Mind the Gap! (Week 5)

I have just endured one of the toughest weeks I have ever encountered (on so many fronts), but let me stick to the nutrition & fitness challenges as I doubt anybody is truly interested in anything else.

You’ve heard the saying “Mind The Gap”, well it’s always lurking and it it’s so easy to fall into a hole, but it’s important to realize that a brick Wall isn’t there to stop us, it’s there for us to show how badly we want something.

The ‘Gap’ is that space between starting something (the first Border Post) and actually accomplishing it (the second Border Post) and very often it’s a looong ‘Gap’ and it’s important to be aware that there is, more often than not, trouble at the Border Post. Most people fail to bridge the ‘Gap’, as they either stumble at the first sign of an obstacle, or it’s a lot tougher than they had imagined, alternatively they don’t really want it badly enough.

Bridging the Gap requires a lot of PFP (passion, focus & perseverance), but believe me it is always worth it!

Peaks and Valleys:

As I often say to Investors, it is important to remain committed to the markets as it is time in the markets that secure financial independence, as opposed to trying to timing the markets. I guess weight loss, or rather FAT loss is much the same, some weeks you will be down and others up, but as long as you remain committed their will be a steady drop until you reach your desired goal.

Sometimes I wish I could preach to myself and listen to what I say or know, as opposed to falling into the trap that the herd fall into, which is expecting overnight results.

So last week I was on a massive high, having witnessed my metabolism kick into gear and lose 3Kg and although I did caution myself by saying I expect I may experience a little Plateau this week, I wasn’t prepared for what happened this week. So yes, the ‘Gap’ was lurking and I can tell you that there were moments I felt like disappearing into a hole and forgetting, or putting off my Goals for another day. But that would be the easy option!

The problem with putting Goals off for another day, is that Tomorrow never comes and fortunately I had ‘Burnt the Boats’ by committing to write a weekly Blog. Fortunate as that makes it a whole lot tougher to throw in the towel, slow down or surrender!

So I am pleased to say that I am still pursuing my Goals, which is to eat healthier by learning more about Nutrition and to get leaner in an effort to be more competitive and I hope to do that by eating less refined Carbohydrates and experimenting with the LCHF nutrition plans advocated by the likes of Prof Tim Noakes, Dr Phil Maffetone & others.

In short as a competitive sportsman I am F.A.T. and want to become more streamlined so to eradicate the F.A.T. I need to apply 3 key principles, namely Focus/Action/Time!

Time is key and I cannot afford to waste any more months, let alone years so I am totally committed!!

So why was it so tough this week?

Well as excited as I was last week to lose the Kilos, I was shocked to my core to see them creep back on and I really do not know why. I was still quite disciplined during the week and the only thing I can put it down to was eating quite a bit of Kudu Biltong (which was quite salty) and eating more fruit and having a few extra light beers than the previous weeks, but should that have seen me put 2 Kilos back on? The previous week I had eaten no Biltong, so I’m wondering if water retention as a result of eating Biltong(vs not eating) had something to do with the fluctuation in weight.

Alternatively it could be the carbs from the fruit or the beers? To be honest I don’t have the answers, but I will persevere and experiment to see what works and what doesn’t.

So last week I was down to 86,5 Kg and feeling good about things, but this week I am up to 88,5Kg and feeling quite down and slightly perplexed. ( Ouch… I’ve only lost 2,5 Kg in 5 weeks and that hurts!!!)

Who said it was going to be Easy?

Nobody, absolutely nobody! To be honest anything I have achieved in life with ease, is hardly worth talking about, so I am used to having to work hard to get to where I want to get to. Although my mind was tested this week and tested properly, my Passion is still burning within, my Focus remains steadfast, and I intend to persevere (PFP) for a whole lot longer.

You’ve heard that little voice that rings between the ears saying it’s not worth it, that we can’t do it, that there is an easier option, that it’s too cold, too dark or too early? Well I hear him all the time, but I’m not prepared to listen to him, I simply have to have the courage to stand up to him and keep pushing back each and every day and especially in the early days. It is these little daily battles that make me stronger in a race, when the chips are down you know you’ve sacrificed one hell of a lot just to get to the start line, you are not going to give up the fight too easily. I know it’s not easy, but I do know it is worth it, especially when you eventually achieve a worthwhile Goal.

So if I can achieve this personal Goal I’ve set myself, I hope to be able to inspire others to have the courage to soldier on when all seems lost, in an effort to achieve their Goals.

Even if it takes me a year (or longer) to work out what works and what doesn’t, it will not only set me up for a decent shot in my Age Group at Kona in 2015, but may also be better for my health and well-being long term.

Before I sign off I can tell you that I no longer have cravings for sweet things anymore, which is a big plus. So I’ve broken a really bad habit in terms of daily actions and in terms of mental desires, so I guess I am making some progress and look forward to the day when I’m 5, possibly 10 Kg lighter and enjoying my running again!

Thanks to all those who’ve sent encouragement, thoughts, comments, etc your time and effort is greatly appreciated and very encouraging.

Follow on @alecriddle!

YES, you Can, you Will, you Want to!!