So I’m now halfway through my four-week Transformation Challenge with MyPT Studio, and I won’t lie – there were a few wobbles this week. Mainly due to lack of planning surrounding food!
Like last week, I managed three workouts – a kettlebells class, and two circuit sessions – plus a 12 mile bike ride with my parents at the weekend. This was a lovely leisurely ride along the Wandle Trail with a cup of tea in the National Trust cafe at Morden Hall Park before we cycled back. And unlike last week, where I felt completely exhausted on Sunday, my body seems to be adapting, plus I’m making sleep more of a priority. In fact I had a lie-in until 10:30am on Sunday which is completely unheard of for me!
I am continuing to really enjoy the workouts at MyPT Studio – pushing myself to work that little bit harder, focusing on form or just having a laugh with friends. Each circuits session is based around 12-stations, cardio and strength based, where you work for 45 seconds and rest for 15 seconds. You repeat each station twice, and the class always ends with a “finisher”. That can be any number of things depending on which trainer is taking the session – how many lengths can you complete pushing the prowler/sled, bodyweight exercises using a deck of cards or parter med-ball workouts as we did on Saturday!
I had booked the day off work on Friday to attend Stylist Live with my friend Jo, but managed to squeeze in a 6:45am session beforehand – now that’s dedication! Probably a good thing though considering the glass of raspberry champagne I drank, and the little “tasters” I enjoyed from some of the food stalls that weren’t exactly on plan. However, while I am committed to doing my best during this challenge, I’d like it to help instil good habits in me, and things like food-guilt or constantly stopping myself from enjoying time with friends and family is not something I want to become normal.
To that end, I didn’t really have a “Cheat Meal” as such this week, but just allowed myself to enjoy that glass of champagne, and the homemade cupcakes that my Mum brought along when they came to visit!
The remainder of my meals were mostly guided by the nutrition plan that comes with the challenge, even if not explicitly following it and were definitely focused on fresh healthy produce.
Mental Health
This week I also attended a really interesting series of talks at Eudaimonia! – an event put on by the YMCA and The School of Life to discuss the Future of Wellbeing in London. A number of great people spoke about ways to “live well”, philosophically and practically using examples of obesity, poor physical and mental health.
Going forward the YMCA are keen to make their gyms places not just for people to improve their fitness and physical strength, but also incorporate the diversity of the community and offer a number of other services for all-round wellbeing.
It definitely made me think about looking after my own mental health as well as building my muscles! The day off to spend with Jo at Stylist Live ticked that box this week – we enjoyed catching up together, indulged in facials at the Liz Earle stand, makeovers with Urban Decay, and a tea mixology masterclass with Bluebird Tea where we got to create our own blends. I also loved attending a couple of the inspirational talks held throughout the day – hearing from Helen Glover, Heather Stanning, Joanna Rousell-Shand, and Ellie Simmonds was fantastic. If you’re ever running low in motivation these ladies will definitely change that!
How have you balanced physical fitness and mental recovery this week?
