Small Steps

I now have a Personal Trainer!!!

This is quite a long story and started with a casual conversation on a beach in Mexico last summer. Doing more exercise was something I knew I needed to do but I also knew I didn't have the capacity to push myself into doing said exercise. I've not been averse to exercise in the past as you will know if you've read any of my previous blog posts. I was very sporty at school and got picked for most of the teams. I then played football when I was working in my late twenties, early thirties. I was also an active Golfer until I kind of fell out of love with it and being a mum took precedence. Recently the most exercise I've been party to is a weekly run around a badminton court.....I say run it's more of a plod!!

Anyway back to that beach. My friend and I were sat looking out to sea where the rest of the crew were swimming with Turtles, and I casually turned to her and said, "Have you ever thought of being a Personal Trainer." Now I'm not quite sure where it came from, as we weren't talking about exercise at all. We were just enjoying relaxing in the sun actually, but maybe I saw something in her, an enthusiasm, a drive, an air of encouragement. She was already qualified as a Keep Fit Instructor and I had attended, and enjoyed some of her classes in the past, so I knew she was kind of active. Anyway her answer was YES!! So after much discussion and googling....she set herself the task of training up to be a PT. She is now qualified and I'm her first proper client!!!

Alongside this Wayne and I have joined a golf club. I don't remember it being such hard work!! Just getting round the course was difficult at first let alone playing decent golf. In fact one story which will make you smile. I hit my ball into a bunker (not intentionally of course). I then stepped into the bunker, played the ball out of the bunker......but then I couldn't get out of the bunker!!!! My legs couldn't physically pull me out, I ended up crawling out on my hands and knees, very undignified!!!

Before I started my sessions my friend encouraged me to set some realistic goals. These revolved around the golf.

• I want to be able to get out of those bunkers with some grace and poise
• be able to walk the course without struggling to breathe
• and eventually be able to carry my golf bag around the course when I can't use a trolley because of the weather.

I'm three weeks into my new routine and I have to say I'm loving it. I feel more alive, I'm walking more and walking with more energy. I feel taller and more alert. Yes bits of me hurt after our sessions but I know they are good hurts if you know what I mean. My body is reminded about muscles I'd forgotten I had. My breathing is better and even playing my trumpet feels easier. I'm more conscious about not sitting around all day and want to get out and have a walk. And yes I'm getting out of those bunkers better already!!!

Each session I'm doing more and taking small steps of improvement each time. My PT is pushing me but not so much that I don't want to do it anymore!! Having someone walk this journey with me and encourage me has been a real blessing and I'm confident I'm going to reach my goals. In fact she says I'm her star pupil. I know, I know,  I'm her only pupil at the moment but hey it makes me feel good.

I was a little reluctant to write this post as it kind of puts it out there and people will now know, but I came to the conclusion that this might be an encouragement to some of you. It might not be to get fitter, but it might be to recognise qualities in others that can be nurtured. It might prompt you to look at your lifestyle and see how small changes can make a huge difference, or it might be to seek out someone who can help you on your journey too. I know this won't happen overnight but I'm prepared for the fight, thank you Deborah for being on my side, for encouraging me and walking this path with me, I am already very grateful.