Diary of a loser

sigh I suck, yea verily do I suck

2008-12-07T22:48:00.000Z

I slept through my alarm yesterday, and the text message from Jumile, and the phone call from Jumile.

I’m useless.

Another night, another good session

2008-12-03T21:48:00.000Z

As I promised myself, I left for the house without checking for messages.
Then sat/stood around as the frost melted off the car. Once the windscreen
and rear window were clear off I went, parked up, paid the parking machine
and went in. Only then did I check for messages, none. I then wondered if I
had arranged with Jumile or not, so I fired off a text massage, after a few
minutes, no response so I went in alone.

Treadmill, crosstrainer, bike, weight machines and stretches...same routine,
I might vary it a little next time. I was able to complete the circuit,
unlike Saturday, not with much to spare, but I did it. The moral of the
story is, go regularly, not necessarily on a fixed rota, but regularly.

The real point of this post is that I was feeling a little blue this evening
for reasons I won't go into here, getting down the gym and working my arse
off cleared that shit from my head and now I feel a whole heap better. Both
physically and mentally.

Good night ( and I do mean that) :)

Well, I did it..

2008-12-01T12:08:00.003Z

I made it to the gym on a miserable morning, cold, windy, freezing rain falling on me as I wandered the car park looking for a working ticket machine. Met up with Jumile in the 'cafeteria' area and went in to the sweatbox.

There's not much to say about the routine, I did more or less what I have done every session recently, except that 1/2 way through the bike time my legs gave up. Yes I'd pushed a little harder than usual on the cross trainer, but not that much harder, or so I thought.

I guess I mustn't miss too many more sessions.

Since losing weight (gained another couple of #'s this week) I have found that my ankle plays up a lot less, in fact I can't recall the last time it ached, the same is true of my knees.

So, back to it, if i want to keep getting stronger, losing weight and inches I must return to a solid routine of visiting the gym, however unpleasant it is to get out there into the cold.

I'll be back Thursday with an update.

It's been a week and a half

2008-11-28T19:03:00.000Z

Last Saturday something got in the way, I can’t remember what, Wednesday it was being at work until 7.30 and honestly I couldn’t be arsed to after that, and tomorrow morning I am getting some archery coaching, not much, but 3 hrs worth and in the afternoon I have an appointment. I *will* go to the gym Sunday morning though. I promised that last week but didn’t. I don’t want it to be two weeks between visits. Otherwise it may easily become three.

I’ll update you on Sunday afternoon, honest!

Today I am a loser

2008-11-23T13:55:00.000Z

After yesterdays failure to get to the gym, I arranged with Jumile that I'd
meet him there this afternoon at 12.30. For reasons I won't go into here, I
couldn't be bothered with it today (although it's exactly what I need) so
dropped him a text to say I wouldn't be going along.

Oh, and I gained 2lb last week...

Not a good week all in all....I will do better next.

I went, I saw, I came back

2008-11-22T10:43:00.000Z

I broke my habit of not checking my phone before leaving for the gym, but
only because my phone rang...to find messages galore from Jumile.

Full of enthusiasm (ish) I went down to the gym, leaving early enough to
ensure that I wasn't delayed by traffic, what with it being Xmas shopping
season. On the way past the car park I noticed a sign promoting a wargames
event being held in the sports centre this weekend (I used to attend this in
a past life, as a member of the organising club I often helped do the
setup/breakdown too - but that is beside the point really). The usually more
than ample car park was full, as were the three overflow car parks.

I called Jumile from the car, we're going tomorrow morning instead.

Another night, another wet t-shirt

2008-11-19T22:00:00.000Z

As I left for the gym, I picked up my phone and my ipod. The phone went into
my jacket pocket, the ipod into my sweatpants pocket. When I got to the gym,
I found that my headphones were outside the car, an earpiece had dragged
along the road on the way and was fecked.

I had a minor paddy, threw the knackered headphones across the car park, the
ipod into the door sidepocket, bought a car park ticket and made my way in.
Once inside I checked my phone for messages, just to see if Jumile had
thought better of it. I used to do this before leaving, but now I am
consciously doing so when I'm there. If he'd pulled out I'd normally not
bother either, but by checking messages upon arrival, I'm already there,
checked in and have less of an excuse to not go in.

