Happy Bootcamper!

I spent the first couple of days after cancelling our holidays puting up a brave-front in front of my girls. I was my usual chirpy and happy self keeping my elder girl company while she does her work, and helping my younger one with the daily crafts planned for her. When my girls went to bed I sulked and took out my frustration on my husband. The poor guy took it all in a stride …ever so sweet.

I was having so much trouble getting myself out of the in-no-mood for everything in my life. I needed something badly to get me back on track. When I found out about The Original Bootcamp (OBC) from another blogger I was convinced that it was just what I needed to get myself out of the rut – an hour of intensive outdoor exercise military style at 7am thrice weekly.

I signed-up for the OBC without much fact finding. I assumed that I would be able to handle it after having a personal trainer in the gym for awhile. From its name (military style bootcamp) I expected it to be tough, kick ass and intensive but ….. After 20 minutes into the session I was gasping for breath like a pathetic 50 years-old grandma. The intensity of the exercises was totally unexpected. I was in total shock. Me? Somehow who has been exercising regularly with a trainer, has to struggle so much? It was humiliating and mind boggling at the same time. It dawn onto me (much later) that I cannot do high intensity strength training and cardiovascular exercise at the same time. It’s either one or the other. I was just not trained to do both by my trainer (yeah, pushing all the blame to him).

The aches and pains that I had during the first week was horrible. I had so much difficulty walking up the staircase to my friend’s place (on the 2nd floor). I had to walk at an angle to lessen the pain. My friends were shocked, surprised, concerned and amused. I burst out laughing when my 8 year-old offered me her hand.

Things got better in the second week. It was still tough but I kinda got addicted to the after-session bazillion “happy hormones”. The so satisfied with myself feeling was awesome. By the end of the second week, I fired my personal trainer (while he was still on holiday) and signed up for my second month as a Happy Bootcamper, one who could work my muscles and run on the same day!