I can't get too much further into my story of how I have come to be training for a marathon without talking about ThinkingSlimmer
I came across this revolutionary approach to weight loss back in May and and able to say with no hesitation that it has changed my relationship with food forever.
I have 'struggled' with my weight for as long as I can remember and have tried many different diets to try and lose weight. Weightwatchers, Slimming World, calorie counting - been there, done it. I've been through cycles of starting something new, doing really well for a few weeks then dropping off 'the wagon', getting disheartened and putting the weight back on again. I think it's a something that a lot of serial dieters can probably relate to.
Thinking Slimmer is totally different. It's not a diet at all. There's no counting of calories, sins or points, no good or bad foods and no humiliating public weigh ins.
At the heart of the Thinking Slimmer approach is the Slimpod, a downloadable mp3 track that you listen to for 10 mins a day, ideally before you go to bed, for 21 days and then for as long as you need to after that. During those 10 mins Trevor Silvester, the founder of the Cognitive Hypnotherapy technique talks to your unconscious and magically changes the way that you think about food.
Within days of using the Slimpod I found that I was thinking about food a lot less and only really when I was hungry. I also found that I was able to stop eating when I was full and leave food on my plate, something I had never done before. Day by day I noticed more and more changes to my relationship with food and soon enough the scales started to show the impact of these changes.
Since June I have lost over a stone in weight, a dress size, 4 inches off my tummy and most importantly I have lost my obsession with food. I still eat whatever I want and really enjoy my food but I am now in control.
One of the other great things about Thinking Slimmer is the support that's available. Sandra Roycroft Davis, the founder of the company makes herself available to answer any questions that you have on Facebook and Twitter, or via the Thinking Slimmer website. She's incredibly supportive and an all round lovely lady who clearly cares about the people who are using her product.
I've also met fellow 'Thinking Slimmers' and they have some fantastic stories to tell. From the inspirational Dawn aka The Moiderer who has shrunk from a size 22 to a size 14 to the amazing Darin McCloud who has lost a staggering 5 stone in six months
I have a lot to thank Sandra and the rest of the Thinking Slimmer community for. Not least that if it hadn't been for them that I would never have thought about taking part in the Great South Run. But that's another story for another post on another day!
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
The Tortoise and the Hares
Tonight I did something that at the start of the year I wouldn't have even contemplated - I went running with a running club! I joined the ladies at Boutique Sport for a 'gentle' 4K run through Central London.
Things didn't start too well to be honest, when I arrived at the gym studio that they use as their base for the runs I was handed a T-shirt to run in - they wanted everyone to be kitted out in the same gear so that we were identifiable on the run. Fair enough I guess. However, their choice of running tops really could have been more forgiving - tight fitting white tops are not my usual running gear of choice!
I was one of the first to arrive and as others joined the group it soon became clear to me that I was one of the oldest, and the only person in the group who wasn't a size 10. I started to feel a bit nervous about what I'd let myself in for.
We set off through Covent Garden, towards Waterloo Bridge at a reasonable pace - the biggest challenge was dodging through the crowds and watching for traffic. When we got to the other side of Waterloo Bridge and made our way down onto the Southbank the pace started to increase. I found myself at the back of the pack, really struggling to keep up with everyone.
We ran along the Southbank and along by the London Eye before crossing back over the river via Westminster Bridge. By this time the group were a good minute or so ahead of me. The pace was much faster than I'm used to running. To her credit the group leader ran with me, chatting along the way and offering a lot of encouragement. It still didn't stop me from feeling a bit rubbish to be honest.
After we'd turned right back along the Embankment we took a left turn along the side of The Savoy hotel. This road is pretty steep - perfect for a hill sprint, so the group leader decided. I increased my speed as much as I could but the others were at the top and around the corner before I'd got halfway up!
Thankfully, before long we were nearly back in Covent Garden where we started and I was once again encouraged to sprint the last 100m. After some cooling down and stretching the group leader took the time to check that I'd enjoyed it and gave me some more words of encouragement that I really appreciated.
So, I was definitely the tortoise of the group, but unlike the fable, I never actually overtook the hares. I could be really demotivated by the experience, but I'm choosing not to be. I did it - I've been out running with a group of people who were much faster than me and I didn't give up. I pushed myself, completed the run and when I go back next week hopefully I won't be quite so far behind them!
Things didn't start too well to be honest, when I arrived at the gym studio that they use as their base for the runs I was handed a T-shirt to run in - they wanted everyone to be kitted out in the same gear so that we were identifiable on the run. Fair enough I guess. However, their choice of running tops really could have been more forgiving - tight fitting white tops are not my usual running gear of choice!
I was one of the first to arrive and as others joined the group it soon became clear to me that I was one of the oldest, and the only person in the group who wasn't a size 10. I started to feel a bit nervous about what I'd let myself in for.
