Boot camp

Dear unconscious brain
I know that you have done all you can to protect me because you love me so much and for various reasons this has included avoiding exercise which we view as painful and exhausting. Every time I even thought about doing some form of exercise you thoughtfully deprived my muscles of oxygen so that they felt tired and heavy before I reached for my trainers. And I thank you for doing such a good job at keeping me safe and now I know that you and I haven't kept me safe from poor health, just from exercise.

You did all you could to prevent me from attending my first ever boot camp. You and I had heard about such things but never attended one. You tried to protect me by being the little voice of concern about being 52 years old without so much as a day at the gym with all our various health problems and I chose to ignore you. And on one level you were right; it was hell. But here's the thing unconscious brain, we both learnt some stuff about me that we didn't know. Hell, we didn't even know that we didn't know some of it.

So whilst is was really challenging and difficult we found that the mental support given helped me to do more physical activity that we ever knew was possible. I didn't throw up, pass out or die from a heart attack. I didn't even break down and cry or swear at the trainer. I now understand that you have been doing a better job than I could possibly imagine in order to keep me safe and I am here to tell you that things are about to change, and you are going to get on board with this, for all of me, including you.

We had our limiting beliefs blown out of the water today and this was both revelational and exhilarating. At 52 and after 5 children I can actually do enough exercise to have the body that I have wanted to have since my first child was born. The one that I used to have all those years ago. Until I met some amazing women today I thought that I knew that this was impossible ( unless you are very rich with a personal trainer spending 4 hours a day in a gym). And even better that this, we both now know that I can do more than either of us thought we could do. The amazing women we met also demonstrated the psychological effects of exercise and this was even more exciting than the body I plan to work towards.

So starting tomorrow you are going to change the way that you protect me because we both know that the best way to protect me is for me to exercise, and by exercise I mean more than a 20 minute stroll round the block. This is a good way to start so let's walk for longer, add in some jogging and start doing some strength training. Think of the benefits: more energy, more vitality, more toned and even happier than I am now. My gorgeous partner and I will be able to do more things together like visit places that have lots of steps to see something spectacular, or walk round a really interesting town or city.

Thank you unconscious brain for all that you have done and for all that you are going to do from tomorrow to help me become a fitter, more toned and even more gorgeous me.

love
Sarah

https://www.facebook.com/stonefitness?fref=ts - where I went for boot camp