Archie

Archie is a one year old Norfolk Terrier and has a special character all of his own. He is so playful and funny and always greets anyone he meets with such excitement and energy.

He belongs to my daughter Rachel and is her best friend and companion.

Archie is a now a very popular member of our family and loved by all!! 

Oh yes.... he just loves to have his photo taken as well. (They say that pets always take after their owners.) 

Happy New Year 2012

Well once again it's the start of a New Year and I would like to wish any readers of this blog a very happy and prosperous one.

So have I made any New Years resolutions? - Well no I haven't. I've given up on making resolutions and just want to take life as it comes. I have a feeling that it's going to be an exciting year!!

.......I'll keep you informed.

Back Again!

So it's been a while since writing my last post (Feb 2011), in fact it's been so long that I forgot my own password to be able to enter this blog site to write this post.

I'm pleased to report for anyone who may be at all interested, at the present time everything is going well in my life and I have maintained my fitness levels since turning fifty, 15 months ago.

To bring you up to date, I'm currently renewing my interest in cycling as a way of keeping fit and have recently purchased a hybrid / road bike (Giant Rapid 2), which is just fantastic to ride compared to my old mountain bike.

I shall continue to ride throughout the winter months despite my dislike of the cold weather, infact alongside the bike I've also purchased a turbo trainer, which means I can also ride my new mean machine in the garage without having to venture out into the cold and wet.

I know this sounds like I'm a bit of a fair-weather cyclist, I do however know what it feels like to ride in really extreme conditions, having been a postman for several years when I was in my early twenties.

I'll once again will be looking forward to those Spring / Summer months when I am able to venture out on to the open roads, with just my shorts and t-shirt on.

Health Issues

What's going on; everyone I know is having some kind of health issue. My immediate family members are either suffering with the stomach bug or the flu. Personally I still have this niggling cough, which as been persistent now, on and off, since October.

My dear mother who is 85 has been suffering with DVT (blood clot) in her leg. So I've been looking after her, acting as her nurse by giving her regular injections, as well as several trips to the local hospital for blood tests etc. I'm grateful that she's now on the mend.

I know that it's February and it's the usual time to pick up any virus that's floating around, however I'm beginning to notice that everyone I talk to seems to be suffering from some kind of ailment.

Thankfully the Snowdrops are starting to emerge from the ground, which usually means that Spring is just around the corner.

This particular winter, for me, has seemed really long, really cold and really miserable, or maybe it's just the way I've been viewing it. Never mind I just can't wait for those warm sunny days to be upon us again.

Roll-on the Spring!

KICKSTART - Session Three

Have just completed session three of the KICKSTART Health & Fitness Programme. Performed it with my son Jason who described as a 'near death experience'. Have to admit that it was another gruelling session.

KICKSTART - SESSION TWO

I've jus personally completed the second session of the KICKSTART programme and have improved my overall score quite considerably from last week. My only concern is that next week it will be even harder for me to beat this weeks total.

After completing the various different exercise routines I laid on the floor completely exhausted, again feeling shaky and lightheaded. I know that when exercising correctly it doesn't have to be this way.

My biggest problem has always been, not being over competitive against other people, but being over competitive against myself. I have always liked pushing myself physically and mentally to the limit and today was no exception, hence the after-effects.

Oh well "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" has always been my mantra.

KICKSTART 2011

I've recently put together a New Year's Health & Fitness programme called KICKSTART.
It's basically a set of exercises taken from the martial arts, including some cardio and stretching. I've also included some healthy eating tips and specific ways to adopt a positive mindset too.

Yesterday I tried out the fitness regime for myself and although I felt slightly shaky afterwards, I have to admit for someone who is now in there fifties, I did quite well.

Winter Again

I don't know about you but this year seems to have passed by so quickly that I feel that it was only yesterday that I was looking forward to celebrating my 50th birthday in the heat of the summer. Today, we are again experiencing some extreme wintery conditions with snow on the ground and the temperature outside at -4 degrees.

As my wife and family know, I dislike the cold weather considerably and I tend to become miserable with these wintry conditions. This year I have taken extra measures to keep warm, I have invested in some thermal underwear and have also purchased a SAD glo-light lamp to help beat the winter blues. I believe that these items have made a considerable difference and although I don't like the cold, I do seem to be tolerating the winter just that little bit better than before.

Thank God For The Modern Dentist

As a kid I was always forced to go to the school dentist.

Need I say more except from there on I had a big phobia about regularly visiting any Dentist. Up until a few years ago (just after having all my wisdom teeth extracted) the fear of making that regular trip has totally disappeared.

This morning I have just had an old 'cracked' tooth capped. Not only will this protect the tooth for many years to come, it will also cosmetically enhance the look within my mouth, getting rid of another one of those grey old fillings.

Therefore I say congratulations to all modern dentistry practices with those pain free gadgets that they now have. I also endorse the new breed of Dentist who totally understand how to treat neurotics like myself.