He duly arrived, I sorted my stuff, towel & bottle into the gym with me, bag
and jacket into the locker.

I did the same as on Saturday, but found it a little easier, my thighs
burned a little towards the end of the CV work, but otherwise I was ok, no
weakness in the legs, my heart rate *much* lower than it was all those
months ago when one of the staff commented "that's in interesting shade of
red you've gone". On to the weight machines, seated row, leg press and
shoulder muscle thing I never remember the name of.

A set of stretches later and it was all over, 50 minutes after walking in.

I haven't had a great day at the office, the broken headphones were a
perfect conclusion to that. The workout allowed all of the crap from the day
to dissipate, I got back into the car feeling a whole lot better.

All on my tod

2008-11-15T12:00:00.000Z

Today, I was alone down the gym as Jumile is on call this weekend and needs
to stay within 20 feet of his TV - I mean PC ;). I didn't really want to go,
I suppose part of the reason for going is the social side, although we don't
talk much while in there, we say a few words before and after and it's
social contact of a sort.

But while there I gave it my all, didn't take it easier on myself or skip
anything, which is something I thought I might.

Due to the number of treadmills in use I started on the crosstrainer, did my
8 minutes, this time at a higher intensity than last week and moved on to
the treadmill and then the upright bike. I tend to chop and change between
the upright and recumbent bikes, I don't know why really, possibly because
it's (aside from the rowing machine) my least favourite torture device. In
all cases I increased the intensity of workout, and will do again in 2 weeks
time. Two weeks ago after finishing all this legwork I found that my legs
were a little jelly like, but today they were fine - so there's some
improvement.

Maybe next week Saturday I will add some time on the rower. My current - I
say current, it was drawn up before I went into hospital, exercise plan
includes a 1K row in there too. The 1K is a target to be reached, I'm
supposed to do as much as I can with the aim of reaching 1K regularly, and
once I have, to increase the intensity. The best I have achieved is about
700M. I have found with this that I'm more likely to 'go' further if I am
the only person using a rowing machine. If someone is using the machine next
to me, I tend to fall quite closely into line with their rhythm. I don't
know if this is a competitive thing or not, but I notice it but am not
conscious of doing so.

Anyway, after finishing the CV work, I moved onto some weight machines,
'seated row', leg press, shoulder press and one I don't know the name
of....did 3 sets of 12 on each, and in each case the middle set was a higher
- but only slightly, 5-10KG depending upon machine, weight. Next Saturday,
two sets will be of the higher weight - if I can manage it. This will go on
until I am pressing the weight of a small truck :)..seriously tho, I am not
using the gym to become a weightlifting nut, no-one wants to see me shaven,
oiled up and wearing a thong. With the exception of the leg press, the
weight work I am doing is aimed at the muscle groups used for archery. The
CV work is to assist in losing weight and improving my general fitness.

A few sit ups, ably assisted by a de-horned space hopper and some stretches
saw the session come to an end.

something I forgot to mention

2008-11-08T21:51:00.000Z

I weighed myself this morning...I've lost 8 pounds over the last week

Well, that's two!

2008-11-08T17:12:00.001Z

I woke this morning at 8am, not sure why I didn't go back to bed for an hour
or so after doing what everyone does first thing in the morning. I didn't
want to be late, Jumile has sat around waiting for me to turn up often
enough in the past, not any more, not unless I can't help it.

Sat down at the PC, checked my mail, found one confirming the time we'd meet
so I just pottered around before bathing - on Saturday mornings the gym
often smells of beer and curry, with people working off and probably
through, the excesses of Friday. I didn't want to add to it.

I left at 10am, arriving at 10:13 (according to the parking ticket machine),
stuck the ticket on the car window and gathered my crap together, on
switching off my phone I found Jumile had sent me a SMS message to say he
couldn't make it. I hope he doesn't think my response was a comment upon his
excuse, rather it was a comment in general.

Having got there, paid for the car park and steeled myself for it I went in
anyway.

