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
Friday, 9 December 2011
The disparity between physical and mental
Hello! The end of another week and we are inching ever closer to that time of year. Get ready to be immersed in the frivolity of it all.
Due to the anaemic phase I am currently going through, I have been feeling rather morose at times. It is part and parcel of the sheer exhaustion I feel day to day at the moment. I still notice that when I feel down and sad, the old body woes haunt me. I see myself in a different, more negative light. Odd right? Not really. It is getting better but the road to recovery is long and winding and I have
not finished the journey just yet. Physically, I look the same as I have the past 4 years but mentally, the mind has some serious ground to make
up.
Off of the back of that, I wanted to pose a question to people reading this. We can get so caught up in the negative that we totally neglect the positive.
Please list your 5 favourite physical features about you. You can answer anonymously if you wish.
I will kick this off. To throw a spin on
it, I am going to cast my mind back
to when I was obese and base my 5 as if I were obese now (I used to play this game with a friend.)
1. Hands
2. Back
3. Skin
4. Long legs
5. Eyes
I pass the floor to you :)
L xx
Due to the anaemic phase I am currently going through, I have been feeling rather morose at times. It is part and parcel of the sheer exhaustion I feel day to day at the moment. I still notice that when I feel down and sad, the old body woes haunt me. I see myself in a different, more negative light. Odd right? Not really. It is getting better but the road to recovery is long and winding and I have
not finished the journey just yet. Physically, I look the same as I have the past 4 years but mentally, the mind has some serious ground to make
up.
Off of the back of that, I wanted to pose a question to people reading this. We can get so caught up in the negative that we totally neglect the positive.
Please list your 5 favourite physical features about you. You can answer anonymously if you wish.
I will kick this off. To throw a spin on
it, I am going to cast my mind back
to when I was obese and base my 5 as if I were obese now (I used to play this game with a friend.)
1. Hands
2. Back
3. Skin
4. Long legs
5. Eyes
I pass the floor to you :)
L xx
Sunday, 4 December 2011
My top weight loss tips - EXERCISE
Our bodies are machines. They need to be fuelled, well oiled and maintained to operate efficiently. They are designed to move and be active so it is very important that we use them as they were intended.
From my own experience, exercise has been the main contributing factor which has enabled me to get to where I am today. The nutritional side of it is important but you can only achieve so much with calorie control alone.
When I committed to losing the weight, I knew that I had to commit to exercise too. Little did I know just how much I would grow to love it and how it would play such an important and enjoyable role in my everyday routine.
EXERCISE
Lay the foundations first - when you start, don't push it too hard. If your body is not accustomed to exercise, give it a gentle introduction and make sure you ease yourself in gradually. If you make things hard for yourself too soon, you are more likely to not enjoy it and give up. You are also more prone to injury, especially if you are carrying lots of extra weight as this puts pressure on your ligaments and joints. Your muscles, cardiorespiratory system and mind set need to adjust permanently, give them a chance. I started by gentle gym work, cycling and walking.
Walking: the most natural thing a bipedal does - walking is highly underrated. I lost around 130 pounds of my main bulk by walking. It is free to do, easier on your body, it builds fitness gradually and is fantastic for conditioning. Incorporate hills into your routine. Hill walking is excellent for strengthening your legs and pushing you into the cardio fat burning zone.
Core exercising - As I have mentioned in previous posts, a strong core is integral to not only improving posture but aiding your work out sessions. The core incorporates all muscle groups around the trunk of your body so your tummy, sides and lower back. Doing sets of crunches whilst watching TV gets you off the sofa, burns calories and will pay dividends eventually.
Variety is the spice of life - keep things varied and interesting, don't stick with one type of training but vary your activities. By varying what you do, you
keep things interesting and you are less likely to tire or bore of your regime. Badminton, tennis and squash are all sports I played at least once a week, alongside my other activities.
Patience is a virtue - Rome was not built in a day. It took a few months before I saw a real difference in my shape but, when the changes do start happening, they happen fast. Remember that those muscles nestled under and excess fat are being worked and will respond. You will see the benefits, you need to stick with it and bide your time.
The day or rest - you must take at least one day off a week (ideally more to begin with) to allow your body some rest and healing time. Rest is important for muscle repair. If you over train, you will burn out or injury yourself.
Never exercise within one hour of eating - if you eat a meal and then train within an hour of that meal, indigestion and stitch will become you constant companions. Let your food digest before you start training.
Eating protein after a work out session will aid in muscle repair so get those cans of tuna at the ready!
Stay hydrated - Our bodies lose a lot of water whilst we are training. Dehydration leads to poor performance and electrolyte depletion during exercise so keep a bottle of water handy at all times. Energy drinks do contain some of the electrolytes we need so it is ok to have one of these after a session.
Monitor your heart rate - one of the most useful gadgets I use is a heart rate monitor. There are many on the market now that are affordable and it is important to know which training zone your heart is in.
To read more about cardio training zones, see below:-
http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html
Resistance work - weight training is crucial to overall conditioning and strength. Weight training can sound like a daunting prospect but, for the purposes of weight loss, low weighted dumbbells and high repetitions are the way to go. Please see my November post entitled 'weight circuit training plan' for more information.
Set yourself a challenge - fitness serves as a benefit in all our lives but setting yourself a goal enables you to stay focused and stick with it. Whether it be a timed walking challenged, a long distance bike ride, 5k running race or mountain climb, goals provide something tangible to work towards.
Schedule your workouts into your day - we lead busy lives and it is not always easy to find time. Pre plan what you are going to do through the week, have your kit to hand before work so you haven excuses not to go out and do a session when you get home.
I hope these tips have been useful. I hope that anyone reading this realises just how beneficial regular exercise is not only for body, but mind too.
R xx
From my own experience, exercise has been the main contributing factor which has enabled me to get to where I am today. The nutritional side of it is important but you can only achieve so much with calorie control alone.
When I committed to losing the weight, I knew that I had to commit to exercise too. Little did I know just how much I would grow to love it and how it would play such an important and enjoyable role in my everyday routine.
EXERCISE
Lay the foundations first - when you start, don't push it too hard. If your body is not accustomed to exercise, give it a gentle introduction and make sure you ease yourself in gradually. If you make things hard for yourself too soon, you are more likely to not enjoy it and give up. You are also more prone to injury, especially if you are carrying lots of extra weight as this puts pressure on your ligaments and joints. Your muscles, cardiorespiratory system and mind set need to adjust permanently, give them a chance. I started by gentle gym work, cycling and walking.
Walking: the most natural thing a bipedal does - walking is highly underrated. I lost around 130 pounds of my main bulk by walking. It is free to do, easier on your body, it builds fitness gradually and is fantastic for conditioning. Incorporate hills into your routine. Hill walking is excellent for strengthening your legs and pushing you into the cardio fat burning zone.
Core exercising - As I have mentioned in previous posts, a strong core is integral to not only improving posture but aiding your work out sessions. The core incorporates all muscle groups around the trunk of your body so your tummy, sides and lower back. Doing sets of crunches whilst watching TV gets you off the sofa, burns calories and will pay dividends eventually.
Variety is the spice of life - keep things varied and interesting, don't stick with one type of training but vary your activities. By varying what you do, you
keep things interesting and you are less likely to tire or bore of your regime. Badminton, tennis and squash are all sports I played at least once a week, alongside my other activities.
Patience is a virtue - Rome was not built in a day. It took a few months before I saw a real difference in my shape but, when the changes do start happening, they happen fast. Remember that those muscles nestled under and excess fat are being worked and will respond. You will see the benefits, you need to stick with it and bide your time.
The day or rest - you must take at least one day off a week (ideally more to begin with) to allow your body some rest and healing time. Rest is important for muscle repair. If you over train, you will burn out or injury yourself.
Never exercise within one hour of eating - if you eat a meal and then train within an hour of that meal, indigestion and stitch will become you constant companions. Let your food digest before you start training.
Eating protein after a work out session will aid in muscle repair so get those cans of tuna at the ready!
Stay hydrated - Our bodies lose a lot of water whilst we are training. Dehydration leads to poor performance and electrolyte depletion during exercise so keep a bottle of water handy at all times. Energy drinks do contain some of the electrolytes we need so it is ok to have one of these after a session.
Monitor your heart rate - one of the most useful gadgets I use is a heart rate monitor. There are many on the market now that are affordable and it is important to know which training zone your heart is in.
To read more about cardio training zones, see below:-
http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html
Resistance work - weight training is crucial to overall conditioning and strength. Weight training can sound like a daunting prospect but, for the purposes of weight loss, low weighted dumbbells and high repetitions are the way to go. Please see my November post entitled 'weight circuit training plan' for more information.
Set yourself a challenge - fitness serves as a benefit in all our lives but setting yourself a goal enables you to stay focused and stick with it. Whether it be a timed walking challenged, a long distance bike ride, 5k running race or mountain climb, goals provide something tangible to work towards.
Schedule your workouts into your day - we lead busy lives and it is not always easy to find time. Pre plan what you are going to do through the week, have your kit to hand before work so you haven excuses not to go out and do a session when you get home.
I hope these tips have been useful. I hope that anyone reading this realises just how beneficial regular exercise is not only for body, but mind too.
