Nir wrote: 4.35pm was called by my club's GC to say she's decided to write me a 'Letter of Affiliation' (see entries for June 1st/2nd) big Yay! within 10 minutes called FitPro's "training department". I'm #1 standby for the course starting in 10 days locally though more realistically it will be the one in August (still just 6.5 weeks away).
What appeals to me about the 3 cardio disciplines, 'Body Jam', 'Body Step' and 'Body Combat' is that they're all dance classes at some basic level. I like that Body Combat has the added interest of the martial arts theme (completely non-contact, mind you!). On the other hand I've never got very far with martial arts themselves (Karate when I was 11 and Kick-boxing when I was 29).
My background in dance is more solid than my background in martial arts and I do wonder how this is going to 'go down' when I attend the course as I gather that perhaps many instructors transition from a martial arts background so I might wish to keep my thoughts of Body Combat as basically being a 'fun dance class' to myself!
Was up at 5.40am doing not much more than thinking for a good while. At 6.40am a little bit of book reading (pages 43-45). Breakfast was mostly popcorn. 7am-9am Googled for Body Combat technique pointers.
9.16am left for Pump. After the class told a couple of people about news of going on a course - in turn I was surprised one of those was in fact doing the same (they're on the June course), a surprise to me because based on what's previously been said I assumed Pump was what they aspired to teach (and they are regular pumpers but I've never seen them do combat). For me, 'networking' (asking for an opportunity) has been the stumbling block as I've been technically eligible to go on this course since I passed my ETM in January 2007 so I am intriguid (and a bit envious, I'm only human) at how easily it has apparently come to them. Talking with Marie I predicted that those on the August course will still do release 40 choreography (which at that point will be on its way out) making it difficult when it comes to practicing before recording a video - in turn she pointed out that I could use the next 6 weeks to work on my technique so it is not an issue by the time I'm doing the course. I visited Kelly for a chat before getting home at noon.
Was only home for half an hour, wisely chosing to eat. At 12.30pm arranged to meet with Rob and his brother Tim. We met 15 minutes later in the pub for a chat (haven't seen Rob in 4 weeks). He was going to see the new Star Trek film (for free) and I asked if I could do so too - he indicated this was courtesy of his sister (who works for the cinema). Once we left the pub (about 45 minutes later) I reflected "don't ask don't get" and decided to swing by the cinema. The answer was Yes (she gets so many free tickets per quarter and had a few unused ones at this point so didn't mind giving one away). I had some time to kill though: on my way out of the cinema I was spotted by a member of AA, although we didn't know each other apart from sight we had a lovely insightful chat before I was on my way (I think that's really great). Home again 1.45-2pm to snack and prepare some popcorn for the film. I started on the popcorn during the trailers and it was gone shortly after the film began - By 3pm, 664 calories and 592 grams (112 kcal/100g).
Somehow I managed the entire film without a pee break. I really enjoyed the film (Star Trek (2009)) and reconnecting with the Trekie part of me which has been in hibernation for well over 5 years now. Anxiously called back the gym to find out what their call was about = this was about a class cancellation and I did my best to pass the message on to Kelly (who was busy with a customer so I couldn't speak to her) then home by 5pm.
Computer was on at 5.15pm, including general catch-up and combat-specific reading. 8-8.10pm a break to collect produce from mum (including strawberries ).
8.40pm: I suspected that "Channel 4 on demand" was broken when May 28th episode of The Inbetweeners failed to show up, obsessively checking every few hours and later on once a day. At this point I was down to checking it roughly once a week and it appears they finally noticed their error so there are 3 episodes to watch. No sooner had I started and Majhid called (8.53pm-9.57pm) having spent ages setting him up to buy a sub-£5 cable from Tesco Direct we discovered that delivery charge was another £5. Earlier he claimed to have read that it was free. Funnily enough simply wishing something to be true does not make it so. It also appears that when it comes to grocery shoppings where other supermarkets waive the delivery charge for a purchase above a certain threshold, Tesco always charges for delivery, regardless of the total payable. Afterwards continued with The Inbetweeners.
Then continuing Combat-related reading (including searching for quotes for public liability insurance - FitPro are the cheapest policy but not if considered together with their mandatory membership package £55 vs £94 so the big question is whether FitPro membership will end up being a requirement or indeed a "Good Thing" or an expense I can side-step in which case another provider can cover me for £70). The cost of a license for play up to 200 hours of music to the public is a bit more than £90 (which works out quite expensive on a per-hour basis if you end up teaching substantially less than 200 hours...). Certainly when not viewed as a vocation, instructing is not the cheapest of hobbies (though it is all relative, the costs of salsa dancing are prohibitive by comparison). Computer off 1.45am.
...and one approach of interpreting it, identifying the longest periods of "overall loss" and "overall gain", and within them identifying any quick weight transitions. All weights are in kilos.
What I think would be interesting is to plot the calories eaten and the weight on the same graph, but allow a shift, or lag time of a few days for the weight.
My guess is it takes up to a few days for the calorie deficit to show up as weight loss, and vice versa. No one seems to know the answer to this. Maybe it depends on what foods you eat.
Your profile would be good to test this since your calorie intake, food types, and even exercise, are so consistent.
Excess calories food can be converted and stored as fat within a matter of hours (and the fat can be burnt away later the same day) so I'm not sure how the time-lag idea would work.
I've put my calories-eaten graph next to the weight graph (see above). If you tell me how many days to "shift" it by I can easily do that (just start the graph X days prior to the weight graph)
My last bout of zig-zagging coincided with weight gain. I see that a period of Lyle McDonald style zig-zagging of 1200/2000 resulted in getting to 51kg (an all time low). Calorie levels were rather different. One surprising observation is the horizontal line suggesting that despite variations I've overall stuck to approx 1800 calories through the entire period
If it's only a matter of hours, then there is no need to do any shifting. I could never find any information about that, so it was just a guess. But like you say there is really not that much variation in calories over the period to probably notice much.
With some days deliberately eating 1200 and at other periods eating as much as 2300 (and even a medical fast and a day spent in the USA eating 3000 calories), there was certainly quite a bit of variation but the average over the entire period was around 1800. In fact if there is any lesson to be learnt it is that zig-zag can be an effective tool or a dangerous one, depending on the specifics of the scheme employed.
Friday 19-6-09
Up at 5.55am. Computer on 6.23am. A morning IM chat with sis. Began to analyze my weight graph.
At 10.15am headed to gym (MP3 off) for Step. Had noticably more energy than Wednesday (what is that about?). I was frustrated because I was unable to cultivate a conversation about Combat with the person who is doing the course next week and wondered why they appeared to be avoiding me but upon reflection later in the day I was blowing this out of proportion.
Home by noon and continued to spend hours on the graph (after a few hours completely changing the analysis method and starting again) - see results in post above. I asked an OA member for a lift. After some time without a response recruited a reluctant mum to assist - but first she would go shopping. Unfortunately mum forgot to take her phone with her so I couldn't alert her to the fact I had a lift when this got confirmed. Mum delivered some fresh allotment strawberies and was persuaded to stay for a bit until my lift arrived (so late that I was concerned). By 6pm, 967 calories and 1,549 grams (62 kcal/100g).
Only 4 of us at the OA meeting - the reading was the 2nd half of Step 8 from the 12&12, about forgiveness being a pre-requisite for making amends (which someone pointed out is not consistent with the Big Book) - 3 regulars and the newcomer from last week so no time limit on sharing (in fact I had 3 goes). Got a lift back to the AA meeting where the reading was from 'more about alcoholism' and consequently many shares were Step 1 orientated. A newcomer on his 2nd meeting had a problem understanding the format of the meeting (you share, you finish, you let others share, you don't interact or talk back - any questions are delt with after the meeting). I stuck around after the meeting and started a chat with someone who talks sense asking them for their take on a situation I was trying to process, they kindly provided useful insight - what I needed! I was home by 9.45pm.
10.15-10.32pm Majhid has had his first eBay encounter and lived to tell the tale. Audio and eating and not much else. Food 9.52pm-midnight: 783 calories and 1053 grams (74 kcal/100g). Computer off at 0.12am.
Got up just before 7pm. Watched a few minutes of Dan and Rachel's "learning the moves" webpage. Headed out to the gym. Before Combat asked both Dave and Marie to critique my combat technique and during the class focused on it to the exclusion of doing some of the pre-cueing I often do (also did my best to listen to Angela's teaching points!). Marie's feedback was to keep all moves 'more controlled' - afterwards I asked Angela to watch and critique my technique in future workouts.
By comparison Pump was a more relaxed affair - I took some weights down (back, biceps, shoulders) but still felt worked out. After pump, the friend whose exercise technique I tried to correct on Tuesday suggested a group of participants at the other gym were performing the shoulder exercises differently due to a desire to 'build rather than tone' and she may well have fallen for someone's mistaken beliefs. I guess that's why I chose to train as a fitness professional (this year's course as a gym instructor which included a refresher of anatomy as well as detailed teaching points for all resistance exercises being a case in point) - knowledge is power, I don't have to defer to someone else for basic exercise information. At this point however I think we're looking at damage limitation! They'll continue with a variation of a lateral raise which is more akin to an overhead shoulder press and thus presumably targets the anterior deltoid instead of the medial deltoid and the only thing I can change is whether I antagonise them further or just back away slowly and let them figure it out for themselves in good time. It makes me think of the way the 12-step program is described "a simple program for complicated people".
I follwed Dave and Marie to the coffee place where Dave diplomatically tackled my obsession with pre-cueuing, suggesting that it is confusing as to whether the move should be followed immediately or done next. Angela is 'old-school' and usually does not pre-cue chosing instead to cue verbally (generally at the point when it would be too late to do the move too early). Others (Shey, Cassy and Kelly come to mind) do pre-cue and so do the programme directors on the DVD. In Body Step every instructor pre-cues. In Pump there is never any pre-cueing it is all verbal. I think I will be a pre-cuer. (update: after further internet reading, the word 'pre-cue' might actually be inclusive of both verbal and visual cues so long as they come before the move - so I mean I will probably be a visual pre-cuer). There was a second matter of leader-follower ethiquette in a shadowing scenario in terms of visual cueing and indeed whether to go along with the lead instructor if they decide to 'go wrong' deliberately or accidentally, consensus on the internet is to 'follow lead instructor no matter what'.
Went back to the gym looked for Tim, he wasn't there but found Nina and Gerry having their workout. Stayed to chat. We transitioned to poolside. The girl I'll refer to as "Combat Collegue" from this point onwards came in for swimming and chatted to the GC making me consider for the first time the possibility that we might both be doing our training in this, our gym (for some reason it had not occurred to me as a possibility up until this point, no idea why). Nina was anxious about 'catching something' over the next few days that will prevent her operation from going ahead. I visited Holland and Barretts to check out their new sale and was tempted by Dates (even though the last time I bought them, on some other sale, they were half of what I paid for them today. wherever 'deflation' is, it is not occurring in my life!). Finally home by 1.11pm.
I attacked the post, which included a magazine for people who graduated from Cambridge University. Reading it does make me feel a bit inadequate and 'unacademic', it feels such a long time since I was part of it (14 years) - did that for half an hour. Computer on at 2.05pm. At 2.30pm, half an hour of 'tech support' for Majhid. At 5pm spoke with sis who thought of me when she spotted that the popcorn she buys is 72% of what I recently paid for it (which in turn was 55% of what some other shops were charging, so quite cheap indeed) and we agreed that she'll stock up for me.
By 6.35pm, 1,030 calories and 1,837 grams (56 kcal/100g). I turned the computer off and had a nap, waking up at 8pm. Keeping the computer deliberately turned off I started eating and doing vegetable-preparation work which I argued was at least as useful as 'online catch-up' and often neglected (the downside is that it isn't truly relaxing even if done in silence). I don't often feel stuffed but I was overwhelmed around 9.15pm (having at that point had 1165 calories and 2197 grams for the entire day) and so stopped doing food and turned the computer on. Did some reading related to Combat (one starting point was looking for the '5 elements' which are sometimes described as: Choreography, Technique, Coaching, Connecting and Fitness Magic; another starting point related to certification and the guidelines for video submission). Mind you I didn't exactly follow my identified priorities and was also dragging my feet on diarising. On the plus side audio didn't feature today and online catch up was brief.
10.45-11pm took delivery of more allotment produce brought by dad, including large amounts of lettuce and spinach with some strawberries, cauliflower and apples as well. Right now I'm getting so much free produce that it is difficult to stay on top of it and utter madness to pay for any more on top. Indeed at this point I didn't have the energy and motivation to deal with it (take out of bags and refrigerate) hopefully will feel differently in the morning!
Food 8pm-9.15pm & 10.55-11.20pm & 0.25am-1.23am: 720 calories and 1343 grams (54 kcal/100g). The plan is still to completely finish the potatos and then see how I feel about spending the calories - they'll last me for at least two more days. Computer off 2.05am.
Got up at 8am after 6 hours of sleep with 2 mid-sleep interruptions (not ideal). Spent about an hour and a half processing the lettuce and spinach/chard I was to lazy to deal with when they arrived last night - yes it just takes that long. Also went over existing stock of cauliflower leaves and rearranged the fridge so everything can fit in. Yesterday I did similar chores but mixed them in with eating and today I tried to keep it just about housework. Well it starts off feeling like a positive thing, calming - but after a while I have remorse about the amount of time squandered. (no audio and no computer).
I currently have plenty of these: rhubarb cauliflower-leaves spinach/chard celery cabbage romaine raddish jerusalem-artichoke onion potato.
Breakfast at 10am for about 20 minutes whilst getting ready for AA, choosing to go partly because I didn't expect I'd be up to anything more productive and partly because it gives me a semi-legitimate excuse to do 'audio'. I left at 10.24am (MP3 on both ways) I arrived about 10 minutes before the meeting. I recently heard the chair at the Tuesday meeting, some of it the same but some different, some shares on the same themes of violence, offense and prisons. Also two people recently picked up a drink. I was processing recent thoughts but my urge to share wasn't strong. At the break I was sipping a 2nd coffee in the sun and someone joked that I was time-wasting - yet being myself, not doing pointless busywork is amongst the most nurturing things I can do for myself. The time-wasting would be the MP3 on the cycle rides there and back. Bought an inner tube at ASDA partly so I would have a carrier bag and be able to pick up a sealed tin of marrowfat peas I spotted abandoned by the side of the road on my way to the meeting but which wouldn't fit in my coat pocket (I had the carrier bag on the handlebar). Home by 1.42pm and computer on at 1.56pm.
At 2.25pm mum called about bread, and coupons that need to be used up before they expire. I didn't want to be part of the coupon deal (they are sometimes refused and this is stressful, and I already know of plenty of ways to waste my time without these ideas). At 3pm I was notified that I've "won" a 2nd hand BodyCombat sleevless top for £13.20 ( http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320382784663 ). At 3.15pm mum arrived with 2 kilos of bread in 5 small loaves. I had some food and played some audio. At 3.48pm turned computer off and had some rest. 4.30pm-5 showing some more focus I watched body combat technique webpage (again). By 5.05pm, 689 calories and 1,002 grams (69 kcal/100g).
5.05pm left for the gym (MP3 on = combat) continued to practice till Jason arrived and class began. Step wasn't particularly busy but I felt energetic (2nd day of doing cardio workouts without my compression band) afterwards changed and went to poolside, managing about a page of my book on the sundeck before Kelly and Nina arrived from their run. Had MP3 on for general 'catchup' and when I got home (8.08pm) left it on.
Food: 8.11pm-10pm: 1061 calories and 1125 grams (94 kcal/100g). With an audio track the evening was somewhat speeded up. Computer off 10.08pm bedtime shortly after.
Up at 2am. After some silent reflection, computer on 2.44am. Found a document that includes a description of the main BodyCombat moves at http://www.lesmills.com/files/globalcentral/Instructors/Assessment%20Forms/BODYCOMBAT%20Assessor%20Forms.doc (sent a link to ('combat collegue girl'). Also sent message to Cassie asking if she'd be up for mentoring me for extra practice. Computer break 5.07-6.14am. Computer on 6.14-8.38am; break 8.38am-10.10am; On again from 10.10am.
1-2pm kept sis company on phone whilst she was out for lunch.
As predicted I'm out of potatos for the first time in months - yet in the recent past I've (almost) abstained from potatos for about 6 days so I predict I'll be able to survive. Anyhow for the time being it wouldn't be a bad thing if I turned my attention to the other starchy vegetable, Jerusalem Artichokes, of which I still have sizeable stock. Mum urged me not to buy more because when it is time to harvest potatos from the allotment there will be a sizeable quantity to deal with - all at once. Buying another 25 kilo sack at this time makes less sense.
Tired so had another break from computer 3.07-3.35pm. Sis pointed out that the Body Combat I ordered yesterday was a girl's model - so bid on couple of male tops that were listed today. By 3.45pm, 1,084 calories and 1,773 grams (61 kcal/100g).
Left for gym at 5pm (MP3 = combat). Did Body Jam for the first time since April 13th. A brand-new release and I was lost for most of the time. The rather unusual experience of being entirely dependent on following the instructor rather than having the choreography in my head - this happens every 3 months but is rather short-lived. Unusually I was also sweating (this is jam after all, I wasn't expecting to). Afterwards updated Shey about my combat-related developments and asked her for technique-related feedback after the class. A busy class, songs from a mixture of releases. Worked hard and had a bit of a stitch during tracks 7 & 8. Shey's feedback related to the power and look-and-feel of my punches - she suggested enrolling in a martial art, practicing with a punch bag or doing some pad-work. The first two are not immediately available but the 3rd one is do-able (will try to do it on Thursday though I couldn't get booked in). Home by 7.37pm. Yet another nap (8.30-10.30am: woken up by call from mum).
At 10.20pm dad brought over produce including apples, courgettes, raspberries and strawberries. Audio througout late evening; my current consumption rate is faster than the rate at which MP3s are generated and shortly (i.e. tomorrow) I'll be dipping into the kind of materials I no longer generate (e.g. Eat To Live list).
Food 7.52pm-8.25pm & 10.15-11.35pm: 666 calories and 1333 grams (50 kcal/100g). Compuer off at midnight.
Up at 7.10am - some eating. Computer on 8.45am. Left at 9.10 - MP3 on. After body pump called FitPro who have now received my letter-in-lou-of-missing-certificate though changes over the last 6 days meant that I no longer had a confirmed place for August (I was 3rd standby) and instead had to firmly book a place in OCtober. At this point I was running late and rushed onwards to college (no MP3). Counselling took the format of me talking about an eventuful week. Afterwards in computer room printed a copy of the combat-related document then cycled home (MP3 on) getting there at 12.35pm.
