Building myself back up
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
As an aside, maybe I've had tunnel vision all my life, but I was at a shopping centre around lunch on Saturday and couldn't help be disgusted by what I saw. It seems an overwhelming majority of people are fat, flabby hyperconsumers. Its all about consuming food and consuming products. Obese groups of friends or families inhaling fast food while glued to their phones. To each their own, but I couldn't imagine a life where the high point is a trip to the food court and to blow cash on shit I don't need. It seems it's even worse since Covid. These people probably think I'm a mug with all my exercise and other pursuits. Fair enough I guess. But I'm painfully aware that we only get one shot at this thing called life and I'd rather it be as productive and healthy as possible.
It would appear you've had tunnel vision!
We tend not to eat at food court places, and this is predominantly why. This is going to make me sound like a pretentious fuck, but if the family goes out for lunch on a weekend, we'll usually head to Guildford as it's a wanderable high street(s) with many diff type of shops, markets & places to eat. As with everything UK there are a few undesirables around but they are clearly in the minority. Generally end up at a Pho / Sushi place or something
If we go to a mall with McD, KFC etc it's just full of trash. Either bored teenagers on phones or the overweight, awful people you talk about. Nothing puts you off your food more than a seriously fat person on a mobility scooter.
Don't get me wrong, I love a bit of KFC/McD & happy to give it to my kids occasionally. But it's always take out. Always.
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Ha ha. I'm completely off those actually. I'm a Warrior Munk! Was sitting stuck in traffic heading over for yet another rendezvous and just said fůck it. It was just a dopamine hit and wasn't getting me anywhere. Feeling much better for it. When the time is right I'll get back out there.
There really isn't enough money in PT work and it was more for myself and as a side hustle. New role is in banking. It's an interesting opportunity and it's kind of now or never to give it a go. I never had the chance before because I had to be there and provide for my boys. They're getting older now (my eldest has left home and youngest is 15) and I have to start thinking about life without them being my sole focus. Obviously it's important to want to give everything for your kids but I think that can sometimes be a convenient excuse for not making a change or taking the plunge. Could turn out to be the wrong choice but, as mentioned, at least I won't die wondering!
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First week of new life. Having to be at an office obviously makes a massive difference. Didn't get a chance to do all the training sessions I usually do but then I didn't get a chance to raid the fridge every 5 minutes so diet was ridiculously on point this week. Having to prep food has been ok and having the proats and berries overnight in the fridge is absolutely farking delicious!
But cheat day today 😁. 5 schnitzels with corn chips and salsa.Again, I've probably been ridiculously blinkered and happily ensconced in my suburban hideaway, but I'm really quite alarmed by the size of people these days. It was probably trending that way and then the Covid lockdowns took it to a new level. Shit load of snacking and....energy drinks. The health system is already taking a pounding but fark me it's going to be smashed in about 10 years. Tradies at least are on their feet all day, but office staff are just exercising their fingers. They'll need to have to find some kind if monetary incentive otherwise this is going to be completely unsustainable.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
First week of new life. Having to be at an office obviously makes a massive difference. Didn't get a chance to do all the training sessions I usually do but then I didn't get a chance to raid the fridge every 5 minutes so diet was ridiculously on point this week. Having to prep food has been ok and having the proats and berries overnight in the fridge is absolutely farking delicious!
But cheat day today 😁. 5 schnitzels with corn chips and salsa.Again, I've probably been ridiculously blinkered and happily ensconced in my suburban hideaway, but I'm really quite alarmed by the size of people these days. It was probably trending that way and then the Covid lockdowns took it to a new level. Shit load of snacking and....energy drinks. The health system is already taking a pounding but fark me it's going to be smashed in about 10 years. Tradies at least are on their feet all day, but office staff are just exercising their fingers. They'll need to have to find some kind if monetary incentive otherwise this is going to be completely unsustainable.
When I was temping for a Government department while waiting to join the Police many moons ago they had a fire drill and I was stuck behind a couple of lardos on the stairwell, absolutely no way to slip past them ( in a real fire I suspect I’d Māori sidestep them ).
Desk jobs are fucken shocking for the wrong kind of person, so easy to binge choccie bikkies and energy drinks especially with vending machines very accessible.
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@MN5 said in Building myself back up:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
First week of new life. Having to be at an office obviously makes a massive difference. Didn't get a chance to do all the training sessions I usually do but then I didn't get a chance to raid the fridge every 5 minutes so diet was ridiculously on point this week. Having to prep food has been ok and having the proats and berries overnight in the fridge is absolutely farking delicious!
But cheat day today 😁. 5 schnitzels with corn chips and salsa.Again, I've probably been ridiculously blinkered and happily ensconced in my suburban hideaway, but I'm really quite alarmed by the size of people these days. It was probably trending that way and then the Covid lockdowns took it to a new level. Shit load of snacking and....energy drinks. The health system is already taking a pounding but fark me it's going to be smashed in about 10 years. Tradies at least are on their feet all day, but office staff are just exercising their fingers. They'll need to have to find some kind if monetary incentive otherwise this is going to be completely unsustainable.
When I was temping for a Government department while waiting to join the Police many moons ago they had a fire drill and I was stuck behind a couple of lardos on the stairwell, absolutely no way to slip past them ( in a real fire I suspect I’d Māori sidestep them ).
Desk jobs are fucken shocking for the wrong kind of person, so easy to binge choccie bikkies and energy drinks especially with vending machines very accessible.
The older millennials in particular seem to be bad. Grown up as tryhard foodies with a penchant for lattes and an aversion to physical labour. You put on a couple of kilos a year once school is done and it's not hard to easily go north of a tonne once you hit 30.
