Day 36 'Give it a week, mate...'

I felt the need to leave it a week, so that I had more to say. Not a lot has really happened, apart from the dire energy levels over the weekend and the loss of more than 3lbs.

Look at the halo...

It feels like there is more to say, but I can't quite remember what was on the cards. Either way, I am still committed, with the need to succeed, staying with me all of the way. It's later than usual, but I don't really want to go more than a week without an entry on this Blog.

Today has been another day with more than 20k steps, so it appears that Mondays are becoming used to this kind of post-weekend treatment. There has to be more to say than 'steps this' and 'weight that', but I guess that's what this is all about. It's a journey, one that will, hopefully, likely, change me, but perhaps give an open door to others. It's like a rollercoaster of new ideas fresh from others, myself and the media that I watch. I have found that I've had new revelations, learning new things about myself and how my body works. I always knew what 'set off' the weight gain, but there is always something that can be learned by trying something different.

My first piece of advice to anyone, would be to learn about yourself. What makes your body tick, what makes it bloat, what makes you unhappy? I have never been keen to use the term, 'diet'. This is because we are always on a diet, without one, we would keel over. The point is, that it is controlled, it's simply looking after yourself. Balance with change, makes all the difference, and there is always happiness at the end of the tunnel, you just have to push past the hard part, first.

Stay safe, stay healthy.

Day 28 Woodland Walks and Childish Talks

Through another weekend, another loss, and another tasty take-away, I spend a lot of time feeling nautious over food. My body needs it but says, 'Nah!'

Woodland Walk

The past few days have seen the 10k+ kept up, with it sitting well above the target. There's not a lot to say, walking and cycling have been as per normal. Today, I went to the woodlands for a walk with my daughter.

Week Commencing: 31st

This week has seen a 0.7kg (1.8lbs) loss. Steady, but more like the level I have been looking for. There has been a clear change in my energy levels, although I have moments of pure fatigue, to cope with, every couple of days. This can be put down to getting the diet right, it is still alluding me...to a degree.

On a better note, my kayak has finally come home. This Wednesday will see the beast, finally making it onto Trentham Lake.

Stay safe.

Day 25 The Ace of Steps!

25 days since entry, another few days to go. Well a lot more than that, but hey, who's counting? It's been a good week, so far. I have kept the 'count' up and enjoyed a relaxing paddle on the lake.

Day 25

The best thing about losing weight is the point in which clothing feels comfy, once more. Just the ease in which my bouyancy aid, goes on, is enough to keep me going. Although I am not drawn to junk food or sugar snacks, I do enjoy heavier food on a weekend.

My current snack of choice: Tesco Soy Broad Beans. They hide on the top of the shelf, but once you have them, they are hard to put down. The fat content isn't great, but they are very nice, and filling. Aside from fruit giving me the sweet-fix, I rely on rich-tea biscuits to complete the rest.

Day 23 Cycle Data

What else is there to say? Our physical and mental health is more important than ever, so stay strong, be safe.

Day 18 No selfie for today.

Missed the chance for a selfie, today, but there is still one from yesterday. There has been a clear fitness boost in the past few days and my energy is running high. Paddling last night was wet at first, but ended up with a cruise on flat, sparkling water. It was great! It was just a shame that my boat wasn't here, I want to get it on the water, ASAP!

Day 17

I decided on a walk, today, and have already made it to 9.5k in steps, before midday. With another trip to the park, with the kids, this afternoon, I'm going to be a tired potato, this evening.

I have now cancelled my gym membership as I have found a way to make it work without it. There are now resistance-bands ready to use and I am planning on getting a cross-trainer for my home. These two will do everything that I need.

Be safe, be healthy.

Day 15 Beyond a Fortnight!

Is this the Covid 19 / Literacy gap?

Good day to you all. I thought I'd get another blog in. What a weekend; with plenty of exercise and the collection of my first Kayak, I am feeling the drag. That's right, I collected a kayak from mid-Wales, yesterday. The trouble is, it's in Shrewsbury, right now, due to the fact that we still don't have our car back from the garage.

I have kept up the step-count and made a 10k+ bike ride, today. With a routine, I am succeeding with the program and thus, losing weight, too. This week's loss came in at 0.8kg (1.7lbs), not bad as I can feel the muscle growth that will have held it lower than what I thought it would be. I am always looking for a steady 2lbs a week, where possible. I think I will cancel my gym membership, too. Not much point now that I have found a home method, once again.

What else is there to say, for the sake of journalising this quest, we now have a crack in the windscreen of our hire-car, that decided to travel from the edge, for no reason. 

