Day 11: Exercise is hard.

No, I didn't have a heart attack. I didn't fall off the wagon this early in the game. I'm just tired. And busy. But mostly tired. And I have a phone that likes to eat posts when they're 3/4 of the way written, which is good for adding another layer of unnecessary irritation to my life. 

My trainers had me fooled. The first session on Day 2 - it wasn't easy, don't get me wrong. But it didn't kill me. I was able to move the way she wanted me to move.  I was tolerably tired at the end and pleasantly sore the next day. I even went for a nice swim on Day 3. I swam nonstop for 20 minutes and worked on my endurance and on maintaining good form while my muscles were tired from the exertion and sore from the previous day's workout. This isn't so bad, I thought as I made my way to my car. 

So on Day 4 when I sauntered into the studio and met my trainer for the day, I had no idea what I was in for. Apparently during the first session they were just feeling out my limits. And since then, our focus has been on breaking through them.

I can't do this. 

About 43 minutes and 15 seconds into my second 45-minute session, those words started playing on a loop in my mind. I was doing medicine ball slams, a very loud exercise that always seems really fun but manages to completely kick my ass. My foolish mind took my trainer's "two minutes" literally, so when my four 30-second sets were over, I threw down the ball triumphantly. "Ummm, whatcha doing?" I heard him say. "Next set is starting. GO!"

What? Crap. Really? FOUR MORE SETS?! Oooooookay............ As I struggled to pick up that ball over my head and slam it down, over and over and over, I thought to myself again, I can't do this. 

But I will. 

Soon enough the workout was over and I was stretching and showering and carrying on with my day. I find myself excited and nervous every time I have a training session. I hired trainers because I know they will push me harder than I will push myself. It takes me out of my comfort zone, which is - well - uncomfortable. But I keep going back, because I know it's worth it. I took some Day 10 photos this morning. Aside from the fact that I appear to be succumbing to gravity, I do think I'm seeing some subtle changes. Those moments that push my limits are the ones that will change my body. 

What exercise pushes your limits? Do you seek it out or avoid it like the plague?