Day 1 12wbt
Having signed up for Michelle Bridges 12WBT program which starts today, I decided to spend the weeks in the lead up to kick off day, concentrating on my fitness. My main aim has been to get some kilometres into my legs in readiness for hitting them hard, as I get my walking, cycling and strength training, well and truly back on track.
Everything went awry for me, when I broke my arm, and I really haven’t managed to get my fitness back to where it was. The time has now arrived, when excuses count for nothing, so I’ve given myself a talking to about the importance of toughening up and bringing back my mantra, “No Excuses”, which has been long gone. Even though I have a home gym, I’ve had a break from it, to allow my arm to become stronger. I feel ready now to start increasing my strength. Any strength that I felt in the past, has definitely long since left me.
Usually, when I plan to start a new program, I get all ‘gung ho’, and dive in boots and all, giving it all that I’ve got. I do plan to give this program my very best, but this time, I’m realistic, that occasionally, life will get in the way, and my experience may not be perfect as I am expecting. Basically, I plan to be kind to myself during the 12 weeks. I plan to journal every day, which I’ve already started during the past few weeks of preparations. I now have a list of coping mechanisms written down that I can refer to and adopt when challenged.
During the pre-season, I’ve been checking out the 12wbt recipes and plan to try a few new menu items. This is a biggie for me, as I’m usually, very boring with food, and rarely try anything new. I’d rather just stick to those few foods that I know and love. I know! Well, I did say boring. Tomorrow, I have a cooking day planned, where I will be pre-preparing meals for the freezer, so that I can grab something healthy at those times when something crops up that would usually push me off the rails.
Fitness
There are three important anniversary dates coming up, in my fitness life, that make me realise how much fitness I’ve lost over the past six months. In a couple of weeks, it’s the seventh anniversary of the time when I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I had to be superfit to do this walk, and I was. I had trained for it very seriously for eighteen months with a ‘no excuses’ attitude. When I left Australia to go off to Spain, I had many concerns, but I was totally confident about my fitness. I knew that I had done the work in preparation, and was ready to reap the rewards of that training.
Walking towards O’Cebreiro in the mountains. This was such a magical day of climbing, and one of my favourite days and photos of the Camino.
Another fitness activity anniversary has just past, and that is the 100k walk that I did with my friend. There was just the two of us, walking from Flinders Street Station in Melbourne to Sorrento, on the Mornington Peninsula. This walk, which I’m not sure now how I dreamed up, was 100k in 24 hours with no support crew. We were walking just because we could, and because we were fit enough to do it. This was a training walk for the Camino. I did this walk, to prove to myself that I was fit enough for the Camino. Looking back on it, walking 100k in 24 hours was overkill. I definitely didn’t need to do something so extreme to know that I was fit enough to walk over 1000k in six weeks. On the Camino, I walked from 30-50 kms most days. This allowed me to be a tourist in Spain, on days we were in places I thought were interesting. Today, I could no more walk 50km than I could fly to the moon!
The last anniversary date that has recently past, is the the day twelve years ago, that I was hit by a car, when out riding. This accident was very serious, resulting in me breaking my spine. The reason I add this to the above fitness events, is that my fitness at the time of the accident, really did ensure that I was up and about and back to normal activities in what I was told was near record time. I came home from hospital, on crutches, about a week after the accident and was back on the bike before three months had passed. At that time, I was super fit, as I was riding about 60k and more, almost every day. Looking back, now that I find myself with quite low fitness levels, I do realise that it was my fitness that helped me to recover so quickly.
Looking ahead
At the moment, I’m working on setting my goals for the twelve weeks. I don’t as yet have them finalised, so more on that later. The main thing I hope to get out of the 12WBT program, is to regain my focus and get my fitness back up to a reasonable level. I realise that my age prohibits me from getting back to the fitness I had in my younger years. I can honestly say that is no longer what I’m hoping to obtain. I’m not trying to turn back the clock, as it may seem. I would just like to feel fit and healthy again. Fit enough to resist injury, and to be able to function at a high level in my every day life. This would make me happy.
As 2021 is my designated Year of Health, I feel it’s appropriate that I get out of my comfort zone, and do something a bit different to improve my health and fitness.
This post is linked up to Denyse’s Life This Week
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Kudos to you, Jennifer, to do the 12WBT program to improve your health and fitness. It’s smart to adjust our fitness routine to stay strong and mobile as we age. #lifethisweek
Thanks Natalie. I think we have to be constantly evolving as we age in order to keep up
Oh it’s hard isn’t it when you compare yourself to the former you? I mean, sometimes there are positives but I’m the same and so much less fitter than I was just months, years, decades ago. And it’s not ageing related but rather the amount of exercise I’ve been doing. I have a 70+yr old neighbour who runs every day and yet I avoid going for walks because it’s hilly where I live.
I keep telling myself things need to change – and you’re right – no need to be gung-ho but make moderate and sustainable changes. I feel like I know this stuff yet fail to do it. I’m glad 12WBT has you motivated. Enjoy!
I think no we all know what to do Deb. But yet we don’t do it. Me included lately. I am in awe of your 70 year old neighbour. I had planned to be that person. A few changes to be made.
Hi Jen – your fitness levels astound me – to do all that activity not so long ago is quite an achievement. I like how you’re pacing yourself a little with your goals this time around and aiming to get stronger and healthier without necessarily overdoing it. I’m sure you’re going to really enjoy the challenge and inspire the rest of us in the process.
Don be astounded Leanne. Much of that fitness has disappeared. Much to do and fun to be had
Good luck with your exercise program! It’s a good thing to look at it realistically and count in that life will get in the way. I’m like you, I go all in, and have failed so many times.
How cool that you’ve done the Camino de Santiago! Sounds like you had a very good time there.
The Camino was a highlight of my life Susanne
Hats off to you for throwing your hat into the ring for the 12 WBT! I must say I read this post with mostly with my mouth open, your fitness levels and achievements are goals! I sometimes looks back to 5 or 10 years ago when I was running half marathons and 10ks like they were a walk in the park and now I can barely run for a bus! I should really make more of an effort. Good luck with the challenge, I look forward to virtually following along!
Thanks Sammie. I’m not as fit as I used to be also. Not expecting to ever run a half marathon again. Those were the days
This sounds like a great plan to attack the 12WBT program Jen, you are being honest and accountable to yourself but without putting too much pressure on yourself either! Well done for your insights and all the best for the program! #lifethisweek
Thanks Deb, for visiting and for your kind words.
Jennifer, it sounds like you need the plan to keep the focus on your health and fitness. I know you place a lot of store on that for your wellbeing and you have missed it. I sense some longing for what was…and that made me a bit sad for you…but picking yourself up from where you are now and using some of your inner motivation will see you going well. Anniversaries are, as you know, very hard for us and sometimes we need to grieve for what was. Take care, my friend, be kind to yourself.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week on Monday 17 May 2021. It is a great community here and I am always pleased to see your post linked. Next week, the optional prompt is Self Care Stories. I look forward to seeing you then too. Denyse.
You’re very perceptive Denyse. I appreciate your care and concern but I do sense my enthusiasm for life returning.