Do do do be do do do Wonder Woman..................

Had a tough work out at the spa today. Really worked hard especially on the exercise bike with interval training. Not sure if it's the masochist in me but I really enjoyed it. I love that feeling of knowing you have worked hard but also have achieved the goal. Still a bit rubbish at some of the exercises but working on it.

Had a weigh in and measure today.

So here are the results from the tape measure

Since June 2006 starting the Daisy Appeal I have lost

4cm from Neck

20cm from Chest

44cm from Waist

33cm from Hips

14cm from Calves

and....6st 5lbs

Signed up for The Race For Life today in Bournemouth, 24th June. Gorgeous Stu has agreed to be on stand-by with the stretcher. Looking forward to it, I think I will be walking the course as the knee won't stand for too much jogging (that's my excus

e anyway). It will be my first ever walking event.

In my efforts to become Wonder Woman I

went swimming with Ema this evening. Was great fun but unfortunately Ema

's new 'swimming costume wasn't really designed for swimming and thoose with goggles may have got a view they hadn't bargained on this evening!!

Managed 10 lengths of crawl. Going for a long hot bath now.

Blow Up Finish

Had a fun today helping with the Winchester 10k Fast Twitch Race. It was so exciting. There was a bit of setting up to do and then 800 + runners to set off. The Concept team were all really friendly and we got on well. It was amazing standing in the middle of 800 people running. The sound of all those feet on the track..it sounded like a heavy shower of rain. Once they were all out of sight we set up the Finishing Line. I though it would be a tape but I guess with so many runners thats not going to work so they had an inflatable arch which everyone had to fun through.

It was just over half an hour after they all set off when we saw the leader car and the first runner, Gary Thornton (31.20) who had quite a lead on everyone else, come back. Gradually the runners filtered back in. Some looked like they were close to death some looked like they'd been on gentle jog. It was very muddy so as soon as the runners had gone under the arch we had to tell them to slow down as they went into the lanes to be recorded and get their medals. Luckily no one fell over.

Really enjoyed being involved and was inspired by the runners.

Went to the gym this afternoon and did 2k walking on the Treadmill 21.48 on the flat (best time to date) and then 15 mins of Cross Trainer level 6. Came home and did some weights work on the ball.

AWWWWW Factor!!!!!!

Awwwwwwww
This is the latest picture of little Oscar, son of Wil and Kath. So Cute!!!!!!!!!!

Jenny my niece came into the shop yesterday with husband Paul and Gerald (working name!!) who will be making a grand entry into the world in about 3 weeks time.!!
It's so exciting I can't wait. But I will be Great Aunty Su...that makes me sound ancient. I did put in for a change of title, Aunty Su the Great... bit like Alfred. Not that I have ideas above my station or anything!!!

10 DAYS TO GO

After tea chilled out for 2 hours and then went to the local gym and did usual 2k walking on treadmill and 15 mins on Cross Trainer and I managed to pluck up courage to go do some weights work and there were only 2 other people there. Of all the sections of the gym it's the weights area I find most difficult to do on my own. Feel quite self conscious but I'll get over that eventually. I sat on one of the gym balls and nearly disappeared it was so soft but I managed to do some work

Tea - Quinoa and tomato sauce- (tomatoes base sauce made with Chopped tomatoes with olive oil and garlic, tomato puree, mushrooms,onions, herbs, chic peas and lentils) watercress, cucumber. Soya yoghurt and blueberries
Afternoon snack was carrots and LF humus
Actually I think this going to drive me crazy I'll go back to daily summaries
1.30 pm Pitta bread with feta cheese and salad......apple orange
10.30..Fig and organic apricots break -yummy...hot water and lemon
9.00...At work
8.30...Mad dash for changing and porridge,banana and honey at home
7.45...Found myself in the pool thinking..swimming is really weird...there are loads of people in the pool looking like windmills or if they are sleep-swimming... so many different styles. With my Speedo goggles I have special underwater vision. Legs do strange things as well when people swim...laughing underwater is not recommended even with goggles on!! Did 10 lengths front crawl
6.45....OHHHHHHHHH Don't feel like swimming...why can't I just be thin and fit now!!!!

Creepin' and a crawlin'

Had quite an active day today. Took root in the Spa starting off with a session with Wil. I am becoming aware that I can do lots of time on the Cross Trainer and Treadmill , which is great because it nearly did me in the first time I tried them.... so on the positive there is progress!! But oh... oh details on posture I'm not doing too well with. If round shoulders were attractive and healthy I'd be Miss World!!!


Anyway with a threat of being impaled on a broom handle I'm going to work really hard on that. So much to remember... I used to have a T Shirt with instructions on


HEAD STRAIGHT, SHOULDERS BACK, STOMACH IN, CORE ON, BOTTOM CLENCHED, KNEES BENT, FEET STRAIGHT............


