Tag

Weight loss

Everything is Going Swimmingly with Swimathon

It’s been some time since my Hyprr Fitmas post. Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day and a couple of holidays have passed since I’ve shared my thoughts, progress and reviews. I have been extremely busy working on a few projects. More on that soon but one aims to raise millions of pounds for marine conservation charities via NFTS, while another will be rewarding people for being good. Yes, being a do-gooder can be rewarding in many ways.

But back to my fitness.

Fitmas was a relative success. I lost about 14 lbs and have managed to keep it off. I didn’t lose much more (ok, any more) in the first few months of 2022 but neither did I gain weight.

Part of the reason has been trips to Paris, Naples and Rome, where carbs were consumed in quantity and where Peroni beer has never tasted so good.

Then there was my motivatio, or rather lack of it.

The projects that I am working on and for are amazing; the people I work with are awesome. But truth be told, I was doing too much and subsequently not giving everything and anything my all.

In stepped Leylne (more on this in a later blog) colleague Benedikt Oehmen who offered to provide some coaching and over the last couple of months we have been having weekly sessions. He helped me reflect on what drives me forward, what holds me back and what gets in my way.

And the answer to all of these is ME. However, it’s also me, and some tools suggested by Bene, who held the solutions and I’ve made some changes.

Less time on social media (much less)
More time with family (not enough)
Earlier to bed and earlier to rise
More reading
Daily physical activity
Less negative self talk

I also looked at everything I was involved in. NFT projects, social impact projects, festivals, and sports promotion. I reflected on what mattered most to me and what brought me the most joy and two things stood out. I wasn’t moving enough and I wasn’t promoting sports enough. They go hand in hand.

However, there was the small matter of my knees. No longer my good and bad knees. Now, just my osteoarthritic knees. Walking is painful and although surgery has been mentioned, I feel far too young to follow this path so soon.

Instead, I have been focusing on reducing the load my knees are carrying (yes, losing fat), strengthening the muscles around my knee and on getting back onto my bike and back into the swimming pool

The pounds are again starting to drop, my cycle commutes are becoming easier and, as a family, we are starting to go out on longer rides at the weekends. Teresa wants a new bike as her current bike is about 11 years old and I want a new bike because of the n (bikes you currently own) +1 rule. Although I will probably donate a few bikes to Bike for Good in Glasgow

I also joined a gym, Pace Health Club, with a swiming pool. I looked out my trunks and my swimming goggles and set my alarm for 7am. More importantly, I got out of bed when that alarm went off and I went for a swim. I hadn’t previously been in a pool in three years but with my shoulder fully healed and with the country opening up (I’m still wearing a mask…not in the pool), a return to an old but treasured role has reignited my desire to swim.

For I am once again an ambassador for Swimathon, the annual swimming event for everyone that raises much needed funds for Cancer Research and Marie Curie.

Swimathon 22 takes place in swimming pools across the UK between Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May 2022, with the more flexible My Swimathon (kinda swim as you go) version taking place between Friday 29 April and Sunday 15 May 2022.

It’s free to all participants who raise more £50 via Justgiving and normally £14 per person, regardless of distance.

However, as a Swimathon ambassador, I am able to offer a 50% discount to all registrations made between now and April 13th 2022.

Simply register and use the code SMSWIM22 to activate your discount.

I’m really enjoying my time in the pool. At 8am, it is usually just me and my thoughts. I’ve yet to decide on my Swimaton distance. My ego says 4 or 5k as I am now a relatively competent swimmer having been coached by not one but four Olympians, but after two years of being relatively inactive I have to be realistic. 1.5k or 5k over multiple visits might be a more sensible decision. I’ll swim 1000 metres in the next week or so and see how I feel. All I know is that it feels great being back. Not only is my fitness improving but my confidence is also returning.

I might never run again but that doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy other activities.

I’m Howmanymiles and I am a swimmer. Come swim with me and others during Swimathon.

April 3, 2022 0 comment

Journey Physical Activity

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…and I’m feeling good.

written by Stephen Morrison

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…and I’m feeling good.

