So its bank holiday Monday morning and im sat outside writing this on what looks to be a glorious day
In the countryside, in the garden, escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days
Im actually not feeling the best…for 2 reasons
1) im still nursing a slight hangover from sat night (tip on hangovers coming up)
2) i went running for the first time in a long time yesterday in preparation for a run id forgotten that i signed up for next weekend
lets deal with point 1 first
Shock horror i hear you gasp he drinks
Yes of course i drink, albeit not very often these days
Cant handle it, cant handle the hangover, I work evenings and early mornings which all make it difficult to go out without it affecting me too much
But sat was seeing some old friends, had the weekend off and a nice bottle of south African chardonnay that i love – if you like wine try this
(http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/boschendal-unoaked-jean-g-chardonnay-75cl)
This stuff goes down too easily and was a little worse for wear on the Sunday which also included having to wait for a small village pub to open at 5pm before i could retrieve my car keys that had fallen out of my pocket in there the night before…not a great day
However, it happens
But it highlighted something that i don’t often get to feel
I felt shit
My body is a temple usually ha ha…well im pretty good
I eat pretty well, exercise loads and feel good and strong most of the time
But sunday felt weak, sick, generally low on energy and not my usual self
It reminded me of a quote by frank Sinatra
“I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day”
I know ive taken it out of context but
Feeling that rough made me appreciate just how good i feel normally
Im rarely ill, rarely do i get aches and pains apart from training related
I feel strong, both physically and mentally (most of the time)
Im generally upbeat and full of energy
This is some of what exercise is about
I mention it a lot, but my clients start out with specific goals we target
Usually weight loss related
But during the course of the training discover additional benefits that they weren’t expecting
Self confidence is ALWAYS up there
With or without improved body image
Fitter, healthier, stronger, quicker means sharper, brighter, happier, content
More energy,
more productive at work the list goes on
‘You cant experience the highs without the lows’
Another of those self help book favourites
and to a certain extent i agree
But im not preaching
I don’t want to force my ideology onto people
I just want people to see what they are capable of
Because once you start to take care of your body
Eating better
Exercising
Becoming more active
Taking care of your mental well-being
You start to appreciate just how good you can feel, how well you can perform at anything, you feel more able to do things you might not have given a go before, how everything seems easier to do, a much more positive head-space and therefore just how much you are capable of
Which lead me to point b
I felt like crap but knew that i needed to hit a long run
Ive a race next weekend that i haven’t prepared for
Kinda forgot about
20 miles
200 obstacles
Oh dear
But i got out last night (after getting my car keys back to retrieve my runners from the boot)
Did about ten miles
Im not going to say it was comfortable
But this morning as i sit here aching slightly
I know that with another run this week ill be in a better place to hit the ratrace weekender on Saturday
Back to normal
Feeling good
Happy ill have taken on and hopefully completed a tough task
Maybe even celebrate with a drink!!!
So if there is any reason to start on your health and fitness journey, its because itll lead you outcomes that might not have been part of the agenda
But once you are there will make you realise how good you can feel
And when you fall off the wagon, which you will because most of my clients in fact come to me so that they can enjoy their lives (eating out, going to the pub) without it affecting their weight and health too much
You can appreciate those times too
with less worry
Oh and one last thing – that hangover tip
If and when you drink
To make sure it doesn’t affect you in terms of either weight or health
Try fasting the next day
Nothing but plenty of water for as long as possible…usually up until 2pm or 4pm if you can last
It allows your body to FOCUS on working on getting rid of all those toxins, your liver to work to its maximum, youll feel better sooner, fresher quicker, less of a hangover..give it a try
Hope you enjoyed your bank holiday weekend
Paul
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