At 1.17pm received a call - FitPro and in particular the course trainer have decided to make an exception for me and accept me as the 21st student even if no-one drops out - so I'm on the course this Saturday no matter what. This represents an improvement upon waiting for confirmation or turning up just-in-case someone has dropped out but it does bring the reality of the course home. At 2.20pm left for Wolverton (MP3 = combat). Agreed with Psychologist on a short course (6-8 encounters) of CBT focusing on self-esteem issues (and anxiety arising from this) with next encounter in 2 weeks. Cycled onwards to Argos and bought a personal CD player which I'll need to bring with me on the course. I then had to cycle elsewhere to take care of a package left outside someone's house. Whilst out cycling also bumped into Ryan from the gym. Finally home at 5.30pm.
On computer from 6pm for 'classic' time-wasting. By 7.20pm, 739 calories and 1,512 grams (49 kcal/100g). At 7.40pm left for AA meeting (MP3 on). Enjoyable chair (I remember chatting to this guy when I sat next to him at my first AA meeting - at this point he was 8 months sober which makes him just under 2 years at this point). After the meeting helped put some chairs away but didn't finish job) Homewards somehow managed to keep MP3 switched off. Home by 9.30pm. Computer on 9.55-10.47; nap. Woke up again to eat the rest of my calories 2.40-3am and back to bed. Food 9.32pm-10.45pm & 2.45am-3am: 1011 calories and 695 grams (145 kcal/100g).
Up at 8.05am. Computer on at 8.40am. Left for Step at 9.15am. At around track 3 or 4 the instructor said my pre-cueing was annoying and when I get a class she'll be in the front row and pre-cue to show me how annoying it is. I felt deflated - this affected my desire to do any 'audience participation' and even affected my desire to get a good workout. I left just after track 10 heading out to the sunny bit outside M&S. Altogether I was there for 2.5 hours. The first hour or so was just spent sunbathing whilst thinking about matters arising (including the girl that ocassinoally visits our combat class and also pre-cues which in my mind is self-expression of the participant's connection with the choreography - she clearly wasn't trying to annoy her friend Shey). The other side of the coin is that if I'm pre-cueing for a different reason, i.e. because 'I want to be the instructor' then presumably I will lose the desire to pre-cue once I have become an instructor.
Afterwards got a little more useful - reading the teaching points document. Later still Kelly was out for her lunch-break and showed up for a chat - a bit about her workplace, a bit about BodyCombat. Was home at 1pm. Gave myself a severe haircut (inspired by Kelly's non-serious comment) and cooked some green lentils - this was the first time I've cooked legumes from dry for well over 2 years. They were 250g dry, about 500g after soaking overnight and a little over that after cooking (boiling for 15 minutes and simmering for another 45). Computer was on 1.50pm-3.51pm mostly time-wasting (also caught up with MSE and looked up calories in lentils etc.). Rest/nap til 4.15pm. Caught up with diarising (at 4.40pm interrupted by Majhid who wasn't sympathetic to me being busy so he got cut off after 8 minutes). Done diarising by 5.26pm. IM chat with sis who was still at work. An attempt to transcribe cues from DVD - very slow going. By 6.15pm, 786 calories and 900 grams (87 kcal/100g).
Headed out to gym at 6.50pm saw 'combat collegue girl' and assumed she'd be at the Combat class but that wasn't the case. Asked instructor if I could be on stage for a confidence boost ('not really') which was fine (implying they'll let me practice when they bring in the new release) anyhow not being on stage had its uses as being visible to them meant they spotted a few flaws with my technique: sharp retraction (action - reaction), rotating the writst to end with palms facing down, and tucking thumps out of the way so they're removed from the striking surface of the knuckles (I can improve but I tend to quickly slip back to bad habits - practice will help). She had to use the phrase "this is for you" to bring her words to my attention, noting my tendancy to 'zone out' and not pay attention! After Track 8 and with Kelly and Nina both absent decided I could still make my AA meeting. My right forearm muscle (brachialis?) hurt like never before during and after this workout I guess I've never punched like this before!
Got to the AA meeting 8.07pm catching the end of the Big Book reading and hearing the full chair. This room looks empty with 24 in attendance. This meeting has a break and I got myself a coffee and there was enough time to drink it and get a 2nd one. The essence of my share was that one way to look at my changing obsessions over time: computers-TV/audio-alcohol-diet-salsa-fitness though it gets more complicated than that in terms of how they're all manifestations of time-wasting, how computers and audio are back in force and how food has always been there in the background but like time-wasting was not detectable until relatively recently. This was my first share since Friday's OA meeting (and 10 days since my last share in an AA meeting). I didn't recognise another OA member until she shared (introducing herself as a 'visitor from OA' - rather presumptuas of them assume that the average AA member will know that this stands for 'Overeaters Anonymous' as I eventually discovered). Home by 9.45pm (no MP3 in either of the 3 cycle rides).
Clearly I wasn't productive 10.20-11.34pm for Nash's weekly call but with plans to have him help me tomorrow I was too chicken to cut him short. At least I used some of that time to look up public transport to his house. Not that my instincts were any healthier, left to my own devices my first impluse was online-catchup followed by radio. Did a bit of DVD transcribing before turning the computer off at 0.41am and bedtime was by 1am.
Food 9.46pm-midnight: 964 calories and 612 grams (158 kcal/100g). Decided to finally transition up to 1800 calories from tomorrow (after 17 @ 1750 after 20 @ 1700 after 17 @ 1650 after 16 @ 1500). This calorie increase is probably more cautious than necessary though over time it has probably more than been balance by lies I've semi-deliberately perpertrated such as under-estimating calories in potatos.
Up at 5.35am. Quality silent time by myself, just thinking. Computer on 7.36am-12.51pm: during these 5+ hours much time-wasting but memorably did IM chat with both Rob and sis, and with sis's help refined a draft of an email asking a studio co-ordinator at another gym for permission to shadow (if this comes off the ground I'll have another place to practice and at the moment I'm not sure how many practice opportunities I have - it might be once a week or 3 times a week, I haven't been 'brave' enough to ask). I continued to 'research' martial arts technique - one useful resouce can be had on YouTube when you search for 'kickboxing technique'. This put a question mark on my technique for the Hook punch on which I've always had my palm facing the ground yet apparently it should point at me. Did a tiny amount of 'DVD transcribing' as well. At 12.51pm felt I needed a break from the computer.
1.46pm Rob decided to be social and emerge from hiding so I headed out to the pub to meet him and his brother Tim who took his lunch to be with us. I used sitting in a pub (i.e. not at my computer) as motivation to force myself to finish reading the teaching-point-technique pages in the 22-page document (practicing on a chair that didn't do anything to justify the agression directed at it). Rob volutneered some disturbing background information about his dire financial situation. Whilst cycling back I bumped into Kelly who was mid-break with a couple of younger collegues from her shop - her first chance to see my new 'severe' haircut. Home by 4.32pm. The MP3 player didn't get a look in (for a 2nd day running).
About half an hour of eating at home. By 5.06pm, 908 calories and 900 grams (101 kcal/100g). Headed to the gym. A chat to Saffron about my Combat course meant I forgot to use the time to set up for Pump. Had plenty of energy for Jason's Step class. Spied Emma pre-cueing at least one move (it was in the speed-step track) which is relevant to yesterday morning's events. Kelly joined myself and Nina and we all wrote in Sandra's card and set up for Pump - yet Sandra never arrived and we eventually put our equipment away. Normally I'd be bothered by this (indeed my last Pump was Tuesday morning and my next Pump will be Tuesday as I'm missing not only Saturday and Sunday but now also Thursday) but this just rolled off my back - I guess Sandra won't be receiving her farewell card. The girls were more upset. I put BC39 in the stereo (track 6, which is also track 6 of the current Pump) whilst we were putting equipment away. Manager Jes arrived in the room and this made Kelly worried on my behalf (but nothing happened). The three of us headed to the dumbell area in the gym where I called out the names of exercises (I used 6kg dumbells). Obviously not as effective as Pump. The girls decided to salvage their workout by doing the 6.45pm Spin led by Dean. I started this off with them but the plan all along was to do the 7pm Punch (see Monday's entry) to brush up on padwork technique so at 7pm made my escape (I've not done Spin for perhaps a year and I stand by my decision!). Said hi to 'combat collegue girl' who was also attending and asked her about Hook technique (she agreed with what I learnt on YouTube). I got paired up with a girl called Sophia who has done this class before. Dominic led us through a classic circuits/boxercise warmup and then in our pairs we alternated holding the pads or the gloves practicing jab-cross, body-hooks, upper-cuts and combinations of these. The main thing I got out of this was feeling punching through a target - also ocassionally remembered to quickly retract to guard, rotate heals, do the hook with a vertifical first etc. Saw Nina and Kelly through the window - they were heading to the Sauna half an hour before me. Once I was done with Punch I joined them for a brief chat at the Sauna - they've had enough and I left when they did and home by 8.42pm.
Computer from 9pm, included radio. computer off 10.45pm and an early bedtime. Food 8.42pm-10.45pm: 892 calories and 392 grams (228 kcal/100g)
After an early night up at 3.52am. Pulled out the internet cable (I know I can't be trusted) and turned on the computer, starting the day with a DVD transcribing session. Broke from the computer 4.46-5.33. I can of course still use the computer for time-wasting even without the internet (5.33-5.46). More transcribing 5.46-6.16am. 5 hours turned out not to have been enough sleep and I was ready for a nap.
I think I was already up at 8.30am when Kelly informed that Michael Jackson didn't make it. Computer on and transcribing at 9am. At 9.35am mum indicated she was coming soon. The 2nd-hand Body Combat top arrived and it's definitely 'girlie' which means I can't wear it - a loss of I think £13.20 unless I learn how to eBay things. I took out the recyclables, unpacked my shipment of catheters, lay down for a rest, received allotment strawberries and butternut squashes I agreed for mum to buy for me.
Finally back on computer to resume transcribing 11.05-11.47, 12.14-12.35, 12.45-1.30. I packed my bag for tomorrow, including a loaf of bread from the freezer, catheters, a towel and changes of clothes. The plan was to cycle to Nash's house later and loud heavy rain prompted me to physically connect to the internet to check out the forecast - whilst there naturally I read 3 or 4 Michael Jackson news articles. At 1.45pm I phoned Phil (who had purchased tickets to see Michael Jackson at both the start and end of his forthcoming tour) for a chat. Around 2pm I pulled back, physically disconnecting (again) and resuming the transcribing work. It was a tight squeeze!
Transcribing techniques:
1) "play and type" - uninterrupted playback, type fragments of speech you hear, don't worry about what you've missed
2) "play and rewind" - listen and type, if you realise you've missed something - switch from NOTEPAD to Media Player and hit SHIFT LEFT-ARROW to rewind approximately 9 seconds and re-listen (somewhat painful as 9 seconds is a surprisingly long time to wait for a missed or mis-heard word)
3) "play-pause" - listen, hear a word or phrase, pause, type it in, unpause and repeat the process - can be more efficient than #2.
Overall all three techniques had their place.
My decision was to save the money and be more flexible by taking the risk and cycling instead of bussing it - this would allow me to stop off at college for some printing and on the way back I wouldn't be constrained by half-hourly buses and possibly make a Punch class - and hopefully I'd stay dry. Having barely finished with transcribing, which was a race against time, it was time to get ready for the outing.
By 3.03pm, 678 calories and 1,623 grams (42 kcal/100g). Got dressed and ready and headed out at 3.10pm. First stop was the computer room in college where I formatted and printed my 'DVD transcript' document as it currently stands - leaving at 3.40pm. A very loud thunder was not followed by lightening or rain in the local vicinity so that was lucky - I continued on to Nash's house (altogether about 4.1 miles from home at this point) and made it by 4pm.
We moved some furniture around to clear space in his living room and then determined that whilst not ideal, his laptop's maximum volume was just about audible enough to proceed. I instructed him through the entire Combat release. We had to pause a couple of times. Despite open windows we both ended up taking off our shirts (he lasted longer than me but ultimately relented). I mostly remembered the choreography (actually going wrong a few times) though hardly well enough to pre-cue it prior to the transitions themselves. On ocassion I coached a technique point but hardly with sufficient consistency, and as for 'fitness magic' you can pretty much forget it. But I was glad of the experience, rather different to practicing on my own - I'm so lazy that I wouldn't should instructions when am on my own, only if a real human being is listening. On my own I'm generally reduced to visualising myself doing the moves to time which is of limited use. Once we were done we had a chat, drunk some more water, put the furtniture back to its original locations, I showed him some of my documents and then I was on my way at 5.20pm.
Cycled approximately 5 miles to the gym, getting there just before 6pm - ready to fit in a second Punch class for the week. I was greeted by Sophia the girl I met yesterday who was 'sore from yesterday' who revealed she has experience in Takewando. The class was similar to yeseterday's. Afterwards also made a nodding acquaintenace with her husband before heading back home, getting there at 7.20pm. Snacked for half an hour. 7.20-7.50pm: 118 calories and 398 grams (30 kcal/100g).
Headed out to AA, making a point to dress in smart clothing rather than the gym outfit I usually turn up in. I enjoyed the meeting. Several newcomers and a kid (I don't think he's an alcoholic - must be a childcare issue!). One person shared they were fired today and was finding it difficult to hold themselves back from being violent towards a person who caused him to get fired. Shortly after he left the meeting though stayed nearby and we had a brief chat before I left. It's hardest to deal with an addiction when times are tough! I shared in the meeting about how rare it was that I have a succesful day as far as time-wasting goes and how good I felt about myself. It was a good meeting. I may well have missed a fantastic OA meeting but I got my 'fill' which is just as well as I don't see myself making another 12-step meeting until Tuesday at the earliest. Home by 9.13pm.
Started with food. Turned the computer on (internet still switched off) to input food and catch up with diary write-ups. 10.24pm-11.11pm interrupted by call from Majhid who despite me knowing him has managed to amaze me with his incompetence: rather than filing important information received in emails he religiously deletes anything he has no immediate interest in from his inbox, compounding this by clearing his trash folder too. This wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't so creative with his choice of user names and passwords so he has no idea what they were. A disaster waiting to happen.
Food 9.13pm-11.29pm: 1004 calories and 707 grams (142 kcal/100g). Food took longer than planned. All 4 butternut squashed were consumed by end of calories (accounting for 21% of them). At 30% bread was the single highest contributor to calories. Food is predicted to be somewhat different tomorrow. Computer off 11.36pm though didn't fall asleep till after midnight.
Up just before 3am. Couldn't fall back to sleep. Sorted the lettuce for 1.5 hours. Tried sleeping again. Computer on at 5.20am, diarising. Computer off 5.58am.
6.21am computer on - watched education segments on DVD. Computer then off trying to read equivalent education on choreography notes. by 8.34am, 272 calories and 357 grams (76 kcal/100g). Left at 8.38am, arriving at 8.46am - had a cup of coffee and a chat with one of the ones who made it early. Registration was at 9am, principly involved filling in a form (an agreement between myself, BTS and the gym which implied I must attend 3 quarterlies per year (which I believe is only partly true - correct only in the first year; the form reminded of the need for insurance and was surprisingly agressive in that it specified that should I ever I stop instructing I'll need to return all of 'their' materials back (the ones I would have paid for!)).
The day started proper at 9.30am and featured the following sessions:
orienteering = overview of the course (note: connection and fitness magic will not be covered though still assessed in 16 weeks). Rules included 10 push-ups for every minute late from break, every ring from our mobile phone, and every yawn visible or hidden.
ice-breaker names = circle, what I do by day and which character or superpower I am by night (including a 'move')
masterclass - being instructed as if we were in a gym, including coaching, connection
technique workshop - I feel I learnt the most from this part of the day
combat stance = heals down sink for stability lower the better feet wider than shoulders
jab = start from 90 degrees; overtwist wrist, imagine holding a knife driving forward; imagine barbed wire; retract to cheek
cross = (in combat tracks) lunge down same target i.e. punch diagonally up
hook = lift heal and elbow to horizontal at shoulder height; open chest; bring around release heal drive past target; re-open chest; elbow down
upper-cut = 90 degrees; roll (lean sideways and twist torso); sink while pushing it up; elbow in; fist in.
front kick = step in; knee up; knee in; 'pushing style' curl toes; retract; don't fall on foot
roundhouse kick - set heal and arm; knee to butt - thigh is horizontal - hip is open; pointy toes; to butt before lowering
side kick = arm-to-side simultanous with setting heal; knee up; twist-kick; retract-untiwst; knee down; unset
jump kick = based on front-kick after retraction hold rather than falling on kicking foot
back kick = look over shoulder, hips forward, toe down
evasive side kick = think about an Esquiva, power jump with a 'straightish leg'
After the introduction of most moves we worked in pairs. Memorably for roundhouse to demonstrate how to open the hips our partners pushed us flat against a wall so our knees would not be forward (a common mistake). We then used add-on choreography ending with a routine of 12 moves (front-kick, roundhouse-kick, side-kick, jump-kick, back-kick, evasive side-kick, jab, cross, upper, upper, hook, signature-move-of-our-choice-with-Kia). We then drilled the moves some more to music in what seemed like a more achievable and therefore more satisfying way.
Lunch break was half an hour (was spotted weighing fruit and explained about my abstinence to someone who probably thought I had a rather different eating disorder)
How to read the choreography workshop. One of tracks 1-8 were allocated to each of us based on previous instructing experience. 19 of us present so 5 tracks allocated to 2 people each and 3 tracks to 3 people each. I got track 8.
We also covered the class introduction "4 things" list - basic technique including guard and quick demo of basic moves; isometric leg in air is maximum kick height; peripheral vision and spacing out; no hyperextension safety for joints.
10 minutes to listen to our track in our mini-group (or in our case to watch it on DVD on someone else's laptop.
The instructor asked me whether I had concerns and I mentioned that it was a shame that we had no take-home record of the technique workshop. Later on at home I realise that we've been short-changed as going by accounts on internet forums this course used to have a 'technique DVD' as one of the handouts. I might chase this up but not before I have recieved a 'provisional pass' (in 2 week's time).
Doing things on the left leg experience - for most tracks we had pre-cue of the track (just half the track for symmetrical tracks) followed by partial verbal cues only to get us used to doing things 'in reverse'. Tracks 9 and 10 (from older releases) were thrown in for good measure.
Pep talk, clue to what will come tomorrow and explanation of our homework - by tomorrow we are to learn the moves of the track assigned to us (no need to learn what to say, just to cement the moves the way we need to perform them).
I think we were done around 5.30pm. Had a shower and left the building at 5.50pm.
Food during the morning at the course (11am-2.30pm): 803 calories and 1060 grams (76 kcal/100g).
I returned mum's call and was moved to go past the market where I bought pears and melons. I then Called Nina to tell her how things went and hear about how she's now not working next week to avoid infectious diseases doing the rounds in her workplace as a precaution before her forthcoming surgery. Got home at 6.40pm during said conversation. 6.40-7pm, 132 calories and 489 grams (27 kcal/100g). At 7.10pm an impromptu decision to make the AA meeting after all (MP3 = combat course homework track). Lovely AA meeting and I shared (I feel as though I'm on Day 2 of abstaining from time wasting). Home by 9pm. Computer on 9.18pm, diarised recent events and food data entry till 10.18pm, then read some 'cards' (course-related - to do with the 5 elements that make a Body Combat instructor). At 10.53pm dad came over with produce. I also spent some time watching my homework track (track 8) from the DVD. I was connected to the internet for under an hour (10.53-11.40pm) spending most of that time catching up with CPH.