We set off through Covent Garden, towards Waterloo Bridge at a reasonable pace - the biggest challenge was dodging through the crowds and watching for traffic. When we got to the other side of Waterloo Bridge and made our way down onto the Southbank the pace started to increase. I found myself at the back of the pack, really struggling to keep up with everyone.
We ran along the Southbank and along by the London Eye before crossing back over the river via Westminster Bridge. By this time the group were a good minute or so ahead of me. The pace was much faster than I'm used to running. To her credit the group leader ran with me, chatting along the way and offering a lot of encouragement. It still didn't stop me from feeling a bit rubbish to be honest.
After we'd turned right back along the Embankment we took a left turn along the side of The Savoy hotel. This road is pretty steep - perfect for a hill sprint, so the group leader decided. I increased my speed as much as I could but the others were at the top and around the corner before I'd got halfway up!
Thankfully, before long we were nearly back in Covent Garden where we started and I was once again encouraged to sprint the last 100m. After some cooling down and stretching the group leader took the time to check that I'd enjoyed it and gave me some more words of encouragement that I really appreciated.
So, I was definitely the tortoise of the group, but unlike the fable, I never actually overtook the hares. I could be really demotivated by the experience, but I'm choosing not to be. I did it - I've been out running with a group of people who were much faster than me and I didn't give up. I pushed myself, completed the run and when I go back next week hopefully I won't be quite so far behind them!
Monday, 7 November 2011
My first 5K race
Not long after I started out jogging a friend of mine at work signed up for a 5K Race for Life after finding out that a friend of hers had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She wasn't a runner at the time and I was really impressed by her decision to do something that was going to challenge her so much but enable her to raise money for charity and feel like she was doing something positive.
Inspired by her decision I found myself wondering if I could manage to run a 5K and before thinking about it for too long I signed myself up for the City of London Race for Life. At the time I remember thinking that 5K was a really long way, given that I was still only managing to run for a few minutes at a time. I'd tried to run a 5K race before but had found the training really difficult and had ended up walking half the distance. I decided this time would be different.
I found a brilliant website called www.runningintoshape.com where I downloaded training podcasts to see me from 'Couch to 5K' The training programme was great, gradually increasing the periods of running in small but manageable amounts. Each week I made steady progress - I remember the first time I ran for 20 minutes non stop - it felt like such an achievement.
So 9 weeks later I found myself lining up in the cold and drizzle near the Guildhall in the City of London ready to take part in my first 5K race.
I was very nervous before the race, I knew that I could do the distance but I'd trained so hard that I wanted to do myself justice on the day. The atmosphere was fantastic - hundreds of women running, jogging and walking all to raise money for Cancer Research - everyone had a sign on their back to say who they were running for. Having lost my uncle the year before, I decided to run in his memory
I really enjoyed the first two miles of the race, I felt confident and enjoyed the atmosphere and the crowds cheering us on along the route. The last mile and a bit I found very challenging, but I kept going, cheered on by my husband until I crossed the finish line. My time was 38minutes, not fast by anyone's book, but 2 mins faster than I'd ever been in training. I felt elated and exhausted at the same time.
I would really recommend Race for Life for any woman who is thinking about taking up running. The events are well organised, and cater for runners, joggers and walkers. 5K is an achievable distance and the training can be fitted in pretty easily.
If you're reading this and thinking "I couldn't do that" believe me - if I can, you can!
Inspired by her decision I found myself wondering if I could manage to run a 5K and before thinking about it for too long I signed myself up for the City of London Race for Life. At the time I remember thinking that 5K was a really long way, given that I was still only managing to run for a few minutes at a time. I'd tried to run a 5K race before but had found the training really difficult and had ended up walking half the distance. I decided this time would be different.
I found a brilliant website called www.runningintoshape.com where I downloaded training podcasts to see me from 'Couch to 5K' The training programme was great, gradually increasing the periods of running in small but manageable amounts. Each week I made steady progress - I remember the first time I ran for 20 minutes non stop - it felt like such an achievement.
So 9 weeks later I found myself lining up in the cold and drizzle near the Guildhall in the City of London ready to take part in my first 5K race.
I was very nervous before the race, I knew that I could do the distance but I'd trained so hard that I wanted to do myself justice on the day. The atmosphere was fantastic - hundreds of women running, jogging and walking all to raise money for Cancer Research - everyone had a sign on their back to say who they were running for. Having lost my uncle the year before, I decided to run in his memory
I really enjoyed the first two miles of the race, I felt confident and enjoyed the atmosphere and the crowds cheering us on along the route. The last mile and a bit I found very challenging, but I kept going, cheered on by my husband until I crossed the finish line. My time was 38minutes, not fast by anyone's book, but 2 mins faster than I'd ever been in training. I felt elated and exhausted at the same time.
