100

Wow I never for one moment when I started this blog thought that the blog would still be here, I have had some spells of little or no activity, in all honestly I would be surprised if anyone actually reads this anymore, but still I soldier on as this is as much about my enjoyment of writing and sharing my every day happenings, so I hope that you will all join me for another 100 posts.

Looking back over 2012 it has had it's high and low points but I can hand on heart say it has been an amazing year, lows being a shortage of money and a few health issues cropping up, I now have to take medication for high blood pressure and the passing of my old On One mountain bike with a cracked frame plus I think the weather has played a huge part in the downs with so much rain and lost chances to get out and about.

But the positives far out weigh the downs, this year I finally moved in with  my partner yay! and are looking forward to two holidays in the first half of next year, plus despite my health problems I feel so much better and made quite a  lot of progress this past 6 months, I rode my bike further and faster and I feel more confident about stretching the distance out and I actually look forward to riding up climbs, hard work but enjoyable.

The biggest improvement to my health I made this year we in the weight loss department, in the 6-7 months since my partner and I committed to eating and loving more healthily I have managed to shed 25lbs in weight with a loss of 8 inches from the waist of my jeans, down from a 52 to a 44 inch on my jeans, although my work trousers are a 46 still but they are a weird size, the biggest loss mush go to my partner, she has managed to drop 35.6lbs this past 6 months and I am so proud of her.

So what do I have planed for 2013?

Well many things is the simple answer, quite often we, okay I will list a few well intentioned ideas with no real idea about how I will realise them over the ensuing months and as all to often like any journey without a map we become lost and miss our goals, but this year is different as I have sat down and will focus my efforts on 2 simple goals and what I must do to realise them, so lets take a look at what I put down.

Goal One, A lighter Simon

Why the goal? I am over weight and I wish to be healthier.

Who is going to help me reach this goal? Me of course with support from my partner Sam and family

What will allow you to accomplish this goal? I want to loose 40lbs this year and reach 240lbs or less.

What is keeping me from this goal? Me, I lack will power and discipline and I love food far too much.

What can I do to improve the outcome of the goal? Logging my food each day and planning meals, most of all being honest with myself and maintaining a good balance.

When am I planing on meeting this goal? over the year I want to loose 40lbs with intermediate goals of a 10lb loss by my holiday in March and a further 10lbs by my birthday in June.

Where will you benefit most from meeting this goal? Increased confidence, the possibility of improving my blood pressure and coming off the medication, the loss in weight will allow me to ride further and faster improving my social life as I can ride with friends.

How will I meet this goal? Planing meals each week and recording calories each day before I eat them so I can see there and then how much I am eating, moderating what I eat through portions control and cutting out chocolate and crisps with treats only permitted on special occasions.

Will I commit to this goal? Yes.

Second goal, a fitter Simon

Why is this a goal? Because I do enjoy cycling even if I do suffer with motivation issues now and then, I want to ride more and further, maybe tour and race again

Who is going to help you reach this goal? Me, my partner Sam and friends and family

What will allow you to accomplish this goal? Loosing weight will help so see goal one, I want to ride 3500 miles in the next 12 months or 200 miles a month when not on holiday for the first 6 months progressing to 300 a month after June.

What is keeping me from meeting this goal? My own motivation, other commitments, injury, weather and over training.

What can I do to improve the outcome of this goal? Ride, ride smart - be focused, stretch more, work on total body fitness, eat better and hydrate.

When are you planning on meeting this goal? I want to meet my mileage goal and in 12  months time I want to see an increase in my average speed of 3-5 mph compared to my pre Christmas routes.

Where will I benefit most from completing this goal? Riding more and further will help me control my weight so much better plus I will enjoy my rides a lot more and there is the possibility of joinng a club and joining in on group rides once more.

How are you going to complete this goal? By setting weekly and monthly goals and riding more frequently a minimum of 3 times a week, later this year selling the car and commuting to work and doing all errands using the bike.

Will i commit to this goal? Yes.

Well there we have it for now, the goals are pretty simple and symbiotic too, as I succeed in one I help the other and visa versa, there is more to put down here but that can wait for my next entry in a few days, so I wish for all well for now and a happy new year.

Simon