Thats it from this blogspot folks!
I've moved over to stuckinrunningmode.tumblr.com.
Thanks for looking in on me and following my progress in the last year. Tumblr is much more interactive and I have hooked up with another load of health and fitness tumblrs so I get loads of ideas and encouragement. Its a great site so I encourage you to join it yourself. If not join it certainly look around it! I am leaving my blogspot open though as it does record the first year of the rest of my life!
See you all on the tumblr side :-))
I will leave you with some facts and figures;
Start weight = 197lbs 89.4kg
Current weight = 168lbs 76kg
Goal weight =154lbs 69.8kg
Calorie count (most of the time ) 1500 calories
Started walking every day = 8th march 2011
Started couch to 5k = 25th April 2011
First ever and official (parkrun) 5k run = 18th June 2011 - 40 minutes 15 seconds
10 official 5k parkrun runs done. Latest one at 33 minutes 15 seconds
10k distance completed = Sunday 25th March 1 hour 12 minutes
Uk size 16/18 down to UK size 12/14
Tuesday 27 March 2012
Tuesday 20 March 2012
PT session
I joined the local gym and had my first ever PT session yesterday. It was nowhere near as scary as I thought it was going to be. My only “experience’ of PT’s to date are those on Biggest Loser and A Year to Save my Life. Chris Powell can come and live with me for 3 months anytime :-)
It was only for 1/2 hour and was really an ‘introductory’ 1/2 price session for him to get to know how fit I was and what I wanted to achieve.
We did some free weights, planks, lunges, squats, things with my arms (hey, give me a break, it’s a new language!) - all good. I did a side plank for 30 secs each side - twice! A new exercise for me! I enjoyed having new things to do. I also enjoyed input from another person. A fresh perspective if you like. Although I felt my thighs burn on the lunges I thought it was all pretty tame. That was until this morning. Oh my!
My thighs restricted my short run this morning and my glutes certainly worked yesterday! Even my torso feels tight. It hasn’t felt like that in years!! Its amazing how post exercise tight muscles make you feel.
I‘ve booked my next 5 sessions already :-)
Sunday 18 March 2012
Friday and Saturday Goals
Friday
Drink 2 litres water - fail (again) I had about 1 litre
Consume under 1500 calories - fail! I had 1820
Exercise - fail!!!!! I didn't do any !!
It was a funny day. I was working all morning then had a few hours break so had some lunch, looked at the internet, then, just as I was thinking about going to the gym or for a run, my next client asked to come earlier so that was that, no exercise done - at all.
Remembering to drink 2 litres of water is hard going. You really have to start first thing in the morning to get 2 litres in. I can't drink anything after about 8pm. If I do I generally have to get up in the night to go to the loo. It's my age!
I need to work out some sort of exercise programme that I can stick to. But then again, a day off now and then should do me some good!
Saturday
Drink 2 litres water - fail again!
Consume less than 1500 calories - umm, not sure because we ate out in the evening and I have no idea how many calories were in my dinner.
Exercise - hell yes! TICK!!!!! I did a pb on my parkrun 5k at 33.17 and burned 430 calories.
Drink 2 litres water - fail (again) I had about 1 litre
Consume under 1500 calories - fail! I had 1820
Exercise - fail!!!!! I didn't do any !!
It was a funny day. I was working all morning then had a few hours break so had some lunch, looked at the internet, then, just as I was thinking about going to the gym or for a run, my next client asked to come earlier so that was that, no exercise done - at all.
Remembering to drink 2 litres of water is hard going. You really have to start first thing in the morning to get 2 litres in. I can't drink anything after about 8pm. If I do I generally have to get up in the night to go to the loo. It's my age!
I need to work out some sort of exercise programme that I can stick to. But then again, a day off now and then should do me some good!
Saturday
Drink 2 litres water - fail again!
Consume less than 1500 calories - umm, not sure because we ate out in the evening and I have no idea how many calories were in my dinner.
Exercise - hell yes! TICK!!!!! I did a pb on my parkrun 5k at 33.17 and burned 430 calories.
Friday 16 March 2012
Thursdays Goals - Met (sort of)
Drink 2 litres water - tick but fail, sort of. Umm actually, 3/4 tick as I'm in charge...
Consume under 1500 calories (1366) - tick
Exercise - burning 732 calories - tick
I drank aboout 1.5 litres water which is better than the no water I drank on Wednesday! I'm really pleased I'm sticking to the calories and exercise though. Calories burned through exercise, tracked by Runkeeper, so far this week is 2025 which leaves 1475 to go. Better get my running shoes on then! :-)
Consume under 1500 calories (1366) - tick
Exercise - burning 732 calories - tick
I drank aboout 1.5 litres water which is better than the no water I drank on Wednesday! I'm really pleased I'm sticking to the calories and exercise though. Calories burned through exercise, tracked by Runkeeper, so far this week is 2025 which leaves 1475 to go. Better get my running shoes on then! :-)
Thursday 15 March 2012
Wednesdays Goals - 2/3 met
Drink 2 litres water - fail :(
Consume under 1500 calories (1443) - tick
Exercise - burning 184 calories - tick
No excuses! I should have started the day with water but I had a cup of tea and was out till 3pm only to have a cup of tea when I got back. It was too late in the day by the time I remembered I was supposed to drink water!
