Post Whissendine 10k

I was so nervous about this and I was obsessed with the fact that I would come last but I didn't. My preparation paid off. To think that 6 months ago I could only manage 20 a couple of miles. I am feeling very encouraged and positive - very relieved that it is over but Steve Marriott has asked me to run in September for Cancer Research - the Belvoir 10k. So that is my next goal. A good race as it is for charity rather than just for self!!
Had lovely spa bath when I got home and now off to bed for a long lovely sleep.
I wonder ---could I do the London Marathon one day...just a thought?!

Whissendine 10k preparation

Eeeek! Only a day to go and I am dead scared! mind you this time tomorrow - I will be nearly finished. I did some hill training last week to get used to the ups and downs around here and then ran the 10k route on Saturday morning. I managed it really well - v pleased with myself as I ran the whole distance - planned how I was going to run each section - even the uphill sections - then managed to up the speed for the last 1.5k. I did it in 71 minutes so maybe i might shave a bit off that tomorrow. I am running with others from Melton Mowbray Baptist Church- 6 of us altogether. Mind you I will be in last! I hope they won't have cleared everything away before i get back to the finish line!!

Last week i weighed in at 11:03! Over the 2 stone now but I expect that I have put on a bit this week as I have been very naughty!!!!

Watch this space for an update tomorrow.

June 23rd Argeles

Well I did it - to the Port and back no stops and not really all that tired. It is definitely 5 miles not the 6 though as I had hoped. Really chuffed. Took this morning off and lay in bed for a lie in! Feel v fit. Found my long distance pace after loads of years away!! Yeah!!!
Let this be an ecouragment to others - persistence and perseverance in little bits pays off. Whissendine 6 here I come!

I REALLY should do a spellcheck before I publish the posts...!

June 21st - Argeles

The past couple of days have been really successful regarding running. I have been doing a route that I haven't doen for donkeys years - approx 3 miles. That has been fine then yesterday I bought a new pair of running shorts that were not as long so i am a lot cooler here when I run now. That has made a big difference as well as the fact that the mornings have been a lot cooler because of the tramontane winds. Then yesterday I felt a lot easier at the end of the run - almost as though I could have kept going for longer so today I added another mile onto it and was 'dead chuffed' because it involved running along the sand for a while which I managed without any trouble - my legs didn't cave in - big surprise! The last time I ran on sand was such a long time ago and I collapsed after about 10 metres!! So my muscles must be a lot stronger. Anyway I am going to try the 10k tomorrow or the next day - see how far I get to the port and back...watch this space!!

Also, foodwise is going well - running off so many calories I think I'm in negative equity!!

June 18th Argeles France

Things going really well here - i have a new running route - or should I say an old one as it is one I used to do about 10 years ago! Can't be bad. Mind you I took a break today as yesterday I got up a bit late and it was very hot on one stretch so I walked for a bit. Anyway - not a problem - back to normal tomorrow - I will get up a bit earlier and go when it is slightly cooler.
Before we came away I was down to 11:10 so I am hoping to get down to at least 11:7 for when I get home. Food is horrifically expensive this year so I am cooking a bit more - we have a freezer in the mobiole which is a huge boon -as is the air con! Must be getting old or something!!

Anyway - will post one more before going home.

June 6th

After a self congratulation week in which I put on 2 pounds - this week has been much better - comes form not having cooked breakfasts in Sunderland while I was there this week. Today's weight is the better side of 11:10 so I may just about make it to 11:7 before the holiday next week. Having problems with my trousers as they hang off me now - what a great feeling that is! Not going to get fed up if I don't hit the 11:7 next week it is a big ask! Also we will be trvelling next week - down to Argeles for our annual pilgrimage!! Can't wait!

Very pleased also that we have been here this week as the roses are fantastic in the garden - I have uploaded a picture here. Last year we missed them because we were already in France.

Race For Life - May 17th 09

Very pleased and chuffed and confident - I managed the 5K quite easily in 36 minutes but maybe take a couple off for the delayed start after getting throught the starting gate- too man people - should have gone with the runners rather than the joggers/walkers. So even though it rainedmost of the way round and it was undulating I feel very pleased with myself. Also down to 11:11 and quarter so still going in the right direction. Off to Blackpool this week for the week - until Thursday. Where I started tis thing off in the new year so can see real progress. The prom is brill for running down and is totally flat!! Will have no excuse because the hotel also has a gym etc. so if it rains - no excuse...

