Diary of a fat man Jogging, not as easy as it looks

So week 3 starts after what can only be described as a marathon drinking session over the weekend.  Far too much alcohol was consumed and no doubt it put me back a few steps in the whole training regime but with every cloud there is a silver lining and the night was spent with 3 other athletes, 1 had completed 2 marathons (sub 4 hours) another training for this year’s marathon and the 3rd well he's in the same boat as me a big guy trying to be fit and healthy so there were plenty of hints and tips in between the cocktails and shots.  Note to self swimming the next day - Bad Idea

So as per plan week 3 sees the introduction of jogging and my first thoughts are "fuck this is going to be a struggle"  My plan sees me out for 40 minutes alternating 4.5 minutes walking with 30 seconds jogging repeated over 8 times.  Of course me wanting to be clever thinks running for 30 seconds is piss I’ll just keep going (bad move) this only highlighted how out of shape I was and that thoughts of running the length (and more) of the beach are miles away.  Anyway despite the freezing cold and my over ambitious attitude I managed and again I felt good for it If you'd asked me before Christmas to go out for a jog at 8.30 at night I would have choked on my tea and chocolate biscuits and politely told you to "piss off"

The plan slowly increases over the weeks so you run more and walk less so I'm looking forward to see how this pans out but in-between rest days and other activities It should become better and easier so fingers crossed

Even at this early stage I get plenty of encouragement not just from family and workmates but from people that I just wouldn't expect to be interested in my campaign and this really spurs me on so thank you to everyone for all the nice comments it means a lot

Donnie

Diary of a fat man Mindgames

Well its nearly 2 weeks in now and I’m well and truly on my way and whilst I haven't actually done any running yet I must confess I am actually enjoying the whole process.  I think my previous failures have come as a result of not really wanting to succeed and giving up at the first opportunity.  The main change this time around other than having to actually complete 10k is the mindset I have.  I feel like I’m playing a game against myself here and I'm determined not to lose, so when offered biscuits and chocolate and butteries rather than say oh yes I'll just have one I’m being really strict and refusing flat out and do you know what I feel better for it I have more energy as a result.

Now since I decided to do this I weighed myself for the first time in ages, fat people don’t tend to step on the scales if they don’t have too we don’t need something else pointing out what we already know but for me I had too and a full 10 days later I was surprised to see that the hard work was paying off.  Now it was only 7lbs nothing dramatic but when I converted this into new money I was really shocked at how much this was extra to be carrying around previously.  Now I'm not going to be a slave to the scales so I only intend doing this once a week

Next week should see the start of the jogging stage so it will be interesting to see how this pans out

fingers crossed

Diary of a fat man Week 1

Week 1

Well that’s it done everyone knows now about my run and I must confess I am really pleased with the level of support from everyone.  Hints, tips and eating plans are all appreciated as I've said before I have no will power so the more people helping out will only encourage me on further.

There is one person however who has helped and supported me more than all of you and that’s my wife Gillian.  Gillian it only took you about 8 years but we got there in the end.  Gillian has always been trying to get me fit and slim downed but the fat man inside of me always gets the better of me. (a tip for all you women trying to get your man to do that thing he doesn't want to do just stick at it and in around 8 years your endeavours should be rewarded.)  I thought the arrival of Matthew almost 7 years ago now would spur me on and then again when Lucie arrived nearly 4 years ago would help me get a move on but alas no kids just tire you out even more

SO how have I fared in my first week?  Well slowly but surely would be the answer, a combination of walking and "Just Dance" on the Wii  have been my efforts and from what I've found so far is if I don’t make it as an athlete then I can always turn to dancing (bad dad dancing at that).  Anyway is about preparing the body for the shock and awe that lies ahead and already my body is feeling the aches and pains of it all, but hey no pain no gain eh?

How does week 2 pan out well more of the same Laps of walking around duthie Park at lunchtime (3-4k a day) and some light exercise in the evening.  Towards the end of the week I think I'll venture out in the evening around Cove (still walking)  Saturday sees a lads night out get in the way of things but I’m not going to sit here and pretend I'll behave myself, yes I will have a few drinks and yes I'll probably have that kebab but that my treat

So here's to more of the same healthy eating and exercise in order to fit me up

I can’t wait he says sarcastically :)

The Story Begins

So here we are January 2012 and I'm like what the hell have I done!!!

But like all good stories let me take you back to the beginning

For all who know me I am a lazy bastard and a big one at that.  All through life I have never really exerted myself any more than I have to.  Take school for example although my intelligence would have allowed for more I eased through my exams with quite little studying (you will understand quite quickly than English was never my strong point so apologies in advance) got myself C's and that was enough.  I can even remember leaving my chemistry exam after half an hour because I wanted to go home and watch the Cricket (possibly the laziest sport of all played over 5 days) so I answered as much as i could then up and left.   I passed the exam with a 2 and have no idea how the cricket went but that was me never really interested in doing the hard work.

Fast forward almost 20 years and a lifestyle of laziness and I'm afraid to say it has all caught up with me.  Every year starts off with good intentions of eating healthy and exercising and losing the gut but every year without fail the effort lasts till Easter (at best)  Wii Fit tells you its been 278 days since your last test and that you've put on 5lbs and you think fuck it at least I'm happy and I am happy  I sit on my arse for a large part of the day

My weakness is that i have no will power whatsoever I'm so glad i don't smoke cause I'd struggle to give it up.  I enjoy swimming and walking but there are to many distractions in life such as television and Angry Birds.  I'll watch anything you name it cup of tea and some biscuits and I'll watch any crap and if there's no crap on I'll sit and play with my phone (dam you apple)

The solution = THE FEAR

I need the fear to push me into something that I would never normally do, a goal and a sense of achievement so that is why in May this year I will be running the Baker Hughes 10k!!!!  That's right quite literally run fat boy run over 6.2 miles.  Now its no marathon but for a fat guy like me this is my Everest.  How am i going to manage?  Christ know but without the FEAR i would never get round to it and we'd be another year older and another year fatter

So here goes yesterday I signed up £21 for the privilege of dragging my fat ass around Aberdeen.  I will be doing this for charity so alongside my health and overall well being there will also be others benefiting too.  I just have to decide who

Already I feel sick at the though but if you see a fat man curled up at the side of the road please pick him up and tell him to "Jog On"

Donnie