How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 11)

Monday
Weight: 10st 0lbs
Snow Day! The college was shut for the day.
Thick snow everywhere. Mouse and I took the dogs for a walk around the park and we met the rest of the family there. Mouse took great delight in pelting me with snow balls for the entire 3 mile stroll.
At home, I did a fast and light weights session (although it was slightly heavier than last week.)
In the evening, I managed to resist junkfood and beer.
No junkfood, no alcohol, weight training

Tuesday
Another unexpected snow day! I received an email on my phone while still in bed - the college was closed today too! Today, I walked the dogs by myself after dropping Martha and Lucy off in Solihull. I picked them up and then, after a healthy lunch, set about tidying the man cave.

Walking the dogs in a Winter Wonderland.

This evening's karate session was run by Sensei Mark. He was preparing everyone for the new grading date (17th Dec) which I can't make because I'm attending the Christmas party at Mom and Dad's allotment. After the session, I did a little bit of extra training with Sensei Jodi.
At home, I opened a beer because I'd promised myself one after the session. Strangely, I didn't really want it and kept forgetting about it. How very weird!
No junkfood, karate, alcohol

Wednesday
Weight: 10st 0lbs
Back to work. The roads were terribly icy. Lucy didn't fancy driving on the ice and I didn't like the idea of riding on the ice, especially as cousin Harry has my mountain bike at the moment. I drove Mouse to school, Martha to college and Lucy to work.
Tonight, I cooked a healthy vegetable and chicken stir fry and introduced Tilly and Martha to the anime series Afro Samurai - they seemed to love it although Martha was embarrassed when the characters were snogging!
Later on, I did a fast and light weights session and then settled back to watch the first act of Ip Man. I forced myself to bed at midnight.
No junkfood, no booze, weight training

Thursday
Weight: 10st 1lbs
Bit of a fitness disaster today: I did a great martial-arts based warm up with the sports group with a bit of pad work thrown in. I was feeling good until after my last lesson when, reaching for a pile of folders, I felt my back twinge. It was like an electric shock in the muscles. I gave myself a good stretch and then carried on. 5 minutes later, another jolt and this time it didn't go away. I barely managed to drive home. I got myself in the cave and poured myself a glass of muscle relaxant.
Then another.
Then another.
By the time I had opened my fourth beer, I was stretched out on the couch with Lucy watching Peaky Blinders. My back had gone from electric sharpness to warm and fuzzy. In fact, the rest of me was distinctly fuzzy, including my head!
I stayed up late watching Donnie Brasco.
No junkfood, 4 beers, no exercise

Friday
My back was fine in the morning but got steadily worse as the day went on. By the time I left work, it was painful to get out of a chair...
I spent the evening eating biscuits and feeling sorry for myself (I did, however, watch The Walking Dead season 3 with Mouse which was ace fun.) I stayed up far too late with Lucy and Debbie after I collected them from the staff party in Digbeth.
Bed at 5:15am...
Junkfood, booze, no exercise

Saturday
Woke up feeling crap after 4 hours sleep. Made a fry up for Lucy and me and then retired to the man cave to play records. My back was hurting every time I stood up. Lucy made me feel better with pizza and a beer. Later on, I cooked a homemade curry for the pair of us.
No exercise today, I didn't even set foot outside of the house!
Junkfood, 3 beers, no exercise

Sunday
I woke up with an ache in my back so I definitely wasn't grading today.
I went along to the Walsall Road Allotments Christmas Party and met up with old buddies of Mom and Dad's - Billy, Christine, Clare, Ivan, Kenny, Betty, Rita and Colin were there. We had some quality food and drink and shared a few stories. 
Later, I went shopping around Solihull before Jane and I popped in to see Nigel and Penny at their Christmas party.
Back at home - an amazing homemade pie and a few good beers.
Junkfood, booze, no exercise.

This week was a total failure - the bad back meant I couldn't train. However, I don't see why it means I have to indulge in all the junkfood and booze?! If I can't train next week, at least I'm going to try to keep the naughty food and alcohol to a minimum.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 10)

Monday
After two weeks off, I'm back on track.
I jumped on the bike and cycled into work. I managed to eat healthily all day but forgot to eat my sandwiches! Then I cycled home again. On the ride home I was cut up by a rude cyclist clad in Lycra who didn't even say sorry or hello. I coaxed my 1974 Raleigh Compton Grand Prix into a higher gear and gave chase. I didn't have a hope of catching him...
In the evening, I did a fast and light weight lifting session before cooking a protein-packed dinner for Lucy and myself.
Tonight was the first time in two weeks that I haven't opened a beer after my evening meal. Tonight was also the best night's sleep I've had for two weeks. It's not a coincidence is it?
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Tuesday
Cycled in to work. Another day of healthy eating, Cycled home again. Today, I cycled in the larger gear that I'd used last night. The only difference I noticed was an ache in my right knee.
It was a great session in the dojo tonight, with Sensei Mark pushing the higher grades hard. We started off with some fast-paced basics and then quickly moved on to fighting. Sensei Jodi kindly agreed to partner me and I knew I was in for a challenging evening! He landed a fantastic mae geri just above my left hip which really woke me up. After lots more attacks and counter attacks were we put into a line-up where I went up against all of the black belts and 1st kyu fighters. Needless to say, I ended up being rather bruised and battered with at least two of my opponents hitting hard into my guts! I left the dojo aching but happy.
When I got home, I found a message from one of the black belts asking if I was okay and explaining to me that I'm better than I think I am and that I have the potential to be good. This made me feel a lot better about my kumite.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Wednesday
Uncle Jonnie's birthday!
I cycled into work and back. On the return home, I was cycling into a 20mph headwind so I dropped back down into my usual commuting gear.
After a couple of ales at Jonnie's house, we went down to the local curry house. Obviously, there was no healthy lifestyle in evidence tonight!
Junkfood, alcohol, no exercise!