May 10th

Weigh in yesterday - 11:12. So now that's a stone and a half. I am in Romsey again - in amongst the trees and I managed to get the room here for less than the normal price. spent yesterday in the garden - and have done a new edging to the border next to the drive with the cobbles that are all around the house down deep - from the victorian - maybe earlier era! It is a good feeling to bring something from the past like that back into the light and made useful again - I wonder how many horses and carts and people walked over them to the old mill!

I hope to run each evening and in case it's raining I have brought one of my Rosemary Conley dvds to do and there is enough room to do it on this room that's good. Anyway - will plan the days.... 11:11 next week....11:07 by our holiday...

First time round the Whissendine 6! May 5th

A significant date! I ran (and walked) the Whissendine 6 this evening and it took me a massive 1 hour 11 minutes! 2o years ago it would have been just under an hour. Maybe 10 minutes extra isn't too bad for an extra 15 years!! I only walked up the steep bit of the hill through the village - from the 3 horseshoes to the church then ran all the way to the gamekeeper's cottage - over the three miles (all downhill). Then intervaled (slow incline uphill) using the trees as pointers until the 4 mile then ran (or rather by this time jogged rather slowly! ) on the downhills and ran and walked using the trees or the lamposts as guides on the uphill bits. Was v tired and got cramp badly later but I didn't drink enough water when I got back and maybe didn't warm down enough. But v proud of myself. Maybe i will do the race in the summer even if it does take me ages!!!
Can't do it every day though!! 4 miles is a good distance. Will try to stick to that now.

Discrepancy in weight this week - Saturday 12:0 and 1/4 Sunday 11:12 and 1/4. Next week all will be revealed!

Managed to get into -easily - my summer trousers - first time in three years! Got smaller clothes down from the loft as well.....

April 19th 2009

Things are going really well and although I never expected to lose much this week while we have been on holiday at home - with Dad here - I have dropped 2 and 3/4 pounds to under the 12 stone mark - and that is with no runs this week - only gardening - must be better! So now the record is 11:13 and 168 pounds so all going in the right direction. I thik that is almost a stone and a half? Trousers very loose - could be a problem soon! We also went out to dinner on Friday evening so, all in all very pleased with the progress. Now have just today left to go in te garden before starting up again with school visits. This week to Ashford and Lincoln - not too bad. Geoff is away until Thursday in Blackpool and Guildford. Am beginning now to look forward to our summer holiday in June- not booked yet though!

April 9th - Catch up

I haven't written anything on this for a while as I've had no time and been too tired in the evenings.
Running going well - weight loss steady - put on a pound last week- chinese meal with K and C! Not the only indulgence though. This week is better. It's lovely to be on holiday and being able to just 'flop'! Been in the garden and I am taking Dad to Duxford tomorrow - weather permitting.

Hopefully lost at least 2 pounds this week.

Quite tired. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

March 27th...real spring tomorrow night!

Info for the race for life came today and I have already reached my target sponsorship amount as a result of the giving of very generous people. My number is 1888! (no not 118 118!)

Also managed to set up interval running on the treadmill - very successful. Also greatly looking forward to a complete break from the 8th to the 19th April over Easter.

March 25th ...it's difficult!

This week I am finding focusing quite difficult - being at home on my own is probably the most difficult! However, I have done two 3 mile runs yesterday and today as well as doing the toning routine to my Sue Barnett tape as well. Running in the country is also really hard as there is nothing to distract me - like cars and traffic ad other people! I have to get over this and do the run - stick at it until it feels easier. It is more difficult because all the first half is uphill! So - I am going to stick at it. I have worked out as well how to re-programme the treadmill to do the intervals running - that is a relief 'cos when it rains I need to use that!!

Anyway - writing this has successfully distracted me from drifting out into the kitchen!!

i have registered for the Race for Life in Stamford on the 17th May.

March 21st - one week to summer time!

What a lovely day today - spent most of it outside in the garden getting the beds ready for planting and sowing the veges as well as keeping the dogs occupied. Yes I did say dogs - borrowing them for the weekend -or rather looking after them for Nick and Claire. Anyway - lost another pound this week so that's good - little by little. Just a few weeks to break the 12 stone barrier now. Also registered this week to run in the Race for Life at Burghley House on the 17th May. Been wanting to do it for ages now I can.

