Well I have certainly upped the stakes - every muscle in my body aches after a double gym and circuit training session last night.
I thought after being a little lax at the weekend I should try a little harder with my fitness regime and what better way than to join a circuit training class and be shouted at for an hour?
I got to the gym a little early and instead of waiting around I thought I should use my time effectively so decided to jump on the cross trainer. Big mistake....
On the bright side, I was all warmed up and ready to go.
I headed up to the class (which is up four flights of stairs!) and my face dropped as I entered the room. Not only was it packed, but it was full of big butch men with a few super-fit ladies dotted around.
I had a feeling I was in for a shock!
Yes, and as we started out with jogging around the room, it was at that point I was seriously regretting the cross trainer! People were flying past me and clearly seeing it as a matter of life or death!
We then got into groups (I was with a marine, and two other large men who liked to check themselves out in the mirror) and the battle commenced!
Lifting a medicine ball for two minutes, press ups for two minutes, jumping over poles, bench presses, sit ups, weights: the list was endless.
After going round the room once I felt quite proud of myself and was about to go for a little break when a voice hollered at me for daring to stop.
You had to be kidding me - no break? I looked in horror at the marine in my group and asked home many times we went round. 'Twice?' I said with hope in my eyes.
He answered without stopping that it was double that amount and that's when the tears almost kicked in. I now know the true meaning of torture.
I was tempted to stick out my foot and trip him over. Then the title of the blog would have well and truly matched the tale!
But I managed to refrain, and after spurring myself on (no one else was going to!) I eventually did finish the class and have to say that on reflection I actually enjoyed it (although I am paying the price today!)
So tonight we are taking it easy and only heading out for a 10 mile walk along the quayside, and then it's back to the gym tomorrow. Gulp.
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