How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 23)

Monday
Weight: 10st 5lbs
Unbelievably, I had yet another sore head on a Monday morning! And to make things even worse, I've put 2 pounds of flab back on.
There was still plenty of ice and snow on the roads so I drove Maisie to school and Lucy to work.
I suffered through the day. The morning was a sports session in which we did some martial arts followed by a football tournament. In the second half of the lesson, a Warwickshire coach came in to the college and did some indoor cricket with the lads.
By now, my head wasn't too bad, I was just very tired.
I got through the afternoon's ESOL lesson and then waited for Lucy to be ready to go home.
At home, I cooked a healthy dinner for the family but couldn't resist a Guinness while cooking.
Off to bed at 9:30 with a cup of tea!
No exercise, one beer, no junkfood.

Tuesday
At work, I was aware of my throat being sore - I just put it down to talking for a living.
Tonight's dojo session was a first for me: we had to perform the same kata twice while being observed and given advice by an instructor. Then there would be a change of instructor and we had to perform the kata another two times! We had a total of 4 different instructors which meant I performed Bassai Dai 8 times. The last 15 minutes of the session saw us doing some very light sparring with lower grade students.
At home, my sore throat was getting worse so I went to bed early with a Lemsip.
No junkfood, Karate, no alcohol.

Wednesday
I'm sick. My throat is very sore and I feel ropey. I used the car for work.
No exercise, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Thursday
I woke up feeling a bit better - the sore throat had gone and had been replaced by a snotty nose.
I cycled in to work and dribbled most of my cold all over the A34. I did a bit of martial arts with the sports lads before letting them have a football tournament.
Tonight, Martha and I went out for a 1.5 mile run. We set a quick pace (for us) of 10:09 minutes per mile.
When I got back, I set about changing the tyre on the Raleigh. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the tyre to fit! A bit of research showed that the Raleigh uses 27" tyres and a modern 700c tyre will not fit. A quick Google found me ordering a replacement tyre from Halfords for £3!

1.5 mile run, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Friday
It was a bit warmer this morning than it has been. I cycled to work in shorts and wearing my summer gloves! I managed to eat healthily all day even though it was Biscuit Friday in the ICT department.
My snotty nose was now accompanied by a cough. However, I didn't have a sore throat and the aches had gone away.
I cycled home via Halfords and picked up my £3 commuting tyre.
Tonight was another fantastic session at Ruach Karate. Sensei Russell did another no-nonsense hour of fitness conditioning, kata and then kumite. I was lucky enough to be partnered with Sensei Jody who always pushes me to do my best. I managed to pick up a little injury but that was my own fault for defending with my thumb sticking out.
After the session, Sensei Jody and I did some sparring which we followed up with a little bit of weight training! Martha did some stretching.
I'm now fully focused on the gradings at the end of April. It's been 15 months since I last got a new belt...
I cooked a vegetarian stir-fry for Martha and myself and we watched three episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I had two beers with dinner.
Later on, I went to bed with a Lemsip.
Karate, no junkfood, 2 bottles of ale.

Saturday
Up at 6 before the heating kicked in!
I had Weetabix and then Lucy and I did a big shop. After that, I made a second breakfast of bacon and eggs before dropping Martha of at work and walking the dogs. I also spent almost an hour underneath the car trying to fit a pair of rubber silencer mountings. I had to give up in the end with the job half done - I didn't have any strength left in my hands! When I did the same job on Tilly's little car it took me less than 5 minutes...
After lunch, I did a weight training session for an hour before making a homemade curry.
My favourite Saturday Karate training session had been cancelled because the higher grades were training with a visiting Sensei. It would have cost me £50 to train this weekend!
In the evening, Lucy and I tucked into my homemade curry. I loved it but Lucy didn't seem very impressed! I managed to resist the papadums and naan bread but I had to have a couple of beers...😊
Weight training, no junkfood, 2 bottles of ale.

Sunday
It was a struggle to get up this morning but blue skies certainly helped!
Jonnie and I set off into a crisp, cold, beautiful morning with a 50 mile target fixed firmly in our minds. I was wearing shorts (with leg warmers) for the first time this year. I soon remembered that they're not as comfortable as my bib-tights...
I was also trying out my summer gloves but soon discovered they were a bit thin for most of today's ride - the wind was cold for nearly the whole day. Initially, we held a good pace of around 15mph but, as his legs gradually let him down, Jonnie had a confession to make: he'd been completely sober last night! As we know, Jonnie functions best after a few beers and a bottle of red the night before. This morning, he was horribly sober and his cycling legs just couldn't find the energy! Still, he put on a good show and we even got some Strava trophies as we cut through Luddington and then up the Binton drag towards the Blue Boar.
We got to Wilmcote in time to see Auntie Laura and to enjoy cake and tea.