Thursday
Weight: 10st 1lbs
I cycled in to work in the rain, managed to eat healthily all day, then cycled home. Tonight's 10K run wore me out but I managed to get home in an acceptable time of 63m 40s. Unfortunately, while I was doing some ironing about half an hour later, I experienced a series of sharp chest pains. They stopped after about 20 minutes.
After a healthy dinner, Lucy, Martha, Martha's friend Toni and I went along to the pub for a drink. The girls didn't seem very comfortable with us there so Lucy and I left them to it after I'd finished my Guinness. Back at home, I relaxed on the couch and enjoyed a bottle of local ale from Purity.
No junkfood. 2 beers

Friday
Snow. It was quite heavy and, at the time, the forecast said it would continue all day. My mountain bike has been borrowed by cousin Harry. I didn't fancy risking the skinny wheels in these conditions so I drove in to work in the car. It was Funday Friday in my classroom so I rewarded the students who braved the journey to college with some chocolates. I managed to resist the chocolates  - a fact of which I'm rather proud!
After a day of healthy eating I drove home to get ready for dojo.
I dropped Martha off at work and arrived at dojo half an hour early for the advanced class. Happily, Sensei Mark was kind enough to let me join in with the all-comers lesson. After using that as a warm up, I was ready for the real tough stuff to begin in the advanced session. Surprisingly, Sensei Mark took things down a gear. He put all the emphasis on staying relaxed before the grading. Tonight, we performed slow kata, light sparring and even some new kata at the end! We did 10 minutes of warming down and before we bowed out to go home, Sensei Mark recommended lying in the bath listening to Bob Marley before the gradings this weekend! Chill out indeed!
Later, I picked Martha up from work and had a drink with Nigel. I had an orange juice while he sipped his third pint of ale. I went home to drink tea.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Saturday
10st 0lbs
During a Whatsapp discussion with the other Weekend Warriors (Nigel and Jonnie) we decided the roads were too treacherous to ride on. Instead, I had a lie in until 8am and then, after brekkie, Lucy and I went shopping.
After taking Martha to work, I went along to this afternoon's karate session.
I was pleased to find that the session was taken by Sensei Gary. He had a completely different approach regarding pre-grading training to that favoured by Sensei Mark. He had us blasting through kata at full pace and then fighting freestyle with mitts, head guards and gum shields! It was certainly a full-on sweaty work out, just the kind I enjoy! I even got to do a little bit of teaching for a couple of minutes which I like doing.
In the evening, I was horribly sober and didn't touch any junkfood. I was in bed just before midnight after a relaxing night of good TV followed by Minecraft!
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Sunday
SNOW! Heavy snow. Everywhere. Mostly on Facebook!
After a lovely breakfast with Lucy, I found out that today's grading had been cancelled. I was very disappointed because I feel I'm in pretty decent shape at the moment, both physically and mentally, and would have had a good chance today. Oh well, there's always next time.
This morning, my one and only job was too clear the snow from the greenhouse roof (snow weighs a lot and we worried about the pressure on the glass.) Unfortunately, I also found out the at the greenhouse door was loose. I was out there with my spanners for half an hour. After I lost all feeling in my hands, I came back in the house. The door was back on but still not running smoothly.

Clearing snow off the greenhouse with my faithful hound supervising.

At lunch time, Lucy, Martha and I walked the dogs out to the park. We had a good laugh at BMW drivers trying to coax their beloved cars along the roads. We even saw one car slide into a kerb on a corner! Silly sods.
The walk to the park was like a winter grotto. The world really can be a beautiful place...
We met Tilly in the park and I quickly discovered that the girls are completely crap at snowball fights: they hardly throw any back and then, when you think the game is over, Martha will wander up alongside and smash you in the face with a rock hard iceball.
At home, I did a quick, light weights session and then had a vegetable pizza for lunch. In the afternoon, Lucy and I watched ALIEN:Covenant.
The start of the film was awesome! Enough hard sci-fi to satisfy my inner geek and scary enough to get the heart pumping. However, as soon as it was obvious that David was the baddie I became a bit disappointed. I couldn't make the connection between the David of the first film and the evil Frankenstein David of this new film. Still, it was exciting enough to entertain us for the afternoon. I'm glad I didn't go to see it in the cinema, however.
We ended the day with a wonderful homemade lamb dinner and, safe in the knowledge that it was a snow-day for teachers tomorrow, enjoyed a few drinks!
junkfood, alcohol

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 9)

I've had two weeks off.

Sometimes, a beer when I get home is too much to resist. Sometimes, the chocolate biscuit in the staff room cannot be ignored.
I make no excuses for this, it's just part of who I am. My willpower isn't strong enough and I give up too easily. I thoroughly enjoy being a hopeless glutton but, at the same time, look forward to getting back into training even while sipping an ale and eating some ice cream!
Over these two weeks I've had an ale or two every day and have allowed myself all sorts of treats including crisps, white bread and biscuits. However, I've still enjoyed exercise:

• I continued to cycle to work.
• I completed two weight lifting sessions.
• I attended three Karate sessions.
• I completed two 10K runs (64m 6s and 61m 35s)
• Jonnie and I rode 36 miles in the rain at 13.6 mph.

Jonnie and I also jumped on a train to London to visit Carl and my brother. I made the mistake of trying to keep up with those hardened drinkers and almost gave myself alcohol poisoning in the process. I didn't feel like myself again until 4 days later...

Uncle Jonnie in London Town.

