First things first.
The past seven days were a real doozy.
It all began last Sunday morning when I unexpectedly caught sight of myself in a mirror.
What in God's name was happening?
It felt as though in no more than a mere...
...my corporeal shell had fallen victim to the inevitable passing of these.
Okay, maybe that was denial on my part.
An abundance of foodstuffs, an increase in sedentary pursuits like reading and needlework, and a stubborn case of exercise amnesia had led unquestionably to the fact that...
I had clearly reached...
What to do?
I did not want to become one of these.
I was not ready to succumb to this.
And I was not about to feel sorry for myself. No sirree.
Sure, like everyone else there was a time when I didn't have to worry about working out religiously.
But that was then.
And this was now.
Which left me with only one option.
I knew it wasn't going to be easy. (Rumors were rife.)I knew it would require bravery and endurance -- the likes of which made me slightly nervous to contemplate.
But my friends who took classes there were practically speechless about the results.
So I signed up.
* * * * *
After bootcamp last Monday (Arms and Abs), I was wiped out. There was a 30 minute treadmill portion -- where we climbed hills and did sprints -- that nearly killed me. That evening, movement was nigh impossible. I may have passed out with the lights on.
After bootcamp last Tuesday (Butt and Legs), it took every ounce of strength I had to keep my eyes open past 6pm. I felt a horrible pang of guilt about neglecting the blog, but it couldn't be helped. My body was in shutdown mode.
After bootcamp last Wednesday (Chest and Abs), something amazing happened. As I was lifting my right arm, I caught a glimpse of something moving beneath my bicep (this could be subject to interpretation). It flickered and was gone, like a shooting star, but I'm pretty sure saw it.
After bootcamp last Thursday (Back and Shoulders), I managed to stay awake until almost -- gasp! -- 9:15pm. I was even starting to feel a flicker of fondness for the treadmill.
After bootcamp last Friday (Full Body), I looked like a wet dish rag, but I felt as though maybe just maybe the worst was over. I felt sore but stronger. Weary but proud. That night, I fell asleep dreaming of reacquainting myself with myself.
Today is the start of a new week and a new attitude.
Thanks for hanging in there. A fitter me makes for a fitter blog.
29 comments:
You're a bookseller's dream! I love this post.
Helena xx
PS God luck with the bootcamp - mine starts next week (honest).x
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step but by the sound of it you have traveled about 10,000 this week. Hang in there as you saw in the mirror results are just a flicker away. Keep up the exceptional literary references.
Lady into Fox would be the perfect alternate title for this post!
It's been Paradise Lost without you...(sorry, couldn't resist!)
I have just started working out with a trainer and feel your pain.
I feel it in my abs every time I laugh or try to sit up in the bath.
I feel it in my glutes and quads every time I walk up or down the stairs.
But hey, if we're feeling we're alive.
And Maybe one day we can find out where we left our triceps.
jane
Helena Halme:
My prayers are with you :)
A.U.G.:
Thank you -- my fingers are crossed!
Lily:
You are TOO BRILLIANT. I can't take it. Seriously. xx
flwrjane:
Hah! xx
This is hilarious! I wish it were also motivating (actually it was: I want to read a lot of the books!).
<< I may have passed out >> Made me laugh out loud !
I vaguely remember those days, of exercise classes or work-outs. After the time I pulled something in my neck and walked around looking behind me for a week , I quit.
Now I walk so much and eat so little, I am content with just getting to be an old fit wrinkled lady.. who can walk miles with no problemo :)
besitos to you and your new muscles !
C
Talk about 6 degrees of separation;
1. I'm a huge fan of yours for years now.
2. I go to a wedding in Portland this summer where I meet a new friend, Rick Vargas.
3. Rick Vargas starts working at Barry's Bootcamp in West Hollywood.
4. Lisa Giramonti joins Barry's Bootcamp and is possibly taking a class with Rick.
Oh life is just silly with such a sense of humor. Hang in there, I hear wonders about that gym!
See me? Clapping in awe?
Bravo to you!!
I am off tomorrow for a week of hiking in Maine. I may be nodding off under moonlight!
My daughter did a Boot Camp this past June. What a revelation it was to her! She stuck with it the ENTIRE 4 WEEKS and came out "looking good," as the saying goes. And to her credit, she's trying to stick with the walking/running/etc. on an almost daily basis. She even participated this past weekend in her first run/walk AIDS benefit. Keep up the good work, Lisa!
clever, fit and humorous.
absence makes the heart grow fonder.
show us those abs...
seems we were both thinking the same thoughts...
getting back on track.
pve
As you were being sore, you were sorely missed! Kudos to you for going to bootcamp and having such a fabulous library - you have all of my admiration on both accounts. Why is it as the years go by, everything starts to slip and settle around the middle? Makes me want to join you and keep my chin up ;). XOXO Cynthia
Well done! It takes everything I've got to haul my bottom up the canyon every morning for a hike/run but I feel so much better afterwards.
The first few days are always the worst but it does get easier.
A friend of mine did bootcamp (not Barry's), and the transformation was amazing...she ended up running several marathons, in the mountains, and did great!
You and her are hero's in my book!
xo J~
Hi Lisa
This is quite an accomplishment and well done, congratulations. I know you will look terrific.
I run 4 to 5 times a week and try and do floor work about 3 days a week, sometimes I do not do as planned but there is always the next day to start again.
Helen xx
Uncanny timing! For years been an exercise nut until the past few months lost interest. And to think only yesterday I decided to get back to working out.
This post as all of them are a delight to read.
There is so much to love about this post.
Here's one...I don't doubt that every single one of these books resides in your home and they have all been well read!
I'm right in the middle of A Mutual Friend (thanks for the recommendation, I adore it!)
Wish I could call you a mutual friend when it comes to booty camp. Not sure I could ever do one, but bravo to you Lisa!
Wonderful, wonderful post. A brilliant post. I have several of the books featured and now I feel like reading them once more with feeling.
Good luck with your Boot Camp. I applause you.....
Eleni
Such a fun post, I love it!
I'm currently hobbling after a particularly tough run last weekend, but would never have thought up such a clever narrative of the pain -- your bookshelves are clearly filled with many delights. . .
I've been checking every day and was so happy to read about your new adventure, once again written so cleverly! Perhaps as a reward, you might book a trip and go on a hike in the Lake District?! Take a look at this awesome link for inspiration!
http://ageoldtree.blogspot.com/2011/08/lake-district-part-four-hiking-catbells.html
Rowena
Oh my goodness...cleverest blog read I've had for a very long time :) I have no desire to do the boot camp thing (although I probably should) but the books...oh yes, I'm on board with those.
Love this post!
Clever. Very clever! Keep us posted on your results. I'm about to do the same thing. Maybe?
This post was hilarious! I love it!!
Oh I know the feeling...there's a place here in New York called The Refine Method that is the best old school circuit training...the first few classes killed me but I've started loving it so much. Congratulations on becoming a powerful, fit Lisa!
the two subjects close to my heart..........needlework and getting old.
Kathi
That is SO funny! Thank you VERY much! Now, keep letting us know how it goes. I ran a half marathon last weekend after preparing all summer. One day, one workout at a time.
Hooray for you!
Being a book lover, I felt as a kid in a candy store, reading your post. I so enjoyed it!! Keep up the good work. I went through a similar training regiment this summer , getting ready for Kilimanjaro. It worked!
Not only have you reminded me that I should do some exercise despite wanting to hibernate for the winter! But you have given me more reading suggestions than I could possibly desire in one day! Congrats! Fab post and brilliant use of book titles. I'm now off to look up those books!
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