Eric, Shotokan Cyclist, Uncle Jonnie

As soon as we set off, Jonnie punctured! He set about changing his tube while I helpfully photographed stuff.

Come on Jonnie, get on with it.

#nofilter

Helping Jonnie with his puncture...

The ride back was a struggle for Jonnie: the legs were lacking and we were pushing against a headwind, mostly uphill. However, he did himself proud and we covered 50 miles at 13.5mph.
Back at Jonnie's place, we contemplated a life of cycling with a couple of hop-based recovery drinks.
When I got back home, faithful Monty helped me clean my Specialized and the Raleigh. It was warm and sunny and it was just a pleasure to be outside with my bikes, my dog and a glass of good beer.

Cleaning bikes in the sunshine - one of life's pleasures.

In the evening, I had another two beers but stopped drinking after dinner. I had a cup of tea and stayed up late on the PS4!
50 miles on the bike, junkfood, 4 and a half bottles of ale

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 22)

Monday
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work and back. During the ride, I was aware of a 'lumpy' feeling coming up through the wheels and into the frame. The wheels didn't feel loose, however.
During tonight's weight lifting, I increased the weights a little. I was very pleased to equal my all-time record for barbell shrugs over 5 sets of 5 reps. Hopefully, I 'll be able to do the same for other exercises such as squats and deadlifts before the end of next month.
I stayed up a bit late and drank two glasses of red wine...
Weight training, no junkfood, 2 glasses of red wine.

Tuesday
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I jumped on the Raleigh to cycle to work but the 'wobble' was too alarming. I checked the bike again and this time managed to spot the problem: the rear tyre wall had split and the inner tube was bulging through and rubbing against the mudguard! I went back and swapped bikes.
Tonight's dojo session was run by Sensei Gary and involved lots of basics and lots of kata. He didn't seem impressed by the standard of kata - the club has some work to do! I think my own kata was acceptable, I'm just a little tired from work. I wish I could do karate in the mornings...
At home, I had another red wine.
Karate, no junkfood, one glass of red wine.

Wednesday
Weight: 10st 4lbs
So what happened was, I got home from work to cook dinner for Lucy and myself. I thought I'd have a glass of red while cooking at 6:30. My weight lifting session was planned for 9:30 - plenty of time to sober up. However, after my one glass of wine, I then opened up a beer...
Lucy came home to find me opening my second bottle of ale with a stupid grin on my face.
Oh well, at least I rode the bike to work and back.
No junkfood, no exercise, red wine, 2 beers.

Thursday
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled in to work in the rain. The trouble with having to ride the Specialized instead of the Raleigh is the absence of mud guards! My 'waterproof' trousers were soaked through and I had to change into my emergency pants kept in my filing cabinet at work!
This afternoon's session with the sports group was great. We did a martial-arts based warm up with pad work which the lads enjoyed and then we did two hard circuits together including medicine balls, more pad work, heavy bag, battle rope, press ups, sit ups, triceps dips, skipping and mini-hurdles.
I was red faced and sweating by the end of it!
I cycled home and then did a slow 1.8 mile jog with Martha who is making another effort to get fit. I hope she sticks to it, I'll certain help her on her journey.
I've finally received the letter from the hospital outlining the results of my cardiac monitor from January 2nd. It's completely unintelligible to me, full of words such as 'ectopic', 'bradycardia' and 'tachycardia' among others. I have no idea what it means. What's the point of sending out a letter like that? Surely it will just worry people?
Lucy cooked a wonderful homemade sausage casserole and I enjoyed two beers with an episode of the excellent Daredevil on Netflix.
No junkfood, circuit training, slow jog, 2 ales.

Friday
No cycling today. We had to be at two different campuses today so Lucy and I used the car. While at work, I called up my GP and they will call me back in a week (!) to explain my worrying letter about my heart.
Martha came with me to the dojo tonight. Once again, Sensei Russell did a no-nonsense, strong training session with some fitness thrown in. I was partnered with Sensei Lee - very fast, very aggressive and respectful at all times, he pushed me hard to do my best and gave me the occasional piece of advice. Towards the end of the session I was hot and sweaty after belting out 5 kata in a row! Great training.
At home, we had Lucy's mate Dodgy Debbie over for drinks. I stayed up too late and drank too many beers!
I went to bed after midnight to dream of spiders chasing me around the house.
Karate, no junkfood, 4 bottles of beer.

