 - 8 kg (did this using a kettlebell)

I think there's going to be quite a bit of yoga on the cards for the weekend.  Looking forward to it.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Thurs 29 Jan 2015

After doing Erin Motz's yoga challenge this morning, I headed out and ran a few errands.  After this, I went to the gym to throw a few dumbbells around.

Today was upper body day and my programme was as follows:

Workout time:  1:45 pm - 2:55 pm

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 0.97 km

2.  One-arm dumbbell row - 6 x 12 - 6 kg

3.  Tricep dumbbell kickback - 6 x 12 - 4 kg

4.  Shoulder press - 3 x 12 - 2 x 4 kg

5.  Alternate hammer curls 1 x 24 - 2 x 4 kg
5.  Alternate hammer curls 2 x 24 - 2 x 5 kg (there are two of these because I decided to push myself a little bit and increase the weights)

6.  Wide-grip lat pulldown - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

This doesn't look like a tough workout, now that I review the list, but I definitely worked hard and felt so much burn.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Tues 27 Jan 2015

After doing my yoga challenge this afternoon, I headed to the gym.

Today was lower body day and my programme was as follows:

Workout time:  2:50 pm - 4:10 pm

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 0.90 km

2.  Leg extension - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

3.  Leg press - 4 x 12 - 37.5 kg

4.  Seated calf raise - 4 x 12 - 30 kg

5.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

6.  Stiff-legged deadlift - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

7.  Standing oblique crunches - 6 x 12 - 8 kg (did this using a kettlebell)

8.  Weighted glute bridge - 3 x 12 - 5 kg (did this using a weight plate while resting my back on the rounded side of a Bosu ball)

9.  Walking lunges - 3 x 12 - 10 kg (2 x 5 kg weight plates)

The weighted glute bridge was quite uncomfortable because of the placement of the weight plate, and this should probably be done with a barbell.  Since this was my first attempt at this exercise, I didn't want too heavy a weight as I wanted to keep correct form.  I shall be trying this with a 10 kg barbell in future.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Mon 26 Jan 2015

After doing Erin Motz's yoga challenge this morning, I dashed to gym.

It's been a busy day and so I have only managed to record my workout now.

Today was upper body day and the programme was as follows:

Workout time:  10:20 am - 11:30 am

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 1.06 km

2.  Underhand cable pulldown - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg

3.  Lat pulldown - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

4.  Barbell curl - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

5.  Shoulder press - 3 x 12 - 2 x 4 kg

6.  Bench press - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

7.  Bent-over barbell row - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

8.  Low row - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg

I did not feel nearly as strong as I ordinarily would.  I think the week away from weight lifting has affected me rather unfavourably.  I decided to take it a bit gentler on myself as I could definitely feel tension and stiffness in my upper back and neck.  It's never a good idea to injure yourself because you can't deal with a bruised ego.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Mon 19 Jan 2015

I hit the gym just after lunch had settled.  An appointment this morning left me buzzing with excitement and I needed a bit of time at home to deflate and calm down before hitting the gym.

Today was leg day and the programme was as follows:

Workout time:  2:40 pm - 3:50 pm

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 1.02 km

2.  Leg extensions - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

3.  Lying leg curls - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

4.  Seated calf raise - 3 x 12 - 30 kg
4.  Seated calf raise - 1 x 12 - 37.5 kg (this was a set to test myself at an increased weight - new personal best)

5.  Seated leg press - 3 x 15 - 37.5 kg

6,  Standing calf raise - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

7.  Stiff leg deadlift - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

8.  Standing oblique crunches - 4 x 12 - 6 kg (this was done with a kettlebell)
8.  Standing oblique crunches - 2 x 12 - 8 kg (this was to test myself at an increased weight - new personal best)

I challenged myself with this workout and I'm definitely going to be sore in strategic places tomorrow.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Thurs 15 Jan 2015

I hit the gym earlier than usual today and managed to fit a workout into my day before lunchtime.

