How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 26)

After the Mad March Hare, I suffered a motivational crisis. I tried to resist, but the call of the couch was too strong. I enjoyed beers, and cake was my best friend.
I still took part in exercise, but only when I wanted too. I didn't force myself to go out to run or ride, I only went out when I fancied. I kept up with the karate lessons but I haven't been weight lifting. I did two 10K runs - one of which was my fastest this year at 9:49 minutes per mile pace. I went on three bike rides including a 40 miler at 14.9mph with Jonnie. After a week in the car, I eventually went back to cycling to work on the Raleigh.

The most surprising thing is, after three weeks of relative laziness, I only put on a pound of weight! I went from 145lbs to 146lbs over 21 days. I think I got away with it! However, my strength, speed and fitness are bound to have suffered...

Now I'm ready to give it another go. I'm running the Birmingham 10K at the end of April and I'd like to do it in under an hour. I'd also like to do a good Karate grading this year. My main concern is my strength - I think my arms are visibly skinnier than they were in photos I have from 6 or 7 years ago.

Getting older is scary but I know if I take care of myself I have a good chance of being able to cycle, run and be involved in karate for a few more years yet.

Monday
10st 6lbs
I woke up rather hungover after helping Jane, Debbie and Lucy celebrate Mother's Day yesterday. It was also the second anniversary of Dad's passing, so a few drinks were in order.
I cycled to work in an effort to make myself feel better. It didn't work...
After struggling all day I eventually pedalled home to cook a healthy dinner for the family and to sip a beer before bed.
Far too tired to exercise...
No junkfood.

Tuesday
Another day of healthy eating. Happily, I manged to resist a beer today.
Martha and I went along to the dojo for an intense basics and kata lesson. Just what the doctor ordered!

Wednesday
I left for work at 7 and came back 14 and a half hours later at 9:30. I was far too tired to exercise and just wanted my dinner.
No booze, no junkfood.

Thursday
After cycling to work and back, running my Dungeons and Dragons game and dropping my players home, I finally picked up the weights at 9:45pm.
Unfortunately, 3 weeks of laziness had taken its toll and I failed on the third exercise (dumbell curls at 17kg.) I had a cup of tea instead...
No junkfood, no booze.

Friday
Martha and I attended the advanced Karate class run by Sensei Ronnie Christopher. We didn't get to do much, it was mainly Sensei Ronnie talking, and I remarked upon the fact that I failed to break a sweat tonight. However, it was great to hear some of his stories about the British and European Championships. I could tell that Martha was truly inspired.
Beer and junkfood...

Saturday
Woke up with a rather sore head. I spent the morning shopping with Lucy and the afternoon rattling around the house. We entertained Jane and Eric in the evening on their wedding anniversary.
Beer and pudding!

Sunday
Nigel, Jonnie and I cycled off from Jonnie's house at 9am. It was a little cold and grey but at least it was dry. Within half an hour, the sun was shining and we were all beginning to warm up! This morning, I had planned a new route made up of bits of two previous routes - The Original 36 and High Cross. As it turns out, I led the lads out in the wrong direction and it wasn't until we got to Tanworth that I realised my mistake! As we rolled on I accessed my rather tattered mental maps and decided to head over to Ireland's Lane via the Finest Catch chip shop and then down to Lowsonford. Then we would be back on track. My little mistake turned out to be a rather nice introduction to the ride and only added 3 miles to the day.
We cruised down to Snitterfield with a decent average of 14.5 mph. I did a big turn until Featherbed lane when Jonnie took over.
Jane and Eric were in London for the day but they had left me a key. More importantly, Jane had left two cakes! We made tea and feasted on slices of walnut coffee cake.
The ride home started very well! We were all on a fast descent when Jonnie came snarling past me, pedalling like a loonie, and making a noise not unlike a rabid dog: very unsettling. Next came Nigel, showing off by riding one handed at about 35mph as he sped past. However, a huge lump of horse shit was in the middle of the lane and Nigel had to make a very fast swerve to the left to avoid a messy disaster. We got to the bottom together, laughing our heads off.
Jonnie headed into the wind and dragged us through Aston Cantlow, then I took over at Wootten Wawen until Tanworth.  A big pull on the front! The planets had aligned in my favour and the legs were feeling great today. Unfortunately, Nigel had been weight training in the gym yesterday and he had a bad case of DOMS. His legs must have been burning as he climbed up all those hills today! Still, he made a huge effort and we all got back to Jonnie's together.
Nigel had to shoot off early but Jonnie and I sat in his sunny back garden for a while and soaked up the rays...and a few bottles of Purity recovery drinks!

Energy drinks...

For the rest of the day, I did a tiny bit of DIY, sat in the garden for a while, drank some beers and ate lots of homemade food!

Must do better!