10th October 2008

So its been 3 months since I have been on my own for the first time since 1994 (14 years).  How do I feel about it? Liberated? No I feel exhausted.  Lying in bed this morning I have decided to make significant changes to my lifestyle.  A few months ago I stopped having so much alcohol, and I feel so much better for it.  I telephoned Virgin health club yesterday and made an appointment.  My life before teaching was quite active, horseriding, taekwondo (black belt) and I even did ballroom dancing.  Over the past 16 years these activities have dwindled.  I did do assessments for Duke of Edinburgh award for a few years in my early teaching days, but a serious ankle injury put that out of the question.  Well this section of the website is going to be a log of my new lifestyle changes and how I am getting on with them. 

The first aspect is an appointment at the Virgin health club on Saturday at 11am.  I will be going to the Doctor today to see if I can sort out my lack of sleep issue.  The food issue is going to revolve around vegetables and protein.  I am going to try and cut out the bread and too much potatoes.  A bit of rice stir fried into the vegetables should be ok.....

The beginning of a new lifestyle.....

12th October

The sleep thing worked.....wow I have slept for England.  I am now the official owner of the Olympiathon Sleeping Medal.  Food is going really well...the stir fried vegetables and a small amount of rice is delicious.  No complaints so far.  2pm going to the gym.  Optimism reigns supreme.

8th November

Average pulse rate is dropping nicely now and the fitness levels are certainly rising, my recovery rate is also dereasing and the oxygen debt is being quickly reduced after each exercise work out. It was great today the trainer who showed me round came up to me today and told me I was looking fantastic.  He was impressed by how hard I work when I go to the gym.  We discussed fitness regimes and not allowing a plateau to take place.  I am going to give the actual routine another week to bring the fitness levels up and then I am going to change the routine to ensure that I push to the next fitness level.

I will work out a new routine next week.

12th December

New routine

4/5 times per week

20 minutes treadmill on a gradient (to cover 10km)

Resistance Training - all at 35Kg to be completed within a timescale of 15 minutes (2 x 15).  Inner/outer thighs, biceps, waist, laterals, abs.

20 minutes on sparring bags - punching, side kicks, back kick,turning kick

10 minutes stretching - box stretch, feet touching pulled in and legs down, leg behind and stretch over one leg (both sides), elevate leg with hand and stretch out.

20 minutes on bike (12km)

2 times per week

1 hour continuous swim - breast stroke and back stroke

10 minutes stretch of muscles in spa pool - box stretch, feet touching legs pulled in and down, leg behind and stretch over one leg (both sides), stretch of hamstring by raising foot to middle section of chest.