Tuesday 28 June 2011

Naughty Weekend

The weekend just gone was not a good weekend for my health. It mainly involved drinking and eating. Saturday night was a failed night out, ending in a foot long Subway, though it was one of the least calorific, but still not great. Sunday involved a trip to Cardiff for a Pizza Express and then to a gig. The worst part though, was a McDonalds after, which I just couldn't resist. In the morning I got a Subway before we left Cardiff and I thought this would be the end of the weekend binge, but I ended up going to Dad's Monday afternoon and we went to Harvester. Doh!
Anyway, today I was back at the gym for a lovely run. I was planning on ding upper body weights, but I really wasn't feeling it after a tiring 6 mile run with a bit of a sprint at the end, so I just did some bicep curls and tricep things.
I'm off to my mate's now, but I'm determined to avoid the snacks, so hopefully he won't have any available! What I must do though is actually eat some sort of meal.

Friday 24 June 2011

Day 5

Yeaaaaaaah! 5 days in a row complete! It's a nice feeling. I don't think I'll be doing this every week, in fact, I probably shouldn't? I am feeling quite sore. but I would like to come 5 times a week, just broken up by days off.

I was probably going to meet my mate there, but I fell asleep for a bit and was a bit later than I meant to be. Pretty gym lady was at reception when I got there. She's very pretty... pretty. First off I went on a run at 8.30 minute miles for 5.7 miles. I could feel that I'd been 4 days in a row previously as I felt generally sore, but nothing was too painful so I carried on and was able to pull out a 1 minute 'sprint' finish thing at the end. After that I did the usual run through all of the leg weights.

I went to get a drink at one point and one of the staff members was in there so I asked what I could do to increase the workout for my thighs because I can do the highest weights on one of the machines. He suggested doing something called 'crazy 8s', which involves starting at the lowest weight, doing 8 reps, and then moving up through every weight and back down again. The only break you're meant to have is when you stop to change the weight. Sounds horrible, but a challenge :)

I've been pestered about going out tonight, but I really don't fancy working with a hangover tomorrow and I'm going out Saturday night, but either way, the next 2-3 days aren't going to be great for my health  because I'm going to a gig in Cardiff on Sunday with me Mum and we're going to Pizza Express beforehand! Cashhback!

I bought some strawberries and bananas after work earlier so I might make a smoothie now! Nom nom nom!

Thursday 23 June 2011

Day 4

Today has been a day of soreness. I got woken up at about 8 by a phone call from work saying they'd like me to come in at 9/10 cause someone called in sick. Obviously I opted to go in at 10 and I was there until 10. About halfway through the day I noticed that I was very sore. But rather than my legs, like you'd assume, as I did them the day befre, it was my arms and chest that was causing problems. I was slightly concerned because my plan was to do upper body work tonight, but it wasn't too bad so I did it anyway.

I just got back from the gym and, after a 10 minute fast run thing I went through the upper body equipment in the gym. I am now tired, but feeling good. Also, a girl I knew was at the gym and she said that I looked different. She thought I looked a bit taller, which I guess means I look like I've lost weight?

Tonight is going to be an early night for work at 6 and then I plan on getting home, eating, and going off to the gym again! Let's see how that goes!

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Day 3

Look at that, it's Wednesday. Last night was a reet laff, though, we turned up at my mate's house at 6 cause he said come round any time after 6, and he wasn't even there... His Mum let us in and said we could hang around, but we opted to go to the Pub for a few cheeky pints and to keep my mate company who works there. 6 hours later and I've had many-a-drink and we ended up driving to McDonalds for a healthy treat... My calorie count for yesterday is not a nice site.
Today is the day that I must make up for this. I'm already half way there, having been to the gym. I started off with a bit of a hill run. The random hill setting on the treadmill is strange. I'm not sure I like the machine dictating the pace for you...
That was pretty knackering, so I had a nice little chat about people's knees, as you do, and then did my favourite leg weights, followed by every other leg weight in the gym. A mate in there set me the challenge of upping one of my weights on a machine by a couple of notches and I was surprised to find I could do it. I think I've said it already, but I love my legs :D
I had to wait a while to use one of the machines because there was a girl sat on it who I'm pretty sure wasn't doing anything at all. I also chucked in some press-ups and leg raise crossover thingies for a bit of core workout and then wandered on home. I say wandered, but I was actually given a lift. Lucky I did some stretches, eh?
Just had an omelette and am very surprised at how low in calories they can be! I was going to cook my own tea at 5/6ish, but the Step Dad assures me that the curry he's planning on making won't be too late and tat I shouldn't do that. I won't be surprised if it is ready after 7.30 though.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Day 2

