After Thursday's terrible session me legs still ached on Saturday and with a gig to go to in the evening, I decided it best to postpone the next session until today. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was out and the ground was hard with frost. The only other people I met on my route down the canal were other joggers and dog walkers.
Even better, I realised that jogging isn't as death inducing as my previous attempt had been. In fact, I'd almost say I enjoyed it. Maybe this won't be so hard after all.
Session: 5 minutes brisk walk
8 sets of 60 seconds jog and 90 seconds walk
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Restarting my fitness
After a long break in training due to tendonitis in my feet and calves, it's time to kick start it again. I'm signed up for the Tough Mudder in July (28 military style obstacles over 11 miles) and the Speed of Light (running round a hill at night in glowing light suits).
I've been doing powerwalking marathons for the last 5 years so it's probably 6 years since I did any running (other than to catch a bus).
I downloaded a training plan, today shouldn't have been too hard: 5 minutes brisk walking and then 8 sets of 60 seconds jogging and 90 seconds walking. Unfortunately, what I hadn't realised was there is a huge difference between a "jog" and a "run". So half an hour later I get back to my flat, wheezing, sweating and half dead wondering what on earth I'd signed up for. It was only then that it was pointed out to me that you should be able to chat through a jog... chat? I could barely speak a word during my "jog".
Let's hope the next session will be easier now I know what I'm supposed to be doing.
I've been doing powerwalking marathons for the last 5 years so it's probably 6 years since I did any running (other than to catch a bus).
I downloaded a training plan, today shouldn't have been too hard: 5 minutes brisk walking and then 8 sets of 60 seconds jogging and 90 seconds walking. Unfortunately, what I hadn't realised was there is a huge difference between a "jog" and a "run". So half an hour later I get back to my flat, wheezing, sweating and half dead wondering what on earth I'd signed up for. It was only then that it was pointed out to me that you should be able to chat through a jog... chat? I could barely speak a word during my "jog".
Let's hope the next session will be easier now I know what I'm supposed to be doing.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Deadline day
On the 18th June I set myself a deadline. At the time I weighed 10st 8.25lbs (or 67.39kg). I decided it was time to lose weight as I wasn't comfortable in my own skin anymore. I decided I would like to get down to 9st 8lbs by the 29th November but that I'd be happy if I reached 10st.
On 14th August, I hit 10 stone. I then got a bit complacent and didn't lose anymore. A final push this last month though has worked. I forfited reaching my target as I found out at the weekend I could get a pizza without cheese, that didn't have dairy in the base. We all know that you can't buy pizza without buying enough for breakfast the next morning too. That combined with a slight dairy poisoning on Monday night has left me 3/4 lb away from my target. I am however very happy with this. I've proved that I can lose the weight (and will try to lose a couple more pounds to allow for Christmas binges) and also proved during my complacent period, that I can maintain my weight.
Now I've just that giant bag of clothes to tackle.
On 14th August, I hit 10 stone. I then got a bit complacent and didn't lose anymore. A final push this last month though has worked. I forfited reaching my target as I found out at the weekend I could get a pizza without cheese, that didn't have dairy in the base. We all know that you can't buy pizza without buying enough for breakfast the next morning too. That combined with a slight dairy poisoning on Monday night has left me 3/4 lb away from my target. I am however very happy with this. I've proved that I can lose the weight (and will try to lose a couple more pounds to allow for Christmas binges) and also proved during my complacent period, that I can maintain my weight.
Now I've just that giant bag of clothes to tackle.
Friday, 7 October 2011
Pilates
Last week I started a pilates class. I wasn't really sure what to expect as I've never done it before but I'm hoping it will help me. I have general strength but I lack flexibility and core strength so I'm hoping this will improve it.
It's actually really hard work. Apparently you are challenging your core muscles through the movement of your arms and legs. You look at it and think, yeah that's fine but in reality, you're not just doing the moves but you've got all your core muscles engaged at the same time. I think I'm being shown up by a class full of middle aged women on some moves.
Now that I'm a little less busy I'm going to try and practise the moves a couple of times a week and hopefully I'll improve or at least find it a little easier in class.
It's actually really hard work. Apparently you are challenging your core muscles through the movement of your arms and legs. You look at it and think, yeah that's fine but in reality, you're not just doing the moves but you've got all your core muscles engaged at the same time. I think I'm being shown up by a class full of middle aged women on some moves.
