My story so far...

...

At the beginning of this year I had the rather horrible but necessary wake up call about my weight and lack of fitness.  So I set myself the challenge of losing weight (4stone/56lbs) and getting fit.  With the help of many friends, both old & new, I have come to the end of Q1 and thought it was time for an update.

To date I have lost 1stone & 1 lb (15lbs/6.8kg).  Now I must admit that I am was am was a little disappointed as I thought I would have made more progress by now.  However, the reason I am not disheartened too much is because I am shrinking and getting markedly fitter.  It's a bit of a catch22 situation, as it turns out, because I am set on becoming fit and this means that I am building muscle and muscle is heavier than fat (or so I'm told...this is one bandwagon that I'm gonna have to jump on because otherwise I'd be gutted at my slow weight loss, and I have no other explanation).

I stated at the beginning of the year that my ultimate goal is to lose 4stone, however after taking professional advice it appears that I might have set my sights a little too high.  So I have re-adjusted my sights to losing between 3 to 4 stone in total (ie. I've got between 2 to 3 stone (28lbs/12.7kg - 42lbs/19kgs) to go) and I'm going to judge whenever I get to the stage where I feel happy & confident with my body then maintain it - simples - hahahaha!




In the meantime I'm proud to say that I've achieved some smaller goals that either I or others have set me.  This month I ran the Garioch (Inverurie) 5km, after my friend Didi entered me (she ran the half marathon, beating her PB by 5 mins!!).  I managed my run in 34mins (on the nose).  I was very happy with the time and delighted with my medal...      
       

The following weekend I set out on a run, not knowing where I was going and ended up managing to run 5miles (just over 8km) in 53mins.  I managed the first 3 miles in 30mins, but to be fair I still haven't got over the fact that I managed to run that far in the first place.  I mean, if you think about it, there really is no need in this day and age...it's why we've invented the bicycle, cars, motorbikes etc.  Anyway...it happened and there's no taking it back.

The following day, I set off on a cycle with my friend Jutta (or, as I like to call her, Jutta Saint, but because she's German she doesn't get the reference.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMLCrzy9TEs )  {link to 2008 remix of 'Something going'} or the original... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUxhNWDlGts)

We have stunning weather at the moment, so we decided that a cycle down the coast to Stonehaven would be nice.  Now, here's my thinking....Aberdeen is NORTH and Stonehaven is SOUTH - therefore the cycle should (in my world) have been mainly downhill.  Also with Stonehaven being a mere 13 miles away by car, it wouldn't be that bad.  However, we took the official cycle route 'down' to Stonehaven which meant that we ended up cycling 26miles (I didn't not learn this until we arrived in Stonehaven...) and went up enough hills to equal cycling up Ben Nevis (not been officially checked - just take my word for it).  It was a beautiful day though and once we had decided that we would take the train for the return journey, the pressure was off.

 At top of a hill, west of Portlethen

Blue sky....FACT!                  

 

Our chariots....Jutta's modern & VERY light one on the left.  My rustic (rusty?) shabby chic and VERY heavy one on the right.  The weight makes a difference on the hills...who knew??!

Me, delighted at still being able to stand & showing off the whitest arms in the world - and yes, of course I burnt!!

Jutta Saint....Ju, Ju, Ju, Jutta saint! :) 

Top of another hill....stunning views & weather!

Use of photography as excuse to collapse on ground as opposed to admitting that my legs had turned to jelly! (Not even half way at this point!!)

My beloved but very heavy bike!

First glimpse of Stonehaven (all downhill from this point - BRILLIANT!) 

North Sea at Stonehaven in March!!

Old Harbour, Stonehaven

View from restaurant

Stonehaven train station

Random sign-post showing distance

After some lunch we get to Stonehaven Train Station, buy our tickets and wait patiently 20 minutes for the next train to pull into the station.  Duly and on-time, a really, really long train pulls up.  We see the conductor so approach him and I ask if there was room on the train for our bikes.
Conductor: Yes.
Me: Magic, where do we board?
Conductor: Oh, have you booked?
Me: Emm....nope.
Conductor: Ah well then you can't board the train.  You need to book, we then ASK the driver IF he minds stopping the train so that the carriage that holds bikes can stop at the platform THEN you can board. But it can't be done this time!
Me:  Eh?
Conductor:  You'll just have to wait for the next train (which is run by a different operator) and see if they can take you.
Me:  Right....em...thanks!?!

WTF....what kind of lame ass, useless service is that??  So Jutta Saint jumped on the train by herself to get back to Aberdeen to pick up her van and drive back down to Stonehaven and collect me and the bikes.  Meanwhile I'm left on the platform with two bikes.  All I needed to do was get from one platform to the other, which just happened to be on the other side of the train tracks.

I look around and spot the disabled ramp access....so I start my journey.  Now, it is important I point out that that I'm shattered, therefore not as competent at usual.  I managed the first bit, you know the downhill in a straight line part, easily enough.  Then I get to a tight turn at the bottom, which of course was next to the road and traffic lights.  Yes, there was a queue of traffic and yes of course I got stuck.  Properly wedged between the two bikes and the corner.   By the way, for your information, there is absolutely no way of looking cool in a situation like that.  Luckily this lovely lady came over and asked if I would like any help.  I would have hugged her if I could have moved, but she was in luck (I was all sweaty & smelly) - I was still stuck.  Between the two of us we managed to free me and the bikes, causing no damage.  The lovely lady then wheeled one of the bikes to the other side of the station (ok, confession time:  I realise in this situation I should have handed over my scubby old, worthless bike to the random-stranger-that-I-knew-nothing-about, but I didn't...I gave her Jutta Saint's brand new bike!!  Thank goodness she didn't do a runner, because I was in no fit state to catch up with her, nor am I in the position to replace Jutta Saint's bike).

Eventually we got home safely.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed but there appears to be a theme involving me, exercise and my not knowing what I'm letting myself in for!!  However, on reflection, I suspect this is probably for the best.  The older I get the less I see the attraction of going to see a fortune teller...I have learnt through numerous experiences that I manage to achieve things by not knowing what I'm letting myself in for.


So my journey continues.  My weight loss has slowed down but it's still going in the right direction.  I have found myself getting increasing addicted to exercise (today's lunch is a jaunt to the gym for boot camp followed by TRX).  I'm pleased to report that over-all I'm feeling great.  Good energy levels, better focus and generally happier!  Now if someone could please tell me why it's so darn easy to fall off this bandwagon when it makes one feel so great...that would be helpful.


Oh....I thought I should share photos of my fridge of inspiration (for the ultimate figure I would love my body to be like).  I've used images of models from the clothing store that I buy clothes from (Pepperberry) as they produce clothing from ladies with big boobies.  Obviously this is aspirational but I believe if you shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars...

                     

                     

   

With a little plastic surgery etc...

                     

Yup...I have Michael Fish on my Fridge.
The man's a legend!!