It had been a long time coming but finally I found myself with 20+ other Personal Trainer wannabes undertaking a weekend of learning on how to put together a training programme for potential clients. It is now two years since I made the decision to take this path and what should have taken a few months has taken considerably longer.

But here I was. As per usual I was the oldest in the group by at least 15 years. But what was more difficult was joining an established group. They had been together since mid April  doing their gym instructor course so it was a little daunting. But one of the benefits of age is that these situations concern you less so you just get on with it. And they were a friendly lot. At the end of the weekend my Facebook benefited from 3 lovely additions.

I didn’t have time to get to know many of my fellow students but what struck me most was how altruistic many of them were. They were in it to help people. Just as well really as you are unlikely to get rich as a PT apart from the occasional PT to the stars. I like to think I also fit into the same category (altruistic not PT to the stars). I want to be able to get men and women of a certain age to feel as good as I do. To experience that buzz that you only get after a good training session. I like to think that I started my career as a nurse looking after ill  people but will end it helping them to stay well.

So the PT training is on course. I can’t say the same about my own body challenge. My weight loss is trickling at best. I am following a low carb nutrition plan. This is a way of eating that I really got into before my open heart surgery. Lots of vegetables, protein, good fats and water. But it is a way of eating that requires planning. It is very difficult to find a low carb lunch in Starbucks, Pret a Manger etc. and as for working lunches! You have never seen so much bread. I may have to claim a gluten sensitivity.

My own PT tells me that a 80/20 approach is fine. As long as I stick to the plan 80% of the time I can afford to indulge for the remaining 20% of the time. But I think I must be more of a 90/10 person as I am sure that I am following the plan for 80% of my day.

On the positive side I got another personal best at Parkrun. I can now run 5k in 34.08. And

my  bench press is now 35kg. I am not sure which I am more proud of. This time last year running was so difficult. Within a few minutes I would be experiencing discomfort and light-headedness and would have to stop. Now I can run for 30 minutes without stopping. Last year I could bench press 37.5kg but I have had my chest cracked open since then. 40kg here I come.

Finally, another milestone. It occurred to me on my commute home on Friday that I hadn’t given my surgery a thought all day. For weeks after having open heart  surgery I thought of nothing else. There was so much to worry about. Slowly I started thinking of other things but it was never far from my mind. But slowly the  gap became wider and wider. It can be a difficult path to tread. Sorry about the analogy but I will continue to use it. When you first start out on it family, friends and colleagues walk with you. But after a while they leave the path as they see you as ‘recovered’. But I will need to stay on the path as the repercussions of the surgery will stay with me for ever (the medication and the ticking). It is my path and my path alone but believe me the view is incredible.