March 14th - Weigh Day and Reward Day

I am absolutely 'gobsmacked' as I have lost 2 and 3/4 pounds this week! Well under the first stone - now 12.4 from 13.5 and half. The running has been good and I have been working extrmemly hard - on my feet all the time. Had a real blip in the middle of the week as I was missing Geoff and home quite a lot and didn't manage to get to the gym in Sheffield so beat myself up about it. Then had chocolate on the way home from Manchester last night. One thing I have done this week though is to drink loads of water - fizzy mostly. I have not felt so dehydrated. in addition - 3 x30 min runs as well. So really pleased. I have been looking at a scarf on thr market for the last few weeks and so I bought it for myself - the pic is a bit awful but I had to reverse the camera on myself! Well ...I like it anyway!

Now going to spend the rest of thr afternoon in the garden,

Manchester Week 1

I only lost quarter of a pound last week but at least it is in the right direction still. Obviously ate too much - especially at the end of the week. This week is going well - I am in Manchester again for this week and next. I have not succumbed to the chips here like I did a couple of weeks ago!! But I am eating enough. Managed to resist Kentucky Fried chicken tonight - I had a really nice baked potato at the school which filled me up well. Tomorrow for breakfast I will have bacon and tomatoes - am off to Sheffield after school tomorrow and I'm looking forward tomusing the gym at the hotel. My pulled muscle has improved hugely and the groin strain from last week on the treadmill at home is almost gone as well. I had a really good run yesterday here which was very encouraging. Today I was very tired after the training so i was a bit slower - no problem though. I am feeling content with my progress and thank you especially to Phil for the encouragement. I am keeping to 1300 calories/day this week - quite hard!

Pre weigh day collywobbles!

Not hopeful - not looking forward and thinking not done too well this week in spite of the runs round Clapham Common....we shall see. Might be the minstrels I had on the train back from London tonight!

Edgeley Road Clapham - where I lived 1975-77

I lived at number 44 (could have been 41) in the top two floors of one of these town houses. The landlady lived on the ground floor. It cost £18 pounds a week!

Clapham March 5th and 6th

Whenever I come to Lambeth Academy and stay at the Windmill Pub it always makes me think back to my time here in Clapham. Running on Clapham Common tonight was just so 'normal' - I used to walk here so much as a student when I lived in Edgeley Road off the high road. Little did I think that 32 years later I would come back from time to time! Two years I lived here - two of the most mixed up of my whole life! Struggling with coming to terms with a bad relationship break up , losing my faith, being very ill and being bored with the course I was doing. All fun stuff!! Even dare I say it - in this pub when a whole group of us students from Furzedown came here and that night I started 'going out with' a lad who was Jewish! It was also at the same time that Grandpa came to see me to talk to me about my soul and how concerned he was for me - the beginning of my journey back to God. Well - looking back I can see God's hand on my life - an interesting journey - a loving and patient husband, three wonderful children and a career I have enjoyed even though there have been tough times. Tough times are what make us who we are more often than not and we never know how the carpet of life is going to unroll for us!
Might try and find a picture of Clapham Common!

Phil joins the fitness fanatics!

Well done to you PJ getting the gym thing sorted out! More power to your elbow as they say - enjoy your sessions.....

March 1st:- 2 months on...

Apologies to Phil in particular for not having kept you up to date!! Last weigh in was a bit 'suspect' - or maybe it was just that the scales didn't say what I wanted them to say!! I have been away in Manchester all week and even though I have done a 30 min run each evening after work I think that I may have been eating just over the odds. I had a salad with chicken breast each evening but also...wait for it... a SMALL bowl of wonderful - gorgeous chef made chips!! I also worked on writing up reports each evening and succumbed because of the boredom of it - to a pack of Kettle chips! ...big one. Anyway - I am down to 12 stone 7 so all in the same direction. I am feeling very focused and motivated and it is great feeling that I CAN and not be a slave to self. So that is only 2 pounds off the first stone off. For those who only understand pounds - thats 175 pounds. Will celebrate the first stone off....
Got two slight problems at the moment - one that when I was in Guildford a couple of weeks ago I did some weights and made the mistake of doing leg raises with too heavy a weight - and then developed a bit of a niggling stretch ache in my lower back so am making sure I warm up properly before running. Then in addition to this our treadmill has decided to give up on the manual settings do I will have to set a program and stick to it!!! Could prove a challenge!!

Sunday February 15th 2009

Another 1.5 pounds gone - going well. Two 6 mile walks round the Whissendine 6 this weekend - one with Ro and Geoff's dog Roy! Most amusing watching him trot away in the middle of the lane in front of us proudly holding his stick - he is stone deaf by the way - being followed by an irate farmer beeping his horn impatiently! Roy totally ignoring him until he turns round to check we are still there and seeing the landrover!! V amusing! Anyway Roy went straight to sleep under the table when he got back!!
So far then the total loss is 11.5 pounds and quite a few inches. Not too far now to the first whole stone gone. My trousers are feeling nice and loose as well - very satisfying and encouraging.

