The Adventures of Permanent Lifestyle Change Girl: Boxing, No Prisoners.

I’m taking no prisoners – mainly because I don’t have the energy after another heart-pumpin, keister-moving session with Jeremy the Trainer. I’m calling him “No-More-Mister-Nice-Guy” Jeremy because he is making me work my patootie off. He’s always smiling and ever so gentle as he pushes me to go further than I thought possible. And I’m taking baby-steps.

We start off with me facing forward in a slight squat (always careful with my knees) with both hands outstretched in front of me while holding a weighted bell. Arms down, then lift up about waist high, one foot moves left, bring the weight down, bring the other foot over and repeat until I cross the room (which is the length of a dance studio.) After stopping midway to catch my breath and to keep from dying, I reach the other side. At that point I use the dreaded bell to do tricep work: clutching the weight with both hands, I raise my arms above my head, then I bend my arms at the elbows and lower and lift the weighted bell 15 times. Then do the squats and raise the damned thing back across to the other side of the room upon which I switch and do 15 bicep curls using dumbbells. Somewhere in there I also hold onto a dance bar and do legs lifts 15 times per side. I do the entire routine three times: squats and lifts across the room, triceps, bicep curls and leg lifts.

Lawd Have Mercy! I was sweatin’ up a storm and panting feverishly.

He lets me rest for a bit. “Take your time!”

Then with the sweetest smile ever, he calmly asks me:
Have you ever boxed before?

Hell no I ain’t never boxed before! I’ve never even worn boxing gloves! He becomes giddy with joy! I am skeptical. Then he brings out the gloves. I look at my nails…Uh, can I even do this with these nails? The answer is: YES I can! And I did! He teaches me a couple punches: the jab and the power punch or cross. The jab is a straight punch, quick and return. The cross or power punch involves a rotation of the hips, pull the arm back and follow through on the rotation which gives you the power to punch! I do them one at a time then I switch and punch right, left; right, left – faster, FASTER! Jab right, left, then a cross; Jab twice: right, right, then a cross, Jab three times: right, right right, then a cross. I do this over and over and I am so out of breath that I have to rest and start again.

It was amazing.

We finish the session with our usual floor work: Cool down with stretches and movements to strengthen my core.

I am able to maneuver off the floor a bit easier this time despite my exhaustion.

I wonder what he will come up with for our next meeting?

Note: I notice that upon returning home tonight that I can walk upstairs to my second floor apartment without stopping to catch my breath. OH YEAH!!!