Challenge met!

My brother texted me this morning with the following message:

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream, merrily merrily merrily you'll beat 3:40 easily!

I of course rose to the challenge. Wore myself out doing so but managed it none the less.

Todays time: 3 mins 38.0 seconds

Entirely unlike a fish

Went swimming this morning for a change. I realised that I can't swim properly anymore. I know what I'm supposed to be doing but I can't. For example you are supposed to breath out underwater so that when you turn you head you can breath in. However, despite breathing out I still had loads more air left when I turned my head and ended up almost swallowing the pool. So I had to keep my head out of the water which is quite hard work. Still, it's quite a good work out more so in a way than the gym.

Hopefully soon I'll get back to being about to swim large distances as I did many moons ago.

Ándale! Ándale! Arriba! Arriba!

Todays time: 3 mins 46.7 seconds

Getting quicker all the time. I've found it's much easier to keep a steady pace to start and then faster at then. The distance is a bit too long to maintain a sprint (can you sprint whilst rowing) for the full time.

And so it goes

Nearing the end of week 7 and I am very pleased with my progress. Despite stress, tireness, pain and other things that try to get in the way, I am continuing to loose weight and that makes me very happy.

Weight: 19st 2lbs 12oz
waist: 45 5/8 inches

And the winner is....

Todays rowing time: 3 mins 52.8 seconds

Last friday I was only trying to row as fast as I could, today however, I was racing against myself. Having a previous time to beat meant that I pushed myself that bit harder to try and achieve a faster time. As you can see I won :-D

Stuck in the middle

For some reason despited going to the gym and eating better I seem to have ground to a halt as far as weight loss goes. It may be that I am gaining muscle as a result of the gym. I feel much better for going so it's definitly doing me good.

I've had stomach ache for the last few days (kind of like indigestion) not sure what that is.

Hopefully things will start moving again soon.

Go!

Great session at the gym today really felt good.

First speed rowing results are in.

Distance: 1000m
Setting: 5 ½ (10 is the hardest)

Time: 3 mins 56.4 seconds

No Jim I'm walking today!

Got up a little late and had lots to do before work so I didn't get to the gym. But I did walk to the bus stop rather than take the car. That's a 1.5 mile walk this morning and it will be a 3.5 mile walk home.

On your marks..... Get set.....

Another good morning at the gym. I have 2 programs. The first is mostly cardio stuff (cross trainer, rowing machine and treadmill) with a few abdomial and back exersices. The second is mostly weights. I do the first program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the second program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I decided that rather than having a rest day I would do a less energic program, that way I'm always doing something.

Whilst I was warming up on the rowing machine today I came up with the idea for a little test at the end of each week as an extra motivation tool. So every Friday gym session I am going to see how quickly I can row 1000m. I will post my times on this blog.

It will be interesting to see how my times change over time.

Jim says "Nice to see you again"

Despite having quite a late night last night and feeling really tired this morning I managed to wake up enough to drag myself out of bed. I thought about not going to the gym but after I'd had some breakfast I decided to go. I'm really glad I did as feel good. As many have commented on previous posts if you get past not wanting to go and force yourself you end up feeling better for it.

Hopefully I can keep this up.