Transform'd

Two things. First up, I’m already feeling incredibly achey from todays workout. Ouch.

Then second – just gonna say it. Having been looking online at all these amazing bodies, on the way to the gym today I felt small. I felt less buff than I have in recent days. And I think it’s all because my reference group just got a lot more buff from looking at all those pics.

Since I wasn’t looking at pics recently, I could focus on how I was growing. But having this refreshed reference point, made me feel smaller. Yes – the goals keep moving. Argh. Why can’t you ever be satisfied! ARGH!

OK – this is another BIG milestone… I’ve made it past 500 posts on this blog. WOW.

This is actually something like the 503rd post, but because there were so many cute guys going up yesterday and today I kind of just bulldozed past the 500 post mark.

This is good.

It’s funny – I was chatting to a friend last weekend, and he can tell quite easily how I’m doing from this blog. If there are no posts for a few days, then he knows I’m in trouble. Smart kid

I’ll say that this blog is definitely helping with the training. Knowing people are reading it is great, but primarily the ability to throw stuff out there – journal like – is motivating and relieving

I gotta say I’m really happy with where I’m at right now. I am getting more and more muscular. It’s wild. I’m getting close to buff.

And the best thing is that I’m not looking like one of those typical ‘gym bunnies.’ That’s the greatest thing!!!

I’m getting a far more functional / varied workout that forces the body to grow equally. I’m not a bodybuilder. Neither am I half-assed into this. I’ve always loved the travellers / outdoors kinda body, and that’s what I’m getting. It kinda rocks.

Sorry – this post isn’t really about anything – it’s just me showcasing my appreciation for where I’ve got to so far. That I’m at a happy place.

I think I’m about 40 sessions into my 135. The investment is excessive, but the results are motivating. I’m happy I’m doing this. I’m excited and loving it. I am addicted. That’s the truth. With my Mum coming in a week, I’m trying to find ways that I can focus on the training so that I don’t miss out! I don’t wanna skip on anything, I don’t want to lose this momentum I’ve got going – but it’s amazing.

It’s funny – depending on where the mind’s at, you can see progress a variety of different ways. I’ve been doing this 6 months now (approx) and the change is incredible. Even more so when you consider post Peru – which is only about 3 months.

But then – take a big picture. I want to put on X more pounds, lose X, then gain X more. The remaining 95 training sessions (ouch – that’s a lot of training sessions LOL) may not cut it. Am I willing to make an additional investment – sure. I don’t think I’ll query that.

It’s when comparisons start to crop in that progress to date doesn’t look so amazing. I’m no Scott Herman. I’m no Adrian Kelly. But let’s have a reality check. Scott’s had that body for probably ever. Adrian’s been doing this for 13 or so years. I’ve been doing it just over a year, and been the chubby kid for most of my life.

I don’t really compare to those guys – I’m throwing out their names right now just cos they’re mentioned in this blog, and it gives the reader a reference.

But it’s the everyday. Looking around and seeing those spectacular individuals around and about that take your eye – and the fewer that take your breath away.

Thinking about all of this – there’s one goal I don’t really achieve. I know that sounds weird. I don’t wanna be 200lbs. I want to be 190 / 195lbs… or skip up to 210 / 215lbs. I feel that 200lbs is such an awkward number… you’re either too low (199lbs) – just because 199lbs sounds SO much lower than 200, or just over. It feels harder to maintain – psychologically – than 190 or 210.

I’ve already mentioned that 190′s my first goal. 210 may be my next one – but I’ll review that when I reach my 190 goal. There’ll probably be a good period of maintenance. But knowing me – maintenance isn’t my strong point. I’m always aiming at something bigger and better. Pushing myself. And this is so much fun!!!!

On a separate note – and this is getting more in journal territory… but right now I’m finding my focus is changing. Last year I was very focussed on career. I wanted to get better at UX, do better, be better, have better projects. Perhaps it helps that I’m working on amazing stuff with an incredible team. But I’m not investing greatly in work. I’m content. And work’s content with me. I continue to grow and involve, but I’m not investing like I am in training.

Training – this functional life improvement – fitness, nutrition… that’s where things are at right now. Adventure. Living life. Investing in the things that make life worth living. Is that wrong? I don’t think so. As long as I keep the balance right.

I certainly see the training continuing at a high level (dedication, investment…) for the next year at least. I don’t know where I’ll be mentally at the end of that. It’ll be interesting. Will I want to invest further??? Should I train on my own??? Will I be able to maintain things??? Hmmmm… fascinating.

This is a good time right now. I’m learning a lot. Not sure what I’m learning, but I’m sitting back and soaking it all up.

What I do know is that adventure and excitement are important. More important than ever. Going white water rafting with a good friend last weekend showed that to me. Proving it again and again, I’ve been watching the videos from the trip, and I get to re-live the high. Re-live the experience. I have photos from the groups up on my divider at work. It was just so fun.

And I don’t want it to end. This weekend I got home and have this longing to be out in a cabin somewhere – and by cabin I don’t mean a townhouse with all the normal luxuries. I mean nothing almost nowhere. Being forced to occupy yourself.

Damn. It ain’t easy to access.

But over winter, I’ve got this long list of stuff I wanna do… ranging from dogsledding in Algonquin, to snow tubing, rapelling, ice climbing, etc… there’s so much to explore and experience. This is going to be an awesome winter.