love the honesty and approach. comforting to see someone else riding the roller coaster other than me.

Mark. I really appreciate this. Over the past 3 years, I have had my times where I wasn't interested in training. But, I realized that it's part of the up and downs of fitness life. You really put it into perspective for me, and it's nice to know it's not just me. My last period of inactivity was ubrubtly ended when my 5 year old boy asked me " daddy, when are you going to get your muscles back?" That is all it took to turn the switch. Love your channel, Cheers from Boston U.S.A....

@MarkLewisfitness

2 жыл бұрын

"daddy, when are you going to get your muscles back" now THAT is a motivational quote to write on the wall of your gym!!!!!

@clintanthony1779

2 жыл бұрын

Mate I'm hearing ya. My kids think I'm superman but lately I feel like im Clark Kent.

@accidentalactivist9633

2 жыл бұрын

@@MarkLewisfitness Or alternatively just don't have kids. Good to see you're human after all ;)

@franciscomoren0

Жыл бұрын

Your boy is an accomplished motivational coach !!! ...and, only 5 y-o cheers.

Of all the videos you do, the theme of struggling with your addictions and trying to get back on track is what I find most inspiring, mostly because I find myself in the same situation every now and then. Your being open and honest about this, rather than trying to pretend it’s all sunlight and roses, makes me realise I’m not alone and gives me hope. Thanks Mark.

Amazing! Even more proof Mark is human and a brilliantly honest man! Love the roller coaster journey Mark. I'll be watching the pain and the glory.💪

I love that you also show these things. Instead of going "everything is fantastic, always" this inspires more.

I've been off my wagon since end of 2020 - Went from 90kg to 120kg. So far down 15 but I keep trying to push myself too hard, too fast and trying to push through training while cutting massive amounts of calories/skipping meals. I went from being on my wagon to being dragged behind it, then pushing through to pulling the wagon and then ran over by the wagon when I crash...

Your ability to engage in Self deprecation humour is so refreshing. You say EXACTLY what we all say to ourselves when we get out of shape. Bloody awesome video Mark.

Mark, I was dialed in on my fitness and eating in the run up to a big cycling sportif I had. I was feeling absolutely fantastic. I was leaner than I had been in over a year (not exactly where I wanted to be but happy and proud of my progress), faster than I had ever been and felt empowered and in control. After that it's been a rapid decline in diet and work. I haven't even been on the trainer since then and have felt absolutely rubbish. Back pain, knee pains, low mood, even depressed. It's so easy to beat yourself up and I have been doing that for sure, but watching you for a year or two and thinking you had it completely sorted, it's really heartening to see that we're all pretty similar in many ways. You've given me a bit of heart and hopefully I'll be back on the bike in no time. Peace ✌️

I had a minor surgery, got a cold and then a few things on my plate over about 6 weeks. I put on about 5kg. Woke up and decided one day it was the day to start again. I knew I wasn't alone and seeing the community here really shows me that its just about trying again until you 'succeed'. Cheers from Australia.

This is exactly why I love your channel Mark. Honesty, humour and realism. Needed this video today!

I just discovered your channel and you’re so relatable. Thanks for posting!

Thank you so much for making this video. Transparency like this and real life advice for people with all kinds of different goals is so needed! I really appreciate it.

Love the transparency and honesty Mark, you're an inspiring guy

Great video Mark! Please keep making these videos as they inspire many including myself to keep pushing even when we stumble.

These videos are so down to earth and genuine, really refreshing and enjoyable to watch and a nice change from the fitness robots that plague social media. Getting back on track after a bad day is one of the hardest things to do, but also the most important as consistency is king! I always have to remind myself that 30 days of 5/10 gym sessions or runs is a lot better than 1 week of 9/10 sessions!

I really appreciate the honesty and transparency. You’ve been a really big inspiration for me in my current training. Seeing everyone/anyone deals with this stuff is really helpful for not beating myself or convincing myself I can’t do it.

