Breaking the mould

I'm a creature of habit. Maybe there is a touch of OCD about me but when things become routine, I can stick to them religiously. Example - I've been going to the same barbershop for the last 17 years, even though for most of that time I've been living out of that area. Call it familiarity. Call it comforting. For whatever reason I keep going back and have been loathe to cut my hair in other establishments. But you're not reading this blog to hear about my short back and sides. So let me get to the point.

When it comes to exercise, I find myself getting into bad habits very easily. I know for successful weightloss I need to balance reducing calories with increased physical activity. I've been there. I've done that. I didn't got from 24st down to 14 1/2st simply twiddling on my thumbs. Going to the gym was an integral part of that success and when I climbed back on board the diet wagon at the start of this year I had every intention of reintegrating physical exercise into my daily routine.

Only I didn't. I have a gym on site at work which even with two small children makes it easily accessible. Worse still, since last October I've had a 1 year membership that was completely free of charge, ironically won at a 'Well Being' event. I've used that gym before, spent several years as a member and know it inside and out. And yet that membership card has sat idle in my wallet ever since.

Until today.

Today I'm breaking the mould. A short session in my lunch break on a treadmill got me under way. I actually went to a hotel gym while I was at a conference last week and it reminded me that I quite enjoy getting hot and sweaty, though the wheezing and instant reminder about low levels of fitness weren't quite so welcome.

The Tesco approach to exercise - Every Little Helps

A one-off trip to the gym is not going to do very much for me. My efforts last Thursday morning were somewhat wasted when followed up by a three course meal and a boozy evening. To make this work, I have got to convert a bad habit into good and make this a regular gig. If I'm not posting regularly about my gym activity, please hold me to account

Coe, Cram and Ovett have nothing on me!

Call it sibling rivalry if you want, but having read my sister's article on this blog yesterday, I felt compelled to pull on my running shoes. This morning I paced the mean streets of Britwell - well, a small part of it anyway - and did my first outdoor run since I was a teenager.

A couple of years back when I was a regular at the gym I was able to spend quite a bit of time on a treadmill, but doing that in a controlled environment is very different to running in the elements, particularly if like me you have asthma. That was a contributory factor in my 'run' this morning lasting not very long, though 95% of the reason was because I'm hideously unfit. However, it is a start and a foundation to build upon.

Mo Farah is quaking in his boots

My asthma played up and a few hours later I'm still coughing and spluttering at regular intervals. Looks like I've got a lot of work to do if I'm going to get myself fit for a 10k this year. However, after spending the last few weeks gaining weight and eating like a pig, it was good to do something positive and try to get Year of the Diet back on track.

The Friday Fat Fright

I've been a bit quiet of late of the diet front, mostly because I've been disgusted at myself for letting things slide in the last few weeks. However, while I don't have anything positive to say, here is a guest article written by my sister, which should provide inspiration both to me and to mums who are looking to lose a few lbs. Enjoy.

The Friday Fat Fright

Five weeks ago I posted the following on Facebook:

Inspired by my bro's 'Wednesday Weigh-in' (see his blog www.yearofthediet.com) and his signature 'feet on scales' photo, I have just instituted the 'Friday Fat Fright' only I can't post the evidence until a) I've lost weight and b) I've had a pedicure.

I was initially being my usual facetious self but my brain was whirring round that just maybe the sheer terror of having to publicly reveal my weight might spur me into action! And I had actually weighed in and taken a Graham-style feet on scales photo which instead of sharing immediately as my ‘baseline’ I made the wallpaper on my Blackberry and laptop as a constant reminder of the need for action.

Don’t get me wrong I don’t imagine I have any real kind of weight problem but over the last couple of years my weight has crept up to a stone over what I consider my realistic, lets-face-it-I’m-40-and-I’ve-had-three-kids-and-I-do-actually-like-to-eat-and-drink ideal weight.

The weight gain followed, ironically, a delicious period of being back down to my pre-children-world-was-my-oyster weight of my late teens and early twenties. This was a bit to do with finding I actually liked to run when I was 37 and a lot to do with the stress of the build-up to a very painful period in my life.

A three-year run of immense personal upheaval – including finally facing my demons and seeking help for the anxiety and depression that had long since crippled me at least on the inside – alongside being extremely happy in my new life combined to make me pile the weight back on and quite a bit more for good luck. Comfort eating, more alcohol than normal, the effects of medication and lack of exercise make for a vicious circle when you’re trying to make that break-through from the ‘dark side’. Enjoying having meals cooked for me for the first time since I lived at home, as well as romantic meals out and cosy boozy nights in was, whilst to die-for, also not conducive to getting back in shape.

So, now is the time and in the 5 weeks since my Facebook post I have lost exactly half a stone and am running my first race since 2011 tomorrow. Healthy eating (lots to eat but the right things with treats thrown in), less alcohol and 3 or 4 runs a week seem to be working for me. I’m hoping I can keep going until I shed another half stone which I could just manage in time for a no-doubt-gut-busting trip to the US in July! Finishing the 10k tomorrow without stopping is the goal rather than chasing a PB but it feels great to have come this far. Watch out Woodley here comes Thunder Thighs and her Muffin Top! !

Before 05/04/13

Now. Result!