The Core of Confidence

Long-time readers of this blog may remember that of all the muscle groups one can work, the one I most despise working is my core. It's nothing personal -- I just find working my abs to be painful and tiring in its own unique, hellish way. So I was very proud of myself last week when I took a new workout class and managed to power through a difficult core set that included a stability ball, a medicine ball and a wheeled cart. My muscles felt slightly tight at the end of the class, but by the next day?

 

Ouch.

 

It's been a long time since my muscles have hurt that much. We're talking walk-around-with-one-hand-on-your-stomach-warning-people-not-to-make-you-laugh kind of sore. But I found myself oddly proud of the pain -- a symbolic reminder of the hard work I'd done. The core is really the physical center of body image, isn't it? A strong core affects how you hold yourself, how you walk and how you move through the world. Keeping my core fit really should be at the top of my agenda.

 

And yet...there's that whole pain thing.

 

I'm heading back to that class this morning, where I'm sure I'll face another tough core challenge. And should I get too proud of myself or need inspiration, I'll have to remember these ladies.

 

Show-offs.

 

 

Comments

[Sagan]

1500 sit ups! Ack.

I love core exercises. They're my favourite. And that feeling of soreness is fantastic! (But there IS that painful conundrum...)

[Alyssa]

Just LOOKING at those two makes my stomach hurt!
I teach Pilates, so My core is pretty strong. And I must say, I haven't thrown my back out in a long time. So the soreness? Definitely worth it, IMHO.

[Alyssa]

OK, didn't mean to capitalize "My core," lol!

[Kara from Mama Sweat]

Not that this is a *reason* to get pregnant, but it has been nice to drop all core work from the schedule until after February. A core break. But oh, how they'll need that core class come spring! That said... now that I think of it, I am doing "core work" for my back. I guess we always think stomach when we say core, but if I don't do my "back core" exercises I pay dearly. The pain motivates me more than having a six pack (as if!)

[Dara Chadwick]

Ack is right, Sagan! Just thinking about 1,500 sit-ups makes me sore.

Alyssa, I'm dying to try a Pilates class. What would you recommend as the best place to start -- mat class or private instruction?

Kara, congratulations!! I think you're smart to focus on the "back core" -- and you're right, I usually think of core as "abs." But I remember that my back used to get so sore when I was pregnant, I'm sure from carrying all that extra weight in the front.