JUST what I needed to hear!! THANK you

I love the honesty of your video and to me this was the nail in the coffin showing that what you show on KZread is NOT just an act for views like it is often seen on KZread. Looking forward to following your fitness journey. - A much younger subscriber who likes watching a middle-aged man that is more fit than I could dream of!

Thanks Mark, truly inspiring. Had a set back last year, and every day of not getting back at it, felt like 1000 steps backwards. Since the beginning of the year, getting there again, but my weight is still not where it should be. So good to know that I am not alone ! Pretty sure that, just to keep on keeping on, and smiling as much as possible, is the best journey I can be one. Keep the videos coming, they are the highlight of the week !

Coming from a cycling background and racing to a high level, you can’t keep on it all the time. Burnout occurs, both psychologically and physiologically. A cycle of build and taper is always needed together with planned m periods of reduced intensity. Maybe your expectations are too high in terms of trying to be top end all the time?

Needed this video this week. Great content, as always.

Good one Mark, solid and thoughtful advice. I needed this for some inspiration for accelerating my training 😎

One of my few “must watch” subscriptions. Love your vids and message.

Thank you Mark! Great video and really reassuring that we all struggle with the same sorts of bumps in the road.

Thanks Mark, I really needed to hear this. Right now!

Great video Mark, I have watched 1000's of fitness videos on YT, but have to say that yours is now the only channel I watch. I am now 57 and am trying to get back into proper shape (within the limits of my dodgy knees) I am going to get back onto my C2 Rower and Bikeerg, which have pretty much sat unused for 9 months, and your videos have motivated me to do that. Thanks :)

Oh Mark! It’s sooo good to see this video, I’m also 48, and I feel like you are talking to me. The similarities are astounding. Thank you for your effort and time you put in these videos. You’re an inspiration through your honesty.

Fantastic post, Mark. Nailed the reality that most of us live. Lost motivation is the hardest thing to 'solve'. Thank you for demonstrating a positive approach rather than the self-flagellation that most experience. Cheers. :)

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Let myself go since the beginning of this year but have been back to work the past few weeks and this has made me feel better about the situation and motivated me to keep at it!

Love the honesty Mark. This is familiar territory for me. Train, get fit, get injured (or Covid!) or life gets too busy, lose motivation and fitness , start again. Have been doing this for years. Good to know I’m not the only one! Your comment on the upper and lower acceptable limits is spot on.

Found your channel recently…. Terrific content mate 👍 the combination of insightful experience, wit and engaging delivery is fantastic! Keep it up !

Needed this today! Thanks!

This was exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks Mark :)

Totally agree on your point about being ready when you’re ready. Plenty of times I’ve fallen off the wagon for few weeks or a month (sometimes longer) but you always find the motivation to get back to it and grind it out. Great content as always 👍

You're a really awesome guy Mark. Keep up the fantastic work, you are an inspiration.

love your honesty and transparency Mark....don't stop, can't stop, won't stop - that's all that matters....keep striving, amirite?

Hi Mark, as an older bloke, and just recently 'got back o the wagon' I can totally sympathise with your struggle. I'm just the same when it comes to that 'click' moment that turns the thought of training from "meh", to "let's go", unfortunately I can go for months/years between them. Now I'm in the gym 6 days a week for an hour and slowly building up my "fat, fat" body into something that stops aching and creaking at the slightest exercise. My only worry in the back of my head is that I will lose that 'spark' again, but your vid's and advice are really good to keep the motivation up. Its great to hear your honest report of the way you can 'fall of the wagon', its so easy to trip up in your thinking, it reminds me of the old alcoholic delusion of "just one won't hurt" as far as 'cheat days' go. Its almost as if our minds are always looking for an opportunity to trip us up. There must be some solid psychological explanation for this, poor self esteem?, lack of peer support?, early influences/life experiences?, who knows, but it would be good to understand this and have strategies to counter it.