R xx
Saturday, 3 December 2011
My top weight loss tips - FOOD
Having tried and tested many things myself, I wanted to offer up some of my top weight loss tips. We are all different, such is the variety of life and what might work for one might not work for another. There has been a lot of trial and error for me but I think these tips really have worked and, more importantly, have remained a consistent part of my lifestyle to this day.
So with no further ado...
Food
NEVER under eat - There are many negatives as a result of constricting your calories too severely. You are more likely to end up bingeing, your blood sugar levels will be unstable, your body will generally not respond well long term. We have all heard about starvation mode. Restricted calories can induce a state of shock and subsequent defence of your body to preserve it's fat/energy reserves. Another negative element to this is you won't have the energy to exercise; a vital component to successful and long term weightloss.
Under eating WILL catch up with you eventually.
Crazy diets - the word 'diet' can be construed in many ways. To me, diet has negative connotations as I tend to associate it with unnatural forms of food choice. The Atkins diet, the cabbage soup diet, slim fast, celebrity slimmer, they are all doomed to fail. Long term eating habit changes require a sensible, moderated view on what you are putting in your mouth. Our bodies need carbs, protein, fat, minerals and vitamins to remain healthy. By cutting out any of these elements from your consumption, you are playing a potentially dangerous game with your health.
Try to eat little and often - By dividing your 3 main meals up into smaller, more frequent meals you keep your blood sugar levels more stable, thus minimising the risk of snacking on the unhealthy options. This will also negate the risk of you piling your plate high with food and over eating when you do have a meal.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day - This is so true, by eating breakfast you are fuelling your body far more efficiently. Breakfast kick starts the metabolism and you are less likely to snack later on.
Increase those complex carbohydrates - complex carbs provide a slow releasing energy source that your body finds far easier to manage. Brown rice, brown pasta, root vegetables and wholegrain are all complex. Simple carbohydrates (biscuits, sweets, refined sugar) serves a purpose but should not form your main intake of carbs as they can disrupt your blood sugar levels, making them more unstable. This can lead to energy depletion and proneness to snacking.
More information can be found below
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/focus/nutrition/facts/lifestylemanagement/carbohydrates.htm
Fizzy mineral water - Fizzy, sugar laden drinks such as Coke are loaded with calories. At one point I was getting through 2 litres of Coke a day when I was obese. If you want to wean yourself off these drinks, replace with a flavoured, fizzy mineral water. Despite them still being carbonated, they are low in calories but give you that fizzy fix.
Healthy takeaway options - total deprivation whilst dieting is more likely to lead to bingeing. Some studies suggest that over 90% of dieters will regain weight within 5 years.
Don't deprive yourself completely.
When I was half way through my weight loss, I treated myself to a takeaway every Friday. There are healthier options on the menu and it is up to you to make that healthy choice.
Lets use Chinese as an example. Instead of egg fried rice, get boiled rice. Instead of dishes where the meat is fried in batter, select one where the meat comes as is such as lemon chicken (one of my favourites!) Kebabs - instead of a greasy doner, why not have a shish where the meat is grilled.
Healthy snacks - I know better than anybody how addictive sugar is. I worked my way through so much candy, I am surprised I have any teeth left. When you are losing weight, there are going to be those inevitable times where you crave chocolate, biscuits and sweets. Grapes, raisins and dried fruit provide enough fructose to satisfy your sugary cravings.
Dreaded desserts - thankfully I am not that big on dessert and never have been but there are healthier options. Why not replace ice cream with sorbet? Sorbet does contain a fair bit of sugar but, in moderation, it is a suitable replacement should you feel the desire to cleanse that pallette!
Eat when you are hungry - Something many people do not do is listen to is their body. I feel, as an overall society, that we are totally out of touch with what is most organic; our physical selves. I have learnt to identify when I am hungry. it has taken many years to recognise the feeling but it is distinctive when you learn how to listen.
Make sure your are drinking enough liquid. Hunger can often be confused with thirst. Many people are dehydrated and do not even know it. Caffeine acts as a diarrhetic and so if your are a regular coffee or tea drinker especially, make sure you are getting enough water.
I hope some of these tips have been useful, many are well known and are so for a reason - they work.
Next time I will provide my top tips for exercising - a crucial elements to successful and sustained weight loss.
R xx
So with no further ado...
Food
NEVER under eat - There are many negatives as a result of constricting your calories too severely. You are more likely to end up bingeing, your blood sugar levels will be unstable, your body will generally not respond well long term. We have all heard about starvation mode. Restricted calories can induce a state of shock and subsequent defence of your body to preserve it's fat/energy reserves. Another negative element to this is you won't have the energy to exercise; a vital component to successful and long term weightloss.
Under eating WILL catch up with you eventually.
Crazy diets - the word 'diet' can be construed in many ways. To me, diet has negative connotations as I tend to associate it with unnatural forms of food choice. The Atkins diet, the cabbage soup diet, slim fast, celebrity slimmer, they are all doomed to fail. Long term eating habit changes require a sensible, moderated view on what you are putting in your mouth. Our bodies need carbs, protein, fat, minerals and vitamins to remain healthy. By cutting out any of these elements from your consumption, you are playing a potentially dangerous game with your health.
Try to eat little and often - By dividing your 3 main meals up into smaller, more frequent meals you keep your blood sugar levels more stable, thus minimising the risk of snacking on the unhealthy options. This will also negate the risk of you piling your plate high with food and over eating when you do have a meal.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day - This is so true, by eating breakfast you are fuelling your body far more efficiently. Breakfast kick starts the metabolism and you are less likely to snack later on.
Increase those complex carbohydrates - complex carbs provide a slow releasing energy source that your body finds far easier to manage. Brown rice, brown pasta, root vegetables and wholegrain are all complex. Simple carbohydrates (biscuits, sweets, refined sugar) serves a purpose but should not form your main intake of carbs as they can disrupt your blood sugar levels, making them more unstable. This can lead to energy depletion and proneness to snacking.
More information can be found below
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/focus/nutrition/facts/lifestylemanagement/carbohydrates.htm
Fizzy mineral water - Fizzy, sugar laden drinks such as Coke are loaded with calories. At one point I was getting through 2 litres of Coke a day when I was obese. If you want to wean yourself off these drinks, replace with a flavoured, fizzy mineral water. Despite them still being carbonated, they are low in calories but give you that fizzy fix.
Healthy takeaway options - total deprivation whilst dieting is more likely to lead to bingeing. Some studies suggest that over 90% of dieters will regain weight within 5 years.
Don't deprive yourself completely.
When I was half way through my weight loss, I treated myself to a takeaway every Friday. There are healthier options on the menu and it is up to you to make that healthy choice.
Lets use Chinese as an example. Instead of egg fried rice, get boiled rice. Instead of dishes where the meat is fried in batter, select one where the meat comes as is such as lemon chicken (one of my favourites!) Kebabs - instead of a greasy doner, why not have a shish where the meat is grilled.
Healthy snacks - I know better than anybody how addictive sugar is. I worked my way through so much candy, I am surprised I have any teeth left. When you are losing weight, there are going to be those inevitable times where you crave chocolate, biscuits and sweets. Grapes, raisins and dried fruit provide enough fructose to satisfy your sugary cravings.
Dreaded desserts - thankfully I am not that big on dessert and never have been but there are healthier options. Why not replace ice cream with sorbet? Sorbet does contain a fair bit of sugar but, in moderation, it is a suitable replacement should you feel the desire to cleanse that pallette!
Eat when you are hungry - Something many people do not do is listen to is their body. I feel, as an overall society, that we are totally out of touch with what is most organic; our physical selves. I have learnt to identify when I am hungry. it has taken many years to recognise the feeling but it is distinctive when you learn how to listen.
Make sure your are drinking enough liquid. Hunger can often be confused with thirst. Many people are dehydrated and do not even know it. Caffeine acts as a diarrhetic and so if your are a regular coffee or tea drinker especially, make sure you are getting enough water.
I hope some of these tips have been useful, many are well known and are so for a reason - they work.
Next time I will provide my top tips for exercising - a crucial elements to successful and sustained weight loss.
R xx
Oxygen deficiency
I have been thinking today about how my life has changed over the past 7 years. I say 7 because that incorporates the time when I was at my biggest and most unhappy.
Existing took effort back then, now I can move around, go up and downstairs and not even notice it but I could not do that before. I had to build up the motivation to go to the kitchen, go take a bath, go fix dinner. Everything took a huge amount of effort.
Unfortunately I have started to experience those unmotivational feelings again but, this time, there is a different reason. Since I lost the weight, I have developed iron deficient anaemia. My doctor is not too certain what is causing it but my energy levels have been non existent over the past 6 weeks. My ferrous levels fluctuate, sometimes I can go for several months with no ill effect but others, I am wiped out. The doctor has questioned whether it could be diet related but, overall, my diet is ok.
I had a blood test 2 weeks ago and it came back confirming that my anaemia is as bad as it has ever been. I sleep at any given opportunity and could quite happily stay in bed all day. My head is fuzzy, my attention span compromised frequently and I have a tendency to get quite low. I am still exercising but the sessions are fraught with frustration as my muscles ache quickly and my overall performance is a shadow of it's former glory. These symptoms are all part and parcel of the condition. I can't help but question whether I have been anaemic for longer than I realise. I demand a lot from my body physically. As a result, I think the lack lustre tiredness is more acute. Before, I put my constant tiredness down to my weight.
