Sorry for being so MIA this week, I'm back in London town working my tail off. Today, however, is day 1 of 11 days off work - delighted.com! The blackberry has been switched off and I'm in holiday mode!
I've made it to the gym every night I've been here and last night put in a stellar effort doing the Nicole Wilkins leg workout - JESUS! It doesn't get easier especially in a cramped tiny East London gym, sweat-fest!
I think it’s important to take the time to stop for a second, review and evaluate your progress and goals. I’m a consultant I can’t help this kind of wanker chat... and 3 months into the blog I think the process is long overdue.
So... what was the point of this blog again?? J
Oh yeah, that's right, to “get back into shape and feel sparkly both on the inside and out”. I was feeling mentally and physically exhausted as 2010 came to a close and wanted to put in place action to make me accountable for getting back on track to feeling strong and healthy again, on the inside and out.
My clothes felt tight and I felt shite!
I identified a few key factors which lead me to where I was at that moment in time.
· A demanding job which took me away every week and kept me well fed and watered.
· A significant reduction in the amount of time I put in at the gym blaming work stress and pressure.
· I was still very much grieving for my papa.
In the end I felt my grief was too personal to share. You heard a lot of whinging about work and travel, and the occasional good spin, exploring sunny Frankfurt being a highlight. But mostly my blog became a forum for me to share my workouts and nutrition plan, a topic which I am clearly energised and engaged about, as I got myself back on track.
I set upon on a strict workout schedule and nutrition plan, I loved getting back into a gym routine and the results it produced, but I definitely struggled to stay on track and cope with the lifestyle changes which the nutrition plan brought about. These changes were squeezed into an already packed schedule. Writing a blog not only made me accountable for my choices, it forced upon me a process of self reflection that helped me keep going and stay on track even when I slipped up – least we forget bingegate!
This weekend I had an eureka moment. I was out shopping for new holiday clothes and was initially pleasantly surprised when I took my “healthy” weight size into the changing room to try on and realised that it was too big. Thinking it was a fluke I continued on shopping and the same thing kept happening time and time again in each shop. My initial reaction of delight was now trumped with annoyance. I never enjoy shopping, I love new things but hate the process, and trotting from changing room to shop floor in search of the right size just irritated me, especially when I would rather be outside enjoying the glorious sunshine. It struck me that my definition of success was all related to what the scales were saying. I never really weighed myself when I was at my “healthy weight”, I didn’t feel the need too, therefore I didn’t have a benchmark to know when I had reached my objective.
So, have I reached my objective – to live a healthier and more active lifestyle? I believe I have J and I am committed to keeping it up.
Ever the girl to always be pushing for more, it’s time to set some new objectives, you know – to keep me sparkly, engaged, motivated and most importantly feeling accomplished. I have a few other things in mind, but before committing myself to anything I am going to enjoy some time off with my girls in Malaga and use this time to gain some head space and perspective to make choices with clarity of thought and full commitment.
I do enjoy sharing workouts and healthy nutrition information and recipes, so I will keep the blog updated for those who enjoy this forum.
Lots of love and hugs to all the angels that have supported me the last 3 months – you’re stars!
Stay healthy boys and girls
Love
x
