Notes by Nectar

I’ve had a terrible couple of weeks at the gym. I’ve put on more weight in the 4 weeks I’ve been back from London than I did the whole time I was away. Looking at my weight loss app (Libra on my Samsung), I’ve put on about 5 kg from this time last year. You would think that would motivate me to do something about it, but I feel just the opposite.

I had only one session with Randy the week before last – that was on Sunday morning. After my 5-minute warm-up on the cross-trainer I did the following circuit three times:

• Sit-ups with a 10-lb weight x 20
• Plank with single arm extensions x 30 seconds
• Lunges x 12 on each side

I still couldn’t do full sit-ups because of my tailbone but it was much better than the week before. I did 3 more minutes on the cross-trainer and then had a rest. The next circuit consisted of:

• Shoulder press (3-kg weights) x 15
• Leg extensions (machine) x 15
• Abdominal leg raises x 15/15/20
• Ladder (stepping in/out) x 8 lengths

I did that circuit three times and then Randy stretched me.

And that’s all I did that week. I kept telling myself I’d go back to the gym on my own, but it never happened. I’m supposed to be doing a 10 km race in exactly 2 months but right now I just can’t see it happening! I even cancelled yoga as I was going to a party the night before and knew it would be a late night.

The following week I had my usual session with Randy on Sunday morning. After a 5-minute warm-up on the cross-trainer I did the following circuit:

• TRX plank with knee-ins x 15
• Combined forward bend/shoulder press x 10 on each side
• Burpees x 10

I did that three times with a break in between each set. I did another 3 minutes on the cross-trainer and then did the following set:

• Combined abdominal leg raises/scissors x15
• Plank x 45 s/45 s/60 s
• Backward lunges x 10 on each side

Randy then stretched me out and I was done.

Again, I did nothing until my next session with Randy on Thursday. I did the usual warm-up on the cross-trainer and then did this circuit:

• Seated chest press (10-lb/15-lb/15-lb weights) x 15
• Step-ups x 10 on each side
• Mountain-climbers x 12

I did that three times. The 15-lb weights are actually too heavy for me and for the last five reps, Randy had to guide my arms because they were all over the place! I then did another 3 minutes on the cross-trainer and had a break. The second circuit consisted of:

• Lateral pulldowns x 15
• Combined sumo squats/upright row x 12
• Full sit-ups x 20

I did that circuit three times and then Randy stretched me.

Low point of the two weeks? Feeling unmotivated and just blah in general. I’ve definitely lost my mojo – how do I get it back??

High point of the two weeks? Being able to do squats, lunges, step-ups after ages – we’d kept away from these because of the problems I was having with my knees. Also, my tailbone seems to have healed and I could do a full sit-up without any issues.

Weight loss? None! I’ve put on about 2 kg in November and I feel like a moose.

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