Big Jim’s attempt to become Slim Jim

[57xx]

On 31/05/2021 at 10:29, big jim said:

Also I’ve downloaded the couch to 5k app and am going to have a go at that too, it says based on my ability that I can start on week 3, day 1, (1.5min run, 2 min walk x 6) which realistically I feel I can manage, I’ll do it in the sea front late

 

Another thumbs up for Couch to 5k. I was never a good runner. I tried jogging in my early 20's but was useless and quickly gave up. The C5K strategy is brilliant the way it builds you up. Me and the Mrs both got to the end after nursing a few leg injuries (don't push it if things start to hurt, especially knees!!) and were extremely pleased when we reached the goal.

Afterwards we found we weren't doing the full 5k in the 30mins, so we switched to running the actual 5k and found our times were 34-35 mins so our next goal was to to a genuine 5k in 30 mins. I think we got to about 32mins which we were happy with.

Good luck with it, stick with it even when it feels tough!

[Ruffnut Thorston]

3 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

On the subject of bread, I eat Burgen, a soy and linseed loaf, which is 11g (IIRC) of carbs per slice, I only have 2 a day so it isn't too bad and helps with lunch - a sandwich!  Some breads have over twice this amount.

I do like Burgen. Along with some Polish Bakery breads, it’s one of my favourites.

 

Some places, I think that Sainsbury’s is one, have their own versions, but I don’t know the nutritional information on them.

 

I haven’t had much bread for ages now, I’ll have to have another look at Burgen, etc. It’s so nice that it doesn’t need anything on it! 
 

 

[New Haven Neil]

10 hours ago, leavesontheline said:

Snip<

 

Simplistically you just need to burn more calories than you put in your mouth but there is so much more to it than this to ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs.

 

 

 

 

 

Apols for the brutal snip.  A lot of good comment in your post.

 

Research I have read has disproven this long term belief above, what in fact happens is that the body detects the reduction in input and slows its metabolic rate to compensate, a sort of automatic survival technique.  Incredible really how clever the whole body is.  This bolsters the second part of your statement though, which was your point and is the important bit - there is indeed a lot more to it than just decreasing calorie input!

 

This isn't the place to get into details, but if anyone really wants I can find the reference, it was a while ago I read it but I do have the relevant book still so should be able to dig it out.

 

We're all in basic agreement though, exercise and a sensible and appropriate diet are what we need.

 

Apols again for banging on about this, but there is so much good experience and knowledge on here form T2's and some clinicians it really is worth wading through.  No connection, just a satisfied diabetic!

 

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/type-2-diabetes.25/

 

[Legend]

My Niece and her boyfriend are really into KETO diet , so she has baked me some carb free bread . I've been warned by my sister not to stray too far from toilet , and that long walks may not be advisable . Shes also made carb free donuts !   I'll report back 

 

I struggle with blood pressure and my Doctor wanted me to go  on a third pill . None of these are without side effects and so I have upped (from close to zero, just the occasional walk at weekends) the exercise regime instead  . 1.5 hours walk per day in three chunks . Breakfast , Lunch and after dinner . Initially the target was 10000 steps a day  but within 2 weeks I can get to 14000 easily . It helps its spring and the weathers good at moment.

 

I have started to lose a bit of weight . I had plateaued at 110kg , but thats a nice side effect for me , the key thing is BP is down . It really is amazing what a little exercise can do for you  and thats really the point of this post . You don't need to buy a bike (but obviously I salute those that do , because you will get fitter) or run 5k . Just a little increase in exercise will give benefits . 

 

My diet is Beef, Steaks or Mince in various dishes . I can make a mean Chilli with beef ,peppers and onions and are now going to use Turkey mince which is leaner. Chicken , again done various ways and occasionally Salmon . I never find Salmon actually that filling . No potatoes instead I use greens , peas, brocolli done in garlic. I eat lots of peppers and onions  . No pasta . My issue is bread , which I actually quite like . I'm down to 2 slices a day though and if my nieces bread is good that will help. 

Edited June 8, 2021 by Legend

[David Bigcheeseplant]

Two photos of me the fat me is about four years ago before I did couch to 5K and the other last Sunday when I ran Knebworth half marathon.

