It’s been about three months since Helen and I took up running, and we’re loving it. When we started it was as much as we could do to run for a few minutes at a time. Now as well as regular 7k runs, I’m completing 10k runs each week, and this past week I’ve managed to get Helen to do her first 10k. We’ve run in most weather, but the rain wasn’t so nice, so I don’t think I’ll do that again.

In November I achieved my 85k (52 mile) target for the month, so this month I’ve upped the target to 100k (64 mile), and I’m planning a Christmas day run. I’ve had a few aches and pains after the long runs, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Running makes me feel so good, it’s a great stress reliever, and gives Helen and I some quality time out in the fresh air, chatting about our day.

After Christmas I’m going to invest in a better pair of trainers to go with the new running gear I’m hoping Santa is going to bring me. I’m not quite up to a marathon, but In the new year I’m going to be entering some of the local races, and work up to a half marathon by May/June.

Well we are just 6 weeks into our new found running routine and we love it! We now run approximately 6k four times a week, in rain or shine. We.ve got into a good routine where we run before breakfast at the weekend and before our evening meal during the week.

Our route takes us over fields, down quiet country lanes, and through woodland. The scenery is fabulous, and gets us away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, giving Helen and I time to catch up.

We’ve both struggled occasionally, but we pushed on and feel so much better for it. Our stamina is much improved, and we are noticing improvement in our Kuk Sool Won training. In the past month I’ve lost 2 st  and Helen has lost 1st 6lb!

Here’s some pictures from our route.

Helen and I have recently taken up running, and we’re really enjoying it. We’ve often talked about running, but that’s as far as it’s ever got, just the talking, but this time is different, we’re doing it!

There is so much info out there on how to run, what speed, distance, etc, etc, that we’ve decided to follow the 5k runner program to start. It’s iPhone app that takes you from the sofa to a full 5k run. It takes you through an eight week program from novice to running 5k, and it’s learning/training pace suits us well.

Here’s a couple of pictures of the app in action, so you get an idea of how the training program works.

So far we’ve completed two training sessions, and it’s been a mixture of brisk walking, running, with a warm up and a cool down. Our route takes us out into the countryside past an old church, through a park and along little used roads, so it’s quite peaceful, and a real pleasure. We’re planing to alter our route to give us a bit of variety, and to encompass the only hill in Carlton Colville.

It’s funny, I’ve spent years driving past runners thinking they must be mad, and asking myself why they do it, and now I know. It feels good!!

Following a weekend of gluttony, famine has returned to the household.

Now that winter is here I find that I’m not getting as much exercise as I was when the weather was nicer. I really have to work on some kind of indoor routine that will help me stay in shape during the winter months.

I do have some fitness equipment that I use occasionally. I have a treadmill, a rowing machine, and a stationary cycle in the gym. I also have a punch bag and some small hand and leg weights that I use when I’m practicing Kuk Sool Won. The trouble is I don’t do it as often as I should.

What do you do for exercise in the winter? Do you go to a gym or work out at home, or does your routine falter like mine once the weather outside turns bad?

Just want to say that I am very, very proud of Helen for taking part in a very damp, blustery and chilly Race for life today. It never ceases to amaze me just how kind hearted, dedicated and selfless you are.

Congratulations on your medal, I’m very jealous!

I’ve had a red spot on my eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage) for the past few days, and it looks horrid. A subconjunctival hemorrhage simply means that a blood vessel popped in the white of my eye. I was a little embarrassed about it, but these things happen.

It’s grown a little, but its pinker rather than redder. It means I should probably get an eye exam. The list of causes ranges from pressure on the eye, or a sneeze,or high blood pressure. My blood pressure has been higher than it should, so it’s important that I get that under control (more pills). However, I have been a little stressed out lately, so it might be correlative.

A typical bruise appears black or blue underneath the skin, a subconjunctival hemorrhage appears bright red underneath the transparent conjunctiva (the white bit to you and me). Apparently, the hemorrhage may spread and become green or yellow, like a bruise, that’s going to be nice . . .

Thankfully they usually disappear within 2 weeks.

Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth. This is an irrefutable scientific fact, based on a survey of over 100,000 men.

Man-Flu is not ‘just a cold’. It is a condition so severe that the germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could wipe out entire tribes of people living in the rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too.

Women do not contract Man-Flu. At worst they suffer from what is medically recognised as a ‘Mild Girly Sniffle’ – which, if a man caught, he would still be able to run, throw a ball, tear the phone book in half and compete in all other kinds of manly activities.

