Christmas & Beyond

Well I hope you all had a Great Christmas, I have.I been enjoying Christmas and still being a bit careful on what I eat & drink (lol),went to weigh myself yesterday and found out my scales are broken but I am fearing the worst about a bit of weight gain I have been getting out on my bike everyday so far except Christmas Day and hopefully continuing to do so while i'm of work and the weather stays so good.

Pre Christmas

Another great weekend for the weather,lol...
well Saturday Morning out of the house for my walk  before it was light 1st mistake, almost went arse over tit within 100 metre's of leaving the house, so decide to follow a path that everybody uses(Except today). Slipping and sliding everywhere up towards Junction 6 M5 then onto rough track, 2nd mistake could not see where i was going but sliding everywhere due to dampness of the ground as it is quiet sheltered another couple of mile on then back onto solid ground and sliding everywhere again due to ICE. i was close to turning around and going back home but decide NO as i could encounter these conditions on the challenge so i kept on going finally got to the point where i turn around and head back home sliding everywhere and finding it very demanding walk but ended up doing over 12 miles.
Sunday morning.....looked outside mmmmm looks very icy so i decided to leave a bit later, but this time i went out on my bike wrapped up nice and warm. Done over 15 mile today at a nice steady pace with a stroll around Worcester city centre in between. upon getting home had to police waiting for me... No i had not done anything wrong just door to door enquires about recent arson attack where a friend of mine had been killed.. RIP Andrew Heath.
on a different note i had some documents about the challenge arrive Saturday so i will be going through them over the next couple of days and will then post more details and information.

I would also like to let you know about my cousin  Jas Payne who as been doing her bit for charity for some time so please check out her blog to.  http://jas-on-the-run-again.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=32

Cardio Fit Holiday Time

Last night was my last night at Cardio fit exercise session until 5th January 2012, This Thursday was supposed to be my last session but I'm having a treat and going to watch Birmingham City's last Europa League group match.  So next week I'll be starting my own  exercise sessions at home using my weights,running up and down the stairs also exercises using resistant bands so i will still be going for it I'm also hoping for a good weekend for the weather fingers crossed.
Still waiting for information regarding sponsorship.

Somebody is watching over me.

Well I can't believe it got up this morning expecting crap weather, Much to my surprise it's damp, Cloudy & cold but no rain so time to get ready to go out. Somebody up above must be watching me giving me ideal weather conditions to keep getting out every weekend and doing my walks and bike riding.The big question today was do I ride my bike or walk???
Answer: walk and so I did adding a extra couple of miles on to my walking route, everything went really well on getting to about 10 Miles my legs did start to feel heavy but I just kept on going for another 3 until reaching home. After getting home I decided time to get scales out for a weighing (Drum roll.........) Yes I've got into the 16 st bracket, 16St 11lbs ( 107 Kgs) to be exact WOOP WOOP. I'm really pleased with myself and can't believe that I've just kept going for it, The big test is over Christmas...Mince Pies, Pork Pies with egg in the middle, Christmas Cake and all those other lovely things but determined to be good.

Bitter cold Saturday morning & Thursday night update

Off out I went this morning wrapped up ready for the cold or so I thought, I cycled from one side of town to the other well to work where i had forgot to take my trainers home last night from there I went into town followed by a circuit of the race course then along the river & canal back home. All in all a very pleasant but cold ride today keeping fingers crossed for some dry weather tomorrow when I will go out for a repeat walk from last weekend.
Update from Thursday's Cardiofit Exercise Class and me breaking into the 16 Stone milestone, could not get weighed as somebody had removed the scales so I'm hoping that they will be back for Monday night, Thursday night I went a bit silly and pushed myself a bit too far and had a small chest pain which the instructor spotted and got me to sit down and checked blood pressure,Heart rate  & pulse. everything seemed OK but pulse took a bit of time to go down but got there in the end, turns out I just might of pulled a muscle in my chest all seems fine since.
Monday nights session will be the last for me until 5th January 2012 so I'm gonna be doing exercises at home to help keep me on track no pigging out over Christmas but i will a the odd treat or two.
more News Tuesday night.

Looking to reach a Milestone

Tomorrow night I'm off to my Cardiofit  Exercise Class & also getting on the scales where I'm hoping to break into the 16 st weight bracket. I have started to plan my Christmas exercise programme as Cardiofit finishes next Thursday which I'm unable to attend as I'm off to watch Birmingham City v NK Marribor last of the group matches,so next Monday will be my last session until the New Year. Subject to weather conditions i WILL  be going for walks & bike rides also doing workout sessions at home also the Kids want me to go on the WII & Xbox so I'm gonna be kept pretty active.
I will update you tomorrow. Stay Safe

Weekend walk Pt 2

Weekend walk Pt 2? Yes I decided to have a bike ride instead due to getting up this morning and my legs were really stiff. So out came the bike and away I went, Much to my surprise the stiffness in my legs soon disappeared after a few hundred yards and in fact they ended up feeling really good the more I got into the ride.

I took my normal route down the Canal to Diglis then along the River to the Race course a circuit of that then back over Sabrina Foot bridge to the main Bridge in the town over that up into town centre. Once getting into town I had a walk around the Victorian Fair which was really busy then after purchasing a couple of Raffle tickets from The British Heart Foundation Shop I rode my bike back home just in time to listen to football on PC.

I have found this weekend to be a good marker to how fit I'm getting, now keeping fingers crossed that the weather next weekend will be as good as previous weekends but I somehow think not still I have been very lucky.

Weekend Walk Pt 1

Saturday morning did plan to walk my normal bike ride route but decided to change that to something more challenging so I went on an different route over different terrain's hard surface, muddy, gravel & grass up hills & back down again. Really enjoyed it got home and only problems I have is a bit of soreness which E45 cream soon sorted & a couple of blisters on my feet. On checking how far I had walk found out I had walked 11.4 mile non stop, Well pleased with my effort. Time for a nice soak with a bit of Radox.

