Positive Mental Attitude

It’s day one on plan for me today.  Day one is always easier to start when you’re off work I think.  Not that in my job I have many temptations.  In fact since starting my new job I’ve been pretty good at being organised and making myself a relatively healthy lunch, but there’s something about starting a healthy eating plan when you’ve got no other distractions, that seems to make sense.

I woke up after a small lie in, and got myself straight into my gym gear.  Having just been set a fitness plan by my helpful (if not slightly sadistic) gym instructor, I was keen to get there and give it a go.  A light breakfast of cereal to fire up my metabolism, and off I went.

Gyms are great for giving you a bit of head space.  If you can block out the fact that everything you’re doing whilst you’re in there is causing you actual real life physical pain and discomfort, you soon begin to realise that it’s as much an escape from day to day life, as it is a work out.  I spent this morning’s session mentally packing my bag for my trip to New York this weekend, buying my currency from whichever Bureau De Change is going to give me the best exchange rate and lolloping round Times Square. 

It’s actually necessary to drift off into a bit of a dream world whilst you’re working out I feel.  I mean, if I actually focused on what it was I was doing, there’s a strong likelihood that I would panic and give up.  Don’t get me wrong, I need to be subconsciously aware of my actions so that I’m fully prepared to start putting the extra effort in every minute or so, to complete the ten reps of “Arm Blaster” push/pull manoeuvres on the cross trainer (my God I hate these), likewise it’s important for me to be aware of my surroundings to ensure I don’t get ejected off the end of the treadmill with all the grace and finesse of a half cooked omelette.  It is however essential for me to remain slightly detached from what I’m doing so that my inner sloth can’t decide to give up on my behalf.

It was during my forth set of “Arm Blasters” that my inner sloth woke up and started complaining about the amount of effort it was having to put in, just to complete the required ten reps. I could feel the burning sensation in my upper arms, and my heart rate (which for fat burning purposes is supposed to remain at around 135) had shot up to about 160.  The sloth’s voice was screaming in my ear to get off the infernal machine...that we simply couldn’t do any more of these.

Thankfully my iPod saved the day by shuffling to Paloma Faith’s New York which brought me right back to my day dream - her powerful vocals drowning out the whining sloth.  From there I found it really rather easy to day dream about living in the Big Apple – perhaps I’d have a little apartment in Manhattan?  It would be quirky and on the second floor so I had to walk a flight of stairs each day (which naturally would help with my fitness and make me a size ten overnight).  I’d have a big American bed with millions of cushions, and a walk in wardrobe where all my shoes and outfits would be stored.  The living area would be girly and kitsch and I’d have a beautiful vintage desk by a huge sash window looking out over the city (in this part of Manhattan everything is pretty low-rise, hence why I’m able to have this view from the second floor...okay?).  I’d spend my days meeting friends, going shopping or sat in Starbucks, tapping away at my laptop.  My evenings would be spent at the coolest clubs and most elegant restaurants or perched at my beautiful vintage desk writing my blog....

I couldn’t help but wonder....was I daydreaming about being Carrie Bradshaw?

Quick glance down at the clock indicating how much torture I still had to put up with – 00:01:02 remaining.  Oooh!  Goody!  I’d day dreamed through a full fifteen minute session on the treadmill!  This ladies and gentlemen is how I plan to continue to get through each session.  Plus they say, the power of a positive mental attitude is immense.  Perhaps if I imagine myself as a successful blogger/columnist/author, then one day I’ll have that Manhattan apartment.  Hell, if I’m lucky I might even bag myself a Mr Big!