Today was upper body day and my programme was as follows:

Workout time:  8:30am - 10:10am

1.  Spinning bike  - 10 mins (no km recorded)

2.  Underhand cable pulldown - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg (done on the wide-grip lat pulldown machine)

3.  Flat bench cable flyes - 3 x 12 - 5 kg each side

4.  Bench press - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

5.  Bent-over barbell row - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

6.  Barbell curl - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

7.  Tricep pushdown - 3 x 12 - 25 kg

8.  Cable row - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg

9.  Standing oblique crunches - 6 x 12 - 6 kg (done with kettlebell)

10.  Crunches - 3 x 12 - 6 kg (done with kettlebell)

There was no workout yesterday, but I did do something noteworthy instead of going to the gym.  I will write more about this in my next post.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Tues 13 Jan 2015

I went to the gym quite a lot later than usual yesterday and thus I didn't have a chance to record my workout before I headed out for the evening.

I think I didn't do as many exercises yesterday as I ought to have done because I couldn't find the sheet of paper on which I had written this part of my programme.  However, I didn't let that put me off or change my attitude to the day's plans.  I can usually remember what each day's routine entails and I think I included most of what was on the list in my workout.

Yesterday was lower body day and my programme was as follows:

1.  Spinning bike - 10 mins (again, not sure how many kilometres I cycled because of the absence of tracking equipment on the bike)

2.  Leg extension - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

3.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

4.  Seated calf raise - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

5.  Seated leg press - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

6.  Stiff leg deadlift - 3 x 12 - 15 kg (this was done with a barbell)

7.  Standing oblique crunches - 6 x 12 - 6 kg (this was done with a kettlebell)

Despite my lack of a proper guide to direct me, I am pleased with what I did.  I gave it my all and definitely felt that I had pushed myself.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Mon 12 Jan 2015

Today I really didn't feel like going to the gym.  It was incredibly hot, there was no wind, and all I wanted to do was stay inside with ice packs resting on various parts of my body.

However, I promised myself that I would commit to four days of weightlifting per week.
To motivate myself, I made a chocolate protein powder smoothie and changed into my gym gear.  I'm so glad I did make it to the gym, because the air-conditioning inside provided much-needed respite from the oppressive heat outside.

Today was upper body day and my programme was as follows:

1.  Spinning bike - 15 mins (I have no idea how many kilometres I racked up because spinning bikes have no screens and no way of recording distance covered - but I assume it was less than 5km.)

2.  One-arm dumbbell row - 6 x 12 - 6 kg (because this exercise is done one arm at a time, I did 3 sets per arm, thus 6 sets in total)

3.  Alternate hammer curl - 3 x 24 - 5 kg (because the exercise is done while alternating arms, I made sure that each arm performed 12 reps per set, thus 24 reps in total per set)

4.  Tricep dumbbell kickback - 6 x 12 - 4 kg (because this exercise is done one arm at a time, I did 3 sets per arm, thus 6 sets in total)

5.  Shoulder press - 1 x 12 - 2 x 5 kg dumbbells (this was to test myself to see if I could handle increasing the weight - one set was all I could manage)
5.  Shoulder press - 3 x 12 - 2 x 4 kg dumbbells

6.  Seated tricep extension - 3 x 12 - 7 kg

7.  Wide-grip lat pulldown - 3 x 12 - 30 kg

Today's workout went quite well.  I managed to conquer a 30 kg lat pulldown (on my weaker days, I usually lift 22,5 kg on that exercise).  Usually, I do the lat pulldown first, directly after my warm-up, while I still have quite a bit of energy.  Today, I did this particular exercise last and still managed to lift quite heavy.  Small personal victory.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Fri 9 Jan 2015

Today I got to the gym later than intended, and this meant the gym was a bit quieter, so my timing was pretty good.

