I Needed That

I needed that session in the gym today—really needed it.

The last proper one I did was Friday. It was a big 10K row, and honestly, I overdid it. Afterwards, I ate loads of stuff I shouldn’t have—salty carbs, bread, potatoes. The works. Friday night, I didn’t sleep well. Saturday I was wiped out. I went for a walk, then actually crawled back into bed. Sunday was a good family day, with more walking, and Monday I went out on the bike—46km, and that felt great. Dialled in. Strong. Power was coming back.

Tuesday was quiet—no formal exercise, just walking around town with my son. We had lunch together, and I loved that.

But by Tuesday night, the voices were back.

“It’s over.”
“That’s the end of your streak.”
“Go and eat. You’re feeling sorry for yourself—go on, eat more.”

And this morning, first thing in my head:
“Don’t worry about the gym. Take the day off. You don’t need it.”

But I did. I really did.

I asked ChatGPT for a mental health reset row, and it gave me just what I needed:
30 minutes steady, with three controlled pushes at the end. No heroics, just structure. Just movement. And now, after the session?
I feel great. Clear. Calm. More like myself.

Yes, there’s still a hint of impostor syndrome. Still a flicker of guilt for not being at my desk first thing. But honestly? I’d have been useless if I had gone in without that session. My head was all over the place. Now it’s back together.

I’m also realising something really important:
Three or four days without movement is too much for me.
Physically, mentally, emotionally—it’s just too long. I need the rhythm. I need the space. I need the anchor.

And the real breakthrough?

I chose to do something about it.
I didn’t ignore it. I didn’t hide. I didn’t roll over and disappear under the duvet.
I noticed it, I owned it, and I moved.

That’s the difference now. And that’s the work.

This is the Sub-7 Experiment