This lady is incredible and gives me inspiration to continue. Even though I’m not interested in competing, I love my weights program, but so often am told, mostly by people my age or older that I’m too old and just give it away.
If I could achieve just a tiny little fraction of what Ernestine has achieved and still be lifting weights when I’m 75, then I would definitely be satisfied.
Finally it seems that I have found a Personal Trainer who will train me the way I want to be trained. I’ve been searching and searching for such a person for ages now. All I have wanted is a trainer who will train me seriously with a weights program. I don’t want any fancy program, just a basic no nonsense program. And, (this is the biggie) I don’t want a female weights program. I want a program that requires heavy weights and is that is not gender specific.
When I was in my 30′s and 40s I did serious weight training. Not to compete, but just to feel and to be strong. In those days I was a qualified gym instructor myself and put together programs, mainly for men, as women in those days were mostly afraid that using weights would cause them to be huge, and tended to stay away from them. The training program I and a few other females used was exactly the same program that the males in the gym used. With slightly lighter weights of course.
So that is all I have been looking for. You would think that would be easy to find. The trend these days seems to be that females should lift very light weights with lots of repetitions. After talking to friends about a trainer in Maryborough, which is a small town 50k from me, off I went on Thursday to see him.
Immediately I started talking to him I could sense that yes, he knew what I wanted, and what I needed and could tell me exactly what would be required to reach my weight training goals. No my injuries wouldn’t be a problem, as I’m often told by young personal trainers who are scared off when they hear I have had a broken spine. And actually he is confident he can help me strengthen my weak areas. So I will be travelling to Maryborough once a week to work with Earl, and he has given me a program to do myself at my own gym on other days.
Feeling very positive about this and quite excited about tackling the hard work that is to come.
I’ve posted here recently that I’ve been struggling a bit since the 100k Walk from Melbourne To Sorrento It was almost like that 100k was the pinnacle and the end of the world. I made no plans or goals for what would happen after, and found myself feeling quite flat for weeks. I’ve been exercising – riding, gym and a bit of walking. But doing it in a half hearted way, with no mission or sense of accomplishment. You could say I’ve been operating on auto pilot and just going through the motions.
At the moment there is an enormous amount of change and upheaval in my life which isn’t helping. New career & business about to start. My new house is finished and I should be moving next week. My Dad is very unwell and gave us a scare over the past few weeks, but seems to be over the worst of this upheaval now thankfully. All of these things are huge life events, but not enough reason to procrastinate or deviate from achieving all I want in fitness. They are just excuses! So now what I need to do, as Michelle Bridges says is- Just Suck It Up Princess and JFDI! So that’s the plan from now on. I’ve started working on my goals and strategies until the end of the year and should have them finalised by tonight. But I’m struggling to find a BIG Goal that will excite me. Today I’m going to meet up with a new PT who will be my weights trainer. I’m planning on getting back into serious weight training. In my 30s and 40s I loved training with weights and it was a huge part of my life. I want to get that focus back. So hopefully the new PT, Earl will be able to help me with a program and some goals to reach which will give me the focus I need.
The other thing that’s happened while I’ve been a bit of a slacko since the 100k walk is that I’ve put on a couple of kilos. Yes, I can hear you, it’s only a couple of kilos, but it’s really stressing me out. I’m worried that it’s the beginning of lots of kilos. I tend to spend a huge amount of my time worrying about weight, more than most people, I’m sure. I’ve lost almost 50k over the past few years and definitely feel like a different person now, but sometimes I worry that this loss will be temporary and I will end up back where I began – fat and sad. It seems the more I worry about weight, the more chance there is that I will put on weight.
So…..my new mindset in regard to food is that I’m going to concentrate on making healthy choices most of the time, and not going to stress about a few not so healthy choices. I will enjoy them and then get right back to it, instead of the rot continuing for days as it tends to with me. I’m going to concentrate on becoming fitter and stronger, and the weight will look after itself.
It will be very miraculous if I can do it, but the plan is to take the focus away from food and kilos, and instead focus on fitness, strength and health.
Introducing my friend Julie Hoffman, better known as Hoffy. We met in 2010 when we were participating in the very first ever round of Michelle Bridges 12wbt.com. Since then we’ve come to be known as members of The Originals, and very proud to be so.
We’ve both been through quite a bit together, lots of ups and a few downs along the way. And though we don’t see each other anywhere near as often as I would like, due to distance, I know we will be mates for ever.
When you watch this video you will understand why I say Hoffy is INSPIRATIONAL. I’m sure anyone reading this will also agree that Heartkids is a fantastic cause.
Still looking for the next challenge. Need to get those goals set for the next 6 months. The Greatest Athlete Obstacle Challenge looks interesting.
Todays ride was one of my favourites, out to 5 ways corner near Bagshot,Victoria. Riding by myself at the moment until I can get a few more ks into my legs. After having 3 months off the bike due to trainng for the 100k walk, my riding fitness is less than I’d like at the moment
I’m really looking forward to the Great Cycle Challenge running during October.
From the website:
“Challenge yourself to get on your bike during October and clock as many kilometres as you can throughout the month.
You will get a free app to track your progress against friends, colleagues and other riders across Australia.
Add your email & you’ll go into the draw to WIN a Giant TCR Advance Road Bike – valued at $3,999.
And you will also get our FREE ENTRY offer when we launch.
Subscribe below for FREE ENTRY & to WIN a new road bike”
Who’s up for joining me? I’m really looking forward to it. At the moment I’m looking for some challenges as I set goals until the end of the year. This one is definitely on the list
A few days ago I met up with my friend Nadine to do this walk which is Walk No 22 in the book Melbourne’s Best Bush, Bay & City Walks by Julie Mundy. I posted here previously about these walks. It is my intention to complete them all, but I have to admit I haven’t done as many as I should have by now. I’m on holidays for the next month so hope to get a few completed during that time.
We met at Studley Park Boathouse, and started with a coffee, and chat with the friendly geese. This was a beautiful walk, and very peaceful considering it’s close proximity to the city. There were works being undertaken at the falls which was a bit disappointing, but I’m sure the end result will be worth it.
This was a very easy amble, nothing at all like the 100k walk in 24 hours that Nadine and I did recently. Actually, the walk really was just a good excuse for us to catch up, as we live on opposite sides of the state. This was approximately half way for us. Perfect choice and I’m sure I will be back to check out the falls again.