I essentially did the same routine as on Wednesday, in a different order due
to the availability of the machines. I stepped up the intensity on the cross
trainer, both the resistance setting and the step rate which I kept above
125.

By the end of the session I was soaked with sweat, but felt good. There was
more 'in my legs' than on Wednesday and all being well, I will keep with
this level of effort for a few weeks but start extending the range of
additional machines I utilise.

Well...I did it...

2008-11-06T09:24:00.002Z

I arranged to meet Jumile at the gym at 7.30pm and did. I was even early, if you knew me, you'd recognise that as a minor miracle in its own right.

There was the usual banter about the torture to come then we threw our stuff in a locker and entered the airconditioned Sweat-O-Rama.

First came the Cross Trainer and to be fair it was easy enough, 8 minutes of leg pumping and torso bobbing later I made my way onto the treadmill and spent 12 minutes 'climbing' and 'descending '. By the time I got off the bike, my legs had had it.

I spent a few minutes on upper body machines, specifically aimed at the muscle groups I use for archery, some sit ups and stretches and then left after about an hour.

By the end of the session I was feeling absolutely shattered. This is probably down to two things, primarily I hadn't eaten in two days and I haven't slept well for several.

On the plus side...I slept well last night...on the slightly negative side....since Saturday am I have now lost 10lbs, which almost certainly isn't good for me.

The firm plan is to be back there Saturday morning...see you there Jumile :D

Hello again!

2008-11-05T01:06:00.005Z

It's been a while....let me fill you in....

Due to issues with my Achilles tendon, my gym attendance has been patchy since last I posted, occasionally going 3 times a week, more often once a month. I haven't run at all...

Jumile and I spent some time in the summer cycling - until my bike buckled a wheel on a very small bump, fortunately I was not travelling very fast at the time and there was no spill and no injury. Having looked into a replacement wheel (and replacing the rear wheel at the same time on the basis that it was of the same shoddy manufacture) and comparing that to the cost of a new bike I bought a Giant something or other beginning with R.

That was August....shortly after that - a matter of days, I went into hospital for 3 weeks. Since coming out I've been to the gym a handful of times.

All that changes tomorrow.

As of now I will attend twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays - at least until mid-late spring when the outdoor archery season starts and we have a field on Wednesday evenings.

On the plus side, since going into hospital, when I was 126KG on their scales, I have lost (up to Saturday last) 12KG...very nearly 2 stone. This equates to approx 5" off my (considerable) waistline.

Cut the crap

2007-12-03T13:44:00.000Z

There are two major things standing in my way - aside from inherent laziness, smoking and eating crap.

I have already posted on the subject of smoking. Now is the turn of eating crap.

As of 1 January 2008, my major food shopping will be done online. My thinking for this is, I will have the time to think carefully about what I need, not pick up stuff on a whim and will not be shopping when hungry.

I will prepare a lunch and take it to work, so I do not shop for lunch, thus avoiding the temptation to buy crap. I have taken small steps already, rather than crisps or chocolate with my sandwich I will buy fruit, more often than not a banana, water or juice instead of cola.

My biggest weakness is carbonated drinks, in particular, cola. Between now and then, I will reduce my intake of this stuff, which often is 2L a day.

I have a date...

2007-12-03T13:33:00.000Z

with fresh breath, easier breathing and more money in my wallet.

As of 7.50am on 11 January 2008 I will be a non smoker. This is the time I was born on what will be my 41st birthday.

I will look on this as a re-birth, I know I will never undo all of the damage that has been done, but I will be preventing further destruction and my body will heal itself to a degree.

It is done...

2007-12-02T12:08:00.000Z

Santa no. 98 completed his 5K in 47' 13s.

I am not ashamed to admit that I was nervous, I have never run anything like this far...well not in several years.

The day dawned grey and chilly, but not cold. On the journey over to Marlow the rain started to fall lightly. I arrived and parked next to Jumile, amid a large selection of Santas, male and female, a few elves and a 'Holly Parton'. I donned my Santa outfit in the wind and rain in the car park and headed into the allotted building to register. After standing around for a few minutes, we headed down to start/finish line, from where I did a little gentle warm up and stretch.