I would really recommend Race for Life for any woman who is thinking about taking up running. The events are well organised, and cater for runners, joggers and walkers. 5K is an achievable distance and the training can be fitted in pretty easily.
If you're reading this and thinking "I couldn't do that" believe me - if I can, you can!
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Watching the Virgin London Marathon 2011
I've watched the London Marathon on TV many times. Although I've lived in and around London for most of my life I have never been out onto the streets to watch it 'live' so I had no idea what to expect on Sunday April 17th when we walked out of our flat.
We had been able to hear the music and cheering from our balcony for an hour or so and knew that something 'big' was going on not far from our front door but neither of us were prepared for the sight that greeted us at the end of the road
There were hundreds of people lining the road, cheering and clapping the hundreds and hundreds of runners who were streaming along the route. From the moment I saw it I was transfixed.
I managed to find myself a spot with a great view and I stood and watched and applauded the runners as they went past. I clapped my hands until they were sore.
As I stood there and watched the runners go past I saw some truly inspirational sights. Running 26.2 miles is tough enough in itself but there were people doing it in rhino costumes, carrying a washing machine on their back, joined together into a human caterpillar and countless other crazy things, all to raise money for their chosen charity. I spotted fit young things, people far more out of shape than me, people who must have been older than my parents - people of all shapes and sizes out there doing something amazing.
I made a decision there and then that one day I would run the London Marathon
We had been able to hear the music and cheering from our balcony for an hour or so and knew that something 'big' was going on not far from our front door but neither of us were prepared for the sight that greeted us at the end of the road
There were hundreds of people lining the road, cheering and clapping the hundreds and hundreds of runners who were streaming along the route. From the moment I saw it I was transfixed.
I managed to find myself a spot with a great view and I stood and watched and applauded the runners as they went past. I clapped my hands until they were sore.
As I stood there and watched the runners go past I saw some truly inspirational sights. Running 26.2 miles is tough enough in itself but there were people doing it in rhino costumes, carrying a washing machine on their back, joined together into a human caterpillar and countless other crazy things, all to raise money for their chosen charity. I spotted fit young things, people far more out of shape than me, people who must have been older than my parents - people of all shapes and sizes out there doing something amazing.
I made a decision there and then that one day I would run the London Marathon
How on earth did this happen?
Welcome to my blog which I've set up to record my progress as I train for the London Marathon 2012.
So how on earth did this happen given that just over seven months ago I couldn't run for more than a minute at a time? To be honest, I can't remember exactly what it was that made me decide to give running a go. It was probably a combination of things:
- I am in my late 30s and want to get in shape before I hit the big 4-0
- I am facing redundancy in the next 6 months and wanted to do something for me to keep me sane through what has and will continue to be a pretty stressful time
- We'd recently moved to Limehouse, a lovely area of London which is very popular with runners. I'd spent a lot of time looking out of our windows watching other people out running and thinking "I'd like to be able to do that"
So one day in April I found myself outside our building in my trainers ready to go for a jog. I didn't really have a goal in mind, I just wanted to see what I could do. The answer was, not very much! I think I probably managed a minute or so before I had to stop and walk. I'd heard from other people that this is very common so I wasn't too disheartened, although it was a bit of a shock to have such a stark indicator of my lack of fitness. I decided I'd try and do this a couple of times a week and see how I got on.
The next weekend was the weekend of the 2011 Virgin London Marathon. We hadn't realised when we moved that our new area is right on the marathon route. We live smack bang inbetween mile 14 and mile 21. We decided that we'd go out and see what was going on, take in some of the atmosphere and cheer on the runners.
At the time I didn't realise what significance that day would have.
So how on earth did this happen given that just over seven months ago I couldn't run for more than a minute at a time? To be honest, I can't remember exactly what it was that made me decide to give running a go. It was probably a combination of things:
- I am in my late 30s and want to get in shape before I hit the big 4-0
- I am facing redundancy in the next 6 months and wanted to do something for me to keep me sane through what has and will continue to be a pretty stressful time
- We'd recently moved to Limehouse, a lovely area of London which is very popular with runners. I'd spent a lot of time looking out of our windows watching other people out running and thinking "I'd like to be able to do that"
So one day in April I found myself outside our building in my trainers ready to go for a jog. I didn't really have a goal in mind, I just wanted to see what I could do. The answer was, not very much! I think I probably managed a minute or so before I had to stop and walk. I'd heard from other people that this is very common so I wasn't too disheartened, although it was a bit of a shock to have such a stark indicator of my lack of fitness. I decided I'd try and do this a couple of times a week and see how I got on.
The next weekend was the weekend of the 2011 Virgin London Marathon. We hadn't realised when we moved that our new area is right on the marathon route. We live smack bang inbetween mile 14 and mile 21. We decided that we'd go out and see what was going on, take in some of the atmosphere and cheer on the runners.
At the time I didn't realise what significance that day would have.
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