Love and appreciate the honesty. Keep being awesome 🤘

Thx again Mark! What a hope(help)ful message!

Well said Mark. I've found that since breaking my year up into "on" and "off" seasons (I'm a mid forties above average runner), I've felt and performed better overall. If nothing else the feeling of improvement and and making gains totally makes up for the feeling of losing them, and certainly feels more motivating than a plateau. Thanks for all your videos, my wife loves them too

This is why I watch your videos, thanks for keeping it real 👍🏻

My intuition told me “Eat lots, don’t bother training.” Haha. Another great video with honesty throughout!

Get back on it Mark! Love your videos, really great stuff

What an amazing video! Thanks for sharing! Truly (realistic) inspirational. Greetings from Barcelona!

Great Vid Mark - very relatable with me, keep up the vids!

Dropped an absolute stack of weight, spent about 18 months alternating between pretty clean and sporadically well and truly falling off the wagon and rolling around in burgers, pizza's, curries etc etc… Now on my fifth day after a 48 hour water fast and five days VLCD. Kind of tripped and fell onto a spicy vegeburger at work today. Perfect timing Mark, back on it tomorrow. 👍

@kaypie3112

2 жыл бұрын

The burger was alright. Just don’t eat the bun or fries.

Love your straightforward honest approach. I've fallen of the wagon many times over the years. I'm currently in a little vicious cycle of getting back on, then ending up with a stupid injury which throws me off, then takes too long to get back on. They say you cant out run a bad diet... well i'm probably going to die trying.

Just watched this after 6 weeks on the injury coach (plus 2 extra weeks of not getting back into it). Just got back from my first run in 8 weeks and very surprised and relieved how well it went. Nice to watch this to see that it doesn’t all go perfectly for you all the time either. That’s really motivational.

This is probably the best Mark Lewis video I have watched in a long time. Probably as this resonates so much... After IM race was moved to a later date, it ment that there is more time to train, yet there is no more training and it is cold.

You're so funny! Also love your rational approach, everyone has their ups and downs, it's just part of the ride.

So so good to hear your honesty as many get deterred by what can come across as Mr perfect fitness addict. So refreshing for people to hear and see that you like all of us no matter how determined and passionate about sport we are all human and ride that rollercoaster... keep up the great content and humour 👍👍👍🤗🤗

Almost like this video was made for me lol. Training for my first ironman at 52yo (no previous athletic ability) and just had a real low in training, motivation and diet. After 8 months work the last 2 weeks have been rubbish, hopefully this can spark me back into life. Keep em coming.

@treblepet

2 жыл бұрын

Come on man. 58 and training for a 10k trail run. Never done it before. We can do this. No more excuses. Always one more step.

Great video mate. So relatable. I'm on my hols right now and everyday it's a battle to let myself enjoy and to be strict and exercise as I do all the time. It's a real mental roller coaster so thanks for the video. Perfect timing mate

Thank you Mark, It’s so good to know someone else is going through something similar to me. I ran three half marathons this year which was a huge accomplishment for me being 113kg this time last year and not even being able to run 1k continuously. After the third half marathon I was down to 86kg and was getting a lot of attention and compliments from my peers which felt good and I felt validated enough that I got a sense of false confidence I stopped sticking to my regular training and having a lot of excess calories. My mentality feels weak, I keep beating myself up which makes me want to seek comfort and keep taking in more calories and spiral down an unhealthy rabbit hole. This video really opened my eyes and thank you for putting to words how I’m feeling.

Honest and funny. Can’t stop watching your channel. Keep it up😎

Thank you for this video. I am off the wagon and trying to get back on, this, I hope, might just be the motivation I need, it is so good to hear how other people also have to deal with these situations.