Anaemia is a horrible condition, essentially your oxygen carrying red blood cells are unable to transport the oxygen needed to keep you fully alert and energised. I am on high dose iron tablets for 3 months and have adopted a wheat free diet as wheat can inhibit the bodies ability to absorb nutrients.
All in all, I am shattered at the moment. I think this highlights how important it is to look after yourself. Weight loss is not just about dropping fat, it is about improving your overall health. A balanced, nutrient rich diet can work wonders.
R xx
Existing took effort back then, now I can move around, go up and downstairs and not even notice it but I could not do that before. I had to build up the motivation to go to the kitchen, go take a bath, go fix dinner. Everything took a huge amount of effort.
Unfortunately I have started to experience those unmotivational feelings again but, this time, there is a different reason. Since I lost the weight, I have developed iron deficient anaemia. My doctor is not too certain what is causing it but my energy levels have been non existent over the past 6 weeks. My ferrous levels fluctuate, sometimes I can go for several months with no ill effect but others, I am wiped out. The doctor has questioned whether it could be diet related but, overall, my diet is ok.
I had a blood test 2 weeks ago and it came back confirming that my anaemia is as bad as it has ever been. I sleep at any given opportunity and could quite happily stay in bed all day. My head is fuzzy, my attention span compromised frequently and I have a tendency to get quite low. I am still exercising but the sessions are fraught with frustration as my muscles ache quickly and my overall performance is a shadow of it's former glory. These symptoms are all part and parcel of the condition. I can't help but question whether I have been anaemic for longer than I realise. I demand a lot from my body physically. As a result, I think the lack lustre tiredness is more acute. Before, I put my constant tiredness down to my weight.
Anaemia is a horrible condition, essentially your oxygen carrying red blood cells are unable to transport the oxygen needed to keep you fully alert and energised. I am on high dose iron tablets for 3 months and have adopted a wheat free diet as wheat can inhibit the bodies ability to absorb nutrients.
All in all, I am shattered at the moment. I think this highlights how important it is to look after yourself. Weight loss is not just about dropping fat, it is about improving your overall health. A balanced, nutrient rich diet can work wonders.
R xx
Seasonal metabolic affectedness disorder
Just a short one this am.
How is everyone this Saturday morning? I treated myself to some relaxed TV viewing last night and was appalled at how THAT time of year is being rammed down our throats via every medium known to man. It is 3 weeks away still advertisers, sort it out! Of course they won't, the sooner they start advertising, the more wonga they make. If I had my way, I would start thinking about Christmas on Christmas Eve, then forget about it by the 27th. I would sooner hibernate for 2 weeks and come around when it is all over. The true sentiment of Christmas has been lost, swallowed up in excessive drinking, spending, partying and eating.
The financial pressure families must feel at this time of year cannot be nice, especially in these turbulent economic times. I am sure there will be many a frugal Christmas this year; nuts and satsumas in stockings, pieces of coal under the tree!
So the festive season has put me in mind of the gastronomic challenges anyone losing weight faces at this time of year. Gym memberships will inevitably soar post New Years Eve 2011 but any time before that seems to give many people the licence to gorge on food. In all fairness, our discipline IS tested at this time of year. All that tempting food and booze laid out on the supermarket shelves, yearning you to buy it with it's alluring advertising. There is a veritable pressure to eat like a gannet and drink like a fish; friends parties, work Christmas dinners, catching up with friends and family. it's party season right? I think I shall coin a new term 'seasonal metabolic affectedness disorder' (SMAD for a nice acronym.) The definition can be, 'the general publics en masse, seasonal urge to consume copious amounts of calories during a 7 day period.'
The last couple of Christmases, I have relaxed my eating habits a bit. It is nice to enjoy a gut busting Christmas dinner and partake in the yummy desserts and tasty snacks that are shunted around. I think it is all to easy to fall off the weight loss wagon after Christmas, for some it is very hard to clamber back on in the New Year.
Nevertheless it is important to enjoy ourselves, especially if those around us are! We can still be mindful of what we are eating but loosening the reins a little bit won't matter too much
R xx
How is everyone this Saturday morning? I treated myself to some relaxed TV viewing last night and was appalled at how THAT time of year is being rammed down our throats via every medium known to man. It is 3 weeks away still advertisers, sort it out! Of course they won't, the sooner they start advertising, the more wonga they make. If I had my way, I would start thinking about Christmas on Christmas Eve, then forget about it by the 27th. I would sooner hibernate for 2 weeks and come around when it is all over. The true sentiment of Christmas has been lost, swallowed up in excessive drinking, spending, partying and eating.
The financial pressure families must feel at this time of year cannot be nice, especially in these turbulent economic times. I am sure there will be many a frugal Christmas this year; nuts and satsumas in stockings, pieces of coal under the tree!
So the festive season has put me in mind of the gastronomic challenges anyone losing weight faces at this time of year. Gym memberships will inevitably soar post New Years Eve 2011 but any time before that seems to give many people the licence to gorge on food. In all fairness, our discipline IS tested at this time of year. All that tempting food and booze laid out on the supermarket shelves, yearning you to buy it with it's alluring advertising. There is a veritable pressure to eat like a gannet and drink like a fish; friends parties, work Christmas dinners, catching up with friends and family. it's party season right? I think I shall coin a new term 'seasonal metabolic affectedness disorder' (SMAD for a nice acronym.) The definition can be, 'the general publics en masse, seasonal urge to consume copious amounts of calories during a 7 day period.'
The last couple of Christmases, I have relaxed my eating habits a bit. It is nice to enjoy a gut busting Christmas dinner and partake in the yummy desserts and tasty snacks that are shunted around. I think it is all to easy to fall off the weight loss wagon after Christmas, for some it is very hard to clamber back on in the New Year.
Nevertheless it is important to enjoy ourselves, especially if those around us are! We can still be mindful of what we are eating but loosening the reins a little bit won't matter too much
R xx
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Dating; an unnatural but necessary function
Following on from my rather serious yet frank last post , I happened across a spontaneous date last night. This chap is from my online pursuit, internet dating is alive and well. We have been in contact for a couple of weeks now and randomly suggested meeting. Cool! I don't do planning so, already, brownie points totting up with a 'ding ding!'
He has proven himself by writing some well constructed, interesting sentences so I was more than happy to meet up. Considering that 99.9% of the messages I receive on there contain 2 or 3 words of a non extensive repertoire such as , 'hi gorgeous' or 'how are you?' , the boy did good.
Interestingly, he referred to me as brave for meeting him in the pub. I found this statement insightful and pointed out to him that I did not see it as brave. I suppose, on reflection, he was probably insinuating that he could be any type of lunatic, which is fair point but then I also pointed out that I had a machete in the boot and pepper spray in my pocket!!!!
Dating is rather fascinating to me, we decided willingly to meet a complete stranger at a neutral location, with the sole purpose of scoping them out for potential partnerdom. An interesting social experiment don't you think? It invariably follows a similar path, each date plays out similarly in
many ways. You harbour a certain amount of nerves leading up to the date itself, a multitude of questions darting around your head, 'will I fancy them?', 'will they bore the crap out of me?', 'How do I get out of it if I decide not to stay?'
Normally it is good to have a friend on stand by, just in case they are required to make an urgent phone call to you. I also have an application on my phone that rings it, an auto generated voice will then sound out , pregnant pauses available for me to interject as if I am holding a conversation with someone. Only flaw with that one is that it is an American app and so a) sounds cheesy b)fake c) it sounds like a scape goat app on my phone!!
Luckily last night, there was no requirement for any get out clause. Phew! We had a nice chat after any initial awkwardness which is inevitable.
There was a couple sitting near us, being all smoochy and I was mindful of the fact that it was fairly plain to see that this chap and I had never met before. I bet they twigged that we had met in cyber space, funny :)
So just a short one but my Monday evening was certainly more varied than normal.
Just for the record, I will be seeing aforementioned date again :)
R xx
He has proven himself by writing some well constructed, interesting sentences so I was more than happy to meet up. Considering that 99.9% of the messages I receive on there contain 2 or 3 words of a non extensive repertoire such as , 'hi gorgeous' or 'how are you?' , the boy did good.
Interestingly, he referred to me as brave for meeting him in the pub. I found this statement insightful and pointed out to him that I did not see it as brave. I suppose, on reflection, he was probably insinuating that he could be any type of lunatic, which is fair point but then I also pointed out that I had a machete in the boot and pepper spray in my pocket!!!!
Dating is rather fascinating to me, we decided willingly to meet a complete stranger at a neutral location, with the sole purpose of scoping them out for potential partnerdom. An interesting social experiment don't you think? It invariably follows a similar path, each date plays out similarly in
many ways. You harbour a certain amount of nerves leading up to the date itself, a multitude of questions darting around your head, 'will I fancy them?', 'will they bore the crap out of me?', 'How do I get out of it if I decide not to stay?'
Normally it is good to have a friend on stand by, just in case they are required to make an urgent phone call to you. I also have an application on my phone that rings it, an auto generated voice will then sound out , pregnant pauses available for me to interject as if I am holding a conversation with someone. Only flaw with that one is that it is an American app and so a) sounds cheesy b)fake c) it sounds like a scape goat app on my phone!!
