It's been three weeks exactly since I started on this journey (I'm allowed to be corny, it's my blawg) and tonight I had session number two with my trainer.

Before I get into how that went, here's a summary of how the last three weeks have gone trying to take on the three challenges he set me.

Weeks 1-3

Sleep

The "technology sunset" by 10.30pm and lights out by 11.30 took a few days to take but now it's routine. Lights out by 11.30 requires more discipline, I could definitely do better. I'm sleeping much better and able to get out of bed in the morning without too much disdain for the world. The routine of it is helping me feel more in control of my currently kind of frantic life which is a massive win.

Soft tissue work

The worst bit. Took me 2 weeks to finally get my hands on suitable massage balls (set of 3 in Elvery's for €15, not available on the website). Aside from difficulty getting ones that weren't a rip-off, it's downright painful unpleasant stuff. So many knots, especially in the glutes. Ouchy.

Diet

Adding protein to every feeding wasn't nearly as tough as I thought, thankfully. Maybe it's down to having a savoury rather than sweet tooth? Back to adding whey protein to muesli (if not having eggs) for breakfast, huge salads for lunch and more modest mainly veg and protein suppers. Snacks are usually tinned fish on crackers or a protein shake. I am addicted to kale sautéed with garlic and lightly steamed (such a cliché, I know) and The Pig & Heifer are my lifeline providing most of my delicious lunches and dinner on nights where there's conference meetings after work. I even brought a big homemade salad on a train journey on Friday – who am I?

Overall, it's been a manageable set of changes considering the diet shift was suggested from week two onwards.

Results

I got pinched in 12 places again tonight to see how things went. Disclaimers/dog ate my homework: I was away for three out of the three weekends, two of them long weekends. I didn't get to the gym once and exercise has mostly been puck arounds in the local park for an hour and 30min walks up and down the strand.

Overall I'm down just over 80mm all over. The only bit that didn't change was by chin. It's apparently quite dramatic and largely due to a reduction in the body's inflammation thanks largely to improved sleep quality but also diet. Scales haven't budged but I care not. Inches are the new pounds in my life.

Update
Trainer has crunched the data and it seems I dropped 3.4kg of fat and gained 3.2kg lean mass. Boom.

Next week

Things up a gear or few this week. I have a short but tough resistance workout to master and have to get working of the soft tissue problems to improve mobility for both workouts and movement overall.

I've also got to keep a food diary – there will be no fudging the numbers, I swear! (eep!)

Of course alongside that, I get closer to deadlines in both my work and current pet project so how it all ramps up together I am curious to see. Sleep is going to be important so I'm going to focus on that at the very least. Here's hoping I won't have to resort to sculpting my guns at the office.

Keep it all crossed for me <3