Day 57 - What Makes Us Stronger....

Tuesdays 

An interesting day. I like to train shoulders and abdominals, and that motivates me to bound outta bed and get my groove on. Mr Ped's generous loan of his car for the week is really enabling me to get to the gym and back (just) in time for classes starting at 0730h.

So, as I've previously explained, I'm working to intensify my workouts this week and today I worked ridiculously hard with shoulders and abdominals. I worked like a crazy person, each set of reps of shoulders was followed by an abdominals set - no rest breaks. This made for a very hard, workout. Since I was doubling up on each exercise combo, I actually added more overall exercises. 

The way I see it, there are a few things that make us stronger. The first is discipline, determination and miles and miles of heart - all summed up as EFFORT.

The more effort you put into anything, the greater the feeling of achievement when you complete the task. The only problem with effort, is that its not a given. You need to put in to get out. It's your responsibility to do this.

Effort? It is as simple as the definition: A vigorous or determined attempt. So, in terms of health and well being, you just gotta get up, get your butt in the gym, pool, on your bike or whatever you plan to do, and put in as hard work as you can to achieve what you want. It takes more than one go. You have to understand that it takes time, practice, evaluation, reflection and a whole lot of work...not to mention commitment, and sacrifice. To achieve results you need to be a disciple and a student to it. You have to live, breathe and think it. Become it.

Sacrifice. Well there's something I've not talked about at all.... I'm not going to offer up any virgins to a deity, or perform some weird and wonderful ritual.... I'm talking about Personal Sacrifice. I like cakes, I like ice cream, I love ice cream. I love to drink socially...but and here it is - I love the idea of being a fit, healthy husband (and father?). I love the idea of completing an Ironman and a marathon, and the idea of losing my belly....I love these things much, much more. It's not easy giving up what you love, I miss bread and gluten and weetabix....small sacrifices in the long term.... What are you giving up to get what you want?

After such a great start to today, I was really looking forward to finding a nice way to end the day. Well, Bikram Yoga, with my yogi-buddy Holmie, was the perfect wind-down. I even got complimented on my Triangle and Head to Knee postures! It was pretty hot tonight, and this causes a range of emotional releases, as well as the obvious physical ones... I know Holmie and I both felt that too. Yoga really helps me find clarity when my head's all over the place....

This is me most classes...

Practicing Triangle with Winnie, in Bali 2013....

Family (Near & Far)

I ended the day sharing the love, and again now. I saw my wife on FaceTime which always makes me happier, then a rare treat was spend a good hour with my sister in England, helping her prepare dinner for my two godsons. I even got to see my newest godson... Master G after he woke up from his afternoon nap...such a happy time for me. I sacrifice everyday to just be. It's worth remembering that - look back and see the things we each take for granted, or forget we've given up. I miss my family in the UK, even though I'm building roots of my own here, in Australia. I wouldn't change my situation, except having all of them (and Mr Mouldie & Miss Kimbo) here with us. I miss them so much. I love my life, and I love my family all of it (the Aussie, Chinese, Indonesian, American, and of course the British) and the positive influences expressed on me to create the changes necessary. I thank my family (near, far and extended) for their continued support.

It took me to travel to the other side of the world and a lot of soul searching to realise the damage I was doing to my body, well actually it took meeting Winnie to see what I was doing, but it's taken nearly 6 years for me to even make a proper effort to change things. Until this process begun, I was never prepared to sacrifice, or commit to it. Now, I can't imagine my life without it......