Today was lower body day and my programme was as follows:

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 0.73km (decided to go a bit slower on the warm-up today - didn't want to exhaust my legs too quickly)

2.  Leg extension - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

3.  Lying leg curl - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

4.  Seated calf raise 3 x 12 - 30 kg

5.  Stiff-leg deadlift - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

6.  Seated leg press - 3 x 12 - 37.5 kg

7.  Back extensions - 3 x 8 - no weight (clenched my glute muscles while doing this one so it altered the exercise a bit)

8.  Standing oblique crunch (with a kettlebell) - 3 x 12 - 6 kg

9.  Crunches (with a kettlebell) - 3 x 12 - 6 kg

I think today's workout went well - I felt a bit stronger than I did yesterday.  I tested myself with the amount of weight I put on the barbell when doing my deadlifts.  Last time I did deadlifts I put 12.5 kg on the bar, so this was an improvement.  I felt I could go a bit heavier, but I wanted to focus on my form and keep that steady while flexing the correct muscles.

xoxo

Foxy

Workout Thurs 8 Jan 2015

I intend to make the content of this blog varied and thus interesting.  As part of my fitness journey, it's important to keep track of my activities.  Therefore, I want to use this blog to document my workouts and track my progress.

To make my records easier to read, my notation is as follows:
Example: Barbell curl - 3 x 12 - 10 kg
Explanation: Exercise - # of sets x # of reps - # of kilograms

Today was upper body and my programme was as follows:

1.  Elliptical trainer - 10 mins - 1.06 km

2.  Bench press - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

3.  Bent-over barbell row - 3 x 12 - 15 kg

4.  Barbell curl - 3 x 12 - 10 kg

5.  Underhand cable pulldown (done on lat pulldown machine) - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg

6.  Triceps pushdown - 3 x 12 - 25 kg

7.  Seated triceps extension - 3 x 12 - 4 kg

8.  Seated cable row (also called "low row") - 3 x 12 - 22.5 kg

Today was my first weights session of the year.  I have been recovering from the flu as well as the festive season.  My last training session was on 24 December, and so I have been away from the weights for just over 2 weeks.

I felt that I was a bit weaker today and didn't feel as much power as I usually do.  My personal best on a bench press is 15 kg, but I didn't feel that I could make 3 sets at 15 kg.  I put this down to my lack of training over the last 2 weeks.

It was a good start to the year's training.  Tomorrow is leg day.

xoxo

Foxy

Foxy Does the Weights

It has to be said that I did begin my bodybuilding journey with lots of trepidation.  I had to confront all the common misconceptions that accompany the bodybuilder stereotype.

For example:
"Only guys do weightlifting though - I don't want to look butch",
"I have seen the women who lift weights, they look so muscled and gross.  They must lift heavy weights - I don't want to look like that so I won't lift heavy weights"
"Do I have to drink protein shakes now?"

After doing quite a bit of reading on the bodybuilding website, I found that there are plenty of women who partake in the sport and many women who have written articles on various aspects of bodybuilding - from training splits to correct nutrition.  On further searching the rest of the web, I discovered quite a lot of literature about women who lift weights, and why women should indeed do weight lifting.

So, as mentioned in a previous post, I found a programme (one that is endorsed and run by a woman) and wrote down each exercise for each day of training.  Writing down the programme is easy.  The tricky part was my inability to connect the name of each exercise to what it looks like.  Also important to me was to avoid looking like a complete novice.  I didn't want to adopt incorrect form (which my research tells me is an injury risk) or choose too heavy a weight which would then cause me to fail immediately and rather dramatically.

A useful feature of the bodybuilding site is that it holds a database of videos to illustrate each exercise.  This is perfect if one is unsure of how to complete an exercise or what the correct form should be.  So, to prepare myself, I watched the necessary videos and drew little stick figures to make sure I remembered what to do.  I felt prepared and excited.

My first training session in the new year (2014) was going to be a weightlifting one. The training split for that day was chest and triceps.  I honestly thought that lifting weights was such a boring pursuit - that is until I tried it.  On my previous visits to the gym, while I was working up a sweat on the elliptical trainer, I had watched intently the way in which the men in the weights section were doing the same movements repeatedly.  It looked incredibly dull and I never thought I'd give it a shot.

When I found a free bench and set myself up with the weights I'd need for my session, I found that it was not boring at all.  I was concentrating on counting reps per set, I was concentrating on my form, and I was listening to music I enjoyed.  I was surprised at how much fun I was having, and how good it made me feel.

Another fantastic feature of the bodybuilding site is the ability to track workouts that you have completed.  If one is following a preset programme, the workouts are simple to track.  You simply choose the workout of that day from the list and input all the data from your session - how many kilograms you lifted, how many reps you completed per set, and how many sets you completed.

