Consequently, it was the 2nd when I finally dusted down my solitary dumbbell and curled my first irons of 2013. Having not done anything weights related in nigh on three months I wasn't expecting great things but the results were truly feeble. I managed a grand total of two sets of 10 bicep curls, 29 press ups and 62 painful sit ups. What's depressing is that it wasn't even with the full dumbbell weight - something I was able to do comfortably three months ago. I was so shattered afterwards that I felt a little bit like this dude:
Given how feebly my first 'session' went, I decided to start this challenge slowly which means shunning the gym until I can comfortably do three reps of a fully loaded dumbbell and 40 press ups. I think this is a sensible ploy for two reasons: 1. I would probably currently get laughed out of the weights area 2. There wouldn't be many machines I could actually use at such a weak starting point.
I have, therefore, plumped for doing weight sessions every other day, using the day in between to kick-start my London marathon training. This seems to have worked pretty well so far and while there's no real change in terms of muscle mass, I am already finding the weights easier to lift. The press up count is also creeping up and at time of writing I can do 32 in one stint.
Alongside this gentle 'routine', I've been doing my best to up the protein in-take. This has almost proved more difficult than the weights as whilst I enjoy my food I've never been a massive eater in the past.
Having done some research into the kind of things I should be eating, the underlying message was very, very clear - eat as many different sources of protein as humanly possible. So, cereal has been replaced by eggs for breakfast and lunch is now two pieces of chicken breast and steamed vegetables. Dinner's only requirement is further meat and in addition to all of this, of course, are the protein shakes.
As with the training, I opted initially to build the eating up slowly as I don't think I can physically fit the recommended daily intake in to my tiny frame! I've always struggled to put on weight and have always hovered around the 75kg mark (roughly 11 and a half stone) which for someone who is 6 foot(ish) is by no means large.
That was until I discovered yesterday during my registration at the local doctor's surgery that I've actually lost weight and currently tip the scales at a meagre 70kg. That's a loss of more than half a stone and has stung me into accelerating the eating side of this challenge. This means eating at every opportunity and at times when I'm not even hungry! I've struggled so far this morning but hopefully my body will get used to it quick enough.
None of this sits comfortably with training for a marathon, of course, and finding a way to marry the two together is, perhaps, going to be my biggest challenge of all.
Photo to follow later along with my week one stats.
