Back to the gym

Ahhhhhhhhh. That's better.

I've just got back from my first visit to the gym in a week.

It wasn't too bad but I think my walk might resemble a wobbling jelly for the next couple of days while my legs recover.

My arms are suffering in a similar way.

It wasn't really my fault I didn't exercise for a week.

Last Thursday I had to spend the evening baking for a family picnic so I didn't have time to head for the treadmill.

Then on Friday I drove to Wiltshire to see my mum,

I was full of good intentions and had packed my running gear and water bottle in the hope that I would have time for a jog around her local country park.

The trouble was, by the time we'd met up with family for a day of bridesmaid dress shopping and then the aforementioned picnic, followed by a little trip around some of the shops I only get to visit when I'm in Swindon, there just wasn't time.

Then there was Sunday, when I had to drive back home and by the time I arrived back in Workington I wasn't fit for much other than a big sleep.

I would have gone for a workout after I'd finished touring the jubilee parties of West Cumbria on Monday or Tuesday (maybe both) but the gym was shut for the bank holidays.

Well, I guess it's only fair that the gym staff have a couple of days off every now and then.

So it was that I went a week without a workout.

Oh, and my eating habits hadn't been quite in line with my nutrition plan either.

Well, I had to take advantage of the fact I was passing Rheged on Friday lunchtime to pop in for a wild boar burger with Grasmere Gingerbread.

That wasn't so bad on its own but then the picnic on Saturday (including belated birthday cake for Mum), followed by a jubilee indoor picnic on Sunday before I headed home, and the cupcake I bought at one of Tuesday's jubilee events meant one big cross on my food diary for the week.

Thank goodness John the fitness trainer is no longer monitoring everything I eat.

All things considered, I expected today's workout to be quite hard work.

It wasn't actually as bad as I'd expected.

I thought I would struggle hugely but the regular visits must be helping to build up my strength and resilience.

The hand bike was hard work (but I did my best not to show it while three far-fitter-than-me men sat nearby using the weights machines).

Oh, and the treadmill was harder than ever and I ended up holding the hand rail to avoid falling off the back.

My workout-ending six minutes of rowing seemed easier than usual, though.

I've never known those 360 seconds zoom past so quickly.

Normally it feels like it's taking a week.

I think I'll try to pop back tomorrow to get back to the regular visits.

I never thought I'd say this but I quite enjoy going to the gym.

Just need to get back to the jogging now.