It’s often said that swearing is indicative of a lack of vocabulary but sometimes there is simply nothing more eloquent to say.
Today, I am p1ssed off: Nothing more, nothing less.
Having effectively had a week off the gym while I was on holiday, I’ve managed two MummyFIT classes this week and you know how it goes: You have time off, you’re aware of the knee but it’s not overly uncomfortable, you think maybe it’s okay after all. Then you go back to class and, even with a relatively low impact session (including the new step up, step down, side step regime in place of lunges etc), it’s still rubbish.
Today’s session was really demoralising. No complete break down but so little I can actually do without discomfort. Even things I’ve done relatively recently – e.g. burpees & mountain climbers – were uncomfortable in their lowest impact variations and then, when it came to stretching out at the end, I couldn’t even sit with feet together knees towards the floor or back on my heels for a ‘child’s pose’ type stretch. It all just seemed completely pointless.
I’ve been mulling over my options and, at the moment, I’m paying quite a bit to be a member of the gym without using it while stumping up again for MummyFIT classes, which was fine while they were working for me but currently they’re not. The trouble is that the prospect of a lifetime of self-directed swimming, walking and cycling as the only ‘okay’ exercise is not an enticing one. I love the fact the each MummyFIT class is different, time effective and I don’t have to plan out what I’m going to do.
I have to find a way to make it – and ultimately other classes – work. I need exercise in my life. It’s my stress reliever. It helps me manage weight (which is nearly back where I want it but not quite) and other health challenges that I don’t want to go into here. It gives me something aside from work and family and a chance to escape the relative solitude of working from home during the week.
Looking on the bright side, at least I’m now (end of the day) feeling more angry and frustrated about it, rather than despondent. Anger and frustration I can work with. Despondency and demoralisation is just draining and unproductive.
It has been suggested that one option may be to take NSAIDs before and after every gym session. I'm not entirely comfortable with that - although I know it's decent advice. I can't help thinking that long-term pain killer use can never really be a good thing but it's something I may have to look at if I want to keep as active as I'd like.
Anyway, I spotted the below image on a Brexit-related twitter feed this evening and it chimed a little with my views on this blasted knee.
Blackadder Goes Forth: Always good for a chuckle. If only its subject matter – and the current political usage – wasn’t so bl**dy depressing in and of itself. Until next time...