Dumb bells, or their politically-correct name: free weights.
Way back at the beginning of this month (2 January) I said that I wanted to make a decided effort to get fit. I now have written on the white board on my study wall the words:
Exercise: no excuses!
as a way to remind me that I really can afford the 30 – 60 mins that I need to set aside each day to exercise. This evening I did about 20 mins of weights, until Mum phoned and then I had to go out to the Co-op for milk.
Hmm… not quite how I planned it, but it was a start and it felt good. Tomorrow, according to my Men’s Health exercise planner I have 40 minutes of aerobic exercise to enjoy; for me that means cycling.
Here’s what by my previous excuses I have done to myself:
| Weight | 280 lbs (20 stones) |
| Waist (at naval) | 47″ |
| Lean mass | 206 |
| Fat mass | 74 |
| Body fat | 26.3% |
I had to take the first couple of measurements to work out the last three figures. From those I could calculate my recommended daily calorie intake, and therefore calculate how I should distribute that intake amongst the 5-6 smaller meals I need to eat each day to help me both lose weight and build muscle.
To be honest I was really surprised by those figures, particularly the waist size, and quite ashamed too that I’ve let myself get this way. And I’m sharing them here in the public domain partly as a way to be accountable — so please do keep asking or nagging me about my exercising.
For the last couple of weeks I’ve been wearing my shorts mostly. Partly because I love wearing shorts, partly because I don’t really feel the cold much, but to be honest, also because they are the only trousers that fit me properly at the moment other than — thankfully — my cycling longs.
I really need to get into shape. I know that I can do it. I will do it.
