Body Image

I wasn't best pleased with this picture taken last April 23rd on my mother's 90th Birthday. That stomach under my shirt was not hidden by not tucking my shirt in. Lucky for me there was a New Year Special Offer at the Chepstow Leisure Centre for Personal Training. This chap called Dan offered 6 x 1 hour sessions for £60. He specialised in weight management. He had a PHd!!. Never mind that he thought that there were 12 lbs to a stone. What do they teach them in school these days??? But he's been great. Simple stuff. Calories in should equal calories out. If not you get fat etc etc. Every 1 hour session with him has been fantastic. He pushes me more and more each time and every time I can do more and more. I'm now bench-pressing 28 Kgs and even though I am gasping for breath, beetroot red and sweating copiously; I am feeling pretty damn good. I've very nearly lost a stone (14 lbs not 12) and I just love going into the gym every morning. Strangely the most wonderful exercise is Boxercise. I put on these boxing gloves and try and hit seven bells out of the pads that Dan holds up in front of me. He tells you how to plant your feet and twist your core. He said to me last week. "You're stronger than you think you are!!!! You pack a real punch!"
Obviously he says this to everyone. It's part of his encouragement programme. But when you smack him back down the mat...boy does it feel good. Don't get me wrong. I am mild mannered and not in the least aggressive. Err just one little admission though. He holds the pads sometimes either side of his face and sometimes I have this overwhelming desire to punch him right between the eyes.