However, my calorie consumption is on track and my exercise to date is up to 1293 calories burned (tracked by Runkeeper). I have 2207 calories to go by Sunday. Easy!
Consume under 1500 calories (1443) - tick
Exercise - burning 184 calories - tick
No excuses! I should have started the day with water but I had a cup of tea and was out till 3pm only to have a cup of tea when I got back. It was too late in the day by the time I remembered I was supposed to drink water!
However, my calorie consumption is on track and my exercise to date is up to 1293 calories burned (tracked by Runkeeper). I have 2207 calories to go by Sunday. Easy!
Wednesday 14 March 2012
Tuesdays Goals - Met
Drink 2 litres water - tick
Consume under 1500 calories (1152) - tick
Exercise burning calories (918) - tick
918 calories (measured by my Runkeeper) in the gym including a jog there and back. Add to Mondays 191 calories = 1109 calories so far adn I'm on track for 3,500 calories at the end of the week.
Feeling energised!
Consume under 1500 calories (1152) - tick
Exercise burning calories (918) - tick
918 calories (measured by my Runkeeper) in the gym including a jog there and back. Add to Mondays 191 calories = 1109 calories so far adn I'm on track for 3,500 calories at the end of the week.
Feeling energised!
Tuesday 13 March 2012
Monday Goals Met
2 litres water - tick
Under 1500 calories (1490) - tick
Exercised, burning 191 calories - tick
OK so 191 calories for exercise is nothing - it was only a little run but I decided yesterday was a rest day as I had NO energy at all. Today however, is going to be a good day. As long as I dont have to wait in all day for my fridge freezer delivery!
Under 1500 calories (1490) - tick
Exercised, burning 191 calories - tick
OK so 191 calories for exercise is nothing - it was only a little run but I decided yesterday was a rest day as I had NO energy at all. Today however, is going to be a good day. As long as I dont have to wait in all day for my fridge freezer delivery!
Monday 12 March 2012
This weeks goals.
- Consume no more than 1500 calories a day.
- Burn 3500 calories this week - Station runs, 3 x 5k runs, 3 x 30 mins elliptical plus about 500 cals worth of other stuff like an extra 5k or more cardio work on the rower or bicycle in the gym.
- Drink 2 litres of water a day.
I am 4-5 lbs heavier than just before Christmas. Mainly through a major drop in exercise through injury and the difficulty of not having a kitchen since the end of January! Trying to work with only an oven, no hob, no microwave takes a bit of organising but I think I’m working it out now. I get my new fridge freezer tomorrow so will finally have a freezer for ice to ice up my foot/ankle after a run.
My 5k on Saturday was good although 2 minutes slower than the last one I did. My ankle was uncomfortable after the run and for the rest of the day, particularly when walking and going downstairs. If I had some ice it would reduce the inflammation and the discomfort.
After 2hrs exercise yesterday, jogging to and from the gym plus being in the gym, my short run to the station this morning was tough going. I felt exhausted this morning. But, I still ran it, so I'm pleased with that.
I cant believe it's 11.40 already! My day is disappearing before my eyes! Right I'm off to give my kitchen one (hopefully) final coat of paint then think about going to the gym or going for a run - depends if the sun comes out!
Good luck with all your goals this week. x
Thursday 8 March 2012
Fat to fit - my first year..
A year ago today I embarked on some regular exercise. I was 14.1stone/ 197 lbs / 89.5 kg, ate a lot, drank a lot and didn’t do a lot. My clothes were getting ever tighter, I was looking old and shabby and I was getting ever more miserable about it. I’ve tried hundreds of diets before and always failed, so this time I thought I should tackle my problem from another angle - exercise. So on March 8th 2011 I started walking, its as simple as that, just over a mile every day. Then I started to run.
