Well and truly lost it.

I'm struggling to keep up the enthusiasm. It's not so much the exercising, more the eating. I worked so hard last year to lose nearly 2 stone - I managed it mainly by giving up all refined sugar and sticking to Weight Watchers points, but recently I've retreated to the dark side!
I've only put on about 3 pounds from my lightest, but eating sugar completely sucks away any enthusiasm you have for life. I know it sounds dramatic, but it's true. I feel lethagic and bloated all the time and my resolve to stay off it has gone because it's such an addictive substance.
On top of this I'm going to Newquay this coming weekend and then it's my 30th over Easter so I'm already thinking what's the point in coming off it again as I'm not going to deprive myself the next couple of weekends!
So, the upshot is, I didn't go cycling today when I should have. I did, however, go to the gym and do the Combat class, and worked hard! I also went to Spinning on Friday and Attack on Thursday, but I'm not getting the miles in.
I need a plan - I'll get rid of the small amount of bad food left in the flat, the day's I'm not away or turning 30 I'll stick to 18 points and away from refined sugar. It's not a lot to do, but it's making that change again.
On the plus side, I now have less than £900 to raise. I expecting an updated total tomorrow, so will ensure I amend the total listed. Don't forget to sponsor me at the link below if you haven't already.
Any words of encouragement appreciated!!! Thanks x

Another long ride done

This Tuesday I had another day off work and went for a ride with Russell, a fellow cyclist from work. We met up half way between Aylesbury and Thame and head over to Christmas Common. It was a beautiful day, pretty perfect to be out cycling. Just a shame about the wind we were cycling into for a lot of the time. This really makes it difficult, but also made the beer taste sweeter when we stopped for lunch after 30 miles!
We didn't hit too many hills, just one really long incline. I managed to get up it without too much bother, just a case of keeping your head down and legs turning.
Speaking of legs, my knees didn't hurt! I bought myself a new pair of 3/4 length bottoms on Monday which are loose around my knee, and it worked - no knee pain! Think I'll be wearing those from now on, even in the not so warm weather.
Anyway, we did a total of 42 miles on Tuesday. It wasn't an easy ride, but that's good as I'm sure all 5 days in Egypt won't be easy so it's good to know I can just get the job done.
I'm still looking for as many people as possible to sponsor me. I should have an updated amount next week, but until then head to the link at the bottom of the page and don't forget to pick my name under the 'Additional Information' section.
THANK YOU xxxxx

I'm back!

After getting weighed last Wednesday, it was time to take action. So, I started sticking to my WW points again from Thursday and I got on my bike to work both Thursday and Friday. I also did a gym class on Thursday evening.
I've not long returned from my morning ride with the CTC group. Today we went to Tring Garden Centre, however it took us 20 miles to get there! It was a lovely ride though and I'll be doing that one again, probably with Alex at some point. It has been glorious sunshine this morning so the ride was really enjoyable. By the time I got home, I'd done a grand total of 33 miles.
I'm still having knee problems though. I've changed the position of my saddle and it's also been risen slightly. My handlebars have also been repositioned, so I'll see how I get on. Think I'll also try slightly looser trousers! The whole lyrca thing might be making my knee worse as the material is so tight around the knee cap. Dunno though, just a thought!
If you haven't already, don't forget to sponsor me. Thanks x

Not so great.......

Well, I've done no cycling what so ever since my 43 mile ride! My knee was really sore the days after that Sunday so I thought it was best not to put too much pressure on it.
Also, I travelled to Eindhoven in Holland last Wednesday evening to compete with my barbershop chorus, Amersham A cappella, in our European competition. We are now officially the 5th best chorus in Europe! Our website is www.amershamacappella.com if you wish to check us out. This half week long trip was the perfect excuse not to exercise, to sit down and to eat the whole time we were there and as a result I've gained a bit of weight. All ok now though, coz I've faced it and I'm moving on. Here's to a big loss next week.
The shipping agent, Alliance, we use in work rang me yesterday to let me know that they would be putting a cheque in the post for £250 to go towards my sponsorship! I was so happy. I now have less than £1k to go, suddenly seems a lot more achievable. I'll wait until I receive the cheque and I've had the update from Action for Charity before amending my total. In the meantime, get sponsoring at the link below if you haven't already done so! Cheers x
I'll be back on the bike tomorrow to work and also another ride with the CTC beckons on Sunday, so they'll be another update after the weekend.
For any other Big Hearters out there, I've been advised that antibacterial wipes are a must when packing our bags. Might be time to start stocking up!

120 miles in Feb and already 43 in March!

I got over the 100 mile mark for February! Not bad considering the weather we had. I wasn't sure if I would make it, but Alex and I went out again yesterday and managed 27 miles. Well done to Alex, who is a complete novice to cycling. We headed out of Aylesbury past Watermead, before turning up towards Aston Abotts. In my mind I didn't think there was much of a hill going that way, however it was corker and it hurt!! We then made our way through Wingrave, Mentmore and Cheddington before heading home.
Today, I went out with the local CTC group. It's the first time I've been out with them and was a bit apprehensive, but I really feel it's worthwhile going out with a group of experience cyclists. There were 6 of us in total, me being the only female. They kept at my pace and stopped to let me catch up after the really tough hills.
We rode 30 miles before stopping for a well earned cup of tea and sandwich in Chearsley, but not before I had my most disasterous moment cycling so far......
I had a puncture! Now, this normally wouldn't be too bad, however I am an unprepared cyclist with no knowledge of bikes, so I had no pump, no inner tubes and no tyre levers. Fortunately, one of the gents offered up an inner tube and everyone helped to get me back on my bike. I have now seen an inner tube being changed and also now realise why everyone I know has been on at me to learn how to fix a puncture! The last 10 miles home were relatively flat and went by quite quickly.
A big thank you to the guys for making me feel so welcome, and for fixing my bike. I promise I will be more prepared next time and replace the inner tube I borrowed!
I do have sore knees now however, which is slightly worrying, but I can't cycle next weekend as I'll be in Holland so plenty of time for my knees to recover.
So.....a grand total of 70 miles cycled this weekend. Feeling very chuffed!!!
I'm putting a lot of effort in to get fit, yet the sponsorship has gone a bit by the wayside. It's difficult at the moment, with the global crisis, but I do have a plan of action which involves various activities, such as a jumble sale, car boot, quiz night, etc but I do still need people to sponsor me. I currently need 120 people to sponsor £10 each and I'll be there! Just need to find those people. Please head to the link below, if you haven't already, and pledge what you can. Thanks xxxxxxxx