My own Dentist not only has Radio two on while she works on me (to distract me), but she also explains every single procedure along the way, which is good. My only problem is that I can never reply to her questions, usually because of got something she got stuffed into my mouth at the time.

Never-the-less I now see the trip to the Dentist as pleasure, because I need to inform her how much I've flossed since the previous visit and how many times that I clean my teeth in one day.

If only I'd done that forty years ago....

This post is sponsored by laptop radiation protection - Phone Shield.

Renegade Millionaire Course

Sorry that it's been a while since my last post, the only excuse that I can make is that I've been feeling slightly under-par, recovering from a cold virus I contracted about four weeks ago.

Since then not much has happened in my life, although I did recently attend a course in London called the 'Renegade Millionaire'. This three day event was organised by Chris Cardell one of the Uk's leading authorities on business marketing and also leading marketing expert from the USA the legendary Dan Kennedy. The event attracted approx. one hundred and forty business owners from all over the UK and Europe.

As a small business owner myself much of the information I obtained was highly beneficial and I felt that I had gained my monies worth after only the first couple of hours. The big question however - Will it help me to become financially independent? - I suppose only time will tell, however one thing is for sure, it's certainly increased my chances and at least put me on the road to autonomy. All I have to do now is follow through with the information provided and see what happens.


Post sponsored by Phoenix Training - Management Training. 

Great Photo!

I recently took this photo on a trip down to Wiltshire.

It's situated in Avebury where the large stones are placed. I just love looking at trees generally, their shapes, sizes and leaf patterns, however this one, I have to say is exceptional, exposing it's routes for all to see.

Truly a tree amongst trees.

My Yearly Cold!

Almost the same time every year I pick up a cold virus. I've come to realise that it's natures way of slowing me down a little.

Previous to this I have been running myself, both mentally and physically at a hundred miles-per-hour, and now I'm currently having to go at a ten mph pace, in the slow lane.

As an ex practitioner of complimentary medicine, I have often given other people such great advice about, taking time-out, relaxing more, taking life easy, that sort of stuff. Unfortunately like many other well-meaning therapists I don't somehow listen to my own advice, until you guessed it...something goes wrong.

Never mind I'm sitting here with the tissues nearby, feeling sorry for myself!

Apologies!

First of all sincere apologies that it's been so long since my last post.

It's not that I've been spending all of my spare time posting on Facebook or anything like that, in fact to be honest, I'm totally fed up with the Facebook craze and have decided to keep any further personal communication to an absolute minimum.

So what have I been up to? Well I've been working quite intensely on several things, including my business, diet and fitness.

Over the summer months, since my birthday I have been carefully monitoring my diet and I weighed myself today at 13stone 4lbs (186lbs), which is about 4lbs more than I was this time last year. Not to worry though as I'm feeling really good about myself and very positive about my future.

Please keep viewing my blog to find out whats happening in the future.

Some interesting things to tell you about that's coming up?

Three Years Today!!

It's three years today since my Father passed away.

I know that my Dad was a good man. He hardly got angry and greeted everyone that he met with a smile, even when he was in discomfort himself toward the end of his life.

I cannot think of a bad word to say about him, he was a very simple uncomplicated Gentleman and if I only posses just a few of his traits, then I should feel blessed.

I dedicate this post to him - Victor Richard Ducker 1918 - 2007

Closing Down?

Now that I've managed to reach the good old age of fifty and Facebook becoming more popular I was debating whether or not to close this particular blog down..................But my daughter Rachel (kindly without telling me) has up-graded and given my 'fightingfitatfifty blog' a brand new look.

So for at least the time-being, it has inspired me to carry-on. So thanks Rach you've done a wonderful job as always.

The above photo is Rachel in a corn-field making crop circles ? She's very creative you know!!!

50th Birthday

Well it came to pass -

My 50th Birthday.....

I suppose the pictures say it all!

Great Kids!!

I've just had both my kids at home for the Weekend. I just love it when they're together and enjoying each others company - reminds me when they were younger!!

I'm so grateful for having two fantastically talented and wonderful kids!!

50th Birthday Holiday

Well I can reveal to you, for those that might be remotely interested that the location of my special birthday holiday (re)treat is..... Tenerife.

Well I know it's not quite the exotic location that I've talked about in previous posts, such as China, Hawaii or the Canadian Rockies. But my wife Ali has booked us into a Sensatori Spa, (five Star) Resort, which to be honest is exactly what I need at this moment in time as I'm completely Knackered.

Ali and I are really looking forward to spending some quality time together and I know she's going to pamper me completely on my birthday and I'm also hoping she'll take me up to Mt. Tiede to see the sunset above the clouds, which is said to be an unforgettable experience.

I can't wait!!!

England v's Germany -Update!!

So much for my predication concerning the football match between England & Germany ! Hey I'm a Martial Arts Instructor - what the heck do I know about football anyway!

'Mum In A Million'

Last year I bought my Mum a rose for Mother's Day - It was called 'Mum In A Million'. Well here it is in full-bloom.

Also a lovely photo of my Mum who's actually 85 this year - also in full bloom.