So yesterday I said that I want to start going to the gym 5 times a week, and I've decided that I'm going to go every weekday(who knows, maybe I'll go on the weekend too?).
Second day in and all is going well, as I just got back. I got up at 10 to have some breakfast and then went to the gym at just gone 12. I was thinking about doing a long run, but when I got there I decided I'd do a shorter run at a faster pace, so I ended up doing 5.25 miles at 8.30 m/m and then 'sprinted' the last 30 seconds or so. Then I went on to do a load of upper body stuff and ended up feeling quite sick. I'm not sure if it's because I hadn't left long enough since eating(though an hour and a half must be enough?) or because I wasn't used to doing all the upper body stuff/I worked too hard. I feel really good though and I feel like I'm doing more complete workouts now and that if I keep this up I'll be working towards a more toned body all over, which is what I would like!
Also, I'm quite proud of myself because I went to the pub last night and managed to avoid drinking alcohol completely! I did have three pints of diet coke, which I know is still bad, but I'd prefer to be drinking that than 5 pints of Ashton Press. I am, however, going to my mate's pre-Glastonbury barbecue and will definitely be drinking at that. I'll see as a reward for avoiding it yesterday though :)
Hopefully I won't be too hungover for the gym tomorrow!

Monday 20 June 2011

Time to get serious!

I've been too casual up to now. I'm pleased with how the running itself is going, but I don't go to the gym consistently enough and often end up not going for 3 days. I'm going to start going on days to do stuff that doesn't include running, like upper body work and mix things up with a long cycle or some more rowing. I reckon this way it will keep things fresher and I will be more likely to keep it up. I also want to go more often, 5 days a week, say, so I can't get out of doing stuff like press-ups/planks/leg raises etc.
Today I did a relatively high intensive run, going for a minute at 7mph and then 30 seconds at 9.5mph. I did that for 15 minutes with a 30 sec 10mph finish and I ended up running about 2.2 miles. I was pretty knackered at the end, but felt like I hadn't done much and I ended up sing all the leg weights in the gym and doing some leg raises as well.
i feel quite good about it and I don't want to go and ruin it now by having a cheese and tomato sandwich, which is what I really want! I had some ravioli as my pre-gym meal and don't want loads more carbs, ideally, but I don't want to have to wait until tea time! I want to avoid this especially today though because I'm going to the pub later and the chances are I'll have a couple of pints, even though I know I shouldn't. No idea what I'm having for tea as well. probably something relatively fattening as Mum seems to be in that kind of mood at the moment. We also eat really late, and although I'm happy to cook for myself earlier(my Step Dad doesn't get back from work until 7 or later most of the time), Mum often doesn't want me to do that for some reason. I definitely fancy chicken tonight.

Sunday 19 June 2011

Failure

I had good intentions today. I wanted to go for a run, it just didn't happen. I had a little nap after work and then went off to the gym, only to find the entrance and exit closed. I'm guessing that it is closed for Father's Day, but I don't really know why. I could have gone for a run somewhere else, but I didn't really feel like it and will just go tomorrow. I want to make some sort of plan now so it's easier to have an idea of what I'm supposed to be doing each day and also to help motivate myself.

Saturday 18 June 2011

Rough...

Having worked the past three days, I've let that be an excuse to not really exercise properly. As I've said before, I'm not the biggest fan of going to the gym in the evening and that's the only time I've been able to go. I did go on Thursday though. That was not a pleasant run. It was only short, 15 minutes or so, and was only 1.5 miles, but I did it on a constant uphill slope. I didn't use the random hill setting cause I find the varying speeds annoying, so I just moved the slope randomly myself. I didn't have it flat very often and I tired very quickly. I had already done some leg weights as well because the treadmills were full when I got in, so my legs were quite tired already. It wasn't the most intense session on the whole though because a few of my mates were there so it turned in to more of a social event.
Today's plan was going to involve going to the gym, but after going out last night and having a bit too much to drink I'm not sure it's a good idea. I am not feeling great. I think I might just rest up today, partly because I don't want this hangover to carry over to my 6am start at work tomorrow.
Mum has had the cricket on all morning, and while I'm not the biggest fan of cricket, I now have quite a temptation to play some Brian Lara Cricket... Going old school.

