Pippa and Fiona, You're both right of course and really good motivators! It'll just take me some time to get there and be able to be confident in my own confidence (if that makes any sense)... got the best possible backing though! thanks.

Judith - Sounds like you're doing well! A few days under your belt and you'll be feeling fantastic! Well done on the orange and sodas. Keep it up, we're right behind you!

Hey Sue, thanks for that! 2 days now (which I have done before, I'm not a complete alcoholic), but up for my third day now and I seriously can't remember when I last had 3 days off in a row... I'm doing my 5K run this evening and normally any activity at our club is the perfect excuse to 'reward' myself with a couple (or more) and 'be sociable', but I'm determined to stick to soft drinks tonight. Wish me luck.

Question for the runners: how do you prepare food wise on the day you have a run coming up that you know will really push you? I'm thinking big pasta about 4 hours before and a banana about 1 hour before (the run will be 7pm)... any ideas?

Judith. I was told by a nutritionist that if it is a short run ie 3 miles so roughly timed about 30 -40 mins a banana is fine but have something after it with protein and carbs. You don't want to over eat and then feel heavy. All the best with it hope it goes well.

Hey Pippa, cheers, that sounds like good advise. I've already had my pasta now, but not a massive one, should be perfect to see me through the afternoon, then banana top up and off I go...

Don't forget water after or during if you need it! Good luck! Will it be flood lit or dark?

Hey Pippa, thanks, I'll make sure I drink lots (of water ;).
It's along streets, so some street lights, though not a lot in this area. Got my super reflective runners jacket from my cycling days, though, so should be save (ish). Well, I trust the others know what they're doing...

Sounds good, but be careful of portions - you don't need a big plate - although that's a relative term - what might mean big to one, might be a small snack to another!

If you are trying to lose weight, be careful you don't just up your food intake because if the exercise - you need to create a deficit, but not such a big one that you have no energy.

Hope it goes well for you - I'm sure you'll be fine!

Good luck with your run, Judith! Am afraid I'm now tucked up infront of the fire. Didn't make it to Pilates either!

Hi all, thanks for the good wishes and advise.
I didn't quite make the 5k, had to run with some experienced runners, since I didn't know the route and they set the pace at 9 minute miles (far faster then my little training run last week). Made the first 3+ K, then had to walk for a bit, but ran the last K again, so not too disappointed in myself.
I now know what to expect for the next 5K run which will be in 4 weeks and am hopeful that I'll make the whole route then (it does have two nasty hills on the way).

Also, resisted the (massive!) temptation to have beer afterwards and stuck to orange juice and soda again (I've really had enough of that now!), so feeling quite pleased overall...

I think that's what I'll do today! Even though it's what I did on my 'training day' last Friday, too. I guess there are days when it's just too much to get out and do something... Easy does it!



Cheers Teresa, definitely something to be aware of. Though at the moment, I'm not too worried about cutting calories yet, just trying to eat healthily, up the exercise and I guess the not drinking will work wonders for my weight as well...

5k at 9 minutes a mile is quite a fast pace, definately not beginner friendly!

That's what I thought! Though too embarrassed to ask them to slow down for me (there was 5 of us). It actually felt quite good for the first 2.5 K or so, but just don't have the stamina to make it last for 5K, especially with hills in the way...

Judith, you made it round and didn't ruin the good work with beerolific calories - fantastic achievement, well done.

Thanks Shaun! How are you getting on after your successful alcohol free weekend? Are you one of those really, really good that abstain during the week anyway? In which case you must be completing quite a few days on the trod?

After three days without alcohol I'm already facing a problem. There's a gig tonight my boyfriend wants to go to with me, but I think one more day in the pub with no drink will simply be too much for me to bear. I'm sick of soft drinks, too. Should I be a spoilsport and not go or hope I muster an iron will?! Argh, this is tough!

I'd go, but at gig I just drink water anyhow. As for me....
Well I did indeed go without over the weekend, but last night had "quite a few" vodkas. No beer though, so I'm telling myself that there were many less calories.

Guess that's true. I don't really do spirits (unless I'm already drunk from the beer), so wouldn't know for sure. Well done for the weekend off in any case!
I'm still not sure what to do about tonight. It's not a big gig, which would be easier as the beer is overpriced and it's hard to get through the crowd anyway. It's just a small pub gig, so I'll be standing no more than 4 feet from the bar at any given time...

