per·sist [per-sist]

verb (used without object)
1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.
2. to last or endure tenaciously

This one is for Mike and Glenn, you’re both brilliant and I love you to bits

Hello Again Readers

This post started out as a follow up to last week’s and, inadvertently also looked like becoming a sister post to one I wrote a little while ago entitled ‘Relaxation – Walking The Walk’ but it’s taken me so long to write it that I’ve lost a bit of momentum now so I’m not exactly sure how this will turn out It’s also now a follow up to the week before last week’s, as it’s now two weeks since I last posted anything

Incidentally I’m very pleased with how my blog is evolving, my posts are weaving together so satisfyingly, what with sister posts and accidental trilogies that it puts me in mind of a piece of Celtic knot work I’ve found a nice picture for you in case you’ve no idea what I’m on about here

It’s Sunday afternoon now and I’ve taken myself out to The Roseleaf This is still my favourite pub in Edinburgh – I know I’ve mentioned this before but it’s so great it’s well worthy of repetition If you haven’t visited it you most definitely should You should also eat here as the food is consistently marvellous I’ve just ordered one of today’s specials – Breakfast Pie How good does that sound? I’m enjoying a bottle of BrewDog Punk IPA while I await it’s arrival If you like very hoppy IPA, which I obviously do then this is an excellent choice of beverage

On a related note I’d also recommend visiting the BrewDog pub on the Cowgate This is a craft beer wonderland I just looked online for the exact location and found that their own description is a little more poetic than mine – ‘glimmering craft beer oasis in the heart of the city’s historic old town’ but it was penned by a professional The Punk IPA is available on draft here and it’s even better than from a bottle

Athleat Free Range Chicken Breast

While I’m talking of food I would also strongly recommend Athleat. This is a more traditional recommendation for the blog of a personal trainer as this splendid company supply first rate meat with athletes in mind. Having performed extensive taste tests I can now personally recommend the free range chicken breasts, the grass fed mince beef and the grass fed fillet steak I shall be living on this stuff for the foreseeable future

Athleat Grass Fed Beef Fillet Steak

Back at The Roseleaf I’ve just ordered a second bottle of IPA and chosen a dessert I’ve gone for ‘Bonnie Banoffee’ which is ‘a super chilled banoffee and ricotta cheese cake with a hobnob base, layers of banana, toffee and cream served with hot butterscotch sauce’ I’ll try to control my excitement when it arrives and take a picture for you I was going to do this with my Breakfast Pie but my delight overwhelmed me and I ate it It was lovely

They’ve run out of ‘Bonnie Banoffee but undeterred from my quest to eat a lot today I’ve ordered a ‘Nutella Fella’ instead. This is a ‘Gooey, sticky dark chocolate and toasted hazelnut sponge with steamy milk choccy sauce, Scottish vanilla icecream and crunchy caramelised hazelnuts’. Sounds good, looks good – I got the pic – and tastes great

Nutella Fella

While this post has admittedly deviated somewhat from my original plan in keeping with the evolving tapestry of my posts – how poetic is that? – it’s entirely appropriate How so? Well I’m still resculpting my physique. Today is my last heavy eating day of my current building block. I’ve hit a steady 205lb, peaking at 208.8lb last weekend and it’s time to drop my calories back to a more manageable level for the next 8 – 12 weeks now. I’m going to settle down to a comfortable 3500 on training days and 3000 on off days now

This project is taking longer than I’d originally planned but I’m loving the journey so I’m not concerned I’m having the time of my life, seriously How many of you can say that? If you can’t then find something that matters, something that delights you, that challenges you, something that’s worth dying for – then persist

On this note I’m going to drink my 4th bottle of IPA and go to Tesco for pizza and ice cream – persistence remember, persistence