Food 9.02pm-0.05am: 593 calories and 1658 grams (36 kcal/100g). Evening eating was pear-dominated. computer off at 0.22am.
Woke up at 6am. Watched and practiced my track (Track 8) - also reading my transcription of the track 8 cues from Friday and reading. Spent considerable time preparing food for immediate consumption and for the rest of the day and as this involved cooking I was inevitably disappointed with how long this took me. Left at 8.30am (not done preparing but wanted to aclimitise myself to the venue before the formal session started.
Made the venue hosting the Body Combat course (my old gym from 2005-6) for day 2 of module 1 at 8.40am and there were already some people practicing with laptops and iPods. I corrected a couple of people who were rehersing their tracks incorrectly - for example one was doing a back-kick and a front knee on the same leg which I recognised to be incorrect execution of track 6. 'combat collegue girl' started rehersing on the wrong leg - I pointed this out and they walked out of the room, later apologising to me (I can be sensitive but on this ocassion I didn't register any feelings - I just acknowledged she did whatever she had to do in deed at the time I wasn't sure if them running out of the room was directly related to what I said though in retrospect how could I have interpreted it differently?) I did my own practicing of track 8 in the mirror. At 9am we had a brief talk introducing the structure of the day and this was immediately followed by the 'fitness challenge' which was dreaded by everyone, perhaps because it had been 'built up' to be a tough challenge with uncertainty as to weather we can pass it. I did have a strategy of reserving my energy, taking things as easy as possible without looking like I was slacking. However I quickly changed my mind and decided to give it my all, reasoning that I am a fit individual and have nothing to worry about and sure enough I felt it to be an effective workout the way some gym-based circuit classes are, but not something that I couldn't hack. Next we had a "P & F stretching" workshop. People worked in pairs to stretch each other (developmental stretches for hip flexors, hamstrings, adductors, chest and a side-kick-specific stretch (possibly abductors or glutes)). I was picked to be a model (perhaps the instructor didn't want to pick on a girl and be perceived to be a perv?). It did mean that I know I was stretched correctly by an expert but conversely I didn't get the experience of how to stretch someone else. We had an introduction-to-coaching talk and a practical visual-and-verbal-cues exercise in pairs where we tried to get someone to perform an exercise, sometimes by just mimeing visual cues, sometimes by standing behind the person and describing the required movement (without naming the move). Then, again in pairs, we worked on giving cues of different types (pre-cues and pre-views, initial cues, imagination cues, specific technique correction (CRC) and motivational cues) taking turns so that after 8 tracks we each coached one other person in 4 different songs including in each case our homework track. On 2 separate ocassions during the day I was caught yawning and had to give 10 press-ups on each ocassion - remarkably I did not even aware that I was yawning. A combination of lack of sleep in recent days and working hard throught the day including that fitness challenge. We got our lunch break during which I ate almost all of the food I brought with me. We got a specific amount of time in which to practice our homework track again and think about how to coach it. There was a brief pep-talk about "self fulfilling proficies" and positive thinking and how today's video assesment was just feedback for us and did not affect our final pass or fail status for this course. We were then video-taped coaching our tracks (for example myself and 2 others were assigned track 8, so there were 16 participants in all - each of the 3 of us were in a different corner of the room with about 5 partiipants and the instructor alternately pointed the video camera at each of us). After a short break the video analysis session began. Poor techinque was flagged for at least half of us and unfortunately I was no exception - in particular the concept of proper hook retraction ("think of drawing the top of a square") is still alien to me despite briefly being covered in yesterday's technique workshop; meanwhile the focus on wrist rotation to keep elbows down rather than out and yet hit with palms facing down by rotating (twisting) the wrist down near impact is unfortuantely something I haven't mastered yet and on this ocassion the camera which doesn't lie shows a very limp wrist, certainly not correct jab/cross technique and I've been advised to improve as well as to purchase and use wrist wraps which can fix the wrists in place. A final briefing session assigned us extra tracks (I've still got track 8, as well as tracks 1 and 2 - this is for the real assessment in 2 weeks) and a further information about the next session (for example what to wear, how the day will go, most commong reasons for failure, announcement of a test covering the content of the program manual - a book we received yesterday but which has not yet been referred to). The session was over at 5.25pm. I left the buildin at 5.46pm.
I had an hour until I was due to meet Kelly and Nina in the sauna and decided to head home for some downtime first but Rob returned my call before I got very far in that direction so I ended up retracing my steps and sitting with him for half of his pint before 6.45pm rolled around and I headed on to the gym. Had a chat to Louise relating to my course and she suggested I get some practice time with Kelly when the studio is not in use. Kelly has signed up her husband for a weekend-only membership so he was introduced or re-introduced to a bunch of us. I arranged for Nina and Kelly to briefly practice my 3 combat tracks on Tuesday evening after Body Pump and before the sauna. Home by 8.10pm (no MP3 player as annoyingly I managed to lose my AAA battery at some point after 3pm in the course venue).
A mixture of eating and unpacking until 9.10pm. Spoke on phone with sis till 9.45pm then with Majhid till 10pm. Turned my attention to the computer and food entry for the day till 10.15pm. Diarising (and eating) took me up to 11.43pm - that's an hour and a half! eyes shutting so computer off by 11.45pm.
By 3pm, 1,164 calories and 2,420 grams (48 kcal/100g). Late night food: 8.26-11.36pm: 636 calories and 1499 grams (42 kcal/100g).
Up at 6.40am, computer on shortly afterwards. Called credit card company to double-check what I was charged for the Body Combat course (£158.55) and paid some of it off. The trainer suggested that the fitness challenge and other exercises will likely leave as sore the next day and sure enough I feel it today in my inner thighs, butt and trapezius (upper back). I called FitPro about a 'technique DVD' I previously read about on the internet but apparently it is no longer something they provide. Around 9.20am first got on the internet (after rebooting the modem to make it work). Discovered that the Body Combat DVD has two audio tracks (the alternative track is music-only so you can make up your own coaching rather whilst seeing the moves but not hearing their cues - it also makes their visual cues stand out more). At noon listened to radio for a bit and reduced blog backlog form 100 to 90. After noon paid for a £10.50 black Body Combat top I've just 'won' (pretty sure this one is for a guy). Some food prep tasks around 1pm. At 2pm posted my diary entries for Thursday through Sunday. Around 3pm opened the 'instructors manual' reading a couple of pages. Diarised for a bit. By 3.51pm, 651 calories and 2,015 grams
At 4.15pm gave mum some washing.
Left at 4.35pm (MP3 = combat) Holland and Barretts were out of dates - but a sports clothing store had hand-wraps discounted at £2.50.
Got to the gym just after 5pm. Brief chat with Yin then told Shey I've done the course and asked her to show me how to put them on. If I wasn't there her Jam class would have had 3 people. As it was I was 4th and when I saw Saffron I roped her in so we finished with 5. Just before Jam I asked Shey if she'll let me shadow and she said "not until you're ready" - which meant I was doing the class as a participant (on my right leg). I made the observation that I wasn't working physically hard as compared with how I was on the course. Should have gone to the loo between Jam and Combat instead chose to chat with Saffron about tomorrow morning (paying the price - mid class loo break missing the end of 4 and beginning of 5). After track 7 she asked the class to vote on whether we would do a power track (i.e. track 8 = cardio) or a condition track (i.e. track 9 = press ups etc.) myself and slightly over half the rest of them voted for Power. The twist was that she very kindly invited me to the stage, announced that I had 'done my course' and even coxed them to clap for me. I shared the stage with her - she alternated between coaching and giving me some space (not that I did much more than the ocassional vocal pre-cue to go with my pre-views). Post-class feedback was to go lower (bend my knees) on the cross-jacks. That was when I made my observation (being on stage makes you work harder as you imagine people are looking at you - of course they could have been looking at me when I was slacking earlier in the front row...). I guess I do like the way she broke the news that I'm an instructor-to-be to the 25 people assembled in the crowd. The wraps are as much a hassle to remove as they are to put on. Headed home (MP3 off) making it home by 7.25pm.
Spent some of the evening catching up with 100-odd blog entries and filling up MP3 player as well as listening to a couple of radio programs and other audio and catching up with emails. Food 7.30pm-11pm: 1149 calories and 943 grams (122 kcal/100g) the majority of calories eaten relatively quickly in dried fruit (finished all the dates), bread and oats. Fell asleep perhaps at 11.15pm - not intentionally so no record made.
Up at 5.40am - left home around 6.45am after a light breakfast. At the gym read a few pages from the Manual (would have familiarised myself with the microphone had I had a 9V battery with me). At 7.30am Saffron arrived and she helped.
Feedback included: I shouldn't be expect her to aways take up the harder options, and making mistakes (yes I made a few) makes me more 'human' so that's OK. Joked around with Elaine around the gym surviving my absence on Saturday morning (progress - I wouldn't have handled that well not long ago). Jo and Michelle co-launched the new Pump. I'll reserve judgment till later too new to me. Felt somewhat weak after a week away from weights but perhaps some tracks are actually harder on this new relese.
Onwards to counselling (no MP3 so far today) which was about how much has happened over 7 days and how I'm basically coping - well better than I would expect - with a variety of challenges. I printed an email and popped into the enrollment office to clarify when interviews for a certain course will be held. I headed to Argos to return the personal CD player I didn't need after all, exchanging it with a same-price item: Adidas-branded hand wraps which are shorter and thinner and therefore easier to use than the ones I bought yesterday. Then on to the bank where I failed to get coins as their machine was out of service and Holland and Barretts which were again out of Dates. Kelly let me know that Nina was 'cross' about my plans to recruit them both for Combat practice tonight. I was planning to take at most 20 minutes of their time. I'm glad Saffron practiced with me this morning or I would have been very disappointed and let down. As it was I could be more philosophical about how surely I should be the one who is 'cross', not Nina. On the upside I would have probably found a 2nd Pump class in one day to be tedious and instead I can look forward to an AA meeting (and as the last one was Saturday and the next one is Friday I feel this is a particularly good move for me). So in a way they've done my sanity a favour. Home by 1.43pm.
Mostly food prep till 3.17pm; online session till 4.30pm; mum came over to deliver produce (pak choi and rhubarb) and wet clothing - I then went out to the market for half an hour comming back with 2.7kg pears and 2.3kg potatos (home at 5.20pm). Had radio on whilst hanging the washing to dry and processing and refrigerating the received and purchased produce. Sis called for a chat (6.37-7.10pm). By 7.37pm, 1,410 calories and 2,392 grams (59 kcal/100g). Headed out 7.42pm and got back 9.25pm. During the meeting was in danger of falling asleep - paid more attention to chair than subsequent shares (identified with keeping up the addiction being a lot of effort and how I've ran away from other things to make sure I had enough time to continue my addictive behaviours -> this applies both to food-based and online/audio-based obsessions; the chair shared how with alcohol out of the picture their musical ambitions get a look in and I do of course have a parallel with my instructing ambitions). Anyhow Not happy with how 6 afternoon hours went - why didn't I nap? that would have been more productive than some of what I've done.
At home fielded a call from Majhid who is having some sort of problem relating to his battery of power adapter (or alternatively an over-heating laptop) but is only just coming to terms with the idea that this will mean actual effort in terms of contact with the warranty helpline and indeed the possibility that said department might actually like to look at his product. I don't know why he thinks I would enjoy listening to his non-sense, he obviously fancies himself as an entertainer - not an idiot. This took me to 10pm.
Food 9.25pm-10.05pm: 390 calories and 889 grams (44 kcal/100g). I only had access to pears since 5pm yet they make up over a third of today's calories and had they been obtained earlier in the day would no doubt have displaced more of the grain calories. I turned the computer on in order to calculate food but first made sure the internet was disconnected. Computer off 10.20pm.
Up at 7.15am (after 3 mid-sleep interruptions over just under 9 hours). Had breakfast, got ready and left by 7.45am. In studio 1 inserted a rechargeable 9V battery into the microphone transmitter, put on the head microphone and played at being an instructor to the empty room - getting to the end of Track 5 as Jo and Louise arrived to set up the room for today's launch event. Trying to take the battery out I noticed it was stuck. Louise couldn't get it out either. She asked the general manager for help (she in turn told me off for using the equipment "members can use the studio and not the equipment" - got a slight complex about that, but then again it is quite possible she is not aware that I am a qualified instructor which this very club is sponsoring through Body Combat training - they might be too 'high up' the chain of command to be kept informed of such detail. Anyhow I've proven to myself that I know how to use the radio mic and won't need to use it again until in a live class situation.
Studio 2 was busy (looked like personal training) and whilst my CD seemed to play in the Spin studio, no sound was coming out and I didn't want to trouble anyone for assistance after the morning I've had so I grabbed my MP3 player and did tracks 6-10 in the Spin studio like that. I then had a few minutes of rest before the 'main event' - chatted to Saffron, Jan, Hannah etc. About a diet program that was apparently on TV last night (which apparently favoured the medeteranian diet), the concept of BMI, bathroom scales, macronutrient ratios, 'carbohydrate foods', calories and calorie counting. Despite this being a crowd of regular exercisers (most days of the week) some of them are overweight and all thought that to actually be aware of how many calories are in foods, let alone count them, was obsessive. I could venture that there is a connection between those last two observations.
Jo and Michelle were both wearing matching Body Step branded tops, tu-tu silver skirts on black bottoms and some headgear I'm failing to find words to describe. Jo brought her disco lights again. The new Body Step music has time-travel and disco themes and the routines are complex enough to be interesting at this stage. The conditioning track is a killer for the triceps. Afterwards ice-lollies were provided (I made my orange out to be 45 calories).
After the gym I stopped off at Holland and Barretts for more dates, at the bank for more 50p coins and at Kelly's for a brief update. I stayed out in the sun to read a few pages in the Body Combat manual (one page, a form to be sent with one's assesment, seems to imply an additional £39 cost I wasn't aware of as it asks for a 'FitPro membership number' and my understanding is that this is their cost - I'll be wanting to check this out before I chose an insurance provider as the cheapest provider is one company but if I must have FitPro membership then I might as well have their members-only insurance scheme). Called Nash to arrange practice for Friday - at the moment it looks as though we can use the studio at Milton Keynes College which should be better than last week in his front room. The GP called back to confirm that my Vitamin D is now at 98.0nmol/L which to be honest seems too good to be true (it was 28.3nmol/L and I was only supplementing for 2 months before getting re-tested) however for now I'll take it. It is in the ideal range. I told the doctor I'll want a re-test in a year and it didn't seem like he thought it outrageous. Then Kelly showed up for her lunch break. Her stress relates to work, whilst Nina's primarily relates to the upcoming op. Home at 1.25pm for some welcome food (last of the pears, some potatos).
Diarising from 2pm; 2.25-2.43 spoke with Majhid; food entry to 3pm; then concentrated on eating and food prep. 4.16-5.13pm nap. Played the DVD with instructor track taken out (i.e. you could just hear the songs) and tried to say aloud the instruction that the instructors are giving from the DVD transcription document I created last week - trying to make their phrases my own. Did this for tracks 1-3 and part of 4 before it was time to head out. By 6pm, 1,354 calories and 2,543 grams (53 kcal/100g).
Left at 6.45pm. Angela has an injury relating to an event from a while ago when she chipped a piece of bone. Said piece is loose in her body and is now against a muscle causing much pain. The upshot of this is that she didn't do impact moves and we stayed on the previous release (body combat 39) which also meant I wasn't on stage. Kelly sent her apologies - she was bailing out of combat due to the heat but would join us for the sauna. Instructor Jo was also in the house - participating. This was Nina's last worout for 2 or 3 weeks. We stayed in the Sauna and Jacussi till 9pm and i was home by 9.30pm.
Food 9.34pm-10.24pm: 446 calories and 525 grams (85 kcal/100g).
Focus was eating - done within the hour. Computer on at 10.05. Nash called at 10.23pm for about an hour. 11pm-11.30pm put away dry clothes. Connected to internet 11.30pm, staying online till 2.10am - my eyes were giving up on me!
After just over 4 hours of sleep my alarm woke me up at 6.30am. Had a silent start and a very light breakfast, leaving at 7.18am (MP3 on). Set up in the studio and then found Saffron who once more helped out by participating in my class-of-one. We stopped to chat between most tracks. With 3 or 4 tracks to go Louise popped in and hang with us. Michelle and Marie arrived literally the second we were done stretching (around 9am at this point).
When I started at the other gym in 2005 I was into this girl, a fan of combat from a previous gym (apart from the two of us, practically everyone else who did Combat was new to it - an absolute beginner). She used to stand in the front-left corner of the room and look very good with her emphasis on correct technique. I witnessed her going through ETM, then through Body Combat training, and then reportedly teaching Combat at village halls and the like. Eventually she was doing so much instructing it wasn't worth her time to also a keep a gym membership going. After no contact for a few months she came back, this time as an instructor. I think I did her class 3 times before falling out with the gym management and leaving in September 2006. I do remember that my impression of her as an instructor seemed to not be 'true' to her personality, it seemed 'falsely' confident. Well Saffron filled in the gaps. This girl continued to instruct at the club for a few months after I left but it became apparent that she had an eating disorder, Anorexia, apparently eating nothing but protein shakes, and ultimately had to give up instructing. Obviously I was shocked and saddened to hear the story. During the time I had known her she did not appear to be underweight.
Doing the new pump for a 2nd time it now seems more familiar and less threatening though I am alarmed by my wish to take my chest weights even lower (down to 15kg halfway through the song) not sure how this works given that I've steadily been increasing calories (unless the inconsistencies introduced by mis-counting potatos were so grave that what is an increase on paper is actually a decrease in real terms). Next I attended the Body Balance launch, observing that of all the 'Body' classes this is the one where the actual moves seem to change the most between releases (accepting that the class does have a fixed structure including a track order). I found the moves challenging and reportedly I may have snored during the relaxation (certainly I momentarily lost conciousness). No doubt this related to only getting 4 hours of sleep. I arranged with Marie to practice my tracks with her prior to Step tomorrow morning.
On the way home stopped at Holland and Barretts to treat myself to yet another packet of dates. Normally expensive but with raisins at 65p and dates discounted to 99p the difference is less significant. Got home at 12.04pm staying in for about half an hour. Majhid intends to come with his laptop on Monday morning for a diagnostic session before attempting to claim for a new power adapter on his laptop's warranty. Headed out to Argos, at customer services someone with a Tracy name-tag asked if I had worn the hand-wraps and when I said yes refused to take them back saying they're not re-saleable (with my inside knowledge of Argos I know they don't re-sale open merchandise, they sell it in palletes to a market trader, knowing that information I think it is unfair - I was too honest and was inconvenienced to the tune of £10). Proceeded to pub where I found Rob (despite the fact he had not alerted me - he said this was just a 'quick stop' and the main session will be upon his return). When he finished his drink I found a nice table outside in the sun and started reading my Body Combat Manual. After around 40 minutes (at 2.12pm) he was back - he reluctantly agreed to sit outside with me, chatting but also trying to advance pages in my book. I stayed for almost 2 of his drinks. For some of the time we played a classification game (normal, overweight, obese) with people going past. Left him to watch Wimbeldon as I decided I was tired and headed back, getting home at 3.53pm.
