And, also when you feel all of the muscles in your body deteriorating and being replaced by fat following six months of having a good time and enjoying life in London Town.
Despite kidding myself that my long speed walking sessions to work of a morning could replace the regular personal training, cardio and weights sessions that I had back home, a sleepless night in Berlin due to overconsumption of food led me to face a cross road. One path leading to fitness, health and financial tightness; the other leading to being engulfed by fat and suffering from chin loss.
Tough call. Unfortunately, the increasingly cold weather and cravings for hearty English food have finally led me to join a gym.
Ergh.
Oh, be quiet and give it a rest already!
Having worked in the health and fitness industry for a couple of years prior to moving to London, I've never quite been able to associate the familiar environment of a gym floor with a sense of intimidation. I remember feeling shocked when my boss told me that walking into a gym for the first time is often one of the most daunting experiences in a person's life. Surely not?! There was no doubt about it though, after such a long time away my heart was positively racing as I walked through the doors of Fitness First.
Fancy equipment: check. Shiny, new and plentiful. Mysterious devices such as a "power plate" and weight equipment with so many hinges and levers it looks more like a sex toy than anything else. Even the treadmills come with challenges, as I nearly had an embarrassing incident while running and trying to work out how to work my iPod through the machine at the same time.
The mysterious Power Plate - if this is all I have to do to look like that, sign me up!
Luxurious bathrooms: check. Free locker hire, use of ghd hairdryers and and more naked female bodies that I have ever hoped to see in my life.
On that note, gorgeous/naked people: check. How effortlessly you make running on a treadmill look. How mysteriously you become tanner while others become paler and paler. If this wasn't bad enough, you then choose to walk around and parade yourselves in naked glory around the change rooms. Seriously, people of London, learn to cover up! We already know you're tanned and toned and gorgeous, don't make us hate you even more for it.
Not a stomach roll or three to be seen...
It's not all moan and groan. Having slotted back into a routine, sourced some good class instructors and refamiliarised by butt with squats, after only two weeks I am back into the swing of things. To be fair, it wouldn't have taken much to achieve this but it feels so great to be reunited with my boyfriend substitute - the gym. I was feeling pretty darn good and proud of myself yesterday morning getting ready for work following an early morning spin session, until smashing my perfume bottle all over the bathroom floor. Baby steps. Baby steps.
You go, girlfriend!
If anything though, this recent experience has also given me so much appreciation for the amazing staff at PURE Health Clubs back home. Honestly, your expertise in training and care for your clients is second to none and makes you the best in the industry. Just keep doing what you're doing!!!
Lots of love (and in lots of muscular pain),
Em xxx
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