April 6th 2014 – Day 56
Day 1 Weight: 256lbs Day 1 Fitness: Nil
Day 42 Weight: 238lbs Day 42 Fitness: Above Average
Week 7
Training is now becoming the norm and I feel guilty if for any reason I don't think I am going to be able to fit in a gym session. This is a major step forward for me but I know that this is the dangerous time. I have made many abortive attempts to lose weight and after a few weeks the low boredom threshold is reached and any good work starts to get lost. Before I know where I am I have put all the weight back on and a few additional ones.
I had a couple of days off work and with the weather being reasonable thought I would give my new trekking boots a try. Armed with only a bottle of water I thought I would go for a walk along the coast and see how far I got before the feet hurt whilst staying reasonably close to the rail line so I could get home. 3.5 hours later I had reached Freshfield, having discovered the joys of the Sefton Coastal Path, before I decided I really needed to eat something. I had managed 13 miles in total when I got caught in a torrential downpour so cheated and went 2 stops on the train until it was dry. I am not sure how far I would have got before giving in but I managed 14 miles at about 20 minutes per mile. Not being used to wearing boots the biggest problem was that my ankles felt a bit tender but my feet were fine other than being so hot I could have fried eggs on them.
Flushed with success I went to the gym the next day and programmed 30km into the exercise bike to see how long it took me. 65 minutes was the answer, but I didn't really want to sit down for the rest of the day. I have said it before, I am so glad I haven't chose a bike challenge.
I spent a large chunk of the following day going through my clothes and have but 2 black bin bags of clothes in the recycling bins. I now do not own any clothes that fit me properly. To make them fit I have to lose more weight. A bit extreme but if I am going to be spending money on new clothes I would rather it is on smaller ones than replacing bigger sizes.
As well as the weight I have lost 4 inches off my waistline and 1.5 inches off my neck so it is moving in the right direction.
The big problem now with the clothes I do have is that rather than just being out of fashion as I usually am, I am now wearing some clothes that were out of fashion 6 years ago and show no sign of coming back in.
The week ended with a quiet drink in Crosby. I went to the bar only to be questioned about my commitment to my training. Spies everywhere keeping me on track!!
Week 8
This has been a problem week. I have picked up a niggling injury to my ankle. Nothing serious but I can feel it when I walk. I can't really push myself to jog and even inclines on the treadmill or brisk walking pace put strain on it. I am still able to use the exercise bike and the cross trainer but cannot push myself that bit further at the moment. My weight has stayed static this week and this is the point now that I really have to focus on the ultimate goal. This is the point where it is easy to lose heart.
I know I just need to get through to a point where this strain has gone and I can push myself as I am so much fitter than I was 7 weeks ago. Although I haven't been able to train as well my score on the fitness test in the gym has still moved up another 1.3 points. Need to get a T-Shirt with this on.
I set off on Saturday to do a bit of gentle hill walking to further try the boots, but after less than half an hour I could feel the strain on my ankle and at this point I don't want to make it worse. At least I had a nice drive out to the countryside.
Having aborted the walk I found myself at home in time for the Grand National. Having promised myself I wouldn't waste any money on a bet I did succumb, online betting is a curse, and found myself 160 pounds heavier in the wallet. Not all gloom then and the winnings can go to my next visit to the outdoor shop.
Midweek I was having a very gentle try of the treadmill to test how things were going when I had the misfortune to find Britain's Next Top Model come in and again get on the machine next to me. If that wasn't bad enough this time she brought a friend who must have been the runner up. The only 2 machines available were either side of me. I should be really enjoying being sandwiched between a couple of stunners. However, limping and wheezing along at 6km per hour is very humbling when they are sprinting along and chatting to each other like they would if they were sitting on a sofa. They could at least have the good grace to have a couple of beads of sweat, but not a sign. I did the only sensible thing and slunk off to the other side of the gym to get on the rower.
Also this week I have been contacted by Charity Challenge. They still do not have enough takers on the date I have booked but they are trying to merge two separate groups. I hope to have some further news this week.