[big jim]

You’ll have to change your user name to “dave not so big low-fat cheeseplant”

[David Bigcheeseplant]

Just been for a 6km run during my lunchtime and now back at work, I have found doing exercise most days I can eat or drink what I like within reason as I burn it off, so out for a few beers tonight without feeling too guilty.

 

David

[big jim]

I’m hoping the same!
 

Had an egg butty and a small scoop of chips today for dinner so I’m hoping the 5+ miles on the bike will help lose a few of the calories I added!

 

 

also got a mile in walking from the station to basford hall  it the recording stopped 1/2 way through 

 

 

 

[big jim]

It’s weigh in day today, fully expecting not to lose anything as I’ve had a lax week, if I can maintain my weight then great!

 

not going to weigh myself until later as I’ve still got a few more miles to cycle and day 5 of couch to 5K to do as well 

 

this morning I dropped my lad off at work then rode from there to crewe station, a good workout that was, a bit more up and down than round the park

 

 

 

[big jim]

Just rode home on what I thought was going to be the shortest route but it’s been the longest so far!

 

juat realised that looking at the 3 commute times for the 3 different routes they are 12:31, 12:33 and again 12:33 but the latest trip is 1/4 longer so I’ve obviously improved my pace on the bike too! 

 

having a rest for a few hours, plenty of water then back round the park later for day 5 of couch to 5k 

Edited June 9, 2021 by big jim

[big jim]

Weigh in day. Did it this evening after today’s 13 mile bike rides and day 5 of couch to 5k 

 

I am now 19.7 Stone so a loss of 3.1 Stone since Feb, 5lb this week, after my blow out food wise Sunday I really knuckled down and kept within my points and got lots of exercise in to make up for it and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it too

 

 

couch to 5k, below is the apple health data but the app data shows 2.15 miles of which 16 mins was running, that’s exactly the same running time and distance as the previous day however the total time taken is  2 minutes shorter so my pace there is improving 

 

im working early hours of the morning so am still going to ride to work, I think it will be getting light when I set off anyway but  got my mega bright headlight and tail lights on the bike all charged up and ready to roll 

[Sir TophamHatt]

Amazing!

Thanks for coming back to update us all too.

Your progress is inspiring to me to say the least.

 

I know they're all clichéd things to say but they're absolutely spot on.

[Ruffnut Thorston]

I was in Sainsbury’s today, so I had a look at some bread…but I didn’t actually buy any today.

 

This may prove interesting?

 

Burgen linseed and soya.

 

 

Vogel’s Seeded wholemeal…

 

Sainsbury’s Taste The The Difference seeded soft wholemeal…

 

 

An interesting comparison.

 

Just for interest, price wise, Vogel’s is highest, and Sainsbury’s is lowest. But not so much difference. I can’t actually remember the prices! 

[big jim]

Had a night time commute today, got a really bright headlight for the bike, better than the mini almost!

 

and back this morning 

 

another 5 mile plus, 3 more miles and I’ll age done 100 miles since I got the bike 12 days ago 

 

[New Haven Neil]

17 hours ago, Ruffnut Thorston said:

I was in Sainsbury’s today, so I had a look at some bread…but I didn’t actually buy any today.

 

This may prove interesting?

 

Burgen linseed and soya.

 

 

Vogel’s Seeded wholemeal…

 

Sainsbury’s Taste The The Difference seeded soft wholemeal…

 

 

An interesting comparison.

 

Just for interest, price wise, Vogel’s is highest, and Sainsbury’s is lowest. But not so much difference. I can’t actually remember the prices! 

 

Yeah, the Burgen is the only one of those available here, so can't compare the taste!  The local artisan bread I used to eat is 30g per slice.....eek!

[big jim]

Did the next day of couch to 5k today so the rest days sync up with the Chris evans book so I’m not running every day!

 

for some reason the apple app didn’t record my location again but it dot my heart rate etc 

 

 

it’s a bit misleading as it also records the short walk to and from the house to the park whereas the 5k runner app just records the workout itself at the park hence the different times compared to below 

 

 

those are my last 3 16 min running/walking workouts all covering just over 2 mile each, tonight’s was 0.06 of a mile shorter which works out at 90m however the exercise time has reduced by 2 minutes again so tonight’s workout covered near as dammit the same distance as the first one but taking 4 minutes less time so despite the distance not going up I’m getting quicker (I think going by my logic, anyone confirm?) 