Wanted to rest but first went online to cancel a couple of gym classes. Before I could get comfortable mum announced she was coming - delivering produce (beetroot, peppers, strawberries, tye berries, spring onion and broad beans) and a Body Combat T-shirt (this time a succesful purchase). 4.35-5.50pm was that much-needed nap. Just before 6pm called Jerry for an update on Nina (her op took longer than scheduled - as did her time in the Recovery Room as she was late to wake up; the last he heard at that point was that she was still asleep but transferred to a ward.)
by 6.14pm, 783 calories and 1,546 grams (51 kcal/100g). Headed out at 6.20pm. Felt I'd be short-changing any workout partner if I didn't have a pre-workout shower. Was due to meet Kelly but she was a no-show so had 20 minutes to read my manual. Punch is predominantely male yet once more got paired with a girl - not one I've met before. Her punches were arguably stronger than mine and she alluded to being tired after a demanding day of landscape gardening! Exhausting but fun. I don't think she would have gotten a good workout if she was paired with one of the other girls. Afterwards cooled down in the pool, actually swimming in the refreshing cool water (then jacussi and sauna too - stuff I now rarely do on my own). Just as I was getting to the enterance to my building I spotted my ex-girlfriend (breakup = 4 years ago) and we both smiled. It has been a year or two since the last time I encountered her and this time around I didn't feel nervous or scared or alarmed - perhaps I am experiencing tangible spiritual and emotional recovery. I made Home by 8.42pm.
Audio was start-stop. Eating and food-prep (notably involved shelling all the broad beans and separating the red onions into bulbs and spring-onion greens). My other sister called for a 20 minute chat. Kelly (who has been receiving more regular updated about Nina) texted about her. Diarising took about an hour.
Food 8.52pm-0.10am: 1017 calories and 829 grams (123 kcal/100g). Computer off 0.16am.
Up naturally at 5am - a silent start. Food rescue from 5.25am. Computer on 6.05am. Asked dad for more of the produce (spinach, lettuce) that I previously felt I had too much of. Looked at the most direct cycling route from the Argos shop directly to MK College. Using the BMI calculator to crunch figures for my brother was shocked to find him grazing the obese classification (the TV program from earlier in the week suggested 1 in 4 are now obese in Britain - with 4 siblings this brings it very much home). At my current BMI of around 20 there's 10 points of difference. I haven't actually seen him in a few months I'll be wondering what he looks like until I see him at the party in 3 weeks.
7.30am-9.13am online: TV, radio. Computer off 9.30am. Left 9.35am. 10-10.30am instructed Marie in tracks 1,2,8 in studio 2 - her main feedback was about being heard and understood (am I mumbling? using the wrong words? talking too much? something to watch out). My second go at the new Body Step slightly taken aback when it turned out I was the only one slightly 'not getting' one of the new moves (cross step diagonally and then walk back, alternating being either behind or in front of the step - I walked around the step as well which isn't part of this move). A chat with Kelly clarified Nina's situation - at this stage she's still not comfortable enough for visitors. I was home by 12.13pm.
Spoke with Majhid. Was about to settle into another online session. At 1.10pm Matthew called to say he was already in town. At 1.40pm I was ready to leave. First stop was the pub (chatted to sis whilst cycling; arrived minutes before Rob). We mostly sat outside. Around 2.40pm made my excuses and headed onwards to Argos. The customer service representative had a different name badge (yes, I wouldn't have remembered their face - I'm not good with faces) and having anxiously rehearsed lying ('no, I have not worn these wraps') it proved to be a non-issue as on this ocassion I wasn't asked this question! Paid an extra £2.70 for the product I should have gotten in the first place (also described in the catalog as a 'hand wrap' but the wrap bit is 0.2m rather than 2.0m).
I was on my way a little after 3pm and covered 4.1 miles in under half an hour so was quite early. The studio was empty and I tried reading out selected bits of 'the transcript' out loud. At 4pm Nash arrived and eventually we got going. Somebody came in to check up on us - what were we doing here?. I noticably messed up the timing on some things - notably track 4. Perhaps I'm being put off by Nash's timing which is poorer than mine and him not taking suggestions on board, or the music not loud enough for me to hear clearly. Overall a useful experience. Nash was showing a much higher level of skill trying to instruct me in a padwork session (he brought his own equipment - gloves and pads) but I only gave it 5 minutes before deciding I wanted to move on. Around 5.20pm I was cycling back (passed the time with MP3 playing a 'comedy' podcast). Decided I was too tired for Punch and with Matthew rarely in town decided to skip the OA meeting and head back to the pub.
When I got there (6pm) it wasn't a particularly interactive experience - everyone was facing the large screen watching a tennish match (a semi final?). My original plan was to stick it for almost 2 hours then head over to AA but attempting to pass the match time reading the combat manual brought home that I was tired - so I left (more podcast on the way) getting home at 6.34pm (outing just undrer 5 hours in total).
At home made some popcorn, ate it lying down and then napped 6.55-7.40pm. By 7.45pm, 947 calories and 1,072 grams (88 kcal/100g). Changed to smarter clothes and made the 8pm meeting (Finding a gap I shared about HALT - and tiredness being a reason to 'pick up', at least in my case, with some regularity; oh and also about the recent experience of seeing my ex; somebody thought tonight's shares were 'negative' I think that's a rather relative term I didn't think of them that way until that point). After a tip-off from Rob I made 'The Barn' by 9.13pm. At this point the group has grown and was mostly people I didn't know, in the beer garden, split into two tables. The low quality of the experience was such a contrast with the AA meeting and I hoped this socialising event was not representative of sis birthday party in 3 weeks. I spent a little bit of time at one table then at the other one. After feeling I had put in 'enough' time (about 50 minutes) I left, making home at 10.15pm.
Read the manual for half an hour. Then turned attention to the computer and my last meal (using bread to speed things up). Food 10.15pm-11.40pm: 853 calories and 614 grams (139 kcal/100g). Computer was off at 0.13am. Practiced technique of kicks in front of the mirror for 15 minutes, then lights off 0.30am.
Up at 5am. Food prep work 5.20-6.20am. Online from 6.22am. Diarising 7-7.30am. Then some CPH. At 7.57am mum arrived with a mountain of produce (mostly spinach). I used to attend Parish Council meetings and a letter informs me there are plans for a larger adjoining parish to 'eat up' our small city-centre parish (wrote a letter about that). Computer off 8am. Left for gym at 8.23am.
In the studio tried to refine my front-kick technique, assisted by Dave and Marie once they arrived (push with force, think of it as one movement rather than a 2nd lean back). Angela announced she was off on holiday and returning on the 25th (I'll be away that day waking up in Wolverhampton after that party). We did Body Combat 39. I was wearing my 'Body Combat' shirt for the first time and it got soaked (changed to a different one for Pump). I used 15kg for what I still consider to be a confusing Chest track but next time I'll be starting with 17.5kg. On the way home bagged myself a small quantity of free cauliflower leaves (again passing on pears - 7 for £1 is relatively dear). MP3 was on. Home at 11.41am.
Stored my cauliflower leaves then at noon lay down for a nap. Alarm woke me at 12.30pm at which point I decided I was too tired - abandoned the martial arts class I was planning to try at 1pm and returned to bed, sleeping till 2.40am. At this point got more useful with the large quantity of produce from this morning (unbag, sort, box and refrigerate). After 3pm fielded a call from Majhid. Then co-ordinated with dad, sis and Matthew. 3.30pm-4.10pm online catch-up session. At 4.10pm Matthew called - already from town. Got ready for an outing. By 4.26pm, 984 calories and 958 grams (103 kcal/100g).
Left at 4.30pm (MP3 on - at this point I was a bit stressed and I don't think this helps!). First stop was Slug'n'Lettuce (with Rob refusing to go out to the garden). I started with a diet coke which was over too quickly so switched to coffees. At 6pm, called Jerry for an update and who should answer but Nina herself who was literally just back from hospital (a day too early in her opinion and in a state where it was painful to speak). At 6.50pm we started walking away from the pub towards Whetherspoons - at 7.10pm just before they got there I parted, heading instead towards AA. It was one of those meetings with fewer people having the urge to share so I got my chance quite early on (I talked about my wholesale failure to capture what AA meetings were like and what I get out of them to Rob and Matthew, as exemplified an hour earlier when I asked them to have a guess at what goes on in such a meeting and getting a problem-based rather than a solution-based answer). A swift exit as soon as the meeting was over - making phone calls on the way (Matthew and Rob now heading toward The Barn; sis ready to join imminently; arrangements with Majhid).
Got to the pub at 9pm. We were joining a 'Hen Night' who were sitting in the beer garden. The common denominator was the cinema where Rob's sister and the other women work. Conversation was pub small-talk. I guess I wasn't as uncomfortable as the night before. I was attracted to one of the girls. My sis arrived with her boyfriend - initially sitting with Matthew on an 'overflow table' which I joined when the hens went away to get more serious partying done (and then we moved inside). I'm being lent a Samsung digital video camera based on rewritable DVD technology with the capacity (at 'Long Play' to record up to 60 minutes of footage). In the first instance I should use it to just record myself and form opinions about how to improve my Body Combat technique. Jason showed me all the key features I should be aware of. Sis had a story to relay about issues with a drain shared by a neighbour which saw effluent sprayed directly into her garden twice this past year, the problems (including some tension with the neighbour) eventually being resolved after some research revealed that the local government has ownership and responsibility of shared drains for properties built before 1937. I keep 4 catheters in my coat pocket and this long outing already had me out of those and dipping into my 'emegency reserve' in my bag. Despite multiple coffees I was very tired, finally tearing myself away at midnight leaving the rest to continue their evening for a bit. Took the long route home as didn't want to drive on the road in the dark - home at 0.09am.
At home had an online session and caught up with the substantial number of outstanding calories - so despite being tired I only got to bed at 1.30am. Food 0.09am-1.30am: 816 calories and 302 grams (270 kcal/100g) - popcorn, the last of the bread, dates.
Up at 8am - started the day with computer off, reading from the Body Combat Manual. Getting ready 9.35 onwards. Mum picked me up at 10.27am and we drove to her gym David Lloyds which were having a Wimbeldon-related promotion allowing guests in free. Mum left after showing me where the punch bags were located. After changing I had a go at those bags. An instructor-like figure appeared (using an MP3 player and choreography notes). I asked them if they were launching Body Combat 40 ('no but it will be good'). The instructor's name is Alex (who is also a PT according to mum). Unable to figure out the mic, Alex had to use his voice. We mostly did a release from a year or so ago, though when the CD gave up mid-way on track 7 we switched to a release that's probably 2 years ago (evidence that he's had some experience with the program). I asked for feedback on my technique which came back as needing to keep my movements more 'tight'. There were about 13 of us (this would have been a poor turn-out in my gym!). One girl was wearing handwraps. Quite a few looked like they did not know what they were doing. Class over at 12.15pm, I grabbed my stuff out of the changing rooms, called mum for a lift back and waited for her sitting in the sun. On the way home carried with me some allotment lettuce and 5 kilos of popcorn. Home by 12.50pm.
After putting things away got 10 minutes rest before Majhid showed up at 1.23pm. I did not have the patience for his self-centered attitude. At 1.30pm mum arrived having managed to score a deal on some wholemeal bread for me and I asked her to stay. A laptop power adapter is made up of a 'kettle lead' from the power outlet to the black box, a black box with a green light and a thinner cable moulded into the black box and fitting the laptop's power input socket. By using both his and my adaptors and laptops it was confirmed that the the problem was with his power adaptor not the laptop and specifically the moulded cable was probably broken on the inside certainly it looked like it had been abused and had many kinks to it. I don't like calling 0845 numbers (I have yet to confirm by experiment that these are free on my TalkTalk tarrif, even though they ought to be) I rate Majhid's ability for succesful communication with officials at close to nil and so I picked up the phone and, pretending to be him, made the somewhat lengthy call to Tesco Electrical Appliance Support, navigating the voice menus, explaining why I believe the power adaptor was the problem, reading out various details printed on the power adaptor and till receipt and giving away "my" personal details. The laptop is under warranty and a free replacement should arrive in 5-7 "working days". I asked Majhid to leave shortly afterwards (1.52pm). Mum stayed till 2.05pm.
I read a couple more pages then a nap 2.25-3.05pm. Wanted to call Kelly to see if she was giving me 20 minutes to practice my Combat exam tracks but she was too busy to even come to the phone (had family over, I later discovered). It is baffling to me that my diary page receives constant traffic even when I have not updated it in a few days and I paused to flesh out an idea about what it would take to change the URL of the page so as to deliberately 'break' any links that might exist from elsewhere on the internet into my diary (CPH users would obviously still be able to find it, but it would not be Google-able for a couple of weeks). After having this mental exercise I finally checked my emails at 3.40pm (noticing I had one relating to challenge graphics). Computer off at 4.10pm and getting ready. Food in the morning (before the bread arrived) was a taste-fest of various grain products (including pearl barley and white rice) and this impacted not only the daily 'percentage' but also protein intake. I compensated with a tin of red kidney beans after which calories were somewhat high for this point in the day. By 4.25pm, 1,222 calories and 955 grams (128 kcal/100g).
Left at 4.30pm (MP3 on). Got my Step ready then sat in the front of the gym to see if I'd catch Kelly (I didn't, but at least read a few more pages!). Jason (who saw me earlier at David Lloyds) asked if I had done my Combat course. We did 1-3, 8 and 10 from the new release. At around 6.30pm I made the pool-side for some chat with Kelly (husband also present) though did not stay till the 8pm chucking-out time indeed home by 7.42pm. Called artistjohn about the challenge graphic (if I had to take this over again I'd need to set myself strict rules, like only updating it every 3 days, as this is just the kind of thing that is my undoing). Online after 8pm. At 8.20pm started to tackle the blog mountain (which stood at 96 unread). Majhid called, convinced that I was tense towards him because of some 'event' - I maintained that I was just not interested in taking nonsense from him and that being busier (for example getting ready for my Body Combat Module 2 which is this Sunday) is making me less inclined to take his nonsense. No 'traumatic event' had occured, not to my knowledge anyhow. At 10.10pm decided to act on the plan from 7 hours earlier to change my diary's internal topic ID (from 7820 to 9000) and see how it impacts on the view count. Evening food had to feature more vegetables and felt meagure as I've spent over 2/3 of the calories earlier. Food 7.42pm-10.16pm: 578 calories and 661 grams (87 kcal/100g). The last couple of days have been relatively low potassium (and rather lightweight) without really trying. Computer off at 10.37am.
Finally up at 8.30am (that's 10 hours of sleep which I guess I really needed - with mid-sleep interruptions at 1.38am, 4.12am and 7.35am). With no ready-to-eat produce I had a food prep session till 10am (also called college to arrange an appointment 10 days away relating to a part-time course for next year - this will involve a one-to-one interview). Then finally got around to diarising the last couple of days (Majhid called to report that he had brief joy from his broken power adapter before it stopped working again). At 11.35am connected to the internet. Some radio featured - switching to MP3 when caught up with it (one was about how BPA might not be dangerous after all, another about surviving in a world after economic collapse). Over a few hours reduced blog backlog from 86 to 0. Brief phone chat with sis. By 1.10pm was still only up to 422 calories and with my forthcoming dental treatment I quickly beefed this up (By 1.56pm, 774 calories and 629 grams = 123 kcal/100g).
Mum picked me up at 2pm and we drove to Wolverton. I continued with the quiz and the back of my manual whilst waiting for my appointment. I had injections on both left and right sides of the mouth and then a 'clean' whilst waiting for my face to numb. 3 fillings (2 amalgam type and one cement type) and then a polish too - walking out of there at 3.04pm I failed to make contact with mum who had forgotten her phone in the car. I walked over to NETTO where I found 30kg of still-good potatos reduced to £4.14 (cheaper than I can get in the market!). I stared at a 100g (43p, 545kcal) bar of chocolate for a while but put it back. Eventually mum made contact and showed up. We paid and were on our way shortly after 4.20pm so quite the shopping interlude. Not done yet though - had to go through ALDI and help mum buy 24 litres of long-life skimmed milk (unlike me she hasn't given up dairy!). Took 10 minutes to carry all my shopping (and produce - more lettuce, ) upstairs, all done by 4.40pm. A quick 20 minutes to myself.
Left for the gym at 5pm. At this point my mouth was still numb and speaking clearly was non-trivial. Shey was recovering from an illness (severe enough to have kept her from instructing for a few days) which restricted some of her moves for Jam and Combat. I didn't ask to be on stage and she didn't invite me (probably fair to say I was disappointed), focused on my own technique. Post-workout feedback was to stay on my toes (practice walking on my toes at home) don't wiggle my butt when pulsing (e.g. track 7), for my video on Sunday focus on coaching (scripting is recommended! even she does it). Saffron delivered exciting news - a chance for me to teach tracks 5 and 6 on Wednesday - exciting. On the way home noticed my mouth still numb but less so. Opted for MP3 to be on during ride. Home by 7.25pm.
Food 7.35pm-10.56pm: 1026 calories and 1880 grams (55 kcal/100g). Calorie density lower in the evening (rare for me) thanks to potatos becoming available. This 'food party' was concurrent with an 'audio party' of MP3 files working my way from largest to smallest. Being online wasn't a big part as I'd caught up with my large backlog earlier in the day. I could tell I was time-wasting during this session but the willingness to turn this around wasn't there (more remorse afterwards and the following day). Bedtime around 11pm.
Up at 6.05pm and immediately began chopping potatos. Was the kilogram (~2lb) jump on the scale relating to yesterday's potato consumption and if so was it the weight of the potatos, the potassium content, glycogen status or a calorie-counting irregularity (meaning I'm actually in a calorie surplus)? At this stage it was just a passing thought, but I'd think differently by the end of the day.
Left at 6.51am. (Feeling a bit 'hangover' as far as audio goes so MP3 player was not exercised at any point in the day.) Made gym by 7am and had a go at scripting coaching for tracks 5 and 6 (by move rather than by track structure). Here's what I've come up with (this is just a sneaky way for me to re-visit my script even though I don't want to):
TRACK 5:
DOUBLE JABS: on the nose, out-in, jump on it, move your feet, can you get your shoulder to touch your jaw?
