2019 weight loss and fitness accountability club
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rockits
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Agreed, 10pm-12 in my case is often my golden time for the same reasons. Historically that has been used to do additional work however I am consciously now reducing my working hours to a much lower level to allow more time for other more important things.
I have worked anything from 60-100 hour weeks for pretty much 25 years and have had enough of it. It has only taken me 25 years to realise. Wouldn't have been so bad if I enjoyed what I did or enjoyed the last 25 years! I'm not sure how many years I have left but I do know I am not living the next 25 the same way.
I can understand why the male 35-60 year old area has lots of undiagnosed, mis-diagnosed or ignored mental illness. There can often be tremendous pressure and stress with all the pushes and pulls on our time. It is not good for the human body, diets or well-being. A kind of domino effect.
If we can all help each other to make some small changes I think that has to be beneficial.
BigBob52
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Kayaking in France - try the Devizes to Westminster first? Only three days long - two or less if you are young and fit. Carry your boat through 'seventy' odd River Thames locks and leave everything in the Forum on your demise. Guaranteed heart attack if you don't train!
Best of luck in the New Year!
Best of luck in the New Year!
CatmanV2
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JonW
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Completely agree with you.
In 2009 I was diagnosed with “clinical depression due to a prolonged period of work related stress”, and while it was **** at the time it now means I’m much, much more aware of my mental health, and of how my work, family, other stuff in my life all impacts it (for good and for bad).
I’m also now a Mental Health Advocate at work, and am a trained Mental Health First Aider, and part of my role is to be there to listen and to signpost. I’m also there to show people that there is almost always a road to recovery, and that mental health challenges are nothing to be ashamed of and that they can impact anyone - even those who outwardly seem to be successful in what they do.
At the beginning of December I read a brilliant (if slightly depressing) article about the pressures faced by middle aged men, which I’ve pasted below...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...w?shareToken=796ef771f3816129bce3d164c799c26e
As is often said on this forum (typically when talking about cars) we only live once. That to me means anything we can do to make that life more enjoyable (or at least less of a pain in the ****) has got be to good...
2b1ask1
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Cheers Bob, will look into that
Scales continue to move in the positive direction reading 21st 5.8lb this morning; ok not the same time of day but I missed that...
Contigo
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Resting pulse on average people is 50-80 bpm. To a certain extent the fitter you are the lower the resting heart rate but if you want to determine fitness it is the recovery rate and how quickly the heart rate returns to within 30-40% of resting rate after rigorous exercise. There are formulas out there to measure etc...
As I said before get the weight off first through healthy eating, cutting out carbs and sugar and reducing calories etc and once the fat is gone you can start to enjoy the exercise.
When I’m on the road I use the Seven minutes app which can be done in hotel rooms and really does set you up for the day with an all over body workout and it needs no props. Search for it on the App Store.
As I said before get the weight off first through healthy eating, cutting out carbs and sugar and reducing calories etc and once the fat is gone you can start to enjoy the exercise.
When I’m on the road I use the Seven minutes app which can be done in hotel rooms and really does set you up for the day with an all over body workout and it needs no props. Search for it on the App Store.
Dan!
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Day 2 of booze free complete. As a functioning alcoholic this is the biggest and most significant hurdle for me. The cravings are under control and I dropped off to sleep very quickly last night, which is a blessing.
Today I have a funeral to go to, my great aunt at 92 didn't quite make it to Christmas, bless her. I have been reliably informed by my mum that there will be a mountain of food at the wake that will need to be eaten. So I'll just have to make sure other people eat it!
Lots of fruit and veg being consumed instead of crisps and chocolate. So far so good.
Today I have a funeral to go to, my great aunt at 92 didn't quite make it to Christmas, bless her. I have been reliably informed by my mum that there will be a mountain of food at the wake that will need to be eaten. So I'll just have to make sure other people eat it!
Lots of fruit and veg being consumed instead of crisps and chocolate. So far so good.
zagatoes30
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Already added this to my prep, used a similar one a few years back and it did help get the relevant muscles back into action.
2 days of no alcohol, calorie cut, 7 minute workout x 2 & >10000 steps completed, weight check is weekly
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MrPea
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Interesting stuff there about the mental health. Something several of us have suffered with, myself included. I've been discussing with my HR about getting some mental health first aid stuff done so I'd be interested to hear more about that. Maybe another thread or via pm.
Dan, that's grim! I only realised they were leggings when I scrolled down far enough.
Dan, that's grim! I only realised they were leggings when I scrolled down far enough.
CatmanV2
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BigBob52
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Yup. That’s about as long as it lasts for me these days too!
daverichardson
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Avidly keeping up with this thread it is fantastic
Don't want to spread it too much as it is probably an age thing.
2 years ago I went to my first well man clinic and all was well
In December gone I wen to my second clinic and there was an anomaly which will be checked again in February
The point is some of you may wish to consider a clinic as they take blood samples and can determine among other things stuff like diabetes, sugar, cholesterol, liver function etc. The examination takes about 30 mins and checks weight height BMI etc and results are within a week. If anything untoward is found then the next day. Well worth it if you can deal with the possibility of bad news
On the weight front I am feeling ok
I intend to miss lunch today and have breakfast and tea only. I weigh myself every couple of days and it all seems to be working for me
Don't want to spread it too much as it is probably an age thing.
