Exercise is said to relieve stress. But it's just feeling like another thing to add to the to-do list this week. Photos / Supplied
Exercise is said to relieve stress. But it's just feeling like another thing to add to the to-do list this week. Photos / Supplied
Are Kayla's workouts enough to really keep the stress levels down? Or are they just adding to them this week?
Here's how Tina and Tessa are feeling as they reach the end of Week Seven:
Tina
Temptation is waiting at my desk. Photo / Supplied
The workout regime has gotten away from me and I need to take it back. Between hosting visitors, handling the daily grind of work, and working on some passion projects in my personal time, I'm feeling a bit frazzled and all over the place. (Tessa, I so relate to your last couple of blog posts). It's gotten to the point where I haven't taken on any of the strength workouts this week.
You know what's a good remedy for stress relief? Exercise. Yet exercise feels like another thing to add to the to-do list.
To make matters better (or worse), this week's workout schedule includes a new 600 rep leg challenge. (Sure, the leg challenges are optional, but I feel the need to really try out everything the Sweat app throws my way).
I forced myself out the door last night to do some cardio with the husband, which does have a magical way of dissolving the tense feeling in my shoulders. The smell of walking by the sea also helps. Then post-workout, an email comes in or a reminder pops up, and the strain is back.
Maybe this is why Kayla includes commandos in her workouts: When you go from plank position on forearms to push-up position, you can smack the ground really hard on the way up. I do that to beat out frustration. It's better than using a punching bag, in my opinion.
I wonder how Kayla handles her seemingly busy schedule, travelling around the world holding massive BBG events. Assumedly, she prioritises exercise - it's her job. Does she do strength circuits at airport gates? Lunges in her hotel room?
Does she ever cut her workout into chunks so that at least she's doing something even if it's only for five minutes?
Does Kayla have a mantra when things get overwhelming? I am Kayla. I lead millions. My Instagram account is the envy of content marketers. I win. Ommmmmmmm.
I know what I need to do. I need to get back on the Kayla workout regime. Surely I can give up 30 minutes the next couple of days: if not for a bikini body, then for my sanity.
My results
How I'm feeling: Frazzled What I'm listening to: The voices in my head telling me what I haven't done yet Least favourite exercise: None. I think even my least favourite exercise would be my favourite now that I haven't done them in days Favourite exercise: Taking a walk and clearing my head
I don't know why I look happy here, my arms felt like they belonged to a T-Rex. Photo / Supplied
If you don't love Kayla, we can't be friends. In fact, you can go join my anti-Tim Tam Slam and "I don't actually like McDonalds" friends over in the "I'm a boring human being" corner. Seriously, walk ya' self over there now. And you can do a few jump lunges while you're at it.
On another note, shall we talk about broad jump burpees? What the hell are these? I mean, I know what they are but do you know how deathly they are? And do you know how I feel when my friend tells me I look like a frog trying to birth a log? Yes, picture that.
In addition to these workouts, the team from Crave Fitness are kicking my butt with weekly Pilates and fitness sessions. Call me crazy. Be like my mother and tell me I am burning the candle at both ends, but you can also make like my sister and tell me I am losing weight - my boyfriend jeans are getting baggier by the week.
I'm finding Pilates is a great option for a LISS session. It also makes me feel like I am getting stronger while getting some TLC for my muscles.
I've come to understand that it's not necessary to completely thrash my body six days a week. By allowing for recovery, doing low intensity sessions and going walking, progress can actually come a lot quicker.
Advised by Kayla and my trainers, I've been stretching four times a week for 20 minutes and jumping on the foam roller. This thing HURTS. But it does so much good for my muscles, and apparently it gets rid of cellulite. Yes, make it your best friend.
My results
How I'm feeling: Much better than last week. Could my energy be coming back? What I'm listening to: A$AP Rocky. His concert was last night and that pretty much counted as a workout in itself (so much sweat) Favourite exercise: Leg raises with hip raise - kind of fun, kind of reminds me of being a hyperactive three-year-old playing on the couch Least favourite exercise: Drop push ups. These are bloody hard. They are like a mixture of burpees and push ups. You do them 15 times in a row, or until your arms fall off
