I was with a boxing gym up until 2 years ago & was gunna go amateur but the problem was that in Belfast there is so much competition it would take years to win any medals or anything especially having started it at a late age.

I didn't have the sort of time available needed to dedicate to it so I conceded.

There is another gym im interested in that has the biggest boxing suite in Belfast & I still want to train in boxing.

But first it's gotta be hard cardio, to shred the beer gut.

So I figured out that I've been wasting my time doing 400 reps at a comfortable weight over 10/11 machines, thanks to my mate.

Now I'm gunna do it properly: chest & arm day - back & triceps day - shoulder & leg day.

Did the first one earlier. Pec deck for 10 to failure of the heaviest I can do. I put it on 50kg & did about 15.

Then bicep curl machine at 50kg for about 15. Then chest press for about 15/20 in two goes.

Also doing it at 5 seconds push out, 5 seconds bringing it back (or thereabouts).

Although there is a lot less lifting than before it feels much better lifting heavy. Before I did 400 at comfortable & could have done double even treble. But what's the fucking point in that? None.

Also made the change of doing weights first then cardio to try it out for a bit.

I can't wait to next week I'm gunna go to the gym in the morning before work to see how it goes.

Taking 2 scoops of pre-workout now.


Also.... Gym game!? Any tips on pulling the hot chicks at the gym?

There are some absolute beauties there

I've been in my new main job for over 7 months now. It's great I like it, & it's my first ever office job.

There's a couple of things I don't like though. The main one is that it went from a customer service job to a sales focused job in that time.

We have been given incentives as in the more we sell the more we earn, which when looking at it that way is good because we take home more dollars each month.

However the targets are being raised each month. This month we need to sell 24 units before we earn commission. I have the feeling next month will be the original minimum of 30.

I get that business is business. And yes it is a big electricity company who won't be going out of business any time soon. But I just don't like the feeling of being a cog in a system that is all about profit.

To be fair, it is a decent place with decent enough people & we have a laugh too (although every time they recruit it is 90/95% male, which I dislike immensely).

But this getting sales carry-on does not sit well with me. Amongst a few other aspects I don't like.

I am a volunteer counsellor to children & young people over the phone & live chat. That job means more to me than this paid job I'm talking about. I regularly compare the job I do voluntarily to this profit chasing job I do 9-5 & the comparison is night & day. I would do the counselling job full time over it at a moments notice but it's not available at the minute.

After 6 months in my new job I got a review & my "probation" was extended by 3 months to see if I pick up sales. It wasn't a confrontation type review I was praised for every thing I've done & it was positive, & I have picked it up since. But I do not feel like I want to be a part of a big corporation anymore.

Anyone here been in sales or in my position that has experienced a similar career crossroads?


As a side note: I am being offered a medical trial (they are really desperate) for a metabolism thing wher they are paying nearly £4000 for 20 nights. I really want to do it & am asking the trial place to give me letter I can show my boss that I've been asked to do a trial for medical purposes & for the fact I have a poor metabolism (which is why I've been asked.

Or I could quit my job do the trial & then find another job haha.


Feeling a bit unsure what to do

All new jobs get old - 6 months in 'most' people are bored, looking around, planning a move etc
Simplistically jobs now are basically split in 2:
Public sector - you're paid for 'in theory' helping folk
Private - you are directly/indirectly selling stuff to someone

Private sector jobs are on a scale of selling :
SALES - MARKETING - BACK OFFICE FUNCTIONS IT/CUSTOMER SERVICE/HR etc.
Mission creep in the last 20/30 years has seen sales start to creep into the roles that were on the far side of sales- this is why you're now a customer service/sales rep and also why your barista now asks if you want a coconut maccaroon with your chai latte? - it's not because they think it works well as a flavour combo.

Know yourself.
Sounds like you've already figured out what floats your boat.

Public sector/helping roles used to pay less than private.
Zero hours contracts/public sector investment to keep economy afloat etc. have redressed the balance a bit.

Voluntary work has got real popular because the organisations can't afford staff, and they know the 'pay' (because no one acts truly altruistically) is providing some of the 'helping people' vibe that private jobs don't.

Would you be happier having less pay/leisure time choices but enjoying your job more?
How wedded to your sense of self is the job you do?

Actually on reflection yes - fair point!

Do you mind me asking where the medical trial is?

Celerion

There's another place called Biokinetic as well

Go on their websites & see if you're eligible for any trials

They're a piece of piss yet pay decent lump sums of dollas

I picked up those sales significantly & continually increased over the 3 months.

Today I passed probation & secured a permanent job with the company.

Myself & my boss then had a short discussion about my progression upwards & where I want to go.

So now I have full entitlement to apply for other available jobs in the company that I fit the criteria for.

I'm excited to see what happens.

Passed the driving test this morning. My second attempt.

Quite pleased about this & can't wait to have my own sexy white Audi S-Line.

Bought my first car yesterday. A little black Corsa.

Looking forward to seeing what changes happen in my life now I'm driving.

Also looking forward to christening the car - never had sex in a car. Which I am amazed has not actually happened in my life, cos I'm 31 now.