Luckily last night, there was no requirement for any get out clause. Phew! We had a nice chat after any initial awkwardness which is inevitable.
There was a couple sitting near us, being all smoochy and I was mindful of the fact that it was fairly plain to see that this chap and I had never met before. I bet they twigged that we had met in cyber space, funny :)
So just a short one but my Monday evening was certainly more varied than normal.
Just for the record, I will be seeing aforementioned date again :)
R xx
Monday, 21 November 2011
What's love got to do with it?
In the words of Miss Turner herself, I pose this question. Tonight I want to....correction, NEED to write. It is a fantastic outlet when you have to get something off your chest and I have always used it as a useful coping mechanism historically. I do apologise if this comes across as mildly narcissistic but I thought , 'well I want to write and I need to vent, so why not use my blog and a public arena to do it!'
The majority of posts on here relate to weight loss, which consolidates the title of my blog but a break from the norm is required. I wanted to talk about the subject of love, amore; that universal language that represents peace and unity, unconditional care and affection for another human being.
Romantic love has always evaded me up until recently, an unknown emotion that others seem to have experience with, I am merely a beginner. The word love means different things to different people; perhaps the way a person hair falls over their eyes, the way a partner laughs uncontrollably at witty things you say. It also has the potential to be the most potent and intoxicating emotion we can experience. A deep, understood connection that two people share. It can be both nurturing or destructive, euphoric or despairing.
Argh? This is far removed from any
other post thus far but something I have been mulling just recently.
Background (and keeping an epic long story short) I started seeing a man last year and someone I had known for a long time previously, although not well. It was hardly love at first sight, although does that exist? Physically I could not ignore him. We got on and stayed in contact via email as he moved around quite a bit. An opportunity arose for us to hang out one long weekend and we had one of the most memorable times I have ever had. Something just clicked. I cannot even begin to describe it, he certainly managed to infiltrate a part of my heart that had been vacant previously. Circumstance s being as they were, we could not be together but I got home and had this heady, glorious feeling inside of me. Butterflies in the tummy, a warm glow radiated from me and it was all down to him. The feeling was fantastic, a runaway stream of happiness.
So 18 months on and we have not seen one another since. We remain
in contact at times but it is fleeting and superficial. As this is a public arena I do not want to bog this post down with detail but, essentially, my feelings are not reciprocated; a dagger rips through my heart every time he contacts me. Despite the fact said man and I have not spent much time together, I can categorically say that I am in love with him, there is no melodrama involved here. Head over heels, Truly, madly, deeply. Ordinarily I am adept at keeping my emotions in check and can even appear as a little cold. Control! Up until the age 31 I don't think I had ever experienced what being in love felt like.
For me, it has caused distress, turmoil and perplexity for the most part although embers of that initial fire between us smoulder
on occasionally. Those first few days of euphoria have been replaced by the reality that he simply does not want me anymore. I think about him everyday, as some point or another and wish things could be different. I know I am flogging a dead horse but there is that small part of you that holds out hope. A tenuous, unrealised hope that will ultimately lead me back to the same road, a road without him.
How do you conquer your feelings? It is not so easy. Try as you might, love will constantly pull you back to when
things were good. You remain deluded by your own misconceptions. I know I cannot have this chap, I realise he is unattainable but I still cling on almost; little Miss poker face has finally
been breached !
Is it a chemical reaction to another person we tap into? Some invisible force that coaxes two people together? I wish I truly knew what chemistry really means but I do know one thing; when it's good, it's really really good. When it is bad it is rubbish!
Either way, I am going to stop writing about the L word. Perhaps you have experienced the same? Either been on the receiving end of the unrequited variety or been the object of someones affection? It can be mighty painful!
Rainy xx
The majority of posts on here relate to weight loss, which consolidates the title of my blog but a break from the norm is required. I wanted to talk about the subject of love, amore; that universal language that represents peace and unity, unconditional care and affection for another human being.
Romantic love has always evaded me up until recently, an unknown emotion that others seem to have experience with, I am merely a beginner. The word love means different things to different people; perhaps the way a person hair falls over their eyes, the way a partner laughs uncontrollably at witty things you say. It also has the potential to be the most potent and intoxicating emotion we can experience. A deep, understood connection that two people share. It can be both nurturing or destructive, euphoric or despairing.
Argh? This is far removed from any
other post thus far but something I have been mulling just recently.
Background (and keeping an epic long story short) I started seeing a man last year and someone I had known for a long time previously, although not well. It was hardly love at first sight, although does that exist? Physically I could not ignore him. We got on and stayed in contact via email as he moved around quite a bit. An opportunity arose for us to hang out one long weekend and we had one of the most memorable times I have ever had. Something just clicked. I cannot even begin to describe it, he certainly managed to infiltrate a part of my heart that had been vacant previously. Circumstance s being as they were, we could not be together but I got home and had this heady, glorious feeling inside of me. Butterflies in the tummy, a warm glow radiated from me and it was all down to him. The feeling was fantastic, a runaway stream of happiness.
So 18 months on and we have not seen one another since. We remain
in contact at times but it is fleeting and superficial. As this is a public arena I do not want to bog this post down with detail but, essentially, my feelings are not reciprocated; a dagger rips through my heart every time he contacts me. Despite the fact said man and I have not spent much time together, I can categorically say that I am in love with him, there is no melodrama involved here. Head over heels, Truly, madly, deeply. Ordinarily I am adept at keeping my emotions in check and can even appear as a little cold. Control! Up until the age 31 I don't think I had ever experienced what being in love felt like.
For me, it has caused distress, turmoil and perplexity for the most part although embers of that initial fire between us smoulder
on occasionally. Those first few days of euphoria have been replaced by the reality that he simply does not want me anymore. I think about him everyday, as some point or another and wish things could be different. I know I am flogging a dead horse but there is that small part of you that holds out hope. A tenuous, unrealised hope that will ultimately lead me back to the same road, a road without him.
How do you conquer your feelings? It is not so easy. Try as you might, love will constantly pull you back to when
things were good. You remain deluded by your own misconceptions. I know I cannot have this chap, I realise he is unattainable but I still cling on almost; little Miss poker face has finally
been breached !
Is it a chemical reaction to another person we tap into? Some invisible force that coaxes two people together? I wish I truly knew what chemistry really means but I do know one thing; when it's good, it's really really good. When it is bad it is rubbish!
Either way, I am going to stop writing about the L word. Perhaps you have experienced the same? Either been on the receiving end of the unrequited variety or been the object of someones affection? It can be mighty painful!
Rainy xx
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Are you looking at me?
When I was fat, I was deemed unacceptable in societies distorted view of what is considered 'normal.' Fat people ARE stared at, whether it is right or wrong is beside the point. It almost seems like a disfigurement to some, the large bodies some of us carry around are viewed as a physical flaw.
This makes me angry for 2 reasons. One there is such a thing called free will. Most of us live in a free society and so the way we choose to dress or look should be encompassed within that. My second reason is that no one has the right to belittle or demean another. Should we choose to ask someones opinion then we will but offering up comments and observations that are guaranteed to hurt and offend is unacceptable and cruel.
Being noticed but wanting to fade into the background
Despite the fact I am now the size I am, I still get angry when people acknowledge the way I look. I do get compliments but these people may as well be saying 'oh you look so much better now'; is an inadvertent slap in the face for the old me. Great, so now I look much better and have a figure so, all of a sudden, I am more of an attractive prospect and worthy of attention? I can 100% guarantee that these men who comment now would not have given me a second glance this time 5 years ago. It makes me angry! I hope I am not coming across as bitter as I am not really, this post was spurned by reading an article about a chap who is now the most 'in demand' Brad Pitt look a like. A few years ago he was morbidly obese and unhealthy. He decided, as I did, that it was make or break. He went with make.
During the interview he pertains to what I have already tried to relate, saying "I felt angry that people were focusing so much on my looks, rather than the person I was inside. I've been the fat guy who nobody wanted to talk to. I used to walk into a room and everyone stopped and stared....I felt angry at society for being so shallow when I lost the weight. Even now, when I look in the mirror I still see the fat guy I once was. I think in my mind I'll always be that guy."
This paragraph is so poignant to me, he encapsulated the matter at hand very succinctly. Society is vain. He is still the same person, it's just the packaging has changed. Going from being snubbed by society to have it embrace you is a hard transition and one that has posed the most trouble in my mind. How dare people pick and choose how to treat me, based solely on the way I look. But it is part of the human condition, we are naturally programmed to accept slim as attractive. On a very primal but superficial level it denotes a person has virility, health and self respect.
I have been privvy to weight related bullying just recently, ordinarily I try to avoid conflict but I have absolutely no qualms in confronting it if I feel someone around me is being scrutinised about their weight. It really does stab me through the heart when I see or hear it happen, the empathy and understanding I have is deep seeded
Are they really that shallow?
There is certainly no danger of me getting a big head. Any time someone comments or shows some attention, I am thrust back into the bigger me. Oh how those comments would have been different had we been in the same situation 5 years ago. I still find myself shy away and avoid eye contact, compliments can be hard to take on board when you have spent so many years giving yourself a hard time and hating what you had become. Perhaps I should embrace it more? Perhaps I have a chip on my shoulder (and not an edible one) that is preventing me from meeting someone? I do know I question mens intentions with me now and the type of man I have attracted post weight loss has not done me any justice.
