How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 6)

Monday
Blood pressure: 142/65
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I was sorely disappointed when I stepped off the scales this morning: I'm exactly the same weight as I was this time last week. I've gone 7 days without any beer or junkfood and I'd exercised for over an hour on every one of those 7 days. It makes me question why I'm doing this. However, I'm determined to carry on and see what happens to my stats over the next few weeks.
I cycled to work, didn't have time for lunch, cycled home, made a chicken, mushroom and tomato curry for Lucy and myself, and then did a late-night weight lifting session. Once again, the vein was sticking up in my bicep when I'd completed the hour. It probably doesn't mean anything but it makes me think I'm doing something right.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday
Blood pressure: 146/75
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled into college. I was stuck at work until 6:30 so Martha and I couldn't go to the dojo. I cycled home and did an hour's weight training before a very healthy vegetable-based dinner.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Wednesday
Blood pressure: 143/74
Resting heart rate: 61
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I knew I wouldn't have time for weight training tonight so I left the house a little early this morning. I pedalled out into the lanes for a while before turning back and heading into work. I cycled 16.1 miles at 13.7mph. Even though my average speed was slow, I was cycling against a stiff headwind for half of the ride, I had my rucksack strapped to my back and the traffic was thick on the A34 (when the wind was behind me). I was sweating buckets by the time I got to college!
I cycled home to get ready for a night out - Lucy, Jonnie, Sally and I were going to the theatre. I allowed myself a beer with dinner (Fuller's ESB - fantastic!). It was my first alcoholic drink in 10 days.
We saw an hour-long performance called Ventoux. It tells the story of Armstrong and Pantani, with their epic battle up Mont Ventoux in the 2000 Tour de France forming the backdrop against which the story is told. There were only two actors on the stage and they never left it during the whole hour. I was impressed by their ability to remember all the lines and what they had to do next.
I'm a complete theatre noob - I saw a few plays with school and that's about it really. I think I saw an interpretation of Lord of the Flies when I was in my late twenties?
Anyway, Ventoux wasn't what I consider to be a 'play'. It was more like an art performance with lots of symbolism as opposed to realism. We see Armstrong's cancer spread as a he draws on himself with a piece of chalk. We see Pantani's addiction as he throws white powder about the stage and sticks his head in a bucket of water. Pantani's victory in the race, which I assumed would be the climax of the performance, happened about halfway through, indicated by a recording of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen's actual commentary from the broadcast. There was lots of euro dance music blasted out as the two actors clambered aboard their onstage bicycles (up on turbo trainers) and raced against each other, and we had a yellow spotlight for Armstrong and a corresponding pink one for Pantani.
We saw Pantani die (with his head in the bucket) and we saw Armstrong struggle under the weight of worldwide accusations. We didn't get to see Armstrong's relationship with Bruyneel and there was no mention of Pantani's cosmetic surgery.
And then it ended.
What I was left with was a desire to watch the actual race, to re-read Matt Rendell's book about Pantani, and, most surprisingly, a need to defend Armstrong - because even though he was a nasty, cheating bastard, he defeated cancer and rode those 7 victorious Tours. There's only so much that drugs can do, Lance still had to get on his bike and ride the thousands upon thousands of miles of training and racing! I can't help it, anyone who can complete a Tour deserves respect, despite all the drugs and the lies.
I know, I'm weird.
Needless to say, I had to go home and drink beer while contemplating all these deep and meaningful questions about my favourite sport!
16+ miles of cycling, no junkfood, 3 beers.

