Alright troops this is my current status
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This speaks to that whole “willpower is a finite resource” concept. In your 20s, what obligations did you have? Compared to now, a professional, husband and parent, you’re using up that willpower for truly important things: you can’t go squandering it on M&Ms.
@ChongLordUno looking dangerous my dude! Excellent to see you overcoming those injuries.
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@doogie @BethB @Lonnie123 @antiquity
Oh don’t get me wrong I could get fatter if I just ate all the wrong foods. When I talk about adding weight I am primarily takin about adding muscle. I have always been someone who needed to treat eating as a second job when it came to to trying to gain. Back in my youth I used to wake in the middle of the night and eat to get more calories in.
I think I will up the protein and fats a little for whirl and see what difference that makes. Time to get on the full cream milk
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I think I might have to bow out. I’ve broken my foot playing rugby yesterday so will be off it for a while.
Really gutted. Think that’s my rugby days over.
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Sorry to hear that, on all fronts. 
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Well that stinks. I hope the break isn’t too bad and can heal up quickly.
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@rugby_lifting - Oh man! I’m really sorry to hear that, mate.
I was no superstar, but I broke my ankle during a rugby match in college: it required surgery, rehab, the whole 9 yards. I tried to come back the following season, but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore—and you can’t be hesitant on the pitch, that’s just asking for more trouble.
All that to say that I hope you bounce back stronger than ever and that it’s just a temporary setback and not “rugby days over.”
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Uninvited positive advice (feel free to ignore), but I wouldn’t say you need to bow out, just pivot (metaphorically, pivoting on a broken ankle probably isn’t advisable).
Full machine/cable program upper focused with any leg work you can manage, plus a focus on fat loss? (Easier without the rugby drinks!)
Sorry to hear about the injury though, it definitely sucks particularly as I’d guess rugby is a good outlet for you with all your life stresses, be sure to make sure you find other good outlets to replace it.
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That sucks man. I remember tearing my ACL and knowing that was it for playing. Tough feeling. Sorry to hear it.
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Maybe it was a little bit of an overreaction. I can’t drive at the moment so can’t get to the gym but im hoping I might be able to drive next week (I’ve got an automatic so will make life a little easier). But right now it’s agony to stand up let alone but any pressure on a pedal so will rest this week and then reassess then.
Thank you all for the kind words. I know it’s stupid but a lot of my identity has been wrapped up in being a rugby player and the thought of stopping is almost like an identity crisis.
Considering I’ve kept everything today at of my life it’s felt like I’ve taken a hit after hit these past few years. But I’ve got such a lovely family, a good job and my health. I shouldn’t be complaining. Probably the lack of sleep and copious amounts of painkillers making me emotional.
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It happens. It’s easy to freak out a bit when something throws you off of a plan you’ve been working towards and it’s even worse when you feel like something might be coming to an end.
It’s wonderful that you can recognize the blessings in your life. Sometimes it can be hard to see beyond the bad.
I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.
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Respectfully, you ain’t dead.
There is no spoon 
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I hate to see the injury but I just posted about my setbacks in the new thread about injuries and getting old.
You might have a busted wheel, but you have three good limbs remaining. And you might get back to rugby if you heal correctly and do what you can to protect yourself. I broke my ankle playing basketball almost 13 years ago today (it was right after my daughter was born and I was useless helping with a newborn). I’ve just started playing somewhat regularly again and I’m 41 years old. My ankle is holding up okay. I know rugby is a bit rougher, but I think you could get that foot back to playing shape.
Getting back to taking a hit might be a different battle, though…
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I’m wondering if I can get to the gym whether to change from a fat loss phase to a muscle gain focusing on beach muscles?
Reason being I can’t train legs really so can plough the extra volume on upper. I’m also not moving much at all so will have to cut even further if I was still cutting but with a muscle gain phase can use those extra calories.
I still want to get leaner and am happy with the results I’ve had so far but thinking the best use of the month of me being off my feet would be an upper muscle gain compared to a harder slog on more fat loss when I’m not very mobile and can’t cardio nor do any leg work.
Or is a month of muscle gain just wasted really and I should carry on with fat loss.
Thoughts?
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In reference to this contest specifically, I think A single month spent on muscle gain for a visually judged contest would almost certainly be better spent on fat loss at this point. 4-8lbs of fat loss will do much more than however many grams of muscle you gain in a month this late into your training career
That’s if you care about winning this particular contest and think you have a shot at it
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I don’t think workouts use up as many calories as we’d like to think, and you’re not going to see a giant derailment. Maybe you end up with a magical world of pushing some beach muscle gain while continuing your fat loss journey.
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Sorry to hear that mate. Is there any option for you to still train some upper body movements ? 3 months of arms and shoulders only and you will be a beast.
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Weight belt a little tighter post eating the kiddo’s easter eggs.
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The only issue is getting to the gym as it’s my right foot I’ve broken so can’t drive to the gym (although I’m tempted to try today).
I saw a physio yesterday and she was hoping to get me out the boot in just over two weeks so I’ll be happier if that’s the case.
Will continue with fat loss in mind using a beach body split and see what happens if I can drive myself to the gym.
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First race of the season in the books. 30k/18 miles, 2700ft elevation gain in a little over 4 hours.
It was more of a supported long run and nutrition practice than “racing”. Which is my excuse for how slow my pace was.
Either way, I had an absolute blast. It was so fun to be back in the race environment. The buzz of excitement and tension. Being around other people who pay to suffer. New dirt to explore. Itching for the next.
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