Exercise
Yes, it was really hard going at first. I started by throwing the odd run into my walk. But I ran too fast without tracking it, just to the next lamp post or letterbox or road. I needed some structure so I found the Couch 2 5k app and started using that. The first run of 1 minute intervals killed. My lungs and throat burned. Sometimes I thought I was going to be sick but I carried on. The feeling, once the run was finished, negated any negative feeling I had during the run. The cool shower after was equally worth the effort. Each run was a little victory. Each run got easier. Soon my lungs expanded and breathing got easier, now the effort seemed to be in my legs, my calves and thighs just above the knee. Now I could feel some muscle under a layer of fat. Like another person, a fitter healthier, happier me growing inside. I got exited just putting on my running gear! In June 2011 I did my first 5k in 40.15 minutes. I couldn’t believe I ran the whole way. I fully expected to stop and walk half of it. Running with others is great. It keeps up the momentum. I have run many 5k distances since with and without others. I managed to up my distance to 8.5k non stop in January in preparation for a 10k. Unfortunately, I had to duck out of it a couple of weeks ago which was a real bummer (see injuries). But I will do at least one before the year is out.
Diet
After a couple of months, once I was “hooked” I focused on my food. Now, I don’t do fast food, I haven’t had a McDonalds in 20 years, I may get fish and chips once every 2 years and never eat the batter off the fish (greasy!). I eat all the good things, with the odd chocolate bar or hot cross bun thrown in. I do drink too much wine, not to alcoholic levels but I really would like to cut down. I ate too much bread and my portion sizes were out of control. I started to cut down my portions and count my calories. I still eat my normal food, I don’t believe in fads or turning your whole kitchen upside down. Pretty soon a chocolate bar became a rarity, naturally, as I was getting fitter I wanted to eat fitter too. This is definitely a brain switch. I think couch brains want fats and starchy carbs (stodge) while busy brains want fibre and protein (clean). I used MyNetDiary app to track my calories. At first I set it for a 2lb loss each week. I found 1200 calorie hard to stick to so upped it to 1500 which was much easier and often I would have gone under my calories for the day. I was in no hurry to lose weight. It took years to learn my sedentary lifestyle so its not going to turn around in a matter of months. I know, I’ve been there, many times.
Injuries
Lets face it. I’m 43 years old and was very unfit. I realise now only doing one form of exercise is not good. In July last year I strained my back, vacuuming of all things. My lower back is my weak spot from bad posture and 25 years of hairdressing. Without realising what I was doing I continued to run, upping my distance all the time and stopping when it hurt too much. Eventually, it spasmed so badly I was stopped in my tracks and shuffled home in tears of pain. I was pretty much laid up for 3 months. It was a very low point. Every movement hurt. I saw a physio, I used pain killers and hot water bottles until the muscle relaxed. It wasn’t until November until I could start to run again. I had lost some fitness but it soon came back.
I now have posterior tibial tendonitis Not really badly but bad enough to worry me. Having learnt a huge lesson from last year I’m not going to let this happen again. I saw a physio in a local running school. He hurts me...a lot. But with rest its getting better. I am also experiencing some back pain again in the guise of pinching once I get past 3 miles running. Again, its not bad but I am dealing with that too by building up my gluteal muscles doing squats. My physio says when you get tired during a run you relax your back and stick your bum out. This puts strain on the back muscles when in fact the gluteals should be engaging and doing the work. I must check my posture during runs. Actually, always.
Now
So, now my fitness levels are 1000 % better than they were last year. I have run/walked 411 miles/ 661k during which I have burned 49,534 calories. I can easily run 5k. My latest PB is 33 minutes 22 seconds and I have run non stop 8.5k to date. My legs have definition and are strong. I have lost 23lbs/10kg in weight, 12.6lbs / 5.7kg fat. I wish now I measured bits of myself too but I have gone down from a tight size 16 to 18 to a very comfortable 14. My aim is a comfortable 12 (UK sizes).
My running is on hold for the moment while my foot and back get better, but yesterday I joined the gym and spent 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer without any pains or niggles. This pleased me greatly as I have other exercises to do and need to strengthen my body in general, not just the legs!
My goals for the next 12 months are to build overall body strength. Do a sub 30 minute 5k and complete a 10k. If I get into size 12 jeans by the end of that it will be an added bonus!
Exercise
Yes, it was really hard going at first. I started by throwing the odd run into my walk. But I ran too fast without tracking it, just to the next lamp post or letterbox or road. I needed some structure so I found the Couch 2 5k app and started using that. The first run of 1 minute intervals killed. My lungs and throat burned. Sometimes I thought I was going to be sick but I carried on. The feeling, once the run was finished, negated any negative feeling I had during the run. The cool shower after was equally worth the effort. Each run was a little victory. Each run got easier. Soon my lungs expanded and breathing got easier, now the effort seemed to be in my legs, my calves and thighs just above the knee. Now I could feel some muscle under a layer of fat. Like another person, a fitter healthier, happier me growing inside. I got exited just putting on my running gear! In June 2011 I did my first 5k in 40.15 minutes. I couldn’t believe I ran the whole way. I fully expected to stop and walk half of it. Running with others is great. It keeps up the momentum. I have run many 5k distances since with and without others. I managed to up my distance to 8.5k non stop in January in preparation for a 10k. Unfortunately, I had to duck out of it a couple of weeks ago which was a real bummer (see injuries). But I will do at least one before the year is out.
