Diary of a family in quarantine #13

During the first lockdown, Surf Beach’s Lisa McLure says she drank more, exercised less and ended up in a ‘bad headspace’.
Even though she is a personal trainer, this second lockdown Lisa has hired a personal trainer and is quickly reaping the benefits.

“Last weekend my friend and I ran from Cowes to San Remo. It took us one hour and 45 minutes, which is roughly seven minutes to run each kilometre. We slowed down when it got hard.

I used to do it with a running group years ago and I never thought it would be possible to run that distance again. I am coming off a zero base. I haven’t run in two years, since before my operation. I always said to myself I must lose 10kg or 15kg if I’m going to run again. I even tried all those silly food shakes.

Six weeks ago I could barely walk what is now my five kilometre running route.

I couldn’t have done any of it without my personal trainer Jay (from Grip Fitness). I’m part way through his 12-week program.

After the last lockdown I was in such a rut and a bad headspace: drinking every day and sitting around all the time with home schooling. I was tired and over-committed and I put myself on the backburner. It all became too hard. After that it was obvious I couldn’t do it on my own, I needed help.

I’m a personal trainer, but I’m also still human. People come to me because they want someone to push them. But I’m not a superhero – I need someone to push me. It’s like professional gardeners have gardens that are messy or builders have unfinished homes.

Because I motivate others, I just want to be handed something so I can switch off and I also need someone to pat me on the head and tell me I’ve done a good job.

Jay has written the online program to suit me and my injuries. I fill it in and every day Jay checks in with me either by text, phone or in person, whether it’s to encourage me, or if I’ve had a bad day he says ‘forgive, forget, move on’.

It started slowly with a 30-minute walk the first two weeks, floor exercises, gradually moving to a 1.5-hour walk, and then a walk-run. I wear a heart rate monitor and give him the stats.

It’s not just burpees and push-ups, but the mental aspect too. I keep a gratitude diary, writing down what I’m grateful for every day. Some days I’m just grateful for alcohol and bed, but then the next day I’m grateful for friendships, health care workers and people looking out for each other.

So when I’m running and thinking I’m going to cark it, I then think about how good it will feel to jump in the ocean or be in the shower. I think about the bits where I’m proud of myself.

Or if there are days I’d rather poke my eyes out with a chainsaw than go for a run – and then I spend the rest of the day wishing I had done it – it’s about forgive, forget, move on.

Everyone knows the answers to all this. There’s no magic pill, or quick fix, even though the diet industry would like us to think that. It comes down to eat well and exercise. For me it’s less about the gym and more about getting outside and walking. Even after a big walk I feel amazing.

If people don’t want a personal trainer, I think it helps to have someone to be accountable to, whether it’s a partner or a friend. It’s also good to have an exercise buddy, because it’s a commitment. I know if I don’t go, I’ll let them down. It’s so easy to spend the whole day talking myself out of it.

Some people prefer exercising alone at home.

I have a friend who needs someone to yell at her otherwise she won’t exercise, whereas other friends if they’re yelled at, they won’t try it again. It’s whatever works for the individual.

With this program I feel so much better. I’m sleeping well, I still have anxious days, but not as frequently.

I got on the scales the other day – even though I always say don’t look at them. I’d only lost two kilos but then I looked at a photo from before the program and my whole body shape has changed. I look so much stronger now.

I think it’s really important not to compare ourselves to four years ago when we were 20kg lighter. Especially as women we look back and think ‘I want to be like I was then’. But I was 38 four years ago and life was different. Ok cool, I looked like that then, but this is me now.

I thought this morning on my run: we need to look back and smile and look forward with determination.”