The mental barrier… it is an interesting problem that I can only assume faces every person when they start going to the gym. After not having been for quite some time, over the last three weeks I have been getting back into it aiming for a gym session at least 3 times a week.

Especially during these early stages I have faced that situation where my brain decides that it will tell my body that it cannot continue any further, regardless of whether I can physically continue or not. The mind is a powerful muscle and one of the lessons I learned a long time ago is that when it comes to physical fitness, one of the greatest barriers you have to overcome is the mind.

I have however figured out a rather interesting way to force the mind to set aside its preconceptions and (for want of a better term) “deal with it”. Get yourself a song on your music player of choice (resisting the temptation to mention any iDevices…), this song has to have a solid beat and be one that you know the lyrics to and enjoy singing along to. Put the song in the rough place of your workout playlist where you know you generally falter (or if you want just select the song when you feel that moment getting close).

The idea is then to play the music and focus on the lyrics, take your mind’s attention away from the pain and the physical exercise and focus it on the lyrics and the beat. By taking your focus away from the physical activity I have found that I have been able to trick my mind into letting me push my body far further than I thought I would be able to.

Why does it work, who knows… but I managed for the first time by doing this to run one minute at 8, 9 and 10km/h back to back after only 2 and a half weeks back at the gym. I would be curious to find out if this might work for you. Oh and my current anthem of choice is Sex on the Radio by Good Charlotte… awesome anthem.

So… are you up to the challenge?

Stuart

Well, to slightly rephrase, why does all the decently PRICED delicious food have to be unhealthy. I mean with all the options of food we have nowadays it seems that if you want to go the healthy option you have to pay a fair premium over the processed equivalent of food.

I only ask this random question as I have once again tipped over the 100KG mark to 102KG and so getting healthy is back on my radar. But after going out for all you can eat today there was just so much yummy (read *unhealthy* food).

Anyhoo, this is just a random thought post… Apologies if you were looking for something more substantial. Hehe perhaps next time.

Stuart

After a couple of weeks break I have now started back on Lite ‘N’ Easy. Unfortunately I have to say that the quality of the fresh fruit and veg has been less than spectacular the last month or so, I was hoping after a two week hiatus that the quality may have improved. However the apples are floury (like they have been sitting round for months) and the tomatos are under-ripe.

However other than that, I am enjoying the food. There is certainly no shortage of variety and the convenience is great.

Anyhoo, welcome to my new blog. Loads of randomness to come.

Stuart