Motivation or Distraction?

I do my best to find motivation in everything that happens to me and from everything I see. Although motivating, some things can also be distracting at the same time. Today, I was given a good reminder of this.

At the gym, my goal is to complete my workout while pushing myself to the limit and keeping my mind and body focused. A good looking woman who was working out on the machine next to me asked me for help. I helped her and we had a very short chat at the same time. Later, a number of the regulars, gym mates, told me that the woman liked me and that should go over to her and continue to chat. I did have a feeling that she liked me, but all the same, I told them that I do not and will not look for or focus on women during my workout. I find it distracting. Their responses were along the lines of “isn’t that why we workout” and “isn’t this why we started.” To be clear, for me, it is absolutely not the case. I began working out to lose weight and be healthy. It was never only about looks and attraction, rather for peace of mind and health. It is a time of day where I get to focus on my mind and body, where I get to push myself to new limits, be in control, and enjoy the journey.

This is more of an honest rant of how I feel than anything else. If I met this woman outside the gym or at the gym, but after my workout, I’d be happy to continue chatting. She definitely was worth a chat (if I may put it in such terms). But for me, focus is a priority at the gym. There’s plenty of other time in the day to focus and be distracted by other matters. Yes, it definitely has a motivating effect, but it is also distracting. 

Camping – My Health and Fitness Nightmare

Camping was great, almost bliss. But, I’m going to be honest, it wasn’t very great health and fitness wise. Camping wasn’t the issue. It was me.

A few days before going camping, I found a great deal on Chex Mix at the shop. I was tempted. I love Chex Mix. When one of my favorite snacks is up for a great price, it’s an extra tempt for me. I decided not to buy it, but would buy it later for camping. My rational was that I knew there would be lots of snacks over the weekend, so I figured it would be the best time to get my Chex Mix fix. Instead of all the other snacks, I would only eat Chex Mix. Needless to say, it didn’t go very well. As soon as we arrived and the cars were unloaded, the snacks came out as we waited for the BBQ to be prepared. Snacks with a decent flow of alcohol equals…well definitely not health wise or healthy.

Gym? There is no gym on a camp ground. I mentioned to the group that we should do some HIIT (high intensity interval training), but it never happened. I missed Friday gym and my Sunday football game. The only exercise that was done over the weekend was the 3 hour hike we went on Saturday afternoon. At one point, we tried to find a tree branch to do pull ups with. We found one, but it only held for 1 set of 5 reps. It wasn’t the best accomplishment.

Basically, it was a solid weekend perfectly opposite to health and fitness. There aren’t many healthy alternatives to the snacks when camping, but it still was up to me. It was my decision to eat the snacks and drink the alcoholic beverages. It was my decision not to try get some other exercise in. Before camping, I decided I would try to say no to the snacks and mass alcohol, and do some exercise. It was a struggle that I lost. I had succumbed to my desire for the tasty snacks and sweets. But the best part is that I know it was my decision. It was me who lost control and it wasn’t the trip or the snacks that took control over me. I definitely won’t excuse my indulgence by saying that it was only one weekend, I have been so good with my health and fitness up until the weekend and will dive back in as soon as the weekend is over, therefore, it was okay to do as I did. No, it wasn’t okay and definitely wasn’t good for me, and such excuses only make me feel worse about it. But as it was my decision, and I acknowledge this fact, I actually feel okay with it. Yes, it wasn’t very health wise and I should have been stronger, but it was still up to me and always will be. And since it’s up to me, next time, I will work to do one better.

Is it just me or does this idea make sense to anyone else as well? 

Life Isn’t Standing Still, Why Should I?

Life goes on no matter what the situation is. I don’t feel like standing still while life moves around me. Health and fitness is a big part of my life. It is a mode of living life. It is a journey. I sure as hell am not going to miss the journey. I’m not going to stand still, while life passes by.  

I Aint Dead Yet

As long as I can, I will. Don’t worry, I asked the doctor if it would be okay to workout. He said the only thing I can’t do is bang my head against the wall.

Labor Day was eventful. I worked for a couple of hours in the morning then spent a few hours on the beach with my sister and a friend. I had an infected bug bite that was getting worse by the minute. You know how family and good friends get. It was decided that I was going to the emergency room after the beach…I agreed (guys, thank you for convincing and taking me). So I spent the rest of the day in the ER, missing the gym in the process (gym closes early on public holidays) This is what I looked like after the surgery:

The funny head thingy, bandage made me look a little ridiculous. But it wasn’t going to stop me. And yes, it bloody hurt. But it still wasn’t going to stop me. The doctor approved it…so it was no excuse!

     

I completed a fantastic chest, biceps and a little bit of abbs workout. The wound was hurting, but the workout pain was definitely worth it!!