In my experience there is no one method to lose weight. You have to combine techniques and sort of commit yourself in all aspects of your day. This may require a shift in thinking. Here are examples of mine:
1. Have 2 cups of Green Tea a day/ have coffee only 2-3 a week
2. Try to do some form of exercise everyday, even if it is just sit-ups in my room
3. Eat less in one sitting, instead of pigging out until I can't move. I am trying to ignore the urge to continue eating when I've had a sufficient amount to eat. A good way to do this is to plan something for straight after you eat so that you know you can't go overboard.
Last night I attempted Muay Thai. I live to tell the tale.
I went to Panther Martial Arts in Salt River. In the short time I was there I saw 3 people I know. It seems this place is all the buzz right now as Capetonian men attempt to get ripped for the summer. I went with 2 of my besties and my fiance. Luckily by the time we got there the peak-time class was just drawing to a close. So strange men only got to stare at us warm up for about 15 minutes before we had the trainer all to ourselves. There is just something about the setup last night that worked for me. Small class, hardcore trainer, friends to lock eyes with and laugh, fiance to try to impress... it was pure magic. It didn't feel magical for most part of the hour, but that's how it goes when you push your body that hard.
For me it's an easy thing to get addicted to because you literally lose your mind and the pain gets so intense that you tell yourself you're done and then one minute later you're doing it again. The other appeal is the end result, I keep picturing myself 6 months down the line with no recollection of individual moments of wanting to throw up and pass out simultaneously. Oh and in this future image I have the exact body that I want.
Earlier this year I did the Cape Argus Cycle Tour and embarked on a similar journey. Up the hills along our beautiful coast until I thought the skin on my body would split open for my muscles. Waking up before the sun so that we could be on our bikes just as the light began to define the roads. It was so crazy, just the idea of taking your body to that plane- a place you would otherwise have never known.
People look at you like you've gone mad when you talk about it, I think it's because you probably have for that time.
What was new last night was having someone spur me on. I have never had a personal trainer or anything similar before so it was something I had to test out. It adds a dimension to the way you exercise, suddenly there is someone watching you, relying on you, needing you to finish that set. The sudden responsibility awakens the warrior inside of you. You find yourself watching his every reaction in search of approval. When he held up the mitts and I made weak attempts to remember left right..or is it right left..? and punch at the same time. I remember looking through the mitts and seeing him laugh... I wanted to stop and ask him why. Were my punches laugh-worthy?
Was it the ridiculous expression on my face?
I'm sure thousands have walked through Panther Martial Arts doors- surely I wasn't the worst of them all.There is a wisdom in a trainer like Hoosain from Panther Martial Arts. It says he has seen it all. It says he knows exactly how far to push you before you will break. It says that he doesn't have to do the full set with you because he is more fit than your mind can conceive. It says that in one swift movement he could kill you but rather his many swift movements give away his years of experience and achievements. Awesome.
Today I feel it in my calves- I'm having trouble walking. It feels as if someone has shoved a knitting needle into the back of my leg (about 2cm below my knee) I played an hour of soccer before Muay Thai so this could be the reason. I managed about 8 hours of involuntary sleep and I managed to be late for work for the 23rd time this month. I definitely declare today a rest day.
I will definitely return to Hoosain, next to my monthly trips to Meenakshi my beautician, I reckon it's the best R250 I will spend.
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