JUMP JAB FORWARD: knee up
HOOK: aim for the jaw, stand up, 90 degrees
BODY RIPS: tuck in your elbows - rip the body, in the ribs so they can't breath
TRACK 6:
COMBAT STANCE: chest up, shoulders back, abs braced, heals down, sink low
BLOCKS: down-middle, really squeeze fist, cross arms inbetween
FRONT-KICK: as you lean back for the front kick brace your abs then you have more length, heal comes back to your butt
CROSS: as you land down from the kick lift your heal on the cross
BACK-KICK: look over your sholder, torso comes down, strike with the heal
HOOK: lift your elbow up, twist
KNEE: bring elbow past your ribs
Saffron arrived around 7.30am and we wizzed through tracks 1-8 without too many breaks this is our third go at it in 8 days and I'm getting more comfrotable with pre-cueing, coaching and even just messing a little, there was a little test for me as I carried on instructing during a visit from Louise. We finished the workout - afterwards others began arriving. Elaine brought news that another gym member had fallen down stairs and broken her collar bone (as I've commented before I'm pleased with my ability to interact with Elaine as my resentment regarding her for unpleasant interactions in the past is no longer in the front of my mind). Although I could have 'been useful' during the 30+ minutes between my combat practice and the follow-on pump I chose to 'chill' instead. I found out the reason for 'combat collegue girl' being absent last week - she was on another course for instructor. In pump I felt stronger and this lent credit to the theory that calorie-counting irregularities with potatos mean that I'm eating more than the 1800 I have 'on paper'.
Having left the complex after 3.5 hours the wet surroundings indicated I missed an outpour. Cycled onwards to counselling where I discussed how I felt about the weeek, including time-wasting notably last Tuesday and yesterday in the context of my ocassional achievements. Afterwards in the library printed a form (the one I may need in 16 weeks' time - there's unnecessary forward planning for you) and in a similar vein registered for the website from which I'll in future be able to order Body Combat music (once I purchase the license). Couldn't find Kelly. Home by 12.43pm.
After 1pm a 20 minute chat with Nina who is now home for 3 days but still not comfortable being left on her own (when I left hospital last year I remember having to lie about having adult supervision for the next 24 hours, which in reality I did not have) we talked about practical matters like how she's eating and appointments. 1.40-2.05am put my head down for a 'power nap'. A quick snack and then left at 2.17pm.
Cycled to Wolverton in what initially felt like light rain though ultimately I got quite soaked. Dried myself in the 10-odd minutes prior to my appointment. Today was the first session on under the CBT heading and the aim of the game was to work out a scheme for how my low self esteem expresses itself with the aid of a diagram. We identified a pattern with bad news or something not going well preceeding my recent time-wasting episodes. I tend to over-prepare and attach much significance to doing things perfectly without fault or mistake, interpretting any such imperfection as failure (black and white thinking), I can see where he's going with this, it sounds like me. (At a tangent, consider the original name for this diary - a Diary Of Shame - as an example of my perfectionist way of thinking.) Perhaps at some point down the line it was impressed upon me that without some hard work my potential abilities would be wasted and this took a life of its own as examples of doing things thoroughly dot my past - I was able to think back to when I was 17 and typed out every word in my A-level textbooks in case this gave me some academic advantage.
Left the psychology department around 4.20pm (having missed a serious outpoor that made me cringe whilst I was indoors). I wanted to have a geographical understanding of the relationship between today's south-west-Wolverton location and Yesterday's north-Wolverton and spontanously took a turn in the road. After going further than expected I eventually found myself at NETTO. Alarmed by obsessive thoughts of chocolate I didn't go in but instead continued out of Wolverton and to New Bradwell. Had the idea of visiting Rob. Couldn't make phone contact with him using mobile or home numbers but decided this would be my route home so continued regardless. In the event he opened the door. I was there 4.30-5.50pm, drinking a cup of coffee and chatting in the front room (it occurred to me that this was a rather rare ocassion - meeting Rob in a situation where he wasn't consuming alcohol, no doubt the last time was when he visited my flat and that was probably a long time ago). I cycled on, making home by 6.15pm.
At home I found a large bag of allotment lettuce mum had left for me, spending most my time "sorting" through it and eating simultaneously. Was bored enough to initiate chat with Majhid. By 7.38pm, 907 calories and 1,237 grams (73 kcal/100g). At 7.38pm left for AA Heelands meeting. The chair had 8.5 months of sobriety and their chair was mostly about 'how it was'. I found it difficult to identify with specifics (perhaps an analogue would be how time-wasting which used to be an evening thing crept into morning behaviour, and how a lack of car makes attending meetings more of a 'big deal' in terms of logistics planning). It was a well-attended meeting but shares came reluctantly. About 10 minutes from the end I jumped in relating how 'key' words at the beginning of the Chapter 5 reading ('fail', 'thoroughly') had special meaning for me today as I considered whether I was indeed a perfectionist, and perhaps how I shy away from doing things I can't be perfect at - such as doing those steps! Made a dash home (cycling a slightly modified route). Home at 9.23pm.
At home continued sorting produce (once the lettuce was done I needed to tend to my spinach mountain) concurrent with lots of potato eating. Being confident I only did my food data entry for the day at 10.30pm. Finished sorting the produce by 10.50pm. I reflected about the theme of avoidance running through the day. Going to the psychologist was pre-arranged but I liked the idea that this was a block of time where I didn't "have to be" accountable for how good I was at my use of time. Visiting Rob, going to AA and sorting out the produce were my choices, again avoidance.
Food 9.23pm-11.15pm: 893 calories and 1187 grams (75 kcal/100g). I looked up the calories in raw potatos (69 in 100g of white potatos) and reasoned that this is equivalent to cooked potatos (93 calories in 100g) only if cooking reduces the weight to 74.2% of the original weight - otherwise (if the weight reduces further) either some calories are lost in the cooking process or I am giving myself a very substantial discount, potentially up to a factor of 2. If my 1324 calories from potatos were in reality 2648 calories then total calories for the day would be 476+2648 = 3124. With these kinds of calorie counts, is it a wonder that I have gained weight in late 2008 and was unable to effectively shift it in 2009, despite 'counting every calorie' and at times dropping my count to as low as 1500? DENIAL is not just a river in Egypt. DENIAL = Don't Even kNow I Am Lying. Tomorrow is a new day. Computer off 11.20pm. bedtime 11.25pm.
Up at 5.30am, potato-based experiments till 6am. When microwaved potatos reach approx 75% of raw weight they are edible and probably comparable texture to boiled potatos presented to me in eating situations where I'm not the one preparing the food, thus from now on I will account for the calories in potatos weighed raw. I then have the option of preparing them 'al-dente' which might have the advantage that they take longer to eat, and that they have fewer carcinogenous acrylamides, or I can go down the comfort route and over-cook them, but in either case I will not be systematically under-estimating the calories in potatos. As I can now eat only half the quantity of potatos as before this has the unexpected benefit of making potatos finacially cheaper (per calorie) though obviously more costly in a satiety-value-per-calorie sense. Now losing the edge it previously had over wholemeal bread, and popcorn's relative satiety value is also enhanced by comparison. 6.20-6.ampm data entry. 6.55-8.20am diarised 48 hours. Online for almost an hour (uploading my diary, CPH, radio).
Left for the gym at 9.13am; inactive participant in a conversation about pole-dancing as exercise and financial and moral angles of the sex and escort 'industries'. During the Step workout, a fit individual (she recently walked a marathon for charity) injured herself falling off her step. I noticed not sweating much compared to some others - either an artificat of being directly under the air vent or a sign of laziness. Kelly has been texting Angela who apparently won't be leaving for her real holidays until Friday (which means Kelly missed Monday's spin for nothing!) though she still has Combat covered as she's busy tonight. Home by 11am.
Did side-by-side potato and popcorn comparison (yes, popcorn wins). Noticed that changing the diary's URL has made virtually not impact on the view count so I guess the majority of those are genuine readers (hello peeps!). After 12.30pm was reading the Body Combat manual, on and off - also intently rewatching tracks 5 and 6 from the DVD. Majhid reported that his power adapter (due to take up to 9 days to arrive) made it within 2 days. Also spoke to sis. 20 minute nap leading to 5pm. At 6.20pm stopped revising and left for the gym.By 6.12pm, 833 calories and 1,118 grams (75 kcal/100g).
Arriving before 6.30pm for a 7pm class I sat down, put on my hand-wraps and tried reading the technique book. Laura was expecting full classes and ticking people off lists - I persuaded a couple of people who didn't book to hang aroud as they'll be let in due to some non-shows (and sure enough, they did). I was greeted by Saffron and Hannah. I enjoyed the class, which was another opportunity to practice the new choreography. Afterwards spoke with Saffron and later 'strong girl'. I felt elated. Home by 8.35pm.
To make the most of my reduced potato allocation I'm now chopping them into smaller cubes (greater surface area) and experimenting with a variety of spices - therefore "spicy potato wedges". At home I was working through some produce. Spoke with Nash for 30 minutes. Otherwise lots of MP3 audio. Food 8.35pm-11.30pm: 967 calories and 1490 grams (65 kcal/100g). Computer was off at 11.44pm.
Up at 6.05am. After just one day at 1800 calories with no excess potato consumption to skew those calories upwards I'm already seeing movement in the right direction. Scripted tracks 1, 2 and 8 (that means wrote down teaching points for each move in these tracks) and left for the long gym outing at 7.14am. Met up with Saffron and did the release in record-breaking time (i.e. minimal breaks). Jo showed up at 9am - I told her about last night. Ditto later on for participant Hannah (not instructor Hannah). Did Pump and then Balance. On the way home MP3 on. Back by noon.
In my absence mum had left allotment broad beans. Called dad, who promised beetroot would be forthcoming. Computer on from 12.26pm. Sis told me about 'mystery shopping' and I signed up so perhaps I'll be going on an 'assignment' at some point. Caught up with email and CPH (blog mountain remains largely untackled at this point). By 6.37pm, 1,121 calories and 1,881 grams (60 kcal/100g). Turned computer off and after 10 minutes of silence left for the gym (noise again - MP3 on - though found it stressful and switched it off about halfway there). At the gym spotted Kelly in a spin class already in progress. The Punch class I was hoping for was cancelled due to lack of instructor (I was ready for this eventuality as it wasn't on the online timetable) and there were about 4 of us who had to make other plans - in my case after a brief chat with one of the guys concerned, I turned back - home at 7.12pm.
Snacked then turned computer on at 7.36pm - catching up on blog backlog by 9.43pm (with MP3 background). Most of the food consumed 7.12-8.27pm with a further 60 calories at 9.32pm, altogether 679 calories and 1019 grams (67 kcal/100g). Overshot my protein target due to delicious broad beans. Compared with yesterday a shift from grains towards potatos (even under the new realistic accounting rules). Computer off at 9.55pm and bedtime by 10.15pm.
Got up to pee at 0.45am and after failing to fall asleep for almost an hour decided to get up at 1.35am. Usually I weigh myself later in the day for a 'better' result but I decided eating and drinking were on the cards so I had to take the early weigh in (which in context isn't bad, still 1.5kg (~3lb) less than Wednesday morning!) then ate for a while. Also read the yet-unread technique sections of the Body Combat Manual and then revisited some of those I've already read - especially the particular moves featured in my exam tracks (1, 2 and 8). Checked out coaching boxes in the choreography notes (again, principally for 1, 2 & 8) and had a look at my scripting. At different times felt compelled to practice various moves in front of the full-length mirror. 4.10-4.53am I lay down for a rest. After 7.16am started watching the DVD - again, principally 1, 2 & 8. Decided to separate audio and visual - watched the 17 minutes of choreography with the coaching track turned off (so just music visible) and then listened to the 17 minutes of coaching (with the screen flipped down) to see if I'd get any more this way. More food from time to time. At one point made myself potato wedges with 'vindaloo curry mix' which turned out to be spicier than expected because when I ran out of the vindaloo powder I refilled the jar with red-hot pepper (cayenne), certainly an interesting experience - that chilli feeling stayed with me after brushing my teeth and rinsing with mouthwash. Got ready from at 8.40am, heading out at 9am.
The plan, hatched earlier in the morning, was to turn up unannounced at Hannah's 9.30am body combat class in the hope that it was running and that she wouldn't mind letting me participating in her class. I prepared myself for the possibility of a 'no'. There's a timetable as you walk up the stairs on which a different class was indicated ('Body Vive'). In any event I got upstairs and it was quickly established that no class would be run as hardly anyone was at the gym. I stayed to chat about my recent concerns, for example differences in execution of moves between the manual and the DVD (on the DVD they appear to be locking their knees and sometimes their elbows) and for the decsending elbow my trainer asked for a maximally raised elbow yet the book says much higher than shoulder height is a mistake. Shortly before 9.30am a few participants arrived so the class became 'on' and Hannah very kindly asked if I'd like to participate. I was delighted and asked if she could pay attention to my technique and give me feedback afterwards (especially about tracks 1, 2 and 8). As it was a 45 minute time-slot she only taught tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10.
Of the 3 participants, one had done this before (though not this new release) and it was the first time for the other two. It was so different from a room of 30 people over 25 of which were practically experts, over at my current gym. Afterwards received some very valuable feedback relating to my technique:
my boxing guard is at my ears not my jaw; my wrists are still moving too much with my 'hand-wrap' gloves (normal wraps are apparently much more effective so I'd better use these instead!); my hooks are too close as my elbows are not at 90 degrees; my foot is flexed (should be pointy) for roundhouse kicks; possibly something unusual about my knife strikes.
Hurried along to Step (again considering the possibility of a 'no' due to my lateness) though (the other) Hannah kindly had a step waiting for me in the front row when I arrived, about a minute before the warm-up was over. Got a good workout - afterwards chatted with Saffron and then Jo (who recommended I should experience Body Combat with Laura, who is an expert instructor who is also a black belt (in something)). On my way home called College (at this point the practice room is still unbooked), called Nash to remind him. Tried to catch Kelly but she was busy. Home by 12.06pm.
The plan is to get to somewhere between 900-1200 calories by 3pm (when I expect to be leaving). In my absence more produce was delivered - beetroot, pak choi and more broad beans. Some eating and then 45 minutes of diarisig took me to 1.30pm. Rest till 2.25pm (not sure if I actually managed to drift off or not) called College to double-checck availability of the room and then looked up bus journeys - leaving at 2.57pm. By 2.56pm, 1,011 calories and 1,853 grams (55 kcal/100g).
Caught a #4 bus getting to college at 3.35pm - during the journey I practiced instructing tracks 1, 2 and 8 using my MP3 player, imagination and my script page for reference (with apologies to anyone hearing my cues on the bus).
Aware of the one-hour limitation for use of the room by students I snuck in to set up but then went out again to wait for Nash - he finally arrived at 4pm introducing to me his friend James from a martial arts connection. We took just over an hour to go through the workout (poor timing and often on the wrong leg - I'd say that despite having experience of the moves, their co-ordination made them poorer followers than the girls from this morning). In any event it was good practice for me if a tad frustrating. Nash and James had an ulterior motive - they hoped to make use of the studio space for padwork. To avoid getting myself into trouble I asked the gym manager if this would be ok only to be told that in fact my body combat practice was itself not ok because it was taking place after the conclusion of the ETM exams - the only purpose for which students are able to use the room free of charge, apparently. Thus we got to use the room twice (today and last week) but that will be the end of it.
At 5.08pm just narrowly missed a bus and had to wait for the next one, changing to another one in town at 5.45pm and getting to Willen at 5.55pm - having had enough combat on my brain I switched off by playing MP3 audio. Got slightly lost but found the OA venue within 8 minutes, having a pre-meeting chat with another member. The meeting numbered 9. The reading was 2nd part of Step 9 (making amends) and I shared about apparently (currently at least) making a living amends by scaling down my pre-cueing, about being a perfectionist and about my recent change of heart regarding potatos. I'm not sure how but having been away for 3 weeks my share did not mention Body Combat or any surrounding events. Afterwards made a point of chatting to a relative newcomer who would otherwise have been left alone. This was my first OA meeting in 3 weeks but it still felt a bit flat. I was waiting for my lift to be ready to leave.
Around 7.45pm got into the AA room and was warmly greeted by several people. I enjoyed the meeting. The reading was about the man eating a sandwhich in a bar with a glass of milk and asking for an ounce of Whisky in it. A couple of people followed that by sharing about their insanity of switching to lower-alcohol drinks so they could drink more. Finding a long gap I shared how this is analogous to switching to low calorie foods so I can eat more and also relayed the recent conclusion of an almost year-long mystery when I recently stopped lying to myself about calories in my potatos. Afterwards one member (who also mentioned food - 'fish paste' - whatever that is - in their share - approached me willing to help me lose weight. Never mind that my BMI is under 20 and they're overweight. Never mind that they mentioned pasta and fish (both things I try to avoid...) the great thing wasn't the irrelevant information but the sincere desire to help - the spirit of fellowship. Walked home making it by 9.18pm. After 20-30 minutes of just eating turned on the computer, updated the MP3 player, inputted food data and established what to eat for the rest of my calories (mostly potatos and popcorn). Played some MP3 files too. Diarised. Computer off 11.14pm.
Food 9.25pm-10.48pm: 789 calories and 1069 grams (74 kcal/100g).
Up at 5.30am, potato-based experiments till 6am. When microwaved potatos reach approx 75% of raw weight they are edible and probably comparable texture to boiled potatos presented to me in eating situations where I'm not the one preparing the food, thus from now on I will account for the calories in potatos weighed raw. I then have the option of preparing them 'al-dente' which might have the advantage that they take longer to eat, and that they have fewer carcinogenous acrylamides, or I can go down the comfort route and over-cook them, but in either case I will not be systematically under-estimating the calories in potatos. As I can now eat only half the quantity of potatos as before this has the unexpected benefit of making potatos finacially cheaper (per calorie) though obviously more costly in a satiety-value-per-calorie sense. Now losing the edge it previously had over wholemeal bread, and popcorn's relative satiety value is also enhanced by comparison. Potatoes are a good source of potassium aren't they?
Yes I've had that thought - it probably means my potassium intake would have gone above my previous estimates of 10,000mg and may have been around 15,000mg.
Saturday 11-7-09
Up at 5.30am, computer on 5.38am - about an hour online (looking up directions for a location in Newport Pagnell, then focusing on items in a 'to do' list). Located my Tripod from years ago. After 7am some breakfast and audio in the background. 7.33-8.06 was a session on CPH. Briefly dealt with the post.
Left at 8.10am. After a relaxing shower got dressed up in my Body Combat 'outfit', getting to the studio around 8.50am and chatted with Kelly who is covering for Angela during her holidays. A few people saw Kelly and got out of the studio as quickly as they arrived - for them if it isn't Angela it isn't worth doing (noticing this a few months ago put my desires to become an instructor on hold, you might recall). About 15-20 people in the room. The class had a false start as the CD was in the unreliable player (right hand side - abruptly stopped play about a minute in) though it was later OK on the left. I got a spot where I could see myself clearly in the mirror and practiced my technique as well as I could. Kelly didn't spot any technique issues for me.
