Notes by Nectar

After a late night on Saturday I was so tempted to cancel my session with Randy on Sunday. I thought about it but then realised I hadn’t done any exercise since Wednesday and thought I should just do it. We got to the gym and found three other people there. That rarely happens!

I started with the usual 5-minute warm-up on the cross-trainer and then began the first circuit:

• Leg extensions (machine) x 20
• Pull-over/skull crushers combination (3-kg weights) x 15
• Side plank/leg raise combination x 15 on each side

I did that three times. The side plank/leg raise combination was difficult. I think it was partly because I haven’t had a yoga class in a few weeks and am really noticing how inflexible I’ve become.

I did another 3 minutes on the cross-trainer and had a short rest. I then began the next circuit:

• One-arm dumbbell row (15-lb weight) x 15 on each side
• Plank x 45 seconds (but moving my right leg out and then back, and then left leg out and then back)
• Incline sit-ups x 20

I did that three times. I found the 15-lb weight too heavy during the dumbbell row so for the second and third sets, Randy reduced the reps to 12. It was still tough though!

Randy then stretched me and I was done.

My second session with Randy on Wednesday was also tough. I started with a 5-minute warm-up on the cross-trainer and then did the following circuit:

• Alternating knee-ins x 30 seconds
• Rest x 5 seconds
• Half-burpees x 30 seconds
• Rest x 5 seconds
• Tricep push-ups x 30 seconds
• Rest x 5 seconds
• Plank x 30 seconds
• Rest

I did that three times. The rest of 5 seconds sounds good but that’s how long it takes to get into position for the next exercise! Half-burpees are just like regular burpees but you don’t stand up at the end of it.

I did 3 minutes on the cross-trainer, had a water break and then did the next circuit:

• Kettlebell swings (6-kg) x 20
• The ladder x 6 lengths (in and out separately in one direction, jumping in and out with feet together in the other)
• Chest fly press (3-kg weights) x 20
• Bent over row (3-kg weights) x 20

I did that three times too.

Randy then stretched me and I was done.

I didn’t work out on Thursday BUT I did remember to do the plank! I did the 1.5-minute plank in my bedroom before going to the Shangri-La poolside with my sister and nephew.

After taking my sister and her monster to the airport on Friday I went to the gym. I did 3 km on the cross-trainer (24:13) and then did a 2-minute plank. I didn’t think I was going to make it to 2 minutes but I somehow managed it. The time seemed to go by very slowly!

I didn’t work out again over the weekend.

Low point of the week? I hit my highest weight of the year on Sunday. I also cut my left knee while getting out of the pool at the Shangri-La on Tuesday. As if that knee doesn’t have enough going on with it!

High point of the week? At least I made it to the gym three times this week… Also, I haven’t had a Galaxy bar in weeks now!

Weight loss? I hit 72 kg on Sunday (after a weekend of eating and drinking) – but was back down to 70 on Friday after a night of drinking (again, I just don’t get it).

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