Wednesday, 22nd August

Now that I'm actually paying attention to what I eat, how much I exercise, sleep, drink etc, I can really see why "summer is a bummer" for your waistline.
 
With the summer school break meaning family holidays with the associated food and drink and this year Ramadan and Eid Holidays in the equation, I have struggled to keep a lid on my bad eating habits. My family trip to Oman for 3 days over Eid was no different. Resorts don’t cater very well to people looking for healthy and low calorie options!
 
This was my plan which I tried to stick to.
1.       Exercise at the gym to make up for any bad eating – Check, two hard cardio gym sessions
2.       Fill up at breakfast, eat an apple for lunch and don’t be silly at dinner  - Check for breakfast and lunch, dinner we won’t speak about.
 
Generally I am feeling thinner and much fitter than when I started. I look different in the mirror as well which is pleasing. But as I have said, this is only the start. I have dreams of a flat tummy and fit lifestyle. This has been an excellent start but I have by no means reached my goal. That will take more time than this program. But I’m feeling motivated to succeed this time.

Sunday, 12th August

I had my BMI done for a second time a few days ago. It's not as good as I hoped but not too surprising because of my holiday away and being a bit off plan. It's not all bad news though. I lost 1kg, reduced my body fat and increased my lean muscle. I really have to work hard and be disciplined about my nutrition to make a noticeable different before the end of the programme.

But this won't be the end anyway. I've rediscovered my desire to look after myself better thanks to Suzanne, Corey and the fighting fitness team. Though my efforts won't be so public, I will continue to put in the effort.

I'm still not smoking which is a good thing and my fitness has improved.

Big effort for the last 3 weeks!

Tuesday, 7th August

It's been a while between blogs for me as I've been away on holiday in the USA. I had an absolutely fabulous time in New York and Washington DC with my family.

I did go a little off plan it must be confessed. The temptation of an odd hotdog and Italian cooking was too strong. But on the positive side, I don't think I have walked so much and so far in 2 weeks ever. I went for a couple of runs when I arrived but my legs were soon sore from all the walking so decided that was enough exercise.

The best thing I did for my health, fitness and well-being while I was away was to give up smoking. 3 weeks now!

I'm back on plan again and looking forward to my fitness test with Corey which is due sometime soon. I'm sure I have improved and will do better than last time. I have a BMI test tomorrow so I will let you all know exactly how I've done.

Saturday, 14th July

The first week is over and already I'm feeling good that I'm doing something positive for myself but there have been some ups and downs.

Some positive's first. I've kept up with my water intake which isn’t easy with having to drink 3-4 litres per day. Something I'm not that used to, but it's really important for weight loss especially in this region where we live in dry air conditioning a lot. I've also kept up with sleep and exercise this week. My exercise consisted of the fitness test (I count that because it was hard and was sore for days afterwards), an outside 2.5 km run, 2 sessions on my cross trainer at home and a combat fitness class at Dubai Sports World.

Some not so positives. I have struggled a little with my nutrition and being disciplined to eat properly. I've not blown it completely but Corey from Original Fitness Co gave me a telling off about my carb intake and eating empty calories. I think he said one of my day's carb intake was more than enough for a whole week! And unfortunately that day I didn’t exercise. I also went out to a friend's 40th birthday party over the weekend and probably consumed enough liquid and solid calories for all this week! "Energy in with no energy out = weight gain" is now top of mind thanks to Corey.

So over the week, I've generally felt good. There was a day or so of feeling low after I did the combat class though. I struggled with it and had a rant to Corey about how weak I was and how much I have let my body go. I felt like an overweight unfit middle aged man for the first time and I didn’t like it. It's not how I see myself, and not how I want to be. Corey gave me a pep talk but made it clear that any change is in my hands, no one else's. I have been given the tools, thanks to Dubai Eye and Suzanne, but it's up to me and me alone to take advantage of it and get the desired results.

This week I will need to be more disciplined about food. Onwards and upwards!

Sunday, 8th July

It really has begun now. 8th July was D day with the full plan of nutrition and exercise ready to put into action. I had my fitness test on Friday and it's safe to say I didn't pass it with flying colours. My body is still sore two days later. The test consisted of a timed 1 mile run, then a count of how many pushups, sit-ups, squats I could do over 1 minute each then a timed planking. In the spirit of public disclosure, here is how I did.

Run 1 mile = 09 min 50 (I think)
Pushups = 16
Sit-ups = 22
Squats = 37
Planking = 30 seconds

There is plenty of room for improvement there. I will let you know how I do in a month with my next test.

Today I've continued on the nutrition plan from Healthtrendz and already gulped my quota of 4 ltrs of water. I even dragged myself out for a run and struggled through 10 sit-ups.

Wonder how everyone else did today?

Thursday, 5th July

The countdown is over, the last week of sugar and fat loading has finished, it's time to get serious!

Well, nearly anyway. The exercise part of the plan hasn't started yet though I have received a worrying email from Cory at Original Fitness Co this morning with a call to arms. I don't think this guy's takes prisoners. Hydration, nutrition and sleep are top of his hit list (received his email at 2.36am so he may have his own sleep issues) followed by fitness. I have a fitness test this weekend before the official start on the 8th July. Nowhere to hide now. Bring it on!

I started the nutrition yesterday with Healthtrendz with all my meals delivered to the doorstep. And I must say that my worries were unfounded. The food is delicious and plentiful. Nutrition, check.

My goal is to lose 15kg. Let's see how I do.

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