As from tomorrow morning, I'll be back in training. I have a grading to pass in a week's time and I'm determined to put on a good show.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 8)

Monday
10st 1lbs
My weight is going the wrong way, which is unsurprising considering that last week was a boozy cake-fest. I must remind myself that I have high cholesterol...
Today I leaped on the bike and cycled in to work and then pedalled home to cook dinner for the family. I managed to avoid junkfood all day. We watched episode 2 of Daredevil together. I was very impressed by the show - particularly the homage to the Oldboy corridor scene. Obviously, the Daredevil scene used some very clever CGI whereas the Oldboy scene is devoid of too much fancy trickery (I read that the knife in his back is the only CGI added.) Still, both scenes are awesome and Daredevil is highly recommended based on the two episodes I've seen.
After reading some Batman with Mouse, I hit the mancave to do some weight training. I still kept it light and fast, but increased the weight a little from last week.
No alcohol, no booze.

Tuesday
Cycled in to work and back.
Martha came with me to the dojo tonight but soon found that she couldn't train because of an injury to her foot. I spent most of the evening training with Sensei Jody. I felt I held my own in the sparring techniques but let myself down in the line up at the end of the session. I was too slow and my opponents too fast! Must get fitter!
Home for a huge dinner of homemade meatballs and pasta.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Wednesday
10st 0lbs
Cycled to work and back. Tonight, I did another light and fast workout. I treated myself to two bottles of stout after dinner.
No junkfood.

Thursday
I cycled in to work and back. In the evening, I went out for my weekly 10K run. It was rather cold and I had three layers on (but still wore shorts!) I set off a little bit too quickly because I was feeling strong. I ended up suffering for the last two miles but still made it back in a reasonable time of 63m 21s. This is a miserable time for most runners but not too bad for me when compared to recent efforts.
At home, I managed to resist a beer with my delicious dinner of homemade Cajun chicken with sweet potatoes and salad. Mega healthy!
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Friday
Cycled in to work and back.
I dropped Martha at work and then went along for Sensei Ronnie Christopher's advanced Karate class. It was entirely kumite-based which is a bit disappointing because I'm in a kata competition on Sunday. However, I was lucky enough to work with Sensei Jody and he took me through the techniques patiently while hardly saying a word. At one point he 'volunteered' me to demonstrate three kicking techniques to the class. Confidence boosting stuff! We did some fighting at the end and, as usual, I was crap, but maybe not as crap as last time...
Just two beers with dinner tonight. No junkfood.

Saturday
Up at 7 and it was raining. I cycled up to Jonnie's for 9am and it was still raining. We set off on the High Cross route in the pouring rain. It was cold too; feet, hands and face-numbingly cold.
We quickly agreed that it was one of our Hard Men rides and compared it to the Mad March Hare conditions! The only thought that kept me going was that it must be toughening me up.
We got to the cakestop completely soaked and chilled to the bone. After some tea and cake and a change of socks for me, we headed back out into the rain. We slogged on, mainly in silence and dragged ourselves all the way home to finish our 36 miles at 14mph.
We were tired, freezing and soaked through. Cyclists will know how this feels, but for non-cyclists, imagine this:
Stand in front of a fridge freezer with the door open and stick your hands in the ice compartment. Get a friend to hose you down with a steady spray of cold water (paying particular attention to the feet and backside because we don't have mudguards.) Then jog up and down on the spot. For two and a half hours...
I was far too cold to contemplate stopping at Jonnie's to sit around in wet clothes, so I just continued home and walked directly into a warm shower still wearing my cycling gear!
A little later, I walked the dogs around the park and then picked Martha up from work on the way home.
In the evening, I had a couple of beers with dinner and then went to bed early ready for the Karate competition in the morning.

Sunday
I had a humdinger of a nightmare at about 4:30am and couldn't get back to sleep after that. I eventually slid out of bed at about 6:45.
Today was the Central England International Open Karate Competition in Worcester. Unfortunately, Martha had too much college work to do and so couldn't take part.
After breakfast, I drove over to Cocksmoor Woods and met the rest of the squad representing Ruach Karate. Sensei Gary drove us to Worcester in a minibus. I was only entered for one event: over 40s kata. Four of the squad were having a go at the fighting. I had originally put my name down for kumite too but the cost of the necessary shin pads and chest guard put me off. I'd have to spend over £200!

Worcester University - The size of the venue was a little daunting!

The standard was very high today. It was obvious that the vast majority of competitors were dan grades (black belts.) All of the young people from our club performed brilliantly in the kata events but it wasn't enough to get them through to the next round.

Me with some of the squad who were brave enough to take part today.

Lucy unexpectedly turned up to spectate just before lunchtime. She'd chosen to drive 50 miles and give up half of her Sunday just to see me take part in one of my hobbies! My girl's the best.

My Bassai Dai in the first round of the over 40s kata contest

In my event, I quickly ran out of kata. After using up my Bassai Dai, I was left with a choice of heian kata. It wasn't enough but I did manage to win a silver medal which I was pleased with. I later learned that the winner was a senior black belt who represented England a few years ago.

Me in silver

I have arranged to learn Empi from Sensei Jody so I can have a realistic chance at gold next time.
After some brave and determined efforts in the fighting from Dan, Sunny, Tony and Jamie it was time to head back.

I got home to a hero's welcome and, more importantly, homemade pie! When everyone was in bed, I did a fast and light weights session and then watched Star Trek: Discovery with two beers.
No junkfood.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 7)

Monday
10st 1lbs
I had to drive to work in Tilly's car today. I dropped it in for Kwik Fit to have a look at the exhaust. They wanted far too much money to replace two bits. I ended up paying my friend Scott half of the Kwik Fit quote to replace the whole exhaust.
At home, I did a weight lifting session which was just a little heavier than last week's.
I had a couple of beers tonight.
No junkfood.

Tuesday
Cycled to work and back.
At the dojo, it was a hard kata session run by Sensei Gary. Both Sensei Jody and I agreed that it was the kind of session we needed!
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Wednesday
Today was a write-off as far as a healthy lifestyle is concerned. I did no exercise apart from cycling to work and back, I also indulged in some tasty treats!
In the evening, I met up with my good mate Chris to see RIDE in concert.

Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Steve Queralt

I was a big fan of RIDE when  I was a teenager. I had the T-shirt, the records and I'd seen them when the played at the Hummingbird in Birmingham. I remember them as sounding a lot heavier than they were tonight. Obviously, they're a shoegazing band so they have their tender, introspective moments with the cleaner guitar tones but I seem to remember the louder bits being more dramatic. Maybe it was where I was sitting.

RIDE at the Institute, Birmingham 2017

Anyway, it was still a very enjoyable gig and a great night out with one of my oldest friends.
Unfortunately, I had to leave early, at the start of Leave Them All Behind which is one of my favourite tunes of all time! I managed to get the 11pm train and was tucked up in bed before midnight.

Thursday
9st 12lbs
I cycled in to work and back. Unfortunately, on the way to work, I had another of my ridiculous heart 'flutters'. This was followed by another one about 2 hours later when I was right in the middle of teaching (I was actually mid-sentence!) My appointment with the cardiologist is on the 22nd of this month. I need to get this sorted as soon as possible, but I'm also dreading what they're going to tell me. Will I have to give up cycling? Cake? Martial arts? Beer? Teaching? It doesn't bear thinking about.
This evening, with thoughts of heart disease hanging over me, I decided not to go for my 10k run. I did a light weights session instead.
I needed a couple of beers after dinner.
No junkfood.

Friday
I cycled to work and back.
In the evening, Martha and I attended the advanced karate session run by Sensei Gary. We both agreed that Sensei Gary was stricter and scarier than Sensei Ronnie tonight! His session reminded me of training 18 years ago where you were expected to perform kata at full power, one after another, without a break. The kumite half of the lesson was fantastic and I was lucky enough to train with Sensei Jody and Sensei Joey. They both pushed me hard. During the competition at the end I managed to defeat Sensei Joey but only after some suspicious refereeing from Sensei Gary!
Home for some beer and the final episode of season 2 of Stranger Things. It's one of the best shows I've seen on TV for a long while. Highly recommended.
Later, Lucy and I stretched out on the couch to watch an Elvis concert DVD.

Saturday 11th November
Up at 7 to go riding. It was cold enough for me to see my breath. Jonnie and I set off to ride the shortened Purity Route where we turn left at Temple Grafton. The roads were very wet with standing water everywhere, but the rain was only light. Thankfully, there was no wind.
We didn't worry too much about the average and chatted away through the lanes discussing Monty Python sketches. We arrived at the cakestop after 20 miles. With not a mudguard between us, we were both wet and muddy.  Unfortunately, the cakemaker was away this morning, but she had left us some cake to enjoy with our tea. After observing the silence at 11am, we headed uphill for home. Thankfully, it had stopped raining and the sun was even making an appearance. My wet legs began to warm up and I was in danger of breaking a sweat!
We struggled on up the hills determined to maintain a 14mph average. It dropped to 13.9 after Tom Hill but we soon clawed that back on the flat run for home.
Jonnie destroyed me on the uphill sprint for his house!
We enjoyed a couple of bottles of hop-based energy drinks and then I headed home for a cup of tea and some eggs on toast.
Ride: 35 miles at 14.0mph.
In the evening, Lucy opened a box of chocolates 'for Christmas' and I opened some beers!

Sunday
This morning, Mouse, her friend H and I set off for the monthly Alderbrook Tabletop Sale. We set up across 4 tables selling old CDs, books, clothes and bric-a-brac. We made £28 and had a good giggle.
We didn't get back until 2pm so I didn't have time to unload the car, eat lunch and be able to get ready for dojo. Plus, Martha is currently injured and couldn't train. Instead, after lunch, I went out for my weekly 10 kilometre run. I got round in 64 minutes 50 seconds and it was bloody cold!
In the evening, we had 5 family and friends join us so Lucy did a fabulous Sunday Dinner for ten. I was very hungry after my run so I ended up having 2 dinners, 2 helpings of apple pie and 2 beers! Too much!
I went to bed bloated.

Not a good week as far as my health and training are concerned. I'll have to take things a bit more seriously next week, especially with the karate competition on Sunday and the gradings next month.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 6)

Monday
10st 1lb
It was rather cold cycling in to work today. My hands were cold in my winter gloves. It might be time to wear two pairs in the morning. After a crap day's teaching, I cycled home in the dark to make dinner for the family. I made my protein-rich Mexican scrambled eggs with homemade potato wedges.
After dinner, Mouse and I watched some more of the excellent Stranger Things before I headed back downstairs to do a fast and light (although slightly heavier than last week) weight-training workout.
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Tuesday
A rough day. I felt okay for most of the day although I did have a bit of a stomach ache and a runny nose. I felt worse when I got home and at dojo I couldn't wait for it to be over: I felt weak and tired. On the drive home, I had three of the heart 'flutters' that I've been experiencing over the last few months.
I went to bed at 9:30 hoping I'd feel better tomorrow.

Wednesday
9st 12lbs
I made it! I got through Sober for October and have vowed never to do it again. I missed out on too much fun.
I cycled in to work, did a good day's teaching (English all day) and then cycled home via Tesco to get some beer. I didn't get home in time for a run so I did a fast and light weights session including 300 bodyweight exercises (100 press ups, 100 tricep dips, 100 leg raises.)
Jonnie and Sally came round at 7 for beer and homemade beef chilli. Lucy got home a little later. It was smashing to have a few beers with friends once again. Then Lucy and I sat up late and watched Mrs Brown. The performance from Judi Dench is breathtaking.
Tonight I had three beers: Mud City Stout and Peaker Blinder both by Sadler's and then London Pride by Fullers. All firm favourites. I intend to try some new ales later in the week.

