"You don't need to lose any more weight."
"Surely you've reached your target now."
"You're looking great!"
Of the three most common remarks I hear about my weight loss so far, I like the third one best. Actually the first two just wind me up. What the casual glancer doesn't appreciate is that my remaining wobbles are considerably diluted around the waist area when I'm standing vertically, but they concentrate in a dramatic, swaying fashion when viewed from certain more horizontal planes.
"What are you doing in that kind of position?" I hear you ask.
I'm now back down to the lightest weight I've been, so next week should see me exploring new territory.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Thursday 24 July 2008
Monday 21 July 2008
Triathlon Gold
It wasn't billed as the greatest race on earth. Still, the Club's mini Triathlon seemed like a good place to test my updated running skills against half a dozen non-serious mums and dads. During last week's training over the standard 5k course, my run time continued to amaze me. Even though I really thought I was running a positive split, the total time over the standard course is now 25 minutes 40 seconds.
Back to Sunday's outing; 400m swimming, followed by a 2 mile cycle and a 1 mile run only seems like a short training event now, but the race induced adrenaline fairly gets you motivated and pushes you to breathlessness.
I was out of the pool first and my nearest competitor was last seen gaining on me in the cycle. But he had completely disappeared during the run stage when I had expected to be caught and overtaken. I presumed it was to do with the enclosed course layout that I couldn't spot him. When I reached the finish line, I learned that he had fallen from the bike and dislocated his collar bone. Luckily, 6 weeks is destined to heal all.
Fortune had shone again, this week in the form of a Gold medal. Beijing it was not, but very exciting none the less!
Current weight is 13 stones 8 pounds (190 pounds / 86.2 kg).
Back to Sunday's outing; 400m swimming, followed by a 2 mile cycle and a 1 mile run only seems like a short training event now, but the race induced adrenaline fairly gets you motivated and pushes you to breathlessness.
I was out of the pool first and my nearest competitor was last seen gaining on me in the cycle. But he had completely disappeared during the run stage when I had expected to be caught and overtaken. I presumed it was to do with the enclosed course layout that I couldn't spot him. When I reached the finish line, I learned that he had fallen from the bike and dislocated his collar bone. Luckily, 6 weeks is destined to heal all.
Fortune had shone again, this week in the form of a Gold medal. Beijing it was not, but very exciting none the less!
Current weight is 13 stones 8 pounds (190 pounds / 86.2 kg).
Monday 14 July 2008
Return to the fold
Technically, owing to my weekday only membership of the gym, I've only been away for one day, which is was my normal rest day anyway. It seemed like an age. Tonight I managed to participate in a Spinning class without too much rib trouble. That was followed by 10 minutes on the treadmill, a feat that generated confused double takes. "Can he do that so soon?". Yes was the answer. But I buckled on the third stroke of front crawl with the rib extension generating too much inconvenience, since I couldn't allow pain giving full arm extensions. I retired swiftly to the Jacuzzi.
But arriving back at my PC tonight, I began to hear the Rocky theme playing in my mind. An upsurge of enthusiasm, a motivation bestowed from on high, a mission adorned by the greater good. I sensed a new calling. An email from The Editor has signaled a new direction. He'd just participated in his first Olympic distance triathlon and was "slightly" disappointed with the outcome. "Pretty Crap" summed up the day. This has riled him enough to raise the stakes and set a new benchmark. And I think I can help. By stealing his only proper fitting wetsuit and "borrowing" his more modern bike, leaving him with the more antiquated versions, I hope to compete and train with him until he bursts with competitiveness and shows the current Super Vet champ a thing or two. It'll be like giving Rocky an old sweaty tracksuit and making him try to catch some chickens with one arm tied behind his back. Well, if The Editor choses to take a break from real life and do some training ...?
Current weight is 13 stones 8 pounds (190 pounds / 86.2 kg).
But I'm not disappointed. Actually, I sense renewed vigor.
