That old dialogue has gone on for years between fat and muscle. Fat comes to visit easily it’s the waddling salesman with the cigar hanging out the corner of his mouth who mentions the word ‘easy’ one too many times. Muscle is the Sergeant Major who makes you walk around the parade ground six thousand times, until your feet are ready to drop off, they actually feel as if someone is down there with an axe taking country sideshow swings in a wood chopping competiton and your ankles are the blocks!

The clanking of weights and panting and puffing at the gym as you press it just a little further than usual. On your back, the seat pressing in like a friendly dolphin, your arms splayed wide pulling down on the lat machine and watching that pile of compressed steel lift above your eyeline. Your arms are as tight as a farm fence, pulsing with energy until they become withered flowers in the heat of a summer sun. Time for resting.

That night you stand in front of the mirror and try to assay any difference. Forearm and bicep are levered over to produce a triangle with a hump that is your growing muscle. The belly does not reflect this yet – but, that’s the plan, the target, the goal to lose weight & gain muscle runs over on the treadmill in your mind. Low carb , no carb throwing out all that pasta and beer, and rice and anything that’s going to leave you with a choice to add more pounds. Get some henchmen in to stand guard at the doorway of the pantry- employ the hired ‘muscle’ of your conscience.