Episode 1: Weight

Several years ago, around 2010, I made one of my rare visits to the doctor in Rainham. After a few words he suggested that I get on the scales. To my horror I tipped the scales at 16st 5lb. Although I knew I was a little porky, since I resisted the idea of using the scales, I had no idea what that meant in terms of pounds and ounces.

Suitably horror struck I immediately cut out the extra bread and cheese sandwiches at 10am and switched to an apple. This meant that over a couple of months my weight fell to about 15st 7lbs but then little changed. I was reasonably content.

Then last December something changed in terms of my perception of my 'porkiness' and the decision was made to make a real effort to shed weight. Part of this was a letter from 'my' doctor about my cholesterol level, which, she said was a little high. Her remedy was statins or, as the letter put it, 'change your life style'. That annoyed me a bit. I have never met her and I felt that at the very least she might reserve judgement until that event occurred! However, I did not intend to do very much as I felt there were other factors explaining my cholesterol level that would mean it would automatically decline.

However, then came December and provoked by another off-road incident/comment the decision was made to get rid of the fat and increase the bike mileage. Thus 2013 has become the year of reduced poundage. Although I did not weigh myself formally at the start of this campaign the last weight in I can recall in December was 15st 5lb (that's my story anyway). I took that as my starting point and my immediate goal was to get to 14st 7lbs. This seemed reasonable after about two weekw as I rapidly last 5 lbs.

The diet has meant cutting out fat as much as possible eg cheese, margarine, olive oil and so on. In addition, it has also meant not eating between meals and cutting down on alcohol: that bits not hard since when I am at home I rarely drank during the week. Furthermore we have significantly increased our vegetable intake. This has meant, generally speaking that we include at least two per meal, often more. I'm told that this helps in reducing the pangs of hunger eg it provides for a full stomach.

The results have been significant. As I sit here in France, I now weigh 13 st 4.25 lb and have a BMI of about 25.5, not yet low enough but its getting close. Given that it started at 29.5, the reduction is quite pleasing. What is better is that I have managed to loose about 6 lbs since we left home so our trip has not led to a ballooning on my part and a re-gain of weight previously lost.

Episode 2: Fitness and Cycling

Coupled to the dietary changes, I have been making a bit of a change to my fitness routines. It can also be said that I was 'provoked' into making more effort on the bike by some comments about my fitness, or lack of it. Perhaps it was meant as a challenge but it seems to have had some sort of impact, intended or not.

Although I have owned a bike for a few years, it has not had many miles inflicted upon. Since we have several suitable (and many unsuitable) cycle routes/paths in the Dawlish area, this has been used as an excuse to get the bike on the road again. Thus begun my first steps in joining the 'bike revolution'. My first efforts in November and December were somewhat sporadic but badly affected by weather and winter illness. As a consequence by March I had not really done much at all except get a little frustrated by a bike that was rather heavy. As my 'bike man' told me, a better bike would enable me to 'fly up them hills'. Well, I am not sure about the flying, but it might mean I could go further for the same energy output.

It may not have been obvious from the rest of the blog but we have both been doing a bit of cycling whilst away. In fact before we left home, as I suggest above, I bought a new bike with the hope that it would make riding a lot more pleasurable, and easier. It was a proper road bike and perhaps what has been achieved may indicate something of its success, or not.

Since we left home on May 21 st I have covered nearly 350 miles. Now given my relative lack of practice before we left I think this is good. It has certainly been made a little easier by the loss of weight, both mine and the bikes. Meryl, too, has been riding and much to her surprise has covered over 120 miles. This is on a much heavier bike and one not really set up for a 'quality experience'.

One thing I have been interested to discover is that as I have ridden more I have gained more confidence so I am beginning to look for rides that involve some sorts of climbs. Now by that I mean ones that I can achieve without leading to physical collapse. But I have begun to enjoy the challenge but not foolishly. Today I set out to undertake a climb on a route published by the Department. Originally I calculated it at about 5% or 6%. However, re-checking it suggested that it was nearer 10%, significantly harder! Once I began to ride it but it was clear, after only about a quarter of a mile that I would not manage the 7 km climb easily. So I stopped and changed my plans. Instead I used the part of the route already tackled, eg about 11 kilometers along the gorge, to take my ride distance over 30 mile for the first time. Success. Next it's 35 or 40!

When we get home on July 7th my target for the rest of the month will 125 miles (because it's a short month at home and we will have lots to do). In August, I plan to aim for 250 miles. In straightforward terms, July involves six trips to Exeter, and August demands 12 such trips. Sounds simple….I hope! And after that; well we will see.

I guess that I owe something to my local bike shop, called Breaking Wind who helped me sort out my cycling issues.

Date Location Description Distance

22 May Maidstone Slightly undulating 14.02 miles

31 May Berlin Flat 6.59 miles

3 June Wiesmoor Flat 10.44 miles

3 June Wiesmoor Flat 16.25 miles

4 June Wiesmoor Flat 26.0 miles

6 June Wiesmoor Flat 25.37 miles

9 June Vollenhove Flat 14.46 miles

10 June Vollenhove Flat

11 June Vollenhove Flat 25.42 miles

16 June Bollene Flatish 17.80 miles

17 June Bollene Undulating 12.98 miles

18 June Bollene Flat 20.21 miles

21 June Peynier Undulating 9.12 miles

23 June Peynier Undulating 26.59 miles

24 June Peynier 4 kms climb-5% hill 9.4 miles

26 June Lembasc Undulating 23 miles

30 June Le Rogier A little challenging 21.18 miles

2 July Le Rogier First 30+ miles. 32.24 miles