My mum said something interesting the other week. We were watching yet another weight loss based programme on TV and the conversation, invariably, harps back to my own experiences. She outlined that, had I not lost the weight, she thinks I would probably be settled and happy now. I found this both an insightful and jarring comment.
Massive weight loss does change you in some ways, not so much your personality but your view and perspective on the bigger picture. I think my experiences post weight loss have opened my eyes to a rather disappointing and vain world. The number of married men who have hit on me is into double figures. I know there are committed and faithful fellas out there but their compadres leave a lot to be desired. I am a single, thirty something female who, on the face of it, never had a weight issue and has always looked the way I do now. Wrong! I am thankful for the bumpy journey I have had, I feel it has made me a more rounded individual.
This post is proving to be quite negative but I want to convey how it is in my mind.
Anyone reading this who is either starting their own journey, in the midst of losing weight or nearing their goal remember one thing. Do it for yourself, no body else. Society will always judge us but this whole journey is about YOU. Bettering your health, your confidence and your self perception is the name of the game. If you keep those things in mind, you will most definitely succeed.
Rainy xx
.
This makes me angry for 2 reasons. One there is such a thing called free will. Most of us live in a free society and so the way we choose to dress or look should be encompassed within that. My second reason is that no one has the right to belittle or demean another. Should we choose to ask someones opinion then we will but offering up comments and observations that are guaranteed to hurt and offend is unacceptable and cruel.
Being noticed but wanting to fade into the background
Despite the fact I am now the size I am, I still get angry when people acknowledge the way I look. I do get compliments but these people may as well be saying 'oh you look so much better now'; is an inadvertent slap in the face for the old me. Great, so now I look much better and have a figure so, all of a sudden, I am more of an attractive prospect and worthy of attention? I can 100% guarantee that these men who comment now would not have given me a second glance this time 5 years ago. It makes me angry! I hope I am not coming across as bitter as I am not really, this post was spurned by reading an article about a chap who is now the most 'in demand' Brad Pitt look a like. A few years ago he was morbidly obese and unhealthy. He decided, as I did, that it was make or break. He went with make.
During the interview he pertains to what I have already tried to relate, saying "I felt angry that people were focusing so much on my looks, rather than the person I was inside. I've been the fat guy who nobody wanted to talk to. I used to walk into a room and everyone stopped and stared....I felt angry at society for being so shallow when I lost the weight. Even now, when I look in the mirror I still see the fat guy I once was. I think in my mind I'll always be that guy."
This paragraph is so poignant to me, he encapsulated the matter at hand very succinctly. Society is vain. He is still the same person, it's just the packaging has changed. Going from being snubbed by society to have it embrace you is a hard transition and one that has posed the most trouble in my mind. How dare people pick and choose how to treat me, based solely on the way I look. But it is part of the human condition, we are naturally programmed to accept slim as attractive. On a very primal but superficial level it denotes a person has virility, health and self respect.
I have been privvy to weight related bullying just recently, ordinarily I try to avoid conflict but I have absolutely no qualms in confronting it if I feel someone around me is being scrutinised about their weight. It really does stab me through the heart when I see or hear it happen, the empathy and understanding I have is deep seeded
Are they really that shallow?
There is certainly no danger of me getting a big head. Any time someone comments or shows some attention, I am thrust back into the bigger me. Oh how those comments would have been different had we been in the same situation 5 years ago. I still find myself shy away and avoid eye contact, compliments can be hard to take on board when you have spent so many years giving yourself a hard time and hating what you had become. Perhaps I should embrace it more? Perhaps I have a chip on my shoulder (and not an edible one) that is preventing me from meeting someone? I do know I question mens intentions with me now and the type of man I have attracted post weight loss has not done me any justice.
My mum said something interesting the other week. We were watching yet another weight loss based programme on TV and the conversation, invariably, harps back to my own experiences. She outlined that, had I not lost the weight, she thinks I would probably be settled and happy now. I found this both an insightful and jarring comment.
Massive weight loss does change you in some ways, not so much your personality but your view and perspective on the bigger picture. I think my experiences post weight loss have opened my eyes to a rather disappointing and vain world. The number of married men who have hit on me is into double figures. I know there are committed and faithful fellas out there but their compadres leave a lot to be desired. I am a single, thirty something female who, on the face of it, never had a weight issue and has always looked the way I do now. Wrong! I am thankful for the bumpy journey I have had, I feel it has made me a more rounded individual.
This post is proving to be quite negative but I want to convey how it is in my mind.
Anyone reading this who is either starting their own journey, in the midst of losing weight or nearing their goal remember one thing. Do it for yourself, no body else. Society will always judge us but this whole journey is about YOU. Bettering your health, your confidence and your self perception is the name of the game. If you keep those things in mind, you will most definitely succeed.
Rainy xx
.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Core strength - highly underrated
I am a big advocate for keeping the core strong. The core incorporates not only you abdominal muscles in your tummy (upper and lower) but also your obliques (muscles at the sides) and your lower back muscle groups.
I have worked on my core throughout my weight loss, even when I started out at 300 pounds as I realised how crucial it would be to obtaining the shape I wanted.
My waist measurement started at around the 40" mark (give or take an inch here or there) and, dare I say it, I have always had a 'smaller' waist. When you compare that to my hip width at my biggest, which was around 55", I guess you can see what I mean in terms of the ratios! Now my waist sits at 25" and I put that 14" reduction completely down to the core training I have implemented over the last few years (assisted with the 25% reduction in body fat!)
Admittedly, the results are not immediate and you will likely have to train your core a little while before you see any visual effects but stick with it.
A strong core not only improves your overall posture but it shrinks your waist and enables you to exercise more efficiently. In most cases and with people who do not regularly exercise their core, there is often an imbalance between lower back and abdominal strength. The core muscles are a notoriously hard group of muscles to target but here, I want to share with you how I have done it.
I do a minimum of 100 full sit ups a day, does that sound a lot? Not really, especially since it only takes 1 minute to do a set of 50. That is 2 minutes out of my day and it is perfect timing when you are sitting on the couch, watching TV. Why not continue to watch but get down on the floor and do a set? You could soon tot up a few hundred a week.
I also do core work whilst I train on any circuit session (which I outlined in a previous post.)
There is no quick fix when it comes to exercising and toning your core. I see adverts for machines that are supposed to send an electrical pulse to your core muscles through a belt you wear around your waist. The small and frequent electrical transmissions are purported to stimulate the muscles, fooling them into thinking that your are exercising them. I don't doubt there are benefits to doing this but it cannot replicate the results you get from honest, gutsy training.
Full sit ups aren't for everyone and need to be done properly, otherwise you run the risk of damaging your back and neck. I do the full set as I trained as a kick boxer for 18 months and my Sensai was very keen on core work. After a 2 hour, gruelling training session we would warm down with 1000 core exercises. That is extreme and part and parcel of the training but my short time as a kick boxer assisted me with habits I have kept going.
Crunches are just as effective and there are a whole range you can do that target the upper and lower abdominal muscle groups and obliques. I wanted to share this link with you
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/a/NewCore.htm
This contains some brilliant information pertaining to what I have touched on in this post, plus it outlines the variety of exercises you can try.
Why not test it?
One great test for core strength is 'the plank'. You may have heard of this and it is a popular yoga move.
Lie face down on the floor to start. Make sure you have some way of timing yourself prior to assuming the correct position.
When you are ready, raise your self up so your toes are supporting your lower body and you are resting on your fore arms, face down. Make sure your arms are in a comfortable position. Ensure your back is following as straight a line as possible in terms of your spine and don't allow your tummy to sink. You hold this position for as long as you can. It is widely accepted that anyone who can hold this for 2+ minutes can be considered to own an acceptably strong, supportive core.
As you hold 'the plank' position, you will notice that, as time passes, your core will start to tremble. Stick with it!
The plank is excellent strength training in itself and forms part of a group of exercises known as callisthenics. This essentially comprises movement where you are utilising your own body and weight to train.
So next time you are watching TV, consider the amount of time it would take (a few minutes at most) to get down and do some sets of crunches.
I promise, you will LOVE the results.
Rainy xx
I have worked on my core throughout my weight loss, even when I started out at 300 pounds as I realised how crucial it would be to obtaining the shape I wanted.
My waist measurement started at around the 40" mark (give or take an inch here or there) and, dare I say it, I have always had a 'smaller' waist. When you compare that to my hip width at my biggest, which was around 55", I guess you can see what I mean in terms of the ratios! Now my waist sits at 25" and I put that 14" reduction completely down to the core training I have implemented over the last few years (assisted with the 25% reduction in body fat!)
Admittedly, the results are not immediate and you will likely have to train your core a little while before you see any visual effects but stick with it.
A strong core not only improves your overall posture but it shrinks your waist and enables you to exercise more efficiently. In most cases and with people who do not regularly exercise their core, there is often an imbalance between lower back and abdominal strength. The core muscles are a notoriously hard group of muscles to target but here, I want to share with you how I have done it.
