The burn in my upper thighs and calf muscles this morning was, interesting. It’s not pain as such, just a really deep tightness. I can feel the individual muscles twitching against me when I’m moving. I’m fairly sure this is a sign something is working right! Right?!
I completed the third day of the Insanity 60 Day program, which was entitled “Cardio Power & Resistance”. Lots of jogging, jumping, hurdling and squats. At first it doesn’t look like there’s a lot of upper body work, but most of it happens just through “keeping your core tight” as the instructor says ENDLESSLY. I’ve also started lifting really light 1kg weights during the 30 second breaks you get, downing water with one hand and pumping the weight in the other.
It’s easy to forget when your belly is wobbling like a jelly on a plate, but I’m trying to keep what little muscle I have left in that region under control throughout the exercises. I’m sure it looks hilarious to anyone stupid enough to be watching …
Inspirations
I think this post is worth reminding myself, and telling you what inspired me to start Insanity in the first place. I’ve been overweight for years, sitting in a desk job doing not a lot of exercise and eating all the wrong things. It’s been that way for over 10 years, my metabolism slowed and the weight started to creep on. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the size of the house but I’m not where I need or want to be.
Recently however, a number of things have brought my situation into focus and there are some things/people which have really hit home that I need to get off my couch and do something about it.
My Uncle
I hadn’t spoken to my Uncle in almost 15 years for a variety of reasons. When I met him again I discovered he was in a wheelchair, he had always been strong and muscled. Seeing him in a wheelchair was a bit of a shock at first, but what really blew me away was how easy he made it look. He is completely independent. His upper body strength is pretty incredible. He has inspired me.
The Boss
This is not a sly way of getting a payrise, honest. My boss is older than me, I’m not sure by how much but I would say at least 10 years. He is fit as a fiddle, is confident as they come and I always come away feeling a little bit ashamed of my body after being around him. Not in a bad way, just that feeling of “ugh I need to fix this!”. To cap it off, the guy was in a boxing match last week against a chap 10 years younger than him. Sure he lost, and took a tidy crack to the nose but he didn’t look out of place – he got in that ring and did really well. He has inspired me.
My Papa
My papa has been dead for over 3 years. He had endless heart troubles including two triple bypasses. He has inspired me.
My Kids
Daddy. Why you so fat? Daddy. You’ve got a fat belly! … they mean nothing by it of course, but in 10 years time I want to be able to stand beside them, run with them, play football with them. At the rate I was going, that just wouldn’t happen. They have inspired me.
The Wife
My good lady has climbed a mountain, is currently training for a walking marathon, bore both my children with very little in the way of complaint and does more for my family in a day than I do in a week. I’m as self conscious as the next guy, I want to look good. I want my wife to think I look good and be proud of me. She has inspired me.
Tomorrow
‘Cardio Rest’ tomorrow, which from the sneak peek I’ve taken seems to be lots of stretching and balance work which my legs are REALLY looking forward to.
Stay tuned. Stay with me. KEEP YOUR CORE TI … sorry, you hear it often enough it starts to drill into your brain.