After tracking my first workout, I felt a sense of achievement and I couldnt wait to hit the gym for my next session.

xoxo

Foxy

My Fitness Basics

A suitable place to start would be to explain my school sports career.

Oh yes, I remember now - it was non-existent.  I hated sport.  Hockey and athletics in particular were the methods of torture employed by my primary school to ensure that I became a team-sport-hating, PT-class-avoiding rebellious pre-teen.  Tennis in summer was passable as fun, until the powers that be made it important and prestigious for a child to be good at it.  External pressure for me to do something (and to do it well) immediately makes me think "how can I best get out of this situation".  I played tennis at the least competitive level possible, merely to avoid the spotlight that goes along with being a sporty pupil.  (I preferred the academic spotlight.)

Winter sports were, as mentioned, hockey and athletics.  Years of this have left me with vivid memories of sweaty shin guards, hockey sticks smashing into shins that were devoid of shin guards (not mine, as I always wore enormous shin guards and I tried as often as possible to be placed as a wing - out of the sweaty, stick-swinging skirmish), hockey balls breaking noses, the extremely well-padded goalie (who happened to be the shortest girl in my grade - she was a fine goalie though), being forced to do high jump and long jump barefoot on grass and gravel respectively, the dirty landing pad on the other side of the high jump pole...  I could go on, but I think that this is sufficient information to form a decent picture.

With all of this in mind, it is rather obvious as to why I avoided sports for most of my high school career and my entire university career.  During my year away from home, I was incredibly inactive.  I did try to engage in road running, but the surroundings were too unsafe for my comfort, so I abandoned that pursuit.  I bought a very thick yoga mat and downloaded a few exercise programmes from the Women's Health website that were mat-based, with the hope that I could engage in some form of exercise in the relative comfort of my flat.  Because I was very unfit, not flexible at all, and had no equipment in the form of dumbbells or free weights, this was also not a fruitful use of my time.

During my post-graduate studies, my family moved home and the gym became an option.  I signed up for a gym membership a week after the house move, and I was set.  I was going to commit to going to the gym as often as I could and do whatever looked appealing.  I took yoga classes, Pilates classes, Zumba classes and spinning classes.  These are wonderful for a gym novice and allow one to go to the gym with purpose.  I was afraid of not knowing what to do when I got to the gym - attending a class solves this problem.  So far, so good.  I developed a routine of class attendance and added the occasional weight lifting circuit (the kind that consists of machines strategically placed in a certain sequence to target one's entire body, including cardio, which is catered for with the step platform in the centre of the circuit arrangement).

I adjusted my diet carefully and began to drink a large amount of water.  My life away from the gym at the time consisted of sitting behind a computer for at least 8 hours each day (I was working on my post-graduate essays), - not exactly very active.  However, this did allow me to control my water and food intake and create an eating schedule (this is extremely valuable for reasons I'll go into in another post).

The biggest part(s) of my body is/are my thighs, and it was important to me to lose centimetres in that area.  What was almost immediately noticeable was that I started to feel better about my body and I became more careful about what I put into it.  I began to work harder at the gym and would sometimes attend two consecutive classes, for example, a Zumba class followed by a yoga class or a spinning class followed by a Pilates class.  I enjoyed this schedule as it allowed me to spend more than 2 hours in the gym on some days.

I then completed my university studies and found myself with a day job.  This put an abrupt stop to my attendance of fun classes.  I became concerned as to which direction to take my training but I also knew that I was only going to achieve a certain level of fitness if I continued to attend the same classes and perform the same exercise routines.

Someone close to me mentioned that I should look at a particular bodybuilding website for weight lifting programmes.  I did some research and created an account on the website.  I found a programme that looked doable (ie one with beginner-level exercises) and I took note of which exercises should be done together.  I added it to the personalised calendar and began weight training on 1 January 2014.

Thus began my fitness journey.  I went from "going to the gym" to "going to train", from being a "gym member" to a "gym bunny" (though I don't think I'd claim that label out loud).

xoxo

Foxy