Great, in fact, as today marks the day that I returned to the living world. and took a step (only a small one, mind you) out of the virtual world. I have been hiding behind a screen for several months and while I have genuine reasons for making a disappearance act, it has not been fun and it has impacted on my physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

If you have caught a brief glimpse of me out and about and seen me smile, you possibly do not know how much of an effort both required and you might have noticed that neither me nor my smile hung around for long, although please also realise that it was most likely YOU that made me smile and the thought of seeing YOU that got me out of the house.

Things and people that make me smile

Circumstances have made undertaking anything seem impossible (I do HATE how some fitness professionals look down upon people’s excuses or “excuses” as they call them). However, I do need to look at how I can make the best of my current situation and with light breaking through the dark clouds, it is time to move on and it is time to move more.

My fears have not gone, but they have lessened. My shame of gaining weight no longer matters as I have to improve my health and I cannot continue to hide behind a screen or express my thoughts via a keyboard (ironic that I am blogging about this).

I will make coffee/tea/water dates and I will catch up with friends. I have lost many friends over the past year and while I am saddened to see people move on, I also realise that I am lucky to have many people who have stuck by me (yes, YOU). Over the next few weeks and months, I will spend more and more hours out of the house; I will go for massages; get my eyes checked (my vision is still impaired by optical neuritis) and who knows, I might go and volunteer as Great Run Local or even parkrun (the latter earns me three Vitality points, but the former has a special place in my heart) while I build up the confidence to run again.

Good to be back

And I will make the gym my happy place (or one of them, at least) for today was the start of something else. It was the day that I returned to Glasgow Club and specifically Bellahouston Sports Centre, where I have fond memories of playing badminton with half the Nine in a Row Rangers team (ok, maybe just eight of them); discovering the joys of circuit class (Monday Night Circuits is legendary) and competing in my first triathlon.

Glasgow Club have kindly given me a membership to help rekindle my love for fitness and to also help encourage others to follow my progress and hopefully also in my footsteps.

So Bellahouston, I’m back!

To keep on track, I would love for you to help keep me accountable by following and commenting on my progress updates while it would be wonderful to have the odd (both in number and nature) friend join me for a gym date.

For the record, here are my readings from today’s measurements. I will update weekly and will happily take a kick on the backside for every week that I do not improve.

V9JZZSQZUxJzsuz5hNCxOId2y22e GSX4jzVdthk8j1s2Q6kZapf89Z Aozrh8VnghH1rAs2048

Body Weight	119kg
Body Fat Mass	41.8kg
Body Fat Percentage	35.1%
Muscle Mass	73.4kg
BMI	39.8

In fact, I will take it a stage further to show how determined I am. I will donate a pair of running shoes to the brilliant campaign by Migo Sports for each week (over the next eight) that I do not progress. That is right, I will give away my beloved running shoes. That is how confident (or deluded) I am.

Hopefully, you will join me (shoe donation is optional) or least help keep me on my toes (and my toes in shoes).

It is good to be back.

SaveSave

October 30, 2017 5 comments

Health Obesity

Man V Fat Football Glasgow- It’s coming home

written by Stephen Morrison

Man V Fat Football

Are you tired of feeling tired? Are you fed up of feeding yourself rubbish?

Do you have a goal of playing football anywhere but in goal?

Well, I have some news that will get your heart rate going. Literally.

Scotland might not be involved in Euro 2016, but Man V Fat Football is coming to Scotland and in Glasgow, I have the honour of being your league coordinator. If Man V Football is news to you, then check out the feedback back from CNN , the BBC and more importantly the PLAYERS.

And for those interested in seeing what happens at a Man V Fat Football league, I even have some footage for you that might have you once gain longing for a kick-about.