Men do not ‘moan’ when they have Man-Flu. They emit involuntary groans of agony that are entirely in proportion to the unbearable pain they are in.

Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place much quicker if their simple requests for care, sympathy and regular cups of tea are met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence Nightingale would have done it

More men die each year from Man-Flu Neglect, than lots and lots of other things. (Like rabbit attacks or choking on toast).

Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more than to get out of bed and come to work, but they are too selfless to risk spreading this awful condition amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense, they are the greatest heroes this country has ever known.

Man-Flu germs are more powerful than He-Man, The Thundercats and The A-Team combined. They are too strong for weak, nasty tasting ‘lady medicines’ like Lemsip, so don’t bother trying to force them on a victim of Man-Flu.

Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man-Flu. Women, all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just maybe, we’ll beat this monstrous disease together…

A key life decision that I made earlier this year, due to the knowledge that I have the will power, and ability to succeed, was to cut out all junk food from my diet.

So how have I done? Well it’s just two months since Christmas, and I’ve lost 13.6kg, or 30lbs, or 2st 2lbs of fat, through healthy eating and exercise. However you look at it, its huge loss, one I’m proud of, and half my target weight loss.

I’m training hard to learn the skills, and knowledge necessary for my upcoming Black belt testing. I have slowly improved my diet, and felt ready, and willing to stop eating those empty calories that have had me in their grip for so long. I’m talking about chocolate, chips, junk food etc. I know that I have been addicted to them for so long, using them as a crutch to bring happiness to my day after feeling overwhelmed by the stress, and demands around me.

Now, I feel mentally strong enough to walk away from these temptations. I know that they do nothing for me. It’s a lifestyle change for the better, and it’s enhancing my good health. I have survived the withdrawal period, and my body has adjusted to less sugar, fat, and salt in my diet.

As a follow up to my recent post about fitness training…

There’s a huge difference between health and fitness. Health refers to our overall physical and mental state, our wellbeing, and our ability to go about the day without suffering from illness. Good health means our minds and bodies are working in harmony.

Fitness is specific, and often fit for purpose. You can be a highly trained athlete capable of putting yourself through extreme physical endurance, and pressure, but if your immune system is weakened through improper diet then your health will suffer.

So the trick is to train smart, and remember that rest is as important as action. Take a break in between training sessions to let your body recover, and stay healthy. That’s why people refer to “health and fitness”. You can have one without the other, although it has to be said that fitness works best if you’re healthy in the first place!

Get fit, stay healthy and enjoy your training.

In May this year I’m going to be taking my second Kuk Sool Won Black belt test, and I’ve been training hard in preparation. Yep, I know it might seem a long way off, but two months of the year have already gone, and sadly that only leaves me 3 months to get fit! Below is the fitness routine I’m following.

Yesterday, I managed to do 20 inverted sit-ups, in sets of 5, and 40 squats with an 8kg medicine ball. Ok, it’s not happening overnight, but I am definitely getting into much better shape. I weighed myself on Boxing Day and was horrified!! I’m not going to tell you how much I weighed, but since I’ve been eating healthier and exercising, I’ve lost 25lbs (11.4kg). I’ve been doing some form of workout every other day, and I’m noticing quite a few changes in my body now that I have been living differently for almost two months:

• The protruding tummy is pretty much gone.
• I have higher endurance, able now to push myself much more.
• I can concentrate better.
• My upper body is much stronger,  four weeks ago, I couldn’t do more than a handful of push-up without my chest touching the ground in-between.
• My moods, even in the midst of stress, are brighter and more optimistic.
• I sleep better.
• My appetite is smaller and my clothes are way too big

So, maybe a few other people should take a cue and hop on the fitness bandwagon! It is well-worth any sacrifice, and is certainly also worth the work. Just remember, you get out of it what you put into it.

Another 2lb lost, that’s 19lbs to date, and I’m getting tantalisingly close to my first dieting target, it’s just 5lb away.

Weight Loss to date: 1st 5lb (8.6kg)

I have lost more weight this week, another 1lb, that’s 17lbs (7.75kg) so far. Even my clothes are starting to fit and look so much better.

Weight Loss to date: 1st 3lb (7.75kg)

I called into the local recycling centre today to try out their “Greentop” soil improver. It has been made from the green waste collected by the local council. It’s an extremely rich, dark material that is free flowing, easy to spread, and incorporates readily with the soil.

Composted at temperatures in excess of 55C to eliminate any harmful bacteria, fungus and toxins, fortifies the soil by providing humus and releasing a wide range of essential plant nutrients for many months. Just what the garden needs.

Stumble It!