Diary of an Out of Shape Shrink 2.0.2 (HA! You Didn't Beat Me!)

I subtitled this "Ha! You Didn't Beat Me!" because on Thursday, this circuit kicked my sweet patootie. Let me walk you through this:

1. Start with ropes. Large wave simultaneously with both arms. 20x

2. Ladder. Fast 4 steps per space down and back

3. Kettle bell swings. (Yes, that demonbell again). 20x

4. Power step up. Step up with one foot and bring other knee up. 10x per leg

5. Sand bag lift. Lift the 20 pound sand bag onto blocks about chest high. 5x

Now, if you're reading this and thinking, "Huh? That's easy!" then just close this post right now and don't ever read my posts again. EVER! You are banned. Why? Because I said so. I know, It didn't work for my mom, either. Let's try this You are banned and can kiss my patootie!

I must admit, I was a bit concerned when I saw the ladder. The last time he brought out the ladder, all I had to do was hop with both feet through the squares. I totally couldn't hop! It's like my brain froze. I could hop with one foot. I could alternate feet. But I could not for the life of me hope with both feet. It was just a hop! If a serial killer put a gun to my head and told me he wouldn't shoot me if I just hopped through that ladder, I'd be dead. I COULD NOT HOP!!! Bunny I am not (that's a different Da Mom, but I won't say who).

Thursday was an off day for me. I was exhausted from not sleeping well and from working all day. Also, that training session started at 7:45 pm, and I am used to going to bed early. This really has messed with my sleep schedule. I had a headache. And, I hadn't eaten anything or drunk a protein drink since lunch because doing so before a workout makes me queasy. If I hadn't paid for the session, I wouldn't have gone. I'd have put on my pjs and went to bed early. (That's exactly why I made myself make this a financial investment.) But, I went, and I did this circuit. I wasn't pleased because I completed only 5 sets and had to break quite a bit between. 5 sets in over 30 minutes. I was off my game, and I was not happy. It stayed in the back of my mind gnawing .

So, I went to the gym when I got home from work today. Saturday afternoons are usually quiet, and sure enough, I was the only one there. I set up the circuit again. I was determined to do better. And I could make as much noise as I wanted to because no one else was there. I started off strong. I had 3 circuits finished in about 10 minutes. I was determined to complete 7 sets in less than 30 minutes. I kept pushing. Shoulders were burning. Heart rate was up there. I was sucking down some water in between sets and sucking a lot of wind, but I jumped right back into the next set.

7 sets in 26 minutes and 56 seconds! YES!!! BOOYAH!!

Afterwards, I even worked on my arms using the machines. I don't do free weight yet without my trainer.

Take THAT, old lazy me!

Just a few short weeks ago, my challenge was to think about getting a gym membership. Now I am challenging myself to get better. I remember what Valerie Kondos Field would tell her UCLA Bruins Women's Gymnastic Team: Get 1% better every day. This was my 1%, and I am pleased.