Thursday
Blood pressure: 145/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 1lb
Cycled in to work, had a good day, cycled home. I hit the weight training hard, felt good, didn't eat any junkfood, and didn't drink any beer.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Friday
Blood pressure: 142/73
Resting heart rate: 50
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work, was an awesome teacher, and then cycled home again.
Martha and I headed off to Sensei Russell's Friday night Karate session. I was very surprised to discover that Sensei Russell had made changes to his lesson plan! I always look forward to Sensei Russell's high-energy mix of dynamic warm-up followed by basics, followed by kata, and ending in kumite. It works! However, tonight we had a 1st kyu taking the warm up and he rattled through it at a fair lick. It didn't get chance to get sweaty. After some kata, which included some peer assessment, I found myself in a group of 4 senior grades receiving special attention from Sensei Russell. He showed us some kumite techniques and got us to work on them with a partner. I did my best to get up to speed, being mindful of my ankle at all times. One of the techniques involved a sweep so I had to explain to my partner that I could only practice the technique with my good foot forward! We finished with some freestyle. I risked the ankle and had a little go at it. The 1st kyu who led the warm-up came at me like a steam train! His attacks were a little wild and I managed to keep him at bay. I got a couple of good counter attacks in but only because his mai geri was so slow. Phew! I'm sure he could have knocked my block off if he'd felt like it!
I went home eager for my dinner. I discovered that Lucy had opened a bottle of red wine for cooking purposes. I didn't need any more reason than that...
Karate, no junkfood, most of a bottle of red wine.

Saturday
Blood pressure: 142/69
Resting heart rate: 51
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I woke up with a bit of a sore head after indulging in red wine last night. Lucy and I did some shopping which somehow managed to take us until lunchtime. Then I cycled back to the shops to get the stuff we forgot. When I got home, I spent an hour sweeping the leaves off the front drive (I don't know why, I just do as I'm told.) Then it was time for dojo! This afternoon's session was ace with plenty of fast basics. I finally worked up a sweat in the dojo for the first time in ages! We did a fair bit of kata and then some basic kumite drills to finish. Smashing! My ankle wasn't too sore for the session until right at the end when we did a kneeling bow - sitting back with my feet underneath me was a rather painful experience!
My favourite part of the session was Sensei Gary asking if Martha and I would be interested in the instructor's course! I'm not sure what it's all about but of course I said yes! I went home for lunch very excited!
In the evening, we spread out in the front room to watch Strictly Come Dancing and have a drink. Cheers!
Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers.

Sunday
Blood pressure: 152/69
Resting heart rate: 51
Weight: 10st 2lbs
What a glorious day! It was a cold start but there was bright sunlight all day with barely a cloud in the sky. There was a strong wind, however. I called for Jonnie at 9 and we set off into the lanes determined to complete the 46 miles of our Coughton route. Jonnie was suffering from a bad cold - I could hear it in his voice. We stopped at Earlswood Lakes so that Jonnie could make some adjustments to his shoes.

Just a few miles along, the enormity of our undertaking had yet to sink in...

We kept heading West. What we tend to forget is just how hilly this route is! It has 2400ft of climbing to deal with over its 46 miles. When we realised that it was going to be a long day in the saddle, and Jonnie was still feeling ill, I suggested we turn south and look for a more direct route to Wilmcote. Jonnie was having none of it.
So we struggled on through this beautiful route on this beautiful day and our energy was ground down and down and down until we crawled into Wilmcote at an average speed of 13mph. Our legs were empty, backs were aching, and Jonnie was hacking and sneezing with his illness.
We made the unprecedented decision to consume THREE slices of cake each! We hoped this would give us the energy to get home in a reasonable time.
Unfortunately, it didn't. We crawled north in the little gears, eventually rolling into Jonnie's drive with a pathetic 12.9mph average speed. But we were glad we'd done it and rewarded ourselves with a hop-based energy drink!
I did some ironing in the afternoon. Jane and Eric came for dinner. I couldn't help myself and worked my way through most of a bottle of red and had some apple pie and ice cream for pudding. 
46 miles of cycling, junkfood, one beer, 2 large glasses of red wine.