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So week 3 of new life over and its been great but also incredibly exhausting. Starting from scratch isn't easy and the learning curve has been enormous but I'm inspired and enthusiastic about the possibilities. It's just unfortunate that there are only 24 hours in a day and a human (or at least this human) needs to sleep.
Anyway, have had to tweek things a fair bit to keep the exercise up (absolutely non-negotiable). This wouldn't have been possible back in the day but thankfully my lads are generally self-sufficient these days. What has actually been hugely beneficial is the eating side. I prep all my meals and don't have much time to eat during the day. This is a huge contrast to sitting at home and raiding the fridge if I'm feeling hungry. I'm probably at my leanest ever now. Just shows (if ever evidence was still needed) that diet is key and Bart's old saying that "you can't out-train a bad diet".
But the best part has been the response from my coworkers. A very diverse bunch and most 10-20 years younger than me but I dont feel "old" and get along really well with everyone. They ask me for training tips. One challenged me to a push up comp (kicked his arse) and another wants to join a gym now. It's cool feedback and just shows what training can give back to you. One fella is just starting to exercise properly after resisting for years due to him being a musician and hating the jock stereotype. While I don't think this is as bad as it used to be, I think that stereotype and culture are often a huge barrier to entry for many people who were scared of setting foot in a gym. We need to differentiate between the high level competitive sport and dominant male monkey gym culture and what I gayly refer to as mind and body maintenance.
Don't normally do things like this but found an old pic from when I was 24 and combined it with a recent pic my son took. I may post if I have the courage. But that pic says everything about my journey (wånk wånk) and I think I can be a bit proud of that.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
So week 3 of new life over and its been great but also incredibly exhausting. Starting from scratch isn't easy and the learning curve has been enormous but I'm inspired and enthusiastic about the possibilities. It's just unfortunate that there are only 24 hours in a day and a human (or at least this human) needs to sleep.
Anyway, have had to tweek things a fair bit to keep the exercise up (absolutely non-negotiable). This wouldn't have been possible back in the day but thankfully my lads are generally self-sufficient these days. What has actually been hugely beneficial is the eating side. I prep all my meals and don't have much time to eat during the day. This is a huge contrast to sitting at home and raiding the fridge if I'm feeling hungry. I'm probably at my leanest ever now. Just shows (if ever evidence was still needed) that diet is key and Bart's old saying that "you can't out-train a bad diet".
But the best part has been the response from my coworkers. A very diverse bunch and most 10-20 years younger than me but I dont feel "old" and get along really well with everyone. They ask me for training tips. One challenged me to a push up comp (kicked his arse) and another wants to join a gym now. It's cool feedback and just shows what training can give back to you. One fella is just starting to exercise properly after resisting for years due to him being a musician and hating the jock stereotype. While I don't think this is as bad as it used to be, I think that stereotype and culture are often a huge barrier to entry for many people who were scared of setting foot in a gym. We need to differentiate between the high level competitive sport and dominant male monkey gym culture and what I gayly refer to as mind and body maintenance.
Don't normally do things like this but found an old pic from when I was 24 and combined it with a recent pic my son took. I may post if I have the courage. But that pic says everything about my journey (wånk wånk) and I think I can be a bit proud of that.
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Have had a couple of silly eating days around Christmas but not fallen off the wagon just yet. Hadn't had a donut for well over 6 months until I devoured like 8 of them at work Xmas party. Christmas Day was also absolutely ridiculous. Last week was the toughest for a while. Stupid busy between Xmas and NY and the heat and humidity were unbearable. Add not enough sleep and that wasn't smart but had a decent active recovery last weekend.
Bring on 2024 👊 -
Shit. 7 months since my last confession. I have been a good boy. Definitely need more sleep but training like a demon. Recently back on the Apps and met a Saffa who is out my league in terms of looks, class and bank balance but, fůck it, I'll enjoy the ride.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
Shit. 7 months since my last confession. I have been a good boy. Definitely need more sleep but training like a demon. Recently back on the Apps and met a Saffa who is out my league in terms of looks, class and bank balance but, fůck it, I'll enjoy the ride.
Sounds like you have the advantage in rugby knowledge at least - that's all you really need 😉
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Going to try to keep a regular log as has been a bit helter skelter.
2km Ski erg
Shoulders
2km Ski erg
Hopefully fit in a PM session as well. Pity pool still too farking 🥶 -
Ha ha. So much for regular log 😄.
Been the usual. Busy as fůck, plenty of bullshit (story of my life unfortunately) but training still non-negotiable even if it's a bit all over the place sometimes.Changed gyms (took over son's membership) which has been cool. It's essentially one of those HIIT class dominated gyms which means I get the main weights room to myself most of the time. Close to home as well. Only issue is no more ski erg 😥. But assault bike is a decent replacement. Allows me to watch some decent programs. So generally 4 gym sessions, 3 swims, 1 long rum and 2 run/cardio sessions a week. Does the job. Definitely need more sleep but my body clock is farked these days.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
Ha ha. So much for regular log 😄.
Been the usual. Busy as fůck, plenty of bullshit (story of my life unfortunately) but training still non-negotiable even if it's a bit all over the place sometimes.Changed gyms (took over son's membership) which has been cool. It's essentially one of those HIIT class dominated gyms which means I get the main weights room to myself most of the time. Close to home as well. Only issue is no more ski erg 😥. But assault bike is a decent replacement. Allows me to watch some decent programs. So generally 4 gym sessions, 3 swims, 1 long rum and 2 run/cardio sessions a week. Does the job. Definitely need more sleep but my body clock is farked these days.
I love me some Kraken Rum but I find it defeats the purpose if I have one during a workout. Maybe you should wait until the evening ?