Well done on completing the run Judith - it'll be far easier in 4 weeks' time!

In your shoes I probably wouldn't go out tonight. Too tempting to undo all the good work of this week. Maybe in due course you'll be more comfortable about resisting temptation in public.

We had a conversation somewhere else about other people trying to undermine your resolve and sabotage your good intentions. If you think your friends might try that ("go on, another beer won't hurt") trick, it's best not to give them the chance.

Mmmm.... maybe try a different soft drink? Sparkling mineral water with ice and lemon?

You're doing so well Judith, maybe Fiona's advice is best?

Hi Judith
Just caught up with your run news. Well done for doing the first 2.5K. It sounded like you were with my ex running club where they ran so fast I was terrified to be left behind that I just kept up by and out ran myself. If I were you I would stay in but I bet you went out...! I think you are brilliant for giving it a go and keeping up.

Persuaded the boyfriend in the end that a night in might be quite nice for a change, so we both stayed off the drink yesterday (he loves his beer even more than me, but is super fit, so never worries about it...). That's 4 days in a row for me. I'll try and be good for another night tonight, but will allow myself a beer or two over the weekend...

Yes, Fiona, that's a really nasty one. I was actually quite shocked that the barman who I normally get on with really well, not only made a face every time I ordered a soft drink and ignored my request for a tea after my run on Wednesday, but also had a go at me for running ('you run after a bus, but not for the sake of it'). I guess an extra little star for me for not letting him get to me ;)

Exactly - you get extra points if you manage to ignore barbed comments! I suppose some people just think they're being funny, and don't realise how difficult it is for you. Hope you had a nice evening in!

Thanks Fiona, Yes, had a lovely evening in and both of us not drinking actually makes the going to bed part more fun, too ;)
On that note, I'm still getting to grips with all the activity logging etc, anyone else find it a bit over the top that you can log 'sexual activity' as an exercise?!?! Surely the emphasis there should be slightly different than how many calories you may burn... Just picturing a weekly exercise plan that's based around that - they do say chose an activity you enjoy

Judith
Hee Hee! You are probably not the only person to notice that but it does burn calories so thats fine. I guess bar men just want more beers sold so take no notice. Hope that you are feeling good and allow yourself a small treat this weekend. It does make you realise what habits we can get into. Congrats on a good week!

ooh, I can feel a future Fat Bloke Diary (18 certificate) coming on!

Hi,

I'm new to the Times Health thing too.

My goals are as follows:

1) Lose 5 kg by Dec 15th (currently 75k want to be 70k)
2) Get my Body Fat % down (currently 27.9% want it down by Dec 15th but it needs to be a downward trend.

I've achieved a lot through going to the gym four times a week, but starting Sunday I'm going to focus on diet as well. I think that this should get the last bit off, reduce my body fat and that mixed with a good burst of cardio should start to do the trick.

Would appreciate all the support I could get.

Well you've come to the right place Phillip! Can I also suggest that you join the Ab Fab group - they are by far the best group for advice about losing weight, but more importantly about support.

Judith - great stuff! A double whammy too for ignoring the barman's attemps to sabbotage you're good work - my husband is like that and it takes an iron will not to cave sometimes. He likes nothing better than wafting a drink under my nose!

Hi Phillip, All the best with your goals - I think they're quite ambitious, though achievable. I think lots of exercise might make it harder to lose that much weight in such a short time, but it should shift the fat. Personally I put the getting rid of fat before the losing weight...

Had a frustrating day today. Went out for a run and after my attempt at 5K on Wednesday and a full rest day yesterday I wanted to improve on my running distance from last week - but my body thought otherwise, my legs felt like lead almost immediately, really struggled doing just 1k. Fortunately decided not to storm off home in a temper (patience isn't a virtue I possess), but kept walking around the park and in the end managed to do a couple of short jogs and sprints, so feeling a little better... Funny thing though, I thought it was supposed to get easier not harder (did I mention I've been known to be impatient?).

Judith give yourself a break. Patience is a virtue they say and it applies to running further...! Look on the runnerbean thread for advice and tips. Well done on the 1K Sometimes if you go out badly it doesn't get better. So try again another time.

Welcome Philip good luck with your goals. Keep a food diary I did lots of protein veg fruit water and no carbs but the library has good advice. All the best.