Boxing Day #2: Showing Up

So apparently I am glutton for punishment -- I went back to LA Boxing for workout number 2 with Trainer, Pat H.

Last night I was only planning on going for a short (5 mile) run on the elliptical, but something Carver said made me want to push for more and dedicate 10 miles to her, their effort and their journey.  And well, if I was going to run 10 miles, I might as well tack on 3.1 more and dedicate them to myself.  My workout with Pat from Saturday was still affecting me -- my arms were sore and for the first 5 miles, I kept my elbows tucked in to my body.  Eventually my pectoralis muscles started to loosen up.  Once that happened, running felt much better.

My appointment today with Pat H. was scheduled for 7 am.  Not being a natural morning person, I made sure to lay out my clothing and pack my bags (work clothing, toiletries, and breakfast) the night before.  I set my alarm for 6 so I would have time to take a shower if I needed it to wake up, toss something in my mouth, and hoof it to the gym.  I guess I was so excited to train with Pat again, that I didn't get to sleep until 1 am and mysteriously woke up at 5.  I lay in bed until 6 cuddling with my cats.

(As a complete aside, I wanted to express the utter love I had for myself and my body this morning.  What a journey it has been.  To be able to wake up, stretch and just love myself to bits is something that wouldn't have happened last year.  I'm thankful for this.  I'm thankful for every good day my body gives me.  And it shows.  Imperfect, and with some work to do, but I love each and every bit of me.)

At 6 am I start getting ready to go to the gym.  I'm out the door by 6:30 and it's a GORGEOUS day.  I stopped at Panera for an egg spinach artichoke souffle thingy (Egads! at 540 calories, I will NOT be eating that again!) and some muffins (apple crunch has 450 calories, carrot walnut has 500! Panera will be avoided in the future at all costs) for Pat H.

Pat H. started me out with some cardio to warm up (I chose the treadmill for kicks) and then we went into an upper body workout.  Having a trainer is great for many reasons -- he makes sure I'm keeping the right form, he counts when I don't, and he helps me push through muscle fatigue.  We did about 45 minutes of alternating between a bunch of exercises.

Robby did extremely well today.  Now,  what I want to work on is getting her acclimated to the resistance. Once her body is acclimated then we can really start to push it some more. It has to get sore first.

Take tomorrow (Wednesday) completely off -- Thursday we're going to attack those legs.  [Legs say "eeep!"]

Start conditioning aspects, slow walk outside, or access to a treadmill, work up time and miles.  Focus on getting heart in condition -- and getting a lower resting heart rate.  Boxing is very demanding.

Anyone can do it. If you can hold your hands up, you can punch.  Punch and do it again.  It'll be slow at first but it gets faster.

Consistency to whatever workout program you start is key.  Just show up.

[Originally, Robby was going to say "show up with a smile and muffins" but after reading the nutrition info on the muffins, just bring the smile and good attitude!]