I do a minimum of 100 full sit ups a day, does that sound a lot? Not really, especially since it only takes 1 minute to do a set of 50. That is 2 minutes out of my day and it is perfect timing when you are sitting on the couch, watching TV. Why not continue to watch but get down on the floor and do a set? You could soon tot up a few hundred a week.
I also do core work whilst I train on any circuit session (which I outlined in a previous post.)
There is no quick fix when it comes to exercising and toning your core. I see adverts for machines that are supposed to send an electrical pulse to your core muscles through a belt you wear around your waist. The small and frequent electrical transmissions are purported to stimulate the muscles, fooling them into thinking that your are exercising them. I don't doubt there are benefits to doing this but it cannot replicate the results you get from honest, gutsy training.
Full sit ups aren't for everyone and need to be done properly, otherwise you run the risk of damaging your back and neck. I do the full set as I trained as a kick boxer for 18 months and my Sensai was very keen on core work. After a 2 hour, gruelling training session we would warm down with 1000 core exercises. That is extreme and part and parcel of the training but my short time as a kick boxer assisted me with habits I have kept going.
Crunches are just as effective and there are a whole range you can do that target the upper and lower abdominal muscle groups and obliques. I wanted to share this link with you
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/a/NewCore.htm
This contains some brilliant information pertaining to what I have touched on in this post, plus it outlines the variety of exercises you can try.
Why not test it?
One great test for core strength is 'the plank'. You may have heard of this and it is a popular yoga move.
Lie face down on the floor to start. Make sure you have some way of timing yourself prior to assuming the correct position.
When you are ready, raise your self up so your toes are supporting your lower body and you are resting on your fore arms, face down. Make sure your arms are in a comfortable position. Ensure your back is following as straight a line as possible in terms of your spine and don't allow your tummy to sink. You hold this position for as long as you can. It is widely accepted that anyone who can hold this for 2+ minutes can be considered to own an acceptably strong, supportive core.
As you hold 'the plank' position, you will notice that, as time passes, your core will start to tremble. Stick with it!
The plank is excellent strength training in itself and forms part of a group of exercises known as callisthenics. This essentially comprises movement where you are utilising your own body and weight to train.
So next time you are watching TV, consider the amount of time it would take (a few minutes at most) to get down and do some sets of crunches.
I promise, you will LOVE the results.
Rainy xx
More post weight loss reflections
As I have mentioned before in posts, 4 years on and I am not immune to receiving the odd, stark reminder of who I used to be. Last night I stayed in and watched some TV. It's a much cheaper option for me at the moment, I am being somewhat of a hermit but stashing some cash is the name of the game.
Whilst flicking through the rubbish that was on ( and that is a whole load of rubbish considering I have a choice of 90+ channels) I stumbled across a UK show called 'Fat Families.' It does what it says on the tin and centres around families who lead unhealthy lifestyles, stuffing down take aways and convenience food like there is no tomorrow. The extent of their exercise is usually walking to the front door to take delivery of the 5 take out meals they gorge on each week. The presenter is a reborn health freak and weight loss guru. Kudos to him as he had weight problems himself a few years ago before changing his life around through healthy eating and exercise. He is more than qualified to offer support and advice. If you can look past his flamoyant, over zealous , camp presenting style , he deserves much respect for 'melting that lard' (his tag line, not mine!)
So each episode he takes a fat family and attempts to help them change their unhealthy ways. Tonight was a family of four; a husband and wife, mother of that wife and grand mother of that wife (got that?)
They were all obese, ranging between 305 to 270 pounds each in weight.
I watched aforementioned presenter criticising their food choices, frequently breaking out into rallying cries and kitting out their house with a purpose built gym. He used shock tactics in the form of full Medicals for each member, something that always throws up scary result. The grandmother was told that there were signs of reduced liver function (fatty liver disease) and she proceeded to dissolve into tears.
As I watched I realised that I weighed around the same weight as the wife, who topped the scales at 300 pounds. She is shorter than me but anyone who weighs 300 has some weighty issues, regardless of height!
No disrespect to this woman but I thought to myself, 'did I really look that big ?' I must have done but I hardly looked at my reflection back then so I guess the proverb 'out of sight, out of mind.' could be applied. I ignored the reflection and in essence, ignored the problem. Even so, I tried to imagine myself back there again, tried to imagine what I would be like now if I had not done those thousands of miles of cardio (yup thousands, I worked it out the other night) and cleaned up my wayward eating habits. At the time I finally committed to losing the bulk, I was borderline for starting to develop some serious health problems. I really do shudder to think about what would have happened had I not changed things. Where would I be now (probably not too far from a cupboard stuffed with junk food.) and 7 stone heavier still.
Just like those people on the show, we have to realise that we do have the power to get it under control. Our bodies are our vessels through life, we have to care for them and ensure they are equipped to get us through this journey.
I am not sure why but my weightier past has been playing on my mind recently. Today, a friend and I went shopping. Mostly window shopping but we had a look around at various bits and pieces, wanting to expand our winter wardrobes. I found a pair of trousers (pants) I really liked and the shop assistant asked, 'what size are you?' Momentarily I froze! Not sure why, I wonder whether that larger girl was sitting only my shoulder, whispering her fears in my ear.
Turns out I fitted very nicely into a pair of size 10's (US size 8), a size I have been for a long while now. Weird eh? Perhaps not, I am never going to abandon the larger me completely. Had you told the larger me in 2005, that I would be shopping for size 10's, I would have been disbelieving .
I am tired yawn, good night world
L xx
Whilst flicking through the rubbish that was on ( and that is a whole load of rubbish considering I have a choice of 90+ channels) I stumbled across a UK show called 'Fat Families.' It does what it says on the tin and centres around families who lead unhealthy lifestyles, stuffing down take aways and convenience food like there is no tomorrow. The extent of their exercise is usually walking to the front door to take delivery of the 5 take out meals they gorge on each week. The presenter is a reborn health freak and weight loss guru. Kudos to him as he had weight problems himself a few years ago before changing his life around through healthy eating and exercise. He is more than qualified to offer support and advice. If you can look past his flamoyant, over zealous , camp presenting style , he deserves much respect for 'melting that lard' (his tag line, not mine!)
So each episode he takes a fat family and attempts to help them change their unhealthy ways. Tonight was a family of four; a husband and wife, mother of that wife and grand mother of that wife (got that?)
They were all obese, ranging between 305 to 270 pounds each in weight.
I watched aforementioned presenter criticising their food choices, frequently breaking out into rallying cries and kitting out their house with a purpose built gym. He used shock tactics in the form of full Medicals for each member, something that always throws up scary result. The grandmother was told that there were signs of reduced liver function (fatty liver disease) and she proceeded to dissolve into tears.
As I watched I realised that I weighed around the same weight as the wife, who topped the scales at 300 pounds. She is shorter than me but anyone who weighs 300 has some weighty issues, regardless of height!
No disrespect to this woman but I thought to myself, 'did I really look that big ?' I must have done but I hardly looked at my reflection back then so I guess the proverb 'out of sight, out of mind.' could be applied. I ignored the reflection and in essence, ignored the problem. Even so, I tried to imagine myself back there again, tried to imagine what I would be like now if I had not done those thousands of miles of cardio (yup thousands, I worked it out the other night) and cleaned up my wayward eating habits. At the time I finally committed to losing the bulk, I was borderline for starting to develop some serious health problems. I really do shudder to think about what would have happened had I not changed things. Where would I be now (probably not too far from a cupboard stuffed with junk food.) and 7 stone heavier still.
Just like those people on the show, we have to realise that we do have the power to get it under control. Our bodies are our vessels through life, we have to care for them and ensure they are equipped to get us through this journey.
I am not sure why but my weightier past has been playing on my mind recently. Today, a friend and I went shopping. Mostly window shopping but we had a look around at various bits and pieces, wanting to expand our winter wardrobes. I found a pair of trousers (pants) I really liked and the shop assistant asked, 'what size are you?' Momentarily I froze! Not sure why, I wonder whether that larger girl was sitting only my shoulder, whispering her fears in my ear.
Turns out I fitted very nicely into a pair of size 10's (US size 8), a size I have been for a long while now. Weird eh? Perhaps not, I am never going to abandon the larger me completely. Had you told the larger me in 2005, that I would be shopping for size 10's, I would have been disbelieving .
I am tired yawn, good night world
L xx
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Body dysmorphia - how relevant is this to obesity?
Body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) is a term that has increasingly been banded around over the last decade or so.. Intense media pressure relating to image and appearance only compounds the negative body image some people have of themselves. As most of us probably already know, BDD manifests itself through a sufferer being unhealthily preoccupied with their own, perceived physical flaws or defects.
We all have bad days where we look in the mirror and don't like the reflection staring back at us. BDD suffers experience a heightened negativity and distorted awareness of their looks. It can be crippling in many respects, with some sufferers fearful of leaving their home. Many develop agoraphobia and anxiety because they hate the way they look that much.
