Brae. A gay woman's tale!

My brother Andrew is here today to convert my summerhouse into my gym … I don’t use the summerhouse that much, it brings back bitter sweet memories … so thought I would put it to use for something I enjoy and turn it into somewhere positive, rather than somewhere I avoid.

I will still be going up to the gym at the Health Club … but having the option to exercise at home means that when time is short I can still do something!

I had intended to get up early this morning to go for a swim, but I slept in, which is not like me … on the plus side it means that my sleeping habits are becoming a bit more normal and the awful weariness that has haunted me has lifted!

Today, I decided to test myself … I wanted to see how many lengths of the pool I could manage comfortably… the total was 20 …not a huge amount I know, but for me, even just a couple of months ago, this was have been impossible.

I have found that my “kick” when doing Breast Stroke is a bit weak, but not surprising due to the years of problems I have had with my back … but my back didn’t hurt me at all today and so I have decided to buy a float so I can practice my leg kicks easier … my arms are fine for Breast Stroke but I still find it painful doing front crawl, I am building my strength up at the moment so it may be easier in a few weeks.

I really cannot believe how different my life is now … my back still bothers me a little from time to time, but nowhere near how it was … and until now, I haven’t appreciated how much of an affect that it had on my life… and although it is costing my quite a bit of money to get it sorted, it will be worth it… it already is!

I am loving being able to get back into the gym … I used to love the gym when I was in the army … and I still do … on Monday I have an induction on weights … and although I am not ready for a full on session on all the equipment, I will concentrate on those that will build the muscles in my back and legs back up.

I am disappointed at how bad I am at swimming … and I do have to force myself to do it as I do find it a bit boring… but hopefully my earplug things will arrive soon and I can have music while I’m trawling up and down the pool!

It is funny when I look back, and I think of the truly awful year I had last year … but each and every thing has pointed towards now …  to the place where I have to put myself and my health first … and I am loving every minute of it … so much so I am actually considering getting up at 6am tomorrow to go for a swim before a couple of family visits … who would have ever have thought it!

You know the type … everyone else is to blame apart from them … and they can’t bear hearing the truth.

I came across an advert tonight from Diabetes UK about swimming the equivalent of 22 miles (The English Channel) in your local pool, over a month ….”OOOHHH” I thought … I could do that … aye right … I checked it out … and it works out at 78 lengths a day over 30 days! … no way could I manage that (at the moment!) …  I know Im getting thinner and fitter but perhaps I shouldn’t aim too high too quick!

The difference is really beginning to show though …

Before

Now

I was at the gym again today and got talking to a lovely man and his wee girl.  I noticed that the man had headphones for swimming and asked him about them … he told me about lots of different one’s he had tried but found the i360’s the best around …

I have a pair of “over ear” headphones that I use for the gym but I would like a pair for swimming because swimming in a pool is quite boring for me … so I went hunting on Amazon this evening … I did find a pair … but I also found this …

I am seriously considering buying it to frighten the kids out of the swimming lane … *grin*

On a more serious note … I am really noticing the difference now … I have come down 4 trouser sizes … and nearly out of those! my double chins are disappearing and my movement is much better (but that is partly due to the physio too!)

My physio hasn’t allowed me to do any weight training before now .. but I got the green light today … as long as it is not too much and I am not overly ambitious (ha haaa …) … so I have made an appointment at the gym for a lesson on the weight machines … and a fitness plan to be drawn up .. at the moment I just “do stuff” … but I am the sort of person who needs a target to reach … and I think, for me, this is the way forward…. we shall see…