Hi everyone, well it's been a while indeed.
I just re read the last post I made and wish I could rewind to March, when I was fitter! A couple of health issues have befallen me which has seen me stop exercising, albeit on a daily basis. Much of the rest and recuperation I have had was needed but I now need to get back in the saddle, so to speak, and get going again.
The batteries are flat! I have noted that I have felt far more tired whilst not exercising than when I do, despite the increased energy consumption that resumes when you move your body.
This is a very short post just to say I am still around, alive and kicking!
L x
Monday, 9 July 2012
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Endurance
Endurance sport is a beast all of it's own. It pretty much does what is says on the tin; the body has to endure hours of cardio based exercise.
Endurance sports come in many different forms; ultra marathons, marathons, cycling, triathlons, trekking, mountain climbing to name but a few. To be an effective endurance athlete requires stamina, strength, experience, commitment and a sensible attitude to food (fuel) and training. It also requires a dogged determination, a deep seeded desire to accomplish and self belief. I find that people who compete in endurance events are all very similar, they don't have boundaries such as pain or defeat. They push hard enough to succeed, sometimes at a cost to their bodies. I am sure some people would view this as mildly crazy but I find it fascinating. I am an amateur compared to other people who partake in endurance sports. I have done some personally epic challenges over the past few years, since I regained my health. A half marathon, 10k running races, hiking, 112 mile walk in 4 days. Each event has been wildly different from the next and all have required me to dig deep at times, eeking out as much energy as I could to conquer the challenge. I may not be the best at anything but I have a determination inside of me that always sees me through.
I firmly believe that, when the occasion requires it, I can pull out what I need to finish. I trust this trait of my personality and I guess it is why I can do these things. I have had lactic acid build up in my legs to such a degree I was weeping with discomfort, 10 miles away from completing my 112 mile walking challenge. That was a very hard 2 hours of walking as I was in a lot of pain. I can remember Sweating hard and fighting off muscle fatigue to complete the last mile of a half marathon. I also believe I have been provided with a unique opportunity as I know what it feels like to be the other end of the spectrum. Barely about to walk 500 yards without breaking into a sweat, getting out of breath biy just walking up a flight of stairs, coming over dizzy when attempting to play a gentle game of badminton. The me of now is a strength machine in comparison to the morbidly obese me of old. I thank my body everyday for recovering the way it has, it's truly remarkable how you can turn things around if you have the absolute desire to do so. L xx
Endurance sports come in many different forms; ultra marathons, marathons, cycling, triathlons, trekking, mountain climbing to name but a few. To be an effective endurance athlete requires stamina, strength, experience, commitment and a sensible attitude to food (fuel) and training. It also requires a dogged determination, a deep seeded desire to accomplish and self belief. I find that people who compete in endurance events are all very similar, they don't have boundaries such as pain or defeat. They push hard enough to succeed, sometimes at a cost to their bodies. I am sure some people would view this as mildly crazy but I find it fascinating. I am an amateur compared to other people who partake in endurance sports. I have done some personally epic challenges over the past few years, since I regained my health. A half marathon, 10k running races, hiking, 112 mile walk in 4 days. Each event has been wildly different from the next and all have required me to dig deep at times, eeking out as much energy as I could to conquer the challenge. I may not be the best at anything but I have a determination inside of me that always sees me through.
I firmly believe that, when the occasion requires it, I can pull out what I need to finish. I trust this trait of my personality and I guess it is why I can do these things. I have had lactic acid build up in my legs to such a degree I was weeping with discomfort, 10 miles away from completing my 112 mile walking challenge. That was a very hard 2 hours of walking as I was in a lot of pain. I can remember Sweating hard and fighting off muscle fatigue to complete the last mile of a half marathon. I also believe I have been provided with a unique opportunity as I know what it feels like to be the other end of the spectrum. Barely about to walk 500 yards without breaking into a sweat, getting out of breath biy just walking up a flight of stairs, coming over dizzy when attempting to play a gentle game of badminton. The me of now is a strength machine in comparison to the morbidly obese me of old. I thank my body everyday for recovering the way it has, it's truly remarkable how you can turn things around if you have the absolute desire to do so. L xx
Sunday, 4 March 2012
A new challenge
Hello there, I have been tardy with updating this recently but I wanted to share with you a new physical challenge I have committed to, at the end of September.