Diet
After a couple of months, once I was “hooked” I focused on my food. Now, I don’t do fast food, I haven’t had a McDonalds in 20 years, I may get fish and chips once every 2 years and never eat the batter off the fish (greasy!). I eat all the good things, with the odd chocolate bar or hot cross bun thrown in. I do drink too much wine, not to alcoholic levels but I really would like to cut down. I ate too much bread and my portion sizes were out of control. I started to cut down my portions and count my calories. I still eat my normal food, I don’t believe in fads or turning your whole kitchen upside down. Pretty soon a chocolate bar became a rarity, naturally, as I was getting fitter I wanted to eat fitter too. This is definitely a brain switch. I think couch brains want fats and starchy carbs (stodge) while busy brains want fibre and protein (clean). I used MyNetDiary app to track my calories. At first I set it for a 2lb loss each week. I found 1200 calorie hard to stick to so upped it to 1500 which was much easier and often I would have gone under my calories for the day. I was in no hurry to lose weight. It took years to learn my sedentary lifestyle so its not going to turn around in a matter of months. I know, I’ve been there, many times.
Injuries
Lets face it. I’m 43 years old and was very unfit. I realise now only doing one form of exercise is not good. In July last year I strained my back, vacuuming of all things. My lower back is my weak spot from bad posture and 25 years of hairdressing. Without realising what I was doing I continued to run, upping my distance all the time and stopping when it hurt too much. Eventually, it spasmed so badly I was stopped in my tracks and shuffled home in tears of pain. I was pretty much laid up for 3 months. It was a very low point. Every movement hurt. I saw a physio, I used pain killers and hot water bottles until the muscle relaxed. It wasn’t until November until I could start to run again. I had lost some fitness but it soon came back.
I now have posterior tibial tendonitis Not really badly but bad enough to worry me. Having learnt a huge lesson from last year I’m not going to let this happen again. I saw a physio in a local running school. He hurts me...a lot. But with rest its getting better. I am also experiencing some back pain again in the guise of pinching once I get past 3 miles running. Again, its not bad but I am dealing with that too by building up my gluteal muscles doing squats. My physio says when you get tired during a run you relax your back and stick your bum out. This puts strain on the back muscles when in fact the gluteals should be engaging and doing the work. I must check my posture during runs. Actually, always.
Now
So, now my fitness levels are 1000 % better than they were last year. I have run/walked 411 miles/ 661k during which I have burned 49,534 calories. I can easily run 5k. My latest PB is 33 minutes 22 seconds and I have run non stop 8.5k to date. My legs have definition and are strong. I have lost 23lbs/10kg in weight, 12.6lbs / 5.7kg fat. I wish now I measured bits of myself too but I have gone down from a tight size 16 to 18 to a very comfortable 14. My aim is a comfortable 12 (UK sizes).
My running is on hold for the moment while my foot and back get better, but yesterday I joined the gym and spent 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer without any pains or niggles. This pleased me greatly as I have other exercises to do and need to strengthen my body in general, not just the legs!
My goals for the next 12 months are to build overall body strength. Do a sub 30 minute 5k and complete a 10k. If I get into size 12 jeans by the end of that it will be an added bonus!
Wednesday 7 March 2012
New blog
Hello peeps
While I am working out my next move with regards to blogging time please look at my shorter more frequent posts on http://42lbstolose.tumblr.com/
Thats if anyone is interested of course!
:-)
While I am working out my next move with regards to blogging time please look at my shorter more frequent posts on http://42lbstolose.tumblr.com/
Thats if anyone is interested of course!
:-)
Friday 2 March 2012
Bad weigh in this morning :-( I appear to have put a few lbs on. Clearly I haven't exercised enough and I've eaten too much.
My running has suffered of late due to this tendonitis I have developed in my right foot and I am getting a bit of a pinch in my back when I do more than 3 miles. My physio causes me intense pain while trying to release my calf muscle and today he has put some strapping on it. Next week he will look at my running style to see if that might be the problem - I expect it is, although I dont want to give you the impression I run like Mr Bean! Or maybe I do.......
My running has suffered of late due to this tendonitis I have developed in my right foot and I am getting a bit of a pinch in my back when I do more than 3 miles. My physio causes me intense pain while trying to release my calf muscle and today he has put some strapping on it. Next week he will look at my running style to see if that might be the problem - I expect it is, although I dont want to give you the impression I run like Mr Bean! Or maybe I do.......
Thursday 1 March 2012
March water challenge
Every day in March I am going to drink 2 litres of water. I don't do this at the moment and I drink far too much tea.
So far today I have had 750 mls, so nearly half way there.....
So far today I have had 750 mls, so nearly half way there.....
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