Why exercising shouldn't hurt
What you need to know:
- A burst of new energy surged through my body as I sprinted towards the end.
- I had finished my two and a half kilometre morning run.
- After resting for five minutes, I did 150 jumps with the skipping road followed by three sets of 20 push-ups.
- My morning workout done, I waited for the evening aerobics session.
My hearts thudded, threatening to burst out of my chest as I gasped for air.
I felt to a hot burning sensation shoot from my calves to the back muscles of my thighs.
My nostrils flared open as small streams of salty sweat flowed down my face. My t-shirt that was dripping with perspiration clung to my body much like glue on paper. I could see the finish point now.
A burst of new energy surged through my body as I sprinted towards the end. I had finished my two and a half kilometre morning run.
After resting for five minutes, I did 150 jumps with the skipping road followed by three sets of 20 push-ups. My morning workout done, I waited for the evening aerobics session.
INTENSE ROUTINE
I followed this intense workout routine for about two months before throwing in the towel. The first week had been very exciting. Then the aches kicked in. I knew I was pushing it too far.
I worked out six days a week, twice a day. There were countless days I woke up and groaned at the thought of going out for a run. It felt burdensome.
On my third month I started skipping some days until eventually I stopped working out altogether. I hated exercising.
I was tired of the pain, the aches and monotony the entire routine.
You see, I had bit more than I could chew. I had not given my body enough time to transition smoothly from my previous sedentary way of life that revolved around watching movies all day to an active lifestyle that included a lot of outdoor activity.
Therefore my body revolted, causing my limbs to burn. Muscles whose existence I was not aware of until that moment ached all night long.
I did not know it then but my work out routine was simply not sustainable. It had become torturous and so I quit for close to two months.
I bumped onto Tiffany Rothe’s towel workouts on YouTube by mere chance while chilling in my room on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
I did the 15-minute workouts, thoroughly enjoying the beat of her routine soundtrack.
I was surprised at the end of the session to realise that I was sweating profusely.
What had felt like dancing turned out to be excellent work out. I was back to exercising but now with Tiffany from YouTube.
Later on, I subscribed to more workout channels on YouTube that were 30min max with great music to move along to.
I would do a video a day and in three weeks, I was starting to see and feel the difference.
Presently, I take a thirty minute brisk work to work every morning.
In the evenings, I do one set of 10 leg-raises, 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups.
The walk helps me clear my head, the cardio helps me relax my muscles and sleep better. I learnt that exercise is not a one-off affair when pursuing fitness.
It is for life hence it cannot afford to be unpleasant. Find a routine that works for you, get the right gear and enjoy strengthening, build-up and toning one muscle at a time.
***
Fit&Fab is a blog series by Marion Maina who lost 30kg in her weight loss journey that started two years ago and is now in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Do you have feedback on this story? E-mail: [email protected]