It's been a strange week for training - I started off strongly but gradually gave in to the temptation of ale as the days went on. However, I seem to have lost a bit of weight and the ankle isn't too bad (apart from when I try to do the kneeling bow!) I managed to exercise every day and, apart from the cake and apple pie on Sunday, I ate cleanly. The stand-out moment of the week was on Sunday afternoon when Jonnie and I, aching and spent, finally got back to his house after the gruelling bike ride:
"Jonnie," I said, barely able to lift my head up, "Next time you have a cold, don't volunteer to ride 46 miles of climbing!"
"Why not?" he replied.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 5)

Monday
Blood pressure: 150/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 5lbs
It's half term and, because I have the best job in the world, I don't have to go in to work!
I dropped some children off at the train station, did some weight lifting, picked some children up from the train station, cooked dinner and did the washing up.
I was very careful during the weight lifting: I didn't want to have a repeat of the back pain from two weeks ago. I managed to get through it okay. For the rest of the day, I enjoyed the pleasant ache you get from an hour's lifting.
My blood pressure shows no sign of improvement.
The most important thing is: I managed to resist all sugary foods and alcohol!
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Tuesday
Not being able to go to the dojo today, I decided another weight lifting session was in order. As usual, I did 6 different exercises. This morning, I swapped out barbell curls and squats and replaced them with dumbbell curls and overhead presses. I did another solid hour. My back was a little sore but I didn't feel any sharp pain.
I had to go in to work for a meeting in the afternoon. I was aching all over when I got on the bike! I think I crawled in to work at about 12mph! I felt a bit better on the cycle home.
After a homemade beef chilli, the family and Auntie Debbie went along to the Botanical Gardens' Halloween event, the Garden of Ghouls! It was lots of fun, made us all jump (apart from Martha who seems impervious to horror but will hide behind the couch when confronted with a dead bee) but was over far too quickly.
Back at home, only sheer force of will prevented me from enjoying the real ale and homemade cheesecake on offer. The real test of willpower will be on Friday when we have our Halloween house party...
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday
Blood pressure: 144/74
Resting heart rate: 54
Weight: 10st 3lbs
Today's weight-lifting session was a bit of a struggle. I've been reading Sensei Ronnie Christopher's book about competition fighting  In the early part of the book, the emphasis is on the importance of a proper warm up before training. With time on my hands, I thought I'd get a sweat on before lifting any weights. I started off with jumping jacks (which some people call star jumps.) I managed two before I had a sudden sharp pain in my trapezius muscles! It looks like yesterday's shrugs had put more strain on my back than I thought.
I carried on with a much more gentle warm up and then carefully started my lifting program. I am pleased to report that, with the help of lots of Deep Heat, I got through all six exercises (5 sets of 5 reps) and 300 body-weight reps too. I was really aching by the end of it!
Unfortunately, my willpower slipped in the evening. I was aching badly, Lucy was enjoying a drink and I told myself it was half-term after all... Before I knew it, I was opening a beer.
Weight-training, no junkfood, beer

Thursday
Blood pressure: 138/75
Resting heart rate: 70
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I went out for a 15 mile bike ride.
In the evening, Lucy and I went out to the pub and then to dinner. I had two puddings.
My blood pressure is high and I'm putting on weight...
Cycling, junkfood, booze

Friday
Blood pressure: 154/71
Resting heart rate: 62
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I attended Sensei Russell's Friday night training session.
Later, we had a big Halloween/fireworks party with Jonnie, Sally, Nigel, Penny, Naomi and Debbie. There were loads of young people too. Hydro turned up but left as soon as Batman arrived. I drank loads and loads until 3am...
Karate, no junkfood, loads of alcohol

Saturday
I suffered on the couch for most of the day. I managed to take Martha to Karate and I was very impressed with her teaching skills. Sensei had Martha teaching a kata to some lower grades and I noticed how clear and confident she was. Karate really does do wonders for young people.
Afterwards, I went home for more suffering and then a few quiet bottles of Guinness in the evening!

