Phase Two (9 months to 33 months; 2 years
I had just finished rowing my routine one-hour, or 12km. As I was catching my breath, I was asked if I would consider personal training. 3 sessions for $25. The younger me would have said no. Why would I pay someone when I was doing the work myself? The older me decided to give it a try.
I was keeping up the weekly cooking on Sundays. It now took 2 hours instead of the combined 7 hours. I also maintained my gym routine, but was getting bored of pure cardio: stationery bike and intense rowing.
After 3 sessions, I committed to working out with the personal trainer every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 5pm.
After a year of personal training, my weight stayed the same. I lost 15cm of circumference from my arms, thighs and stomach. Clothes fit better. Muscle had replaced fat (debunking the myth: people gain weight after exercising because muscle weighs more than fat. No… you would maintain your weight as the muscle will replace the fat, which in turn will reduce your overall size. If you gain weight after exercising, you’re also eating too much food of the wrong food as your appetite increases post exercise). I had become my leanest and strongest.
The way I thought about my body changed. Before, it was purely superficial. Wanting to look good. Looking good was now a byproduct.
The new me wanted to get stronger and maintain my fitness. After two years of training, I reintroduced carbohydrates. I ate whatever I wanted. I sometimes ate too much. Other times, I was too sick to work out from exhaustion from work or traveling abroad. But I always found ways to bounce back. To get back into the routine. The slack in the yo-yo became shorter.
I didn’t achieve some of the goals I had set for myself: Get a six-pack and do a pull up. Yet, I don’t see this as failure. I gym at least 2 times a week. Six packs are made in the kitchen, and I love to eat to get there. A compromise.
Biggest revelation: I used to work out 5x a week to maintain my weight. I must now maintain twice a week. Weight training is 125% more efficient than cardio for weight maintenance and fitness training. I still love to row and bike. Instead of an hour, I have reduced both to 20-30-minute to set aside time for weight training.