Weeks four and five of the C25K app

Well, after over a week of temperatures over 30 degrees (some days up to 40 degrees) every day, the temperatures here have finally gone back to normal. Trying to run in that heat is just mental!! I tried to go one Saturday morning and at 10 am it was already 35 degrees! It turned into just a fast walk as I actually thought I was going to pass out every time I started to run.

Last week the programme of running was jog three minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog five minutes, walk two and a half minutes, jog three minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog five minutes. The last three-minute run was worse than the very last five-minute run – a few weeks ago I could never have even imagined that I could run for more than one minute let alone five! I really struggled on the first and second go at this but on the last day of Week 4 I did it all quite easily. It was like a little ‘Rocky’ moment when he gets to the top of those stairs and jumps up and down. I wanted to jump up and down too and shout ‘I love you, Adrien!!'. I didn’t cos a) I was on my own and there was no one to see me cheering and b) Well I would have just looked like a complete nutter. Haha!

It’s getting harder to get up and go out now that the mornings are getting darker. When my alarm went off at 6am it was raining outside and I really just wanted to stay under the covers. Once more I had the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. The devil put up a good fight today and almost won, but before I knew what I was doing I had thrown the covers back and was making my way towards my running shoes.

I started Week Five, which was running five minutes and walking three minutes and repeat three times. That last five minutes was an out and out B****! But I kicked her ass into touch and pounded it into the pavement. The next two days of Week Five absolutely fill me with terror, as by Saturday I am supposed to run for 20 minutes straight without stopping. I am going home to the sunny shores of Sunderland tomorrow so I will let you know how it goes!

Normal Service Resumes…..

Well what a mad three/four weeks this has been. In Majorca for a week, at work three days, off to Poland for three days, back at work for two days then a week in Scotland. Needless to say my routine that I had started to get into has taken a bashing!

I was dreading putting my running shoes on again and had put it off for a few days but on Saturday morning I couldn’t put it off any longer – my fiancé had bought some new running shoes and wanted to test them out.  We decided to try another route and run around the Jardin des Plantes in the 5^th arrondissement.

It was a beautiful sunny morning and I had also bought myself some new running gear, so I was feeling good, positive and ready to tackle this run… for the first five minutes! In my mind I was soooo ready for it but my legs had other ideas.  If you can imagine trying to run in a bath of treacle, that was exactly how my legs felt and I could barely lift my knees or build any speed up. It was quite embarrassing as I have been telling my other half all about my running but he had never ran with me before, and so I looked about as fast as a 95-year-old on a zimmer-frame!  Meanwhile, he totally lapped me round the park (beginners luck). 

On Sunday we had a lovely afternoon in the Bois de Vincennes playing badminton and chilling out in the park. I've not played badminton since I was about 14 so, at first, we were lucky to hit it over the net but we managed to get a few rallys going eventually and I won! The highlight of the day was when the other half hit himself in the face with his racquet. Hahaha! That had me giggling for ages, and then the shuttlecock gonked me right on the top of the head – a good day was had by all!

So it’s now back to running at least three times a week for me – I reckon if I hadn’t have ran on Saturday I might have given up altogether. I put three pounds back on (of the seven that I had lost) when I was in Majorca and really thought I would have piled it all back on when I was in Scotland, having eaten breakfasts of butteries and dinners of battered haggis and chips, but I had actually lost a pound.  

Hopefully now that normal service has resumed I will shift those last couple of holiday pounds and get back on track to be fit and healthy in time for the event of the year next September!!

Repeating Week Two – C25k program Run 90 secs walk 2 minutes (31 minutes)

This week has been soooooo stressful! Conflict and emotions running high at work, trying to get ongoing projects finished up before my holiday on Wednesday (Yippee!!), old friends back in town, meeting new friends, celebrating Bastille Day – or Fête Nationale as it’s known in France – and trying to squeeze the running in between all of this.

This third week has been the hardest on me physically for some unknown reason. At the end of last week I had managed the 90 seconds running quite easily and when I looked at the programme for the official Week 3, which involves running for three minutes, I felt in no way ready and so repeated Week 2.  Now, looking back, I wish I had just pushed on and gone for it.

