6.3 6.6% - cracked it!

A couple of days ago I was wondering, after what I thought was a very good treadmill session, how I had managed last year's PB. Today I found the answer in the midst of my second week of detox and with only juice for company since Sunday. Early morning session after an apple, pineapple, spinach and avocado combo. Started pushing the up arrows early and quickly established an incline of 6.5%, which I then used as a base going up and down but never below(until last 30secs when I went to zero) for the rest of the session. Gradually worked my way to 6.5 speed by 15 minutes and then made slow increments to 6.8, took on 7.5 for up to 45 seconds at a time and then cooled at 6.8. Finally ended with 30 seconds at 12.5kmph. That felt good. Mission one accomplished with 6.3kmph at average incline of 6.6%. Now to mission two.........

Detox done

Woke at 5 so had a good brisk 2 hour walk done by 7:30. Just in time for a guided meditation session, which was timely and can see how people benefit from it. 2 hours now until I can eat but in truth not that desperate to do so. Koh Samui week has certainly be good for exercise. Feel in better shape. The scales will not get the chance to tell their tale until the end of next week.

Detox day 3 -done!

Mid-way point of my detox in Koh Samui and feeling good after a low day yesterday. No treadmill to be found so am walking for 90 minutes each morning round the village. One long hill comes midway through my walk and its getting easier by the day. More difficult during a detox is to pass the road side stalls serving delicious fried chicken, or the two Patisseries and their delicate fresh bread aroma. Just typing that has me feeling the hunger pangs more markedly. Still only 3 days to go and I know a delicious Spa Samui salad awaits to break this fast. Plan to move straight on with a 7 day juice only plan when back home. Will be interesting to see how I go on the treadmill when back to the gym. 75kg may still be achievable - pretty confident will be able to better my PB on the treadmill sometime in the next two months - detox always gives me a renewed focus and energy.

aches and pains come as standard

Another day of muscle aches, nothing serious but lower back and calves certainly tight. Trying to bowl above slow medium at son's cricket nets probably to blame but who knows. After a really good Saturday morning session (6, 6.5%) gave myself a day off today, spent watching sons 6 a side cricket. Certainly not a format of the game I ever excelled at!! Off now for 6 days without food, detox drinks, supplements and lots of steam room. Intend also to keep up the daily treadmill but we shall see. Am hoping this will really mark the start of this year's assault on 75kg. That remains the target year to date though have very much been moving away from it. Week to focus.

Better than expected

Not sure whether this mornings tiredness and a few aches and pains was down to, diet, two sleep deprived, thunderstorm filled nights, Crestor, yoga on Monday or simply just the every day randomness of M. Sadly we don't have the means to find out which either. In any event was not looking forward to the gym and 10 days ago any of the above would have been excuse not to go. Today I went and was surprised by how well the session went (5.7, 6.3%). Certainly moving in the right direction - two to go before a week of detox.

Progress is no way linear!

A struggle today after yesterday. May have been late afternoon timing for session but legs did not enjoy today at all. Never felt comfortable. (4.2, 6.3%) Will be interesting to see if can keep up the exercise while on my detox next week in Koh Samui. Now booked so am determined to make the most of it. Hope to shed 5kg in the next 2 weeks with detox followed by just juices for a week. If that does not help cholesterol then ....

Mixed emotions

Failing dismally year to date on weight front at least meant I was somewhat more aggressive with the gym session today than I have been - the result was a really good session (5.6, 6.2% incline vs a best for 2011(and likely ever) of 6.2, 6.4%). Started at 4& 4% and built steadily - so good progress on exercise front despite the lack of a regular regime. More drastic action on weight front may well be needed to get things moving in the right direction.

Expected yesterdays gym session to be more difficult than it turned out to be. Managed to improve on yesterday's numbers and felt fine after a 5.2, 5.9% session. Yoga quickly became more about the mind than the body as the Master clearly worked out too much holding of pose/repetition of anything was not going to work. Clearing mind exercises quite useful though so will keep going for time being. A little stiff this morning but nothing too serious - more so was getting on the scales - rather a sobering reading - I feel a serious detox may be needed to get things back on track. Nearly 18 months since my last trip to Koh Samui and seems imperative I fit another one in soon.

Cholesterol crisis

After a visit to the Dr no alternative but to embrace a rigorous action plan on cholesterol front. In Feb 2011 after a detox in Koh Samui I had reached reasonable levels with total Chol of 215. Yesterday ‘s reading was 327 and the good to bad ratio dreadful so over the next month have decided it must be treadmill every day and have agreed to try a low dose of Crestor (I/2 tablet every other day). Will be tracking how I go. Started well today with 50 minutes done by 10am and at average speed of 5.1 on 5.4 incline – a way to go to match my best but certainly an encouraging start. I also have the incentive of my first cricket match in several years on July 14th on the Padang here in Singapore and I need to be in decent shape for that …………………………..no excuses! Sunday day two and another session done despite a "healthy" amount of red wine last night. Actually felt good (5.2, 5.4%). no sign yet of Crestor issue, but then it has been only half a tab!

Surprise, surprise, surprise

First that after a long break I finally stopped finding excuses and went to the gym. Second I had a decent session on the treadmill, surprising after such an absence. Initially intended for only a 30 minute burst but in the end managed the full 50 minutes of my "normal" session at average speed of 4.9k and incline of 4.8%- managed a healthy, sweaty glow at the end. For those who have been following the blog I guess the final surprise for today is an update! Will try and do better all round...