Before I knew it, it was time to start, the klaxon went and we were off. A shuffle at first, gradually gaining speed as we headed for the High Street. By the time we crossed the High St I was up to stride and pace.

The first 1KM was easy enough...slowing once or twice to recover. After this the trousers of my Santa suit started slipping down. I had to stop to pull them up on more than one occasion. By the time I reached the 1/2 way point ( aka a water station - with no water) I'd decided to take them off, I tied them around my waist and off I headed again.

By about 3.5K, my right ankle/achilles was playing up, it started as a dull ache, by 4KM came round it was really not happy, I told Jumile to go on without me as I was holding him up and he was too nice to say so.

I walked for about 1/2KM at a gentle pace, and found that my ankle had calmed down a bit, so took a few yards at a time with a gentle jog, before I knew it I was on the High St, heading for the park where the finish line awaited. I entered the park at a gentle pace, but picked it up as I saw the word FINISH.

My number had fallen off long before and was tucked inside my hat (which I was now carrying) so was asked for my number, I could barely say 98. I was given my official time and collected my medal and a bottle of water.

My Nike+ setup tells me I ran 6KM.

So, having calibrated it, the accuracy dropped from a stated 95% out of the box accuracy, to a 80% accuracy.

This has knock on effects..especially in that I have been running "3KM" a couple of times a week. I have actually been running closer to 2.5K. So todays exercise is twice as far as I have run in nearly 30 years.

I have already agreed to do it again next year...dressed not as Santa, but as Scrooge.

Play Misty for me

2007-11-20T08:44:00.000Z

Without wanting to sound like the opening line of a Blues standard...

I woke up this morning (da dah Dah dum), pottered about a bit to get my bearings and come to fully, dragged on my running gear - long sleeved wicking shirt, t-shirt & sweatshirt as an outer, sweat pants, gloves and hat. I stepped out into a misty, chilly - but not really cold, morning.

I wasn't too sure how I'd fare after my adventures with RRR and shin splints last week, but set off determined to give it a go.

After my 1/2 mile or so brisk walk as a warm up I set off at a comfortable pace, not concentrating too much on keeping my pace down, just going at what was comfortable and sustainable. By the time I had covered about 1K my shins were beginning to remind me that they were there at which point I dropped my pace a little.

Over the next 1K, I had to slow down to a walk a couple of times and experimented with pace and stride until I found a combination that although I was in a little discomfort wasn't getting any worse.

Once I'd settled on this pace, I was able to keep it up for the final 1K of my route, I found this comfortable in both the legs and breathing. My stride was approximately 1/2 -3/4 of my normal walking one, but the pace was approx 1.5 times higher.

All that remains is for me to start and continue at this pace and see how my shins react. It's not a record breaking pace, but over time I will be able to gently increase my it and stride as my legs become stronger and used to the work involved.

After completing my 3K run I did the same walk to cool down, and returned home to do my stretches in the warmth and light.

Only a 12 days until the fun run! Reading Roadrunners thingie tomorrow night, maybe another 3K on Thursday morning and then again Sunday.

Next Tuesday - depending upon how I fare this week, I will push my distance up to 4K.

In other news

2007-11-18T15:39:00.001Z

I weighed myself this afternoon - when I got up, I have lost a whole 1/4 pound since the last time I weighed myself.

I didn't run today, partly because...well totally because I didn't get up 'til this afternoon, I had a few drinks last night, possibly one too many :D

I am Santa

2007-11-18T15:35:00.000Z

Number 98.

My Santa outfit and number were delivered today for the Marlow fun run in which I am entered.

It's already in the car - that way I won't forget it on the day.

More...

2007-11-15T13:52:00.000Z

Shin Splint Info

This site has all the information on it that it took me several sites to gather, well worth a look.

More...

2007-11-15T13:37:00.000Z

Things I have learned

If I intend to keep up running I must quit smoking.

If I intend to keep losing weight I must stop eating crap.

I must get into a routine of taking on sufficient nutrition/energy to get me through a workout without feeling weak.

I must go at my own pace. I cannot allow myself to push my body in an attempt to keep up with others when they are obviously beyond my current stage of ability.