Man V Fat Football is unlike any other football league in existence

It is exclusively designed for men who are overweight or obese; points are scored for both victories on the pitch AND in the kitchen and your registration cost and game fee include a no-nonsense fat loss book, weekly weigh ins (cheaper than Weight Watchers and you won’t be the only guy there) and access to the world’s best (in my honest opinion) male fat loss community. A community that has helped over 300,000 men lose weight.

So far, 95% of players have lost weight over 14 week league, with the average loss being 2 stone!!

It’s a chance to play the beautiful game with men of equal size and with an equal desire to be leaner and fitter. Man V Fat Football will give you the chance to lace up your boots, to get back on a pitch and to show that sometimes, losers win.

Man V Fat Football kicks off on Sunday, July 31st at Lucozade Powerleague Townhead and you can find out more and register for the first league here.

You can sign up alone or with friends, but be quick. Places are limited and every league so far in the UK has been heavily (no pun intended) over subscribed with over 1,000 guys applying for the original 80 places.

Let’s show the Man V Fat Football community that Glasgow is the home of football and that we will be the Biggest Losers and winners!

June 22, 2016 2 comments

Health Obesity

Help Me Do It – University of Glasgow Weight Loss Study

written by Stephen Morrison

Do you live in the Glasgow area and do you want or need to lose a few pounds?

With 65% of Scots currently overweight, the unfortunately reality is that you probably do, even if like me, you consider yourself fit and fat.

Obesity is a major contributing factor to many diseases and conditions that can limit and even shorten our lives. It is linked to cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and even depression.

So why then do so many of us allow ourselves to become overweight and increasingly obese? One could argue that we live in an obesentric environment, where we don’t need to be as active and are encouraged to eat fast foods, or that we lack personal responsibility (a favourite of fat-shamers everywhere).

Whatever the reasons (check out my Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine post on Salutogenesis ), one thing is true.

Losing weight is rarely easy and keeping it off can be harder still.

I consider myself lucky in that I have only regained 56 of the 170lbs that I originally lost in 2012, when I was 354lbs, for according to the University of Pennsylvania, 65% of those who experience rapid weight loss regain their weight within three years.

However, the truth is that I am once again obese, even if I am back heading in the right direction and I need help!

Apart from discipline, determination and dedication,we also need accountability, compassion and encouragement. This ACE approach does not take away the need for smarter choices and more self serving behaviours, but instead provides a platform for sustainable fat loss.

Help Me Do It

When we have the support of others, we are more likely to succeed and that is why Glasgow University and the National Institute for Health Research have launched the Help Me Do It study.

It is a two year study into the benefits of using a dedicated website and mobile phone application (app) to help affect behaviour change. Help Me Do It will provide users and a buddy (it can be a partner, relative or friend) with access to an especially designed website that provides information and motivation on how to eat better, move more and feel better about yourself.

If you have a BMI of 30 and over, are aged between 18 and 70 years old and have access to the internet and a smartphone (Android or IOS) you can get the chance to test run the app and see if it can help you to lose weight

For more information, please contact the Study Manager, Lynsay Matthews, on lynsay.matthews@glasgow.ac.uk or call her 0141 353 7633.

I didn’t lose my weight without others to Help Me Do It and neither should you.

June 21, 2016 0 comment

Health Obesity

European Obesity Day 2016 – ScotlandvsObesity

written by Stephen Morrison

“Obesity is one of the most challenging public health concerns of the 21st century. It is an epidemic that is sweeping Europe and about which not enough is being done.”

The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) have designated this Saturday, the 21st May, as European Obesity Day (EOD16).

If you have read my most recent British Journal of Sports Medicine blog or my Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine Lay Views, you will appreciate and accept that I share EASO’s desire for increased awareness and action to address the ravaging effects of obesity, not only on our economies and health services, but on the lives of those directly affected.

Obesity is a disease that almost always leads to other conditions and is it telling that European Obesity Day lies within Mental Health Awareness Week.

May 18, 2016 0 comment

Health Obesity

My View on Activity Equivalents proposals from RSPH

written by Stephen Morrison

Gove’s Intentions

In 2014, Michael Gove, the then Minister of Education , suggested that schools should use traditional punishments to discipline malcontent and miss behaving school pupils (1).

