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....

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