Now that I'm a little less busy I'm going to try and practise the moves a couple of times a week and hopefully I'll improve or at least find it a little easier in class.
Sunday, 2 October 2011
It's been a while...
My life suddenly got really busy so unfortunately the blog posts were one of the first things that had to be cut from my life. The weight loss has also been paused, whilst I've not lost any (too many biscuits during stressful times) I've also not gained any either.
Whilst my life won't be any less busy until the end of November, I thought I better reserect this. Why? Well I'm glad you asked.
I've signed up for a new challenge. This time, it isn't even for charity, it's purely for myself. After many years of ill health I've been wanting something to really push myself, to prove that I'm passed it and can be as fit as I ever was. I blame The Boy for my insanity, he suggested it.
So what've I gone and signed up for?
The Tough Mudder Scotland! That would be around 11 miles, running up and down hills, through mud and taking on 28 greulling challenges designed by the Special Forces. We're getting a team together as it's all about camaradarie, helping your team get through it, finishing, not just finishing fast. Plus, there's free beer at the end!
I need to wait for the tendonitis in my feet to improve but in the meantime I'll be working on improving my upper body strength. It's over 9 months away so plenty time to whip myself in to shape for it.
Whilst my life won't be any less busy until the end of November, I thought I better reserect this. Why? Well I'm glad you asked.
I've signed up for a new challenge. This time, it isn't even for charity, it's purely for myself. After many years of ill health I've been wanting something to really push myself, to prove that I'm passed it and can be as fit as I ever was. I blame The Boy for my insanity, he suggested it.
So what've I gone and signed up for?
The Tough Mudder Scotland! That would be around 11 miles, running up and down hills, through mud and taking on 28 greulling challenges designed by the Special Forces. We're getting a team together as it's all about camaradarie, helping your team get through it, finishing, not just finishing fast. Plus, there's free beer at the end!
I need to wait for the tendonitis in my feet to improve but in the meantime I'll be working on improving my upper body strength. It's over 9 months away so plenty time to whip myself in to shape for it.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Weigh in
I missed last weekends weigh in, I wasn't very well. I've become a bit lax with the weight loss attempt. I think reaching my "I'd be happy" weight I lost a bit of motivation. However now I am back on form, I'm going to keep my food diary, stop snacking on carbs and work my way to the weight that I'm aiming for. I've lost over half of it, I know I can do the rest.
Weight: 10st (was 9st 12.75lbs yesterday but then we ate lots of cake)
Weight: 10st (was 9st 12.75lbs yesterday but then we ate lots of cake)
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Weigh in
Well I knew I was going to do badly on the weight loss this week. I've been entertaining family for the majority of it. There have been meals out, wine, chips (french fries), ice cream, crumpets and much much more. I'm actaully surprised I put on as little as I did. I've also not been keeping my food diary which won't have helped.
So, how did I do...
Last week's weight: 9st 12.75lbs (62.9kg)
This week's weight: 10st (63.5kg)
Weight gain: 1.25lbs (0.6kg)
Let's hope next week is better.
So, how did I do...
Last week's weight: 9st 12.75lbs (62.9kg)
This week's weight: 10st (63.5kg)
Weight gain: 1.25lbs (0.6kg)
Let's hope next week is better.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Insoles doing their thing.
I've had a busy week as I've been entertaining family. This has involved a fair bit of short bursts of walking. In an attempt to get my feet sorted before my next visit to the podiatrist in August I have been wearing my insoles every day (except when wearing sandals). Today I am really feeling the effects of it and surprisingly, not in my feet.
For many years when I was young I suffered from a lot of pain and trouble with my knees. I was on and off crutches, saw physios, I was told it was growing pains and then not growing pains, cartalidge problems, muscles problems... I put up with it, I did the exercises the physios gave me, I got on with life. When other health problems took over my life in my early 20s the niggling pains and aches paled in to insignificance.
This morning as I got out of bed I realised that the insoles are finally doing the job that years of physio never succeeded. My knees and legs were killing me! It wasn't the usual sickening ache that has plagued me for years, instead all the muscles that hold the knee in the correct position and control its movement were hurting. With my feet in the correct position (and therefore my knees also in the correct position), my leg muscles are once again learning to do what they should have been doing all my life. Yeah it hurts but it's a happy pain of knowing that it is helping.
For many years when I was young I suffered from a lot of pain and trouble with my knees. I was on and off crutches, saw physios, I was told it was growing pains and then not growing pains, cartalidge problems, muscles problems... I put up with it, I did the exercises the physios gave me, I got on with life. When other health problems took over my life in my early 20s the niggling pains and aches paled in to insignificance.
