Today I went for my first PT session with Wil under his new venture Nine Personal Training.

We started our session outside the Westover Yacht Club and then briskly walked up to Durley Chine and Park. It's a lovely part of Bournemouth. We did a bit of jogging and then made use of the benches around for Triceps presses and press ups. We looked the part, I had my 'Nine' Shirt on and Wil had his running gear and multifunctional rucksack (which is a bit like Mary Poppin's bag, it had all but a muti- gym in it!!).

Had a sparring session on top of the hill. In all a very good work out. I really enjoyed it, it's great improvising and being outside in such beautiful surroundings, very exciting.

Hadn't done much exercise for the last week so I was quite out of condition but got my shot of inspiration and motivation and we're on the trail again!!

G G G Greenbelt

Had a great weekend at Greenbelt. It's so good we meet up with friends , some we haven't seen since the last Greenbelt and carry on as if we had been together al the time. There are loads of talks, bands, theatre productions, arts in all sorts of ways but the best thing of all is spending time with friends.

I went with the fab 4 - Stu, his parents Reg and Maureen and Mark. My pictures were a bit shakey but you can see loads of them here

I was led astray again in the Organic Beer Tent. I tried Peri, a cider made from Pears. I could get used to given time but I think I mistake cider for Appelade, it never tastes how I expect!!

Cos I am going to be away for the long weekend I want to wish Personal Trainer Wil all the best for the launch of his new venture 'Nine Personal Training'. He leaves New Park on Friday to become a fitness tycoon

I've been trained by Wil for over a year and I can honestly say it's changed my life as you may have gathered from this blog. So I can heartily recommend him (contact details to follow)

He's part of the British Triathlon Team, so is a good all rounder, and specialises in Sport Injury Prevention and Massage and weight management.

He also does Spinning classes in the Bournemouth's Littledown Recreation Centre.

I think the class have made their first blanket!!!!

Anyway..... well done Wil and Good Luck

I was wondering what to have for dinner today and low an angel from Facebook drew me this...ans this is what I ate

Angels in Fluorescents

First of all had a good session with Wil. Learning lots at the moment. Hopefully I am going to do a course in Personal Training in January in Bournemouth, so my task is to tap his considerable knowledge on fitness.
Yoga didn't happen as a slight mishap with texts!!

Yesterday I nearly had to call International Rescue again.
I decided in a family tradition way to take a short cut. I try to walk to the Spa for my session with Wil. I knew it was wet so I took a spare set of gym gear with me, which in the end was a good job.
I walk thorough the village and then usually go around some allotments to the left and join up with a pathway that leads to New Park Manor. Well yesterday I decided to go to the right thinking I would cut off a corner. I found myself following a stream which I thought would be jumpable and eventually take me to the path. I followed the stream no sign of it getting shallower, couldn't see where I was or where I had been so decided to cross the stream which was a lot deeper than I thought. I crossed some heather land and realised I was completely lost and disorientated. There were no landmarks apart from trees and horses. I started to panic and phoned a friend. As usual gorgeous Stu was on hand to calm me down.
I was wandering around and in danger of getting more and more lost. As I was talking to Stu I suddenly noticed two joggers in fluorescent jackets running in a straight line and thought that must be the path.
So I made my way in that direction the ground was really soggy but seeing I already had wet feet just plodded through. It was the path and all was well. Not sure what would have happened if I hadn't seen them. I imagined St Bernard dogs, helicopters etc or just in hundreds of years being found as the 'Bog Woman of the Forest' by Time Team!!!

I could hear my Dad laughing at me because his short cuts were legendary in our family. As children we were often walked across bull and cow pat infested fields under the promise of a shortcut!!
Anyway very grateful the fluorescent ones.
And I learnt my lesson to stick to the path.

Did I mention I was going to be Godmother to Harry!!!!

Still working hard on exercise. Had a bit of a fall on Saturday when I went swimming and did a version of Swan Lake on the changing room floor and hurt my knee a bit. If I don't have the operation soon it's going to fall off anyway!!

Saturday was a bad day. Moral at work really low and I felt a bit down and then a big black headache swept over me.

Oh.... about the headaches.... going to see Yasmin tomorrow, at New Park, who is a yoga expert and I am going to have a session with her to learn the basics of relaxation. I have met her before and she is lovely. Looking forward to that.

Also have a session with Wil before hand which is always great.

Wil is setting out on his own soon, which is quite scarey for him but he'll thrive on it and is already getting well organised. Richard Branson watch out!!I seem to be a bit accident prone at the moment!! I got to the gym at 6.30 am this morning. I though it was all a dream till I took a drink and fell off the cross trainer... not with much grace either. Well...it was very early a.m.. Didin't do much exercise yesterday cos we were celebrating Andrew's 18th and may have eaten a little too much.... so I am trying i bit harder today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY

Tonight we had a family gathering for Nephew Andrew's 18th birthday. Now to be a bit auntish.....I have got the best Nephews and Nieces in all the world. I love spending time with them and the rest of the family

But it doesn't seem that long ago I was bouncing Andrew on my knee (sorry Andy don't want to ruin the street cred) and now he's all growed up.

