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Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Last Day of Training

Today began like any Wednesday with my little pooch, Freddie jumping up on my bed to say good morning. That was my signal to get up and out to the gym. By 6.30 I was on the cross trainer for a warm up prior to spinning.
7am and Ted arrived at the spinning studio for what would be my last spin session before Friday. And boy was it tough. But whenever I felt like lowering the resistance or worse still, giving up, thought of my trip and carried on!
Everyone at the gym has been very generous and change in my collecting pot for which I'm very grateful.
After spinning I came home for my power walk with the dog and Alice.
We decided to go to Black Park which is still very soggy after all the rain but today.... the sun was shining!!! We set off at a brisk pace and completed 6.5 miles in 1 hr and 20 mins.
I had decided to go out tomorrow but on the walk I just thought that was stupid so tomorrow is a day of rest! Yippee!!!
I've started packing this morning and plan on going into Fox's in Amersham for some rehydration tablets. Tried on some leg warmers that belong to my husband. Not a pretty site. See what u think.
Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 11:55 am 0 comments

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

London to Paris Cycle Ride

Three days to go until I start my London to Paris cycle ride in aid of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I'm nervous, excited, apprehensive, prepared (I think) and a little bit scared.

I've checked the weather forecast and it's not good but I'm not going to let that put me off! A bit of rain couldn't dampen the Royal Philharmonic singers and it's not going to discourage me either.

A parcel arrived in the post today from www.wiggle.co.uk which contained some last minutes wardrobe bits and pieces. I've had to return the all-in-one cycle shorts with bib as I just can't see how I'm going to get out of them quickly enough when I need to use the "facilities"!

However, my padded capri pants in figure-hugging lycra are just the ticket as are the sleeves which I can use when it's cold in the mornings. The good thing about these is that I can take them off and roll them up and still have a top on so no flashes on the side of the road. I also have some rehydration tablets which are a must when exercising for more than an hour. As I plan to be cycling for about 8 hours each day, I will be going through lots of fluid.

I went up to Waitrose today and selected my sweet treats for when I need a sugar rush. I bought wine gums and some cereal bars. If you have any other suggestions for what's good on the move, please do let me know.

Tomorrow I will start getting all my kit out ready to pack on Thursday.
Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 4:21 pm 0 comments Labels: , ,

Friday, 8 June 2012

Believing in you.

With the Olympics starting in 49 days time, I have been thinking about the outstanding sportsmen and women who will be taking part in what, for many, will be the highlight of their careers. How come these dedicated individuals have come to represent their countries in their chosen sports?

To be a top class sportsperson, you need focus, dedication, drive, belief in oneself, passion and above all, a will to win. If the basic components are there, then everything else slots into place. If an athlete has to be on the track for 8 hours each day, he/she will be there. If a swimmer has to start training at 4am in order to excel, he/she will do it. And they don't do it for anyone else, they do it for themselves. And yes, they have to make huge sacrifices but they know that the price of success is a place on the podium at an event like the Olympics. Once they have the medal, they don't give up there, they strive to win the next one at the World Championships and the next one at the Commonwealth Games perhaps.

This made me think about weight loss and what it takes to be able to lose the weight and keep it off. A staggering 92% of people who lose weight put it back on again (and in many cases, put on more than they weighed at the start). It made me ask why?

I have learned over the last 7 years that to be successful at weight loss requires exactly the same qualities that it takes to be a top sports personality. However, for some of us we just don't have the self-belief that we can succeed or we're not willing to make sacrifices, or we're not prepared to maintain the fitness regime that got us to where we want to be.

For many people attempting to lose weight, they have listened to and learned "truths" about themselves from parents, siblings, friends and teachers, that have become so entrenched in their minds and it's hard to see themselves in any other way. For example, if you were repeatedly told as a child that you were the "big one" you will believe that to be a truth about you. The reality is that you could be different but to do so would mean changing the way you and everyone else who knows you perceives you.

But it's an Olympic year this year and for the first time in 64 years the games are on our soil. I urge you to take a look at Britain's finest sportsmen and women. These people are going to make a difference to themselves when they step out onto the big stage that is The Olympics. Whether they win or not, they won't give up. They'll go to the next event having made some changes to how they do things and they'll try again. And they'll keep going until they succeed.

Weight loss and the maintaining of it can be achieved, you just need to believe that you can and will unlearn your "truths" and move forward. If you need some help with this, please get in touch via www.walkingforweightloss.co.uk
Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 5:45 pm 0 comments Labels: , ,

Friday, 20 April 2012

How important is it to wear a sports bra?

How important is it to wear a sports bra when you go out power walking?

The simple answer is very important indeed. Since I set up Walking for Weight Loss in 2006 I have tried all sorts of sports bras, hoping to find one that minimised the bounce, gave me a good shape (as opposed to a sausage) and didn't cause any rubbing or chafing.

When you're power walking your bust moves in a figure of 8 shape rather than just up and down. Also when power walking, you have to pump your arms for momentum and this can cause the bra to move backwards and forwards under your bust. All this movement can cause uncomfortable and unsightly friction sores which can be very painful.

