Half Way There But a New Problem

So how is the training for the Shelter Rush going?

I have now done the 241 steps in Bracknell 5 times, but more importantly last time I did it twice in quick secession, 241 steps, lift (elevator) back down and straight back up.

So that is more half what I need to do on the day. But it was hard. Then next time I swam, which I like to do my right knee started to hurt. I think the problem is that I swim only breast stroke and that uses the knew a different way to how it is used to climb stairs.

So I will stop swimming until after the rush and hope I am OK.

Next weekend I am off to Denver for Altitude Training (hehe not really I am going to speak at a conference). The hotel has 38 floors, not sure how many steps that is but close to what I need I am sure.

So fancy sponsoring me http://www.sponsorme.co.uk/debralilley/shelter's-vertical-rush.aspx

In Training

Now I have signed up for Vertical Rush the reality has dawned. So how do I get fit for this challenge?

I live in a bungalow so that isn't much help and most of the time the office I work in is only a few floors, but our office in Bracknell is 10 stories tall, so when I was there on Thursday I thought, let's give it a go.

Armed with a bottle of water and a sports drink, I told a colleague what I was going to do and set off to see how far I could get. His advice to me was to rest when necessary and not push myself too hard.

I walked doen to the basement and then started to climb. After 10 flights, I needed to rest, but was so pleased with myself I quickly started again. Next rest was on floor 8 and then I managed to get to the roof, 241 steps! How pleased with myself was I?

In fact I was so pleased with myself, I did it again at lunchtime :)

The Challenge

So to try and get back on the exercise I have joined a company initiative.

My employer Fujitsu as employees to choose our charity and we selected Shelter which is for the homeless, and a few weeks ago we were encouraged to take part in the Shelter Vertical Rush and more than 250 stepped up to the challenge. Although it says Rush there is no time limit so I thought why not, let's give it a go.

Why would I want to do this? Climb 920 steps to the top of Tower 42 in central London.

• Well first it is for a good cause
• Secondly because I could do with the challenge, 2 years ago I couldn't climb 9.2 stairs without huffing and puffing, 92 would be OK but 920 I will have to work at (a lot)
• Finally the answer is always 42.

  http://www.sponsorme.co.uk/debralilley/shelter's-vertical-rush.aspx

Why Am I Back?

Hallo Again


So why am I back?

• First being open about how I was doing was a real help when doing through the whole process. And I need some more help

• I did say I would give an annual update and I haven't


So How am I Doing?


Well at my best I had lost 33Kg, but and I am really sad I have put 8 of that back on. Just over the stone in old money. However that is over 20 months. The problem is not how much I eat but how often, what crap and being lazy. So time to do something.


Eating Too Often.........This is simply boredom. When I work at home, it is easier to go to the kitchen and find something to eat than to get on with it. I think the medical term is procrastination. So I need to keep busy.


Eating Crap........... This is down to shopping. If I shop when I am happy and busy I dont buy crap. Most people think my lifestyle of being on teh road all teh time is the problem, but actually I am worse at home.


Being Lazy............. Code for not enough exercise. So I am trying to do 30 minutes a day of something. I am trying to walk in London instead of taking the tube and that is working well, walking to the village and taking the stairs (more about that in next posting). Again hotels are actually easier, and in some I can swim.


So restarting the blog till I get rid of this. It helps.

The Good and The Bad

Yesterday I went to see the doctor for my 1 year check up.

The bad news was I weighed 1/2 kg more than last time - but I had just spent 28 nights in hotels and that was pretty good. Over all I have lost 33 kg, I did have a target of 40 kg but I am happy with where I am.

The doctor was really pleased and said the fact that I has stabilised for so long he didn't need to see me again. We had a lovely chat about the changes it had made to my life.

The dietitian is still worried I eat the wrong food, she isn't worried about the calories but she does want me to cut out sugars. I understand the cakes and sweets, but I didn't realise the cereal bars I think of as healthy are actually stuck together with liquid sugar. So I will try.

I need to do more exercise and I need to try harder but as I look back over the year it has been a great success.

To me the highlights have been trying new things, enjoying being in pictures, my PADI course, activities with my daughter, climbing Auckland Bridge but most of all my wrist.

I don't intend to post here except on anniversaries.  Thank you everyone for your support

What Have We Done?

My friend and her sister have had this operation, her daughter and mine are best friends. Both the girls are beautiful, and slim, but both also know it is because they are active; if they get lazy they notice the few ( and only a few) extra pounds. The four of us had a wonderful mother and daughter few days this summer and both mums were so much more fun than ever before, taking part in everything and up for anything.

Then one night the girls told me they had discussed weight loss surgery. I was horrified, what have we done? They said that they would do it now, as a precaution, an immunisation against it happening in the future. They don't want to be like we were, and although they love what we have had done, if they did it now they wouldn't have the flabby skin!

I worry about models who are a bad influence on young girls, I am no better, luckily after a heart to heart they backed away from the idea.