Brilliant video mate 👌👍

I love your videos. Being a runner on and off for years, I decided to enter my first ever Spartan earlier this year - as I direct result of watching your training! Pretty sure had I not have found your channel I wouldn't be a Spartan now! More to come - maybe the Beast soon..

This could be applied to so many things in my life right now. I really liked the self awareness in this!

Big smile on my face watching this, great stuff!

This literally made me laugh out loud so many times. You are so funny without knowing it. Loved this!

I think this is what sets your videos apart from all the others in the fitness arena. Real world problems, issues and what goes on with ordinary people. Truly excellent.

Probably one of the best most informative talks you have done. I have at times gone in to deep depression because of the fact that after 6 months of killing it, spent 3 months on the wagon with John Wayne and the others. Work and study demands mean you literally have to fight like Rocky for the ability to have a life that doesn’t suck and is adventurous and inspiring. Last week I got my Harley out of mothballs for the sheer fact that petrol is so expensive it’s now a thing. So my arms began to ache just from moving it around in my basement car park in my apartment that’s my wake up call that and the fact I going to bed at 2 am after doing university assessments not good

Well this video has obviously struck a chord with myself and many others. Very relevant as when I look back at my training history it looks exactly like a roller coaster. Another excellent video. Many thanks

you're a legend... love your explanations and how to fight against old habbits.

Excellent and bang on the money as usual Mark 👍

Perfect timing. I'm 2 weeks into recovery of Covid and my motivation to run or go to the gym has gone way down. I was just today re thinking my routine to be easier for a few weeks till I get motivation again. It's nice to hear a different perspective.

This was so good. Well done mark. I have found the same with different things all my life. I have had 7 kids and losing weight and getting fitter after each one, I have noticed the same. If your head ain’t in it , it won’t happen. But it does pass. When in those times , my mantra has been “just limit the damage “ because you know you can’t fight it. And I was certainly not above average. Thanks for your videos- they have been a real inspiration and motivator for this old coot, who is now the fittest she has ever been. 😜. Looking forward to the next one to see how Jen is doing.

Thanks Mark. Your honesty is so relatable and human. These ideas apply to many aspects of life.

@jow125

2 жыл бұрын

Also congrats on all the recent subscribers!! I only subscribed myself a month or so ago and it seems to have gone through the roof. With good reason!

Mark, pal. Thank you very much for your testimony. One you shared things that made me shut off the video. Most of the time you nail the subject. This one is great. Currently I spent 6 weeks off track, very very felt off the wagon. I guessed it was the coffee. In my case, coffee has to come with pastries and other desserts. From there, is very easy to pick it on hamburguers, french fries, pizza and other junk food. My training slowed down, I had zero will power, and I didn't stick to my rest / exercise / nutrition habits. I started out again last monday : no coffee, so I didn't need the pastries, so I had better sleep. Happily I am training again. Thanks for sharing that, even you, in the first place, is susceptible this Rocky-3-downward-spiral. Mark, thanks for confirming that we can get back on track. And we shouldn't be feeling bad about the whole thing.

Mark I know you'll train and get back into the right place fitness wise for your events this year, you're a beast

I really needed this today, thank you

Fricking hilarious, motivated me out of a fitness nosedive! Cheers.

I’m so happy I stumbled across this channel. I’m the same, once I get in shape, I feel good… Then bam, before I know it I’ve got back into old habits. It’s very inspiring to know I’m not the only one.

Great video Mark as like many in a similar position. Coming from a very sporting background it becomes very easy to hate yourself as-well; so getting back on the wagon is even harder. I've gone from 120Kg @ 5ft10in to 70Kg. Made 'A' cat in Zwift racing and now worry about losing that. Current economic state in the UK really does not help with price rises and mental well being; so we turn to cheap pick-me ups 😥 Am sad others are going through the same but if we share we all conquer and move forwards. Please keep on posting 💪👍

Literally the exact video I needed right now

The rock dig, excellent drive by. Appreciated

Rocky clips are totally your go-to, Mark! Love it! 👍👍👍

This was super helpful 👍🏻

Thanks for this Mark honestly perfect timing I was supposed to do a marathon mid-May and got food poisoning the day before since then I have kind of just fallen off. You were my Adrian today buddy thanks.

