They say you come out of lock-down as one of four things: a chunk, a hunk, a monk, or a drunk.
Illness and injury has resulted in dramatically shorter weekly running mileage through the lock-down and the closure of my gym has meant that I’ve neglected strength and conditioning work as well, something that I was religiously doing four or five times a week. The latter I have only myself to blame – after all, I could do much of it at home – but it just doesn’t feel the same and, being brutally honest, I haven’t felt the inclination.
The difference between your body this week and next week is what you do in the next 7 days to achieve your goals
Joe Wicks
I’ve already told you about my fitness journey and won’t bore you with it again suffice to say that I’m always worried that I’ll go back to the where I was – fat and unfit. So, fearful that I might exit lock-down as a chunk (yes, the Covid kilo is a thing) and with no prospect of racing on the immediate future and our summer holiday facing cancellation, I’ve been looking for a challenge and something to keep me motivated.
We have most of Joe Wicks’ Bodycoach cookbooks such as Lean in 15 and routinely cook from them several times a week but I’ve never really looked into the science behind it or followed the basic (and sensible) premise of consuming the bulk of your carbohydrates immediately after exercise: heck, I’m a runner, I live for carbs! It is however ideal for someone who’s active but enjoys their food and, inspired by the obvious progress of a friend who’s recently completed the first cycle, I’ve decided to bite the bullet and purchase the Bodycoach 90 Day Plan.
In exchange for my money, a week of food journaling, a short lifestyle questionnaire, and three embarrassing photos of me stood in my pants, I now have a tailored 169-page food plan with HIIT exercises to see me through the next 30 days. Two further plans will follow.
My weight and BMI is well within the healthy range but I’m keen to see just what I can achieve in the next three months now I’m not training for Chester marathon or looking forward to a week of all-inclusive indulgence in August. What’s my goal? Bluntly, tone and definition; okay, there’s one other aim but I’m only telling that to a select few.
I’m realistic enough to appreciate it’ll be a bit of a challenge but then I function much better with a goal and under pressure. In particular, trying to dovetail individual lifestyle changes to family life will be difficult at times, especially when it comes to meal planning. Whilst not an absolute prerequisite it’s recommended that you give up alcohol but then I already do so when marathon training so that won’t be especially onerous. With our anniversary and my birthday falling mid-plan I will however probably allow myself a tipple on those occasions.
So, the week’s food shopping has been done and I’ve spent this afternoon “prepping like a boss” as Joe would say. I’ve even repurposed our conservatory into a simple home gym for the workouts. A final blowout with risotto and a few drinks and I’m ready for what lies ahead.
I hope you’ll join me on this 90 day adventure…
