Congratulations to all the BHIPers who made it through 12 weeks of pain, sweat, and tears! This has been an amazing journey, from Day 1 of wobbly legs and inflamed muscles, to today’s toned and strong muscles, increased endurance, and overall better health.
Before starting BHIP, I had three very specific goals in mind:
1) To lose lots of weight
2) To improve my health status
3) To be in the best race-ready shape ever for my favorite hobby, Dragonboat racing
Midway through, my goals were revised, for various reasons:
1) To get through a workout without any modifications -- specifically, a burpee and a pushup
2) To run a mile without stopping to take a breath
3) To improve my numbers, timing, amount of weight I can lift, etc. on the fitness routines
I did meet most of those goals, but not without drama.
I remember being very optimistic and excited about starting the program. I imagined myself losing at least 3-4 pounds a week. I had visions of myself in sleeveless summer dresses, shorts, dresses above the knees with high heels on — looking good and feeling fine.
At the time the program started, I had a few health issues that I was battling and I figured BHIP would magically take care of everything. And, as I was not new to working out, I thought I was just going to breeze through whatever was thrown at me. I wasn’t completely off-base, but boy was I delusional about how challenging the journey would be!
After the very first day of working out, we did so many squats that literally my legs wobbled so much that I had to grab onto a rail or whatever just to keep my balance. I was so sore for days afterwards that I questioned whether I would be able to make it through the program. Well, I made it through the first week, but my health issues had not improved. I had (still have) a pinched nerve that was very stubborn about leaving me alone, even after deep tissue massages, PT, and acupuncture. What nerve! I thought it would be happy to be getting some exercise!After a couple of weeks of frustration and even tears from having to modify certain exercises because of the unbearable pain — and from the stark reality that the program is not designed for losing lots of weight — I realized that my goals needed some revising. I was in good company, too. I walked in on a conversation one week where other BHIPers were “whining” (as they themselves described it) about their ailments — bad knees, shoulders, back, you name it, somebody had it. We all laughed about it, but I realized at that moment that I wasn’t alone, that other people were working just as hard to feel better and overcome their ailments. We became very supportive of one another and truly wanted to be successful together.
Another memorable Workout of the Day that Coach Rusticles introduced us to (at the time I thought it was the cruelest workout thus far) was running up Bruin Walk for 10 ascents. Not only did we have to do it 10 times, we had to do it his way: to lean forward into the run without letting your heals meet the ground, trying to kick your own butt, as fast as you can. To me this was like running on your tippy-toes, but actually it was the balls of your feet. The technique was very awkward and goofy for me, but I tried it. Not even halfway through it I lost steam and the technique was out the door. I couldn’t make it up the hill without stopping to catch my breath —forget running! But one smiling face (as a matter of fact, we call her “Smiley”) literally took my hand and jogged me up that hill. She even finished her 10 ascents and got me up the hill on my 9th and 10th.
When we finished I could barely walk. My shins were on fire, and I thought for sure that I overdid it and would not be able to continue on with BHIP. It took me at least 15 minutes to walk to the car, and driving a stick-shift home was painfully laborious. I prayed for no traffic. I contemplated pulling over and calling my husband to pick me up. I even so much as imagined that if I were to pull over and stop at a store I would pay a stranger to go in to get me some ice. I will never forget that traumatic day. I know I sound melodramatic, but I can vividly recall every aspect of pain and discomfort I felt. I made it home after driving only 40 mph on a wide open freeway. I iced down my shins. And, to my surprise, the next day I woke up and felt pretty doggone good. I had recovered well, and fast.At that point, not finishing the program was no longer an option for me. I can do it and I will recover became my mantra.
While my nerve pain continued, at the end of the ninth week I received some noticeable relief after getting a cortisone shot in the epidural space. I still have some pain, but I can finally sleep at night, which has relieved a great amount of stress.
These last couple of weeks in the program, we’ve been given the chance to compare our workouts these days with what it was like when we started BHIP. I realized I was now actually looking forward to doing all of the workouts because I felt stronger, my endurance had improved, and the cortisone shot was helping. I was in competition with myself and had a winning attitude — even about the dreaded runs up Bruin Walk.
I got up Bruin Walk all 10 times without stopping. I could jog a mile without stopping. I could dead-lift 185 pounds. I could do burpees and pushups along with everybody else (though I look a little goofy, because that nerve is not shy about letting me know it’s still lurking around).
I did it! And 12 weeks later, I have lost weight — not a whole lot, but I’m in clothes that I haven’t worn in a long time. My blood pressure is excellent and my pinched nerve is so much better and bearable. And I have a Dragonboat competition this weekend and am in such good race-ready shape that I will be rowing with two teams instead of just one. I’m totally psyched!Was it worth it? Heck yes! Would I do it again? No doubt! I am so grateful to my fellow 5:15ers for their encouragement and support … And to our coaches, Rusticles and Elisa, for putting up with all of our whining and pushing us to surprise ourselves. They really are #1. Read all of Shelley's posts here.