Saturday
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I woke up as soon as it was light and eventually made my way downstairs at 7. It was cold and snowing outside.
After playing some records and getting my head feeling okay again, I took the dogs for a walk in the park. It was unbelievably cold! I was wearing a thermal base layer, vest, hoodie, shirt and a coat but the weather was still making me wince. I could barely look up into the cold wind. My nose went numb. The dogs and I struggled on... I got talking to a nice lady after Freddie tried to shag her dog (also called Freddie.)
After lunch, I headed off to this afternoon's Karate session. Sensei Tony took charge of the beginners while Sensei Gary drilled the higher grades. After putting us through basics at maximum speed, we were instructed to form teams for kata. I was put with Sensei Jody and two brand new teenage black belts. We practised Enpi together and then performed it in front of the club. I gave it everything and I think we did well. However, when I sat down to watch the other teams, I experienced that increasingly familiar sensation of my heart leaping about in my chest. I was okay after a little while and felt better when I was back on my feet and moving around.
Back at home, I had a lovely dinner of homemade fish and chips with peas, along with two beers.
Bed early.
Karate, no junkfood, 2 beers.

Sunday
Weight: 10st 3lbs
Snowstorm!
It was a blizzard out there, I was very glad that Jonnie and I had decided not to ride. It would have been impossible on road bikes. Instead, Martha and I walked the dogs in the snow.

Not the weather for riding bicycles...

When I got back, I did a weights session and then we wandered up to Jonnie and Sally's place for afternoon drinks. I drank beer for three hours and had a good chat.
Back at home, Lucy made a fantastic chicken dinner. I started to feel ropey by about 8 and by the time I went to bed at 11 I felt terrible. 
Weight training, no junkfood, 4 or 5 beers.


This week, I seem to have lost a couple of pounds but I've drank alcohol every single day! However, I haven't had any junkfood and I've exercised every day (if I count cycling to work on Wednesday.) I'm determined to train properly next week.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 21)

Monday
I struggled out of bed with a hangover.
I was hopeless today. I didn't even drive to work. I once again gave in to the temptation of sweet things (Cadbury's Whole Nut!) and had a few small glasses of cava with Lucy in the evening. I managed to make a healthy dinner for the family before hiding in the man cave for the rest of the night.
No exercise, junkfood, booze

Tuesday
I cycled slowly in to work.
I ate healthily.
I cycled slowly home.
Tonight's Karate session was fantastic! It was an unannounced conditioning session. Sensei Gary had brought in a fitness trainer to 'inspire' us over a small circuit made up of skipping ropes, medicine balls, resistance bands and agility ladders. We also had to do a series of standing jumps. What really surprised me tonight was how long we spent on each exercise: 4 minutes without stopping and then immediately onto the next one! I'm used to having between 30 seconds and one minute on each exercise. It was a huge shock to the system to maintain that level of effort over 4 minutes. Happily, I was partnered with Sensei Jodi and our friendly rivalry came to the fore: there was no way I was stopping until he did!
After 20 exhausting minutes of circuit training, we had to run down to the other end of the hall where Sensei Gary drilled us in fast, hard basics. I was really struggling at this point but again, having Sensei Jodi next to me meant that I couldn't stop!
After 20 minutes of basics, things slowed down considerably when we moved up to Sensei Lloyd's kata instruction. We spent a lot of time observing and copying high-level techniques. It was a good way to recover.
Later that evening, I discovered that my left calf and my abdominal muscles were a little sore...
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday
Ow! My abs resisted mightily when I sat up in bed! I hobbled downstairs with my throbbing left leg to make a healthy breakfast and then cycle in to work. For some reason, I was full of energy and fast on the commute this morning.
I managed to eat healthily again, even though a student brought me some homemade cake!
I cycled home (letting off some steam with a bit of road rage on the way), made Chinese stir fry for the family, and then did a good weight-training session. The only trouble I had was during one of the bodyweight exercises that I do: I usually perform 100 leg raises in every session but today I couldn't do one! The ache in my abdominal muscles was far too great!

Lifting heavier every week. Tonight was the first time in a long time that I had 46kg on the bar...