But there has been some small successes J. I got weighed and have lost another 3lbs which actually made me scream I was so happy! Which brings the weight loss to 5lbs in total in just over three weeks.  I have been aiming for 1lb per week so I am more than happy with that. I hadn’t taken my measurements before I started this programme, but I definitely feel as though I have lost inches from under my boobs, belly and waist. I have now recorded my measurements and am going to check every four weeks if they have changed – I will keep you updated!

Two further little feel-good moments:

1) Not having to breathe in anymore to fasten my black work trousers.

2) I had stopped wearing a pair of brown trousers as I could no longer get any buttons on the outside fastened.  There is also a little button on the inside, which hasn’t fastened since the day I bought them. Now all three outside buttons AND the inside one fasten and aren’t tight around my waist at all, just a nice comfortable fit!

As I mentioned, I am on holiday from Wednesday 18^th for a week in the sun. I can’t wait to get some sun on my bones and relax with my books, get some swimming done and also I am hoping to still continue running – don’t quote me on that though!

Week Two – C25k program Run 90 secs walk 2 minutes (31 minutes)

What a busy, busy week this one has been!!! We came back from the beautiful cathedral town of Chartres on Sunday evening. For those of you living in the Paris region I highly recommend a visit, it is like stepping back in time a thousand years in the ‘Quartier Historique’ with the beautiful winding lanes and riverside. After nightfall all of the old buildings, including the amazing cathedral have light shows projected onto their facades, it’s absolutely stunning and so, so peaceful. It truly is a haven, so far removed from the hustle and bustle of Paris yet just over an hour away by train.

There wasn’t any running involved over the weekend but loads and loads of walking. We also went to Europe’s largest swimming centre in Chartres called L’Odyssee. If you love the water like I do then you will absolutely adore this place. Its facilities include an Olympic sized swimming pool, a 25-metre pool, leisure pool, lazy river and outdoor pool. We spent a couple of hours there doing some lengths in the Olympic pool then 

mucking about in the lazy river and outdoor pool – great fun!

As I mentioned earlier I’ve had a mega busy week  –  working, celebrating a friend’s birthday, French lessons. It’s just been non-stop!   

On Monday I repeated the last day of Week 1, as I didn’t feel ready to jump up to 90 seconds. It was so difficult after a weekend off but slow and steady wins the race!!!

When Wednesday morning came around I was feeling slightly hungover from far too much vin blanc consumed the night before after celebrating a friend’s birthday. My head was pounding and needless to say I didn’t run. When I made it into work I was feeling restless and soon regretted not doing it as I’ve realised doing the running makes me feel great and ready to tackle the day, but because I didn’t run I was groggy, really sluggish and tired. On top of that I ended up staying late at work – not a good day at all!

Thursday morning when the alarm went off I really didn’t feel like doing it because I knew it would hurt. I was awake before the alarm went off and was lying there for about ten minutes arguing with myself about whether I should go or not.  There really was a battle of wills between the lazy, unhealthy Denise and the lovely, slim, healthy Denise I want to be. I’m glad to say the Denise I want to be kicked my butt out of bed and off I went to start the Week Two program (run 90 seconds walk two minutes). Oh my god it was awful! I could just about manage 75 seconds at a time but I completed the 31-minute program and just about crawled back home. 

So when Saturday morning came around I was dreading it cos I knew it was going to be hard – it was, although not as difficult as Thursday and I managed the full 90 seconds each time. I was quite emotional by the end as I genuinely thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it. I was just finishing my cool down when on my iPod a fantastic and most fitting tune came blasting through the earphones –  ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ by Queen. I felt victorious, mighty and flipping fantastic. It really was the perfect tune for the end of Week Two – another run truly had bitten MY dust!!!!

Day Two and Three

I’m so chuffed with myself these last couple of days. In the past I would make any excuse to get out of going to the gym or swimming (I was only lying to myself), but now I feel like something has changed in my head. Maybe it’s my head and body finally catching up with each other and making me realise I can’t go on forever at this weight and being so unfit.

Wednesday morning I got up at 6am and went for my C25K run. I still found it really difficult and couldn’t do the entire running as the program tells you to, but I managed to do one more bout of it than on Monday – so it was a small success. Yet again, after I completed my run, I felt totally energised and for the rest of the day I was in a great mood and slept like a baby at night.