Had you asked the 301 pound me of 7 years ago whether I could see myself running, I would have laughed and replied with a resounding, 'NO!' Walking any distance was hard enough and running was so out of my reach I could barely envisage it. So here I am, March 2012 and tomorrow I am officially commencing training for my first marathon.
My brother is an exercise nut and has run marathons, competed in triathlons and off road mountain biking events. He is one of my biggest inspirations and continues to be to this day, despite me being able to keep up with him (some of the time ;) ) I will never forget watching him cross the finish line of the Snowdonia Marathon in Wales. He was weeping with exhaustion (Snowdonia is purported to be one of the toughest marathons in Europe due to the hilly topography.) He was bleeding, his legs were trembling but, not only did he finish it, but in a really good time. I felt so proud of him and really wanted to experience the jubilation of completing such a physically challenging event.
So, I went to visit my brother in the West Country a couple of weeks back and he took me running up some rather steep and lengthy hills. I managed it fairly well and was suitable impressed with my renewed love of running and my increased endurance. I have only started running again in the last 2 months. During the low points with the anemia, I could barely run 500 metres let alone 26 miles (god love those little ferrous tablets!)
He outlined that himself and a friend had entered the Loch Ness Marathon in Scotland. He asked me whether I wanted to enter too, I found myself saying, 'YES!' After thoughts were telling me I was crazy but running a marathon has been one of my main goals since getting fit and I thought that there is no where else more beautiful than Scotland to complete my first one. I have completed a half marathon in 2008 and that was pretty hard, although I managed the 13.2 miles in 2 hours 14 minutes.
Loch Ness is a truly spectacular back drop for any event, the Loch
itself is over 23 miles long and is surrounded by epic scenery.
So the training starts as of tomorrow and I must admit I am ever so slightly afraid. I am pretty fit at the moment and the cross training I have been doing has paid dividends to my overall strength and endurance. The me of now, compared to 4 months ago, is unrecognisable in terms of my endurance. I am currently running a maximum of 4.5 miles so only another 21.5 to get to the marathon distance!
Marathon training has to be rigorously structured, my brother sent me an email last night with the training plan attached, ending with the sentence, 'if you don't hate running by the time the marathon comes around then you have not trained hard enough.' It will be a constant 6 months of running pretty much, bar the obligatory rest day once a week. I will not run the full marathon distance at any point during the training. It comprises tempo runs with fartlek session (short, sprint session) longer, endurance runs and slower runs to fat burn. Excess body fat is not a long distance runners friend and so I will become pretty lean come September. I am starting a diet plan to enhance my performance and so I am cutting out the junk food I have been eating quite regularly as of late. More protein, vitamins, water, minerals and carbs will be introduced again to give my body a fighting chance!
So that is the news, I once again look back and the me of old and wonder how I got here. A lot of blood, copious amounts of sweat and many tears but I cannot wait to test my body further :)
L xx
Had you asked the 301 pound me of 7 years ago whether I could see myself running, I would have laughed and replied with a resounding, 'NO!' Walking any distance was hard enough and running was so out of my reach I could barely envisage it. So here I am, March 2012 and tomorrow I am officially commencing training for my first marathon.
My brother is an exercise nut and has run marathons, competed in triathlons and off road mountain biking events. He is one of my biggest inspirations and continues to be to this day, despite me being able to keep up with him (some of the time ;) ) I will never forget watching him cross the finish line of the Snowdonia Marathon in Wales. He was weeping with exhaustion (Snowdonia is purported to be one of the toughest marathons in Europe due to the hilly topography.) He was bleeding, his legs were trembling but, not only did he finish it, but in a really good time. I felt so proud of him and really wanted to experience the jubilation of completing such a physically challenging event.
So, I went to visit my brother in the West Country a couple of weeks back and he took me running up some rather steep and lengthy hills. I managed it fairly well and was suitable impressed with my renewed love of running and my increased endurance. I have only started running again in the last 2 months. During the low points with the anemia, I could barely run 500 metres let alone 26 miles (god love those little ferrous tablets!)
