Tag / fitness

by jo

A Healthy Me – June

Well flip. I’ve failed miserably. Last month I was 13 stone 6, and this month I seem to be 13 stone 9.

In the space of a few months I’ve put on half a stone. Not good. So I am being sensible about it – and have signed up with My Fitness Pal, logging all my food and exercise that I’m doing, in the hope I’ll work out where it’s going wrong.

Actually, I know exactly where it’s going wrong – I fell back into biscuits and meal deals, but not any more! The work biscuit tin is out of bounds, unless it’s my period, then I’m allowed one. I will also help stop feeding the bad habit by no longer spending £4 a week on biscuits to go in the tin – it’s all for sharing, but if I don’t contribute, then I won’t be as inclined to help myself. As for meal deals, I had challenged Shaun to get the greatest discount across all foods, and managed to win every time, but these are calorific things – I’ve gone back to the low fat options in Sainsburys, though will be checking M&S tomorrow. The cheese and celery sandwich was a bit too boring when I tried it a couple of weeks ago.

Of course, there could be issues with the batteries on my scales, but who am I kidding? So much for getting into that dress from Australia! Someone at work commented on how I’d lost weight last week too, so maybe it’s falling off my face and around my tummy…

Cholesterol spots – about the same, but I’m now trying a new beauty regime which involves under eye cream to take away the dark circles. I’m not sure if it’s working, but I’ve got enough cream for it to last a long time.

Exercise. Okay, this is a vast improvement. I am still going to the gym every week, and still doing pilates every week. I tried my first Pole Fitness class, though at £6 a class it’s pricey, so I’ve decided to build up my arms a bit as my wrists really felt it. Also, I wasn’t at all prepared to plank for a minute as a warm up, especially with my wrists, so it makes sense to strengthen up there. Watching the others in the class pick themselves up and twirl themselves around a pole made me realise how rubbish my core fitness is – and the pain afterwards lasted for three days!

Food. I’d say better – though there was one Afternoon Tea at my school reunion last weekend – but I hadn’t eaten all day so was starving. I now have my Spiralizer-a-like (a cheaper version) which has replaced pasta and noodles at mealtimes, and with me logging via MyFitness Pal I know I’ll see where I’m going wrong. It isn’t like WeightWatchers with all fruit and veg being ‘free’ – but I’ve got good grounding for logging my eating now, and if I can do as much walking as possible then I’ll get extra calories too – I’ve still got 200 left today. MyFitness Pal is free as well (good as we’re about to be quite skint thanks to a horrendous rent increase) – and works on Android and Apple devices.

The target is 1lb a week. If this doesn’t happen then I’m not sure what’s going on!

by jo

Fitbug Air Progress

I’ve had my Fitbug Air pedometer almost permanently clipped to my waistband this last month and a half, and the results so far are interesting.

I’ve been using the Fitbug Air – a pedometer which sends your data by bluetooth to the Fitbug app on my iPad – where it breaks down what you’re walking into the kind of data I understand.

I’ve found there’s been occasional days when I completely forget to wear it but generally I’m doing well. On days at work I can average over 6000 steps which includes walking down the hill at lunchtime (at a fast pace, I only have 30 minutes lunch) while when I’m at home my levels drop.

Fitbug Air Weekly

The Fitbug app has had an update recently too, and I’m finding scrolling between weeks to compare my data is a lot easier. In July it looks like this :

Fitbug Air July

I can break that down into week and see a few times I’ve beaten my aerobic steps target, so it has been adjusted –  the Fitbug Air doesn’t make it easy for me and adjusts according to what I’ve done.

There is a section to put in your goals, although you can’t just do 12.2 for 12 stone 2 – it has to be in pounds, so I haven’t filled it in yet. It’d be good to have an option as more often than not I’m tired and don’t have the time to think.

Today’s steps are pretty good – see here :

Fitbug Air Today

My aerobic step count is pretty high, which I’m putting down to running like crazy for the train this morning as well as walking fast at lunchtime, the totals please me a lot and I like the breakdown of my steps.

The next thing I need to look at is nutrition, but while I’m doing Porridge on Tuesday that may be too much logging, so I’m going to leave it for now and work on my fitness. The Fitbug Air stays on my waistband and has only fallen off once (I knocked it with my hand)  which is great as I often just forget it’s there.

My next task is to work on understanding a bit more in the menus, so far it all makes a lot of sense and I’m feeling healthier exercise-wise.

I’ve been told the Android version of the Fitbug app should be launching around October time although this hasn’t been confirmed. I also realised you can’t transmit your data to your iPad from the Fitbug Air without a wireless connection – so having it compatible with my phone would be a huge bonus.

For more information about the Fitbug Air head over here.

by jo

Review – Running Shoes

I am definitely not a runner. I say this, as this backs up the fact I’m no authority on running shoes – however, I do run daily. Almost every day I’m in a mad dash for the train – and if it’s at home that’s two lots of stairs to get up and down in less than a minute, if I’m at work it’s a run from the bus through Clapham Junction and onto Platform 15.

So the opportunity arose to choose some running shoes to review. So I had a good look at my lifestyle. I do a huge amount of walking – definitely more than running, I love going to National Trust places and I have been known to run occasionally there. Banstead Woods is another place I like to walk around though I fear running in there (it’s hilly and I’m the kind of person who trips over easily) – however, looking at the choice at Sports Shoes.com I went for some which were made for running as well as walking – a good grip but good support too – the description sounded like me!

shoes from Sports Shoes

The shoes arrived quickly and I put them to the test the following day – as ever we were late getting me to the station in the morning, but for the first time ever I didn’t get a shin splint when running for the train – my old trainers were getting past it, but already I can see the importance of paying a good price for some good shoes – especially ones you intend to run in. I’ve found myself running a lot more when I wear them as they’re so comfortable – and when you’re not in pain doing it this is quite important.

Oh, and when you’re forever rushing around like I am, a good pair of running shoes is definitely something worth considering. I found the price reasonable and I’ve already had a lot of use from them.

Another thing I liked on the Sportsshoes.com site was having an explanation about the kind of shoe – I don’t have a clue, but armed with the information there I definitely know I picked the right pair. I feel like once the nights get lighter maybe I’ll give Couch to 5K a go… if Shaun can do it then I can!

 Also, the shoes on offer have some great reductions, so it’s definitely worth checking them out!

I was sent a pair of shoes for the purpose of review, all opinions are my own.