Warning this is what happens if you do a late night swim and then go to bed without drying your hair properly

Yesterday was a rest day. although I went for a bit of a walk in the lunch hour.

This morning

I woke up at 8.30. Before I knew I was hot footing it to the pool, only to find out that lanes closed at 9. Not wanting to waste my efforts I jumped in a managed and few lengths but it was quite busy.



After lunch went for 10k walk. I saw blue skies and sunshine, took me a while to realise what it was but then I remembered!! Walked along Wellhouse Lane which was lovely, skies really dramatic. Find it hard to sit still at the moment

but I am going to build in some relaxation times, candles, breathing and stuff. This a view from my walk along Wellhouse Lane, sky was gorgeouss, if it wasn't so wet it's the kind of sky you need to lay down and watch.

Have done gym tonight. Had a few problems I need to talk to the boss about but more or less completed the programme. And then just to justify myself went for a 400 m swim in the late night lane session

Did a cracking workout last night.

5 mins rowing

Bench Press 2x20@ 5k

Triceps Press 2x20 @ 25k

Ball Flies 2 x 20 @3k

Triceps Extensions 10 on each arm and 10 both arms @ 3k

5 min row

Learning what all the exercises are is interesting.

I was in the gym with some serious puffing and blowers. As they picked up their 40ks I skipped past with my 4s!!

It was quite a tough work out but with this new lease of life I was determined to get through it. I even made a few of the compulsory puffs and blows and red face.

This morning ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!!!!

A bit stiff in the tops of the arms. Walking around feeling like arms look like Arnie's, thankfully the rest of me is not!!!

Today is the start of the 12 week plan

Feel quite excited today had a great session with Wil yesterday and started up the next part of the continuation of the fitness programme. 12 weeks of focused health and fitness. Eating as healthily as possible, looking more at labels, eating things that will do good rather than just for the sake of it,'Optimum Nutrition'.

Exercise, following a programme set by Wil of progressive exercise. With some homework too.

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. Feel like Sponge Bob Square Pants - soaking all this new experience

Got weighed and measured in metric, which is good because I don't readily recognise the results so I won't get paranoid about getting on the scales all the time. Also was photographed in swimming costume, which is good because I couldn't hold anything in or disguise problem areas. Very brave photographer!!!!!!!! BUT won't release those to the public till I look a bit different

New Park Manor is at the end of the track of where the New Forest Show takes place. It was raining hard so I caught the bus. It was great cos it went right up into the car park for the show. When I got off the bus I sank in to a puddle of mud. Everyone was good humoured I think they had been warned what the grounds were like but I had an interesting walk back to the bus stop. The show was closing and big lorries followed me as I tried to feet my foothold. Miraculously I stayed upright but I think I took half the showground with me

So.........

This morning I found myself in the swimming pool after I had woken up. I saw a funny T shirt once 'I do all my exercise early in the morning before my body realises what's happening'. It was quite busy but managed to get my 20 lengths in. Getting better at making my presence felt instead of moving out of the way for everybody else. Felt good afterwards.

Bring me sunshine.........

Every time I sign on to do marshaling for Triathlons or road races, despite weather forecasts, the sun always shines. Even, what I call the middle of the night, at 6.30 am.

Today after rain and more rain all week we had perfect weather for the Winchester Triathlon today.

Swim was done in the swimming pool in stages and then a 40k cycle around north Winchester and lastly 10k run.

I got to write numbers on people again. Triathletes, on the whole are very friendly people and I always get to write on some very impressive muscles. I offered other designs such as dragons and celtic symbols but they opted for just numbers, as I use a waterproof pen it takes a few days to come off.

I then went into Transition 2 area which is where the swimmers morph into cyclists and then runners. It's a busy area and I try to keep an eye on those coming off bikes into the run because they are quite tired by then and get a bit disorientated.

The race went well and smoothly and I had a lot of good chats with the Concept team and the athletes. It's a great way to meet new people. I always feel quite proud of the people I write numbers on as I see them run past. My job is quite easy but the pressure is on the registration team and those doing the results on the computers and Roger (below) who is Mr Concept Sport and organises loads of Triathlons and races around the south of England.

And now to get on with my own training. Next Thursday going to start a new campagne, with a start weight and progressive exercise. This is partly to get as fit as I can before the knee op and also need a bit of a challenge as I feel I have been 'treading water' for a while. Would like to shift some more weight, although that is now become a secondary feature as I am now concentrating on fitness. Hopefully the weight will shift as well.

I have been finding out all about fat cells this week for homework.

Did you know that.............

By about the age of 16-18 the number of fat cells we have is established.

We all have different numbers which is determined by genes and life style.

The number of fat cells can't be reduced by diet or exercise but the fat within the cells can be decreased and the fat cell shrunk.

Fat cells can reproduce..due to obesity....a regular overweight person can have 75 billion fat cells whilst a case of severe obesity someone can have 250-300 billion.

I find anatomy and biology fascinating because it's now relevant. I hated it at school!!

This is my triathlon frisbee

And the rain continues....

Actually it's not too bad here. At the moment I am looking out onto a sunny street.

