Exercise is my happy place. It is where I’m most calm and relaxed. I’ve tried meditation but for anyone that knows me, I struggle to sit still. So I’ve managed to work out that if I do sport my antsy body doesn’t have to worry about sitting still and I can calm my mind down and just focus on the exercise and breathing. Even if I’m in a gym full of other people it feels like my own space, which is real estate gold to any parent.
I have not done reformer pilates for years but I know pilates is great for rehab so I decided to give the class a go. I lay down on the reformer bed and assumed “tabletop” position. As I looked up I realised that my right leg was noticeably shorter than the other. Obviously the surgery has placed the femur further down into its pelvic socket. It was noticeable enough that my girlfriend next to me said “wow look your legs are a different length”. Great, now all I need is an upper back hump and I’m good to go for Halloween this year.
The class was easy to follow and you can grade your bed with springs to increase or decrease the resistance. These are the kind of classes that are great for all fitness levels as everyone can have the setup that suits their own requirements. Also, because everyone is lying down no one can really see what you are doing so when you struggle to look synchronised and graceful (I do struggle with this on a regular basis and I don’t have to be in a reformer class) its not as embarrassing. This was a great workout for my abdominals and I was happy to feel muscle soreness the next day – always an indication that I’ve had a good workout.
My personalised PARC gym program has been fantastic and I’m managing to get in more exercise without making my hip ache too much. There is a point at which I do get frustrated. Constant hip pain radiates down my leg and into my foot. For the last 3 years has been annoying to say the least and although most of the time I try not to think about it, sometimes I lose my cool and have a little cry and feel sorry for myself. The good thing about the PARC is that I can see other people working out that obviously have their own “health demons” and it makes me feel less alone. So, if you see me working out, don’t be a stranger and please say hi. I’m always up for a pre- or post-workout coffee in the café downstairs and maybe we can encourage each other on whatever personal journey brings us to PARC.
