Fighting Fit

It didn't take any time at all to get back into the swing of it - I really thought I would be back to square one after having 'time off,' but if anything, it felt a little easier - and I'm really beginning to feel the benefits. I've lost two more pounds - that' s 8 altogether - and my clothes are feeling noticeably looser. But what I love most of all is that I'm actually FEELING so much fitter now!

I'm running up stairs, have boundless energy - and I'm actually looking forward to my three-a-week visits to Studio 20 in Ilfracombe.

I'm loathe to say it's getting easier in case Jo, my amazing training instructor, ups the stakes and gets tougher.

Having said that - and I never thought I would have this in me, but I am actually toughening it up for myself - setting harder targets in the gym when things get a bit too 'easy' - adding a little more weight, or a steeper incline on the treadmill, or faster mileage on the bike.

I'm discovering stuff about me that I never knew I had - a tenacity not to give up, that I'm sure wasn't there before. So yeah, I'm feeling pretty damned smug about the whole thing at the moment - LOOK AT ME - I'M REALLY DOING THIS!!!!

And without wanting to sound too much like a Mutual Appreciation Society - I have to pay tribute and say, it's all down to Jo Walker!

We talked, this week about how she began in the business and it became really clear that the training she gained herself, is now being passed on to the people who come to her gym, here in Ilfracombe.

Talking of the woman who inspired her into her now hugely successful career, Jo said: "She really cared about the people she was training." Jo does this too. I sometines wonder if she realises just how good she is at motivating people. As I've said before, what makes the massive difference between her methods and the perceptions I had before coming to a gym, is that she gives me the mental ability to do this - explaining why this exercise or that, should be done in this way.

Just by shifting a milimetre, she makes me hurt (yes I know Jo, it's a really good hurt) - so that I know I've intensified the exercise and I'm using precisely the muscle she wants me to get at!

This week - a bit more boxercise - at my request - because I absolutely LOVE this - and it was still so much fun!

Then back to the gym where we have been doing more weight work. Jo explained that now the weight is dropping I can start to shape up those muscles so that my shape really begins to change for the better. Lots of upper body work - biceps, triceps - and deltoids - which were very sore the next day.

Oh, and just in case there was any doubt - adn anyone thinks I'm just sat at my desk all day, making this up - we now have the pictures to prove it!!!