Workout routine
Let’s talk about my workout routine, or rather the one I had. So, let’s talk about the ‘good old days’ when I was training for my black belt and was the fittest I’ve ever been.
I was so fit
I graded for my black belt at the end of 2019 and I trained six days a week.
At that time, I was training karate three times a week. Mondays and Wednesdays, we all had karate classes, but then on Saturdays, only the elite athletes and black belts had a special two-hour training session.
On the in-between days, I usually exercised on my own at home. My boyfriend suggested ‘Insanity’ and I must say that it’s great for karate, especially because it’s a high-intensity interval training program.
During that time, I lost so much fat and gained lean muscle mass. Those were the good old days.
And then 2020 happened.
These days
Well, my fitness level (or rather the lack thereof) started going south at the start of lockdown in March of last year.
In other words, I got fat. I also got COVID-19 in April, which meant that I couldn’t exercise for six weeks. If I’m honest, I haven’t fully recovered since.
Lately, I’ve been trying to attend karate classes every Monday and Wednesday. But since I had COVID-19, and I’ve been sick a lot because my nerves about moving to Australia has gotten the best of me and my health, I haven’t been able to go a lot. I also go to fitness classes with my sensei on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
However, I recently had my last karate and fitness classes because we want to stay away from people (and possibly COVID-19 infections) for the last two weeks that we’re here.
When I couldn’t go to fitness class because I have to work during that time, then I would jump on the big trampoline outside. It doesn’t sound like much, but it burns a lot of calories. Almost 100 calories per 10 minutes—it’s great cardio. I think I should look for a whole workout I can do on the massive trampoline.
In the future
Once we’re in Australia, I want to walk a lot more. Walking is the best exercise because, as humans, we were made for walking. I want to walk to work and the shops etc. It’s crazy how the weight drops once you walk a lot more—I noticed this when I first started at the university. But I also got fat again at university because I ate a huge scone with jelly jam every morning. I got so fat from just that. Carbs are the enemy, people!
We’re thinking of joining a kickboxing class once we’re settled in Australia, but we’ll see. I actually want to continue with karate, but once again, we’ll see how it goes when we get there.
Lastly
What is your workout routine? Do you have any tips for me?
Michelle
P.S. If you’d like to contact me, feel free to comment below, send an email to thatmichelleperson@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter @M_ClutterBox.
G. M. Lupo
I walk a lot, and by “a lot” I mean eight to ten miles every morning except Saturday which I’ve designated as my day of rest. Recently, due to weather, I’ve gotten several unscheduled days of rest, including this morning, unfortunately. But, since I’ve been walking, I’ve dropped over a hundred and thirty pounds and gotten back to my weight in high school. No one was more surprised than me. 🤯
That Michelle Person
That’s amazing! When did you start walking like that? How long did it take to drop the weight?
Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
G. M. Lupo
I’ve always walked but started being more diligent about it about two or three years ago. I’ve started doing the longer distances in the past twelve months.
Helen
Oh man, I agree that walking is the best, easiest way to exercise.. But even when you are walking everywhere, if you are not eating healthy or if you are eating too much, then you will still gain weight as I discovered to my detriment when I was in college.
That Michelle Person
Definitely! Diet is more important than exercise.
Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Richard Bist
When I started working from home full time, I broke down and signed up for Apple Fitness +. It’s actually been great. So, I’m an Apple fan, so I have the watch that syncs with the fitness app on my TV. I do thirty minutes of something every morning. Yoga, Core, Strength, or Dance training. I find that thirty minutes is enough to get my heart pumping, break a sweat, but it doesn’t tire me out for the rest of the day.
What I’ve found is that the first six weeks are the hardest. That’s when you start to go from forcing yourself to it becoming a habit. It’s hard, it sucks, and there were mornings I tried to come up with excuses to skip that day. In the end, I pushed myself…hey, it’s only thirty minutes!
Now when I get up in the mornings the workout is a part of my routine, like brewing a cup of green tea and cooking breakfast.
I’m sorry to hear how tough it’s been for you after COVID. Stay strong, you’ll get back into your healthy routines soon enough.
That Michelle Person
You’re right, the first few weeks are the worst, but then you get into a habit. Luckily, I’m still young and healthy – the doctor said that the COVID side-effect will subside after a couple of months, so I’m hopeful 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting!