Fat Loss Training - Week 16

Monday

Cycled in, cycled home. An hour of weight training and only water to drink. 

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Tuesday

I cycled to work and then cycled home for another hour of weight training. I couldn't make it to the all-comers Karate session and the advanced Karate session is no longer available. I don't think I'll be able to make it on Tuesdays unless I'm off work.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Wednesday

I cycled in to work. After lessons, I met James and my mate Dean in the college gym. James had to go early, but I managed to complete my usual program and equal my all-time bench press record.

I cycled home and made dinner for the family.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Thursday

Lucy and I used the car for work today.

When we got home, I hit the weights while Lucy made a lovely dinner. I had a couple of beers with the lovely dinner!

Beers, no junkfood, weight training

Friday

I cycled in to work today. After invigilating a mock GCSE maths exam, I attended the weekly GCSE English meeting. I found out that I have another paperwork deadline to meet...and that was kind of the last straw. At this point I have to admit that it is completely impossible to get everything done in the time I've been given. I won't give up, I'm not a quitter, but I will just have to do the best I can knowing that it is an impossible task.

I took a load of the paperwork home with me in my backpack, but I did an hour of weight training before I started on it. Tonight, I had to collect Martha from Birmingham City Centre at 11pm so I stayed sober.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Saturday

Disaster at the dojo! When I arrived at 3:45, it was obvious that no Karate was going to take place. There was a Christmas craft fair taking place at Dickens Heath Village Hall! When Sensei Gary arrived, he was very positive about it. He ended up chatting to the stall owners, exchanging business cards and taking numbers! 

I, on the other hand, was highly embarrassed having to explain to students and parents that the lesson had been cancelled. I hope they all come back next week!

Back at home, I set up my weight training equipment and did an hour of lifting to vent my frustration!

In the evening, I had a few beers.

Alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Sunday

Jonnie's birthday ride! With Rog still recovering, and Mark entertaining guests, James, Jonnie and I set off on Jonnie's route of choice. This year, he chose to ride Purity Temple. Who knew he was such a fan of the Average Destroyer!?

The roads were wet and muddy which made it hard for me to descend with any confidence, but I wasn't operating at full power anyway. Too much weight training this week?

At Wilmcote, we had lemon drizzle cake and nice coffee. While we were sitting down and chatting to Jane, the weather took a turn for the worse. We could see big spots of rain hitting the windows. It was a real effort of will to put our cycling shoes back on and walk out into the December weather.

The rain wasn't too bad and eased off a little as we went along. We took the direct route back home, which is just as well because I was running out of energy. I was glad to get back to Jonnie's for a beer in his fantastic greenhouse. With the heater on of course!

Several hours later, and completely sober, I went along to the dojo to help out with a grading. Our students did us proud again and Sensei Gary and I were impressed by the standard. Well done everyone. 

In the evening, I enjoyed a few more beers with dinner!

Beers, junkfood, Cycling and Karate

In summary, a good week for weight training! I lifted weights on 6 of the 7 days! I ate healthily for 6 days and avoided alcohol for 4 days. I need more weeks like this.

...and then came weeks 17 and 18. They have no place in a supposed 'fitness' blog. The pressure at work built until I gave up trying to get home in time to exercise, and stayed at work to mark mock papers instead. Setting targets, finalising exam arrangements, speaking & listening exams, spoken language exams... it all had to be done, and this meant working at home in the evenings and then flopping onto the couch with a beer to 'recover'. My sleep suffered and my lack of energy on the bicycle was very noticeable.

I failed to reach my weight loss target. However, I did manage to hit my overall target of fitting into my suit in time for Lucy's birthday:

Going out for Lucy's birthday. In my suit!