Thursday
As expected, I woke up feeling rough.
However, I felt much better as the day went on. I took the Sports lads out for a 2 mile run in the afternoon and then cycled home.
I went out for my 10K run in the dark and was pleased to get home in a time of 64 minutes and 46 seconds. Certainly not fast, but faster than last time.
In the evening, I enjoyed two ales: another Mud City and an excellent porter from North Cotswold Brewery.
No junkfood today.

Friday
Cycled in to work and back feeling good!
In the evening, I received a phone call giving me some terrible news about an old mate of mine. I was very upset but decided that the best thing I could do was to go training anyway. I was right: I was very lucky and tonight's lesson was a fast paced fighting session. Just what I needed.
I hadn't intended to drink tonight but when I got home, I lifted a glass to Lloydy.

Lloydy and me halfway up a mountain in Wales.

Saturday
10st 0lbs
I met Jonnie at a later time of 9:30am, in the hope that it would have stopped raining by then. We were lucky and it wasn't raining when we set off, although the roads were very wet and full of debris.
We set off strongly, maintaining a 15mph average into Lowsonford. However, the hilly terrain began to sap our strength and the average fell away pretty quickly. Jonnie was suffering with a cold but I had no excuse - I'm just unfit!
My bike had a puncture in the rear wheel just as we neared Wilmcote. I nursed the bike to the cake stop and changed the tube. I couldn't find the thorn or whatever and just hoped that it had been an 'in and out' type puncture.

Where is that thorn?

After some lovely cake and a chat, we headed back into the lanes. I was okay until we got to Wootton Wawen and then the legs started to give up. A few miles later, head down into the wind, we were both exhausted. I was so tired, I started to feel a bit spaced out, almost disconnected from my body! Then disaster in Ullenhall - a second puncture! Was it caused by the same thorn I couldn't find? Jonnie found a sharp stone embedded in my tyre. Could that have been responsible for both punctures?
We eventually made it back to my house with a pathetic 13.5mph average over 39 miles. We put our feet up and enjoyed a few ales while listening to Led Zeppelin!
In the afternoon, Lucy and I went shopping.
In the evening, I dropped Martha off at work. She pulled pints of Holden's Golden Glow for Nigel and myself and she earned herself a tip! After this, Lucy and I went to visit our next door neighbours for a dinner and Strictly Come Dancing party. I enjoyed two more ales and some ice cream before heading home to endure The Hateful Eight by Tarantino. It's easily his worst film with only Samuel L Jackson's performance making me watch it at all. In fact, I didn't watch the last twenty minutes so I don't know how it ends and don't really care!
I collected Martha from work at 1:00am and then hurried home to read Asimov in bed.

Sunday
9st 13lbs
Woke up feeling a bit ropey. After a relaxed and healthy breakfast followed by some ironing, homemade soup and a shower, I was ready for action.
This afternoon's karate session was meant to have been run by Sensei Ronnie but he wasn't there. Instead, Sensei Mark took the higher grades through an advanced 2 hour session in preparation for our grading next month. 
Also, Sensei Gary suggested that Martha and I focus on kata for the competition on the 19th. There is a talk of a team mini-bus being hired for the day. I'm looking froward to it.
Home for a huge Sunday dinner (thanks Lucy!) followed by two episodes of Stranger Things. The final episode we watched borrowed heavily from Aliens (Cameron, 1986) and even featured the same sound effect for the motion tracker!
No alcohol, no junkfood.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 5)

Monday
Half term holiday!
In the morning, I took some parcels to the Post Office and then bought a new latch for the bedroom door from B&Q. When I got home, I discovered that I'd bought the wrong size so I took it back. B&Q were very good and gave me my money back straight away even though I'd opened the package. The woman doing the refund was, however, very miserable and hardly spoke to or looked at me.
I bought the correct size and then went home and fitted the new latch (while feeling very manly with my tools out.)
Next, I did some weight training. I used very light weights again, only slightly heavier than last week.
After this, the dogs and I enjoyed a very pleasant walk in Hillfield park. Freddie chased squirrels and I chased Pokemon.
Eric and the Cakemaker visited for dinner and we indulged in apple pie and ice cream: my favourite ever dessert!
Tonight, was Martha's first ever shift in paid employment! She is the latest member of bar staff at Solihull Arden Club. I propped up the bar with Nigel for half an hour but didn't get to see her pour a drink. Nigel was there later and he witnessed her serve her first ale! I picked her up at 11:15 and she seemed very happy.
Bed at midnight with a Lemsip because I have the beginnings of a cold.
No alcohol

Tuesday
Blood Pressure: 120/73
We got up late (almost 9am!)
After a healthy breakfast, I walked the dogs around the park. Back home, after giving Freddie a shower, I checked my blood pressure and was pleased to find that it was lower than it has been for a long time, possibly since I started monitoring it. However, the NHS website says it is still too high.
I then popped in to college for three hours to get my lessons ready for next week.
In the evening, I went along to the Cocks Moor Woods Dojo for an hour of training with Sensei Ronnie Christopher. Tonight, as well as telling me where I was going wrong, he also complimented me on my stance during Basai Dai. A positive comment like that from a former World Champion goes a long way. I went home with a smile on my face.
A healthy dinner and then bed before midnight.

Wednesday
We had to get up at 6am to get ready for the delivery of the new bed. By 7:20 I had dismantled the old bed, photographed it ready for eBay, and then put the mattress in the car ready for the tip!
In the afternoon, the girls had a Halloween Party with their friends. The junkfood was too much for me to resist!
Fuelled by sugar, I did a quick, light weights session (6 exercises, 5 sets of 5 reps on each, with 300 reps of bodyweight exercises) in just 34 minutes which left me feeling good. At that speed and at light weights it feels more like a cardio workout than resistance training.
In the evening, we watched the last episode of series 3 of Luther (highly recommended although rather implausible!) before going up to our new bed at 10pm. The bed makes our bedroom feel like a luxury hotel. I just hope we don't fall out of it - it's so high off the floor!