I have to say though that in this blog I make it all sound easy when it is decidedly not. Every meal needs discipline when the pull is so strong to give up; every exercise routine is difficult to start when all I want to do is to curl up in front of the fire with a piece of victoria sponge and a cup of tea. But the stronger pull now is the freedom from self condemnation and accusation that I now have and that is worth it all - the realisation that I do possess inner strength -to activate it I have to step out as it were in faith and as soon as I do that, the rest follows - it's just the beginning I have to do and then it takes on a momentum all of it's own because the strength is there to be had - supplied when I trust my Maker for each day. There will continue to be strong challenges but I will ' run the race that is set before me... and not look back.

February 12th - Guildford

Not particularly good progress this week so don't hold out much hope of losing much. Reason? I ran in the hotel gym on /sunday - 5 k then Monday and Tuesday had a full day at Guildford High School followed by a train journey and 2 hrs training for teachers at Surbiton High Juniors so was wacked when I got back. Also have eaten a bit more - not massively but still more than I should so we shall see. Tonight I didn't have to go to Surbiton so I managed a 2k road run thn it rained so I beetled back to the hotel and did a further 3k in the gym followed by a blissful sauna and steam and brief swim. I Do LOVE the sauna!! I lie imagining that I am on the beach at Argeles in the hot sun relaxing. So I am very envious Maria of your holiday in Tenerife in the sun - it must be so difficult coming back?
Anyway - home again tomorrow and in the office most of next week so able to really focus on the regime and new habits.

February 7th Weigh Day

The regime is working! Lost another 1.5 pounds this week -on my scales, 2 pounds on Judith's scales. I have done 5, 3 mile runs and a 6 mile walk - easily fitted into my day. The run at about 5:30 is working extremely well as it means I don't have to punish myself by having to get up at some unearthly time and apparently it is much better to do it when you are fully awake!! I also have to confess to loving being able to turn over for another half hour!! It also has the effect of making me not eat after 2 o'clock and then when I have done the run I don't feel hungry. I was very pleased that for the first time yesterday when I was running intervals I was still going really strong at the end of each run interval - it won't be long until I can reduce the walking up hill interval to one minute and increase the running interval to 4 minutes. I have also gradually increased the speed even though it doesn't seem very fast - from 5.2 to 5.6 mph this week. I am also upping the speed on the last lap to 6. So not far off the 6mph - another couple of weeks.
My measurements have reduced again as well - another 3 inches in total this week and I am beginning to notice it off my hips which is good news.

This next week is going to be a bit more difficult as I will be working (weather permitting) in Guildford and won't be able to fit in a run on Monday or Tuesday as I go to Surbiton to do ACTIVExpression training from 4-6 so won't be back until after 7 and so....we will see...it might be the best thing for me- depends....I guess we may not go as the wether has several warnings but we are leaving tomorrow after lunch before the weather sets in.

I am very grateful to all the encouragement you are all giving me as it helps me to be really disciplined and focused and I feel so much better and confident that I can do this. One of the things that has always been a problem for me has been when I am away on work and eating restaurant meals etc.. but I have dealt with that one and have got used to it so this week will be a challenge as people on the team will be eating loads of biscuits and sandwiches and I used to feel I had to too to be polite but I don't think like that anymore - I don't have to please others all the time - it's time I thought about what I want...I am not responsible for others habits only mine. I just want to be a strong positive influence and something David said really helped - wow Mum it takes real discipline to do what you are doing. Funny but that was the first time I looked at what I am doing and thought yes I guess it does but it also is so satisfying to achieve and to feel better.
When I have got to my goal and have that new wardrobe of clothes I am going to throw all my old clothes away so that I don't look back to the 'comfort zone' but look forward to .............

One last point - another incentive - I really don't like having to write down bad news! Which is interesting psychologically as I only write my diary when things are tough!!

February 4th 2009

I think I may have an excuse for not doing any road running as our close has been turned into an ice rink for the past few days. It looks lovely though. It has been very cold as well which is why it hasn't melted. We had to cancel our trip to Guildford - first training session ever cancelled.

Anyway - I have been enjoying the running nonetheless and have continued on the treadmill - doing 3 miles a day. Running uphill for 2 minutes and then running at a faster pace for three minutes. This builds up strength and burns fat apparently. Today's run was particularly enjoyable. It felt very efficient. But it's SOOO cold in the garage- I have to keep going to prevent hypothermia!!