One of the suggested punishments for classroom indiscipline was running laps of the playground.

Not only could this be viewed as a form of corporal punishment, outlawed across the UK by 2003 (2), but for the overweight and inactive it could even be regarded as cruel and unusual punishment.

The sport that I love (and occasionally hate) touted as a means of reprimanding rebellious kids. Lanes replacing lines and exhaustion replacing detention. It earmarked running as a punishment and children would arguably soon learn to despise running.

April 18, 2016 2 comments

Cycling Triathlon

Spinning at Pure Gym

written by Stephen Morrison

It is Friday night and the boys are spending the weekend with their father. Woo Hoo!!!

Before you think too badly of me, please let me explain. I love the boys dearly and I enjoy almost every moment of their company, but their visits to their dad give Teresa and I chance to do things together and go out together to places that we wouldn’t take the boys.

Like Pure Gym. That’s right. A Friday night alone and we went to the gym. Together.

We love training on our own and have different training regimes and preferences, but there is something sweet (who says romance is dead, although we are now in different rooms. Me, writing a blog and Teresa, writing a research paper ) about going to the gym together and swapping workout details on the way home.

Not only are we a couple who train together, but we have a married couple who train us. Wee shout-out to Personal Trainers Christine and Spencer Peek of Peek Fitness.

But back to tonight’s date night. Teresa was booked into Zumba and I was planning on….actually, I had no plan. Part of the reason I have PT sessions with Spencer is that he works in Puregym and he is currently helping me become competent and confident with weight training.

I was training with him yesterday, so tonight I wasn’t sure what to do,

Call it fate but an opportunity presented itself. My puregym membership is a pure bargain. Included in my £10.99 monthly membership is a whole weekly schedule of free classes. Most classes are booked a week in advance and things like Combat and Spin are usually full.

But not tonight. Tonight, I was asked if I wanted to take a spare seat in a Spin class. I don’t know if it was my coffee date with spin master Jen Wilson or my current desire to be become overweight, but I instantly said yes.

Yes, you read that correctly. I would love nothing more than to be overweight. Rather than obese, which I am currently.

So, I found a bike at the back and adjusted my seat, once , twice three times until I felt that the saddle, pedals and handlebars aligned with my short armed, short legged and pot bellied physique.

The class was set to last 45 mins, but within 5 mins I discovered a problem, The belly that I had let return last year probably wasn’t a consideration when Matrix, the spin bike brand, designed their bikes. Every time we crouched down, I was given a reminder of why I want and need to lose fat.

Belly is going to get you at Pure Gym

Yes, I had my own built in air bag that almost devoured the bike. It wasn’t comfortable, but maybe I need to sometimes feel uncomfortable. That isn’t an invitation to fat shame me (enough of that in the last blog), but every time it hit the frame , I pedalled that little bit faster. I pushed myself a little harder.

And I end up enjoying it. It was challenging, it made me sweat and it was fun. The instructor encouraged us and he delivered what was basically a great interval training session

I will definitely make spin a weekly thing. Not least for the reason that I want to see my feet. Now, that WILL be a progress picture

Here’s to my next Friday night spin in Pure Gym

January 22, 2016 0 comment

Health Obesity

Be The Change

written by Stephen Morrison

Day 2, in my quest not to be mistaken for Santa Claus this year, was nothing to write home about and it was certainly nothing to write a blog post about.

I exceeded the recommended daily number of steps (10,000).

December 17, 2015 0 comment

Health Journey Obesity

I really don’t know what I am doing in the Gym

written by Stephen Morrison

Yarr…. I don’t know what I’m doing!

No, it isn’t Talk Like a Pirate Day, but instead it is Stephen’s first day at the gym and like Captain Horatio McAllister, in The Simpsons, I really don’t know what I am doing!

The day started well. I had breakfast (which is something that I too often miss) and I managed to resist the vending machine in my work. And when I say resist, it didn’t even cross my mind and that, on its own, warrants a wee fist pump.

