Here we are, ten weeks later. I have to say, this was the toughest week since we embarked on this journey.
I ended last week on a high, full of gratitude, looking out at the picturesque Castle grounds with the sun kissing my skin. What I failed to mention is about 2k into my run, I felt a twinge in my back, that initially dropped me to my knees. Adrenaline was flowing so I kept on my trek, buzzing I was able to get back out running again. The pain radiated around my lower back for the night and on Monday. By the time Tuesday came around I felt I needed to get some blood flowing, and what a bad idea that was. I did a 5k run followed by a 5k walk and woke up Wednesday unable to move. 7 am on a frostyy midweek morning, I had just about managed to drag my sorry ass into work, but alas it was not to be for long, by 9.30 I was back in bed.
The pain was so severe that I felt like vomiting, combined with the anti-biotics I was on for a separate issue, I was in a bad way. Informing Davy that that days training session just was not possible, I felt like I let him down. My head was all over the shop, this unhealthy obsession with my weight, weighed heavily on my mind all night. Feeling sorry for myself, I withdrew within the head , pulled the blinds and mopped about. Waking up Thursday morning, and getting into work was once again a struggle, but I made the decision that I would see the day out., which included getting in my first session of the week, five days after my last one.
Session One :
Arriving an hour earlier then scheduled, there was only one thing on my mind. The bike. Low impact, get the heart rate up and blood flowing. I coupled that with crunches on one of those bouncy exercise balls. 15 minutes on the bike, 100 crunches, another 15 minutes on the bike another 100 crunches for the hour. Was it to my psychical detriment? Possibly. Mentally though I needed to get it done. The blinds needed to stay open today when I got home.
When that was over, limping up the stairs, I got ready for a chest and back session. Lee understood the predicament and to his credit he adjusted the workout to take any impact off my lower back. Chest and back supersets are staples of session one, and they got done, to the best of my ability.
Session Two :
With leg day on the horizon, there was no way I was getting on that bike before hand. Davy was on todays session, and being the big fountain of knowledge he is, the workout planned for that day was done with the back issue in mind. Don’t get me wrong, it was not easier, but it was minimum impact. In all honesty, it was the most difficult and challenging workout yet. My mind was not with me, wanting to give up after every single rep. My energy was sapped, the mind broken and the stomach convulsing. After some body weight squats, lunges into machine single leg presses, leg curls, Davy called time on it. He could tell I was suffering and called the session early. I was disappointed, but didn’t have time to wallow, with a 7pm soccer training planned. I was on the sideline, though for the hour, watching as Castlewarren Celtic prepared for their LFA Plate match with Marks Celtic of Tallaght on Sunday.
Session three :
It was day three of training in as many days, a walk with the dog, Chilli, got me warmed up before hitting the cross trainer and doing some stretches with shoulders and arms on the agenda for the day with Vinnie. The weekend is a bit more of a relaxing vibe in the gym, I like it. Things are done with intensity, but it is laid back, if that makes sense. Plenty of time to pick Vinnie’s brain about different exercises. The fire in my shoulders detracted from the pain in my back, a welcome distraction I can assure you. Another tough but rewarding session, the last of 30 over the 10 weeks, was completed and it was emotional.
The end…..or is it?
In the end I came away with a lot more knowledge then I anticipated. I thought as a previous gym goer I would be fairly astute with the mechanics of working out, but I have learned so much. Setting me up for a life in the gym on my own. Aesthetically have I changed much? Weight is pretty much the exact same, 93kgs, diet was probably not as strict as I would have liked, is that disappointing to me? No, it is not. Previously it would of been, but with the results I have received, I have learned scales certainly is not gospel.
Overall I have lost a total of 14 inches all over my body, with my waist going down by 4 inches. Results which seemed to have even impressed Davy. Essentially I have built muscle and lost fat all over my body. I most noticed the change in my arms and chest, but it is encouraging to know that areas all over my body has been affected. Proper training techniques, little variations, shocking the body and rest, all simple things but they make a huge difference.
So what is next? Well how about another 10 weeks? Davy floated out that idea, and I jumped at it, so next week may be week 11!. It will be interesting come April time, as I have a 24 days of working straight on the horizon, so fitting in the workouts will be challenging, so am I up for that? Time will tell.
I started off this journey from a decent base, having dropped a lot of weight the prior few months. I burnt myself out, investing myself in my body and not particularly focusing on my mind. The reason why I am highlighting this, is because the results I got, coming from a good base, maybe even more prevalent in someone coming from a person with no experience. If you are reading this and even thinking about making a change, well if your thinking it then you know you want to make a change.
Read this here, it may help you make that decision : I don’t go to the gym because I’m self conscious about my body, but I’m self conscious about my body because I don’t go to the gym.
I highly recommend getting someone to help you along the journey , keeping you accountable and striving for success with you. I can say that most importantly, I enjoy working out again. It became a chore, and sure sometimes it still is , but over all I loved my experience with Davy Jones Fitness. If I didn’t, I just simply would not say it. I feel I have been open and honest about all facets of this journey, so I can honestly say this has been incrediblely eye opening.
If you want to make a change, you can contact Davy on 0892528904 or email [email protected].
