I have felt quite out of breath and energy drops not so much – I’ve not changed my diet much yet but have cut down crisps to one or two bags a week (or thats the plan) instead of daily aswell as chocolate/snacks I’ve tried replacing with a seeds/nuts Mix which is suprisingly tasty.

Its been hard work and looking back doesn’t feel like I’ve done much. Its been exercise between jobs – a break in the middle of the day to do stuff and then return to job time. I think that if I keep it up then it will definetly help.

I’ve been aching a bit from the new moves, but felt when I went trampolining more in the shapes I was meant to be in for a change so may be improving my ability at the same time.

I tried instead of just the gym – going out and running outside. That was totally different to on a treadmill – it was a lot harder breathing wise but was more enjoyable at the same time with the change of scenery.

I’ve got a set of DVDs that are dance aerobic based ones that are meant to help your body core – to stregthen and tone. I tried the begginer version that was meant to be easy and I was quickly tired out – I think its becoming easier but still hard.

It is something I’m going to try a few times a week and then every day. The documentation that comes with it all suggests a big change within 8 weeks. I’m thinking that its going to take a month to learn the basics and get into it – a kind of warming up to be able to do the 8 week plan.

I’m going to try and do a weekly update more so that I can see IF there is any change, and once a month check IF I change weight/waist size etc.

In 2000, I was:
10st ish, 28 inch waist, slim build, 6 foot 1 inch.
BMI: 18.5

In June 2009 I am:
12st 7, 36 to 38 inch waist, build – podgy, 6 foot 1 inch
BMI: 23

The ideal BMI is 22 apparently, so I’ve changed a LOT within 9 years. Now life is a lot different – I don’t have classes to get to – I drive to work and sit in an office a lot of the day – no longer active and think I eat more now that I did then.

So its Time for change…

As said before, I’ve been going to the gym to help with this but thats not all I am doing – that is the start to get me going.

I’ve realised that I’ve had more energy since doing more exercise – I gave a little time up and now seem to have more time as I’m less tired so the theory is that if I do more again, I’ll be fine for time as I’m more awake to get through the other stuff.

I’m trying the exercise DVD’s, mixed with the Gym & swim, Running etc to hopefully trim myself down, and get a more toned body and remove any podgyness thats appeared over time.

I managed to get to just under 10 minutes running before exhausted which is not good… However the 2 months before the best I got was 30 seconds if that.

I have a plan that I got from a website to help training yourself but so far i’ve not managed the times its suggested – I’m off by about 20% on each one so far.

I’ve been going to the gym now for about 6 weeks after work and generally do the following:

A) 5 minutes on Rowing machine

B) 40 reps on a machine for arms pushing up with a low but heavy for me weight in batches of 10 with a break of a minute ish between.

C) Another 40 on a machine pushing round and forward (chest press I think it was) as 1st

D) Stretches for about 5 to 10 minutes

E) 5 minutes on treadmill (growing to now 10 Mins)

Followed by around 20 minutes swimming in the pool. I started on 5 mins in pool but now up to 20 mins after the 6 weeks and slowly working my way to an hour but trying to increase by about 5 mins every 5th time I go.

I’ve been going around 3 times a week so slowly it is growing. Afterward I laze in the spa/sauna/steam room to chill for a bit.

We worked together. I am now on the second weight instead of the first. Not sure what it is, I should maybe write it down. It was him first – Do 10 ten me do 10, we repeated with a mini rest and water between about 4 times and then moved machines.

My arms ached a lot after but didn’t hurt as to say. We did 20 minutes on the treadmil and now I’m up to 4 minutes and lots of walking… A slow increase but still its increasing.

We were in the gym over an hour before retiring to the jacuzzi and swimming pool. It felt like an achievement to be in that long – it didn’t feel that long which means I must be enjoying it too.

Today I joined up, and we went running for a little while. I managed a whole 3 minutes of running before returning to the walking again and no falling off so thats was excellent. I think the wii fit has helped… I say think.

3 minutes sounds like nothing in reality but before two weeks ago that was zero minutes and falling off. Now its 3 minutes and lots of walking (16 to 17 minutes)

We’ve both started with an aim of 20 minutes, i’m slowly working up to it and when close will change to 30 minutes.

If I was alone, I’d probably leave it on free to go and listen to music. At the moment I seem to talk a lot to my friends while I’m there.

I read somewhere or was told that you should be able to keep a conversation going while training otherwise you could be straining too much… Not sure how true it is but a few others have also said it sounds right.

Today I went out with a friend to a sports club. I’ve never managed well at these things and the machines look interesting and people often look strange using them.

We did a few of the machines as he showed me how to use them. I used the lower of the weights – I don’t want to injure myself first week or any week really.

Then we went on the treadmill. Last time I went on one of these I lost my balance within a minute and came off it. This time I managed to stay on and did walking for a while while my friend did running.

We talked… about the idea of doing the “Great North Run” – its something He would like to do but says he’s in no way fit enough this year. I intend to be and so far can’t do much.

After about 45 minutes in the Gym we went to the pool and did a little swimming and a lot of lazing about.

All in all… A friendly introduction to sporting things in a gym space.