blog

Thank heavens the days are long

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:11:33 +0100

Inspired by my two days on the Ile de Ré (see previous post) I planned to break up my day with a cycle ride at lunchtime. As it turned out, however, my beloved clients kept me at my desk until 7.30pm. But, as it was still light, I reckoned I should still jump on my underused pushbike and see how long it takes me to cycle to the Tesco superstore on the Old Kent Road.

Normally, I'd take the bus and it can take anything from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on whether I have to wait.

Turns out, it takes the same amount of time - I was locking up my bike outside Tesco bang on a quarter of an hour after I started.

Now that might not sound impressive, but, in between stops at traffic lights (interesting to note how many cyclists shoot the lights, even on the notoriously dangerous Elephant and Castle) I was cycling quite hard... for me. Even now, an hour or so on, I can feel that I've exercised my thighs and quads, so that can't be a bad thing, can it?

If I carry on, perhaps I should sign up for the World Naked Bike Ride next year (too late for 2010)?

Thanks for the pic, Dan Lurie.

The only downside to cycling is the need for a shower once I arrive at my destination...

So, I'm rubbish at posting

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:37:28 +0100

but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything.

For the past month I've been visiting a physio - Zoe - who is sorting out my shoulders, as they have been giving me grief for years and are preventing me from getting the maximum from my pilates sessions.

I've been going to pilates twice a week - only interrupted by a visit to France for a friend's wedding. I didn't try to alter my diet much until I returned from France, as I knew there was no way I would 'be good' on that trip and if I slipped up, it might make me lose motivation, which would be counter-productive.

I was right - I had a fantastic time in France on the Ile de Ré before travelling to the city of Saint-Jean-d'Angély and the lovely village of Ligueuil where my friends Adrian and Tamsin were married. While my girlfriend Zoe (not the physio) and I hired bikes and cycled around a bit on the Ile de Ré, which is very flat - see the photo below, for the most part exercise and a sensible diet weren't foremost in our minds.

But I got back to work the day I returned and, now that the party season is just about over until the end of the summer, I've decided now is the time to address my calorie intake.

A few of my friends are trying out the Dukan Diet and after having read it, I thought I'd give it a go. I'm in the first week, which means trying to eat only 'pure' proteins and no fruit, veg or carbs. It's going OK, although I know that I'll be craving greens soon - I went round to some friends yesterday and they cooked up bowls of vibrant veggies, which smelled delicious. I just chomped on meat.

The biggest difference, though, is that I'm not drinking alcohol, just tea, coffee and lots of water.

As a result of all the above, I appear to be losing weight! It's not completely accurate as I weighed myself on my friends' scales (as they prepared the barbecue) but I came in at 18 stone yesterday - that's one whole stone less than last September. What's more, my body is definitely better toned, especially around my middle. As the fat is starting to shift, the effect of Nickolove's pilates programme is beginning to show.

According to Dukan I've still got a way to go. He reckons my 'true weight' is 209 pounds, or about 15 stone. So, I'm a quarter of the way there...

Ten pilates sessions

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:26:17 +0100

Well, nine actually, because I stupidly booked on for the morning after the recent general election, then stayed up half the night to see who won - ironically, I didn't stay up long enough and woke to learn that nobody had won outright...

I can feel the results more than see them. I'm not convinced that I'm fitting my clothes any better yet, which is one of my goals - just before I started pilates, I visited three branches of the same clothes chain trying to find a pair of jeans that fit me. Eventually, I asked and was told that they'd stopped stocking the size in the style that I've worn for the past four years. If I want to continue shopping at Uniqlo, my waist has to shrink to 36 inches. If I'm honest, my real goal is 34 inches, but I'll settle with any progress at first.

I've agreed to sign up to another 10 pilates sessions, which I'll kick off this week. If I am going to make any progress, however, I need to combine improved diet (less booze) and more exercise in the gym.

Here goes!

Beautifully moist poached chicken

Tue, 11 May 2010 12:09:17 +0100

As part of my drive to get fit and lose weight (in that order) I have just poached myself a chicken breast while boiling/steaming some healthy veg (a courgette, a small bunch of asparagus and a celery stick in the steamer, a sliced carrot in the poaching water with some chilli flakes and a lemongrass stick).

The result is jolly healthy - Livestrong.com tells me the chicken has the following make up: Calories: 31, Total Fat: .4g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 6.6g

Hooray!

I'm going to have to work on spicing up the poaching water, though - poached chicken may not dry out and be very low in fat, but it doesn't have any bloody flavour either!

Greater flexibility and strength

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:30:34 +0100

I'm over halfway through my pilates course with Nickolove now, having just finished my sixth of the ten sessions that I paid for.

I'm impressed and can feel some improvements: I'm definitely more flexible, particularly in my legs and I notice that my abs are stronger. Nickolove reckons she can see improvements, but she's probably just being nice!

I still struggle and have a long way to go before I'm anywhere near the standard of this chap over at the Pilates Blog.