2 years ago I went to my first well man clinic and all was well
In December gone I wen to my second clinic and there was an anomaly which will be checked again in February
The point is some of you may wish to consider a clinic as they take blood samples and can determine among other things stuff like diabetes, sugar, cholesterol, liver function etc. The examination takes about 30 mins and checks weight height BMI etc and results are within a week. If anything untoward is found then the next day. Well worth it if you can deal with the possibility of bad news
On the weight front I am feeling ok
I intend to miss lunch today and have breakfast and tea only. I weigh myself every couple of days and it all seems to be working for me
conaero
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I have said for the age of 50 (a couple of years off yet) I am going for a full MOT.
Going to go for one of these life scans and get my eyes done. Must admit, once I got into my 40's I was more aware of my mortality and have made a real effort to sort myself out as I was a ticking time bomb. I get so much from exercise and it changed me. I find the hardest point is getting off the sofa but once your in the car the hard bit is done. It all started for me with the 1000 mile cycle from London to the South of France...a goal like this really kicked me off and I advise (as Newton and Dan) to do this.
Going to go for one of these life scans and get my eyes done. Must admit, once I got into my 40's I was more aware of my mortality and have made a real effort to sort myself out as I was a ticking time bomb. I get so much from exercise and it changed me. I find the hardest point is getting off the sofa but once your in the car the hard bit is done. It all started for me with the 1000 mile cycle from London to the South of France...a goal like this really kicked me off and I advise (as Newton and Dan) to do this.
rockits
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Great work all. Make sure it is not too much too soon though as there is then a danger of it failing. It has to be achievable and sustained.
There was lots of interesting stuff in that CH5 program last night. Much I knew but a fair bit I didn't. Large corporates with advertising and marketing have a lot to answer for.
We all know many of us are at a high risk from mental health issues. You can't expect a normal human being to go through some of the things asked of it and not show occasional signs of cracking. I was never a person to say no for various reasons. However I say no much more now then ever. That can be a key life changer. There is nowt wrong with saying no on occasion.
There was lots of interesting stuff in that CH5 program last night. Much I knew but a fair bit I didn't. Large corporates with advertising and marketing have a lot to answer for.
We all know many of us are at a high risk from mental health issues. You can't expect a normal human being to go through some of the things asked of it and not show occasional signs of cracking. I was never a person to say no for various reasons. However I say no much more now then ever. That can be a key life changer. There is nowt wrong with saying no on occasion.
JonW
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PM sent....
conaero
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Just make sure those leggings dont end up on your bedroom floor!
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The correlation between physical fitness and mental health is a strong one, and I love the way this thread is organically expanding to cover the latter as well. Whilst going for a run, rowing (etc) won't necessarily cure low-mood, general anxiety or depression, it can certainly help. There's clear evidence that exercise - especially outdoors - will help reduce anxiety, and a basic level of fitness is useful in fending off other woes and ailments which won't help us feel any better about ourselves. 'tis a slippery slope, I know that from experience, as many on here do.
For my part, like Stu (but without the diabetes) my interest isn't weight loss but instead building muscle tone and general fitness improvement. I'm 6-foot tall and around 11.5/12st (I own no scales). I have no interest in looking like a night-club bouncer, but if I can get back to a higher level of aerobic fitness and better definition I'll be pleased. My man cave is home to a Concept 2 rowing machine, a Swiss ball and an assortment of free weights all of them embarrassingly dusty and all of which can be used to good effect while I watch 30 minutes of shite on YouTube. That's my goal - at least three times each week.
About two years ago I had testicular cancer (check 'em, boys!) and since then have struggled with managing anxiety and stress levels. Work, family being pulled every which way, a fear of non-achievement (what the **** is THAT all about??) - you all know what it's like. Where I have improved is in getting my ar5e out for a walk each day. For those of you that walk to work, I recommend the Active10 app, which measures not just steps but how brisk they are. It's helpful in making sure you're going just that bit quicker. I aim for 30 'active' minutes of walking each day, and generally manage. It's surprisingly easy. Living in the sticks helps as well, of course. Fresh air and coastal walks are an easy pull.
As Phil said, the 7-minute workout app is also excellent but, to my shame, it's probably 2 years since I used it. [kicks self in ar5e].
Dan, top thread!
For my part, like Stu (but without the diabetes) my interest isn't weight loss but instead building muscle tone and general fitness improvement. I'm 6-foot tall and around 11.5/12st (I own no scales). I have no interest in looking like a night-club bouncer, but if I can get back to a higher level of aerobic fitness and better definition I'll be pleased. My man cave is home to a Concept 2 rowing machine, a Swiss ball and an assortment of free weights all of them embarrassingly dusty and all of which can be used to good effect while I watch 30 minutes of shite on YouTube. That's my goal - at least three times each week.
About two years ago I had testicular cancer (check 'em, boys!) and since then have struggled with managing anxiety and stress levels. Work, family being pulled every which way, a fear of non-achievement (what the **** is THAT all about??) - you all know what it's like. Where I have improved is in getting my ar5e out for a walk each day. For those of you that walk to work, I recommend the Active10 app, which measures not just steps but how brisk they are. It's helpful in making sure you're going just that bit quicker. I aim for 30 'active' minutes of walking each day, and generally manage. It's surprisingly easy. Living in the sticks helps as well, of course. Fresh air and coastal walks are an easy pull.
As Phil said, the 7-minute workout app is also excellent but, to my shame, it's probably 2 years since I used it. [kicks self in ar5e].
Dan, top thread!