I really needed to hear this. So many things in this video were just so highly relevant. Especially about having a range of deviation which is acceptable

I love this so much! Also, you should have titled it "Live, laugh, love"

Great Video. I’m currently getting back on the wagon after feeling terrible for over a year. Think i had long covid. It’s slow getting the fitness back. Luckily i don’t have a big problem keeping weight off. Good luck and stay on the wagon!

Loved your advice. i thought i was the only one with those thoughts.

Mark, you’re insight paired with your humor and movie references is what the “fitness influencer” space is starving for. You present fitness and health in a balanced perspective and keep it fun all along. Though Wagon Talk might be an interesting video…hahaha.

Was bored on yt and found ur channel again 👏

I haven't seen a wagon for a year, so your message makes me look for it. Thanks.

Thanks for this! I’ve been on and off with my running since my last half marathon in January. I set a PR and want to go for another in November but I’ve been having issues getting back into my rhythm again. Feeling motivated to get back out there again! November will sneak up on me fast

Brilliant to see you're back and kicking! It's been my biggest fear of the past 12 months to fall off the wagon and say fuck it. Hearing other people talk about it here and in the comments really takes the sting out of that fear. First powerlifting competition in December! Lets go!

I so needed to hear this today.

Life's hard enough without beating yourself up 🥊

Thanks for this. First time off the wagon in a decade or more. New kid, Covid, new job, and moving 3000 miles. You’ve provided a bit of inspiration that I can get it back.

Love the honesty. I am the same. Not sleeping for the last 3 weeks and put my back out. Finding my groove slowly so going back towards fit and losing the 3 kg I picked up. Keep ‘em comin’

Thanks, I needed to hear this. I haven't been able to train much this week due to the heat and am feeling bad about it, but I am aiming to start again Saturday. Gods only know what I'll be doing next Tuesday though - its supposed to be 36 degrees where I live! Eeeek!

So now looking forward to the best-in-class training montage of getting back on the waggon!

Great honest video 👍 and a reminder to me to get back in the gym after my last race 2 weeks ago. At least I kept my diet on track and managed to drop a couple of kilos.

@MarkLewisfitness

2 жыл бұрын

That's the secret-letting the gym slide but keeping the diet in order makes for a much simpler return to fitness!

Thank you so much for this. I'm still recovering from COVID which hit my lungs really hard just days before a race I'd been training for for a year. After pushing myself for a couple weeks, I decided to take a break from running. I simply wasn't feeling it, which is strange for someone who loves exercise. I have no doubt I'll get back to it after a couple weeks weeks of r and r, but it won't be pretty. Thanks for being an authentic person 🥰

Class act Mark 👏🏻

This is a great video. It’s never ideal to lose your rhytm and focus, but it’a also not the end of the world! I am currently in a similar situation, it’s not the first time and i’m sure it won’t be the last time. For me it usually happens after i’ve accomplished a large goal or a finished a big event which i’ve been working towards to for an extensive period of time. I always take a time like this to relax a bit and care less about my performance, untill I feel like I want a new goal in my life. As soon as I feel like that; and picked my new target then I’ll be able to go hard and focussed again!

Really needed this I've fallen off the wagon for 3 months but over the last two weeks I have noticed that bit by bit the discipline is happening.

@sepg5084

Жыл бұрын

I haven't ridden my bike in a month due to monsoon rains. Rode again last week with a hillclimb segment, i noticed that my stamina has gone down significantly and so my segment time increased by about a third (from 17 minutes to 22). Rode again yesterday and it has gone back down to just over 20 minutes. Might take another 3 to 4 weeks to get back down to 17 minutes.