I wonder how many of us fellow fat fighters (whether post or current) can loosely relate to this? I appreciate that true victims of BDD experience extreme self confidence issues that can result in self harming and clinical depression and I would never suggest that all overweight people have BDD but I believe there is a link. The amount of times I have heard over weight people describe social ineptness as being a side effect of the fat, not to mention self criticism and depression. I have experienced all this first hand, the number of times I locked myself away in my flat, avoiding social situations that only served in making me feel inadequate, unworthy and uncomfortable. There were so many times I would stare at my body for ages, identifying all the negative things about my appearance. This became so obsessive that I even wrote these things down. It was a morose list of faults; fat belly, double chin, large arms, fat back side, massive boobs (so much so, my cleavage was nicknamed 'the shelf' due to it's handiness with me being able to rest my dinner plate on it!)
I think I suffered from BDD for many years. I would refuse to look at my reflection, developing a veritable allergy to mirrors. If I had to apply my make up I would use the small mirror embedded within the sun visor of my car, that way I could only see my eyes. I would do anything for people not to look at me, averting gazes during conversation was common place. I felt a massive relief when someone else interjected so the attention was taken off me.
The lengths I would go to to disappear around other humans consumed my thoughts, the fear of rejection because of how I perceived I looked wore me down. Self hatred is destructive, our brains can distort things to such a degree that we end up seeing things that are not even there.
In my mind I told myself I was attractive, intelligent and I could look good and feel great about myself again. Often I got to a point where I would feel ok but the minute I caught my reflection in a mirror or a window, that confidence was shattered into a million pieces.
Intimate moments with my partner at the time were absurdly comical in terms of my irrational
thoughts. I did everything to cover my body up, lights were a no no and I thought about how I looked at every moment, mortified that he would even entertain the idea of getting jiggy with an ugly, fat blob. Poor chap, he was so patient and constantly reassured me but I felt like he was offering lip service. I now know that he did love me as I was and all I achieved was to push him away. Self sabotage in it's purest form. I would get extremely paranoid during the times we did socialise with others, I would convince myself that my man found other women more attractive than me and I felt totally and utterly inferior to any other female.
I cannot believe I spent so many years disliking myself. I am now a recovering BDD sufferer. I do get the odd day where I don't like my hair or feel unattractive but the self loathing has gone. The release from that disturbing pre occupation with my 'ugliness' and 'fatty blob' is indescribable.
We are ALL worthy or respect, attention and love. It should not matter how we look, no one should every persecute themselves for being who they are. The packaging is merely a facade, it really is what is on the inside that counts every inch of the way. If you are a self hater, please don't allow 'you' to be drowned and lost in a sea of destructive thoughts and negativity. I know that is easier for me to write and harder for BDD sufferers to action but I wasted so many years wrapped up in turmoil about my body and I cannot get those years back. The important lessons I have learned have come from being the smaller person I am now. Hindsight is a beautiful thing and has afforded me the insight to realise I was not THAT bad all along. I was me. I like me now and I was me back then.
Love yourself first, others will soon love you too :)
L xx
We all have bad days where we look in the mirror and don't like the reflection staring back at us. BDD suffers experience a heightened negativity and distorted awareness of their looks. It can be crippling in many respects, with some sufferers fearful of leaving their home. Many develop agoraphobia and anxiety because they hate the way they look that much.
I wonder how many of us fellow fat fighters (whether post or current) can loosely relate to this? I appreciate that true victims of BDD experience extreme self confidence issues that can result in self harming and clinical depression and I would never suggest that all overweight people have BDD but I believe there is a link. The amount of times I have heard over weight people describe social ineptness as being a side effect of the fat, not to mention self criticism and depression. I have experienced all this first hand, the number of times I locked myself away in my flat, avoiding social situations that only served in making me feel inadequate, unworthy and uncomfortable. There were so many times I would stare at my body for ages, identifying all the negative things about my appearance. This became so obsessive that I even wrote these things down. It was a morose list of faults; fat belly, double chin, large arms, fat back side, massive boobs (so much so, my cleavage was nicknamed 'the shelf' due to it's handiness with me being able to rest my dinner plate on it!)
I think I suffered from BDD for many years. I would refuse to look at my reflection, developing a veritable allergy to mirrors. If I had to apply my make up I would use the small mirror embedded within the sun visor of my car, that way I could only see my eyes. I would do anything for people not to look at me, averting gazes during conversation was common place. I felt a massive relief when someone else interjected so the attention was taken off me.
The lengths I would go to to disappear around other humans consumed my thoughts, the fear of rejection because of how I perceived I looked wore me down. Self hatred is destructive, our brains can distort things to such a degree that we end up seeing things that are not even there.
In my mind I told myself I was attractive, intelligent and I could look good and feel great about myself again. Often I got to a point where I would feel ok but the minute I caught my reflection in a mirror or a window, that confidence was shattered into a million pieces.
Intimate moments with my partner at the time were absurdly comical in terms of my irrational
thoughts. I did everything to cover my body up, lights were a no no and I thought about how I looked at every moment, mortified that he would even entertain the idea of getting jiggy with an ugly, fat blob. Poor chap, he was so patient and constantly reassured me but I felt like he was offering lip service. I now know that he did love me as I was and all I achieved was to push him away. Self sabotage in it's purest form. I would get extremely paranoid during the times we did socialise with others, I would convince myself that my man found other women more attractive than me and I felt totally and utterly inferior to any other female.
I cannot believe I spent so many years disliking myself. I am now a recovering BDD sufferer. I do get the odd day where I don't like my hair or feel unattractive but the self loathing has gone. The release from that disturbing pre occupation with my 'ugliness' and 'fatty blob' is indescribable.
We are ALL worthy or respect, attention and love. It should not matter how we look, no one should every persecute themselves for being who they are. The packaging is merely a facade, it really is what is on the inside that counts every inch of the way. If you are a self hater, please don't allow 'you' to be drowned and lost in a sea of destructive thoughts and negativity. I know that is easier for me to write and harder for BDD sufferers to action but I wasted so many years wrapped up in turmoil about my body and I cannot get those years back. The important lessons I have learned have come from being the smaller person I am now. Hindsight is a beautiful thing and has afforded me the insight to realise I was not THAT bad all along. I was me. I like me now and I was me back then.
Love yourself first, others will soon love you too :)
L xx
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Weight circuit training plan
So try the following routine. Ease yourself in, only do what you can do. Adjust the reputations if you want. Some areas of your body are going to be stronger than others.
*Remember* Take it easy, especially if you are not used to exercising. You can adapt the repetitions to suit your fitness levels but this routine below should cover off most of your major muscle groups. Even if you are carrying extra fat over your muscles at the moment, toning up what is underneath will only pay dividends when you reach your goal. Plus weights are fantastic at raising your metabolic rate which, in turn, means a more efficient metabolism.For the warm up, use a stop watch if you can.
Use 1lb weights to start with, it may seem too light but remember 'gently does it' get your muscles groups used to this first. All movement should be controlled and fluid, not too fast.
When you do the circuit, everything needs to be done back to back, if at all possible. If you feel you need to take a break inbetween then do take it initially but it is important to keep the heart rate up.
Warm up
Start with a 5 minute, gentle jog on the spot. Not too manic, just gentle.
30 skips of the rope
Carry on running on the spot for another 5 mins
30 skips of the rope
You are now warmed up enough to start the circuit.
Dead lifts (targets back and legs)
Take one weight in each hand, facing forward. Stand up straight then bend down as far as you can go, ensuring your legs are straight at all times. Come back up and repeat 12x
Shoulder press (targets shoulders, upper back)
Stand up straight, weight in each hand and raise them up straight above each shoulder. Make sure the arm is fully extended before bringing back down to just above your shoulder. Repeat 10x
Weighted side bends (abductor muscles and core)
Stand straight. You only need one weight for this. Hold weight in your hand and lower your hand down your side, to the middle of your. Let your free hand rise up so you are bent over slightly to the weighted side. Roll the weight back up the thigh again to standing position. Repeat 15 times each side
Weighted star jumps (cardiovascular, arms, core, legs)
Take both weights in each hand and do 20 star jumps. These are great for the core, legs plus the cardio aspect keeps you warmed up
Bicep curls (biceps)
Try to do 15 per arm. You can do them together, alternating each arm or do one arm first then switch.
Ski jumps (cardio vascular, legs)
Put the weights down. This is another cardio exercise. Stand with feet together and jump to your right handside before jumping left again, then right. Do this as quick as you can, 30 reps
Front raises (pecs, biceps, triceps and shoulders)
Take the weights in each hand. Stand straight and hold the weights down in front of you so they are in line with your belly. Raise them up to chest level and back down again. Repeat 10x
Chair press ups (pecs, biceps, core)
Get a chair if you can. Basically crouch on your knees, crossing feet behind you so they are off the floor. Be about 2 ft from the chair. Place hands either side of the chair and bend down as low as you can go then raise up again. Repeat 10x
Crunches
Lie on your exercise mat and do 20 stomach crunches . When you are doing the crunch, never let your shoulders fully rest on the floor. This engages the core throughout the reps. Try 15 to start with
30 skips to finish the set
You need to repeat this full weight circuit 3 times if you can. That gives you about 600 reps of everything in total. Not bad going!! Only take 40 minutes tops.
xx
Making the most of exercise
I openly admit I have made a few mistakes when it has come to my training. Up until the age of 30, I had never really taken exercise seriously, even though I trained like a demon when I was 20, I had it all wrong and viewed gym training as a means to compound my veritable anorexic attitude towards food. It was all about burning as many calories as I could with the depleted energy levels I was running on. My tank was empty, the training was non productive and only served in exacerbating my weight loss at the time.