Day 42 Weight: 238lbs Day 42 Fitness: Above Average
Week 7
Training is now becoming the norm and I feel guilty if for any reason I don't think I am going to be able to fit in a gym session. This is a major step forward for me but I know that this is the dangerous time. I have made many abortive attempts to lose weight and after a few weeks the low boredom threshold is reached and any good work starts to get lost. Before I know where I am I have put all the weight back on and a few additional ones.
I had a couple of days off work and with the weather being reasonable thought I would give my new trekking boots a try. Armed with only a bottle of water I thought I would go for a walk along the coast and see how far I got before the feet hurt whilst staying reasonably close to the rail line so I could get home. 3.5 hours later I had reached Freshfield, having discovered the joys of the Sefton Coastal Path, before I decided I really needed to eat something. I had managed 13 miles in total when I got caught in a torrential downpour so cheated and went 2 stops on the train until it was dry. I am not sure how far I would have got before giving in but I managed 14 miles at about 20 minutes per mile. Not being used to wearing boots the biggest problem was that my ankles felt a bit tender but my feet were fine other than being so hot I could have fried eggs on them.
Flushed with success I went to the gym the next day and programmed 30km into the exercise bike to see how long it took me. 65 minutes was the answer, but I didn't really want to sit down for the rest of the day. I have said it before, I am so glad I haven't chose a bike challenge.
I spent a large chunk of the following day going through my clothes and have but 2 black bin bags of clothes in the recycling bins. I now do not own any clothes that fit me properly. To make them fit I have to lose more weight. A bit extreme but if I am going to be spending money on new clothes I would rather it is on smaller ones than replacing bigger sizes.
As well as the weight I have lost 4 inches off my waistline and 1.5 inches off my neck so it is moving in the right direction.
The big problem now with the clothes I do have is that rather than just being out of fashion as I usually am, I am now wearing some clothes that were out of fashion 6 years ago and show no sign of coming back in.
The week ended with a quiet drink in Crosby. I went to the bar only to be questioned about my commitment to my training. Spies everywhere keeping me on track!!
Week 8
This has been a problem week. I have picked up a niggling injury to my ankle. Nothing serious but I can feel it when I walk. I can't really push myself to jog and even inclines on the treadmill or brisk walking pace put strain on it. I am still able to use the exercise bike and the cross trainer but cannot push myself that bit further at the moment. My weight has stayed static this week and this is the point now that I really have to focus on the ultimate goal. This is the point where it is easy to lose heart.
I know I just need to get through to a point where this strain has gone and I can push myself as I am so much fitter than I was 7 weeks ago. Although I haven't been able to train as well my score on the fitness test in the gym has still moved up another 1.3 points. Need to get a T-Shirt with this on.
I set off on Saturday to do a bit of gentle hill walking to further try the boots, but after less than half an hour I could feel the strain on my ankle and at this point I don't want to make it worse. At least I had a nice drive out to the countryside.
Having aborted the walk I found myself at home in time for the Grand National. Having promised myself I wouldn't waste any money on a bet I did succumb, online betting is a curse, and found myself 160 pounds heavier in the wallet. Not all gloom then and the winnings can go to my next visit to the outdoor shop.
Midweek I was having a very gentle try of the treadmill to test how things were going when I had the misfortune to find Britain's Next Top Model come in and again get on the machine next to me. If that wasn't bad enough this time she brought a friend who must have been the runner up. The only 2 machines available were either side of me. I should be really enjoying being sandwiched between a couple of stunners. However, limping and wheezing along at 6km per hour is very humbling when they are sprinting along and chatting to each other like they would if they were sitting on a sofa. They could at least have the good grace to have a couple of beads of sweat, but not a sign. I did the only sensible thing and slunk off to the other side of the gym to get on the rower.
Also this week I have been contacted by Charity Challenge. They still do not have enough takers on the date I have booked but they are trying to merge two separate groups. I hope to have some further news this week.
Please help keep me motivated by visiting Marks Just Giving Page
or Text code MPTC50 to 70070 with amount you wish to donate e.g. £5
You can also follow me on Facebook
For more information about the Princes Trust visit the website at www.princes-trust.org.uk
Solo lo mejor!!
Mark
Well Mark! I am extremely impressed by your effort & determination! It just makes me feel as though I have trained with you each week- your descriptive writing gets an A+ from me.
ReplyDeleteKeep going!
Jane Mackenzie x