See Saw Dieting

Lots of people call themselves see saw dieters, put on a few pounds, loose a few, put them ( and sometimes more) back on, and life is a constant shift between the two. I wasn't really like that, yes I tried but not all the time and I was pretty constant with my "natural" weight.

So the see saw? Well that is my emotions. It is just over a year since the op, and I have lost almost 33kg, amazing and I should be and can be so pleased with it. But I need a bit more and nothing has really changed in almost 4 months on the scales; then I have high days when I feel great, people tell me how great I look, I feel full on energy and want to try new things.

When you see me, give me a hug and make sure it is a high day. I need to take myself in check and try a little harder to finish the job.

Mum Would be Proud of Me

A year ago my mum died, before I started this weight loss but she knew I was going to do it and she was supportive. I wish she could see me now, she would be prude of me. Look at what I have achieved:

• 33kg that's 71lb lost. That is over 5 stone.

• I am fitter than I have ever been and that has led to me being braver.
  
  
• The unexpected wrist improvement
  


• A new zest for life
  


• > 5 dress sizes smaller and a new wardrobe
  


• The desire and ability to wear high heels Feel good about myself when I dress up and therefore wear more makeup

Changing Habits

My weight is stable has been for almost 4 months and I should be happy with that but I haven't changed my habits. I eat less but I still eat crap. If I wasn't physically unable to eat too much I would be fat again.

This image really shows bad habits and why so many of us are obese. I can honestly say though that i watch very little TV now, I do spend a lot more time being active.

Coasteering

Having managed to do the dive course, I know I am not afraid of open water, so when coasteering was suggested I thought why not. I lived the rock climbing ( think it was the boots), the swimming was ok but I am still not fast, but I was pretty useless at the jumping. Obviously it was fright, but I wanted to do it, my legs just wouldn't move.

The first jump I finally did, but jumped two legged not just stepping off the cliff, the second I couldn't do at all and the third I had to go a little lower, so I guess 1.5 out of 3; 50% success rate.

But I loved it and also loved the wetsuit, now who would of thought they would hear me say that a year ago?

More Photos

Did another magazine shoot - I could get used to this, I like the finished product. When I was fat, I was always behind the camera, meant I didn't have to be in the pictures.

Mother and Daughter

OK it is official, I like having my photo taken now, another really big benefit of feeling less fat. And having my photo taken with my daughter who is simply stunning is the best. 

What A Difference A Year Makes

A year ago today I had my operation, I have lost 32Kg not quite as much as I had planned but I am happy. I haven't lost much for 4 months but I haven't gained an ounce.

I am happy. I am glad I did it.

OOps

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while - no problem, I haven't fallen off the waggon or anything, just simply been too busy. I have a number of thoughts written down and will try and catch up next week.

Great Way To Achieve My Best

I am on my annual holiday, and am trying to have a really relaxing time. It started with a wedding in New York with friends. I am not really a shopper, but it is amazing how much you can clock up walking up and down 5th Avenue, Broadway, 42nd Street etc in the sunshine, so without even thinking about it, I beat my personal best. Glad I ignored my friend's mantra of 'lets get a taxi'.

One Million - Way To Go

Finally reached the one million mark - happy

Another Update From My Virtual Coach

Thank Goodness I signed up to the GCC, not perfect but it is a goal to strive towards. This is the latest update:

We know that the average adult is only taking around 3,000 steps per day. That's only enough to burn off about 120 calories or 502 kilojoules.

To date, you've walked 11,284 steps daily which is burning 1,895 kilojoules. This is already 275% higher than the average adult. A superb result and one that your body will thank you for, if it hasn't already.

Not only that, but GCC participants are often amazed when I compare their daily performance to that of regular gym-goers. For example, based on your current step average, a regular gym-goer would have to complete 56 minutes on a cross-training machine to expend the same amount of energy as you are currently burning off every single day! Now that's something to be very proud of!

Not So Child Friendly

My favourite exercise is swimming and I do try to stay in hotels that have a pool. The last 2 weeks I booked the right hotels but forgot it is high season for holidays, and I may be a snob but I don't like sharing my quiet swim with noisy children.

It meant I couldn't swim in the evenings or rather chose not to, but at 6am most children were still in bed.

Didn't Want to Stop

A few years ago I challenged myself to cycle the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge and was so pleased with myself I bought a bicycle; although I tried hard I didn't ever succeed the 3 mile circuit around my house without having to actually stop a few times.

I haven't used the bike for a while, I am more the treadmill in the living room, in the warm and dry (did you know how much it rains in Ireland?); anyway today I decided to give it a go, and not only did I manage not to stop once (although my heart thought it might for a while), when I reached my house I turned right and did another 2 miles!!

If you cycle 5 miles is not very much, but to me it was a real achievement.

Not Ready for the Giving Away Yet

Despite the weight not changing the shape is, and today, because I can, I altered 2 pairs of trousers (one for the 2nd time), and altered a dress I bought last week, which I fell in love with but was simply too short, so made it into a top.