I have endured these "injuries" because I was advised that I was wearing the right size for me. And then I found www.boobydoo.com

I went on their newly revamped website and looked at the extensive ranges they have available. There was no question that they'd have something that would work for me. I have not been disappointed. I started wearing my Panache bra for power walking and I haven't looked back. It's attractive, comes in different colours, is underwired and is extremely comfortable. For this particular make I needed a 32F and yet in another brand I was a 34DD so it's a good idea to buy a couple of size options. They’re totally comfortable with sending the wrong one back.

Now when I go out, I feel so much more comfortable. I don't bounce so much and I don't get the horrible friction sores that have plagued me in the past. Apart from your shoes, I'd say your sports bra is the second most important item you can buy for doing exercise so make sure you buy what's right for you.


 Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 11:09 am 0 comments

Saturday, 24 March 2012

The sun is shining but I can't face going out. Is that you?

The sun is shining but you just can't face going outside. Does that sound like you? It was certainly me back in 2005. Just crossing the road made me feel so ashamed because I could see my reflection in the shop window and I loathed what I saw so I had to always have my head down.

I felt the same about clothes shopping too so avoided that at all costs and only shopped online. Or if I did go shopping, I never tried things on because it would mean having to look in the mirror. I'd take a chance on sizes and buy items and if they weren't right I could take them back. Does that sound like you?

If it does, I absolutely know where you're coming from and I can empathise with your pain and discomfort.

So how do you go about making changes so that you don't feel like that anymore?

Having lost eight stone myself, I can certainly help you.

The most important thing is to recognise that you no longer want to feel this way. The only way it's going to stop is by making changes to the way you live your life, what you eat, doing exercise etc. But these changes won't just see you through your weight loss, they stay with you forever. After all, what is the point of putting in lots of effort, losing weight, feeling fabulous and then going out to celebrate with a big meal? Before you know it, the pounds start piling on, you start feeling guilty and a few months later you're back to square one. It doesn't have to be like that.

So instead of dreading the summer, start making those changes today and begin to enjoy the world around you by going to www.walkingforweightloss.co.uk

Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 5:04 pm 0 comments Labels: , , ,

Monday, 19 March 2012

What is a unit of alcohol and how many calories in a glass of wine?

What is a unit of alcohol and how many calories in a glass of wine?

Did you know that one large glass of red wine (250ml) is 3 units of alcohol and 170 calories so when you go out for the evening and are the designated driver you might be over the limit.

Whether you are driving or not, there are hidden dangers in alcohol. If you are following a healthy eating programme, you could be sabotaging your efforts with what you put in your glass.

DRINKS SIZE CALORIES UNITS OF ALCOHOL
Large glass of red wine 12.5% 250ml 170 3
Large glass of rose wine 250ml 178 3
Large Glass of white wine 12%250ml 185 3
Bottle of sweet white wine 750ml 500 9
Glass of Champagne 175ml 133 2.1
Pint of Strongbow Cider 568ml 210 2.5
Pint of Diamond White 568ml 230 2.4
Large bottle Magners Cider 500ml 205 2.3
Bottle of Cobra 330ml 132 1.7
2 Pints of Stella 568ml 512 6
1 bottle WKD 275ml 175 1.3
Single shot of spirit 25ml 50 1
Gin & Tonic 35ml 129 1.3 Bacardi & Diet Coke 225ml coke 107 2
2 cans Red Bull 250ml 225 0
Small glass of Baileys (double) 100ml 350 2
Cointreau 50ml 170 2


So what do you chose. My advice would be red wine because at leasst it's full of antioxidants. Before you go out, decide how many glasses you will have and stick to the plan. That way you won't feel guilty that you've indulged because you made a plan and stuck to it. If you want more info on alcohol go to www.drinkaware.co.uk.

Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 3:29 pm 0 comments Labels: ,

Thursday, 8 March 2012

You lose weight when you change old habits.

You lose weight when you change old habits ..it doesn’t sound exciting and we all know it is not rocket science but it can be hard to you!

After a lot of psychotherapy and counselling sessions the penny finally dropped that I had to make some drastic changes. I was 18 stone.

What are the old habits you might have to break?

For me it meant changing the way I look at food. I was a compulsive eater which was hard to stomach. Food was a constant in my life where other things may not have been. Food was a comfort, food was a friend when things went wrong, and if things were going too well I often sabotaged my success by eating.

Looking back now that I have lost the weight that person is almost unrecognisable.

My whole outlook on life and my opinion of myself is completely different today. I didn’t realise it at the time but I had become quite a negative person. I now believe in myself, and my ability to see food as a fuel and not as a comfort and the answer to emotional problems.

I needed to change my habits. I can help you discover what habits are holding you back. Go to http//www.walkingforweightloss.co.uk for more information.

Posted by Walking for Weightloss at 2:59 pm 0 comments Labels: , , , ,
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