Thursday
Resting heart rate: 42
It was great to wake up without back ache or bed springs digging into me!
While lying in bed, I measured my resting heart rate using my usual phone app. During the measurement, I had one of the heart fluttering sensations I've been experiencing recently. I wasn't quick enough to screen-shot it, but the waveform looked like this on my phone:

The 'flutter' is the shorter wave in the middle.

It's all very worrying really, but then worrying never solved anything. I'll have to carry on as I am and wait for cardiologist to have a look at me.
About two hours after breakfast, I set off on my weekly 10K run. I immediately suffered stitch in my left side, which then moved up into my chest, and then across into my right side. I had aches and pains nearly all the way round. It wasn't until I got to the five mile mark that I realised I was warm and comfortable and bouncing along nicely. I got home in a slow 65 minutes, 46 seconds.
Lucy had been shopping and had brought back cake. I tried to be good and ate a banana instead but it wasn't long before I was eating walnut cake and drinking tea!
Nigel popped in for a visit (which meant we polished off the rest of the cake) and then Harry came round so we could work on our bikes together.
After the tool box had been put away, I did some more selling on eBay and then had some dinner. I had another heart 'flutter' after dinner while watching a film on TV.
Bed early to read with a Lemsip.
No alcohol

Friday
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Resting Heart Rate: 39
I'm aware of the weight starting to creep back up...It's obviously because of the sweet things I'm distracting myself with.
This morning, Lucy suggested I go for a bike ride because it was a glorious day. I headed off into the lanes after breakfast and found myself staring into the sun for the first hour of the ride! There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was low and bright. It made some cornering and descending a little sketchy but it was still a beautiful experience.

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.

I arrived in Wilmcote and had a chat with Eric and Jane along with Laura and Carl who were visiting from London. After homemade cake and tea I headed back.
I covered 31 miles in a steady 14.1mph.
This afternoon, Lucy, Carl, Martha, Mouse, Lily, Mabel and I went to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre to play some indoor tennis! I hadn't played tennis since Aberdovey a couple of summers ago. And before that, the last time I'd played had been at school. I still enjoyed myself thoroughly and was happy to learn from Carl and Lucy who are very talented players.
Lily and Mabel decided to have a rest after a little while but the rest of us carried on, got sweaty and had a lot of fun.
After two and half hours, we headed home.
I was so hungry, I had stomach ache! A bowl of cereal and another slice of cake was needed.
Two hours later and we headed off to a local curry house with Jonnie and Sally. I watched the rest of them get slowly drunk on cava, white wine, red wine and some of my favourite ales. I wasn't desperate to join in but I was questioning WHY I was doing Sober for October. So then I'd think about the money I've raised so far and I'd take another sip of water.

Temptation!

After the dinner, I drove the five of them back to Jonnie and Sally's place and I carried on home to watch the first episode of season 2 of Stranger Things with Mouse, Tilly and her current boyfriend Jack.
The episode was great - fun, nostalgic, mysterious, moving and creepy. All in 45 minutes. Genius.
Then I got the call to play taxi again and I went to fetch the revellers and drop them home (about 34 miles of driving in total.) I got home at just after midnight and collapsed into bed with some Preacher comics.
No alcohol.

Saturday
Up early to drive Mouse, Harry and their mate Jake to Cannock Chase for a camping weekend with school. I got back, had a bit of lunch, and then headed off to dojo. Today's lesson was run by my friend Tony. He did a great job of warming the class up and then running them through their basics.
He put me in charge of teaching Heian Godan to a pair of purple belts. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Teaching certainly helps me to think about my own kata as I try to show others how to do it properly. A good experience.
In the evening, I indulged in some homemade brownie baked by Martha. I watched two episodes of Luther with Lucy and went to bed at 10 to read Preacher.
No alcohol.

Sunday
Up at 7:20 to go cycling. It was miserable and windy outside, but a lot lighter because of the clocks going back an hour. Jonnie and I set off at 9am. Nigel wasn't riding because he was going to watch the local football derby on the big screen at the Arden Club.
The lanes were busy with traffic. I'm not sure where everyone was driving to on a Sunday morning. Also of note: we didn't see a single peleton today, compared to the five or six we counted last Sunday. We chose to test ourselves on the full Purity Route. Going out was easy - with the wind behind us, we clocked up a 15.2 mph average by the time we reached 18.5 miles, turned north into the wind and were faced with the Binton climb. The climb destroyed our average and we arrived at the cake stop with a speed of 14.6 mph.

My audience while I was having a wee in Binton. Sorry ladies.

After refuelling (I had double cake helpings) and a rest, we headed north into the wind. The air was cold and the legs were tired. Jonnie did a lot of work on the front, I did my bit when I could, but we were both drained by the time we got back. The average had dissolved to 14.1 mph. To be honest, we were pleased that we'd kept it above 14!
It does make me wonder what I have to do to improve my performance on the bike. More miles? More rest? More protein? I don't think I've seen any improvement in my own fitness/speed/strength in the last four years! Maybe I came to the sport too late?
Anyway. We enjoyed a cup of tea with Sally, Cali and her daughter Lyndsey and then I headed home for some soup. I checked my heart rate an hour after I finished the ride: it was 75bpm which is rather elevated (my usual daytime HR is about 55bpm.) I drove to Cannock Chase and back to pick up Mouse, Harry and Jake. When I arrived home, I checked my HR again. This time it was a much more usual 44bpm.
The family sat down to homemade shepherd's pie and I couldn't resist some homemade brownie when everyone was in bed!
No alcohol.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 4)

Monday
10st 2lbs
Storm Ophelia hit the UK today so I decided I wasn't going to ride in the high winds. I drove to work and back. My right arm and left calf were throbbing with pain all day.
At home, I did a weight lifting session with tiny weights just to keep the body used to these exercises. I did 300 bodyweight exercises too (press ups, tricep dips and leg raises.)
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Tuesday
I cycled in to work. The care group had made cupcakes and I was given one by one of the students who came to visit my IT lesson...
I cycled home.
At the dojo tonight, we did a kicks-based lesson with Sensei Julian.
After a healthy dinner, I found it impossible to resist a hot chocolate and couple of biscuits!
No alcohol.