So we took over a restaurant and demolished most of the menu!! And we managed to embarrass the birthday boy with the public humiliation of singing Happy Birthday and candlelit cake

Little H came too. He is so cute and he asked me today if I would be his Godmother. I said yes, he may change his mind when I go to his naming ceremony in my pink fluffy dress and wings!! I am so chuffed he is so gorgeous and we had a really fun time tonight.

Radio Solent In Winchester

The BBC Radio Solent bus rolled into town today. It was great to see Vicky (right) and Matt again. It was only a year ago when we all met for the first time, so much has happened in between. While I was there one of the weather presenters from South Today TV show, Georgie (below) made an appearance.

And the gorgeous 'Interactive' Matt was there too....

Really good recipes on Soobees Kitchen Table today.
Anybody got anymore? In need of inspiration

It's all going very well...this 12 weeks intensive...

Finding I've got more energy and I'm able to fit more into the day.

Went swimming before work today. I find it better when I go in my Speedo disguise. Swimming hat goggles and speedo costume. I get into the speedo zone and plough my way through the water. The first few lengths I have to stop and have rests and persuade myself that I am really doing a good thing. The waking up process takes place and then I realise that there are other people in the pool as well and I begin to stick to my side of the lane.
Having a swimming hat makes you feel quite enclosed and in your own little world...or is that because it's a bit tight. My vision is tinged with pink as I have LADEEEE goggles. After the 5-6 length I'm off and up for the channel. My breathing is better.....the fact that I do it is quite good!! I do 1 in 3 after a while it is quite relaxing and you begin to watch the underwater entertainment!!!

Off to Wil's session tonight, looking forward to that. It's a bit of a long day but it's all good...

All this in just half an hours walk

As I've said a few days ago I am starting to do 1/2 hour walks at dinnetimes. Today was a gorgeous day. I am very lucky to live in a beautiful city and these are a few of the photos I took on my walk today.

.

Look at this boy ...in training for his first triathlon.

So cute my Great Nephew Harry

Triceps and Chest Day ...in the gym this evening. Fridays are quite quiet so I get to play on the machines

Wednesday

Went for a walk with Ema after work. We did the 10k walk I do on sundays. Although we walked at quite a pace still chatted all the way which is a good sign.

Also did core exercises

Thursday

Had another great session with Wil, reviewed homework, looked at some of the difficulties I had in last weeks exercises and sorted them!

It's good to have teaching on hand, learning why muscles do things then seeing it all in action.
I made some houmous and falafel for him to try, trouble is after being in a tuperware box in the fridge overnight and then for a few hours in my bag, when he opened them I think the smell on the Middle East nearly knocked him out!!! Actually it reminded me of my sister's kitchen, she lives in Turkey



Had a lovely walk back through the forest. It was a bit like a Disney cartoon with squirells running up tree, birds singing, ponies, donkies, and cows wandering around.



And then to shatter all that a Scout master wth an evil twinkle in his eye shooting paintballs randomly at scouts.

Some Jubilee jamboree thing going on in the Forest, thousands of kids running around doing outward bound stuff.

Set up for another week. Same exercises before but making sure I complete all of them. More about muscle endurance than the weight.

Sorry about the scary picture yesterday, despite Freebie seeing a comparison between me and a cyberman the hair has settled down into it's usual 'life of it's own' mess.

Had a slightly tense day at work yesterday resulting in bad headache. I've taken to walking at dinner times for half an hour which really helps, especially as the weather has been lovely over the last few days.

I have a beautiful walk along the water meadows and weirs. Already I have recognised regulars maybe ought to set up a dinner time walking group.

Early swim... really need to have the pool on my own, it gets busy and I get whacked just cos I swim in a 'creative' straight line.

Did a session at the gym last night. It was Biceps and Back day. I was doing some bicep curls on the gym ball and accidentally fell off. Which didn't really go with my 'I know what I 'm doing' image and the gym was full of muscle men huffing and puffing. So I gave them a look as if to say - you dare laugh!! I picked myself up and made it look as if it was part of an exercise they obviously hadn't seen before!! Oh well - feet firmly planted on the floor!!

This week is going really well in fitness terms. I feel much more in control of things and quite excited about the future ( more to be revealed).

Today is Core day (or CAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! day to me and Gorgeous Stu) with some Cardio work.

I have been practicing some core work at work. Standing on one leg and twisting as I put books on shelves and stuff on steps, whilst holding my buttocks and stomach. Maybe that's why we're not getting many customers at the moment!!

Tomorrow I'm off to see the Guru of fitness armed with homework, questions and a new recipe......... this is your chance to hide Wil!!!.

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