As one who is borderline obsessive about exercise, I found this article really interesting, especially the way it focuses on exercise as a way of getting strong and fit, rather than as a means to getting thin. II think this is a much healthier attitude to have, and one that is often missing from the “bikini body in 5 hours” type headlines we’re used to seeing splashed all over the glossies.
I’ll probably never subscribe to the snatch, clean and jerk lifestyle myself, but I am totally on board with the idea of the purpose of working out being to get stronger. Not Arnie strong, or even Madonna strong (hello freaky arms!), but I like to know that my body is capable of doing more than just a stroll to the pub. You know, just in case zombies do ever get around to attacking (oh no wait, they already did). I may have once been told that I am “freakishly heavy for such a small girl” (before being unceremoniously dropped on the floor), and my thighs may best be described as “sturdy”, but I am totally in awe of their ability to get me round a 26.2 mile course without completely collapsing under the effort. I think it’s good to try and push yourself further to see what you’re capable of, even if the only person you’re trying to impress is yourself.
In bootcamp (oh yes – borderline obsessive about exercise means I regularly drag myself out of bed at unreasonable-hour-o-clock to be shouted at in the rain), my least favourite bit is when we run up the (giant sized) steps and then back around, only to do it again another three times. Now, in the 6 weeks since I started going, I have never once been able to get all the way to the top of those buggers with just one leap for each step. Normally I end up practically crawling by the time I get two thirds of the way up. But this week I managed to silence that little doubting voice in my head, and on the final way round, I did it. I beat those little f*ckers. Got all the way to the top. Felt like rocky, I did. The tune was playing in my head and everything. Little did I know that 10 mins of burpees and lunges later we had to do it all again.
My success was shortlived. I faceplanted on the top step. I conquered the concrete, and the concrete went and conquered me right back in the face.
That’ll learn me. As they said in 2 cheerleading movies too many – Bring. It. On.
what kirby did next 