For both Combat and Pump, Kelly selected a mixture of tracks, some very old and some only a little out of date (she hasn't bought the last couple of releases on account of being busy completeing a degree she's studying for) and for me those were hit and miss. For instance I absolutely loved Hairspray (combat track 5) and the Pump abs track, not so keen on some of the others - it was an example of the 'fitness magic' concept though, participants like myself can be in love with the music-and-moves combination, the magic is already there. Left after pump, got packed and ready.
At 11.17am left the gym, making my choice to abandon the martial arts class I was planning on trying and prioritise recovery. Tonight's AA meeting is cancelled due to a double booking and I can't make tomorrow morning's meeting as I'm on day 3 of Body Combat training so it was time to venture towards Newport Pagnell (which like Bletchley and Wolverton, is about 4.5 miles out of my way). Took half an hour so made the noon meeting in plenty of time. I've never been to the venue but seeing so many familiar faces gathered outside I instantly knew I was in the right place. Somebody (with a bit more knowledge of bicycle maintenance) took an interest and suggested it might be time to oil my chain (isn't that great?). Finished my first coffee and then grabbed a 2nd one just before it started. The layout for the room was a U shape on the outside and then multiple rows all facing the same way (like a cinema). Having been attending AA meetings since April 2008, this was the first meeting I attended where everyone introduces themselves and states how long they've been sober for (something I remember being afraid of before my first ever AA meeting but which has never happened). Those with more than 12 months sobriety simply say "more than a year" (presumably to avoid boasting and making it appear that years make you any more sober). You could pass, or be ambiguous and say "I'm sober for today" which could mean anything. My options: I could 'pass', or introduce myself and say I was a visitor, or be more specific. Before the meeting I did consider, as per every AA meeting, that I had the option not to share and therefore not to be known to be different - but this was a twist. I went for "My name is Nir, I am a compulsive overeater - abstinent for over a year, and a Time Waster - difficult to say, perhaps a week". There were quite a few year+ sober people, a few with months and weeks, and 3 visitors (wife and 2 teenage kids of an alcoholic). The Chair was very good, as were the shares. Towards the end of the meeting, regulars are encouraged to back off and give newcomers and visitors a chance. I grabbed the opportunity sharing about some of my insanity including my fear of sharing at AA meetings (though I notice I've shared at least 50% of the time in the recent past) and about watching out for resentments (like the one I have about the clashing OA and AA meetings on Friday and my difficulty arranging lifts to make it easy to attend both). Like Tuesday, the meeting has chips and cakes though I was confused because after the guy collected their 2-year cake (blowing off 2 candles) the cake was passed back and remained in the kitchen. Is the cake made of plastic or does this guy not like cake or something? Of all the AA meetings in Milton Keynes it has been the busiest I have yet to attend, perhaps because of the time-slot (mid-day Saturday should be good for those working during the week). The meeting lasts a little over an hour. Got away by 1.17pm. The way back is uphill (getting to OA is 15 minutes there and 30 minutes back - a similar situation, 30 minutes there and 45 minutes back).
Home at 2.03pm. Got comfortable and also snacked. Mum, dad, sis and partner are all out for an 'open gardens' weeekend in some village and I briefly made contact regarding arrangements for later in the evening. Diaristed then entered food 2.25-3.12pm. More food + MoneyBox podcast till 3.36pm. Rest till 5.07pm (briefly waking part-way to read a text about Kelly's visit to see Nina).
Got up at 5.07pm. At around 5.34pm had a succesful experiment creating a dessert using potato cubes, cinnamon and artificial sweetner.
Later on, in aide of improving my combat technique tried to further the camera project - tried a position mounted on full-height tripod and due to the small size of my room, when fully zoomed out there is not enough space to fit in head and feet simultanously. Reconfigured as a mini-tripod on a top shelf in a different corner of the room and this has a better chance of working but requires a bunch of stuff on the other side of the room to be cleared away to gain an extra 2 feet of space in that direction - there's furniture, empty boxes, boxes full of clothing, paperwork and as yet unprocessed unrefrigerated produce. My attention then moved to some of those things - I sorted through and moved the paperwork and processed and refrigerated the pak choi and broad beans. Continued to work with produce (some onions in the fridge were beyond rescue - I hate waste and need to be more vigilant). Around 8.30pm made contact with sis who was woken up by my call having had a tiring day out and arranged to come over. By 8.40pm, 1,077 calories and 1,684 grams (64 kcal/100g).
Got ready - leaving by 8.48pm, hitting unexpected rain which left me quite wet (though not as bad as Tuesday). Learnt that dad's car is crippled - had little option but get wet if I wanted the chance to practice tonight. Mum had some peaches to sell on and I made sure to put these in the racksack I brought for this very purpose to avoid forgetting. Turning the living room into a 'studio' involved relocating a rug, a heavy shredder and a bunch of smaller items (and sis found a dustpan and brush to take care of lots of dust). Got re-aquainted with mum's unusual CD player. Gave sis a brief body combat technique class and then instructed her on tracks 1, 2 and 8 - thinking I did quite well and that this was a good last-minute boost for tomorrow. Stayed over for a chat (actually this dwarfed the practice time). Tasted mum's broad-beans-in-tomatos dish. Rain just as bad if not worse on the way back - fashioned a makeshift bandana from a plastic shopping bag so at least my hair stayed dry.
Home at 11.03pm. Weighed a large allotment courgette I also received at 800g. Re-packed the rucksack ready for tomorrow's all-day course. Continued to work with vegetables, trying to 'rescue' them, packing and weighing specific quantities for tomorrow's course and eating into my evening calories. At 0.13am after some data entry established I could still fit in around 500g of potatos. By 1am all done with eating and food prep. Online 1-1.26am then computer off and 1.30am bedtime. Food 10.37pm-0.50am: 723 calories and 1199 grams (60 kcal/100g).
A couple of people I know were tonight attending an event to celebrate the birthday of the person who has trained me to be a group fitness instructor and this falls very close to the time of the year when, 2 years ago, I was invited to a large dinner for all their students. I could not help but wonder whether this was in fact a combined birthday and instructor event and therefore whether I was snubbed by having not been invited. If this was the case I had a hunch of why this would be so (to do with the existence of this diary). Apart from just guessing, the insane part was that even if this was the case and had I been invited it would have made sense to refuse as I don't have spare money for such things and I should not be out the night before what amounts to an exam. Still, this is how my mind works. (If you are one of the 3 people mentioned in this paragraph, well done for being obsessive enough to read my diary and observant enough to figure out it is you, stranger things have happened.)
Awake at 6am. Last minute preparation included reading out alound the transcript of the words spoken on the DVD for tracks 1, 2 and 8 (6.05-7.02am) and then listening (not watching) to the coaching on the same tracks (7.15am-8.06am). In between I had lots of breaks for eating, packing, dressing and getting ready.
Left at 8.15am arriving at 8.23am I was the first there in my group. Abandoned plan to practice in mirror as studio was in use. Identified items in my racksack I would need access to and placed in a separate bag, and put on my hand wraps (these are at least 4m in length). As others started to arrive I talked (gradually becoming more of a lister soaking up converstaion). Just before 9am the trainer arrived, ensuring the studio was vacated on time.
A brief introduction to the day was followed by the Body Combat Quiz - based on the quiz on page 92 of the manual but with adjustments to question emphasis to be Body Combat specific (so some of my answers needed reworking - on a spearate piece of paper). The answers were shuffled and redestributed. The trainer went through the answers. Question 10, about slogans to 'sell' body combat to the public was to be acted out (each of us acting out the words written by the person whose work we were marking). 10 press-ups were allocated for each mistake. Thinking there was more at stake I was kind to the person I marked giving her 10/10 so no press ups for her. The person marking me was less kind - she gave me 7/10 (I dispute at least one of those, but am relieved it made little difference). So I had 30 press-ups to do (big deal - just a bit of fun and virtually everyone had to do some press-ups, the trainer joined in doing 40 just for fun). We were shown the tips to putting on hand-wraps correctly (4 times around the wrists, then hand covering part of the knuckles, then cover any gaps, finishing halfway between wrist and elbow). Short toilet break.
Around or shortly before 10am started our first presentation - as I presented #8 in Module 1 I'd be presenting #1 in the morning and #2 in the afternoon. Once more people would be split 3 ways for my track, which naturally was first in the running order. The trainer was alternately videoing the 3 of us. I put on a relatively confident performance, similar to my many practice runs over the previous 2 weeks. Immediate feedback from fellow instructors: I wasn't loud enough; on jacks I'm on my heals with toes lifted (toes should always be down) and the girl from 2 weeks ago again said my timing was slightly off (there was also positive feedback naturally I can't remember what it was that's life isn't it). Tracks 2-8 as a participant, focusing on my technique, ocassionally catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, trying to think of feedback for whoever is the current presenter - good and bad.
Sometimes we were split into groups of 3, sometimes into groups of 2, and for three of the 8 tracks we were all facing the front as due to 2 of the 3 people originally making our group of 19 (one of which was 'combat collegue girl') only one person remained doign the track. In the third case a group of 3 was reduced to a group of 2, and in one case a girl from a different Module 1 course was resitting her Module 2. She was presenting track 6 from the previous release (Body Combat 39) and therefore this occurred after our guys presented track 6. At this point I was already aware, through the immediate feedback from my mini-group, that I had an issue with timing - this girl though was something different. She took me back to my Exercise To Music in 2006 where I met people who wanted to become aerobics instructors but were unable to hear the music. The saddest thing was that she was not aware of any problem at all. When the remaining 16 participants performed the moves in perfect time she was able to copy and follow us. The trainer also helped by standing in front of her and she could copy his timing.
We were then back to tracks 7 and 8. The trainer led us in tracks 9 and 10. After a short break we gathered around the 14" television to watch ourselves and make notes about what we did wrong (and what others did wrong that would apply to us). My individual points: 1) despite the wraps I'm still "handbagging" (wrist is not straight) i.e. the wraps might give me a hint I'm doing it but it is still up to me to keep the wrists alighed - a revelation! 2) Timing issues spotted with multiple moves - hooks (start to retract too early relative to the music), roundhouse kick (same issue), scissors too fast.
I made geenral notes about mistakes made by others - things I might need to watch out for:
(track 2)
Roundhouse kicks = don't flex foot, point toes; think 'isometric hold' at both 'out' and 'in'
(track 3)
Jab should be like 'hammer action' with elbow down and fist traveling in a straight line from my shoulder to their nose with a last-minute twist
Levels = lead the way, save energy to make a difference
Skipping = pay attention to timing
(track 4)
Leg block = one move where timing is not an issue so get it out of the way to leave time for the kick
Arms crossed then slowly moved to 'fancy guard' on lunge in 4b - observe relationship between moves and music (and lunge = don't be on a tightrope)
Jumpkick, retract and only then come down (reference to a drill we did in Module 1)
(track (5)
Body Rips - looks better when on guard (touch chin) with non-ripping arm
(track 6)
Front-kick cross combo - use the core to lean upper body forward in the cross
Will never get marked down for kicking too low, as low as kicking at correct angle
(track 7)
downwards puch - start fist directly above head
descending elbows - practice with a punch bag that doesn't swing, imagine putting your hand in a shirt pocket, arm out first unbent then bent(?)
(track 8)
pre-cue cross jacks earlier, cross hands, say 'criss cross your legs'
jab-cross - lunge down a little on the cross (even in a power track - I think this contradicts what he said 2 weeks ago)
Lunch was 12.30pm-noon and I worked through my broad beans and popcorn but still had plenty of veggies to eat which I continued to do whilst we sat down going through 2 handouts that together described the certification process, including a flowchart describing three potential outcomes at the end of today's course and a checklist for producing a non-failing one-hour video. The next session was a bit like personal training - working with one person at a time he attempted to correct our technique with a view to getting our next track spot-on (everyone else free to practice their track on their own). My session came relatively early on - I was shown technique for knife strike and block; how to retract back to guard after karate punch (cross arms, touch then back to a high guard leading arm forward), as well as 'horizontal' knee angle on roundhouse kicks (knee & toe not pointing upwards). Apparently I could have also asked any specific questions but didn't have any at the time. I spent some of the practice time on my own, some of it with the 2 girls doing the same track as me, some of it borrowing laptop of one of said girls to rewatch my track with focus on timing.
Presentations were at 3pm. Instead of using video, the trainer sat at the front with a makeshift desk made from Steps. Unaware of the urgency I was still putting on my 2nd hand-wrap during a part of track 1 (not ideal as he was supposed to watch me for improvements). Again when participating I focused on my own technique (this time focusing on not handbagging and on timing as well as everything else technique-related). My own performance (track 2) was somewhat lower on coaching and cueing because I was focusing on getting right the track-specific techniques I have just been shown in the 'personal training' as well as paying attention to my wrists and timing - and perhaps my confidence took a battering having my faults pointed out to me! After everyone presented, one girl led us in track 9 (she got us as far as the half-way stretch - I cued her into the Komodo Dragon move, I guess I'm not completely hopeless after all!). Collecting our bags we were told to wait outside to be called in one at a time for feedback.
I sought out the girl with the timing issues (something we evidently both had in common) to have a chat with. I wanted to be helpful to her. I also wanted to find out about the path she was forced down (she did not have to pay to re-sit Module 2). I shared with her the frustration of not being good at something and being somewhat unaware of it. The nature of my timing problem isn't that I cannot hear the music but is rather different: in places I have not identified the breakdown of moves into a sufficiently high resolution (where to be at any given beat). Still somewhat alarming that I have so little self-awareness that I have not grasped this by myself.
I also tried to sort my stuff into some logical order - and before long I was called in for that one-to-one where my shortcomings were discussed: under choreography: "timing slightly off on combos". under technique - various issues "Hands and balance on roundhouse. postural alignment on combos. Hand needs more bend on chop. Slight handbagging." (also praise and observation that I am "much improved"). under instruction - "little lacking confidence or humble / more motivation in teaching / more vis and follow ups" (as I wrote above I think my coaching on the 2nd track was lacking as compared with the morning presentation because I was pre-occupied with trying to address my timing and technique issues!). He asked me whether my demeaner was due to a lack of confidence or humility. At the time I thought the former though thinking later on - if I know that I'm far from perfect and am acting accordingly, surely this comes under humility as well?
There are three possible outcomes: Team Teach, Shadow Teach and Re-Sit Module 2. I got assigned the middle option which means that I can only instruct when with another instructor (and I can't say anything). I am to present video evidence in a 4 week time-frame showing that I've improved to satisfy the minimal standards and then will be allowed to instruct as practice for full video submission in October. I was told to go out, invite the next person in, and to not disclose my result to any of the other 16 people outside - and everyone was to stay behind until everyone has had their results for a final send-off. I received an 'instructor feedback sheet' proving my status.
I spent the rest of the hour eating the rest of my leftovers from lunch, neatly packed my hand wraps and re-arranging my stuff, filling in an evaluation form about the course (I wished more of my faults were pointed out to me 2 weeks ago; and I wondered whether the technique DVD available to participants in previous years would have helped me), trying to be a part of some conversations and making notes that became an early part of this long entry.
On Friday Hannah mentioned she'd be popping in - she came over to see me and I walked away with her so I could discuss my shadow status - there was also another matter to discuss which involved me, a member of my gym, the studio co-ordinator, herself and another instructor. Right now I don't know how this matter will affect me but it is various shades of 'not good' and this is due to something I did when not yet officially cleared to do. Whilst enaged in this conversation we noticed the rest of the group wondering back into the studio so I followed for what was a brief 'motivational send-off'. After all were gone I asked the trainer to confirm for me 2 poitns - Yes, right now I am allowed to shadow-teach and also I should acquire insurance to do this. (£70 is the best price I've seen but someone I know thinks it can be had at 2/3 of the price so I'm still holding off the purchase as I don't want to over-spend).
Had a coffee. By 5.30pm, 889 calories and 1640 grams (54 kcal/100g). I continued to chat with Hannah for a while. Later on left the venue heading to my gym's poolside area (arriving around 6.20pm) to decompress. Initially spoke to a member wanting an update about the mutual friend who recently had surgery. Then had a convesation with another member about diverse topics including psychology, the idea of the necessaty for dire need to create change and the ineffectiveness of 'soft' methods like CBT, of athiesm and belief in god, of the wonders of the human body and the gamble of psychriatric drugs, and I'm sure other things besides.
During much of this conversation I was aware that Kelly had now arrived though only grabbed her when I realised she was leaving, giving her a brief run-down of my eventful day. She gave me some news from her week and confirmed details of a meet-up tomorrow evening when she'll drive me to visit a friend who apparently has news that 'may shock me' (for my own sanity I refuse to wind myself up hypothesizing what this will be)
Got in at 8.23pm, unpacked and did some eating, at 9.18pm continued to record events. 9.48-11pm mum called me back and we discussed my day (continued eating peaches during the conversation, and also entered food data for the day to figure out how much more I was due). By 11.28pm edited the diary to omit some already-posted details of past events. By 11.50pm a quick check of CPH. At midnight started cooking and eating potatos (podcasts in background). A bit more diarising. Computer off at 1.06pm and bedtime 1.15am.
Food 8.23pm-0.45am: 911 calories and 2053 grams (44 kcal/100g). This first included the rest of the peaches (total for the day 1812g = 4lb) (8.23pm-11.06pm) and once those were gone, the remaining calories in spicy potato cubes (midnight - 0.45am).
Up at 7.55am. 8.05-8.30am mum updated me on dad's car (temporarily works again but clutch is on its last legs). Dad wants his bike to work again - could I assist (I explained what my limitations are and we discussed various options including me attempting some things and her taking the bike to a shop for a tune-up afterwards), we also discussed optimal courgette size and job prospects in IT.
Having called FitPro I'm more confused about the shadow video requirements: does it need an accompanying 'quality assurance form' (says a document on the internet) or a 'self assessment form' (say them) or perhaps nothing (trainer didn't mention a form). Are 3 people enough (says trainer) or is 4 the minimum (say them)? Is it to be recorded in a non-class environment (says trainer) or is it ok to do it in a class setting (say them)?. On the subject of insurance, they added another voice to the camp that you need it even to shadow, and it would cost £94 through them as they won't sell it to me unless I buy their magazine too. (later in the day I would be recommended REPS insurance at under £50 which would then also turn out to be more expensive as it requires membership at £25 and gaining membership involves jumping through administrative hoops - after midnight I finally would go for a non-membership insurance deal for £70). Spoke to mum again - this time about insurance - till 9.42am.
Intensely studied the DVD (used the slow speed playback option too) to break down the 'front kick combo' into 8 beats: (1 step on supporting leg 2 chamber knee then extend it out 3 retract heel and hold 4 land both feet on the ground (supporting leg ends further back than it has just been) 5 jump up 6 land 7 jump up 8 land) this is the kind of detail I need to be aware of in order to succesfully execute the kick in time.
11.10am-1.06pm diarised Saturday and part of Sunday. 1.06-1.45pm got dressed for a walk and this proved to be good timing to meet Kelly for a chat on her lunch break. Mainly diarised till 3.47am then went online (CPH, emails, radio). By 4.35pm, 890 calories and 1,423 grams (63 kcal/100g).