I have to say the controlled eating is much more difficult at home than away! I have counted calories and I have stayed about 1400 each day - sometimes more like 1200 - v difficult though!!! I don't 'feel as though I am losing it this week whereas last week I could 'feel' it. Had a cream egg today - there I've confessed!! Pity of it though was that it didn't taste as good as it should have and it made me feel sick! S'pose that's good!! The thought is obviously much better than the actual event - thoughts don't make me fat!!!!

This is a view of the countryside surrounding Whissendine from the church tower. An idea of the type of runs I can do - very lovely! Roll on the Spring.

January 31st

Well the regime is working - I have lost 4 pounds over the past two weeks according to Judith's scales so that is great. Now down to 12:12 and have lost another inch off my upper legs. I have run a lot this last week and been good with the food so I guess my metabolism is changing and adapting. Taken four weeks to go through the barrier! Head a lot stronger now - the strong side is able to talk down the weak side...Today I also did my first attempt along the Whissendine 6 route and covered 4 miles in all - that was power walking (well my power walking - sounds more impressive than it actually is!!! ) up the big hills when my heart got a bit too fast then ran down the other side. On the long slow hauls I managed to run and walk intervals using the trees as guide posts!! It was also FREEZING cold so I had to keep going.
So feeling pleased with myself and motivated to continue the journey.
Really good news today in that Katie's Craig has been accepted by the Kent police - all very relieved - the first day of the rest of their life.
Here's thinking of you too Phil as you start your journey to fitness. I know how hard it is - so will be willing you on...
Fancy a new pair of boots.......

January 25th

Again - no weight loss but inches and none put on - it is clear that I am still eating too much so this week while I am away I will count calories - pain but obviously necessary!
Update sometime again this week.

Saturday Jan 24th

No weigh in today as I was down doing training at Walthamstow Academy - yes really - on a Saturday! Ah well, I will get a day off to pay back the time so it'll work out. I will weigh and measure tomorrow but I don't hold out much hope of having lost weight this week again even though I have been very hungry a lot of the time. However I am very pleased with the running schedule - the 35 minute run is working well and I'm feeling gradually stronger. It's great not to be puffing up stairs. It has a very positive effect - all you out there that suffer from the winter blues - one could get quite addicted to the way it makes me feel when I stop!! My mother always used to say it was the same (Not sure that that makes sense!!) So all in all my recommendation to all that suffer from feeling low at any time is to EXERCISE! Get out there and MOVE your bod! It has almost better impact on your mind than your body.
Amazing how quickly I can get into preaching mode and take the high moral ground - ...I can just hear people say --- 'It's OK for you, but....'

January 22nd Ashford

Had a good week so far. Lovely to see lots of Katie and popped over to see Phil. Lovely time and so pleased to see him so happy. Sitting at Katie's now writing this feeling very hungry!
Have had a check up at Katie's gym - thank you dear! Then done one of my old routes round Kennington - really weird! Very pleased though because they were 35 minute runs non stop so that it a great improvement. Legs feel very strong and breathing fine. I can get into a good rhythm quite quickly now. So, that is nearly three weeks now of the new regime so habits are being formed now. Went to the Harvester for a meal and felt sick at the sight of very large people stuffing their faces indiscriminately - I suppose that shows that my habits are changing!! Anyway - thanks everybody for the support, cajoling and encouragement! I will get there and stay there but hopefully not get to be a bore!!

Weigh day 2 Jan 17th

Not such good news today even though I had a good week. By Judiths scales I put on a pound! But my measurements showed 1 and half inches off all over so that is encouraging. If I look back I was a bit lax with the eating but it gives me a clear boundary now. Next week isn't going to be as stressful as last week - a bit of time to draw breath on each day but I'm travelling straight after the service tomorrow! Will need to make sure I rest this week as well need not fill each evening with visiting and talking incessantly.

We went for a walk round the Whissendine 6 today at a good fast pace. It was good to realise that I wasn't puffing and panting. Then I had a Weightwatchers meal to get used to the proper portion sizes. Only sins today (well food sins that is!) - two shortbread biscuits.

Hope you enjoy keeping up with this Phil!