Sunday
I reluctantly slid out of bed and tried to convince myself that I wanted to go riding. I was STILL suffering the effects of Friday's party. I eventually clambered onto the bike and Jonnie and I set off into the lanes. I was glad he suggested our Honiley route because it's rather flat and gentle without any mad descents or hideous climbs. However, I still suffered.
I felt like I was having a mild out-of-body experience for the first 20 miles or so. It was if it wasn't really happening and I was staring out through someone else's eyes. The cyclic rhythm of the ride began to seep into me and I could barely keep my eyes open. Before we reached Snitterfield, I could have happily cycled into a ditch and just curled up to sleep until this nightmare was over!
However, upon reaching Snitterfield, I had to face up to my responsibilities: Tradition dictates that I lead the ride up along the Armouries until we reach the A34. So I got on the front, clicked up a gear and set about setting a decent pace. I managed to drag us to Featherbed lane where Jonnie always leaps off the front chasing his tea and cake.
We refreshed ourselves with tea and homemade cake at Wilmcote. I continued to feel better to the point where I was looking forward to getting back on the bike. The ride home was good, we hurtled through Aston Cantlow at around 18mph and then threw ourselves up the climbs. The predicted rain came early. Jonnie, knowledgeable in such things, described it as 'wet rain'. By the time we arrived back at his house we were thoroughly soaked. We refreshed ourselves with some beer from the local brewery before I became too cold and had to head off home to get a change of clothes.
We rode 39 miles at 14mph. It should have been a lot faster.
In the evening, a normal person would drink lots of water and get an early night. I, of course, stayed up late drinking more Guinness and playing video games.