Wednesday
I cycled in to work. On the ride home, in a cold wind and drizzle, I decided that I wasn't going to wear shorts on the commute for the rest of the year. It's time for the waterproof trousers!
At home, I did a super-light weight training session before Nigel came round to watch me eat my dinner. We played some tunes in the man cave and didn't drink any ale because we're both Sober for October.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Thursday
Cycled in to work. I did an extended martial arts based warm up with the Sports group before our football tournament. It was a very busy day at work and I didn't get time to eat my lunch. I cycled home to lift up some very light weights and make dinner for the family (homemade curry and chips!)
In the evening, Nigel got in touch and arranged an interview for Martha at the Solihull Arden Club. One moment, Martha was in bed, twenty minutes later she's in an impromptu interview and has got the job! Nice one Nigel, you're a top bloke!
I'm not sure what this will do for her Karate but it will do wonders for her confidence, her CV and her bank balance.
I stayed up late reading and turned the light off at midnight.
No junkfood, no booze.

Friday
10st 0lbs
Awake early after a rough night's sleep. The intention was to go for an early morning bike ride but I couldn't face it. I felt very bloated with stomach pains. At work, the pain in my belly very gradually went away and by the ride home I was feeling okay.
After a fast, very light weights session, I got changed and then Lucy, Jonnie, Sally and I went for dinner in Solihull. We had a nice time but my dinner was crap: a bit of salmon, not quite cooked long enough, with some hard green beans and lentils. Yes, lentils. On a plate.
After that, we went to see Chris Connor in the Elvis Show at Solihull Core Theatre.
Firstly, the guy looks like The King. Secondly, the guy moves like The King. Finally, the guy SOUNDS like The King. He and his band put on a very convincing 1970-era show taken straight from the film That's the Way It Is. I know the film like the back of my hand and I was flabbergasted to see how closely Chris Connor was following it, even mimicking Elvis's antics during guitar solos and instrumental sections. He had obviously studied the man very closely. The jump suits looked authentic, as did the scarves and the hair. The lead guitarist even played a pink guitar similar to that of James Burton's pink Telecaster from the Vegas years.
During the interval, I tried my first ever non-alcoholic beer. It wasn't too bad although it was lacking that alcoholic sharpness to cut through all that malt. It was better than I expected.
When I got home, I was really hungry. Luckily, or not, depending how you look at it, Tilly had left some take out Chinese food. I ended up wolfing down noodles, rice and chips at 11pm!
No alcohol, no junkfood apart from the last hour!

Saturday
9st 13lbs
I'm currently the lightest I've been for over three years. Sober for October does have its advantages!

This weight graph clearly shows the effects of my summer holiday and the effects of Sober for October!

After a very lazy start to the day involving me cooking bacon and eggs for Lucy and myself, I took the dogs for a stroll around the park. After this, as Storm Brian made his presence felt across the UK, I went out for my weekly run. I felt quite good and got back with a time of 63 minutes and 35 seconds. Slow for most people but not too bad for me, considering I was trying to run in some very windy conditions!
I managed to eat healthily for the rest of the day and Lucy had prepared plaice with rice and vegetables for my dinner. Wonderful.
Bed early to read.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Sunday
10st 0lbs
Up at 7:20am to go cycling. Storm Brian was still blowing hard outside (without rain this time) so I knew it would be a cold one. I put on the full length bib tights along with thermal base layer, jersey and rain jacket.
Jonnie set off to do the 36 mile High Cross route. We set off strongly and soon warmed up. It was about 11 miles into the ride, at High Cross, that I ran over a branch in the road. This branch flicked up into my front wheel and knocked my bike computer's sensor out of alignment with the magnet on my spoke. This wouldn't normally be a problem, but after three or four minutes of faffing, Jonnie and I couldn't get my computer to work again! We decided to roll on.
However, after two or three miles I must have glanced down at my non-functioning computer at least 20 times. In fact, that's a rather conservative estimate. It felt entirely alien to be cycling along not knowing my current or average speeds. Unfortunately, it didn't get any better and I still found myself looking down at my stem for no reason for the entire ride!
The wind made for hard going and our sluggish 14.1mph reflected this. I also think that yesterday's 10K knocked some of the energy out of my legs. I feel Jonnie could have gone faster today.
Interestingly, we must have seen about 5 or 6 club rides out in the lanes today, much more than normal. Is it national peleton day?
I was fairly lazy for the rest of the day. I occupied myself by putting records and toys and comic books up for sale on eBay.
I allowed myself some treats tonight - such as biscuits with my tea. Heavenly!
Only 10 days of Sober for October to go...

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 3)

Monday
A day of rest.
I've been aching a lot recently - chest, shoulders, arms and especially my back. Today, I drove in to work. After work, Lucy and I went to buy a new bed. I had no idea how expensive they are so I ended up spending £1000 over what I'd budgeted for! After that experience, I needed a beer. Which, of course, I couldn't have because I'm being Sober for October!
We went home and I made dinner for the family and then 'enjoyed' a cup of tea before bed.
No junkfood, no alcohol, no exercise.

