It’s been awhile since I have reported on my actual workouts. I guess that’s because I have been busy writing and singing, going to France and talking about that. Going to the gym and working with my trainer has become less of a novelty which I guess is a good thing. It is part of my lifestyle now. It is routine like putting on my glasses or brushing my teeth. BUT because I work with a professional trainer it has not gotten easier, in fact Jeremy the Devil slave driver comes up with subtle ways to kick my ass, and I am not even aware of it until I am in the midsts of these seemingly innocent exercises that I realize: Damn! He got me! Again!
Case and point: I meet Jeremy in the weight room. He has a seat ready for me. I sit and he strolls over to the cute and colorful little pyramid of weighted balls in the corner and picks out a nice orange one which is the size of a volleyball.
OOH! An orange ball!
He tells me to hold the ball close to my chest with both arms and then instructs me to simply extend my arms in front of me while holding the ball and bring it back to my chest.
Meh! Child’s play!
Seriously? I feel almost foolish doing this simple motion. Secretly, I pray that none of those serious gym rats appear with their fast action ab routines or iron pumping. But that thought is quickly replaced with concentration as my arms start shaking and I start sweating!
Use your abs!
WHAT?
How much does this thing weigh? And should it be this hard?
Then he asks me to extend my arms over my head (ball in hands) I start to feel a burn in my arms, my shoulders and my upper back. It’s also harder to keep my balance on the seat and I feel that my core is activated. There’s more going on here! Then he asks me to hold my arms and the ball extended in the air and tilt to the side 15 times each side for three sets – or was it 20 times? Who knows? All I know is that I can’t wait for it to be over. I want to note here that I start watching my form in the mirror and you know what? It actually helps! I usually avoid looking at myself in the mirror while I work out, but this time I feel a bit of confidence as I extend my arms overhead. It makes me sit up straighter and extend further. Heck, I thought those mirrors were for shaming!
Then he instructs me to sit down and get up again and again. OH GREAT! Now I am getting up and off of a chair.
Dare I mention my usual routine of getting up out of a chair? First, I count to ten; pray to Jesus and all of the Saints; grab a ledge, a table or whatever is close at hand and hoist myself up. But with this exercise I must depend on my glutes, quads and abs to get into a standing position. Yeah, this little exercise will come in handy.
This little torture is completed and I am led to the machines where I can at least appear like I am doing something tough. But trust me, that little ball playing and sitting and standing routine had my body buzzing for two days afterwards!
I am getting stronger every day!
