The Balance

This post comes a day late, as I was having some technological issues last night. Apologies to all those who's weekends were empty and devoid of meaning as a result.

Week seven has been and gone. I would be a liar if I said it had been the perfect week of training. This week, I've been in a rather unusual position, I've actually been genuinely busy. I've started my training with The Samaritans, which is great and I've actually had a real, living, breathing social life. I went out on Saturday and spent some quality time on Blackheath with old friends. On Saturday night, I went out for a monumental drink up in Clapham, to celebrate my oldest and dearest friend's birthday. Consequently, I didn't to to the gym on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The intention was to take a few, well-deserved days off, socialise, enjoy myself and start a heavy week at the gym today (Monday).

I fear I may have a reached a level of obsession with my new life. I felt monumentally guilty for the fact I drank beer at the weekend and took three days off from the gym, even though I still ate really well. I need to remind myself that I still need to live my life and if I obsess about the gym too much, it's going to do more harm than good.

In all honesty, I almost didn't go to the gym today either. My hangover from Saturday night rolled over to a second day and I felt utterly knackered, and frankly, pretty depressed this morning. I managed to fight these feelings and went to the gym, hitting it harder than ever. I am well and truly back in the swing of things and have learnt a valuable lesson in balancing fun and responsibility.

I kicked the living shit out of the cross trainer today, as you can see from the photo. I dominated 1210 calories in 60 minutes. I was pushing hard all the way and it was a phenomenal feeling when I finished. I'm back, and loving every second. I know that I'll have days like today, in which I really, REALLY don't want to go to the gym, but I will fight these feelings and remind myself of why I'm going. I'm changing my life for the better and doing something to make myself, my family, my friends and my darling Dad proud. It's so important that I feel I'm finally doing something that my Dad, wherever he is, will be proud of. Dad always knew I had unrealised potential and I'm sure he was frustrated. Well, Dad, no more. I'm doing this for you, old man! I love you and miss you every day.

I also want to give a special mention to two lovely men whom, before Saturday, I had no idea cared. Matt and Fraz Gilbert. These two gentlemen were out on Saturday night and they told me how impressed and inspired by my blog and progress they were. Their words truly resonated within me and I can't sufficiently articulate how much those kind words meant to me. Thanks, boys!

Anyway, to summarise, life will not always encourage you to continue with personal aspirations, but what's important is learning to balance the things you enjoy with the things that you may not enjoy, but are important all the same.

'Every repetition I perform, every step I walk, every drop of sweat make, is one step closer to making my dreams come true and finally showing my demons that I cannot and will not be beaten'.

See you next week for the weigh in.