So yesterday, I rang up the Doctors to be told that one of my bloods came back abnormal, so I'd have to make another appointment to find out what was wrong.
Naturally, I was worried so I wanted an appointment as soon as and luckily I managed to get one!
So I went back in, and the Doctor basically thinks I could have Glandular fever. This was actually a relief, because I thought it was going to be something to do with my Iron levels; Anaemia.
Therefore, I have to go back Wednesday and have another blood test to confirm this diagnosis.
In all honesty though, I've been really fed up lately. With everything. I've been so tired lately because of this, and my work is getting neglected, gym is getting neglected.
Oh yeah, whilst on the topic of gym- I have also been advised to leave the gym until I'm fully recovered. Gutted to be honest. 

Sorry I never got back to yesterday, Matt came around and it just completely slipped my mind.
I had my bloods took; I was amazed at how little time it took for 2 syringes to be filled! I have been told to ring up today or tomorrow to find out the results, so I will try this afternoon.
I'm leaving in half an hour to hit gym, it's going to be weird only working on my arms and upper half once a week but in all honesty; I could do with the extra time for uni work.
Whilst on the subject of uni work, I have decided I am going to visit a gym with my camera and lighting equipment, to take portraits of people at the gym for my 'Identity' project. I think this could turn out to be an interesting topic, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous!
I am also going to do a self-portrait shoot which will emphasize how I feel when I'm not attending the gym or cutting down, and the effects it has on me as a person.
I have so much work to do, but all I can think about is the Easter Holidays...

I'm leaving in five to get my bloods taken! Then I'm going gym.
I'm not going to over do it, but at least I can say I've been and deep down I know I've worked out.
I have decided I will go tomorrow and Friday too, but as of next week it's going to be three days a week.
I think it's for the best, and it will give my muscles more time to repair, instead of going day after day.
I will let you know how all goes later.

I'm feeling a bit crap again lately; I'm always tired and I'm getting a lot of headaches. So unfortunately, I'll be missing today's leg session, because I'll be at the doctors instead to find out what's going on.
However, I may do some light exercises at home; depends how I'm feeling...
7.19pm- So, I attended the docs at 3pm today, and I have to have my bloods tested tomorrow morning at 11.40am. They said I'll hopefully get the results back Thurs/Fri, I just want to know that I'm okay.
The doctor did advise me to maybe cut down the days I attend the gym; so instead of going 4 times per week, cut down to 3 instead. I think maybe he is right; I need a one day break in between, so instead of going Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri, I'll go Mon, Wed and Fri.
I felt really guilty today for not going, and I'm most likely going to feel guilty when I cut it down... This is something I'm going to have to face; because I value my health more. 

Today's session was different to say the least.
I saw Dan was working (PT), and asked if he could spot me whilst I was on the squat rack. Unfortunately, somebody was already using it, so he suggested the smith machine. I didn't really want to use this, because focusing on balance is something that I am use to doing whilst squatting; and this is something you don't need to do on a smith machine- The weight is fixed into the machine, and therefore if you were to drop it; it wouldn't really matter because it wouldn't be going anywhere. However, I'm glad I have tried it because it is always something I can do if another weight is in use.
This is an example:

Whereas I prefer this:

As well as trying something new, I also met a girl who wanted to do the same thing as me, so we took our sets in turns and ended up doing our whole workout together.
It was good, because she was trying to push into doing more, but at the same time I didn't want to over do it; I'd rather just push myself.
It was also more time consuming, as I had to wait for her to do her sets; because I like to get on and do my own workout routine I found this slightly frustrating.
I also got complimented at the gym today! Although, that was pretty weird... But that's another story! 

As you know, I'm currently in my second year at university and today I had to present my presentation to my class and two lecturers. I was quite nervous; feeling sick and a banging headache wasn't my plan before I was about to present, but there you go. I did it anyway, and it's a massive weight that's been lifted! Very relieved :)
Feeling like this, I didn't want to face the gym. I did. But I didn't want to.
I had a standard workout, didn't beat any PR's and I didn't over exert myself on the treadmill. I've just been feeling very tired lately, and no matter how much sleep I get I still feel the same. Sucks, but hopefully this will pass.
Tomorrow, I'm back to doing legs; but my legs are still aching from Tuesday's session! This time, I'm going to move from the free weights that I do in my usual section, and go into the other section where I can achieve heavier weights on the squat rack or the smith machine- I'll let you know how I get on.
For now, stay motivated people! Ciao.