He outlined that himself and a friend had entered the Loch Ness Marathon in Scotland. He asked me whether I wanted to enter too, I found myself saying, 'YES!' After thoughts were telling me I was crazy but running a marathon has been one of my main goals since getting fit and I thought that there is no where else more beautiful than Scotland to complete my first one. I have completed a half marathon in 2008 and that was pretty hard, although I managed the 13.2 miles in 2 hours 14 minutes.
So the training starts as of tomorrow and I must admit I am ever so slightly afraid. I am pretty fit at the moment and the cross training I have been doing has paid dividends to my overall strength and endurance. The me of now, compared to 4 months ago, is unrecognisable in terms of my endurance. I am currently running a maximum of 4.5 miles so only another 21.5 to get to the marathon distance!
Marathon training has to be rigorously structured, my brother sent me an email last night with the training plan attached, ending with the sentence, 'if you don't hate running by the time the marathon comes around then you have not trained hard enough.' It will be a constant 6 months of running pretty much, bar the obligatory rest day once a week. I will not run the full marathon distance at any point during the training. It comprises tempo runs with fartlek session (short, sprint session) longer, endurance runs and slower runs to fat burn. Excess body fat is not a long distance runners friend and so I will become pretty lean come September. I am starting a diet plan to enhance my performance and so I am cutting out the junk food I have been eating quite regularly as of late. More protein, vitamins, water, minerals and carbs will be introduced again to give my body a fighting chance!
So that is the news, I once again look back and the me of old and wonder how I got here. A lot of blood, copious amounts of sweat and many tears but I cannot wait to test my body further :)
L xx
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Snow and musings
Good weekend greetings to you all. My little corner of England is bracing itself for snow later on (quite the event on this meteorologically quiet island). All of 3 inches is forecast but, as I say, quite the event and more than ample to cause our traffic network to grind to a halt. Good job it is Sunday tomorrow! It is embarrassing really, other countries can see feet of snow in the winter and manage to carry on regardless. I think our over reaction to it is shameful but hey ho, I await the snow with my usual disdain for it.
What I will make a point of doing is going for a run. There is something peaceful about running with no cars or people around. The dusky pink and orange hue snow creates after dark is very pretty and so I shall make the most of a bad situation. Running on freshly fallen slow is not unlike running on sand. It actually proves to be fantastic resistance training. On another note, I watched a show the other night that focused on the weight loss story of Arizona based David Smith. He weighed in at 650 pounds and was a virtual prisoner in his own home, crippled not only by his weight but the fear of ridicule and bullying from others. His only solace and enjoyment was food and video games. He was in his early twenties at the time and depriving himself of the life he deserved. With the help of a personal trainer and mentor, he shifted 370 pounds through diet and exercise. The show followed his metamorphosis physically, mentally and socially. His journey struck a chord with me, not least because of the changes he went through as the weight loss progressed. Not only the dramatic physical changes but the mental and emotional ones too. He had never kissed a girl, let alone been in a relationship. We don't all have the luxury of a personal trainer, someone there to bark at us to pick up the pace with exercise and scrutinise what we are eating but he still did tremendously well. He himself has since become a mentor for other obese people and is the perfect role model for anyone attempting to tread the same path.
