It’s been nearly 10 months since I did a session with the boys.

This week was our first full week of preseason training… And I’ve felt it!

I thought that a shoulder reconstruction would be pretty straight forward, but I was wrong. The operation was a success and the shoulder is stronger than ever, however it’s all of the other things that go with any operation that is the biggest challenge… (You can read about my road to recovery here).

My first challenge

This week started with some skin folds and a weigh in.

My playing weight was generally around about 95-98kg, but I’m now up around 105kg.

It’s not that I really care about weighing more. It’s the fact that in a game that’s all about speed and agility (rugby league), I FEEL heavier and I know that I can’t move as fast or as well as what I had previously been able to.

It’s the fact that I need to change my expectations of what I can do just now.

It’s the reality that I’ve had 10 months away from the game and it will take a bit for my body to readjust to the training.

It’s being patient in myself and looking after myself.

That’s the hard work I have to do – I don’t really care about weighing 95kg or 105kg! As long as I’m doing everything I can to be the best I can be, that’s ok.

Just show up

The hardest part about working out and pushing towards a goal is the mental side of things.

I often tell my clients that the toughest aspect of working out is getting started; it’s making it to the session. Once you’re there, surrounded by your mates and your trainer, it becomes a bit easier.

When people first start training with me, the first few sessions are always the most challenging. If they weren’t doing much exercise before, being active once again can have a huge impact on their body.

I’ve experienced this first-hand, just this week.

My body responded to my new training program by giving me a fever, sore throat and congested nose! So while this is a particularly dramatic response to exercise, it’s one that’s happened as a result of going from a few weights sessions per week to 4 x intense weight and cardio workouts, some lasting 2 hours. It was just too much. 

So physically, I obviously need to adjust, and I know I can’t do that without staying on top of my mental state.

I know that I’ll improve. I just have to show up and do the work.

I mean, what’s the alternative?

If I don’t show up, I’ll never know what my body is capable of. Forget about me weighing more or not being able to run as fast as I used to be – that would be the biggest disappointment of all.

 

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Starting can be the hardest thing to do, but not if you’re surrounded by the most positive and encouraging group of people there is! If you’ve been wanting to start something to help you achieve your fitness goals, then now is the perfect time to give it a go! Try our ICE Sessions for a week for FREE – I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I promise you it will be worth it. Get started today!