Day Twenty : Selfie

Date : Monday 20th January 2014

Time : 14.54

Location : Wyatt International, Birmingham

Selfie

As far as I recall, this is the first 'selfie' I've ever taken. Pretty good for a first timer, eh? 

Today at work we had an 'ideas party' (apparently you're not allowed to call it a 'brainstorm' anymore). We were all given those party blowers (technical term) and asked to blow anytime we had an idea to contribute. 

For anyone who hasn't blown one of these in a while, you're missing out. Go and get some tomorrow - unleash your inner child!! 

Though that noise. Dear God that noise! If only they had a mute button! 

This Monday wasn't as good as last Monday. I didn't really have much to look forward to, apart from spending an evening with my girlfriend. That's always something to look forward to, I suppose! 

I hit the gym tonight, and for the first time, I feel like I am starting to see results. My arms feel bigger and I feel able to take more weight, which just makes me more motivated to go again! It's a really great feeling - onwards and upwards tomorrow! 

Until next time! 

Lesson of the day - It's OK to unleash your inner child from time to time. 

Bonus thought - I'm really enjoying the photo app I use to edit my pictures. It's called Photo Editor, and its free from the Samsung App Store. 

Day Twelve : Sunday Lunch

Date : Sunday 12th January 2014

Time : 14.12

Location : Millennium Apartments, Birmingham

Oh Damn! That's good!! 

Sundays. They're made for straight chillin', right? WRONG. 

They're made for cooking lovely food, and going to the gym ... At least, that's what I did today! 

Not your traditional Sunday lunch my any means, but wow. Just wow. This to me is heaven. The steak I only cooked for about 6 minutes (still too long IMO!) and the potatoes I boiled, with mint and basil.

I've never been the best cook .... Though to be honest I've never really cooked full stop! In my old, rotten days it was freezer food all the way. Now it's all about eating fresh. 

I can't lie - I had a bit of a lazy afternoon, slumped in front of the telly watching the football. Until I decided, 'No, I'm a changed man!'

I drafted up my 3rd gym plan, and descended on the basement gym for the 3rd time in 5 days. I've said it before and I'll say it again ... What is happening to me?! 

After today's session I can all but confirm that the dreaded burpee will almost certainly be the death of me!! 

Heck, I feel much better for it now though! (Come back and ask me how I feel tomorrow morning though - It'll be a different story!) 

And just like that ... The weekends gone. Here's to another long week of work, eh? 

Lesson of the day - pushing through the pain barrier always has benefits

Day Ten : What We Live For!

Date : Friday 10th January 2014

Time : 17.05

Location : Wyatt International, Birmingham (Work)

WEEKEND!

Firstly. No - I haven't made a typo. This photo actually was taken at 17.05 - our phone clocks at work are 5 minutes slow - forgive me - this blog's an image thing, right? 

This is what we all live for, right? The weekend? I rarely have any actual plans! But it's nice to just chill and relax! 

Rather annoyingly, on the 2 days of the week where I am actually allowed a lie-in... I'm up at the crack of dawn. In actual fact, I always feel more alert on a weekend than a weekday. I'd like that to flip-reverse if possible!  

I'm going to make a comment now that is going to make me sound like a bit of a nutcase. Brace yourselves.

When I woke up this morning, it wasn't the weekend I was specifically excited for. It was going to the gym this evening. What is happening to me?! Am I actually becoming ... dare I say it ... Healthy?! Surely not. 

Something else that is a little bit annoying - the one thing I'm most looking forward to around this weekend is on MONDAY night. I feel like this is just a bit of a waste of a weekend! Oh well! After a long week back at work it's nice just to chill! 

Lesson of the day : Live for the weekend (even if you're only excited about going to the gym on Friday night, and a football match on Monday!)

Day Five : New Years Resolutions

Date : Sunday 5th Janurary 2014

Time : 18.39

Location : Millennium Apartments Gym, Birmingham

I've never really been into the whole 'new years resolution' thing. I've always just seen it as a massive waste of time, and something noone actually commits to!

This year is different. I've gone and challenged myself to keep up not one, but two new years resolutions!

The first, to be more committed, and the second, to learn new things.

Today, after what can really only be described as a 'lazy day', I mustered up the courage to don the workout gear and venture down the 9 stories to the basement gym in my city centre apartment complex.

I've tried to commit to serious workouts in the past, magnificently failing after a couple of visits. To ensure I stick at it, I won't hit it too hard, 3 times a week to start with, alternating between cardio and weight training.

Tonight, I stuck to a warm-up on the rowing machine, 30 minutes on the treadmill and 25 minutes on the exercise bike (from which I was rudely interrupted by a chap who didn't know how to open the apartments' garage!).

I always feel good after a workout! Not sure if my muscles will agree with me tomorrow morning though! We'll see!

Lesson of the day - push yourself and you will soon see the benefits. - At least, I hope so, does anyone actually enjoy going to the gym?!

Dinner - Chicken Salad, of course! Health kick.