My 5th Park Run

Wouldn't you know it! Today I could have overtaken people but I'd volunteered to be tail runner so I wasn't allowed to.  It rained today, and I discovered the best way to keep the rain off my glasses was not to wear them. Fortunately I can still see where I am going.
I bought myself a proper knee support so wore that for the first time and it certainly helped although I only jogged a tiny bit as the people just in front were only walking. My time won't be a PB but that's OK and I shall make a big effort next week. I also got myself a lovely bright mauve Regatta lightweight breathable waterproof jacket half price on eBay but only put it on at the end when it really started to chuck it down.
In other news, I can now just ( and I do mean j.....ust) get into my tweed skirts. I think I should have measured in between the waist and hip measurements to see how my middle age spread was diminishing, although it doesn't look any smaller!
I did go for a brisk walk/bit of a jog yesterday as I had letters to post and I got to the post box and back in 15 minutes. It is almost a mile so that wasn't too bad and it was the fastest I have ever done it so a bit of jogging does improve my time.
I am resolved to go out for at least one other walk every week, plus I walk to the Heath for Bible study on a Monday and play badminton on a Thursday so feeling quite good about it all and determined to improve.

Second report

A summary of the past fortnight. I got a quarter of a pound under 11st one day but have settled back a tad higher. Waist and bust haven't changed any more but I realise I was measuring the wrong bits because I am now wearing some trousers that are a size smaller than usual.  I bought some very nice cords in a sale and bought two sizes in the hope I would be able to get into the smaller ones in time, but I would need braces on the larger ones now and I really don't have the figure for that!
I did last weeks Parkrun in 56'31" and jogged a bit and I am looking forward to getting the time down a bit more tomorrow. I might even run a bit!
But I have fallen off the wagon when it comes to food and drink.  We had guests to lunch yesterday and it would have been rude not to eat my own cooking with relish. Then I went out to see The National Theatre production of The Threepenny Opera, live broadcast at the local theatre and was so hyped up when I got home I just had to have a little supper. And a little wine.
And I have just come back from pushing the old man along the front at Felixstowe so I am eating a Bakewell Tart with my cup of tea.
I will start being good again tomorrow.

First report

As some of you know, I have been quite poorly this week so exercise has been pretty much zero and a certain amount of comfort eating has taken place. Well, they do say feed a cold, although I had a fever as well so that may just have been self indulgence on my part.
However, in spite of that I have good news. Since I started I have lost 3 lbs, an inch off the bust and half an inch off the waist.  So, I am encouraged to make the effort as soon as I feel able.
P.S. Hubby has caught the cold now

The best laid plans....

I have been thwarted!  Just as I was really getting into the zone I have been struck down with the cold from hell. I have had one of those sore throats that hurt even just breathing, sneezing, coughing that really REALLY hurts and a temperature of over 100F in the evenings.  So I have been looking after myself with ice cream and cake and lying in bed. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

My first Parkrun

I don't know why, but I find it much more satisfying to write all my stuff in a note book than to keep it in an app. I came to the conclusion that part of the problem with the bracelet was that it was not tight enough because of my small wrists and this morning I asked the seller if I could send it back for a refund. They made a couple of suggestions but said if I really didn't want it then yes I could. So I am.
I found my pedometer. I bought it at Sutton Hoo some time ago and had forgotten about it. I find that it not only records steps but gives an estimate of distance, for which a stride length has been set, calories burnt, and tells the time. I suspect that being on my waist band over my hip means that it gives a more accurate reading.
So, I did Parkrun this morning. I was spectacularly last, except for the official tail ender who is there to make sure every one is OK and I'm sure I was slowing her down, plus of course, all the marshals had to wait until she passed by. Oh, as she was 6 months pregnant too.  I was just over an hour, but then 5k is just over 3 miles so I wasn't too disappointed. Everyone was very encouraging and I actually jogged the last 100 metres. I was pleased that I kept going at a steady pace the whole time and wasn't slowing down by the end.
My target is 40 minutes but that's going to be well into the future I suspect.
When I got home, after a quick visit to the auction viewing and getting some shopping, I took my shoes off and discovered I had a rather large blood blister under my big toe. I hadn't felt it before. I think it may have been something to do with the sock seam. The shoes themselves were very comfortable.
I have to admit that I didn't do much else after lunch and I am treating myself to a bottle of cider this evening.

Trial run

Test "run" carried out on shoes and tracker this morning. The shoes are very comfortable, hurrah! I forgot to look at what the tracker had registered before I went out so at first I thought the miles were astonishingly accurate as when I got home it said 1.3 miles and that was what my footpath app made it as well. But I am pretty sure that there were about 400 on it before I went out. It hasn't got a facility to enter stride length. Not that it would help much because after striding out for a while my steps got a lot shorter.
I felt hungry when I got back so I had a glass of water, but I would have done that anyway.
The tracker said I went to sleep at 22.50 last night. It was wrong as I know I was still awake at 23.15. But it will be interesting to see how the deep/light sleep ratio changes.
It won't let me tell it what day my week starts, so I will be going from Sunday to Saturday for the stats.
I also remembered that I have one of those things that are meant to measure body fat. Like the bracelet, I don't think it is all that accurate but it doesn't really matter, so long as the figure starts going down.
It isn't feasible to accurately count my calories every day so I will do that on the days it is and just be sensible on other days. The bracelet only counts calories burnt during steps so I can add my resting calorie burn which is estimated at 1400.
The psychological aspect of counting etc has a benefit in itself.
If you have been thanks for listening xx

Getting fit?

For those of you that have the time, and for me to remind myself, I thought I might resurrect the blog and witter on about my challenge to myself to lose weight inches and gain fitness.  There are some people who are not friends on Facebook who may read this so sorry to those for whom this is a bit of a repeat
Today I bought a serious pair of trainers, not easy when you have feet like mine! I need depth as well as width due to a big bunion that belies above as well as to the side. I did find some but on this occasion would have chosen other than pink if I had had the choice.  I doubt I will be running but I do like to walk purposefully and so I have registered for Parkrun in Kesgrave so I can compete against myself. First target is to do 5k under 40 minutes
I might start doing 5:2 eating again but at first I will make sure all three meals happen inside 12 hours. I am just reducing my portion sizes and will gradually start sorting out my calorie counting. For example, only one handful of cereal instead of two, four prunes instead of six, not drowning it in soya milk. Only one roll or two slices of bread instead or 2/4 at lunchtime and less filling except for salad stuff which I will increase. If I have fruit juice, have it half and half with water. No eating between meals but drinking more water.  Depending on the weather, walking to the top of the road and back, or the Heath, which is a mile or so, every day. Or doing half an hour dancing on the Wii.
Weekly badminton starts again next week.
Most of you know that I have fibromyalgia and care for my wheelchair bound husband so I abandoned the idea of getting a bike as I haven't ridden one for nearly 50 years and I am worried about falling off and putting myself out of commission.
I have ordered one of those fitness bracelet things, about a quarter of the price of a Fitbit but it looks like it will do what I want.
The bad news is that I am starting in earnest tomorrow but have a lunch date.