I mustn't push myself to the point of injury.

Shin Splints

2007-11-15T12:23:00.001Z

Since last night I have read up a little on shin splints, exactly what they are, what causes them and how to get over them.

A useful explanation can be found on the sweatshop.co.uk website here. I will be following the advice on the page ( and others similar)

I will keep my running tempo down for a while to see if that helps and if not will consult my doctor. I am also likely to try shin supports, but as a last resort - they are not cheap...and I am.

Reading Roadrunners

2007-11-14T23:36:00.000Z

Today was the day. After two aborted attempts to get my assessment/H&S/general info & rules session, I finally made it. In fact I was 35 minutes early! Partly because I left home with 75 minutes to make it there. I took one look at the traffic and decided that my best course of action would be to not take the Ring Road.

The car park was empty when I arrived, I parked up, opened the door and stepped out, after being in the car with the heater on for half an hour it was quite a shock to step out into the cold, to see my breath. I grabbed the beanie off the back seat and cursed myself for not bringing my gloves and headed off to the track. Upon arriving I contacted Jumile to ensure he was coming - there was no way I was going to go through tonight without him suffering too. Once I'd spoken to him briefly I introduced myself to the welcoming committee who passed me on to Tom ( I think that was his name) who showed me the facilities. Once we'd done the tour I left my car keys with the welcoming committee, filled my water bottle and headed out to the track.

The 400M track looked a helluva lot bigger tonight when I knew I was going to be running around it than it did a few weeks ago when I arrived (very) late for my induction thing. As the number of people grew, a quick scan showed I was the only person there of my shape. Jumile turned up a couple of minutes later and shortly before a brief news update, after which we split up into groups, I was one of a handful of people - 6 0r 8 excluding myself, there for the first time and we were led off together. The first order of business was a quick explanation of the lane layout, usage policy and track etiquette.

There were a number of groups of runners undergoing coaching at different levels or monitored running. There were also a number of people just running.

Our first objective was a 1/2 lap, which I think was as much to get us out of the way of other groups as anything else. Once there we stepped off the track onto the cycle track which rings the running lanes. We we taken through a few simple stretches and after a brief run down of what lay ahead of us, we were taken for a single circuit of the track to be carried out at our own pace. I set off in the middle of the group, was a little slower than the others but wasn't going to be forced into running faster than I felt comfortable with.

After arriving back, we gathered round to have explained to us exactly what we'd be doing next.It's hard to explain. We had to a series of 'odd' running styles, which exercised particular muscles more than the others, we ran maybe 50yds each time at a slowish pace, looped back did it again and then shifted focus to another muscle. After doing this six times it was all pulled together, running with a combination of all of the previous exercises, this time however we were to run a bit further and accelerate up to our maximum and slow down gently.

After a couple of minute break to get our breath back, we ran 1/2 lap back to the main stand/starting point.

By this time I was starting to develop pain in my shins, I knew what it was - shin splints, I have experienced them on and off since starting running again. I attempted the next exercise, which was slow pace round the curves, raised pace on the straights for two laps. After half a lap - at the end of the first fast pace 100M the pain in my shins was growing. I think what brought it on was the fact that I had been running faster tonight than I have done in years - many years. I sat out the rest of the session, I am not in this to injure myself and had a word with the coach afterwards. It was suggested that I for the next few weeks run at my own speed to build up my leg muscles. rather than try to mix it with the coaching groups.

While the balance of the group was running the last few laps of the evening, I did my stretches and then headed home after having a quick word with Jumile.

Something I learned last night

2007-11-14T13:20:00.001Z

While at the gym last night I discovered that it is best not to use the Leg Press when suffering from gas.

That is all...

Catching up...

2007-11-13T21:58:00.000Z

Saturday dawned, another trip to the gym was in prospect.

Off I trotted, did my routine as laid out in the program drawn up for me. This consists of work on four cardio machines, six weight machines and a little mat work.

I've been at this for about ten weeks now, and I have found each trip to be a little easier than the last. I have been tempted to push myself further to reach the same heart rate that I experienced the first few visits, I know that this is daft as this could lead to injury, but have once or twice succumbed to it.

