Sunday, 17 June 2012
Final day
Sorry for lack of info. We had no Wifi!!! So it's the final day and I've just had a breakfast of croissant with Nutella, yogurt and apple purée and a cup of tea.Today will be tough. Lots of big hills to climb but we've only got 70 miles to cycle instead of yesterday's 85!
We should be in Paris by 5.
I have amazed myself on this trip and learned a lot about what the body can cope with on lack of sleep.
Big thanks to my cycling mates Mike and Tony with whom I have shared loads. 0 comments
Thursday, 14 June 2012
The coundown begins!
At this very moment, my body is buzzing! I feel like I've downed 4 cups of strong fresh coffee but I haven't. What I'm experiencing is a massive adrenalin rush as I pack my bags for tomorrow's challenge. It's a bit disconcerting but at the same time it's good cos I'll need it when I set off tomorrow.So what have I packed? Well the obvious things like cycle shorts/capri pants, cycle tops, helmet, gloves and cycle shoes (all essential equipment). Rehydration tablets, high energy snacks, and wine gums are also included for an quick energy boost. But there are some items that you wouldn't expect such as arm-warmers, let-warmers and rubberised socks are some of the more unusual things included in my bag. The plan is that I leave in my capri pants (padded of course) with short sleeves tops on and the arm warmers. If I get too hot at least I can peal off my sleeves and carry on.
And what about the rubberised socks? Well if it's raining, I'll be wearing those as my cycle shoes have got air holes in them and I don't want my feet to get wet!!
This cycling malarky is not sexy stuff but then it's not about how I look is it? All the gear, no idea springs to mind and I'm definitely not in that category.
I must go and finish my packing and I also need to check out where we're meeting in the morning.
Adieu. 0 comments
Is going to the gym worth it?
I've just watched an amazing Horizon programme: The Truth About Exercise. It was broadcast on 28th April but I hadn't watched it yet.As the title suggests, Michael Moseley was exploring how effective going to the gym really is in terms of weight loss, Such an interesting programme with lots of very scientific tests and info being given which sheds so much light on what is considered effective exercise.
The overall message coming from the programme was that walking is the best way of reducing fat in your body alongside a healthy eating regime.
Michael sat down to a massive cooked breakfast and a blood test revealed a big surge in fat in his blood. The following day he went on a walk and then ate the cooked breakfast a day later. Again he had a blood test and guess what? There was no increase in fat in the blood.
Are u beginning to realise why I've been banging on about the benefits of walking?
There is no doubt that it is the best form of exercise to be done in conjunction with healthy eating that will leave you healthier on the inside and on the outside too! Don't take my word for it. Watch the programme on iPlayer and see for yourself.
Now I'm off for a walk. X 0 comments
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.
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.
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challenge,
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weight loss
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
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Olympics,
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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.
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