Yesterday went for a consultation with a surgeon about my knee operation.

As a NHS peasant I was contracted out to a hospital just south of Salisbury.

It turned out that it's a private hospital and very nice indeed. Hero Nephew in law Paul took me as he had already done the same thing a few days ago. And little H came to and spent most of his time charming people in the waiting room. There was one woman who was obviously one of the private patients and was complaining bitterly about her doctor being late. The fact the roads were really flooded around that area didn't seem to bother her. Anyway Harry demolished a bottle of milk, I was longing for him to give a loud burp just to upset her and he did. Cool boy!!

The consultant was very good looking and we were having quite a nice chat until he mentioned general anaesthetics. I have never been to hospital for an op and have always had a fear of being put under but I guess without anaesthetic it may not be pleasant. So they took all my details and then also found a heart murmur which worried me a bit...... had come for what I thought was just to sort out when I would have a quick keyhole op with local anaesthetic and a quick hop home.

It was interesting being pin up knee of the moment, with all my scan pics on the wall. He showed me some cysts that were featured around my torn tendon. Despite my sticking my head in the sand they won't go away. It is really weird seeing inside your knee. It is quite a complicated joint. I could see the cysts quite plainly around my meniscus.

I told the doc that I was quite interested in anatomy, and getting a bit of tuition from Wil, he went through the workings of the joint with me.

I recognised lots of the things he was telling me.

So now there is upto a three month waiting list. Just going to try and put it out of my mind till I get THE LETTER.

The Surgeon said to keep up the exercise as I can't do any more damage to it. Just to do no exercises that leave the leg unsupported. But having a switched on PT, don't do that anyway.

Thursdays session at New Park was cool. I had hit the gym quite hard all week and my legs were a bit sore didn't do to well on CV work. Did some upper body work and Wil went through the importance of posture and alignment. The broom handle was used in guidance, I think or am I being trained for the circus!!

Wednesday

I was Marshmallowing again for Concept Sport Event - Winchester 5k road race. They are a great team. No body parts to write on this time. I was out and about directing traffic!!!!!

Bit worried about this road sign out side of the gym, think it way have been copied from someone just coming out from a long session.

Last night I did a 1/4 Triathlon, kind of walking instead of running cos of knee. The times were pretty slow if you look at the pros but I had fun and felt suitably exhausted afterwards
I did it back to front as the swimming pool was only open from 9-10pm and then they chucked me out!!!
2.5k walk - 22.45
10k cycle - 27.06
500m swim - 22.00

Going to do this monthly because I am getting the yearning again to see progress and as the weight is slowing down the fitness will speed up, hopefully.
Want to get this knee op out of the way cos I know I'll have to rest for a bit and I need to get some continuity going.

Honey I Ate The Kids

You know when you set yourself a goal of reducing something in your diet like sugar (see last post) you suddenly have the greatest craving for it. On Friday I thought I'd have a purge and get rid off stuff that has too much sugar in. But ended up having too much so we will draw a line under that and go onwards after I have slapped myself a few times !!!

Going to perservere because I have always had a sweet tooth and in healthy eating you can replace overt sugars for more natural forms such as organic honey and sugar in fruits but even then you can have too much. Going to do a bit of research.

I know some of you have e-mailed me for my food diary on here but I just want to try a few things out first then I'll put it on.

I am a bit of a honey addict. It comes from a life time of eating cakes and sweets

On the exercise front I am trying to reclaiming my Wonder Woman status again. Building up weight exercises and CV work.


Yesterday I went for a swim at the crack of dawn. All good intentions but my goggles broke and I was swimming my vision was blurred as my goggles filled up with water. I tried variations of repair but they just weren't playing. Tried a few lengths without but my eyes got so sore I gave up. It's important to avoid embarrassing situations in lane swimming, to see where you're going. Like the one I had with quite a gorgeous man going the other way when I caught his trunks!!!! Not on purpose at all !!!!
Then I did 2 sessions in the gym one in the morning which was manily CV and I did my rowing challenge. 3 x 5 mins not as easy as it seems. Then in the evening I did chest and biceps workout. This morning I feel a bit like Arnie Schwartzhisface. Read an article in 220 about over training but I don't think I am near that status yet.
Really enjoy the exercise part need to get to grips with the eating.

This week I am back on the marshalling trail with the Winchester 5k road race on Thursday and the Winchester Fast twitch triathlon on Sunday. Really looking forward to those. I feel flourscent orange is really my colour!!!!

Got new goggles and I am back in the pool tonight!!!

Marshalling Marshmallowing

Having a great week so far.

Started off with the Bournemouth International Triathlon. This is the first triathlon I've seen in action...and I was marshalling and was in the midst of all the excitement. Those of you who know me know that before 5am is a late night and there is no such time as before 8am. I was standing writing numbers on hundreds of people's arms and legs starting at 6 am. I am surprised they didn't get just a cross or a circle. Still I more or less got the numbers right.