But arriving back at my PC tonight, I began to hear the Rocky theme playing in my mind. An upsurge of enthusiasm, a motivation bestowed from on high, a mission adorned by the greater good. I sensed a new calling. An email from The Editor has signaled a new direction. He'd just participated in his first Olympic distance triathlon and was "slightly" disappointed with the outcome. "Pretty Crap" summed up the day. This has riled him enough to raise the stakes and set a new benchmark. And I think I can help. By stealing his only proper fitting wetsuit and "borrowing" his more modern bike, leaving him with the more antiquated versions, I hope to compete and train with him until he bursts with competitiveness and shows the current Super Vet champ a thing or two. It'll be like giving Rocky an old sweaty tracksuit and making him try to catch some chickens with one arm tied behind his back. Well, if The Editor choses to take a break from real life and do some training ...?
Current weight is 13 stones 8 pounds (190 pounds / 86.2 kg).
But I'm not disappointed. Actually, I sense renewed vigor.
Saturday 12 July 2008
Scone frenzy
I am motivated by incentives.
When I reached 15 and a half stones, I rewarded myself for reaching my first major weight loss target with the purchase of a beautiful, brand new Honda Shadow Spirit 750 cc motorcycle. It's been a joyful 10 weeks of biking, wearing slimming, tight fitting leathers.
Until Thursday night, that is, when a mystery car driver chose to come straight at me on my side of the road. We did not collide, but I was forced off the road and the next few moments, whilst being hurled through the air at 50 mph with zero control over the outcome, afforded me some time to think. The significant conclusion was that if I made it out in one piece, I would not be getting back on a motorcycle again.
It was my lucky day.
The reality is that's a major, major understatement. But I simply have no other explanation as to why , after I had finally stopped sliding on my back, I stood up and walked back to examine what remained of the bike after it had rebounded 20 feet off the stone dyke wall.
The Editor, who putting aside any Triathlon rivalry, appeared swiftly with trailer to remove my bike from the scene, decided that the trailer was not actually warranted and simply rode the bike back to it's present home. It seems "someone" was also "watching over" the bike that evening, as well as looking out for me. Thank you.
I fear if I'd been physically much larger, there would have been an almighty "splat", and the resultant inertial bone crunching bounce might have offered up an alternative trajectory straight into the above mentioned stone dyke wall. So I'm convinced the weight loss aided my in this situation. As it is, I have some bruising under the lower ribs on my right side and was told to lay off the exercise for a couple of days. Even the surgical consultant who examined me could not offer an explanation as to why I walked out of hospital a couple of hours later without any external bruising or broken bones.
Since the accident, I'm finding great joy in the pleasure of scones. I have deemed life too short to deprive myself of the simple pleasures and have declared the correct mix of flour, butter, sugar, egg, milk and assorted dried fruit a "super food" to help with my recovery. Expect the weight to increase by a few pounds until the rib pain subsides, the scone frenzy fizzles out and the exercise resumes early next week.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
When I reached 15 and a half stones, I rewarded myself for reaching my first major weight loss target with the purchase of a beautiful, brand new Honda Shadow Spirit 750 cc motorcycle. It's been a joyful 10 weeks of biking, wearing slimming, tight fitting leathers.
Until Thursday night, that is, when a mystery car driver chose to come straight at me on my side of the road. We did not collide, but I was forced off the road and the next few moments, whilst being hurled through the air at 50 mph with zero control over the outcome, afforded me some time to think. The significant conclusion was that if I made it out in one piece, I would not be getting back on a motorcycle again.
It was my lucky day.
The reality is that's a major, major understatement. But I simply have no other explanation as to why , after I had finally stopped sliding on my back, I stood up and walked back to examine what remained of the bike after it had rebounded 20 feet off the stone dyke wall.