January 15th

I have had a good week so far - I have stayed in a hotel which has a gym but unfortunately had equipment that was badly dated and the gym was very hot so I decided to take to the roads again. That worked very well and I did a good solid 2 mile run on the roads each day after work. Then as there were so few guests in the hotel I could order a specific meal which also worked out well. I have to say I haven't eaten that much this week so here's hoping that a few more pounds have dropped off. I am now in London with David and Suzy overnight and off to the BETT Show tomorrow then HOME! I am hoping to get home in time to do a run before I get too hungry.

Today I bought another Rosemary Conley inspirational magazine with loads of interesting recipes in - better than the Weight Watchers ones. So generally, I am still feeling positive and focused on the goal although this week has been harder. Having folk to dinner twice over the weekend caused me to focus more on food but then the conversations we had with them were so good that I shall truly say - my food and my drink is the Lord!

Looking forward to the next week I can again focus on the fitness. Katie has organised an induction at the gym with a personal trainer who is going to give me guidance on heart rates etc.. I am quite interested in what he will advise. I am also staying in the middle of Ashford so I can run some of my old routes!! To think that every weekend I used to do a 10k route and regularly ran 3 miles home from school.

Hope this blog isn't too self indulgent as my dear old Dad would say!!

January 11th

Well, all the hard work paid off and I lost 3 and 3/4 pounds this week. Also lost inches but it is not appropriate to say where in public.

Lovely if busy weekend - used the gym here at home yesterday but took today off. Thanks for all the encouragment this week which is always so difficult to get started.

Off to Caterham this week until Thursday in a good hotel with a leisure centre and spa so there will also not be any excuse to continue. There is still a long way to go.....but that's fine.

Just thought I'd put here an inpsirational photo of me doing the Maidstone 10k some years ago now - I dragged all the family there! Very satisfying doing it. I'm now toying wiht the idea of setting a goal of doing the Whissendine 6 this summer. What do you all think?

January 6th - So far so good

Great day - nice teachers but an effort to get everything covered without freaking them out! Ran again as soon as I got back to the hotel - REALLY cold but new trews pretty good. I forget how much more alert and buzzy my brain is when I am exercising properly. I am really pleased with how strong my right leg is - last year it was like putty. In the gym here they have a good selection of machines - I did a rotation after I did the run today. Exquisitely cooked smoked haddock for dinner - well worth waiting for! Each day that goes by establishes more securely good choices and decisions.

Yes the hotel really is next to the big dipper!!!

Jan 5th

Well - here I am in Blackpool! Fortunately, the weather was great and there was no excuse for doing what I had commited to do - by publicly telling people I was going to do it. I got here in really good time and after having sorted my room and checked emails etc.. I put on my new running togs and went off to down the prom! I have forgotten my stop watch so I just kept going til the prom disappeared into a carpark and there were some joyriders whizzing about. I ran all the way back as well -no stopping at I suppose a really slow rate of 4mph. My injured leg held out really well -felt very strong and solid and my breathing was fine. It was really interesting that before I started I actually had the same 'symptoms' as before a new presentation - quite shaky! I was SO determined to do this as I had thought so long about it and my target was going to be today along the prom here and YEAH I didn't let myself down. So, now it will be a lot easier from now. The option of not doing it was too awful!

The room is really nice - they upgraded me because I am staying here for a week - well 'til Friday- so I have a big sofa and a fire! The staff are very nice and helpful. When I got back from the run I decided that I needed to up the anti as they say and so did a stretch and firm up routine - using my old and trusty Sue Barnett workout. To think I first did that with the boys on the floor of the sitting room at the cottage at Cheeseman's Green- David used to crawl all over me while I was doing it! Very funny and tickled!! Phil was younger so was in his pram asleep while I did it! Worked then so I guess it'll work now!!
Then ................ahh the other aspect today - what did I eat? Hotel food? Biscuits etc? It wasn't difficult to be restrained and controlled all day - even only had a Crispie bar with my cup of tea at thr service station on the way over on the M62 from Hull. Then, tonight I have been to the restaurant and it was a 3 course but I found that I couldn't eat half of it - pity really but a good sign. So I guess the best thing is to go to Morrisons tomorrow and get only what I need. Will I be able to resist the cooked breakfast tomorrow that is the burning question!!

Watch this space!

Jan 2nd 2009

So far so good. Did a long walk yesterday round the 'Whissendine 6' - a 6 mile circuit that takes us out of the village and then circles round to bring us back in at the top of the village. It was really cold - the moisture on our fleeces turned to frost! I also kept to the correct eating plan even though we had friends round for supper - I even put the ice cream and meringues I had put in my plate back!! Impressive!
Measured my 'bod' as well and can't believe how large I am - but the stats don't lie!