Then I went over to the running gate. The race consists of a swim 1.5k, cycle 40k and then a 10k run, there were other variations of the race going on too. 670 people raced in 7 waves. As the cyclists came down into transition I guided them towards the start of the run. Some were a bit disorientated and it took a lot of shouting to guide them my way. The atmosphere was electric and despite what they were doing everyone was very friendly

It was great to see Wil in the front runners. The weather was great, rain held off. Loved every minute of it.

Went home and promptly fell asleep.

Monday it was back to Bournemouth for a relaxed walk along the beach with mum. We dodged the rain and sat by the sea watching it rain everywhere else We spent quite a few minutes marvelling at this seagull just surfing on the wind and hovering for ages only to later see that we were watching a man and his kite!! It was very lifelike though.


Tuesday was Jenny's birthday and we had a family gathering. Of course little Harry stole the show

Wednesday guess what ..... Bournemouth again!!! This time marshalling a Duathlon, 400m swim, 5k run. Working with Roger, Linda and Gemma from Concept Sport, one of the major sport organisers in the south. Great team very friendly. About 50 people raced. As I am now a writer on of limbs I did the same again. Nice buzz before the race. Roger gave me the starter claxon to hold. I think he saw the slight twinkle in my eye. If I blow the claxon too early I could create chaos but I was very good and waited till everyone was ready. Felt like a celebrity starting the race. Everyone dashed into the sea. Once they were all in I went up to do marshalling for the running stage. Beach was beautiful in the low evening sun.

Yay!-Wil again in the front runners.

Thursday off to Brockenhurst today for Pt with Wil. It's great having someone who really knows his stuff, even when I bombard him with a whole page of questions. Did some CV , Stability and Core work. Still feel really enthusiastic (getting even more so) in matters of fitness. I am having trouble shifting remnants of stretched stomach and 'saddle bags'. Have contemplated surgery but I really want to persevere with toning exercises first.

We talked about looking at the sugars I am eating min my diet. Going to see if I can reduce my sugar intake. Not really overy sugars but thenigs like drinks, cereal bars, honey, just looing at labels even things like baked beans. I don't really want to eat reduced sugar food as that usuallyhas loads of chemicals in. I'll let you know I go.

Big well done to Stu who lost 5lbs last week

Got a week off work hoorahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh , really need a break form the traumas. Going to make the most of my week and do a bit of











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Taking a few days off blogging

Today I went for a walk in my dinnerbreak and got caught up with a full military funeral at the cathedral. Major Paul Harding who was killed in Iraq. Depite what you may think about the war in the Middle East,it's a chilling sight to see a body actually being marched in front of you. He had full military honours but it was so sad to see his young family walking behind him and his hat and medals on top of the union jack. His colleagues carried his coffin, which must be such an emotional thing to do. Not only has your friend died but it could have been anyone of them. The reality hit home hard that all the news bulletins you see and the political discussions debating the rights and the wrongs, real people are being killed, hundreds every day.

Another sad thing my Uncle Ray (Dad's brother) died last week. He lost his battle against cancer. I have many lovely, childhood memories of him. He served on the council as a Liberal and was a methodist lay preacher on the local circuit.

Was it something I said.....

Yesterday was a good day on the fitness front. I ate a good healthy day's food. On Sunday I made this low GI walnut loaf. Though I say it myself it was one of my better attempts at cooking, meaning I was able to persuade it out of the tin and it wasn't on fire!!!

This loaf could be the staple diet for the troops in the dessert, it is really filling. I have made 2 and it makes about 12 slices each. I cut a slice in half and have one half in the morning and one in the afternoon. Much more filling and healthier than the cereal bars I've been having cos I know exactly what goes into them. Tonight I'll post the recipe on Soobee's Kitchen.

All good stuff. The person I usually get to test out my experiments has left the country..... I wonder why....

Last night I went to the gym a bit earlier than usual. I got on to the Cross Trainer for a warm up and it seemed everyone got off the Treadmills and other cross trainers and left. I asked one of the Personal Trainers there if it was something I said but he said it was the regular 8-9 0'clock shift leaving. That's all right then, no need to take it personally!!!!

Had a good chat to one of the PTs at Winchester , he plays rugby for London Irish. He gave a good tip. To burn fat in exercise it's best to do CV work in the morning after your body has had time to digest all the food from the day before rather than working on a full days food in the evening. I'llpass that one by the grand master of fitness see what he says.

Getting a grip

Ok confession time been really lazy and had a week off exercise and diet.........


Decided to see what that resulted in by getting on the scales...ooops after the initial shock I gave myself virtual slap and got back to it.. It's so easy to slide back into bad habits so I got on the trail straight away. Early swim, 10k walk and then some stuff at the gym. I want to lose a stone before Greenbelt, annual pilgrimage to the best weekend of my life, closely followed by an exciting wedding of Nephew David. Need to look 'FABLAS'





Exciting news from Copenhagen. Personal Trainer Wil came in the top 5 in the European Triathlon Championships. WOW!! 1.5k swim, 40k cycle,10k run all done and dusted in 2 hours 9 mins 23 secs. What a champ. Well done Wil we're really proud of you.



Wasn't Dr Who brilliant. It's like Stu said, you just want to soak up every minute like a sponge, and it takes your breath away. It's fine he saved the world but now we have to wait till Christmas to see him again!!