Believe it or not I was once fit, but that was about 25 years ago now. Since then I have had several flings with sports and gyms but never found a life partner. My typical approach would be have ago at something but never feel immersed into it enough to stay and commit. My mind would wander, I would get bored and I knew it wasn’t floating my boat.
In 2014 I ran a half marathon, I trained for it and raised money for ddh to recognise what my brave littlest had been through, but I didn’t get a buzz from it, I didn’t really bother running again after.
Over the past 10 years I have joined gyms and left them. I would rock up and do a bit, occasionally even get out of breath but I’d leave knowing I had not given it my all.
With a friend I joined a trampoline class, it was fitness on a trampoline. I laughed and wee’d my way through it, it was a fun hour and then we went to the pub for a bottle of wine.
The nearest I got to enjoying sport again was a Back to Hockey group. I went for about six months and loved the exercise and the mini game at the end. But the group folded due to numbers and I was disappointed. It made me realise though that I needed a team sport or at least to feel part of a team.
The gym didn’t give me that. I then had a personal trainer for a year which was both convenient and enjoyable. I found that I loved to lift weights and that did give a buzz. However doing it on my own didn’t fuel my competitive side. I did break a sweat but I didn’t collapse at the end. I thought I didn’t want to feel like I might be sick at the end of a session. I thought an hour a week would change me both physically and emotionally but in the end it wasn’t enough.
Then I met Chris from Iron Zuu, it was a random encounter, much like I get in my work as a blogger. I started seeing Iron Zuu on Instagram and I liked and commented on posts. Then Chris messaged me and we met for a coffee. I went to Iron Zuu to see what it was about. After finding Chris inspirational I reviewed the classes. I found it hard walking inti the Iron Zuu environment, I am confident but group training felt out of my comfort zone. I worried that it would be cliquey, that I would stand on the outside. But I was ready to feel part of a team again. I wanted to commit and to make some life changes.
I started off with weights classes and found them challenging. I found the zuu movements really difficult and I couldn’t do them, but for some reason I didn’t give up.
Then my review period finished and I started paying like everyone else because I felt part of something. Since then I have paid to do the six week challenge where I lost over a stone. I am now a fully paid up member and I have committed. I have found my life partner and I won’t cheat again.
I have made huge gains and now I love Taki which I shied away from initially, but that is one that is burning my calories. Today I was pushed to near breaking, but I didn’t break. I screeched and I fell to the floor after a slam ball set, where I was pulled up by another member and as I stumbled to the next station Dave got me through it with his encouragement. I have found my competitive side again, but I compete against myself and that voice in my head. I have also found that elusive buzz and its rather addictive. I try to get in three sessions a week and although I’m never likely to be at that 6am class I will be at the 10.30 or 6pm!
If you need a challenge, if you want to feel part of something quite special come and try Iron Zuu Gloucester. You won’t stand on the sidelines, you might find it hard walking in that first time but I promise you that doesn’t last long. I have done gym classes where I haven’t spoken to a single person, I have spun a bike whilst feeling like I am a spare part or shouldn’t be there. In Iron Zuu you feel part of a team because you are part of the zuu family. It’s not for the faint hearted, you can’t rock up and do a little and leave feeling like you had more to give. You will sweat, grunt and feel exhausted but that is what floats my boat in getting stronger both emotionally and physically.
One Response
YOu look absolutely amazing Emma well done love