I didn't have any trouble with the rest of the exercises although the 100 press-ups made my stomach ache a little.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Thursday
Weight: 10st 6lbs
Crikey! My left calf and my abs are aching like crazy! Getting out of bed was like a challenge on an assault course. What did they do to me on Tuesday?
Strangely, as soon as I get on the bike, I'm fine, but when I get off the bike, I'm limping!
This morning, just as my morning maths class was coming to a close, I experienced a large heart 'flutter' (see previous blog posts from August onwards.) I had almost forgotten about these strange sensations that I've been having on and off for the last eight months. It reminded me that I still hadn't had my results from the heart monitor on January 2nd. I called up the hospital and was told they had lost my letter. They'll get back to me by Monday at the latest...
In my afternoon sports class we mixed it up with some football, cricket and some Karate. I spent ten minutes teaching my class the basic training kata and some of them were getting the hang of it. One student complained that it seemed a little simple so I performed Bassai Dai in front of the class. I was embarrassed to get an impromptu round of applause from a dozen teenagers!
I cycled home and then, because my left leg won't let me go for a run, I did another weights session. Again, I couldn't do a single leg raise, but the other exercises were fine.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Friday
Weight: 10st 5lbs
Left leg and abs still aching, but not as badly.
I cycled in to work. It was jolly cold.
I managed to eat healthily all day but the sugar cravings were quite challenging today!
I cycled home in a cold rain.
Tonight's training session was the first of Sensei Russell's Friday night Karate classes. There were lots of kids there and only four adults (including me.) However, Sensei Russell kept the pace high from the start and offered something for everyone - a bit of kumite training, some basics and lots of kata to finish.
There was hardly any talking and I don't think Sensei Russell uttered the word 'I' at any point! Everything was student-focused and designed to challenge and reinforce. Awesome session.
There was even a round of applause at the end.
Came home to a wonderfully healthy dinner of salmon fishcakes and broccoli. Somehow, I managed to resist a beer.
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Saturday
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I woke up feeling a bit ropey, not rested. I couldn't face my usual cycling breakfast of crumpets so I did myself bacon and eggs with tomatoes on toast.
The ride started poorly - it was obvious as soon as I turned the pedals that I was lacking energy. We were riding into a headwind but that was no excuse. Jonnie was waiting for me for most of the first half of the ride. I felt empty and out of breath for a lot of the morning.
The lanes were soaking wet! It wasn't raining, but there was standing water everywhere and there were even large drifts of snow up against the hedgerow. As we headed out towards the Purity Brewery there was even some snow left in the road! However, it was a mild day and the temperature soon reached double figures. The standing water did cause us to slow down on occasion: at some points it was like riding along a shallow river - no visible tarmac at all!
After 20 minutes I was glad to get to the cake stop for homemade lemon drizzle and a hot cup of tea. Feeling refreshed, we sped out into the lanes and headed for home. I'm pleased to report that I raised my atrocious average of 13.4mph to an almost acceptable 13.7. Jonnie managed to get back at 14.1mph: I'm sure he could have gone a lot faster but he had to do a lot of waiting for me.
Jonnie did us proud with Timothy Taylor Landlord served in appropriate glasses!

As things should be.

There was some talk about my poor performance today and there is a possiblilty that I may be overtraining. Lucy thinks I'm just getting old! Oh well, I watched Man U beat Liverpool on the TV and drank another beer.
Cycling: 35 miles at 13.7mph, junkfood, 4 bottles of ale.

Sunday
Up before 7am to sell stuff at the Alderbrook tabletop sale. I got home at about 1:20pm and treated myself to some of last night's leftover homemade curry.
This afternoon's karate session was splendid. Sensei Ronnie drilled us in kata with a bit of kumite training thrown in. Towards the end, we did a fun fitness activity where we split into teams and competed against each other. I'm enjoying this recent emphasis on fitness at the club.
I completed the first hour which is for all comers but I had to leave before the advanced session started because Jane and Eric were coming over at 5 for dinner.
It was at dinner when my good eating habits collapsed. My willpower caved in at the sight of Lucy's homemade bread pudding! I also treated myself to a drink.
Bed at 9:30.
Karate, junkfood, 2 beers and a glass of red wine.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 20)

Monday
Weight: 10st 7lbs
So I seem to be 3lbs heavier than I was this time last week. It confirms what I already know: no amount of exercise can counteract drinking alcohol and eating junkfood. 115 miles on the bike can't compensate for the drunken debauchery of last Wednesday or the over indulgence of Thursday. And my belly is definitely getting bigger - no doubt about it.
Today I cycled in to work with the temperature at below zero. It even started snowing on my way in. I ate healthy stuff at work and then cycled home. I listened to a programme on Radio4 where Tim Noakes, a scientist who is also a runner, said he cut carbs almost entirely from his diet and his performance increased dramatically. But then he couldn't explain whey the Kenyan runners are the best in the world and only eat meat once per week...
I did a weight lifting session which was the heaviest I've managed since October. It left me aching with my arms shaking nicely! Bed at 11.
No junkfood, no alcohol, weight training.