I'm surprisingly not aching as much as I thought I would be from yesterday's workout session!
It hurts slightly to walk up the stairs but that's it really!
Becky's arms are really aching today from training her up yesterday; no pain, no gain!
I really enjoyed working with Becky; I could tell that she has a good upper body strength and I knew that she was more than capable of doing bicep curls with me, so I pushed her into doing 8kg in each hand and she did better than me! I could happily enjoy working as a personal trainer in all honesty; Becky felt good after her workout yesterday, and I liked seeing this.
We then went home, and cooked ourselves a well deserved protein meal which consisted of smoked haddock in a sauce, with vegetables (carrots and fine beans) and medium baked potatoes- So good!

As you're probably aware, I have a lot of university projects to be getting on with meaning I'm so busy, and time is becoming of the essence. I haven't missed one gym session since I've started; but there's a chance today I could.
I have a presentation to prepare for tomorrow, so I'm trying to perfect that.
Apologies in advance if I don't post. X

Today was pretty awesome- I actually feel better!
I've been staying at my friend Becky's, and she kindly offered to do a shoot with me at her gym (puregym south: Wolverhampton).
Doing this, I met another personal trainer and he kicked things off for me when he helped with the squat rack.
It was the first time I was trying something new for my squats, and usually I only lift 25kg; this time he pushed me into doing 40kg, and I did it! 3 sets of 10 reps- with Becky standing directly in front of me taking photos. So I'm feeling really determined now to carry on!
A part of me really wants to join this gym, and cancel my other membership at my gym in Birmingham, but I couldn't see myself travelling all the way to Wolverhampton just to go the gym...
Here's a few images from today!

Today's workout was exhausting.
Again, nothing has changed. I'm still feeling like shit.
It was the same leg routine, but it took me everything to carry on.
However, I did make progress with my seated calf raises; instead of using two legs which is what I would usually do, I was using one.
With two legs I can lift 83kg, and with one leg I can lift 79kg; I don't think this is bad at all. From doing this, I did find out that my right leg is the weakest.

I have noticed within my images, that I tend to hide my face; this is because I still don't feel completely confident enough to show it. This could change when I see enough progress has been made...

Again, I'm still feeling the same way I have been this last week.
It's really starting to aggravate me, because I don't want to feel tired all of the time.
So today was the same as yesterday, except I did up my weight; and I surprisingly felt better for it!
I did my tricep extensions with 8kg; 3 sets of 10 reps and I did my bicep curls with 6kg- again 3 sets of 10 reps. I may start upping my reps, once I feel like I can do more; I want to push myself, but not to the point where I'm over doing it, and my form is shit.
I have seen a slight difference in my arms, not massive; but there's slightly more curve between the bicep and where the shoulder starts...

I think it's a good idea that I'm recording my progress, so I can keep looking back and comparing!

This week is testing me.
I've been feeling awful; fatigued, headaches and blah hormonal.
I found it hard trying to get myself motivated today for the gym, but as soon as I got there I just cracked on with it.
It's got to the point where I'm not doing as much cardio now as I was before, I'd usually do 25 mins at the end of each workout, and now I'm just doing 10 mins. Whether this is because I found out that weight lifting burns fat anyway, or whether I'm just feeling too tired, I'm not sure. Maybe a bit of both.
I do hope that this fatigued feeling passes soon, because I'm feeling really fed up with it.
As you know, I worked on my arms and back today. I did my usual, and then went upstairs to do my tricep extensions (6kg- I may try 8kg tomorrow) and bicep curls (4kg- I may try 6kg tomorrow), I didn't feel enough burn; and that's how I know I need to up my weight- It's just having the energy to do it!

So I changed my routine around a bit today. I fancied a change, and wanted to do something that was going to challenge me more- It did.
Instead of doing dumbell lunges, I decided to incorporate my lunges with my squats. By this, I mean I took the 25kg barbell, did 12 reps of normal squats, 12 reps of sumo squats, 12 reps of legs together squats (I don't know what you call them) and 12 reps of lunges. I did 3 sets of these.
A challenge; but I enjoyed it! Made a change to what I've been doing for weeks.
I then carried on with my other leg exercises that I usually do, along with 15 minutes on the treadmill.
I've learnt that it's all about finding the right balance; and once you get it things will work great. Every now again, that balance may become uneven, and that's when you need to reset it.

Friday was then followed by this weekend of myself not feeling very well.
Since then, I have been getting at least 2 headaches a day, with sharp pains in the sides of my head and eye sockets. It's awful.
However, I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow morning for leg day!
I missed doing my dead lifts Friday because of how unwell I felt, but tomorrow I'm hoping to do my usual 4 sets of 30kg and it's going to be even more successful this time because my boyfriend Matt kindly gave me some work out gloves that will stop my hands from slipping and stop the callouses from forming even more.

- I didn't get to do my deadlifts in the end, because the particular barbell I use was missing; how annoying!
However, the work out gloves Matt gave me helped with other weights!