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Full Body Shot
Ok the trial of writing to the blog is over! Today was my last day of the allotted 30 days and I did an arm workout. I was at my grandmas so I used the rock in the garden with the 5 second up, 5 second down protocol. I got
- Bicep Curls – 15
- Push-Ups – 4
I actually did the push-ups 5 seconds up, 5 seconds down with my face nearly touching the floor on the decline today and so they are a more accurate reflection of my push-up skill! I would not allow myself rest and was really pushing for that 4th push-up.
Don’t be afraid to switch up the workout – to be honest, you need to. You do not want your body to mould itself and become comfortable with particular exercise or it will stop growing.
I’ve really enjoyed this trial and the boost in energy that has come with it but it has been difficult at times. It’s hard getting up at 5am, but you get used to it. One thing I would have done looking back is to have the whole month planned out. All I had at the start was my body weight and a big rock to exercise with. If I maxxed out on the rock (which I did!) what would I do next?
Tabata Intervals or 5 seconds up/5 seconds down are a great way to get fit whilst spending little time. The aim of me doing this all along was so that I could get up early, exercise and then go to work. I’m in the routine now and comfortably feel like I could do this.
Another thing I would add is do not be afraid to experiment. When I got towards the end of the trial and started doing the 5 second up / 5 second down approach I did not know if it would work but had a strong feeling it would. It has been working fantastic so far. I read somewhere that Bruce Lee was an advocate of this type of training.
I also noticed how much of an affect my diet has on my body and even more my mental clarity. If I don’t eat fruit and have a heavy lunch I feel terrible and remaining present is a huge struggle. This trial has spurred me on more than ever to try a Raw Diet. As soon as I have settled into my new lodgings and got a consistent income it will be the first thing I will do.
The one day where I went 100% Raw during the trial, I felt so strong and after a nap in the middle of the day woke up feeling amazingly refreshed. The thing is with a Raw food diet is that it is usually low in fat, but, keeps you strong and your stomach full so I will be able to lift heavier and have low body fat percentage.
The concept of unfitness feels so foreign to me now. I can’t even remember what it is like to get up at 1pm after staying up until 1:30am getting drunk. I’ve noticed that setting little trials like this help you get clarity in other areas of your life as well.
If you become fit you might notice that your social group is unfit and reforcing those old habits or that you do not enjoy drinking with them any more. I have found that getting healthy and getting up early has shown that I need to find a new group of friends with people more like me. This is another plan to come after I have started getting a solid income form my job.
The last few days since I have started my 5 second up, 5 second down routine I have started to eat a lot more. I think it’s about double what I was eating previously and I can feel myself putting on weight. I could do with an extra stone or two of weight so that’s fine. It just seemed to come out of nowhere though and I’ve gained 6 pounds during the trial.
The future is looking bright in terms of health and strength too. I am going to turn to a Raw food diet, I’m getting my own set of weights (11 days and counting), a JML Iron Gym, a full time income and my own place shared with my brother. Things are looking up.
During this trial I have maintained an exact replica of the trial over at Richards Tabata Log and I plan to maintain it with a weekly picture and my daily workout routine.