Sunday 12 June 2011

No Pain, No Gain

Today's exercise involved sprinting. Lovely sprinting...
I went down to one of the school Football pitches and as I walked on there was someone with a dog and I thought it might be a caretaker, so I hid... I went back out again and he was walking towards me, but it turned out he was just some guy so I asked him if he thought I could run around a bit on the pitch and he said he didn't know. Pfft, what's the worst that could happen if I get caught?
Turns out they've taken down the nets and replaced most of the pitch markings with a running track, so I had to make my own little markers with my hoodie and water bottle. I didn't really know what I was doing but I did various sprints and spring/jog alternating things. It was horrible, and I was only doing it for about 15 minutes. I'll have to keep doing it and hopefully I'll improve soon!
Time for pub(again) now and then Bournemouth tomorrow to visit my mate and get absolutely slaughtered most probably...

Saturday 11 June 2011

Landmark

Today is a good day! Today is the first time I have ever reached the 8 mile mark. I think I could have run further, as I was only doing 10 minute miles, but I decided to listening to the 'no more than 10% increase' rule. I did a 'sprint' finish(6.30 minute miles) at around 7.75 miles and I was quite pleased that I managed to do that for just over a quarter of a mile. I did some triceps and chest weights as well but that was more because I thought I should do something else.
Now to chill for the rest of the day. I kind of want to do some more exercise, or buy something exercise related or, shock horror, even go to work! I actually had my first shift back at the Co-Op for about a year and a half after I stopped at the start of my first year of Uni cause it was a bit of a pain going back all the time. There's quite a lot of new staff but the people I worked with yesterday were way cool. The good and bad thing about working in a village is that you know a lot of the people. It makes the job easier because you can have a bit of idle chat but it also means you have to make an effort to talk to everyone all the time. Apparently I'm liked though cause a lot of people commented on my return. I was only meant to be doing a 5 hour shift but it turned in to 8 hours because someone didn't turn up. Couldn't have been any less busy really though so it was an easy evening's work.
Tomorrow is another day of work and back to the ol' Sunday shifts, but not starting at 6am this time. I used to like those shifts though really because I really dislike working evenings. I hate IDing people as it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I can't imagine many lairy 16 year olds coming in between 11 and 6 on a Sunday to be all of the beers though so I'll probably be alright. The thing I'm looking forward to tomorrow though, sort of, is my first training aimed specifically at Football. I'm gonna go down to one of the school Football pitches and sneak in like a ninja(not everyone can climb a stile) and run the length then sprint the width as many times as I can, I'm really quite excited to get fit for Football!
Anyway, after having a delicious cheese and tomato sandwich, I am going to have a bath to sooth my calves!

Thursday 9 June 2011

Gym Buddy

When I'm at the gym, I normally prefer it to be empty. What I don't like is when someone is on the treadmill directly beside me. it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable and I often feel like I'm probably being judged. I know it's stupid and something I need to get over it.
I wandered in to the gym at about 3.15 today and thought it would probably be quite quiet, but there were a few people in and someone on the treadmill. No matter, I thought, and just went on the other end one, but then a woman(or girl, she looked very young from the corner of my eye) got on to the treadmill next to me. Oh god, a woman on the treadmill next to me is scary! I feel like I'm in competition and I also think that they'd find me pathetic. Anyway, I carried on, trying to ignore my new running buddy and ended up running 4 miles and then a 'sprint' finish. Felt quite good about it actually.
There was only one person left in the gym once I finished on the treadmill and I often feel bad that I have my headphones in the whole time. I can't help but feel I might befriend some people if I didn't listen to music the whole time. Maybe I should try it some time.
Next I was planning on doing some cycling and rowing, but I decided to give that a miss in favour of some lovely leg weight type things. The outer thigh workout is... strange. Every time I do the first rep, pushing my legs out sideways, it feels like something around my groin area does something bad. There's often a noticeable click and I can really feel it! Anyway, I did those and then some calf and quad things, which I love doing cause I can do the heaviest weight on the quads one :D
I finished off on the mat doing some leg raises and planks etc. My stomach was killing and my calf obviously took a battering because my left calf was hurting on the walk home.
Before I went to the gym I couldn't help but buy some new exercisey stuff so I looked for some deals on Sportsdirect.com. I ended up getting some Nike 2 in 1 shorts, some undershorts and some tracksuit bottoms(doh). I'm quite excited about them arriving actually!
My work will, once again, go to waste tonight though as I'm going to the pub, or possibly in to town as people are trying to drag me in... I have my first shift back at my old job tomorrow as well. I could try and not drink much, but I just know that won't happen.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

UK's Number One!