Tuesday
I cycled in to work while the temperature was 3 below zero with snow in my eyes. Ate healthily all day, cycled home with snow in my eyes.
Tonight's dojo session was fantastic - working the basics at break-neck pace while still expected to maintain good form. Then we moved onto kata. My Bassai Dai suffered because of my lack of fitness. Home for fish, rice and green beans.
No junkfood, no alcohol, Karate.

Wednesday
Mouse's birthday!
It snowed on and off all day. With my mountain bike being used by young Harry, I opted to drive to work. In the evening, we had a house full of friends and family to celebrate Mouse's birthday. Hydro was there too.
I overindulged with cake, beer, cava and crisps. I had a lovely homemade beef chili too.
No exercise, junkfood, alcohol.

Thursday
Weather conditions are getting worse with lots of wind and snow. I drove in to work today.
For some reason, I couldn't resist treats today although I didn't have many.
The news appeared on Facebook that the Mad March Hare on Sunday has been postponed because of the weather.
It took Lucy and me an hour to drive the 4.5 miles home - the snow reduced the traffic to a slow crawl.
In the evening, I did a good weights session and then set about making dinner. During cooking, we discovered that the decision had been made to close the college tomorrow. We were having a snow day! This was cause for celebration so I drank a few beers this evening!
Weight lifting, junkfood, 3 bottles of ale.

(The rest of this post is written in red. I don't know why and I can't find a way to change it back. Sorry.)

Friday
SNOW DAY!
Today, I drove Lucy out to Warwick Hospital to pick up the Cakemaker after her recent operation. Hopefully she'll be back to her old self and making cakes very soon. Speaking of cakes, it was at the hospital that Lucy surprised me with a slice of carrot cake with my cup of tea while we were waiting for Jane to be discharged! That was end of healthy eating for the day...
It was very treacherous driving conditions today. The motorway was fine but everywhere else was under quite a bit of snow. Cars were skidding or stuck quite often. I even had a couple of little skids myself but my passengers didn't notice!
In the evening, Martha decided that she didn't want to go training. I guess she's finally losing interest in Karate which is a terrible shame. She wasn't too far away from her black belt.
Sensei Gary and I were the only people who braved the conditions to make it to dojo. He was kind enough to spend half an hour with me and we went over three different kata. I was very grateful to him for my one-to-one training session!
In the evening, the family (apart from Tilly) watched the season finale of Daredevil, and I sipped almost a whole bottle of red wine!
After everyone had gone to bed, I considered playing some more of Final Fantasy 15 on the PS4 but I found that I was too 'relaxed' by the wine to concentrate!
Bed at 10:30 instead...
Half an hour of Karate, junkfood, most of a bottle of wine


Saturday
Blood pressure: 125/76
Resting heart rate: 50 bpm
I woke up with a bit of a headache. By the time I'd had breakfast I was feeling fine. I dropped Martha off at work and then took the dogs to trudge around in the snow in the park. The park was very busy! Loads of families playing in the snow and groups of dog walkers chatting away like it's Christmas Day.
After a high-protein lunch (eggs and baked beans!) I went along to the Saturday afternoon Karate session. I enjoyed pushing myself to try to perfect basic techniques (an impossibility, but you have to keep pushing for perfection just to improve) and then helped a purple belt with her Tekki Shodan. Towards the end of the lesson, Sensei had me lead a small group of beginners through their first kata.
On the drive home, I realised that I hadn't broken a sweat during that lesson, so I decided to do some weight training tonight.
After I collected Martha form work, I did a good weight training session before dinner. 
In the evening, I treated myself to two bottles of beer and went to bed before 11.
Karate, weight training, no junkfood, 2 bottles of ale.

Sunday
I did my best to eat healthily today. Lots of fibre in the form of 3 weetabix for breakfast and then brown rice and chicken for lunch.

Chicken and brown rice. As boring as it looks.

In the afternoon, I attended the first half of the two-hour Sunday Karate session. I had to leave early because we had Jonnie and Sally coming over for dinner.
The trouble started when I got home - too much fun. Jonnie and I got stuck into beer and red wine and ate far too much. I stayed up late watching a classic Slayer concert on Youtube and eating junkfood. I went to bed just before midnight.
Lucy says I slept, but I don't remember falling asleep. All I remember is lying in bed for hours with a bad stomach and a banging head until eventually the sun came up and it was time for work...
Karate, junkfood, booze