I think may be I should have it Tatooed on!!!

Apart from all that it was fun session.

Then I went into the Steam Room one of my favourite places to relax, although not for too long otherwise I won't have to worry about what I eat anymore. I met a lady in there who suffers from ME and was on a break at the Hotel. It was really intesting to hear about how she manages her fatigue....



Then 10 minutes in the warm bubbles and then jumping into the pool which is always a bit of a shock to the system. It's not cold but is cooler than the bubble pools.


I have been advised by Wil not to do breast stroke because of the way the knee is turned out in the leg movement, so I am using front crawl as an exercise stroke and for just getting around the pool. It took some getting used to as I always used breast stroke because I found front crawl so exhausting....but now that has changed. I am really enjoying front crawl....


Today I managed to relax my breathing (i have been panicking trying to breath and swim, it's so much easier not to!!!!). I did a few lengths non stop without the gasping for breath at each end. I'm not very fast yet..........
I have got just over a week to the Radio Solent weigh-in so Iam going to try and log each day , on here what I eat and exercise done!!!!

Need to go from this to this............. sights not set too high then!!!!



I am going to be a steward at the Winchester 10k Fast Twitch race on Sunday. Really excited about that. Just love being in the midst of all that lycra!!!!

No surgery needed

I had an interesting comment made to me by a lady who works in Boots the chemist.... 'Have you had surgery, the stomach operation....you have lost loads of weight.......?'
It took me a few seconds to realise that she thought I'd had my stomach stapled, as if that was the only way I could have possibly lost this much weight.
I reassured that I hadn't and that it was just through healthy eating and exercise... She was amazed that it could be done that way.
I was amazed that she was amazed... I suppose it is modern thinking and media. There have been a number of TV programmes about cosmetic surgery and even children of 15 having stomach reducing ops.
I know from a history of yoyo binging, starving and crash dieting what works and what doesn't. I have said the cliche 'I have done every diet and I can't lose weight...' I know and have used all the excuses......but surgery eeek no.....I'm too much of a coward. And I have seen programmes one in particular where a woman had her stomach banded and got a piece of meat stuck in it and was in agony and has now put on even more weight because she is eating badly and liquidising sweets and high fat stuff and doing no exercise.... lot of pain for nothing.
Other programmes I have watched, where I might have sympathy for surgery were people had got to such a state that they couldn't move off their beds... people 30-60 stone in weight. Their lives are in danger but the only choice that they can see is to have a further life threatening operation.
I got to 26st 10 and I was in a dangerous position I did consider whether it was going to surgery but I hate hospitals and was too scared.
You just have to break the cycle in some way. I was very lucky to get really good advice and help.
It has to be eating healthily and using those calories in good exercise....
But I guess it's easy to see things more clearly when you've lost a few stone

OK END OF RANT
Didn't get the job at the surgery just as well considering what I have just written!!!! I thought the interview went well but wasn't to be...so onwards and upwards!!!

I'm Spinning Around ...

After having quite a difficult day, at work my niece and her husband very kindly drove me down to see Wil at New Park Manor.
It seems ages since I have been to see the Guru of Fitness at the gym. My knee was still quite stiff so we had a really good chat instead. I think we covered a lot of ground including nutrition, ways of building up supportive muscles, the anatomy of the knee, exercise programmes, job interviews...... oh and of course Little O.

Have an interview for a new job today at 2 not sure if I really want to do it but I am going with an open mind and to use it as interview experience. It could be that I really love it ...we'll see

This morning I woke up in the Gym.....now that is scarey enough but there were people doing a Spinning Class (on bikes not the Whirling Dervish kind)at great speed and with loud music, looked great fun. They had obviously been there some time already...since 6.30 indeed!!!. I was awake early so I thought instead of staring at the ceiling I might as well put the time to good use.
I did 15 mins on Treadmill, 15 mins on Cross Trainer and 15 mins of front crawl in the swimming pool (which I've found is the safest place to do it!!!)

Got a Valentine's Card too.....have absolutely no idea who.........was just pushed through door ..... not sure if I 'm chuffedd or scared!!!!!

Fascinating Knees

This morning I went to the Orthopaedics Clinic. My knee was a bit sore this morning after walking 10k yesterday. But that just reinforced the incentive to get it sorted out.

The specialist, a very nice man, asked me loads of questions and I gave him a brief history of my knees...fascinating eh!!!!!!!!

I told him being knocked over by a car and the Pigs (see December Blogs). I told him my knee had got a lot worse after the being attacked by pigs. He tried not to laugh but giggles escaped as he tried to ask me to tell him about it. He said he would have great fun dictating that one to his secretary.

He looked at my knees, which are still carrying quite a bit of fat, and tried to say in the most polite way, that it was difficult to see if they were swollen!!! Then I sat on the edge of the bed and he did a few tests, then I lay on the bed and he tested flexibility, clickability and hurtability!!! There were a few times I tried to say politely in a polite way.."ooh that's a bit sore!!"

