That was tough. I’d had a month away from Freeletics and when I picked up where I left off, I realised I had one week left of the initial 15-week programme. So I didn’t feel like I was entering Hell Week at peak form. My diet hadn’t been great, I’d been drinking quite a bit and I hadn’t exercised for ages.
But I made a promise to myself to complete the week in the correct time (i.e. not leaving any gaps between days) and I bloody well did it!
Here are my observations on the rest of Hell Week:
- I read somewhere that your mind underestimates what your body can do. This is totally true. So many times throughout the week my mind was telling me that I couldn’t do any more, but if I just pushed my body one step further, pressed go on the next set, forced myself to do just 10 more burpees, it was amazing how much I could achieve. I really didn’t think I’d be able to do all the exercises back-to-back, but now it’s done it doesn’t feel so daunting. And now I look at next week and think ‘what a breeze’
- Sleep really helps. You can do so much more when you’ve had a good night’s sleep
- I don’t think I’ve ever drunk as much water as I have this week, and yet I seemed to always be thirsty. Maybe like 3 or 4 litres a day.
- My appetite was also huge. I tried to make sure I ate well this week.
- There were a lot of pull-ups in my workouts this week. I still can’t do the correct form, so replaced them all with Jumping Pull-ups. I’m getting stronger though
- It’s a clever trick of Freeletics to give you Hell Week at the end of Week 15. I saw my body transform more quickly that it has been, and I reckon if I’d stuck to good nutrition and done the programme in 15 weeks rather than 25 I think I’d have been submitting my transformation photos to Freeletics. But I still feel like I’ve got some more work to do.
- I like Krios. It’s a nice workout
- I hate 3x Metis Strength. Hate it.
- I really like working out in the open air rather than inside. Especially in summer.
I also downloaded the Freeletics Nutrition app this week and signed up for the Coach. But then I have to say that on looking at the recipes, I got an immediate refund. I just didn’t like the look of the programme, and have seen better and more tasty lean recipes elsewhere. Food is just too important to me. So I’m going to continue eating lean and healthy, but I don’t really want to have that level of control over what I eat. It’s enough to have a work-out routine. Sorry Freeletics. Not for me.
So there we go. 15 weeks down and where am I?
- I am much stronger, fitter and in much better shape than when I started
- My stamina and endurance has increased hugely
- Freeletics has had a positive effect on my mental health, reducing anxiety and giving me a cheap, enjoyable way of escaping work
- I have more self-esteem and more pride
- I have a better diet, drink less and look after my health in ways I never used to before.
Here’s to the next 15 weeks! Who knows where I’ll be then!
A Freeletics Journey 