If you have not already gathered, I suffer from an obsessive personality. Mostly I view it as a hinderance, it is all or nothing with me and there is rarely a grey area.
Despite it being a pain most of the time, it has served me well with the massive weight loss I have experienced. When I set my mind to the challenge my dogged determination will always keep me going. I could be rest assured of that even when times got really tough with the weight loss and those niggling feelings of doubt set in, I was always going to do it.
Running, running, running
Another side effect of my obsessive nature was the running. When I entered maintenance, I was running regularly and did so for the 2 years following. I accomplished some goals, completing my first 10k race and also a half marathon (a truly remarkable achievement and something I will cover off in more detail later.) I think I ran too much, distance running can be addictive and is notorious for knocking fat off your body like nothing else. It is cardio intensive and is fantastic for the heart, I know that when I was at the peak of my distance running I was clocking up 50+ miles a week and my resting heart rate was 49 beats per minute (compare that to the 90+ bpm I had when I was at my largest.) It is fantastic for cardio vascular conditioning but not so great for upper body strength. So my 2 year running stint saw me drop down to 140 pounds which I maintained for a year or so during that phase.
A break
During 2009 I stopped running, partly due to boredom of it and partly due to exhaustion. You hear it often from other runners, it is not sustainable and there are down times. Running is a psychological roller coaster, no matter whether you are feeling physically up for doing it or not, any kind of mental block and it won't happen. During an 8 month period I gained back 10 pounds and felt like my body healed after the miles and miles of training I had done. I dread to think the total mileage I had accrued over that 24 month period! Much of the weight gain was rehydration, no matter how much fluid you take on whilst doing high intensity cardio, I think you are always going to be slightly dehydrated. Gaining weight back was no problem, it was different than before. I felt in control and let my hair down a bit, safe in the knowledge that I was armed with the tools to redress the balance should I feel that it was getting out of control.
When you lose weight, it is always good to have a 'ceiling' weight that you reach, should you gain any back. I always said that 150 pounds would be my acceptable ceiling, anything past that and I would tighten my belt again (so to speak!) and apply some healthier stratgey to ensure I gained no more. It would not have been a problem to go over 150 but, historically, I know that I am more susceptible to weight gain and so always have that in the back of my mind. It worked well and come August 2009, I decided to start training once again. I took a holiday to a beautiful part of the UK that offers some rather impressive fells and peaks. I spent the holiday climbing, scaling 1800ft ascents and this was a pleasurable if not gruelling re entry to exercise. When I got home I jumped on my bike and started riding. I felt like I wanted to mix things up a bit and back off on the running for a while longer. The old runner in me soon made herself known and by October I had started pound the streets. I found that I gained my running fitness back remarkably quickly and was soon clocking up 10k runs. I was mindful, from experience, that 10k was more than adequate in terms of distance and so stuck to that, mixing in 2 bike rides a week to vary the training.
Once you have a base level of fitness, there is a wonderful little thing called muscle memory. It has been researched before and proven that muscles do remember training, even if you have been inactive for a long period of time. This means that, should you train and then give up, picking up exercise should be easier to do. Your body responds quickly.
Weight circuits - fat burning, strength gaining heaven
A friend of mine has trained his whole life and is in fantastic shape. He had always said to me that I should do weights. Now weight training has always bored me, I never really got into it and the few half hearted attempts I had made at it had always seen me jack it in after a few weeks. My friend introduced me to weight circuits, these essentially mix weights with cardio exercise.
I heard him out and had already seen the benefits he had gained from doing them, namely a fantastic physique and great balance with the cardio fitness. So he outlined a few circuits I could try and I devised my own plan. I liked the fact that I could incorporate my cardio into the circuits as that was my strong point and something I wanted to sustain.
Circuits really are fantastic. A year on and I am still doing them 3 -4 times a week. The beauty of circuits is that you can do them ANYWHERE. All you need is some free weights/ dumb bells, an exercise mat, a skipping rope and some space. I have developed my own training plan with them that means that I have slowly built up to a dumb bell weight where I am putting some resistance on my muscles, enough to give me some toning. Due to the fact that women do not have a lot of testeosterone coursing through the veins, we will never bulk up so do not worry about looking like a female Russian body builder. It is not possible, not unless you start taking steroids.
RESULTS
My upper body has changed beyond all recognition, it has taken a year of training but I love my shape now. My shoulders are broader, my posture is better, I have shape to my arms and my torso is more defined. No bulging bicpes but a much sleeker, stronger me :) I can even do 5 proper press ups! A first!
My next post will outline a circuit you can do at home and is not dissimilar to what I do now, give it a try.
Rainy xxx
If you have not already gathered, I suffer from an obsessive personality. Mostly I view it as a hinderance, it is all or nothing with me and there is rarely a grey area.
Despite it being a pain most of the time, it has served me well with the massive weight loss I have experienced. When I set my mind to the challenge my dogged determination will always keep me going. I could be rest assured of that even when times got really tough with the weight loss and those niggling feelings of doubt set in, I was always going to do it.
Running, running, running
Another side effect of my obsessive nature was the running. When I entered maintenance, I was running regularly and did so for the 2 years following. I accomplished some goals, completing my first 10k race and also a half marathon (a truly remarkable achievement and something I will cover off in more detail later.) I think I ran too much, distance running can be addictive and is notorious for knocking fat off your body like nothing else. It is cardio intensive and is fantastic for the heart, I know that when I was at the peak of my distance running I was clocking up 50+ miles a week and my resting heart rate was 49 beats per minute (compare that to the 90+ bpm I had when I was at my largest.) It is fantastic for cardio vascular conditioning but not so great for upper body strength. So my 2 year running stint saw me drop down to 140 pounds which I maintained for a year or so during that phase.
A break
During 2009 I stopped running, partly due to boredom of it and partly due to exhaustion. You hear it often from other runners, it is not sustainable and there are down times. Running is a psychological roller coaster, no matter whether you are feeling physically up for doing it or not, any kind of mental block and it won't happen. During an 8 month period I gained back 10 pounds and felt like my body healed after the miles and miles of training I had done. I dread to think the total mileage I had accrued over that 24 month period! Much of the weight gain was rehydration, no matter how much fluid you take on whilst doing high intensity cardio, I think you are always going to be slightly dehydrated. Gaining weight back was no problem, it was different than before. I felt in control and let my hair down a bit, safe in the knowledge that I was armed with the tools to redress the balance should I feel that it was getting out of control.
When you lose weight, it is always good to have a 'ceiling' weight that you reach, should you gain any back. I always said that 150 pounds would be my acceptable ceiling, anything past that and I would tighten my belt again (so to speak!) and apply some healthier stratgey to ensure I gained no more. It would not have been a problem to go over 150 but, historically, I know that I am more susceptible to weight gain and so always have that in the back of my mind. It worked well and come August 2009, I decided to start training once again. I took a holiday to a beautiful part of the UK that offers some rather impressive fells and peaks. I spent the holiday climbing, scaling 1800ft ascents and this was a pleasurable if not gruelling re entry to exercise. When I got home I jumped on my bike and started riding. I felt like I wanted to mix things up a bit and back off on the running for a while longer. The old runner in me soon made herself known and by October I had started pound the streets. I found that I gained my running fitness back remarkably quickly and was soon clocking up 10k runs. I was mindful, from experience, that 10k was more than adequate in terms of distance and so stuck to that, mixing in 2 bike rides a week to vary the training.
Once you have a base level of fitness, there is a wonderful little thing called muscle memory. It has been researched before and proven that muscles do remember training, even if you have been inactive for a long period of time. This means that, should you train and then give up, picking up exercise should be easier to do. Your body responds quickly.
Weight circuits - fat burning, strength gaining heaven
A friend of mine has trained his whole life and is in fantastic shape. He had always said to me that I should do weights. Now weight training has always bored me, I never really got into it and the few half hearted attempts I had made at it had always seen me jack it in after a few weeks. My friend introduced me to weight circuits, these essentially mix weights with cardio exercise.
I heard him out and had already seen the benefits he had gained from doing them, namely a fantastic physique and great balance with the cardio fitness. So he outlined a few circuits I could try and I devised my own plan. I liked the fact that I could incorporate my cardio into the circuits as that was my strong point and something I wanted to sustain.
Circuits really are fantastic. A year on and I am still doing them 3 -4 times a week. The beauty of circuits is that you can do them ANYWHERE. All you need is some free weights/ dumb bells, an exercise mat, a skipping rope and some space. I have developed my own training plan with them that means that I have slowly built up to a dumb bell weight where I am putting some resistance on my muscles, enough to give me some toning. Due to the fact that women do not have a lot of testeosterone coursing through the veins, we will never bulk up so do not worry about looking like a female Russian body builder. It is not possible, not unless you start taking steroids.
RESULTS
My upper body has changed beyond all recognition, it has taken a year of training but I love my shape now. My shoulders are broader, my posture is better, I have shape to my arms and my torso is more defined. No bulging bicpes but a much sleeker, stronger me :) I can even do 5 proper press ups! A first!
My next post will outline a circuit you can do at home and is not dissimilar to what I do now, give it a try.
Rainy xxx
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