 

EDIT: looking at a pace calculator it’s gone up from 3.6 mph to 3.96mph, not much but at least it’s something however to go 5k in 35 mins ive got to get to 5.33 mph! 

 

im having an exercise rest day tomorrow from running and commuting in on the bike as I need to take my car in to the station (I may do a couple of laps of the park in the evening to break the 100 mile mark on the bike though!) and I don’t want to overdo it 

 

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by big jim

[big jim]

Wasn’t going out on the bike today but I needed to retrieve my car from the station so I went on the bike and left that there to get home tomorrow morning, bit longer and slower than usual as I saw a work colleague walking in the park and paced alongside him for a bit 

 

Broke the 100 mile mark too, not bad for 14 days of ownership 

 

 

[big jim]

Had to work a train to derby today and had to pick up another car bike carrier while I was there, strapped it to the bike and started riding home, I was planning on going to uttoxeter (25 mile) but I got to tutbury and Hatton and the battery light started flashing so I got in the train from there instead, still managed to do 13.5 miles though!

 

[boxbrownie]

Doesn’t the bike work with a flat battery though Jim? 

[big jim]

Yes it does, but here is the difference it makes……

 

I had to do the ride back from the station to home with no battery (and carrying a 4kg bike rack strapped to the crossbar) with a headwind, some 5 minutes longer than normal 

 

 

That ride normally takes me 12-13 minutes

 

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2021 by big jim

[Enterprisingwestern]

19 minutes ago, big jim said:

I had to do the ride back from the station to home with no battery (and carrying a 4kg bike rack strapped to the crossbar) with a headwind, some 5 minutes longer than normal 

 

You'll have thighs like knots in cotton wool if you keep that up!

 

Mike.

[bodmin16]

On 09/06/2021 at 21:09, big jim said:

 

 

I am now 19.7 Stone so a loss of 3.1 Stone since Feb, 5lb this week, after my blow out food wise Sunday I really knuckled down and kept within my points and got lots of exercise in to make up for it and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it too

 

 

 

Well done, ( little) big Jim.  It's a great feeling when the weight comes off, especially if you've had a bit a blow out, I love the feeling of achievement.  Just read some of your posts and only just realised that you have an e-bike, can I ask how you find it?  My wife has been considering one recently, BTW don't let anybody tell you that it is lazy cycling.  It is great exercise and more exercise than driving.  Secondly I was told to always make sure that rest days are taken and not to over exercise, I don't know your routine or you have been advised re exercise, but you may want to check just in case.

Edited June 13, 2021 by bodmin16

[big jim]

I’m loving the E-bike, you can see the difference it makes from the post above where the battery was flat, if I had bought a ‘normal’ bike, ok obviously lighter and more gears I’d probably have not done as many miles as I have in the last 2 weeks as it makes cycling a pleasure, I can thoroughly recommend getting one 

 

I’ve synced up my various routines so I get enough rest days between works outs 

[boxbrownie]

5 hours ago, big jim said:

I’m loving the E-bike, you can see the difference it makes from the post above where the battery was flat, if I had bought a ‘normal’ bike, ok obviously lighter and more gears I’d probably have not done as many miles as I have in the last 2 weeks as it makes cycling a pleasure, I can thoroughly recommend getting one 

 

I’ve synced up my various routines so I get enough rest days between works outs 

Don’t worry, I was just having a poke ……..I’d buy one without pedals 

[big jim]

I know you were joking by it does make a huge difference!

 

what I liked about today as the ride back to tutbury took me along roads and over bridges that i normally drive trains under, nice to see it from the other side!

 

did day 7 of couch to 5k this evening, the Apple Watch went haywire and wouldn’t update my distance but it recorded it fully when I downloaded it but with no location again so the calories burned are too few on Strava but the 5K app shows the correct 430 burned

 

 

rest day tomorrow but I will ride to basford hall on my bike in the evening and back home Monday morning at the end of the job 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2021 by big jim