A friend told me about an app that she has been using to help her lose weight called www.myfitnesspal.com. It’s a really simple site to use which calculates – based on your height, weight and age ­– how many calories you should be eating to help you lose weight at an achievable and sensible rate (1lb a week). It has a food diary and a record of most food’s calorie, fat, carb and protein content so that you can really see exactly what you are putting into your body. I absolutely love it as it helps me make an informed choice of what to eat.

We all think we know what’s healthy or unhealthy, and we can all read the nutritional facts panel on our food, but what’s great about this is it also has the servings size, not just per 100 grams, so that you can see exactly how many calories you are consuming – as well as carbs, protein and fat. Oh I forgot to mention the best bit about the app is that it is all completely free! There is also a community section where people can post either inspirational stories and photos of weight loss or chat about any other weight issues and get moral support from others online. I absolutely love it and find it’s far better than the other online diet tools. I can’t recommend it enough! So that was Wednesday.

Thursday was supposed to be one of my rest days but the weather here was so hot and muggy all I could think of was getting in a swimming pool to cool off, so after work I dashed home to de-fuzz my legs first (It’s been a long winter lol) and almost ran down the Jardin de Reuilly thinking the pool closed at eight. I got there to find there had been ‘une probleme electrique’ and they didn’t know how long it was going to take to repair. In the past I would have taken this as my cue to give myself the excuse “Oh well, at least you tried, it’s not your fault,” and turned around to go back home. Not this time. I waited it out and after about 20 minutes the pool was open again.

 

French swimming pools are like going back to school. Everyone has to wear swimming caps first of all (yuk) and men have to wear Speedo style trunks which do not flatter any man (unless he is Linford Christie ;-) ).  The water was a little chilly at first and it took me a little while to get the hang of doing the lengths, but in the end I managed 24 lengths in just over 30 minutes. The water felt absolutely amazing and I felt like I belonged there as soon as I got into my stride.

So on to this morning (Friday) annnnnd I bloody did it!! I ran the full 20-minute section as per the app tells you to, I even ran in the rain – which would have never happened in the past, and the lift was out of order when I got back so I had to walk up five flights of a winding staircase. I was practically on my knees by the time I got to the door, but I felt absolutely top of the pops for doing it. I’m sure it was the swimming the night before that helped as it seemed to stretch out all of the muscles in my legs and back. One last thing I almost forgot to mention – I have lost 2lbs since Monday morning!! I weighed myself after my run today so in four days I have lost 2lbs. I’m absolutely buzzing!!

I am off to Chartres for the weekend so lets see how I cope with that one!! I will be back after the weekend to tell you all about it…

Day One

Today I started my first run with C25K.  Before going to bed last night the H2B asked why I was setting my alarm so early, as I normally start work a little later on Mondays. He was very impressed when I replied it was so I could go for my run.

7am came far too quickly for my liking, but I was really keen to get up and give it a go. I actually felt quite excited to get started (sad, I know, and totally out of character for me when it comes to exercise). I threw on my joggy bottoms, a vest top and my hoody and made my way downstairs and out onto the street. It was a beautiful bright morning with just a couple of white clouds in the sky, but still a little bit on the chilly side. Perfect. I put on my headphones, pressed start on the app and turned on my music to begin my five-minute warm up.  The first tune was by The Jam, which was great to get me walking at a nice brisk pace.  I turned right onto the street and at the corner right again onto Avenue Daumesnil.

The first five minutes passed in a blur and soon enough I was up to my first running point. This wasn’t too bad, but believe me I was ready for that little voice to say “start walking” but I managed it, and continued on my merry way.  The second and third spell of running got gradually harder and by the fourth I could already feel my legs turning to jelly. I managed to do one more running stint and ran for about 13 minutes of the 20 minute walk/run section and then made my way back home walking at a brisk pace until it was time to cool down. I was bloody knackered!!!

My face was raspberry red and because my hair was tied back I had a tad more than a passing resemblance to a Ribena berry!! The sweat was running down my back and seemed to gather into a little pool under my boobs. Attractive. Thank God the lift was working when I came back!

I went straight into the shower and cooled off under the lukewarm water. When I stepped out I felt absolutely amazing. My Mam and friends will all tell you I am soooo not a morning person but I felt (dare I say it) chipper and almost in a perky mood. I got dressed and actually went off to work with a spring in my step.