Now that I have a Summer job confirmed I feel I need to buy some new exercise clothing.
I've been checking the Villa site, cause obviously I want to run around looking like a Villa fanboy, but they only have the home kit in XXL and XXXL (I'm assuming the other sizes are sold out?). Now, I'm not small, but I'm pretty sure just a Large would be big enough. Funnily enough though, they do have the away kit in all sizes... but for £10 more...
I was going to get the whole home kit, so I guess I'll have to wait. I had a look at the fashion section and considered buying some jogging bottoms... I feel bad just saying that. I often judge people who wear jogging bottoms out and about (yeah, I'm an awful person), but they look so comfy. A couple of my mates wear them and it does make me want them, but I don't know if I can go ahead with it. Instead I think I'll get some tracksuit bottoms because they are obviously an ENTIRELY different thing...
I do need something for when the weather is a bit colder and I do often feel a bit self-conscious in shorts, especially sat down on a machine. I always wonder if there was a bad angle you could glance at me from.
I'm looking at Sports Direct as well, but because I'm cool I think I'm gonna try and stick with Villa merchandise. I also have an image that any Sports Direct stuff would be delivered by a man singing the tune from the advert.

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Home Alone

I have been home alone now for the last 9 days as my Mum and Step Dad have gone to Sri Lanka for 10 days. I normally look forward to looking after the house, but this time has been extremely tedious. For the first 5 days there was no one around as the majority of my mates are still at Uni, though I have had someone round most nights. The main problem has been the dogs as they are driving me insane. One of them insists on peeing on the floor most days, which often ends in me having soggy socks. Both of them ripped up the bin bags outside and scattered rubbish everywhere and one of them barks WAY too much. I love them, but I really wish they'd shut up!
I'm afraid I may be killing half of the plants as well. I've been watering them all, but probably not enough. I'm definitely not made for gardening.
Anyway, yesterday I was meant to go to the gym in the evening, and I did. My mate came down at about 7 and we watched some really exciting *cough* cricket and then went down to the gym. I don't like going at night because it's normally busier and I often see people I know. It's nice to see people, but I often feel judged when people I know are at the gym. The main reason I sometimes go with friends is because it's much harder to make an excuse not to go if they're picking me up.
We couldn't stay for that long because my mate's sister had had an induction and probably didn't want to be there for 3 hours, but as it turned out, she was there for 2 and a half hours. No idea what she did all that time.
I wanted to do a shorter run at a faster pace than I'd normally go, so I set off at 7mph, which I believe is 8.37 minute miles. I'd normally do 10 minute miles so it's quite a bit faster than when I've run for 7 miles. I ran this for around half an hour and then ended with a 9mph 'sprint' finish for a minute or so. I ended doing over 4 miles and was quite happy with it. My mate said he wanted to go in 5 minutes, so I did a quick random hill thing on the bike which was HORRIBLE!
Even though it was a short sesh, I felt quite good about it. I threw it all away last night though by having a couple of mates over and drinking too much...

Saturday 4 June 2011

Cocka-Doodle-No...

Now comes the real test. I'm not going to the gym today because, well, I'm just not...  Not two days in a row just yet. Instead I'm hoping to do some ab exercises and maybe some weights. The problem here is motivating myself when it would be easy to sit here at the computer, while glancing over at Sky Sports News on the tele, which is what is happening right now. All I need to do is some press-ups, planks, leg raises etc. and possibly some weights. I can't help but think it would be easier to make myself do it if I wasn't so bloody annoyed by the persistent noise coming from a certain Cockerel. Does he not know how annoying that stupid noise is?
Anyway, I suppose I better get doing something before England are on later because I'm not doing exercise while I'm filled up on cider...

Friday 3 June 2011

Finally

So, after faffing about for a week, I finally got myself together and went to the gym. The excuse I've made to myself is that "Oh, there's a week left until the offer, so I'll go then". Obviously, I could have done some exercise at home...
Anyway, I've joined up for 3 months for the very respectable price of £40 off-peak! I'm hoping to go at least 3 times a week and I should also be playing Football at least once a week. If I keep to this I'll have a fantastic beach bod for when I don't go on holiday...
Anyway, I went along today and joined up, disappointed that the lovely lady staff member wasn't at reception and had my first go at interval training. I didn't follow any sort of plan and probably did it completely wrong. 1 minute at 7.5 mph then 30 seconds at 9 mph and so on. I did this for about 20 minutes and was pretty tired. The main reason I want to do this is to get fit for Football so that I might have enough confidence to join a team.
I went with a mate and he was using all the weights, so after a go on the bike I did a few leg weights.
Doing the thigh and calf weights at the gym makes me feel really good about myself because I, for some reason, have really strong legs and can do the heaviest quads weight. If only my fitness was as strong as my legs :|
I didn't come out of the gym feeling knackered, but that's probably because I did a few casual planks/stomach-based exercise at the end and didn't properly push myself.
Now I'm home I've put all the calories back on with a couple of BLTs and will probably add to that with something fattening for tea. I'm thinking Enchiladas?