I reached a tipping point last week. Work had steadily been getting more stressful and I was working longer hours. Exercise ceased entirely, I had no energy. My healthy eating habits had gone out the window as I was too tired to plan my meals and I hadn't had the chance to shop, so there was no healthy food in the fridge. I kept forgetting things, even small things, and I was getting little pleasure out of life. I knew it had to stop. I'd been in that position before and I had to find a long term solution - I had to ask for help.
Guru
In this case, my Guru turned out to be my brother. Same physical make up, same history, same generation. Who better to ask? He motivates me more than anyone else as I know that if something works for him, it is likely to work for me. So what did he say? These were his pearls of wisdom:
- Exercise - join the gym and involve a friend / instructor so they will keep you motivated - if you're not a self-starter when it comes to exercise then you need someone else to whip you into shape!
- Start your day with a healthy smoothie - any fruits, a little juice, non-dairy yogurt and/or milk, cereal (e.g. weetabix or oat bran) to help fill you up and maybe some spinach for added nutrients (you can't taste it, honest, although depending on how much you put in the smoothie may turn an odd colour, but it'll still taste good I promise!)
- If you want a snack, like bread, make it healthy. E.g. have a slice of bread with lean ham and salad.
- Aim to drink 2 litres of water a day.
I guess it doesn't matter what finally makes you turn a corner and take control of your life, just so long as eventually you stop making excuses and just do it.
I've joined the local gym and the instructor has been incredibly helpful in setting me up a program to help me train for the 10 mile run in October. I thought I'd be doing lots of cardio on the treadmill and bike, but they don't feature in my plan at all. It's only the cross trainer and rowing machine to cover cardio - the rest of the workout focuses on core strength.
WHAT CORE STRENGTH?!
Seriously, I had none. He asked me to do a plank and I managed 25 seconds. Pretty poor, totally poor to be honest but I managed 35 seconds last night so I think it'll be cause for celebration once I reach one minute.
My muscles had never ached so much after that first session, but I actually think that ache helps me to feel ALIVE. It's so easy just to exist and I want so much more than that. I want to zing with energy.
AWAKE
Well, I'm not quite zinging yet, but after just 4 days of healthy eating and 2 gym sessions I'm home from work at 10.30pm and I feel ok. I'm not stressed. I could cope with it. I was awake enough before I left to arrange my to do list for when I return on Monday, so I don't have to think about work till I'm back in the office.
You know what? That feels like a gift. I have a whole weekend to enjoy. Work can wait. This is me time and I'm going to enjoy it for what feels like the first time in a long time. I'll even go to the gym on Sunday to 'pep' myself up. One day I will zing - and I have a feeling that with a little bit of perseverance it will be sooner rather than later.
GO CALL YOUR GURU. Ask for motivation and you will find it.
