January In Review:
The Stepping Stone Towards An Exciting and Prosperous 2014
Kick starting the year as I mean to go on.
Our Christmas was great – I trust yours was too. As much as I love time off with the boys, Jules and our close family, it’s January that really gets me excited.
A new year – a whole 52 weeks to strategically design, implement and follow my M.A.P through to the end, set whole new standards by making sure I capitalise on all my stronger areas while developing my weaknesses and keeping any threats at arms distance.
This year, I have a whole new approach. Based on my goals and the specific outcomes I aim to achieve, I have amended my diary, brought new coaches and advisers on board and fully committed to a whole new routine . I am 21 days in and there have been some teething problems but we are going in the right direction and definitely on the right road.
First of all, I dialled my diet right in. I removed wheat, gluten, dairy and alcohol (been sober for 21 days – this is a key area) and drastically reduced my sugar intake. My food diary for the last 21 days is here for anyone interested in what I am doing and how I organise it. I am at present trying to settle into a new eating regime designed by my coach Pablo to ensure I am eating the right volume of foods on a daily basis and we will have that foundation set in no time I am sure. There is an example of a weeks’ eating and my shopping list here. I have also been uploading photos of my food to an album on Facebook, named ‘Clean & Lean In 2014’ and will continue to do so. You can take a look at this album here.
There are no “treat” foods and all meals have a complete total nutritional value. This takes up a great deal of time (at the moment) but I am sure in a few weeks, the dust will settle and it will become the norm.
When I came back to the gym, I did the new DMC ailments test. During late Nov into Dec and at the start of January, I made the conscious decision to relax the rules around food and booze and have some end of year fun. It was great and I did all the things I don’t normally do in excess (true Davie fashion) and I paid the price. Here are the results of the ailments test. I was suffering from the following.
Stomach ache
Flatulence
Poor digestion
Loose stools
Smelly jobbies
Tiredness
Tendency to bruise easily
Irritation
Anxiety
Bad breath
Body odour
Diahorrea
Constipation
Gas
Flatulence
Abdominal bloating
Swelling
Water retention
Sluggishness
Sugar cravings
Weight gain
Joint pain
Mood swings
Binge eating
Dehydration
Wake up tired
Lack of energy
Loss of libido
Close don’t fit
No mojo or buzz for life
Flat, grumpy and slumpy
All of these are the direct cause of consumption of processed foods and the components of gluten, wheat, dairy, alcohol and sugar. It’s no joke but at least I recognise them, can diagnose them and ultimately repair them.
I am glad to say all but some have already been eradicated and I will do the full test again once 30, 60, 90 and 120 days are complete.
Overall, I gained a fair bit of weight (a couple of stones) and this will take the longest to remove. My main goal of a completely lean, toned and more muscular physique has a 40 month time line right in line with my 40th birthday celebrations.
I wanted to share this story with you so that you can see that firstly I am a real person, not a robot and that we all make bad choices at times that have a negative effect on us and can lead us off the path to success.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the mistakes you made in the past – it’s about the corrections you make now – today – and everyday going forward. During this journey, I will share how I intend to improve each area of my life and what challenges I face along the way.
My main overall goal this year is to be completely healthy in all it’s entirety. This will lead me to be happy, toxic-free and a stronger version of me than last year. This new improved approach will lead me to healthier, happier relationships with myself, those around me and be the vehicle that will allow me to accomplish my goals and realise my dreams.
To greater health, happiness & “Strength for Life”
Davie
Davie McConnachie
Davie McConnachie is Scotland’s leading health and wellness coach, multi-award-winning gym owner, motivational speaker, and the founder of DMC Fitness, a fitness education facility known as the premier choice for 1-2-1 personal training. He has inspired thousands of people to fall in love with fitness – his true mission in life.
In his own fitness journey, Davie has athletically competed in Mixed Martial Arts fighting for Scottish and British titles, boxed for Scotland’s top amateur boxing team, and competed internationally in Girevoy (kettlebell) Sport.
Diving into the world of sports and wellness has helped Davie to deal with his own inner demons. He. overcame many dark times using his own unique method to complete his cycle of H.E.A.L.I.N.G.