Week 42 – Month 10

The back spasm has resolved itself and I’m back at it. Sometimes we need to take one step backwards to course correct and set us on the path again. Not wanting to re-injure my back or shoulders and slowly rebuild I have dropped back to 10 sets with the 16kg kettlebell this week and I will build back up gradually as we go along. Being this close to the finish line, it would be heartbreaking not to finish strong.

Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, as I hit the end of month 10 my weight was almost back to where it was at the beginning of the challenge. Weight loss was never a primary goal but it would have been nice to wrap this up with a Brad Pitt-esque six pack. Those six packs truly are made in the kitchen and not in the gym and certainly not in the pub watching the Rugby World Cup. Oh well, there have been plenty of highs throughout the year so far.

While there have been many highs and lows with the challenge there have also been quite a few in life generally over that time. It’s not an easy thing to admit but earlier in the year I hit a very low point. Very low. On reflection I’m glad I had this challenge to fall back on. It was there for me to focus on. Something simple and tangible. Something that I could point to daily as each day provided progress, counting swing after swing towards my goal. Something that made me feel like I wasn’t a complete failure. You’ll be glad to know that that black cloud lifted, hopefully for good.