I must admit that I have been more enthusiastic about gym work than road work. There are several reasons for this, not least that my bed is warm and dry at 6.30am and the streets are not. Another reason is that several weeks ago, I experienced my first attack - if that is the right word, of cervical spondylosis, this led to very frequent electrical impulses down my arms and occasionally to my feet. I took about a week off all training until I had a chance to see a doctor and get a diagnosis and treatment. After this I found it easier to get back into gym work than running. I am getting there though and tomorrow night brings my first visit and assessment/induction at Reading Roadrunners. I was supposed to attend two weeks ago, and then last week, but work got in the way.

With under a month until the 5K fun run that I have signed up for, I need to get more serious about my road work.

In a normal week I will visit the gym three times, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday morning, run three times, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, shoot twice (yeah right!) Monday and Friday evenings and potentially visit RRR on a Wednesday.

I went to the gym on Saturday - yay!, ran Sunday - yay!, overslept Tuesday morning - boo! and went to the gym tonight - yay! again. In an attempt to ensure I can make it to RRR tomorrow, I have taken the afternoon off work and will be there for the 6.30 assessment come what may. I know Jumile took advice from his assessor regarding his regime and has opted out of one of the gym visits, and I will probably do the same if it is felt I am pushing too hard.

We both have a re-assessment at the gym on Saturday morning, it will allow me to gauge my progress and have my program changed a little - I have always had problems with my lower back, I'd like to see if anything can be done to strengthen this without losing my focus which is to tone the muscles used for archery.

As far as the road work is concerned I am currently doing 3K, I have seen an improvement recently, in that I am able to run/walk my 3K in about 20-25 minutes, and have noticed that my first and last kilometre are done at a higher pace. I am not going to force myself to run faster over the 1-2 kilometre stage, this will come naturally as I become accustomed to running again.

I have the rest of my life, I don't need to achieve everything in the next three weeks, or die trying.

Anyway...time I was away, sorry if I bored you.

Making plans for Nigel.....

2007-11-10T01:44:00.000Z

When I set out on my fitness campaign I had some stated goals. These have been added to over the weeks.

Firstly, my short term goal to get back to the shape, size and weight I was when I got Married 7 years ago. To be honest I don't know what weight I was, but I know what size trousers I wore, that will be a good enough indicator. Depending upon brand, I could fit into a 40/42" trouser. Levis for example were the larger, more 'budget' brands were the smaller.

My medium/long term goal was to get back into the same size trouser I was wearing in my mid 20's...a 36" waist. I promise you however, I won't wear the same fashion 'statements' I did in the late 80's/early 90's.

My long term goal is to stay there. Not to let my love of food damage my health.

I have thrown a few more things into the mix now.

I and my co-masochist decided to enter the Green Park Challenge - a 3K run in Reading in March....they have my money now. Then to enter the Reading 1/2 marathon 2009. Incidentally, we have also entered a 5K fun-run in December...I think we may have these the wrong way round :D.

When I get to a set weight, I will take up snowboarding. Something I did a year or so before I got married, promised myself I'd do again and never did. Then one night I was outside the local ice-rink/dry ski slope.

I will give up smoking, and save the money towards a snowboarding holiday. I gave up once before and frittered the extra money away, not again. If I find that I can't get on with snowboarding, then I will have laser eye surgery.

Now I ought to go to bed. I have to be at the gym in a few hours....

The story so far....part 2

2007-11-09T23:21:00.000Z

About a year ago, my GP diagnosed me with high blood pressure, and put me on tabs of some sort. At the time he asked if I took part in sport of any kind and I mentioned archery, he dismissed that, only really interested in 'active sports'. A few months later he put me on ADs.

The blood pressure pills worked to a degree, the ADs to a lesser degree.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I found bits of me moving that shouldn't, I took the decision to get myself into shape.

I contacted a friend of mine who had said he wanted to get into better shape too. We decided to contact a local gym with a view to joining up and attending a couple of nights a week. There were two main aims, to get fitter and to build up the muscles we use for archery. The object of this was to act as nags for each other, to give support where needed, shout at if required and swap "when I was running this morning" stories with. His blog can be found here.