I myself have thought about becoming a life coach, PT and mentor for others who find themselves in the position I was in with excess weight. Having guidance from someone who not only understands the challenges but who has fought them herself surely offers comfort and ease to anyone who wants to embark on that journey. Due to financial constraints, I am unable to afford the study that would be required to obtain the necessary fitness qualifications but I have already trained and assisted friends and have done for a few years now. Being able to provide advice and assistance and watching their bodies changing is more rewarding than if it were happening to me again. It really is my passion now so I hope I can fulfil that dream, when I am in a position to do so. ok I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend, take care out there! Rainy xxx
What I will make a point of doing is going for a run. There is something peaceful about running with no cars or people around. The dusky pink and orange hue snow creates after dark is very pretty and so I shall make the most of a bad situation. Running on freshly fallen slow is not unlike running on sand. It actually proves to be fantastic resistance training. On another note, I watched a show the other night that focused on the weight loss story of Arizona based David Smith. He weighed in at 650 pounds and was a virtual prisoner in his own home, crippled not only by his weight but the fear of ridicule and bullying from others. His only solace and enjoyment was food and video games. He was in his early twenties at the time and depriving himself of the life he deserved. With the help of a personal trainer and mentor, he shifted 370 pounds through diet and exercise. The show followed his metamorphosis physically, mentally and socially. His journey struck a chord with me, not least because of the changes he went through as the weight loss progressed. Not only the dramatic physical changes but the mental and emotional ones too. He had never kissed a girl, let alone been in a relationship. We don't all have the luxury of a personal trainer, someone there to bark at us to pick up the pace with exercise and scrutinise what we are eating but he still did tremendously well. He himself has since become a mentor for other obese people and is the perfect role model for anyone attempting to tread the same path.
I myself have thought about becoming a life coach, PT and mentor for others who find themselves in the position I was in with excess weight. Having guidance from someone who not only understands the challenges but who has fought them herself surely offers comfort and ease to anyone who wants to embark on that journey. Due to financial constraints, I am unable to afford the study that would be required to obtain the necessary fitness qualifications but I have already trained and assisted friends and have done for a few years now. Being able to provide advice and assistance and watching their bodies changing is more rewarding than if it were happening to me again. It really is my passion now so I hope I can fulfil that dream, when I am in a position to do so. ok I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend, take care out there! Rainy xxx
Friday, 20 January 2012
HEALTH - something we take for granted too often
Hello everyone! How has the beginning of 2012 been for you all? I have not posted on my blog for a couple of weeks and feel in the writing mood this Friday evening so thought I would recommence my ramblings.
I am currently lying in bed feeling rather sorry for myself. I have been blighted by a succession of bacterial infections over the past 5 weeks. It started with a nasty throat that then progressed to tonsillitis over Christmas (fantastic timing!)
I then recovered from that (with the assistance of antibiotics) and was well for a few days before contracting a bladder infection. A weeks worth of yet more antibiotics and normal health resumed despite being over whelmed by man made remedies. No sooner had I got over the bladder infection when I contracted a nasty cold that has since developed into muscle aching, head pounding flu. To say I am fed up is a massive understatement. What with my battle to recover from anaemia (which I believe has probably suppressed my immunity to some degree) my body has been
battling for weeks! No wonder I feel shattered, flat and drained. I know we all get bouts of ill health and ordinarily, my body does a great job of avoiding infection but not this time. I guess it has brought into sharp focus how vulnerable we can be. I
know that January is notorious as a time of year where winter has a firm grip, daylight hours are short and darkness is long, viruses are rife and people are on the come down from the frivolities of the festive period.
I have taken some time to evaluate my diet and lifestyle to try and identify where I am letting myself down physically. There are most definitely improvements to be made, namely cutting out the junk food and replacing with immune boosting fruit and veg. Despite all I have been through to lose the weight and get fit, I still let myself down at times with my diet. I place much of the blame at work (although lack of will power is the real reason ;).) We have a tuck shop that provides discount prices on chocolate, crisps and naughty treats. It is all too tempting to dig my hand in my pocket and indulge in the calorific snacks. I know this is no excuse but I get home at night and often cannot be bothered to cook a proper dinner. Being the single lady that I am right now (again, no excuse) I will often make do with a quick meal such as scrambled eggs, soup or salad. They sound ok on the face of it but I need to make a concerted effort to prepare more nourishing, filling meals. I don't smoke, my alcohol consumption is minimal most of the time so the improvements are not vast. I think it is very easy for us to take our eyes off the ball and our bodies soon let us know about it.
Health is so important, when we are sick we realise how good it feels to be well. I lie here right now and wish the bacteria that are currently running riot will bid a hasty retreat. For them to do that, I have to give my body a fighting chance so I have made s promise to me. Cut the crap, increase the good foods and remind myself that this is the only body I have, abusing it will only end in me suffering.