I need to step up to the mark between sessions: I have to do more weights and cardio work - I was short of breath today and when I try to hold certain positions, I really struggle.

It's definitely getting easier, though, and I'm happy that by the end of the ten sessions, I'll be ready for... well, another ten sessions probably. At some point I hope to be able to join a class, but until I've improved quite a bit more, I think I'll stick to the personal tuition.

Apart from anything else, knowing that Nickolove will be there helps me make it to the gym.

So far so good

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:31:14 +0100

I've had two pilates sessions with Nickolove now and it seems to be going well.

It's quite shocking how poor my flexibility is, which combined with my short hamstrings, means I'm not very good at some of the exercises, but I'm doing my best.

Nickolove is pretty positive and feels sure that I should see some results over the coming weeks/months. I'm sure she's right - I can already feel my stomach is firmer, even though it's way too soon for any visible results.

Of course, in order to make real progress in terms of losing weight and getting fitter, I need to supplement the pilates with regular gym sessions involving weights and if I want to build up stamina, I need to attack the dreaded cardio. Luckily, I have Guy's routine for that.

Actually, I have several pieces of equipment in my apartment (swiss ball, stretching bands, dumbbells) so I'm planning to practice at home, which will increase the exercise I can fit into my day.

I've also downloaded and been reading 'Fatburning Furnace' and have found it quite motivating. I don't know if the technique works, but it's getting me thinking and more determined than ever to shift some of this excess weight.

My next pilates session is first thing tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

OK, let's try that again. Properly this time.

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:31:39 +0100

Well that didn't work, did it?

I never made it back into the gym after November. I completely overdid it and couldn't walk properly for a full week. Then I did a fair bit of travelling. In short, I paid for three months gym membership and didn't really use it.

I realised that I don't have the self-motivation to go and train.

So, I'm trying a different tack. Yesterday I met Nickolove and she's going to put together a pilates course for me. On her recommendation, I also went back to the gym again today and had a fitness assessment. A chap called Guy ran me through a range of exercises and gave me a programme to work to over the next six weeks. I'm pleased he did, as I know that my technique is good on each of them, which will make me much more confident.

Hopefully this time I'll stick it out (hopefully I'll start!)

Reflections on day one in the gym

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:32:10 +0100

Boy, I can feel it today - mainly my calves and my abs. I stumbled around all morning, before taking a hot bath and applying some Deep Heat, both of which helped.

Unfortunately I was sitting for much of the day - typing and checking emails mostly. This meant that my calves weren't used much, which I think would have been better. Still, I'm going out shortly and will try my MBTs again. I have noticed that the shoes really do work my calf muscles when I walk longer distances in them - this is a good thing, I guess.

I decided not to go to the gym again today - I'm better off resting so that my next session is as effective as possible. I intend to do some training over the weekend either tomorrow, or more likely on Sunday. I'm going to a big party tomorrow (Saturday) night and am staying in a hotel that has a 24 hour gym, so perhaps I'll give that a go.

I will have to turn my attention to food from next week if I am to shift some of my bulk over the coming months. In particular, I'm going to have to cut out the booze, which I must admit I'm not looking forward to. Still, needs must.

Day One in the gym

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:34:22 +0100

I finally had a session in the gym. It was hard.

I have dug out my exercise programme from a few years ago when I did manage to get considerably fitter over several weeks. I'm not sure why I packed it in, but I think it was a combination of too much work and being a member of a truly awful gym (Fusion at the Elephant and Castle).

I've joined a gym

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:08:19 +0100

I had run out of excuses and finished my day at my client's offices in Soho, which meant that on my way home I was passing the gym I'd selected to join. So I put on my MBTs, waddled up and paid my money.

I had narrowed the choice down to three possible gyms, each with plus points:

The Kinetic Fitness Club - belongs to UCL and is quite well-equipped, but inexpensive. It's on the way to my client, so I can go training on the way to work and have a 20 minute walk in which to cool down. Close enough (five minute walk) to my apartment for me to be bothered go at weekends and very flexible membership packages.
Soho Gyms - state-of-the-art equipment and I'd be able to access three locations; one is very close to my client, one is just down the road to Kinetic (above) and the third, a specialist 'wet gym' (think saunas and pools) is a 15 minute walk away. SG is moderately priced.
One Aldwych - definitely my favourite. One Aldwych is a modern four-star hotel just the other side of the Thames to where I live and about a 15 minute walk from my client. It has a small, but perfectly formed gym and a lovely swimming pool. Annual membership costs about twice that of Soho Gyms. It also has a couple of very good restaurants as well as a bar that serves what is in my opinion the best gin martini in London.

One Aldwych doesn't have many group lessons.

From what I can tell, each of the gyms has very well-qualified staff.

After thinking about my options I concluded that as I'm just getting started, I don't necessarily need the latest equipment right now - just basic weights and a few cardio machines - and I really can't justify paying top whack right now as I only have one client, so I've signed up at Kinetic for three months - I'll have a rethink in the new year. Induction is tomorrow at 10am.

Wish me luck.