Always look on the bright side of life, de dum de dum

A day off work and off to the hospital to see Heart Speicalist for my first big check up since having my stent fitted and what a day it as been.
Decided to walk to hospital which is about 2 1/2 miles ( but i ended up doing about 4 miles) from my house up hill, half way i found a steep part which is about 500 metre's long, i thought this could be something like on 3 Peaks Challenge so decided to go up and down 3 times with some ease which really gave me a boost. Then i arrived at hospital a bit nervous but in good spirits, off to get weighted and then have an ECG then a short wait to see Heart Speicalist who after a chat about my results and how well i looked since last time he saw me DISCHARGED me from his clinic telling me to keep up the good work i have been doing on changing my lifestyle..WOOP WOOP I also said that i was hoping to do the 3 Peaks Challenge and he told me to go for it....
I got out of the hospital and was on such a high while walking home i even added in a jog for a while? yes i was jogging home, i am  now even more determined that I WILL COMPLETE The 3 Peaks Challenge in June....
The weekend is upon us again and i ready for my walk tomorrow on the route i normally ride, have a good weekend more news next week.
P.S a massive thank you to all the staff at The Worcester Royal Hospital who did a FANTASTIC JOB caring for me during my stay, also the support and encouragment i was given to GO FOR IT..

Monday evening Phase 4 class & plans for the weekend

Very pleased with myself tonight, had a great session finishing with a sprint.

This weekend I have decided that the route that I normally ride my bike around, I'm going to walk it instead regardless of what the weather is doing. This is going to a bit of a challenge for me as another one of the many health issues I have, is my legs cramp up very quick.

So I'm hoping that with all the bike riding I have been doing and the weight lose it will make it easier for me in preparation for after Christmas when I start walking up & down Malvern Hills.

My bike ride photo's

Here are a selection of pictures which i have taken while getting myself fit ready for the 3 Peaks Challenge.

The Weekend is here.

well it's Saturday morning....Time to get ready, Take my drugs & get out on my bike while the weather is so mild, think i will go a bit further today do another extra couple of miles.
Yesterday I went to my Doctors for a 3 month check up which was good & a bit worrying at the same time. She was happy with how I've been recovering and my weight loss, down from 120 Kgs to 110 Kgs but still quiet a bit to go. However recently I had to increase one of my tablets due to ( I think it was, as it sort of went over my head a bit ) the Tricuspid Valve not working to full capacity (about 55%) but will find out more next Friday when I see the Cardiology doctor.
I should have more information & some updates on how the rest of the Team are doing regarding their preparations for our challenge.
Hope you all have a great weekend.

The Centinal Group rise to another challenge

Within the Centinal Group of Company's it looks like we are going to have at least two teams completing in the 3 Peaks Challenge comprising of staff from MF hydraulics' Ltd (Oxford & Worcester, Reading Depots) and  staff from CHS Ltd & Central Engineering Service Ltd. This just goes to show how everybody within the Centinal Group of Companies pull together to face any challenge that comes our way, so I would like to say a big thank you to everybody involved from the Group Chairman & Directors who will be funding the registration fee's & other costs involved right down to each & every member of staff of the GROUP.

Looking forward to the challenge

Over the weekend I have been making some personal plans regarding getting fitter ready for the challenge in June, On my bike ride that I have been doing on a Saturday & Sunday over the past couple of months I decided to go that EXTRA mile by increasing it by about 3 miles. so providing the weather holds out I will keep this going as often as possible. I'm also planning for after christmas of going to Malvern and walking from Barnards Green into Great Malvern then up Church Street onto St Ann's Road then onto Malvern Hills which i think will be a good indication of what i will be facing.

I finished work just after 5pm tonight then straight to Worcester Uni for one of the two weekly 1 hour Cardio Phase 4 exercise classes that I go to, consisting of 10 minutes warm up followed by two circuits of ten different exercises Lat raises , Jogging, Squats, Shoulder presses while marching on the spot, Front raises, step-ups, Lat raises with step back, Side Lunges and finally Alternative Knee lifts which is followed by cooling down exercises. I have found these classes to be big help in my quest for an healthier & hopefully long life.

Our Challenge

MF Hydraulics Ltd 3 Peaks Challenge June 2012

On Friday 18th November 2011 i received an email from one of the company directors asking for volunteers to do The 3 Peaks challenge, straight away i thought this sounds a great idea for me to have a go at. My reply was instant to add me as part of the team.
So far the team consists of myself, Michael whitty, Dean Penn, Ian Maisey & Mike Ford (Director & Owner). we are waiting for one more member to join our band of brothers on this epic & challenging adventure.
The challenge is on for teams of 4-6 to summit the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in the ultimate team challenge. Action Medical Research's 3 Peaks Challenge has an extra special challenge built-in as teams must take charity mascot Paddington Bear to the summit of each mountain.


The challenge starts at the foot of Ben Nevis in the spectacular setting of the Scottish Highlands. After summiting Ben Nevis teams head for the Lake District to climb Scafell Pike before driving to North Wales to tackle the last of the 3 peaks Snowdon. The challenge finishes with a well-deserved full Welsh breakfast at the foot of Snowdon!
Many teams will aim to complete the challenge in 24 hours or less, others will take closer to 30 hours.
All funds raised by the challenge will support the work of Action Medical Research and will make a huge difference to the research the charity is able to fund offering hope to the many thousands of families across the UK who are dealing with the trauma of a baby born too early, striving to support a child affected by disability, or facing the challenge of caring for a child with a rare and devastating disease for which there is no cure.