I invested in a decent pair of running shoes*, a Nike+ device to help chart my progress - distance run, time taken etc, a second hand polar HRM and gloves. I've also bought myself a bike, assembled it myself and not used the damned thing once...but the plan is to use it to cycle to the gym, to work, shopping, in fact as often as possible.

* I took advice from my local running specialist on which shoes to buy. After watching me walk/stand in bare feet, they gave me a choice of 3 shoes for the over pronator, I took the New Balances, because they were a better fit.

Since then we've visited the gym 2-3 times a week, and have taken up running in the mornings 2-3 times a week. To be fair he has run more often than me, but I am starting to take that more seriously.

Things I have noticed since starting this..

I have lost a little weight - not much, about 8lb, a lot of this was in the first couple of weeks, since then it has levelled off.

My clothes are looser, I have (seem to have lost) about 3-4" from my waist.

My breathing is easier, I used to end up breathing heavily after climbing to the 3rd floor of the office.

My blood pressure has dropped considerably.

I am generally happier...and feel better about myself.

I have ridden the bus to work once since starting, and only then because I had some heavy stuff to bring home. Rain, shine or cold has not stopped me...that's what I have umbrellas and coats for.

If only I could give up smoking, things might improve more. I was close a few weeks back. I must set a date and stick to it.

There are other things I need to change in my life, maybe I'll get into those in another post.

The story so far....part 1

2007-11-05T09:05:00.000Z

A few weeks back, months now to be honest, I was running for the bus I could see down the street. I became aware that there were parts of me moving that really shouldn't have been. By the time I got to the bus stop, I could barely speak I was so out of breath.

I knew I wasn't in the best of shape, I'd have been stupid not to realise that. I've never been thin, well not since I was very young. My adolescence was a period when I grew outwards more than upwards. Ispent many years sharing diets with my mother and sister. My mother and I always found it hard to lose weight, my sister not so due to her reliance upon nipping to the bathroom straight after eating.

Then came uni and my discover of both alcohol in vast quantities and toast and noodles. For a couple of years I lived on a diet of both, the latter so I could afford the former. During this period I was quite active, cycling to/from lectures, playing football on a Sunday in the local league and using the gym (free of charge) in the YMCA where I lived and worked (for beer money/free rent).

During this period, I was able to fit into 36" waist trousers - which while not small were about average, and medium/large shirts.

My diet finally got the better of me, I found that I was skipping lectures to recover from the night before, at the worst times I was drinking in excess of a gallon of beer per night. I was now no longer in 36" waist trousers, I was closer to 40", had lost my place at Uni and was working full time at the YMCA.

After a couple of years I moved home from Uni and enrolled at another Uni to continue my studies, this time I lived with my parents so I didn't do the same thing. This time I was more successful, only dropping out when I realised that I really didn't like the subject I was studying. During the time I was there, I was working part time in a camera shop, Saturdays/holidays. I took a full time job there and remained for several years...about 5.

I moved on to a career in IT, where customer attitudes towards me were barely better...but I was now in a job where I was sat down for 8-9 hrs a day.

Shortly afterwards I got married, my weight has been increasing gradually over the last 7 years.

A brief statement

2007-11-05T09:02:00.000Z

This may or may not be a long term venture. I tend to lose interest fairly quickly, I've had accounts at several journal sites, been very 'into' them for a while then slowly the interest faded and the journal/blog stagnated.

So don't be surprised if the same happens here.

Diary of a loser

*sigh* I suck, yea verily do I suck

Another night, another good session

Well, I did it..

It's been a week and a half

Today I am a loser

I went, I saw, I came back

Another night, another wet t-shirt

All on my tod

something I forgot to mention

Well, that's two!

Well...I did it...

Hello again!

Cut the crap

I have a date...

It is done...

Play Misty for me

In other news

I am Santa

More...

More...

Shin Splints

Reading Roadrunners

Something I learned last night

Catching up...

Making plans for Nigel.....

The story so far....part 2

The story so far....part 1

A brief statement

sigh I suck, yea verily do I suck