4.35pm get ready, then online again.
Left at 5pm. Found out that my former 'gym enemy' (the one who said I smelled in 2007 and that they're afraid I'll drop my weights on them in 2008) was the person recenty stirring up problems for me. I don't think they know this as they're making conversation with me - presumably doing their best to throw me off the scent. It is not nice to have an enemy or a bully and have a 'live' example of a person who is 2-faced - can make one unsure who your friends are.
Saffron said the low-cost insurance is available through REPS. I told Shey about getting 'shadow' and showed her my feedback form. I'm still finding the new Jam a challenge for my co-ordination at combat did my best to incorporate the latest timing and technique feedback into my execution (and as I was on the floor I used the mirrors) as well as getting a workout. Shey let me shadow 'my track' (track 8)which was an unexpected moral boost - she had to rush but promised to send feedback via computer.
Got back 7.20pm - at 7.27pm went downstairs when I saw Kelly's car arriving. Kelly drove to Nina's place. Her face is rather different - looks younger. She did indeed have significant news to convey. She wasn't complaining about pain and is slowly reducing reliance on painkillers. Her daughters and Jerry were also around. We had some coffees. I updated Nina on some recent goings on in my life. Kelly drove me home via a petrol station.
Food 9.46pm-0.10am: 910 calories and 1501 grams (61 kcal/100g). Home by 9.44pm, computer on by 10pm. Once caught up with radio programs I moved on to podcasts. Processed some broad beans and lettuce whilst eating the rest of my calories in this potato-heavy day. Used facebook to correspond with Shey and get some feedback and ideas (a reminder to keep doing Punch classes and consider that martial arts workout, and musical interpretation amongst other things). Looked into REPS but the insurance wasn't attractive when combined with the mandatory membership fee and the joining procedure is lengthy so instead paid £70 for a different policy. Comuter off at 1.16am.
Sure hope the potato miscalculation explains the weight loss mystery. I never could understand how you could maintain your weight on so few calories (compared to me, anyway) with as much exercise as you do. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Up at 6.05am. Was due to practice combat with Saffron this morning and decided to add an extra dimension - to video myself so I can later assess my timing and technique so I used the large rucksack packing my tripod and a long extension lead as well as the camera and its power adaptor. Briefly turned on computer to place a copy of my insurance policy document on MP3 player for printing at college. Left at 6.45am.
In the studio experimented with different angles and locations, made a short test recording to see if my feet and head would be visible. Found Saffron and Louise chatting (Saffron's age came up; and Mandy is still teaching Pump on the Thursday slot for another couple of weeks). We practiced body combat in two blocks, tracks 1-4 and after a break 5-10 at which point people started arriving. My 'gym enemy' again engaged me in a chat. Told Marie and 'combat collegue girl' about my shadow status. At Pump felt weak and noticed being beaten by Saffron and 'combat collegue girl' - made a decision to increase calories to 1850 effective today. Afterwards in the other studio Hannah showed me an exercise that improves balance from her ballet-dancing days, which might be useful in my kicks (a bit yoga like, from tree to airplane with pointy toes). Slghtly late for counselling where I recapped on a busy and eventful 7 days. The jobsworth in the library said I could not be allocated a computer as my course is over and my ID card has expired but after I explained that this was to print proof that I had insurance (which was directly related to my course) they grudgingly made an exception. I decided to listen to my MP3 player on my cycle ride home which was lucky as it meant I didn't have too many steps to retrace back to the library to recover my MP3 player which was still attached to the laptop's USB player.
Home at 12.35pm. MP3 player off at 12.48pm - turned computer on and reloaded player with other files. 1.20pm diarising. 1.46pm rest (interrupted by mum delivering produce). 2.35pm still tired but forced myself up to get ready.
Left at 2.50pm. MP3 was on both ways. Got to Wolverton. The psychologist made the observations that my answers to his questions were always long and detailed he timed one of them at 9 minutes and asked me why that was. They suggested a link between time-wasting and perfectionism i.e. the way I do things 'perfectly' takes more time (example: this diary). I tried to argue that the perfectionist model failed body combat as I did 'my best' which still wasn't good enough. My homework is to record negative thinking as it occurs & list what I actually want help to change about my behaviour. I chose an appointment in 3 weeks over one next week to give me breathing space and wondered whether reading the CBT book would help me get more of this session. I think he was implying that I was time-wasting right there, squandering the session and they might have had a point.
Home by 5.16pm. Applied WD40 to my bike's chain, enjoyed some allotment beetroot, started processing the produce that arrived earlier. At 6pm a conversation with mum spanned topics of gardening and bullying. At 6.50pm spoke with sis about her new job and freecycle. The intention was to rest but this never quite happened. By 7.35pm, 977 calories and 1,533 grams (64 kcal/100g).
Left at 7.38pm for the AA meeting, MP3 off both ways. Before the meeting privately shared with a couple of AAs about bullying and asked for the 12-step take on it. The chair had previously lied to everyone in AA about his name (using the one in their fake driving licence) so many of us knew him by that false name; some of the subsequent shares were about dishonesty. I held back from sharing but was thinking about the 3 different types of lies (to myself, to others and to institutions) and how it's the latter that indirectly prevent me from going through the action steps. 3 birthday cakes were given out. On the way home did some 'standing climbs' instead of changing to low gear. As a kid I'm sure I could cycle with 'no hands' but my balance is obviously shot as I can no longer pull this off.
Home at 9.25pm. Ate and processed veggies. Audio background (radio and podcasts) from 10 till 11.45pm. Food 9.25pm-11.40pm: 873 calories and 1252 grams (70 kcal/100g). Once eating was out of the way the online session began in earnest, starting at midnight: MSE, CPH, emails, blogs and radio. Towards the end broadband was start and stop and at 2.15am I took this (and my eyes, which were begging to shut) as my hint that it was bedtime.
I recall that back on Christmas Day I was frustrated at my weight gain, which back then I blamed on zig-zagging my calories with high days over maintenance. The objective for the previous 3 months was to gain muscle and strength lost during my forced inactivity after the July 2008 surgery. At that point I aborted zig-zagging and tried various calorie levels with the aim of proving to myself I can get back to a lean starting point (10-12%) from which to restart body recomposition. My commitment to this saw me try progressively lower calorie levels, going as low as 1500 calories (the caveat being that this is what I though I was eating, the reality was that during the periods where potatos were consumed, obviously it was more). The month of May saw a reversal of that trend as I decided to cautiously increase my calories, recognising that theoretically I should need more calories, probably as a feeling of entitlement as well (and competitiveness with girls at the gym). Cautious was and is the watchword here, only making a change every 1-3 weeks and just 50 calories up after that initial 150 calorie jump form 1500 to 1650. I've just made my last jump yesterday (see diary entry for Tuesday, below). I think that right now I am now lean enough to have fulfilled that Christmas Day objective and can now focus on regaining my strength and continuing to look for a calorie level that represents maintenance or a very slight increase in weight over time. I'm still planning to make changes very gradually. I am looking forward to not being beaten by the (stronger) girls at the gym and feeling strong rather than weak for my workouts. This is more of a drive than entitlement to more food as eating at or below 1800 for the last 6 months had gotten me used to that level.
up at 8am, computer on 8.16am - radio, CPH, email. Instablity required a reboot 9.13am.
Left late at 9.20am (MP3 off) arriving moments to spare and straight onto a front-row step all ready for me. Felt I had energy for the workout - Marie was just the opposite. Jo described what the new FX-brand workout, 'Blast' will be like - a mixture of bodyweight and cardio exercises. Some standing climbs on the ride home.
Home at 10.58am, online catch-up CPH, emails, blogs. Listened to Dr John Berardi ( http://www.precisionnutrition.com/on-the-line-tv ). Break 1.11pm-1.25pm took some veggies out for a walk, seeing some sun and a brief chat with Kelly. At 1.45pm all caught up with blogs - disconnected from internet, aborted audio.
A finalised 'VR Mode' mini DVD doesn't look like a DVD in my Windows XP laptop (though somehow managed to play the large VRO file by forcing Media Player to open it). The DVD I submit must play on a regular DVD player! Sis suggested I could experiment with mum's DVD Player (I'm not a TV/DVD user). Made arrangements and got ready.
Left 3.17pm and cycled over to mum's (MP3 on), demonstrated to myself that a 'VR Mode' recording does not play in a standard DVD player, reformatted the DVD-RW to 'Video Mode' and (once finalised) it would actually play OK. Collected the post which included O2 bills which meant that some action was now required for me to claim the next trunk of cashback. Stopped at Boots, Currys and John Lewis to look at DVD-RW prices (best priced was John Lewis, a pack of 10 x 30-minute (1.4GB) discs for £16.50)
Home at 4.41pm. Wrote cover notes, addressed envelopes, packed stapler, scissors, adhesive tape, a pen and some change.
Left home at 5.02pm, photocopied the bills in the library, did most of the rest of the work in the slow-moving queue in the post office - sent away the 3 cashback claims as 'recorded signed for'. Is the post office hard up for cash? they're trying to flog their more expensive 'special delivery' product like never before.
Home again at 5.41pm. Online looked at DVD-RW options at PoundLand (none) and Argos (5 for £10). Offered sis the opportunity to get herself good deal on these by piggy-backing on my purchase (she said yes later on in the evening). Remained online. By 6.45pm, 949 calories and 1,606 calories (59 kcal/100g).
Left at 6.50pm. First stop was the gym - doing tracks 1-7 of Kelly's class (a couple of people asked if I'd be on stage - I was pretty sure that wouldn't be the case today). As soon as 7 was over made my way over to the AA meeting, relating to the chair. This is a meeting of two halves and I had a chat in the break. Numbers thinned as some people don't make it to the 2nd half. It was one of those slower-going meetings and I shared towards the end. Several people (including the chair) mentioned food during the meeting - in turn I mentioned alcohol.
Home by 9.40pm - eat! Short chat with Majhid, some audio (leigh peele, fitcast) about an hour with Nash. Food 9.45pm-11.45pm: 901 calories and 1491 grams (60 kcal/100g). Computer off 0.08am.
Forced up at 6.35am by an alarm, had a quick breakfast of potatos and rushed to the gym (7am), set up the camera and had another useful recorded combat session with Saffron, relaxing for a bit between 1-4 and 5-10 and then setting up for pump at leisure (oops - Thursday already and hadn't told Jo about Sunday at the course). Pump felt OK - for example I'm at 17.5kg for chest and next time am prepared to start at 20kg (but don't expect to finish at that weight). Body Balance still challenging and was definitely tired at the end. Luckily no-one bought the one pack of DVD-RW's I didn't buy yesterday at John Lewis so I had them. At Holland and Barretts the manager kindly went to the back and restocked the shelf with dates so I can have my third and final packet at half-price (this is the last day of their sale). Kelly was surrounded by customers so I left it (No MP3 both ways).
Home at 12.08pm. Had a quick snack, saw sense and had a rest from 12.37pm. It was a light affair waking up multiple times to look at my phone (Sam from the gym had apparently had a baby boy a couple of days ago; I declined Rob's invitation to go out to the pub; told mum I'd rather she delivered the heavy box later on in the afternoon).
Finally up at 2.51pm, started to eat. At 3.45pm went downstairs to meet mum, who also provided allotment raspberries. Together we looked at some magic puncture sealant spray on the internet. By 4.25pm, 1,073 calories and 1,894 grams (57 kcal/100g).
Left at 4.27pm for college, MP3 on (on the way bumping into another person able to confirm that Sam has now given birth). Arriving early for a 5pm session, I passed the time watching 14 minutes of my AM body combat performance taking mental notes. Our register was taken and there was a familiar name (let's call her 'S'). I've written many times here that I have a problem remembering faces but the name was of a girl in my class when I was 15, 21 years ago (later verifying it was indeed her). We had a powerpoint presentation about the different courses offerred by the accounts department, followed by one hour of computerised testing (got "L2 (with a hint of L3 ability)" for both numeracy and literacy). Years of disuse mean that I can no longer remember the difference between Sine and Cosine, which I'm sure I had no issue with at 15 years of age! Had an interview in which they failed to persuade me that I want to go for the more time-intensive and expensive 'foundation' course as I'm happier making a start with the relatively gentler introduction to the subject ('bookkeeping'). Afterwards back to the first room for form-filling (next action is to enroll - probably will do this on Tuesday).
I was off by 7.15pm. Could have gone home at this point but instead took a chance and cycled over to the gym, getting there just after 7.30pm. As predicted Kelly had just finished her spin class though I didn't know if she planned to go home or relax. We did the Sauna for almost an hour. Uncomfortable cycle ride home in rain! (good and bad wetness - I've only spent the last hour by the poolside...). MP3 on.
Home at 8.52pm. Food was an extended affair - 8.52pm-0.05am: 777 calories and 1632 grams (48 kcal/100g). Needed to prep more veggies. Used audio (radio + MP3). Also did online catch-up. Hardly a good use of my evening! Online catch-up completed 0.50am - computer off.
Up at 8.45am (after 2 mid-sleep interruptions). For the moment weight loss has halted if not reversed and I wonder why (but there will be no sudden changes in my approach). A silent offline start to the day - had breakfast, reloaded my MP3 player, diarised. Asked for a lift to OA - if I don't hear back I've decided to do a Punch class instead.
Left somewhat late at 10.22am, making Step class. Felt weak (certainly weaker than Wednesday) but presumably had a good workout as I was sweaty (but then so were most people perhaps more indicative of the aircon). Jo showed me the choreography notes from the FX outfit - inferior when compared to the Les Mills (BTS) efforts. MP3 on both ways. Received text to say my cashback claim has been received and accepted -
Home 11.50pm. Food in silence to 12.15pm; diarised; 12.37-1.02pm break; Online from 1.05pm. After 2.30pm started installing Vuze with a view to downloading some music. Focus on food from 2.50pm (+audio). Majhid called at 4.45am for assistance with his connection, he blamed a newly-installed IE8 but after going far too deeply into it all that was required was a reboot of his ADSL router, couldn't he have tried that by himself? that took over half an hour.
Left at 5.49pm - it was raining. There were 4 of us at the Punch class - covered for Dominic by Emily, who introduced a new move (knee strikes). Either he was energetic or I was tired (or both). Nothing to do with the workout but I'm feeling noticable tooth pane on the left, probably just where I've had a new filling installed just a couple of weeks ago. Rain had subsided on way back. MP3 on both ways.
Home 7.20 for a short food break. Made a point of disconnecting the internet cable. By 7.48pm, 1,175 calories and 1,991 grams (59 kcal/100g).
Left at 7.48am (raining again; MP3 off). The AA meeting was a bit sparse and finished 5 minutes early (I could have shared but chose not to). Didn't realise how tired I was until I had to sit upright for an hour eyes tended to close. My thoughts were that being online for large chunks of Wednesday, Thursday and especially today had left a bad taste in my mouth - I looked no different but I felt empty and disappointed. Am still attracted to one member (she was there) and I think her recovery is a big part of it not just physical. (no rain, MP3 off).
Home 9.08pm. Aim was to finish eating ASAP but still make it primarily produce rather than nuts, dried fruit or grains. Food 9.08pm-10.10pm: 675 calories and 1039 grams (65 kcal/100g). Food over in an hour (compared with 3 hours last night) and in silence. Computer off + bedtime 10.18pm.
After mid-sleep interruptions (2am, 5.10am) finally up at 7am (that's 8.5 hours rest) with partial 'credit' to a mobile phone complaining about a low battery. Food in silence. 7.30am diarising. 7.50am-8.11am re-loaded MP3 player.
Left at 8.18am. Pre-workout shower. 21 of us at Combat. Kelly was injured which meant we started all our tracks on our left side, it was an opportunity to sample a bunch of tracks from 'before my time', I focused on correct execution where I could. Jo took over for Pump. I started Chest at 20kg (as did 'strong girl') lasting until the break in the track. Again (reluctantly) matched her at 12.5kg for Biceps. Stuck with 3kg for shoulders (she did 4kg). Afterwards a brief chat with Nina who was out at the gym for the first time to 'test out the water' and was planning a walk on the treadmill. Cycle home - MP3 on.
Home at 11.22am. Ate and tended to broad beans (shelling them and - a new one - cutting each one in half) and lettuce (in silence, computer off). Chewed my food slowly and deliberately (have not done this for a while). Barely any time to rest.
Left at 12.50pm to try out JKD - a martial art which is a mixture of different ones. 6 of us apart from the instructor. The first hour was with sticks (which I've never done before - a challenge of memory and co-ordination amongst other things). The last combo disarmed the stick from our opponent as we move in and take them out of action. We left the sticks behind and moved on to hand to hand combat including grappling and boxing - a further 4 combinations, rounding off 2 hours. I was paired with one person for almost an hour before getting another one for the rest of the session - both were quite good at teaching me. I felt I had to be 'switched on' the entire time - it was a mental challenge not a fitness challenge (and I noted the instructor was probably overweight). I had mentally prepared myself for a half-hour warm-up which never came. There was limited application to Body Combat (well, not all Martial Arts would be equally applicable to it) but at least I can say I've given it a go. I probably won't do it again. Headed away - MP3 on. Kelly was rather busy at the shop. I looked at the the new sale at Holland and Barretts - 250g of dried chopped dates for 59p is a possible future purchase - then on to the market where I got a bowl of bananas.
Home at 3.48pm (MP3 still on), ate more and processed more lettuce. 4.34pm - radio program about Moon landing + re-filling MP3 player (again); diary; rest 6.10-6.45 (forced myself up). By 6.55pm, 766 calories and 1,393 grams (55 kcal/100g).
Left at 6.55pm (MP3 off both ways). 13 at the AA meeting - 'almost' shared (made notes - chair mentioned that pre-AA, at drinks counselling they were asked to keep a record of units consumed (so much like a food diary). Home 8.51pm - food sampling (e.g. instead of swallowing a banana, sliced it). Computer on for data entry 9.13-9.28pm. Considered a nap - didn't happen. 9.55pm-11.20pm computer + internet on + food + audio. At 11.20pm caught up online so disconnected but otherwise food/audio continued. The endless chewing had to be skipped in order to get all the calories in at the end of the day. Done eating 0.20am audio (last one was MoneyBox podcast) continued until I decided it was bedtime 0.36am.
Food 8.51pm-0.20am: 1084 calories and 1445 grams (75 kcal/100g). Bananas displaced some of the potatos which would have otherwise been consumed. Will probably finish all broad beans by tomorrow.
Up 8.30am. 8.36am diarised. 8.47 tried to use RealPlayer and MediaPlayer to have side-by-side views of the Body Combat choreography DVD and a copy of my ('Video Mode') DVD-RW directory structure which I've previously copied onto my C drive but discovered that Unfortunately both of them now 'count' as accessing DVD (or perhaps hardware-based MPEG-decoding?) either way frustratingly the answer is no - I have different options to pick from: use two computers; use computer for original DVD and camcorder playback (tiny screen) for the recording, or alternately switch between using Media Player to view either me or the original DVD.