Tuesday
Weight: 10st 1lb
I've lost half a stone since I rebooted my training on the 21st August.
I woke up feeling good. However, on the ride in to work, I collided with a flat bed truck and hurt my arm. The truck had decided to change lanes, it didn't matter that I was already in the lane it was moving in to! It forced me further and further over until I had nowhere to go and I hit the corner of the truck. My bike sprawled out on to the pavement and I ran after the truck. The driver saw me but didn't stop. I went back to get my bike. It didn't hurt at first...
When I got to work I discovered that I had a bit of swelling and some missing skin on my right arm. This damage occurred through a base layer and my rain jacket! What was worse, however, was that it had aggravated my already injured arm (the karate injury from March) which was already throbbing from building the planter on Saturday!
At the dojo tonight, Sensei Gary dedicated his entire hour to working with the 6 karateka (myself and Martha included) who will be travelling to the competition at the weekend. It was quickly obvious to me that my right arm was severely weakened and it hurt just to do a simple gyaku zuki. Oh well, at least the competition will be good experience for Martha.
Home for homemade bolognese.
No junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday
I woke up with my arm like a dead weight. It was an effort just to move it and painful to lift my cup of tea. There's no point in wishing something hadn't happened but I can't help thinking what unfortunate timing yesterday's crash was - just before the competition!
I cycled in to work where I discovered that it was painful to write on my whiteboard!
I cycled back home, found I was locked out, cycled out to meet Martha coming home from college, and so we cycled home together.
Tonight, I went for a run. Happily, running doesn't hurt my arm at all. However, I developed a dry cough which lasted for most of the run. Also, I'm considering getting some headphones for the run so I can play music or listen to Radio 4: I get so bored on the run that I often find myself thinking about things to think about! I finished the 10K in 65 minutes 8 seconds which is slow even for me.
When I got home, Martha and I fitted our new gumshields in readiness for the fight on Saturday. Mine is uncomfortable but I have a feeling I'll only be wearing it for about 30 seconds!
Sober for October is getting a little easier - I didn't even think about a beer after the run tonight.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Thursday
Weight: 10st 1lb
Blood Pressure: 131/84
The arm feels considerably better but is definitely still very tender when lifting anything. I cycled in to work. In the afternoon, I did a good martial-arts warm up with the Sports lads followed by two full circuits of tricep-dips, battle rope, medicine ball, skipping rope, bench steps, focus pad, heavy bag, hurdles, leg raises and press ups! Phew. Then I cycled home.
At home, I set up for a lifting session but a part of me knew it was all in vain. I managed to get through 5 bar curls but when I tried to do some dumbbell side raises, my right arm simply couldn't lift. It was too painful and the arm was too weak. Plus, you're not supposed to train an injury anyway. Right there and then I could have quite happily murdered the driver of that truck on Tuesday.
I needed a beer but I couldn't have one so I did some ironing instead.
In the evening, frustrated and angry, I let myself have a treat of some Roses chocolates and a bag of Monster Munch while watching the last episode of Preacher Season 2 - one of the silliest, most fun and sometimes beautiful series I've ever seen. (Even Hitler and Arseface escaping from Hell was shot with gorgeous colours and careful framing that made some scenes seem like a painting!)
No alcohol.

Friday
Cycled to work. A lady had brought some birthday cake in to the staffroom so that was the end of healthy eating for the day. Cycled home. Martha and I took part in Sensei Ronnie Christopher's 2 hour training session tonight. It was a great session with lots of kata and kumite. Sensei told some great stories including his best yet which involved kicking a Japanese team captain in the head causing him to stagger into his own country's flag and hang on to it to keep himself upright!
I left feeling very positive about tomorrow but Martha is still worried to the point of tearfulness. She's very brave to continue with something that makes her so nervous.
At home, with the working week done and 2 hours of training behind me, I was desperate for a beer. I had a mug of hot chocolate instead...
No alcohol

Saturday
Up at 6am ready for the competition. We met the other competitors from our club (Ruach) at the leisure centre and then we set off for the competition in Wolverhampton. It had quite a good turn-out with 120 people signing up to compete in various categories. There was a very broad range of abilities on display - fast and strong senior grades, including a lot of black belts, right down to beginners struggling to get to grips with Heian Shodan. There were a lot of nervous people today and many forgot their kata techniques - one black belt even performed the wrong kata entirely!
Martha and I both lost our kata competitions but that was because our opponents were judged to be better, not because we had made any errors.
The afternoon was all about fighting. Martha did exceptionally well and managed to score against the black belt woman who eventually went on to take the gold medal. She was happy with her fight.
I had a hard fight against a black belt who beat me in extra time but not before I had scored against him:

He managed to get some good hard kicks in which left me in pain but I didn't let him see that. I had to go outside after the fight to get some air but I was okay after about half an hour. I'm still limping now, however.
Martha, Sensei Gary, Sensei Jodi and myself awarded ourselves with pop and biscuits on the drive home!
No alcohol

Sunday
Out into the lanes with Jonnie and Nigel. My back, right arm and left leg were all aching and/or throbbing in pain but not enough to stop me riding.
It was great to see Nigel back on two wheels. We headed off on out Honiley route with our usual chatting and banter. 
There was a bit of a crisis in Wilmcote due to the microwave drying out the treacle tart. Happily, there was plenty of homemade coffee cake to go around. Phew!
After cake and tea, we sped off into the lanes. Unfortunately, Nigel found his legs lacking today so he had to take it easy on the way back. I rode with him and we had a pleasant journey home in warm October sunshine.
At Jonnie's we had soft drinks even though I would have loved an ale. Nigel is also being Sober for October and is finding it rather boring!
In the afternoon, I cleaned and serviced the bike. I managed to get rid of an annoying tick that had plagued me on my ride today. After that, I went along to dojo for a fast paced kumite and kata session with Sensei Gary and Sensei Jim. Throughout the lesson, I felt bruised, battered and drained. I questioned the wisdom of training while carrying at least two injuries. Oh well, it might just toughen me up.
On the drive home, I fantasised about drinking a pint of best bitter. When I got home, I did some ironing instead...
Please sponsor me while I'm Sober for October - it's harder than all of my bike rides and runs put together!