Forty, Fitness - Failed.....
When fitness was fun
Growing up fitness was a huge part of my life. Winter it was netball 3 nights a week with training, game day Saturday and then carnival day Sundays which I could play up to 8-10 games.
Summer it was water skiing with our family friends all weekend which I loved and we did this up until I left school at 18.
The netball continued on for a little while longer however when I became a personal trainer to help Frankie my husband at the gym the netball had to stop as I could not afford to get injured.
So marrying a personal trainer/fitness guru/sports physiologist was not a problem for me as I did love fitness early on in our relationship. I do understand that fitness is important for your health, mental state and then physical results are the bonus.
Unfortunately for me the day I gave birth to my first child Noah 12 years ago was the last day I actually trained properly in our gym. My life became so busy with children and working full time with interiors that fitness was no longer a priority!!
My "AMA" secret.....
Sadly over the past 12 months with turning 40 and losing my Dad I have noticed two big changes in my body.
The first being my Mental State – with the passing of Dad little things seem to affect me more. I get overwhelmed and cry a lot . I find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time and I have very little patience and just don’t feel like myself. This is not like me!!!!
The second the shape of my body has changed – my little boy Hugo said to me the other day “Mum no offence but your arms have become really floppy ” Frankie was standing beside him and started to laugh and said “that is because Mum has a box of Almond Magnums hanging off each arm and she does not exercise!!!” They thought this was hysterical - I was not so amused.
I will let you in on a little secret that Frankie is not impressed with and hates me telling people! For 15 years every night after dinner (yes this is my vice) I have eaten an Almond Magnum after dinner watching TV - I love every mouthful. Obviously being married to a personal trainer who lives, breathes and eats health this goes against everything he believes in, however I love it and will never change.
Wake up call!
After that afternoon with Hugo and Frankie making comments I did go up to the mirror in my dressing room and look at my 40 year old body. I took some photos (this is the best way to get the real image) and looked at myself and thought Denai you were once a personal trainer enough of the excuses. The orange peel legs with the Almond Magnum arms have to go!!!!!
it's more about inner health than physical appearance
I went down stairs and showed Frankie who is my biggest critic the photos. We rolled around laughing at first but then in a very serious concerned voice he said “ Denai I don’t even really care about your body anymore as I love you, however fitness is much more important than that. Fitness is for your mental health and since your Dad has passed you have not been the same person and I think you need to do it more for that than anything else.” He went on to say if I just started with walking it would help with my grieving, mental state, inner health and much more. The body transformation is just an added bonus.
So the next day I was up pounding those pavements and let me tell you I did feel so much better. To breathe the fresh air and to actually sweat again was great.
And.... of course I did throw a few of the old fashioned tricep dips in as I really need to work on my “Almond Magnum arms”!!!!
Tricep dips have always been a favourite of mine because you can do them anywhere, at home, park bench, even do a few when you are cooking the dinner every little bit helps.
Denai xx