My post workout feet.

It bothers me that even though I wear sensible shoes and spend a lot of time barefeet, my feet are shoe-shaped and not foot-shaped.

I never wear shoes for working out, and I am very much the exception. Most people wear full trainers with thick soles and all that; some wear Vibram Five Fingers or something similar, but they all wear shoes. One day I thought that perhaps it wasn’t allowed and that’s why they all wore shoes, so I asked the staff at the front desk if bare feet were OK and they said there was no rule against it. So people like wearing shoes.

The only time I kind of wish my feet were more protected is when doing double kettlebell deadlifts, but when I stop to think I realize that a pair of trainers would make no real difference if I did drop a kettlebell on my toes.

You can also see my new tights! After a few months of Friskis & Svettis I invested in a new pair. I feel very sporty in them. My 20 year old sports bra and tank top are still going strong though!

Early morning cirkelfys. Not the best time of day for a workout, for me… even though I had been up for an hour, my body was not fully awake. I felt slow and sluggish, and got dizzy as soon as I did anything that got my pulse up.

Pleased to have “upgraded” from 32 kg to 40 in kettlebell deadlift.

I was too tired to attend my workout session today and I miss it. I’ve only been doing it for two months (less, really, because of the Christmas break) and already it’s a habit and I’m hooked.

It took me a few tries to find a session that really works for me. What I found is cirkelfys – “functional circuit training” with a focus on strength and technique but also a fair amount of balance, flexibility, general fitness etc. The exercises include everything from pushups and burpees to deadlifts and kettlebell swings. I like the high intensity, the variety, and the fact that I pick my own weights and set my own pace.

It’s been years since I last did any kind of sports, apart from everyday exercise such as cycling and walking (not to forget shoveling snow!). I’m neither in great shape nor particularly out of shape. So I’m neither the strongest nor the weakest in the group. Which doesn’t say much because of course the group is self-selecting; the most out-of-shape people don’t go to the gym at all, and the ones in best shape do more intensive workouts.

But the group workout does give me a picture of my relative strengths and weaknesses. I notice which exercises I do with more or less ease than the people next to me. Many of the exercises use weights, and there’s a set of weights laid out for us to choose from. By now I know where to go straight for the lowest weight (because there is no chance that I’d manage to do the exercise properly with a heavier one) and where to aim higher.

I’ve got muscles for walking around and carrying things, but not for lifting, and especially not for lifting anything above my head. I have strong legs and a strong core, but puny arms and shoulders. Sit-ups and burpees and squats: bring them on! But I really with struggle pushups, barbell row and barbell clean.