I have the opposite of anorexia…when I look in the mirror I think I look ok…I have to admit there is not a full length mirror in the house, so I am basing my assessment strictly from the chest area up…and that, I think, looks ok!
I am however, in denial! After a recent holiday in Portugal with some friends I had no choice but to be photographed ( a big no no usually for me) and reality really hit home…no longer belle of the ball…more like butter ball!!
So what to do…at 42 I have been on a diet since I was 17 years old…that’s 25 years of stressing about how I look. Sad really when you think of it, but I cannot deny it is the only thing I cannot succeed at. Give me a quest professionally and I will undertake it with ease, interview anyone – no problem, go back to study – no problem, loose a few pounds – BIG problem.
So what is it, why do I have a mental block when it comes to shedding the fat? Well I feel hard done by, why can’t I be one of those women I always end up sitting next to on nights out, who bleat that they are soooo lucky because they can “eat whatever they want and not put on a pound”…I have to admit it takes everything for me not to punch them in the head and yell “YOU LIE, it has to be hard!!”. Well yes, it is hard, and no I don’t want sympathy. I drink too much, eat too much and don’t exercise enough…put bluntly I often lament my weight while drinking pints of beer and hoovering up curry chips…it stops today!
And so I have taken on the Christmas Challange to shed 2 pounds a week until Christmas in association with The Aura Leisure Centre. Hopefully we can raise some money for the local St. Vincent De Paul aswell so I don’t feel so selfish.
Come along with me for the journey if you like…it will include details of my fitness programme and my diet but remember this is tailored for me….I had to get checked out by my doctor before I committed and I highly recommend you do too!
I can now boast that I have a personal trainer…Shane from the Aura (see pic) had made out a fitness programme that I have to stick to if I want to see results. One week in and I am feeling good (except for the fact I was unable to walk on Sunday but that was all good pain). My tummy muscles are screaming at me, they thought I forgot they existed and are not happy about being worked after all this time, but that’s life!
Each week I will go through different aspects of the Challenge…the good and the bad…give some tips and hopefully inspire you to get up off that lardy bum (secret music reference there) and do something to fit into that fab dress for Christmas…go on give it a go.
Orla the Oracle says….Sweat is Fat Crying!!!
Orla’s Fitness Programme:
Monday& Friday: 7am Gym – My training includes 5 mins warm up, 20 mins cardio, followed by circuit training on the weights and rowing machine (3 x times at 15 reps).
Just when I think I am finished, the cruel personal trainer has given me core exercises, the plank (oh the pain) the bridge (my gluteous maximus feels the burn) and Back extensions.
Cool Down & Stretch
All in all it takes 1 1/2 hours.
Tuesday & Thursday: Swimming in pool for 40 mins (aaahhh lovely…until I realised you have to work up a sweat here too).
Wednesday: 40 min – 60 min cardio workout by fast walking (avoiding running as the impact is not great for my wonky knees).
As well as that I have to choose 2 classes from the weekly fitness schedule and this week I have chosen Boxfit on Tuesday evening and Bokwa on Thursday night…..lord help me!
Will fill you in on the diet next week!
Cheers,
Orla