The Editor, who putting aside any Triathlon rivalry, appeared swiftly with trailer to remove my bike from the scene, decided that the trailer was not actually warranted and simply rode the bike back to it's present home. It seems "someone" was also "watching over" the bike that evening, as well as looking out for me. Thank you.
I fear if I'd been physically much larger, there would have been an almighty "splat", and the resultant inertial bone crunching bounce might have offered up an alternative trajectory straight into the above mentioned stone dyke wall. So I'm convinced the weight loss aided my in this situation. As it is, I have some bruising under the lower ribs on my right side and was told to lay off the exercise for a couple of days. Even the surgical consultant who examined me could not offer an explanation as to why I walked out of hospital a couple of hours later without any external bruising or broken bones.
Since the accident, I'm finding great joy in the pleasure of scones. I have deemed life too short to deprive myself of the simple pleasures and have declared the correct mix of flour, butter, sugar, egg, milk and assorted dried fruit a "super food" to help with my recovery. Expect the weight to increase by a few pounds until the rib pain subsides, the scone frenzy fizzles out and the exercise resumes early next week.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Tuesday 8 July 2008
OFF button override
My "off" button still doesn't work when I'm drunk, as I found out during last weekend's stag night out.
7 pints and a handful of whiskies in and I crumbled. My major weakness shot to the surface and I simply couldn't stop myself eating (and enjoying) the Empire biscuit that was enticingly displayed in the showcase desert fridge of Drummonds in Pitlochry. Quite why they chose to store and display a solitary Empire biscuit in such lavish refrigerated conditions is beyond me, but boy was I happy to see it. Even if I'd been rescued from 10 days and nights of Saharan thirst by finding an oasis of ice cold water, I couldn't have visibly expressed more emotion. I amused the staff so much with my drooling over said biscuit that they generously donated it, free of charge, to satisfy my craving and deliver my contentment.
Recounting this tale of falling off the wagon to "The Editor", he swiftly reminded me about a similar incident nearly one year ago to the day. The precursory lead in was very similar, namely heavy drinking followed by a sudden pang of hunger. Less than 2 minutes after wolfing down a king rib supper with extra smoked sausage single, I barged my way into the Pizza Emporium demanding a large spicy meat feast with extra cheese.
I believe that my stomach felt the same reaction to both incidents, but my sobered resolution couldn't have been more different this time around. Last year I lay down for most of the afternoon to recover, thinking more about what I'd have for tea that night as opposed to exhibiting any form of regret. This year I went on a 28 km hill walk, 16 km of which was jogging in and back out again.
Current weight is 13 stones 6 pounds (188 pounds / 85.3 kg).
7 pints and a handful of whiskies in and I crumbled. My major weakness shot to the surface and I simply couldn't stop myself eating (and enjoying) the Empire biscuit that was enticingly displayed in the showcase desert fridge of Drummonds in Pitlochry. Quite why they chose to store and display a solitary Empire biscuit in such lavish refrigerated conditions is beyond me, but boy was I happy to see it. Even if I'd been rescued from 10 days and nights of Saharan thirst by finding an oasis of ice cold water, I couldn't have visibly expressed more emotion. I amused the staff so much with my drooling over said biscuit that they generously donated it, free of charge, to satisfy my craving and deliver my contentment.
Recounting this tale of falling off the wagon to "The Editor", he swiftly reminded me about a similar incident nearly one year ago to the day. The precursory lead in was very similar, namely heavy drinking followed by a sudden pang of hunger. Less than 2 minutes after wolfing down a king rib supper with extra smoked sausage single, I barged my way into the Pizza Emporium demanding a large spicy meat feast with extra cheese.
I believe that my stomach felt the same reaction to both incidents, but my sobered resolution couldn't have been more different this time around. Last year I lay down for most of the afternoon to recover, thinking more about what I'd have for tea that night as opposed to exhibiting any form of regret. This year I went on a 28 km hill walk, 16 km of which was jogging in and back out again.
Current weight is 13 stones 6 pounds (188 pounds / 85.3 kg).
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