This morning as I got out of bed I realised that the insoles are finally doing the job that years of physio never succeeded. My knees and legs were killing me! It wasn't the usual sickening ache that has plagued me for years, instead all the muscles that hold the knee in the correct position and control its movement were hurting. With my feet in the correct position (and therefore my knees also in the correct position), my leg muscles are once again learning to do what they should have been doing all my life. Yeah it hurts but it's a happy pain of knowing that it is helping.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Rambling on the River
After weeks of sticking to my walking ban, I gave in to temptation today. The conservation trust I work with had organised a sponsored river ramble. A nice leisurely stroll along the 12.75 mile river walkway. It was for the charity I volunteer with so technically it wasn't walking it was volunteering.
I rounded up The Boy and a couple of our friends (my usual walking partner had a surfing accident yesterday so wasn't able to join us) and we headed off to the start at Balerno. The guys missed the bus and having not slept last night, my brain wasn't functioning enough to think to ring them and see if they were getting a later bus.
It was a really nice day, the sun shone and the trees provided a welcome shade. After 5 miles we stopped for lunch at the visitors centre and first check point. We'd found out that our friends got the later bus so we waited for them to catch up before proceeding on.
My friends need to learn to tell me to slow down if I'm going too fast for them. Apparently I'd been walking too quickly, but none of them bothered to tell me to slow down until after the walk.
The rest of the walk was enjoyable, it took us along the prettier parts of the river and down to where the river joins the sea (well the Forth). I was so glad to be out walking again. My feet niggled at times and my knees ached from lack of use recently but other than that, it was a lot better than expected.
The volunteers along the route at the check points were lovely and very enthusiastic, though I really need to learn their names.
Now I'm back to the walking ban and the hope that my feet continue to heal.
I rounded up The Boy and a couple of our friends (my usual walking partner had a surfing accident yesterday so wasn't able to join us) and we headed off to the start at Balerno. The guys missed the bus and having not slept last night, my brain wasn't functioning enough to think to ring them and see if they were getting a later bus.
It was a really nice day, the sun shone and the trees provided a welcome shade. After 5 miles we stopped for lunch at the visitors centre and first check point. We'd found out that our friends got the later bus so we waited for them to catch up before proceeding on.
My friends need to learn to tell me to slow down if I'm going too fast for them. Apparently I'd been walking too quickly, but none of them bothered to tell me to slow down until after the walk.
The rest of the walk was enjoyable, it took us along the prettier parts of the river and down to where the river joins the sea (well the Forth). I was so glad to be out walking again. My feet niggled at times and my knees ached from lack of use recently but other than that, it was a lot better than expected.
The volunteers along the route at the check points were lovely and very enthusiastic, though I really need to learn their names.
Now I'm back to the walking ban and the hope that my feet continue to heal.
Insomnia
Well it's Sunday which means it's weigh in day.
After 5 failed hours at trying to sleep this evening, I gave up and at 4am decided to get up and get on with the day. When I do my weights I like to try and keep the conditions as similar as possible each time. To do this I weigh myself first thing in the morning before I eat or drink anything.
As I've been up half the night and nibbling and drinking through that time, I'm not going on the scales today so yesterday's weight will just have to do.
Last weight: 10st 2.25lbs ((64.66kg)
This week's weight: 9st 12.75lbs (62.9kg)
Weight loss: 3 1/2 lbs
Realistically though my weight loss this week has been closer to 1 1/2 lbs as I was bloated with intolerances at my last weigh in. However, I have now dropped below the weight that I felt I'd be happy at if I didn't manage to get to my goal!
After 5 failed hours at trying to sleep this evening, I gave up and at 4am decided to get up and get on with the day. When I do my weights I like to try and keep the conditions as similar as possible each time. To do this I weigh myself first thing in the morning before I eat or drink anything.
As I've been up half the night and nibbling and drinking through that time, I'm not going on the scales today so yesterday's weight will just have to do.
Last weight: 10st 2.25lbs ((64.66kg)
This week's weight: 9st 12.75lbs (62.9kg)
Weight loss: 3 1/2 lbs
Realistically though my weight loss this week has been closer to 1 1/2 lbs as I was bloated with intolerances at my last weigh in. However, I have now dropped below the weight that I felt I'd be happy at if I didn't manage to get to my goal!
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