By the tiniest thread
First, it looks like my break from that funk was only temporary, because it came back about the middle of the week. The Darkness kicked it up a notch, but The Animal wasn’t to be undone. A great many things collided in my life this past week, the types of things that make many folks give up their hopes of a fit lifestyle and return to The Darkness’ embrace. However, The Animal won’t take that crap.
For many reasons, many of them internal, I didn’t make it to the gym since Tuesday as I said in my earlier blog. However, The Animal refused to let me stop eating clean. Every day, like clockwork, I prepared for 6 meals per day, and ate them. Nothing else. I avoided the pizza that came into the office, even though is smelled oh-so-good. I drank water like it was going out of style. All in all, I ate like a bodybuilder. In truth, it seemed small at times, but The Animal within knew that if I gave up on my eating, it would be the end.
Instead, I still managed to make some gains this week. I was depressed as hell, but not falling into The Darkness’ clutches was important to me. He couldn’t cage The Animal this week, though he tried. Instead, I ate clean. The Animal held on by the tiniest thread, but enough that he was able to keep fighting. The Darkness doesn’t know what happened.
Honestly, the subject came up of eating "dirty" more than once. I wanted to do it, but I wanted to hold on more. I ate clean regardless. I couldn’t help myself, I just had to do it. I refused to fall into the quicksand I’ve written about myself, and instead I moved forward. I’m stronger mentally right now than I probably have been in some time, simply because I refused to give in to The Darkness. I will not fall to him again. I can’t.
It’s amazing how important food is to your mental well-being. Just as a cheat meal is good for the mind, eating clean the rest of the week is good for it as well…especially if you can’t work out. Now, I feel much better about the past week. Since July 10, I’ve lost 16 lbs…nothing to sneeze at by any measure. That’s just under 6 weeks. If, by Tuesday, I’ve lost two more pounds (not likely but you never know), then I’ll be averaging 3 lbs per week. If not, who cares? I’m just trying to get to where I want to be…for the long haul!
Sometimes, all it takes is holding on by the tiniest thread to make all the difference.
August 19, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Excellent focus and determination you have shown during your funk. Diet is key to achieving your goals. Great work! -Jeff
August 19, 2007 at 1:39 pm
It was all about food for me too Tom. I associated it with being an alcoholic; food was my alcohol. The first month was tough. And, it can really take you over IF you let. Hold on tight, but your seats in an upright position and get ready for the ride! You can see the light up ahead.
August 20, 2007 at 2:44 am
Now that’s persistance to be proud of tom.
August 20, 2007 at 3:27 am
Like I said…… I knew the Animal would prevail!
August 20, 2007 at 4:41 am
I am so proud of you. Life is full of temptations and you prevailed. You better watch it, you will become a role model for the rest of us. This choice of lifestyle is not always easy but we get so many rewards that we dont get with an unhealthy body. Keep the animal on the aggressive side and there is no way the darkness can sneak up.
August 20, 2007 at 6:41 am
Now that’s what’s up bro! ^5 Great job hanging in there with the diet. Sounds like you definitely found out what you were made of this past week. Even without making it to the gym in a few days.. you still held tough mentally.
The way I see it, there is no way that you can fail now.. because your fitness journey is totally a mental battle, not a physical one. Skipping a couple of days won’t hurt you in the gym.. in the long run. Your muscles can use the rest period to grow. However, you DID do the most important thing that you could have done. You pulled the reins in on that diet, and did not fall victim to temptation. You continued to eat like a champion, despite the pull from temporarily being down in the dumps.. to give it up. That is HUGE!!!
Awesome job, man.. congrats.. BIG TIME!! ^5
August 20, 2007 at 7:24 am
You’re soooo right man, diet is key. The fact that you held strong shows what you’re made of. Fantastic job!!
August 23, 2007 at 5:37 am
It is so true bro … one has to be as intense in the Kitchen as one would be at the squat rack! KNowing what you have to do is more than half the battle, but you know that, eh?
Keep at it bro!
Brian - for Sparta!
August 25, 2007 at 9:07 am
Determination is the key. You’re doing a great job. Keep hitting home runs.
August 25, 2007 at 11:16 am
Rock on. Just one more justification that the right things in life are just right. Even in the face of adversity, one is to rise to be who they are. Courage is facing fear (adversity) and continuing to march forward. Keep going. You’ve been a great testimony to me to continue towards my goal.
August 27, 2007 at 1:15 am
Darkness is bad. Walk into the light!!! You are still my SUPER HERO.