He turned and prodded the knee joint obviously knowing exactly what he was looking for. At one point he turned it at an angle and then bent it and we all knew that was where it hurt!!

There was something definitely clicking and moving about in there.

His conclusion was that I had probably got a torn cartilage and a part of it was flicking into the knee joint every now and then and was causing a problem.

He said that it wouldn't necessarily get worse but would hinder. I am to have a MRI scan (I thought they made furniture) , and it could be fixed if needed!!!!!!!!!! That was music to my ears..I have been so aware of people on crutches and zimmer frames ...I so don't want to end up there!!

So now I have to wait for an appointment for MRI scan (I'm not sure if it's one of those tubes you go in and get microwaved. Not really worried about it just want to get it sorted.

I have been feeling a bit lazy. Don't feel on top of exercise although I did a longish walk yesterday it's not as regular as it has been. Going to see the fitness Guru tomorrow. Need to do the exercise to help with weight loss...knees a'willing

Determined to lose more weight must not not become complacent. Hopefully next goal is for a week on Thursday weigh-in. Then want to have lost at least 6 stone by the time next Radio Solent appearance, last weigh in I had lost 5 1/2 stone. Then next time I see Orthopaedics and then I would love to be in the 13 stones by Greenbelt (August 2007). 2 stone in 5 months should happen!!!!!!!!!!!!! It would be so fab

NEW LOOK BLOG

As I am coming to the end of the sponsored part of the Daisy Dieting I though it is time to break out into a new look blog. Now is the time to continue with all I have learnt and put into practice for every day life. I have 3 weeks to go before the next proposed Radio Solent appearance so the challenge is ....can I lose 18 lbs to bring it up to the 100 lbs weight loss for the Daisy appeal... Going to try really hard but ...it's down to the gym and as much walking, swimming and rowing, etc as I can
watch this space................

Aw Little O!!

Had a lovely day today. Woke up to find that we had actually had some snow. The road outside looked like a scene from a Christmas Card. I long for snow every year preferably Christmas week but I don't mind anytime!

Later in the morning I set off to see the newest member of Team Wil, Baby Oscar. He is the cutest thing ever. So tiny - well he is only a 11 days old. It was so amazing just to watch his face as he was sleeping lots of little expressions coming through.

I think he is keeping his Mum and Dad entertained, especially when he goes nocturnal. Like a little Koala bear he likes nothing better than to curl up on either parents chest and snooze, bless him.

On Monday I have an appointment with the Orthopaedics Clinic. I am a bit worried about what they will say and also if they poke around and move my knees to much in the wrong direction, I'll end up crawling out of the surgery!!

It will be interesting to hear what they have to say I have kind of put any major exercise on hold for a while in case I do more damage. I'm longing to be able to jog and do some stamina exercises

CrossTraining? No! Happy Training

Had a good session in the gym today. I wish I could remember after i have done a good work out I feel so much better with life. Stu hade me a real boppy compilation CD to play whilst walking and going to the gym, unfortunately I haven't worked out how to use it in swimming yet. Someone should really invent something.

I managed 25 minutes on Treadmill, 15 mins on XTrainer and 15 mins on Rower, although the rower kept getting stuck on it's slide and then another 30 mins on Treadmill. It's not as much fun on my own but I had The Fratellas, Kylie, Erasure, Scissor Sisters etc helping me through it. I had the remix of 'I Should Be So Lucky' on, and I had to stop myself singing at the top of my voice and doing a Kylie dance!!!

I have got over my awkwardness at being in the gym. I still, sometimes think of myself as 26 stone and wait for people to point and laugh at me as I step onto the Treadmill, but no one takes a blind bit of notice, and for once I don't mind!!!

I had a very nice view, there was a gorgeous man on the Treadmill in front of me, but however fast I walked I didn't catch him!!!

Knee seems to be holding up, a bit sensative but it hasn't locked for a week now, I just have to be really careful how I use it. I have in my ears all the time the little voice of Wil...'where are your feet!!!' Need to constantly check they are straight, front facing, even when I am waiting to cross the road or sitting watching TV. Trying to remember not to cross legs or do the Can-Can. I have my Orthopeadics appointment confirmed for the 12th Feb.

Baby Oscar is now settled and safe at his new home!!!

Joined the local Gym recently. Had to do an induction course on how to use their machinery. Most of it is what I have been used to but some slightly different. BUT other people..in fact lots of other people use the gym too...not used to that..maybe I have been a bit spoilt at New Park.

Everyone is quite nice though apart from a few sideways remarks and glances from The Ladies That Do Lycra'.......... I think I need to take personal stereo in so I can ignore them and if I start singing too maybe I will get a gym to myself!!!!!!!!!!

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