More than I could chew.

Had I bitten off more than I could chew?  More than likely! I was in the gym and surrounded by my peers.  Not to mention some very big machines and some even nastier looking weights.

OK, so I was overweight and a bit podgy, but it was nothing too outrageous, I wasn’t the next news flash and I wasn’t about to keel over.  Or was I? My first lift left me out of breath and very red faced L   I had a lot of hard work ahead of me, but where do I start, how do I start and more importantly how do I keep it going.  I knew from past experience that sustaining a fitness program was not my forte.  It’s been the usual case in the past, start with the best intentions and to get a new pair of trainers, shorts (I don’t look great in shorts and that’s enough to put me off) and a set of water filled weights.  Before long the trainers are gathering dust under the bed and the weights are keeping a door open somewhere in the house.

A very good friend of mine was about to take me under his wing, after much abuse and laughter in my direction in the gym.  He sat me down and said “it’s not the end of the world just because you’re unfit and very weak”.  That really inspired me, NOT.  “you’ve got some hard work ahead of you, but you’re not on your own, but don’t mess me about, if you want to get fit and stronger I’ll help you, I can teach you and advise you but the hard work will be coming from you.”  I wanted to get fit and I most certainly wanted to get stronger.  It was that deep nagging feeling in the back of my head, “commitment, commitment, commitment”.  I hated the gym and I’m allergic to pain.  What the hell do I do?  Nothing like pressure or being put on the spot.

It was decision time and I couldn’t put it of any longer.  It was a long time coming, I was finally working with the people I respected and in a job I felt most comfortable with.  Afghanistan probably isn’t the first choice for most people to work in.  As for me it made perfect sense, time served in the military and now a second chance to get my fitness back and to be trained by the best in great conditions.

My training starts now and the first objective was to complete the Fitness assessment.  A number of exercises designed to test my agility, strength and general fitness levels.  Was I looking forward to it ?  No I wasn’t, was I ready for it ?  No I wasn’t.  Was I going to pass it ?  Probably not.