Monday
Blood pressure: 154/79
Resting heart rate: 71
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work. I worked at 100mph with no time to eat. I cycled home for a weight lifting session. I made a protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Tuesday
It was Tilly's graduation today. Lucy, Jane and I travelled along to the breathtaking Worcester Cathedral for the award ceremony. We stopped off for lunch on the way home. I managed to resist pudding. I managed to resist a bottle of local ale (the fact that it was kept in a fridge helped me say no.)
Martha and I went along to Karate. We did a lot of kicks along with some kata towards the end. The ankle wasn't too painful - I'm acutely aware of it when trying to do a kneeling bow. Other than that, it only aches a little.
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday
Blood pressure: 159/75
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled to work and back. I did another good weight lifting session. I cooked chicken stir fry for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday
Blood pressure: 147/75
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled in to work. I had a good day's teaching, scoffed a load of tuna and pasta, and then cycled home for some weight training. I set a new record on barbell shrugs. During tonight's training, I noticed that a vein was sticking up in my right bicep. I haven't noticed this for well over two years, possibly three. I'm taking this as a good sign that my body is working hard!
Then I drove in to town to collect Mouse and Hydro because they were too lazy to get the train.
Back at home, Lucy had made a lovely homemade dinner which I enjoyed with nothing stronger than fizzy water!
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Friday
Blood pressure: 149/74
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled into work, ate loads of healthy foods, and then cycled home. Martha and I attended the Karate session. Sensei Russell didn't take the class. The instructor in charge was drilling us in some advanced punching techniques. He was speaking very quickly and I know that both Martha and I found it very difficult to keep up with what was going on. At one point, he asked me to help him demonstrate something. I obviously didn't understand what was required of me or I didn't do it quick enough because he shouted: "Ha! How old are you? I'm older than you and I'm faster than you!"
Dojo etiquette demands that I don't talk back to an instructor so I kept quiet. I let the rest of the class think I'm a slow old man. (Maybe I am!)
Despite the confusion with the punches, the rest of the lesson was frantic and fun with the youngsters laughing and getting involved with the kumite at the end.
I got home, got changed, enjoyed a wonderful homemade salmon dinner and, somehow, managed to resist the tempting selection of real ales lined up in the kitchen...
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Saturday
Blood pressure: 157/72
Resting heart rate: 60
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Today was this week's cycle ride.
I sprang out of bed eager to put on a better show than I managed last week. The sun was out and the wind was blowing in the right direction.
I met Roger at Jonnie's house and, after a brief chat with Sally, the three of us set off into the lanes. Jonnie was even more frisky than usual and he was quickly off the front as soon as we reached Tom Hill. He sped off towards the A3400 leaving Roger and me to warm the legs at a steady pace and to have a bit of a chat. Jonnie waited for us at the chip shop. We crossed the road together and then headed off up the rather steep Ireland's lane. Jonnie was obviously feeling very strong and he manged to set his Personal Record for the climb! Roger and I quizzed him about his form - he revealed the secret was his breakfast: homemade damson jam!
We span the wheels through Lowsonford, High Cross and eventually into Snitterfield. We rode together past the Armouries with me on the front doing my best Vasil Kiryienka impersonation. We dropped down the descent, crossed the A3400 again and then Roger and I watched Jonnie vanish into the distance along Featherbed Lane!
Tea and cake at Wilmcote was most welcome with a choice of sweets on offer! I had lemon cake.
Unfortunately, as we sat munching and chatting in Wilmcote, the sun gradually disappeared behind a bank of darkening cloud. We set off again, but this time the sky was decidedly overcast and foreboding.
We had an average speed of 14.1mph and I was determined to keep it above 14mph over the remaining 15 miles of climbing. I led from the front with Jonnie doing his fair share too. Of course, being on a new bike and having only recently returned to cycling, Roger was beginning to find the going tough after the 30 mile mark. His legs couldn't match his ambition and I slowed the pace a little so we could ride together. (Jonnie, rather like an over-excited Jack Russell, couldn't help springing off the front for the remainder of the ride. Roger and I occasionally caught a glimpse of him as he crested a hill in the distance!) By the time we got back to Jonnie's place, the average speed had dropped to 13.8mph over 36 miles.
I declined the offer of a beer and went home to clean my bike and then get ready for Karate.
This afternoon's session was rather like a sports lesson in a primary school! There were excited kids everywhere! It's great to see the future of the club having so much fun practising Shotokan Karate. Sensei Gary asked me to help demonstrate something with him and I got the punch completely wrong. It was no fault of Sensei Gary's - he gave the instruction quite clearly. Maybe I'm just having a bad Karate weekend? The fact that I'm still thinking and writing about it now shows how embarrassed I am.
I was also asked to help teach Kihon Kata to a beginner. I enjoyed the responsibility and I also got to practise my technique in this most important of kata. If you can't get to grips with the basic stance, punch and block of Kihon Kata then no other kata you attempt will be performed correctly. Kihon Kata is the strength at the base of the pyramid that is your Karate.
In the evening, with the family all in different places doing different things (visiting London, at a party, out with friends, working) I had the house to myself. I had a nice dinner and watched the excellent Netflix series Fight World. Watching martial artists train and fight helped me to keep focused on my own path and not think about the beer in the kitchen!
Cycling, Karate, one slice of homemade cake, no alcohol.

Sunday
Blood pressure: 145/73
Resting heart rate: 46
Weight: 10st 5lbs
A rather leisurely start to the day. After making breakfast for Lucy and myself, I weighed myself and was a little confused to find that I haven't lost any weight so far this week, despite avoiding alcohol and junkfood. Oh well, I'll see what the scales say tomorrow.
Lucy and I went shopping and then I took the dogs to the park.
After lunch, I did consider going along to Sensei Ronnie's advanced session. I haven't attended the advanced session since I injured my ankle on the 9th October. It's too sore to allow me to fight with any confidence but I know that if Sensei said we were sparring, I'd go for it 100% and end up getting injured even worse. I'd be too embarrassed to try to explain to him that I couldn't fight because my foot hurts...

My ankles are different sizes.

This photo was taken today - over a month since I injured myself.

Instead, I did some weight training. I was pleased that I found it rather easy! I avoided the temptation to go heavier and stuck to my plan.
The rest of the evening was rather relaxing.
As tempted as I was to have a beer, I resisted. I didn't even have any pudding after dinner.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol