I am just over 6 months into this journey, and I have come a long way. Of course, there’s still a long way to go. My weight has stayed fairly stagnant at 13.5 stone (189lbs) for the past month, despite the workouts staying consistent in frequency and intensity. Although I know better than to focus on one measure of success, I am still a slave to the numbers on a scale, and have to remind myself that I need to look at the broader range of changes, especially when lifting weights is a key part of my exercise routine.
When I started, it wasn’t my first effort to make a change. I’ve said before, I had worked on lifting weights at various points, and also tried running. Therefore, I didn’t start off with a baseline of no knowledge at all. I knew decent routines for lifting and running, and just had to put them in place. However, it is truly amazing how much you learn along the journey. It’s also quite incredible how much information is available, but the flip side of this is that information often conflicts between sources. High protein or low protein? Weights or cardio? Fasting or eating small and frequent? I can see how it’s hard for many people to really know where to start, or how to work through all the noise. I have made a few errors of judgement along the way, either following a fad for a short while, or reading different advice and not knowing which to take, so I understand the challenges. In a future post, I’ll try to help navigate through this by sharing what I’ve learnt, and what mistakes I’ve made.
Since taking up the Personal Training course, I have found myself more keen to find sources of education. Books, podcasts, websites and anything else. Anything which provides valuable information on what you can focus on to help yourself, where to put your energy, and also discussing best practice in your own fitness, along with that of others. I’m learning the importance of taking in multiple sources of information, and allowing them to settle in my own head in order to process them and grow my knowledge, along with using my own experiences to discard those elements I don’t agree with. I’m finding that I’m hungry for knowledge. Where my course is currently around the technical biology, I’m also seeking real life knowledge and experience. Ultimately, when I qualify to be a Personal Trainer, I want to be the best I can be, delivering quality advice and direction to those looking for it. I want to keep things clear and focused, so the only hard work is when you step into the gym.
A fitness journey is one which takes a somewhat indirect route to your goals. Sometimes, it feels like you’re going the wrong way, or that you are stuck in traffic, moving nowhere. However, as long as you stay on the road, you will get to your destination.
