First of all I have a question. When the clocks go back (or indeed forward), does anyone else’s body clock get completely screwed up for a few weeks? I can’t remember exactly when I started to be affected but definitely since I hit 30 a few years back. I just can’t get my brain in gear; I’m hungry at the wrong times and I’m finding it difficult to get to sleep.
Regardless of the time shifts, the dark days are here. This is usually the time when people don’t want to go to the gym or exercise classes because it’s too dark outside, both in the morning and the evening. For the first time it hasn’t bothered me (so far… I will eat my words in 3 weeks time no doubt). I have still been going to the gym in the dark about 6.00pm and walking back to my car after I finish in the miserable cold. But actually, I’m not bothered. I think I’m a little bit smug at the fact that I have gone to the gym, lifted some weights and built some muscle whilst others are bemoaning the darkness.
I know it’s miserable out there and it’s cold and dark but pull yourselves together! If I can do it anyone can!
As I mentioned last week in my blog, I am currently trying to attend the gym 3 times a week. I have been very good so far and managed it for the past 4 weeks. I usually finish work early on a Monday (I hate Mondays anyway, plus I think my colleagues are glad to get rid of me as I am in a foul mood all day), and head to the gym, then I go on a Wednesday and finally on a Friday or Saturday morning. The reason I mention this is that having these (semi) set times have helped me keep a schedule and know when I am going to the gym. However, from January things may change significantly.
I have just been appointed as a Magistrate and to be honest I am incredibly proud of myself and a little impressed too (I don’t mean to come off as big headed but I am very pleased). This basically means that I will be attending court on a regular basis from January. It also means that my set times and days could be sent out of whack on a regular basis depending which bench I am attending on any given session.
How I get around this? The Active Network! This is a brilliant scheme introduced by the councils across East Lancashire, which means that if I have a membership in one borough, I can also use all the facilities, at no extra cost, in all the other boroughs too. So I now have access to 6 boroughs worth of council run facilities which is brilliant! Over the next 6 weeks I will be arranging gym inductions in 1 gym in each borough (it’s one of the conditions imposed) and then I can simply go where I want for no extra fee.
As ever I welcome your feedback. Let me know if the dark days are affecting you in anyway, or is it just me?!
Graham