Look after yourselves, cherish your biological being.
Rainy xx
I am currently lying in bed feeling rather sorry for myself. I have been blighted by a succession of bacterial infections over the past 5 weeks. It started with a nasty throat that then progressed to tonsillitis over Christmas (fantastic timing!)
I then recovered from that (with the assistance of antibiotics) and was well for a few days before contracting a bladder infection. A weeks worth of yet more antibiotics and normal health resumed despite being over whelmed by man made remedies. No sooner had I got over the bladder infection when I contracted a nasty cold that has since developed into muscle aching, head pounding flu. To say I am fed up is a massive understatement. What with my battle to recover from anaemia (which I believe has probably suppressed my immunity to some degree) my body has been
battling for weeks! No wonder I feel shattered, flat and drained. I know we all get bouts of ill health and ordinarily, my body does a great job of avoiding infection but not this time. I guess it has brought into sharp focus how vulnerable we can be. I
know that January is notorious as a time of year where winter has a firm grip, daylight hours are short and darkness is long, viruses are rife and people are on the come down from the frivolities of the festive period.
I have taken some time to evaluate my diet and lifestyle to try and identify where I am letting myself down physically. There are most definitely improvements to be made, namely cutting out the junk food and replacing with immune boosting fruit and veg. Despite all I have been through to lose the weight and get fit, I still let myself down at times with my diet. I place much of the blame at work (although lack of will power is the real reason ;).) We have a tuck shop that provides discount prices on chocolate, crisps and naughty treats. It is all too tempting to dig my hand in my pocket and indulge in the calorific snacks. I know this is no excuse but I get home at night and often cannot be bothered to cook a proper dinner. Being the single lady that I am right now (again, no excuse) I will often make do with a quick meal such as scrambled eggs, soup or salad. They sound ok on the face of it but I need to make a concerted effort to prepare more nourishing, filling meals. I don't smoke, my alcohol consumption is minimal most of the time so the improvements are not vast. I think it is very easy for us to take our eyes off the ball and our bodies soon let us know about it.
Health is so important, when we are sick we realise how good it feels to be well. I lie here right now and wish the bacteria that are currently running riot will bid a hasty retreat. For them to do that, I have to give my body a fighting chance so I have made s promise to me. Cut the crap, increase the good foods and remind myself that this is the only body I have, abusing it will only end in me suffering.
Look after yourselves, cherish your biological being.
Rainy xx
Monday, 2 January 2012
New Year, New You?
New Year, New You?
Happy New Year to each and every person reading this. As it is the start of a brand spanking new, fresh out of the packet annum I thought I would post again.
So it's that time of year where the combined anti climax of Christmas and gastronomic excesses smacks many people square in the face. Gym memberships will inevitably soar, weight watchers ads will appear on the TV multiple times a day and Nicorette make a serious amount of revenue from shifting their products.
So it's a new year, have you promised yourself that you are going to lose weight? Get healthy? If so, that is the first step. New Years resolutions are a feeble exercise in my mind. A change of lifestyle is for good, a long term shift that will improve your health hereon in, no matter when you make that decision to turn it around.
So I wanted you to share your goals and plans? Whether you are starting out or in the midst of weight loss. I always find it fascinating to hear and read other peoples experiences, especially since I have been there myself.
Rainy xxx
Happy New Year to each and every person reading this. As it is the start of a brand spanking new, fresh out of the packet annum I thought I would post again.
So it's that time of year where the combined anti climax of Christmas and gastronomic excesses smacks many people square in the face. Gym memberships will inevitably soar, weight watchers ads will appear on the TV multiple times a day and Nicorette make a serious amount of revenue from shifting their products.
So it's a new year, have you promised yourself that you are going to lose weight? Get healthy? If so, that is the first step. New Years resolutions are a feeble exercise in my mind. A change of lifestyle is for good, a long term shift that will improve your health hereon in, no matter when you make that decision to turn it around.
So I wanted you to share your goals and plans? Whether you are starting out or in the midst of weight loss. I always find it fascinating to hear and read other peoples experiences, especially since I have been there myself.
