How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 24)

Monday
10st 6lbs
So I didn't lose any weight last week. It still means that I've shifted five pounds this year. I'll keep on with my training program and hope that the weight starts to shift again. If it doesn't, I can always adjust things (cut down on the beer or cheat days.)
It's half term so I don't have to go to work! Instead of teaching naughty teenagers in the pre-16 department at college this morning, I went out for a leisurely bike ride in the countryside. It's been a while since it was just me, the bike and nature...
I rolled back home after 16 miles. I found that I did have to work quite hard just to stay above 13mph - I pushed it really hard yesterday and the legs were suffering this morning!
I decided that, with the mild sunny weather today, it would be a good time to give the bikes a good clean. I set about sprucing up the Specialised and Nigel's Giant. After about half an hour of scrubbing I decided to get serious on the Specialised and to get all of the grime and oily bits out of the transmission. The back wheel came off, the front rings and then the jockey wheels from the derailer. I gave everything a proper clean (with degreaser where appropriate) and then, when it was drying off, I brought the pieces into the man cave to work in the warm with some music on.
It was then that the problems began...
After putting everything back together, I tested it only to find that the bike was now dropping the chain in the smallest gear. I gave up and went to have dinner.

Exercise
16 miles at 13.2mph

Food
Cornflakes with semi-skimmed milk
Juice
Tin of tuna on wholemeal toast
Apple
Homemade roast turkey dinner with potatoes, vegetables and cauliflower cheese.

Alcohol
None

Tuesday
I spent the morning putting a lesson together for an observation I'm due to have on the first day back (Monday 27th.)
With that out of the way, I set about getting the Specialised back on the road. I tried everything I could think of: I took the jockey wheels out and put them back in again. I took the rings off, put them back in and re-tightened them about 5 times. I released the gear cable and indexed the gears. I reset the derailer. I adjusted, adjusted and I adjusted. I watched YouTube videos. I pored over my two bicycle maintenance books. I couldn't find what had gone wrong and why it was still dropping its chain. Eventually, for the sake of my own sanity, I had to take the bike in to the shop to have it repaired. I'm still angry and frustrated about it now: I hate it when I have to pay someone to do what I'm sure I could do myself. The answer was probably staring me in the face.
Karate was good again tonight. Martha was in a bad mood and didn't really want to go but her mother and I convinced her to get in the car. Sensei Julian Cunningham took us through our basics and then some kumite training. I was lucky enough to work with Sensei Joey, Sensei Mark and my mate Tony (2 belts higher than me) so it was all valuable training. It was a very sweaty session. Martha still claimed that she was in a bad mood but I think she secretly enjoyed it.
Back at home, I scoffed a lovely homemade dinner and watched TV. Half term rocks!

Exercise
One hour of karate training

Food
Toast with peanut butter
Juice
Tea
Homemade frittata
Coffee
Slow cooked ham with rice, curried potatoes and green beans.

Alcohol
None

Wednesday
I ran my weekly 10K before lunch. What a difference it makes to run in the daylight! I set my fastest time so far this year and my legs felt good.
I had some bad news about the bike: it's almost a write-off. I've basically ridden it into the ground. It can be saved but at a cost. After contemplating a new bike, I decided on spending the money on having it repaired. Watch this space.
I then built three IKEA units before taking my girl out to dinner at The Physician in Edgbaston. The dinner was great (we recommend the lamb) and the beers were good. The best beers there were two I already know and love: Boltmaker and Mad Goose. I also tried some others, including the multi CAMRA award-winning Titanic Plum Porter (I just thought it was too fruity - like drinking alcoholic Ribena. Not for me.) The setting was fantastic - big, solid-looking furniture in spacious rooms, real fires and interesting antique pictures on the walls. We'd go again (but may have to save up a bit first...)

Thursday
A day of rest. I spent most of it on the couch. Nigel came round with some beers to cheer me up after the bad news about the bike.
I ate healthily today but did no exercise and drank some beers.

Friday
This afternoon I went indoor rock climbing with the young people. Our teachers were inspirational, especially a blind rock climber named John Churcher. I wasn't as good as the kids, only managing to get to the top of one of the 4 climbs, but I did manage to get up fairly high. It is quite a serious workout on the upper body, especially the fingers!

Today I did a 2 hour karate lesson taught by Sensei Ronnie Christopher. The room is still far too small so it was quite frustrating trying to perform kata and take part in some sparring when everyone is so close.
Martha only joined me for the last hour. I can feel that she is losing her enthusiasm for karate but I don't know why. We've talked about it but she either won't or can't explain it.
No junkfood, no booze

Saturday
I always set my alarm to get up on Saturday mornings (7.30am) because I hate to waste my favourite day of the week. I made breakfast for Lucy and myself and then set about getting my lessons ready for next week. I'm being observed next week which doesn't make me nervous but it does mean I've got lots of pointless paperwork to produce.
After 3 hours of lesson preparation I was desperate for a break. I picked up the weights and set about a good hard session. I'm very pleased to report that I lifted heavier today than I have done for a decade! I was very pleased with myself when I took the dogs out for a walk.
In the evening, we attended the Wilmcote Village Quiz. There was a lot of of booze and a fish and chip supper on offer. I ate my fish, picked at a few chips and stuck to drinking water. Sometimes being in training isn't much fun...

Exercise
100 push ups
100 triceps dips
100 leg raises
Shrugs (48kg): 5 sets of 5 repetitions
Curls (40kg): 5 x 5
Squats (41kg): 5x5
Side raises (6.5kg): 5x5
Front raises (8kg): 5x5
Overhead Presses (29kg): 5x5

Food
Bacon, tomatoes and scrambled eggs
Juice
Tea
Banana
2 Scotch eggs
Pint of milk
Tin of baked beans on 2 wholemeal toast
A mini fish in batter with about 6 chips.

Alcohol
None

Sunday
This morning, I was riding Nigels' spare bike: the lovely carbon Giant. Unfortunately, it's too big for me (it's a medium and I ride an extra small.) My back started to ache after the first mile and didn't really stop for the next 49...
Distaster struck on today's ride. Uncle Jonnie's bike died after 15 miles. His chain had broken and detached part of his derailer in the process. He called for the broom wagon and we carried on. Nigel and I jumped in with a peleton shortly afterwards and found ourselves being whooshed along at 15.5 mph without making much of an effort. It really is a fine thing to get in someone's slipstream.
Nigel was on good form and spent the first half of the ride waiting for me to catch up! After a lovely tea and cake break in Wilmcote, we set off on the uphill section. Again, Nigel was really strong and, tired of darting off the front, he eventually settled on my wheel and let me set the pace. I'm happy, and rather shocked, to report that, despite the very strong wind, we manged to get 50 miles done in our target speed of 14mph.
After a shopping trip to B&Q, I spent the the rest of the day eating naughty food and enjoying some ales. I offered to take Martha to karate but she got very stroppy about it. I think her martial arts days are over - it seems to be more of a punishment than a passion for her now.

Exercise
Ride: 50.6mph at 14mph

Food
Cake, chocolate, ice cream, homemade apple pie, homemade soup...you name it!

Alcohol
4 or 5 ales.