Not a scratch, chip, nor evidencial push was made, so who knows where that came from.

Until next time, stay safe, where a mask...when possible.

Day 9 - Domestic chores are calling.

We've hit Day 9, already, and the fitness is still going really well. I am not as tired as I was, and I also got a decent night's sleep, last night, for the first time in months. I should really have recorded it on my band, but hey ho.

A figure of eight - Day 9 Route

After Saturday's ride, I was still determined to bring up my steps and have succesfully kept above the 10k-a-day target, ever since. Much of yesterday's steps were down to domestic house-keeping and tidying, this added more than 5.5k to the total! This is, in its own right, proof of the change that is happening. I am averaging from 7-9.5km per day on the bike, with two ride-rest days mid-week and Sundays, respectively.

Day 9

Today is a Tuesday. I had intended to walk in the woods on Sunday, but it was so poor outside, that I took my family to breakfast, instead. One thing I must watch now is the calorie levels that I am taking in. The past two days have been too low, and so I need address it in the coming days. Control is the key!

Stay safe, stay active.

Gavyn.

 

Day 6 - On the way.

Feeling better, already...

It's Day 6 and the regime is well under way. For the past few days I have kept up the cycling and walking. Day 5 consisted of going to the park with my daughter and two friends, then finally completing the 10,000 step target, in the evening. Making good of the target is great, my watch buzzes and shows me a green trophy, thus providing a rather splendid sense of acheivment. 

I have weighed myself, today, the first of many (Saturdays only.) It came in at 151.3kg. This put me back at just over 23.5 stone, a place I have been at before, and frankly, not the worst! Before Lockdown, I was at 21.5ish, making the gain well over 2 stone!

It's been a tough week, but I am still keen and getting used to the pedals and saddle, once again. Today is a Saturday; I have just completed another 8.5km circuit, and it is a lot less of a chore, already. Wednesday night saw Paddleability return, and even paddling felt less tiring. the only issue is that my bouyancy aid is still a little tight, not as bad as a few weeks ago, but tight!

Stay tuned, stay safe, see you soon.

Day 2 - A successful start.

Speedy Update - Day 2

It's all working well and I have made it back on the bike! Day 1 was all about getting used to it, again. I still managed a two-part ride of approximately 5km.

Day 2 has been much better. I have cycled in excess of 10km, today. It is a beautiful day with many reasons to be alive. I spent time with my daughter on the park, me having cycled, and her on her scooter; this added an extra few kilometres. 

See the image, below, to get an update on what I look like, right now; more to the point, wait until later next year for the short film that will show the differences all in one production.

Stay safe,

Gavyn.

Journey to Snowdon Begins - Day Zero

 Journey to Snowdon - Begins

After a hard few months of staying still and hoping that COVID doesn't come this way, I made the decision to climb to a new level. Having been happy to fill my face during Lockdown, I am now ready to move on.

My plan is to return to a reasonable level of fitness that all begins on 10th August '2020. My intention is to blog at least once a week, with hopefully more to add inbetween.

Here is the run down of my plan:

• Get back to a normal fitness regime.
• Cycling and the eventual return to the gym, are a must.
• Monitor and blog my changes, showing new things and what I have learned many times before.
• Keep to a strong diet that encompasses my vegetarian diet.

• The big one...within 9 months (10th May), cycle from my home in Stafford, to Llanberis, at the base of Snowdon (104 miles.) (There is a three month overhang, just in case, that will allow me to push to August of 2021. This is to counteract any COVID reoccurance.

• To finish the challenge, walk to the top of Mount Snowdon, via the 'gentle' Llanberis Path.

My intention is to Blog the journey, too.

So, what's the point? 

I am in my 40s, I have a wife with a disability that encompasses many other illnesses, and a daughter that is 9 years old. My story is not unique, but has been difficult. That's not to say that there are no hurdles, still. 

A former teacher, now carer and father, I have much to tell, but so little voice to express it. With heavy dips of depression and diagnosed Chronic Anxiety Disorder, I am also suspected of being autistic. This has not been diagnosed, and I am not sure whether it should be or not.

I am a kayaker and part way towards my coaching badge, too. I support disabilities in paddling through Paddleability at Trentham Canoe Club. (Staffordshire) My goal is to create a future for myself, whilst helping others in need.

Please show your support, make suggestions, share this story and let's make a mark for the future and the charities I intend to support. (To be confirmed.) Head over to www.controld.co.uk, and say hello.

See you soon.

Gavyn.