1 Theme
Peak Week & Photoshoot
This week was tough.
The work I had done in the previous 8 weeks meant my conditioning was in a great spot. I was leaner with more muscle mass than before. My abs were popping and I was beginning to see the striations across my chest and shoulders.
By the time peak week came around I was going to be able to dry myself out to look great on the day.
The final push saw me lower my calories and the carbs I had. I felt flat and soft. Hydration was even more critical, meaning drinking roughly 5 litres of water daily.
You can do insane work in this week.
I dropped nearly 4 lbs from last Sunday to Friday.
After Veeting and getting my spray tan done, I was ready to go.
Like when do any event, there's always a part of you that questions what you could've done differently. Could I have gotten leaner? Am I happy with my condition?
The answer to them both is yes.
Getting leaner would've involved me not going out for food or enjoying my life.
You don't need to sacrifice these things, you just need to know how to manage it better.
The photos will be here soon, I'm buzzing to see them👀
2 Positive Outcomes
We Should All Be Doing This
There are lots of ways to learn more about yourself. New life experience, trying a new hobby or exploring what you're passionate about, for example.
One of the most powerful ways is asking yourself better questions.
This encourages you to think deeply and reflect on your values, beliefs and actions.
Gandhi summed it up fairly well.
Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny. ― Gandhi
I delivered training on encouraging deep thinking to the ladies of Soul Society which got them to answer some questions which they wouldn't usually do.
Here's a list of questions I've compiled that you can use for yourself.
The Best Coffee in Paisley (and maybe in Scotland)
I'm going to be bold and say it.
This was unreal.
I ventured out with my usual Americano or espresso and got a macchiato.
Wow.
Nomads' Coffee in Paisley - check them out.
3 Learnings
An Area Of Weakness I'm Working On
I'm someone who loves routine.
Finding the winning combo for a successful morning and running with it until it breaks is one of my main strengths. It's being consistent when I don't want to be.
What this lacks though is spontaneity.
Off the back of this photoshoot on Saturday, Aimee and I decided to go into Paisley, get a coffee and walk about. We ended up having a wholesome morning and afternoon.
This wouldn't have happened if we were being regimented in our usual routine.
Routine is great but it can (and will) become monotonous after a while. You will have to be spontaneous at some point. Often these times lead to the best moments.
This Is Cheesy I Know
You are the only person who has direct control of your life.
Not all the inputs are yours to decide but what you choose to do with them is. The outcomes are created by you.
Life is what you make it.
This may mean pushing hard for a period to pursue your goals, whether that's personally or professionally.
Hardship is inevitable in life, and as humans, we often seek it. You choose yours based on what you want to achieve.
We're All Playing The Game
I've noticed a lot of people putting events like photoshoots on a pedestal. As if they're the final boss.
The final boss is a myth.
The game we're all a part of never really ends.
What is in our favour is the goalposts can be moved. You don't have to shoot into the same goal as everyone else.
When you 'score' there are 2 options:
- Sit back and relive past glories, leaving you vulnerable.
- Push on for another 'goal'. Build a lead. Gain confidence.
The choice is yours.
I put the Ben Lomond climb on hold. I've not decided on a new date yet however, I will be doing it before the end of the summer.
As we get further into the year, I'm contemplating changing the challenge however the premise will stay the same.
Stay tuned to find out what 👀
You can donate on my JustGiving here.