Hello Stranger...

Ooops, It really has been a while since I came on here... but a few of you have been emailing to check I am OK.

The short answer is Yes Thank You.  I am doing grand. =D

The long answer is Aye. Great! I have been pretty busy lately trying to get fit again. Too busy to spend much time on the world wide web.  The good news is that it is paying off.....

I have been using My Fitness Pal as my motivation, as I know once I start to loose weight then I will be able to regain some Bike Fitness, which will help me be able to get back out and ride through all these bitter winds.

When starting with My Fitness Pal, I realised just how bad my diet could be.  I have never been one for eating a lot of fruit, but my diet was generally OK, a healthy breakfast and a homemade evening meal, full of veggies etc.  My main problem areas were lunchtimes at work and the evenings that we had the "easier" meal options.

At work I would just grab a jam sandwich until I got home, then I would maybe make another sandwich or some toast. It was just too much bread!  The second problem would be the nights neither of us wanted to cook, so out would come the simple options, like fajitas, enchiladas, pasta-bakes etc.... I was flabbergasted by the calorific values.  If I was still exercising regularly I know these would be absolutely fine as we fill them full of veggies and protein.... but as it was, I just wasn't using as much as I was putting in.

Anyway, by the end of February I had lost half a stone due to watching my calorie intake.  I don't see it as being on a diet.  I am just eating more sensible sized portions and watching my snacking habits and I am definitely not depriving myself of my favourite treats.  If I don't have enough calories left to eat a treat I will go out and earn them, either through a ride, walk or a run - or failing that just save it for the following day when I may have used more calories.

By the end of March another half a stone had come off and it is definitely more noticeable how fitter I am. I am still far from where I was this time last year (or anywhere near my target weight) but I am doing things realistically and sensibly and once Spring has finally sprung I think it will be much easier to shed the final few pounds when I can get out and do longer rides.

In general I am now doing about 2-3 rides a week and 2-3 runs a week with maybe one or two walks thrown in for good measure, so I am definitely moving more than I had been for a while.

Sadly though, very few of these rides have been outside, due to the abysmal weather and continued strong winds but I am getting some good Turbo sessions in, which are really doing my stamina good as I am trying to maintain a good cadence throughout and build strength in my legs and lungs. Can't wait to get out there on a warm sunny day and see all my good work pay off. =D

So that was my news.... I apologise for neglecting this blog or keeping up with everyone elses.  Hope you are all well.

January - another month and a new incentive.

So, the New Year pretty much started in the same way that the last few months have been, with the weather and my idleness getting the better of me1

I was still managing to get out and do 2 runs a week but I really lacked any motivation to ride.  I then had a severe ear infection and even the runs had to stop.  By the time I was well again I was climbing the walls.  For the first time in a long time I actually wanted to get out and do something. In fact I wanted to ride!

So, we got ready. It was bitter out so we had to really wrap up. I was looking forward to getting out there though. For the first time in ages I was doing it for fun, not fitness. It was so cold that I needed overshoes over my winter boots - the wind was bitter. We went out. Within minutes I was exhausted. I could hardly make it up the hill to get out of the village. Was it the cold wind? Was I still harbouring germs?

No! I knew exactly what it was.... I have allowed myself to get really unfit again.... and FAT!

I only managed about 5miles that day. My legs just wouldn't spin. I got home. Frustrated. I had finally hit rock bottom.  For pretty much most of 2012 I had let all my hard work of the previous years slip away, mainly due to the weather.... but I should never have let it get the better of me.

Now I'm back to Day one.  I need to get fit! I like to ride my bike. I would like to be able to just get on and ride when I want without it being a huge effort again.

So for the last 11 days I have been making a concerted effort to get fit again.  I have joined MyFitnessPal and am now logging my calorie intake.  Not really to keep track of calories; more to pay attention to what I eat and see what junk I put in my body.  It's a real eye opener. Even though overall my diet isn't too bad.... it is those foods that I love; my comfort foods, ie, cakes, biscuits that I have to keep an eye on. I will not cut them out completely. I will just have them as little treats now and again. Not every day!

It has also motivated me to get active again, as you can earn extra calories by exercising.  So far, since then I have made sure that I have done at least one form of exercise a day.  In the last 11days there have been 3runs, 3 turbo sessions, 1 road ride and 5 very brisk walks.  Lets really hope that this time around.... my motivation will stick.

Watch this space... or follow me at MyFitnessPal

December Round Up.

As ever.... I am a little late with this blog post... but after such an abysmal November things perked up slightly in December.

Last month I set myself a little challenge of forgetting about the miles and just trying to do 5 x 30mins of exercise a week.

For the first two weeks I did this.... mainly by running and doing a few 30min sessions on the turbo, but then Christmas and a busy time at work kinda got in the way and only three sessions a week were managed. Still at least I did something. =D

Here are the not-so-fabulous stats...

5 x 30 min turbo sessions and 2 short and very windy road rides covering 48.45 miles

12 running activities(including one very tedious half hour running on the spot) covering 31.96 miles

Not the greatest of mileage totals.... but hey I am actually getting out there again.

Here's to a great 2013 to everyone. x