Although I wasn’t able to do the full running section I really felt as though I had achieved something. I have made a start and I will be back to tell you how I do on Day Two.

Fat to fit in Paris

Ok, so I’m 31 and have been living in Paris for the last 14 months with my fiancé.  Our wedding date is September 7, 2013. I’m 4 foot 11 inches and a half (yes, half an inch does matter ;) ) and I weigh 17 stone 5 lbs / 243lbs / 110.5 kilos. And, of course, I want to lose weight for our wedding. To be honest though, the wedding isn’t my main reason for wanting to lose weight. On our way home from watching the footy with friends at our ‘local’ the husband to be (h2b) and I were talking about when we have kids and for the first time it struck me that I don’t want to be fat and unfit when I have children.  I want to be a good role model. I have lots of friends, a good sense of humour, I’m kind and fun, which are all good personality traits I believe, but if I’m honest I haven’t taken care of my body. I’m overweight, but I don’t sit and scoff cakes and pies and chocolate all day, I probably have a slow metabolism and obviously take in more calories than I burn off – or I wouldn’t be in this situation. 

In the last few years I have done several diets to lose weight, all were successful to a point but I lost motivation or found the diets too difficult and life restricting to stick to. Three years ago I lost almost four stone following the Cambridge Diet which is a (disgusting) meal replacement plan and totally unrealistic to follow over a long period when you have a lot of weight to lose like I do. The minute I stopped drinking the shakes and trying to maintain the weight loss, even when I was eating just salads, the weight started to creep back on, and slowly over 18 months I was back to where I started. 

French women are tiny. In the shops you’re hard pushed to find anything over a UK size 14. Also, people here in Paris really stare at you when they see someone who is overweight. They look at you as though you’re a cross between a massive dog shit/alien from another planet (disgust and curiosity all rolled into one). Also lots of French African men seem to find the combination of a blonde with a big arse incredibly exotic and I often get unwanted attention on the Metro, street or on my way to work. 

Since moving to Paris in all honesty my diet has improved a lot. I very rarely snack like I did in the UK.  Paris is a carbohydrate wet dream, but, I rarely indulge in croissants, pain au chocolat or even a baguette. Each week, 6 out of 7 of our main evening meals are home-made, no frozen (no freezer to put it in) no convenience, processed or fried foods and for lunch I eat sushi, salad or leftovers. I walk much more here than I did at home. I would rather walk than take the Metro when I have the time. 

A couple of weeks ago I was on the train going to work (hung-over like never before) when a French African man got on the train. The carriage was empty apart from me and the obligatory drunk tramp.  Immediately, he clocked me and sat down right beside me. Great, just what I need when I can barely open my mouth for fear of vomming all over myself. He starts up with the old “Bonjour Mademoiselle”. I nodded just to be polite – as I said, I’m a nice person and find it hard to be rude to people. I explained “Desole, je ne parlais Francais” and he continues with “Ah, so you’re English” and then hit me with a barrage of questions like where are you going, where do you live, do you live alone, and then he comes out with the mother of all chat up lines – “You are nice girl, you are very fat. I like you a lot, you are very fat” with arm actions to illustrate his point that I am fat. What a way to sweep a girl off her feet. 

You might be wondering where this is going but I am getting to the point now – I just wanted to share some of me with you first.  I was reading a Slimming World support group page on Facebook when someone mentioned the ‘Couch to 5k’ app for smartphones and also a link to Fatgirlrunning’s blog.  After reading her story I was awe-inspired to see that someone with the same problems as I had really decided to do something about her situation and take control.  So that is what I’m doing, I am taking control.  I’m going to start the c25k challenge and write about it after each and every run and also chart my life and wedding plans in Paris on this blog.  If I write about it and put it out there I have to keep doing it.  I need to remember I am doing this for my future children and to be fit and healthy.

Don’t get me wrong I am not going to say I hate my body, I don’t, it’s the only one I have and my h2b adores me and my body exactly the way we are. Yes I’m fat but I am genuinely also very happy and I like being me. I don’t want to sound like the stereotypical fat and funny and bubbly girl, I’m not, but I know my body will eventually rebel against me if I don’t start to take care of it properly.

So this is my journey and I will tell the truth, warts and all but (hopefully) with a positive and humorous slant, mixed in with some fun and hijinx of my life in Paris.  C’est la vie…