The plot

I spent about 4-5 hours in the garden today - there is still a lot to do.  It's at least motivating to see the progress I have made in terms of getting it back into shape.  I've now planted some new veges, (well enough to feed more than a family of four), and it helps with having something to tend to and watch grow. 

This is considerable progress on spending 4-5 hours in bed as I did last Thurs/Friday.  I can sleep in the day, and then sleep again at night like I haven't slept in the day.  But it's a different kind of sleep from that when I exercise and feel tired and sleep.  That's a better sleep to aspire to.

I was going to go for a long walk at the end of the gardening, but it has/is raining solidly so I have retreated inside.

I'll stay in the 'rapa tomorrow.  I will get to Wgtn a couple of times this week.  Definitely on Friday and maybe Tues or Weds.  I do have the train tickets, but I'm still rationing them I guess.  The bigger thing is I need to demonstrate to myself that I have the willpower and motivation to exercise without having to catch a train.  It's both a time and cost thing with the train.  One could argue its better to spend 3 hours on a train (return) if the outcome is some decent exercise at the gym, if the opportunity cost is sleeping.  That would be a valid argument.

As week 6 approaches I should be thinking about registering with Work and Income.  However, I can't bring myself to do it.  Apart from the fact that I don't have a valid passport and can't locate my birth certificate to complete the relevant paperwork required, I can't do it. Sure, its an back-up option, if nothing comes through in the next few weeks, but I can't do it.  It's not the stigma.  It's because it feels like it would seem like giving up hope in myself and ability to get work.  So, if that's the case, then I am going to have to be a bit strategic this week, in widening the net and options.  That's what I do, take it down to the wire, but as my entries reflect this does create a certain a level of stress.  There are things I can't control, (eg when an agency has 100 applications and will take 4 weeks just to shortlist), and the other factor it is for me having the faith and trust in God.    Although one could argue God created Work and Income should there be a need....

I also need to adopt the attitude (and that's where there has been slippage) that my current work is focused on improving my fitness and attending to house and garden improvements.  So, I can so, oh yeah, I spent that time doing "xyz".  

I'll go for an early morning walk tomorrow, and at least a one hour bike ride.  Definitely need to familiarise myself with some solid cardio and my bike again. Anything else will be a bonus.

The focus for the coming week, is definitely on lifting my energy levels.

I will achieve this by:

• Get up and dressed at what would be my "usual" work time
• Not sleep during the day
• Complete at least 3 hours exercise per day.

It seems a bit mundane and basic to have to write the above three dot points down.  But well, that's what I have to do "right here and right now" to move forward.  And then my blog entries should reflect a more active training programme.

I know I'm going a bit tangential in my entries, but in working though the non fitness stuff, and non active stuff, is, I think, related to having the perseverance/resilience to actually "push through".   Once I get this stuff back on track then the training itself will be a breeze - well, not quite eh, but it will at least follow.