On Your Back

Today started off like any other Tuesday, with a kick-ass PT session from my trainer AJ. (In case you are like my mom, PT stands for personal training NOT physical therapy.)

I haven't written much about the workouts here, there's not ever much to say outside of.... "We work out... A LOT." But today I decided to fill you in on what was arguably the hardest PT I've ever done. 

I don't know if AJ woke up and thought, "Hey, I'm gonna destroy Lizzy today" or not but either way, he did!

First, let me tell you that every single PT I've ever had with him has left me sore, drained, and laying on the floor. They usually consist of TRX pulls, tons of cardio (ONLY on Jacobs Ladder and the stair master), and some free weights. He's pretty good at coming up with deadly combinations that never fail to burn calories and push you to your limits. I couldn't ask for anything more in a fitness retreat. 

Today's started off with nothing less than I'd expect, first the stair master. After a minute or so, we moved on to the TRX bands where he said, "On Your Back" and pointed at the ground. Let me say, I was probably smirking at this point. Anytime a trainer says "on your back," I feel this sudden relief of happiness because let's face it, I'd WAY rather exercise laying down than standing up! I imagine a nice stretch with gentle music, birds chirping, the sun shining on my face. Not!

But boy did the tide quickly turn! He told me to put my feet in the TRX bands, something I'd never done and was convinced I couldn't do. But I DID IT. We did TRX hamstring curls that resembled this but looked more like a beached whale... (a baby whale).

We did 4 rounds of:
15 hamstring curls
20 weighted crunches
1min on the stair master

That was just the first of it...
We continued to do other dreadful hamstring and ab exercises. I gotta say, I'm pretty fast at sit ups on a normal day, but by the end of this workout, my abs were screaming and I could barely pick myself up off the ground! I can promise you that the next time a trainer says "on your back," I'll be scared!

Since the PT, I have been thinking about when life has you knocked "on your back" or "against a wall." It is never a fun place to be. Let's face it, all of us have been there and will be again.

Lately, it feels like I've been an emotional wreck, on my back. Tonight I called AJ in tears, convinced that I wasn't going to show up the next day. I have been surrounded by negative energy and I've had a hard time shaking what people say. My friend and I are here a really long time and we have both encountered this negativity. We talked the other day and agreed that this statement is the worst:

"Why would you ever stay here THAT long???"
I hate when I'm talking about my journey and when people give me that response. Sure, it's a structured boot camp. It's hard work. It's exhausting. But you know what? It's worth it. I'm staying here because I've seen progress. I'm staying here because the trainers truly care about my success. I'm staying here because I love it. 

Whenever someone knocks me down with hurtful words. I have to remember why I'm here. I'm not here for them. I'm here for me.

Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Never give up on your dreams. All it takes is all you've got.

- E