routine

C&J Active is still alive, but its hanging by a thread.

Just under 2 weeks has passed since Jonny ventured out into the unknown and its remarkable how quick things have changed.

Before I unleash my thoughts about the current situation I should just take this moment to think about what exactly Jonny might be doing right now. My best guess is, either swinging through vine to vine trying to impress girls or drinking insanely strong Costa Rican coffee and instantly regretting it as he sweats like a fountain. Whatever it might be, I’m sure it’s a world away from life in England.

All things considered however its remarkable how Jungle like the conditions have been here lately. 30 plus degrees temperatures, freakish humidity and thumping thunder storms. It’s as if Jonny’s summoned all elements of the rainforest to head my way so I didn’t quite feel left out.

Ironically, it just so happens to be these unusual conditions that have thrown me off track. But lets just rewind a little bit before we examine that.

When Jonny left, it was like being plunged into treacherous waters. But it was fine because I was a strong swimmer.

Instead of our usual session I went the gym and hit it hard! The next day I went the gym again and hit it twice as hard. The day after I even got roped into joining a running club and miraculously beat my best ever 5k time.

The funny thing was though, Jonny hadn’t actually left yet. He was home in Harrogate awaiting his flight date. I hadn’t quite been abandoned just yet.

So the day after, when he did actually leave, that’s when the heat hit, quite literally. And I melted.

For days on end I was sapped of all energy and motivation and a return to the gym seemed like a distant dream.

Then, to make matters worse I had a back strain. This put me out of action for another few days.

All excuses aside, it was as though Jonny had fired me out of a cannon, full speed ahead, and now I was crash landing with a bang.

I guess now it is a good time to reveal Jonny’s leaving gift. I was presented with a handful of sealed envelopes, each with a strict instruction with regards to the opening date and time-frame for usage.

I will be honest I opened my first envelope with a day to spare.

Intrigued, I opened the envelope only to hear Jonny’s military morphed mind uttering his usual workout demands.

I entered my own makeshift gym which is now equipped with half of the gear from C&J and then I played the usual C&J playlist. Immediately it felt like being back home, only with less noise, breaks and threats of death for not finishing a set.

But its strange because I embodied the personalities of us both and was ill prepared to leave the gym until the job was done.

So now I venture forth with renewed optimism. Although I am now well aware just how easy it is to drive off track when your no longer in a regimented routine, in the 9 weeks to come I’m going to strive towards meeting every target and replicating the C&J work ethic here.

Sure it’s going to be tough, but the past 6 months has given me a grittiness deep down that I never knew I had.

Lets just hope that grittiness is enough…

Until the next time.

C&J Active

(Your everyday fitness friend)

Just a quick one today.

As always things are hectic here at C&J. After a shaky Easter period we have patched up the cracks and the fitness regime is once again working with military precision.

The mayhem of the monthly challenge is back, courtesy of a Bear Gyrlls extreme challenge and we are now back outside as summer begins to show its welcomed presence once more.

After the dark days of bulking during the winter months, the focus is now on fat burning and lean muscle gain. Additionally its all about mental and physical preparation for when Jonny delves into jungle chaos.

So we’ve been hitting the cardio hard!

We have also been smashing the abs. But I’m not going to lie, its been a challenge!

From our experience,we have found that Abs do not come overnight. A washboard physique takes serious manual labour.

A few days off and curry and your back to square one.

So we have found a few battle strategies to help in our pursuit.

One: We incorporate Ab workouts into every session.

Two: We have a weekly rugby league score prediction challenge, of which the punishment is Ab related exercises. (See our previous blog for more details. https://candjactive.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/i-bet-the-new-season-will-get-me-in-shape/

Three: We have to complete 3 sets of varied Ab crunches with 20 reps each morning and night and snapchat each other as evidence.

Now I think 3 is our most effective method to date. At first it is a struggle, but due to the evidence aspect,you are forced into it. Anyone who doesn’t snap the evidence inevitable gets punished with extra sets in the gym.

So a few weeks on, this daily task is now becoming a way of life. And it last our abs are starting to feel the effects!

So as the sun steadily heats up for its settlement we are feeling quite confident that we will be ready!

Until the next time.

C&J Active

(Your everyday fitness friends)