Rainy xxx
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Sleep deprived ramblings
I am currently suffering from an acute bout of insomnia and that might explain what I am about to write; bear with me! The lack of sleep comes and goes and is highly frustrating. The brain wants to remain active despite the body's protestations at craving some rest.
I went on another date last night, it went well. He was a really nice bloke and we had a giggle (at my expense) as I teetered around on wet, cobbled streets in my crazy work heels. He must have thought I am a bit of a loony but we finally managed to find a cool little pub with some good food despite walking around for 40 minutes in a gale.
During our conversation we touched upon Buddhism and inner peace. Good first date conversation centre piece? It really was quite enlightening. It put me in mind of a book I read a few months back called 'The Power Of Now' by German author Eckhart Tolle. The upshot of it is that we have no control on what has happened and cannot fully predict the future so the premise is 'live for now.' My own interpretation of the book was that we don't spend enough time just 'being.' Our minds can be our worst enemy and it is too easy to get caught up in the trappings of everyday life, caught up in a sea of complicated emotions and feelings that need to be stripped back once in a while.
I guess it has some tantric elements to it but I did attempt the exercises the author so eloquently outlined. Essentially I would class these as meditation but sitting quietly, clearing your mind of thought and focusing on the living organism that you are really is liberating. It does take some practice and requires an environment with no stimuli so you can fully focus.
There are so many beautiful things that surround us; burning red sunsets, wispy, candy floss like cloud. I feel we ignore these aspects of life as they can get submerged in the quagmire of day to day living. By losing touch with ourselves we have lost the inherent ability to simply exist and be aware of our connection with this planet and all those species we share it with. Whimsical ? Perhaps but it really has hit a nerve with me.
I would not say I am spiritual in the traditional sense but I have a passion for all things natural. Weather, geology and astronomy knit very closely in my world. Paganism has some meaning to me although I remain largely agnostic.
Anyhow I won't get too bogged down with this but I highly recommend allowing yourself some time to relax, clear your head and enjoy just 'being.'
It is liberating, cathartic and we all deserve a break from our minds once in a while. The mind can be the most destructive element to our lives, torture can be borne out of intellect and something so powerful needs to have constraints.
Rainy xxx
I went on another date last night, it went well. He was a really nice bloke and we had a giggle (at my expense) as I teetered around on wet, cobbled streets in my crazy work heels. He must have thought I am a bit of a loony but we finally managed to find a cool little pub with some good food despite walking around for 40 minutes in a gale.
During our conversation we touched upon Buddhism and inner peace. Good first date conversation centre piece? It really was quite enlightening. It put me in mind of a book I read a few months back called 'The Power Of Now' by German author Eckhart Tolle. The upshot of it is that we have no control on what has happened and cannot fully predict the future so the premise is 'live for now.' My own interpretation of the book was that we don't spend enough time just 'being.' Our minds can be our worst enemy and it is too easy to get caught up in the trappings of everyday life, caught up in a sea of complicated emotions and feelings that need to be stripped back once in a while.
I guess it has some tantric elements to it but I did attempt the exercises the author so eloquently outlined. Essentially I would class these as meditation but sitting quietly, clearing your mind of thought and focusing on the living organism that you are really is liberating. It does take some practice and requires an environment with no stimuli so you can fully focus.
There are so many beautiful things that surround us; burning red sunsets, wispy, candy floss like cloud. I feel we ignore these aspects of life as they can get submerged in the quagmire of day to day living. By losing touch with ourselves we have lost the inherent ability to simply exist and be aware of our connection with this planet and all those species we share it with. Whimsical ? Perhaps but it really has hit a nerve with me.
I would not say I am spiritual in the traditional sense but I have a passion for all things natural. Weather, geology and astronomy knit very closely in my world. Paganism has some meaning to me although I remain largely agnostic.
Anyhow I won't get too bogged down with this but I highly recommend allowing yourself some time to relax, clear your head and enjoy just 'being.'
It is liberating, cathartic and we all deserve a break from our minds once in a while. The mind can be the most destructive element to our lives, torture can be borne out of intellect and something so powerful needs to have constraints.
Rainy xxx
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