Not long after (9.06am) a potato and audio 'break'. At 9.43am another peak at the video - I'm still a bit too fast (on 2-beat moves like jabs, uppercuts and crosses I take one beat to do the move and then rest for a beat, arguaably also starting just a bit before the beat. Need to use almost all of the 2 beats). Around 10.15am decided to go to AA.
Left at 10.2am which is a bit late. MP3 was on (my justification for going to the AA meeting was that I didn't feel 'useful', after all). Looked at the time when I was by Tesco and I covered the distance in 20 minutes (I'm faster now that I do 'standing climbs' rather than lower the gears - I think of it in terms of 'interval training' which surely I'm fit enough to do). Had plenty of time for the loo and to make myself a coffee before the meeting. 2 in 1 - not long ago the husband chaired and now it was his wife's turn - I don't think it is a coincidence, I think they got together in AA. They're both about 3 years in the fellowship. My identification was with being shy, arriving late and leaving early, if I'm ok today doesn't mean I won't pick up in a few days, don't want to share if things aren't ok. She described her choice of Higher Power the first and 2nd time at AA and I had an impulsive negative reaction when she said the word 'Jesus' for the former. I almost shared but again left it too late. People do eat during the meeting (wagon wheels, biscuits) but unusually I ate my breakfast (courgettes, onions, broad beans and potato cubes) one tiny mouthful at a time throughout the 1.5 hour meeting only pausing a couple of times - compulsive eater come time-waster come multi-tasker (and still had bits left over at the end of the meeting). At the end of the meeting and whilst most cups were being washed up I lingered behind for a 3rd cup of coffee (not the done thing). I did reflect that my problem wasn't time-wasting per se but procrastinating, i.e. the problem isn't just what I do what with my time, but rather what I should do with my time which I don't. Got out and stood outside (with the smokers) reluctant to leave. One of the old timers approached me with a greeting (might have been 'are you alright?' or similar) I took the opportunity to share. I went away with a suggestion to think about querying what God would like me to do. Cycled away, MP3 off (an illustration of how an AA meeting can rearrange your mind a little). At Tesco called mum to ask if she wanted the Houmous at half-price. At ASDA bought 4 packets of popcorn just in case they were the last ones available - MP3 on (combat music) at this point, moved to practice my timing facing a slightly reflective window. Considering that spending too much time eating might be a current problem the insane idea of buying a 100g chocolate bar came into my head. I replaced it with the more pragmatic but equally insane idea of taking a smaller piece of chocolate from pick-and-mix - something I have not done for a while. It went in my pocket. Made a mental note to check the timing of a few combos as they were encountered (listening to tracks 1-6 for the rest of the way home). At the shop Kelly too busy to speak. There were ocassional showers on the rides both there and back.
Home at 2.20pm. that 8.3g (third of an ounce) white chocolate mouse got chopped into small pieces with a knife - stretching those 47 calories into 14 minutes (2.26pm-2.40pm). Computer on (2.53pm-3.40pm) as I assembled a feast, then abandoned my slow-chewing ways and sprint-ate the lot, finishing at 4.02pm. Made a list of low-protein foods (bananas, potatos, dates) and some high-protein foods I intended to balance them with (broad beans, bread, TVP, chicken, leafy veggies). Fell asleep - until 4.28pm. Went downstairs to meet mum and we both carried produce upstairs (all free except for strawberries)
and she got her Houmous. 4.43-5pm was a 'fast food' experience (that is, quick eating of healthy foods). By 5pm, 794 calories and 1,445 grams (55 kcal/100g).
Left at 5.07pm. In the studio practiced track 1 and half of track 2 in the large mirror (timing & technique) before Jason arrived. Only 7 of us (Jason remarked it was as quiet as on Christmas 2006 - this is before my time at this gym). At the speed-step track ('time warp') his arms were different from Jo and Michelle's and I couldn't cope with learning another set of arms so after a comment from him I just stuck to legs and no arms (I'm guessing he's the one not doing them as per the DVD as both Jo and Michelle learnt them the other way - time may tell). At the sauna spoke with Goss until Kelly arrived from her run - neither of us stayed until chucking-out time though. Had MP3 on for the ride home. It rained again (funny about welcome and unwelcome wetness - I had no problem with wetness in the shower and jacussi only moments earlier). Deliberately aborted MP3 in staircase.
Home at 7.42pm. 7.55pm-8.21 Nina (who I tried calling twice earlier in the day) called me back for a chat, reporting that yesterday's workout featured a jog (not just a walk) and other machines besides and she's planning to do Combat during the week. By 9pm had scanned and refrigerated all produce. Dished all food I intended to consume by 10 - done eating 10.27pm. When I got home at 7.42pm I did have the notion of getting all eating done in an hour which clearly didn't happen. Skipped a plan internet session and asleep by 10.30pm.
Food 7.44pm-10.27pm: 1056 calories and 1625 grams (65 kcal/100g). Both fruit and even more remarkably non-starchy vegetable categories each eclipsed potatos on the day I ate the last of the broad beans (317g) and my entire consignment of beetroot (848g).
Got up at 8.45am with a vivid recollection of a nightmare about reconnecting my TiVos and taking up that TV addiction I tore myself away from about 5.5 years ago. Weighed myself (my weight has gradually increased over the last little while - is it the extra 50 calories? the sodium in the spices I use with the potatos? accounting problems with other cooked foods such as broad beans and beetroot? the physical weight of the food? or (my ideal outcome) extra muscle?). I shuffled my to-do list and then diarised till 9.55am.
Online: 10am-11.25am misc browsing (inc CPH) emails to 11.47am, texts to 12.10pm, reboot; 12.18pm listened to hypnotherapy audio whilst eating then started processing blogs; 12.42pm listened to fitcast; 12.54pm - analysed body combat for timing details:
(track 3)
slow uppers: 1-2 up; 3-4 retract, rest
fast uppers: 1 up 2 retract 3 up 4 (nothing?)
(track 4)
jump kick: 1 step (fwd leg) 2 back knee + front kick 3 retract, land 4 nothing 5-8 shuffle back + into guard
step kick: 1 step 2 step back knee 3 kick + retract 4 land
(track 7)
slow down punch (2 down 2 up)
fast down punch (1 up 1 down)
knees 1 up 2 down
descending elbows 1 raise 2 descend
back only 1 raise 2 descend 3-4 pulse
(track 8)
double jab cross: 1 out-in 2 out-in 3 out 4 in
(track 9)
komodo: 1-2 to elbow 3-4 back to initial position
(track 10)
hip flexor: 1-2 knee fwd 5-6 sink lower 8-15 arm up 16-19 arm down 20-23 lean into it
quads: 1-8 get up + balance + get into position
kata: 1-8 fists, circle to overhead 9-12 hands to side 13-16 knife chop
calf+triceps: 1-4 step fwd 5-8 arms push fwd 9-13 tricep up 16 sink lower
chest: 1-8 arms around to back 9-12 bow down 13-16 raise chest 17-24 hold 25+ circle arms up, fist+bow
At 1.09pm (halfway through track 7) paused this, went out and met Kelly for lunch as might otherwise not see her till she's back from holiday in 3 weeks (though there's a slim possibility she'll turn up to the sauna on Wednesday). Home at 1.50pm, 1.58-2.22pm the rest of the timing analysis. Fitcast + eating till 3pm. Computer off considered a rest but mum surprised me with a 20-minute visit - providing what is probably this year's last crop of broad beans.
After some more snacking was useful again, moving furniture, using the dustpan-and-brush to clear the carpet, installing the camcorder on the tripod and trying to format one of the new Sony DVD-RWs from Thursday - this is where things went wrong, after the failed format the camcorder announced there was no disk in there! the same thing happened with the next couple. The original disk I had (a TDK) still worked. My extension cable also seems a bit flakey which didn't help. By 4.30m, 849 calories and 1,433 grams (59 kcal/100g).
Packed camcorder and power adapter with me and left at 4.40pm. First stop was John Lewis to return the DVDs for a refund - then on to the gym for a pre-workout chat with Shey who sung the praises of boxing and other martial arts to look more authentic for body combat (also she queried whether I actually needed my insurance for shadowing). I agree that Jam is hard to get but Saffron has a more amplified version of this view. I shadowed tracks 1-8 with Shey which went well (except when I went wrong at the beginning of track 6 (going is wrong is one thing, but going wrong when you're previewing a move is a bit unfortunate). I enjoyed myself. As I wasn't instructing I tried to scan the room for poor technique etc. My top got sweatier than usual - obviously I slack when I'm not on stage! Shey promised some feedback would follow online. I found a branch of Jessops but it shuts at 7pm on a Monday so proceeded to Argos where the manager agreed to have me order the Maxwell DVDs as 'customer view' and try one in my camcorder. The customer service operative took me 'inside' so I could use their power-point as the camcorder battery was now drained. I was relieved that the DVD formatted OK, purchased the 5-pack for £10 and was on my way. MP3 on for this leg of the journey.
Home at 8pm, continued with audio and started working on dinner too. Online from 8.23pm. Plans to be done quickly with eating were not followed through - food dished up by 10.20pm but took till 11pm to finish. Once all broad beans were shelled (10.35pm) I diarised till 11.08pm. Computer off 11.19pm.
Food 8pm-11pm: 1001 calories and 1418 grams (71 kcal/100g). The only bananas now left are more firm and partly green so I'm not sure how many of them I'll want to have tomorrow but for today it was more bananas than potatos, calorie-wise.
That is a good routine. I'll have to think again about combat now. You prompt and explain very well, IMO.
Did you ever think about practicing with a punching bag? When you say "aim at the jaw" you don't have that killer look like the guys in the other video you posted.
Yes I'm more smiles than agression perhaps I should work on that! I looked at that video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d4G-BVHpJ8 ) and I guess I'm being compared to the dancer with not much hair on top on account of being in that phase of hair growth (I do let my hair grow but every now and again I get fed up with my hair and get rid of it all as was the case about a month ago).
Tuesday 21-7-09
Awake at 3am and after half an hour of being unable to fall back to sleep got up - some eating. Computer on around 4am. Looked up how to upload a video to YouTube (also how to download a video = use savevid.com + iTinySoft Total Video Converter to divx/mpeg4 avi; alternatively get2pc.com). Downloaded a video convertor (but didn't install). Computer off at 5.18am, asleep around 5.50am but only till 6.30am. 6.45am forced myself up - just time to get packed and dressed so lucky I had most of my breakfast before 4am.
Left at 7am, started setting up in the studio. At around 7.20am the GC showed up in the studio wondering why music was playing and asked me to in future let the duty manager know I'm in the studio (when I'm on my own - health and safety in case something happens to me). Saffron appeared - we did 1-6 in a block and then had quite the break. Elaine arrived when we were still doing 9 (conditioning), Jo when doing 10 (stretching). Pump was busy. MP3 on for the ride to counselling - last session and about 7 weeks away from the next one, the counsellor pinpointing the relationship I have between my self-productivity and feeling happy with myself. Form-filling at the Welfare office to get a discount on the course, then paying for the course over at the temporary Enrollment office and receiving my new student ID card which should let me use the computers over the summer (though I didn't try it). Annoying rain and MP3 on for the ride home.
Home at 12.57pm. The neighbouring parish that wants to take our parish over sent a sample of their newsletter and having read it I'm not sure why I bothered. Started eating; 1.37pm shuffled my to-do list; 1.55pm had a look at other part-time courses I might have done this year (had I not already commited myself to the bookkeeping course); 2.04-2.21pm spoke with sis who has a a 'couch-surfer' coming to stay with them in a couple of days - getting off the phone when Majhid showed up announced. I introduced him to the current incarnation of my potato wedges (tandoori with chilli powder version) and set up the camera on the top shelf - motivating myself to record myself at home for the first time (something I've been putting off). He was reluctant to take part in the routine - finally doing some of it off camera (improvising some of the moves - I may not rate Nash's ability to follow me but this was deviation from the routine on a whole new level). He asked to be weighed and his assuming his height really is 6', his BMI at 19.5 is surprisingly similar to mine (and I would have said I was the slimmer one so something of a surprise). He tried to wind me up by claiming to have talked about me to someone at AA but I doubt any AA member would talk to him and disclose membership which is where his story breaks down. He left at 3.38pm.
Back to eating and data entry. Diarising 4-4.22pm. Installed that video conversion software and went online to have a first unsuccesful go (I tried to preserve the original resolution and ended up with a picture horribly squashed in the horizontal direction). Called Rob to ask if he was coming to the party - he didn't even remember that it was this weekend. At this point I'll believe it when I see him there and not before. At 5.25pm noticed internet connection problems which didn't improve over the next hour. Shortly after mum showed up with produce gifts - including the very last (yes I've heard this one before!) shipment of broad beans for the year.
At 6.20pm went downstairs to wait for Jon who picked me up. This was the 2nd salsa dance lesson for his wife though as it had been a number of weeks it was more of a 2nd 'first lesson' - the sticking point was to stay right-left-right left-right-left even after clockwise turns and anti-clockwise spins. I was treated to a selection of fruit which I weighed and scoffed down. By 7.50pm, 1,234 calories and 2,554 grams (48 kcal/100g).
Instead of being dropped off home and then cycling to AA, I was dropped off at AA. Arriving slightly late I didn't sit at the table but on seat at the side and as per my observation last weeek the tradition 7 mug did not tranverse to us (but sitting there felt like an outsider - next time I want to arrive on time and sit at the table!). The chair had a south african accent but I enjoyed listening to what I could make out. The girl I previously mentioned was collecting her 5 month chip. I think she was up to 3 months the first time I've come to this meeting which means I've been going for about 9 weeks. As prearranged I then rang Jon who came over to drive me home.
Home at 9.24pm. Food 9.25pm-11.45pm: 616 and 1078 grams (57 kcal/100g) - this time no lag between dishing and eating times (but I'm still taking ages to prepare the food). Simultanously also audio and online (er, evidently embedding my second attempt at a YouTube upload - see post above). Afterwards diarised and then (0.05am) online session continued. Too tired by 0.20am - computer off.
Up at 8.45am (under 8.5 hours rest which included 3 mid-sleep interrupts). Got ready in silence. Left 9.14am - MP3 on. A throw-away comment yesterday had Saffron locating my diary (hi Saf!); it was one of those days where I wanted a good workout but my body just wasn't giving me the energy a far cry from Monday night for example; telling Jo that Jason was doing different arms for Track 9 she instantly furnished me with a digital device showing the video for the track (and sure enough she's doing it right - which was my suspicion - see entry for Sunday); Marie met up with Dave who I haven't seen for a while. Rode away without MP3 player. Remembered a suggesting to try Bannatynes for a shadow opportunity so changed course. Kate has a Combat class at 5.30pm on a Friday but apparently they no longer have a 'class co-ordinator' role and the receptionist ('administrator' on her name tag) said they don't allow people to shadow. I'm not sure if I spoke to the person in authority but am not sure how to find out who that person would be and perhaps I have been given the correct information in any case.
Home at 11.09pm. With my door still propped wide open a neighbour I didn't recognise asked if I had a 'hoover' (vaccum cleaner) they could borrow. I pointed out that mine had flaws but agreed to lend it - then realising I didn't know the man asked where he lived (my building is made up of 25 bedsits over 3 levels).
Started eating. Computer on from 11.30am. At 12.30pm called 'LA fitness' to find out what classes are taught by the class co-ordinator (i.e. when I'm likely to catch them by phone or visit) - my options are Thu 6pm, Fri 9.30am, Sat 2pm and Mon 7pm. At 1.30pm that neighbour returned hoover (about an hour after I first had the thought I ought to go and look for it myself - how long could it possibly take to vacum-clean a 12x15 carpet?). Around 1.25pm learnt that Nina will likely still work out but isn't yet allowed in the sauna. Between 2 and 2.10pm I was the go-between for an IM-only sister stuck without a lunch-break and a mother most comfortable with phone-based converstation, helping out a 3rd party, my brother, with the logistics of getting vaccinations before travel. Diarising 2.40-2.55pm. 3.11pm-4.50pm caught up with 40-odd blogs. On my online 'travels' added yet another blog to my feed (http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/ - technology related). Around 5.15pm reloaded MP3 player which now has about 6.5 hours of stuff outstanding. At 6pm wanted to find out if I should cut my workout short and make the AA meeting or whether there will be socialising so made calls to firm up what turned out to be plans to go for a post-workout coffee at The Moon Under Water; at 6.30pm spoke with sis.
Apart from the above (and eating throughout) essentially scanned through the entire fridge - broad beans, lettuce, spinach, chard, courgettes, onion, cabbage, potatos. The audio soundtrack for the afternoon: a program about a weakened Serious Fraud Office, Stephen Fry giving a speech featuring his view that digital piracy should not be clamped on, and some unimpressive stand-up comedy, Nutrition Diva, a Swine Flu call-in special, the Today Program (current affairs) snippetss about Afganistan, Iran and Iraq - and converted text of various blogs entries.
By 6.41pm, 1,058 calories and 1,905 grams (55 kcal/100g). Left at 6.47pm - MP3 was tracks 1 and 2 of body combat and I instructed the invisible participants whilst riding to the gym. Nina had arrived, fashionably late (just at the point where I wrote her off) originally intended to hide at the back but didn't require much persuading to claim a spot on in the front row. 21 participants - not too bad. Halfway through the class I was told not to sing - my first instinct was to think defensively but this was just someone's jibe at the instructor not a personal go at me - a good example of how my negative thinking tends to make everything to be about me. (Later I'd also hear a possibly more valid comment about it sometimes being difficult to tell between body rips and upper cuts.) I thought I was the same weight as Nina but the disparity is that, having no scale at home, she weighs herself with clothes wheras I weigh myself at home first thing in the morning after going to the toilet and without clothes. So a side-by-side comparison with clothes and naturally I'm heavier (she is a couple of inches shorter, though). Couldn't get Kelly on the phone but we bumped into her. They went into the changing room and I realised I've forgotten my water bottle in the studio - also brief chat with instructor about possible next steps in terms of getting more shadow experience. Got my self-esteem book out (the one I haven't opened in a month or so) and reviewed a few pages from the start. Reunited with Nina and Kelly we wondered over to the carpark where Kelly found an iPod someone had left behind (!). Then on to the pub for a round of teas and coffees. Kelly went back to the gym for a shower leaving us to have another drink then rejoined us. We said our farewells. A chance encounter with a couple of AA members at a coffee shop (one I avoided because of the higher prices!) then homeward.
Home at 10.34pm. Food 10.40pm-0.25am, 792 calories and 1056 grams (75 kcal/100g) - well less than 3 hours but again I was aiming for an hour. Finished my bananas (deliberately going for them as they're 'fast food'). I guess at this rate I'll still have a few potatos when I return home on Saturday. Nash occupied me with his weekly call 10.49pm-0.48am so it was an audio-free evening. The online session was short simply because not many emails or blogs appeared since 6.30pm. Diarised until 1.13am and then computer off - though it took ages to melt into sleep, or at least felt that way!
Congratulations!
).
