So it’s been a week since I posted about my Zumba/Healthier Eating Regime. I’ve actually really enjoyed it so far which seems really weird and ridiculous considering I have absolutely never enjoyed exercise before. NO jokes. I hated every single PE lesson, every afternoon of Games at school, each of the (very few) runs I’ve been on and for the brief time I had a gym membership I totally begrudged going.

Zumba has genuinely been really fun. Just like everyone said when I asked on , it’s fun, energetic and you enjoy yourself all the way through. All I did was get a DVD because, as yet, I don’t feel confident about going to a class. That is definitely something I’d love to do in the future though. I started off doing half an hour for the first few days and quickly worked up to the whole one hour session. Because I have my diabetes to worry about and I’ve been struggling with hypos and how to manage exercise on an insulin pump, I didn’t want to push myself too much too quickly, but rather ease myself in.

After 3 sessions I figured if I carried on with the same DVD everyday I’d get bored pretty quickly. So I got my hands on a Weight Loss Yoga DVD (The Biggest Loser – damn right!) and decided to alternate workouts. It’s important to add that while I am middling un-fit, I am 100% INFLEXIBLE. I’ve never, not even as a kid, been able to touch my toes. Just the thought of a downward facing dog hurts me. But because of my problems with anxiety, yoga is something I’ve always wanted to try and though weight loss yoga isn’t exactly calm, it will help with my general limber-ness and breathing. I tried it out on Friday and then did a longer, almost 2 hour session on Saturday which I really enjoyed. This week I’m going to alternate days and see how I feel.

On the weekend I popped to TK Maxx and picked up a Nike yoga mat and some 1lb wrist weights. I got both for around £18. The weights mean I can really feel my arms working (this is one area I’d like to improve) so I’m really pleased I got them.

Positives:

• Already I’ve noticed an improvement with my sleep and energy levels. I am energised in the evenings after my work-out and throughout the day after, I find it easier to get up in the mornings and I sleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow – as someone who has always struggled with sleep, this is a big deal for me.
• After the initial few days of post-workout aches and pains I now feel pretty good after workouts – I can still feel that I’ve done exercise, but it kinda feels good, like I can feel it working as opposed to actual pain.
• I actually seem to look forward to it. It’s a great way to spend my time in the evenings before Matt comes home from work and it stops me twiddling my thumbs and thinking about work or life pressures that lead to me getting worked up. It’s also a great way for me to distinguish work time from relaxing time – something I really struggle with working from home.