Even walking past endless rows of sweet laden desks didn’t bring out the sweetie monster in me.

By 2.00pm, I was feeling hungry and prior to hitting the gym, I stopped off at my local sandwich shop and had a chicken panini. Not the best choice, but not the worst either and a lesson learned. Although I do not have a lunch break (I work part-time) I will bring food with me. Especially as it is my intention to head straight to the gym.

Which I did today and which did not go quite to plan.

I walked in and although I had spent time in it before with Teresa, I felt like a nervous child entering high school for the first time. I felt alone and I was not sure of my surroundings. I did not know where to go first and even as I entered the changing rooms, I felt like I was trespassing and the onset of a headache (more of that in a moment) did nothing to settle my nerves.

For the past four years I have ran and although I have tried many sports, I have never felt comfortable in a gym. Lack of knowledge, confidence and experience. Hopefully all three will improve as I keep going and as I enlist the help of my Personal Trainer friend Spencer Peek, who works in Pure Gym.

Hiring a PT to guide me in the first few weeks seems like the most sensible approach. I will learn what machines and weights to use and I will have a planned workout for each visit.

But, back to today. My headache became worse and I decided to just do some light cardio. I spent 30 minutes cycling and 20 minutes walking. I tried to run, but my heart was not in it and my headache was not allowing it. For a brief second I lost focus and I nearly slid off the back of the treadmill. Luckily I came to my senses and recovered before suffering any further embarrassment.

Not the best first visit to the gym, but it will not deter me and I will find a way to enjoy it.

Tonight’s dinner was a red Thai curry and I resisted crisps and sweets. I should be going to bed reasonably happy and reasonably early (for a change). However, I am a numbers man and today’s measurements reinforced my need to alter my lifestyle. Yet, again.

As expected my weight, BMI and body fat percentage were as high as they have been in four years. At 234lbs and a Body Fat Percentage of 34%, I have a long way to go.

Also worrying is my blood pressure. At 133 over 90 it is on the high side and I will need to monitor this. The only relatively encouraging measurement was my resting heart rate . At 45 beats per minute, it gives me hope that if I can reduce my blood pressure and weight, I should have a healthy heart and potentially a longer and more active life.

Tomorrow is Day 2 and my goal is to add some more fruit and vegetables to my diet.

December 14, 2015 0 comment

Health Journey Obesity

Eat, Gain, Weep and DON’T Bloody Repeat

written by Stephen Morrison

Everyone loves reading weight loss success stories.

We admire and appreciate the determination, dedication and discipline required to lose over 100 lbs.

My own story graced many publications, including this Daily Record feature. In it, I spoke of a fear that haunts me. A fear that I cannot shake and cannot stop thinking about.

That one day I will wake up and I will once again be 354lbs

It would not happen overnight, but my weight would creep up and up and I would contribute to a horrifying weight loss statistic. That only 12-14 percent of those losing over 100lbs maintain that loss.

That is right. Around 85% of the success stories you read about end up with the person regaining most, if not all, of their lost weight.

At this point you would be excused for wondering why, having left behind a depressing past, would anyone allow themselves to regain those lost pounds and reclaim those xl clothes.

Why would someone give up on their future by allowing their past to catch up with them? The answer often lies in the past.

The reason I reached the despairing depths (as opposed to dizzy heights) of morbid obesity was my unhealthy relationship with food and my even unhealthier opinion of myself.

I believed that I was worthless and in addition to excess pounds of fat, I carried too much extra baggage. I was weighed down by self doubt and by deeply buried memories of my childhood. Compared to others, my early life was not that hard and it did not lack love, but it did have an over abundance of fear and the occasional bloody nose and bruised body. I have received some counselling and I have realised that being beaten occasionally has led to a self destructing relationship with food and a downward spiral which saw me eat more, weigh more and hate myself more.

Recently, I have felt undervalued and I have struggled with events outwith my control and some problems that will not go away (especially if I do not meet them head on). I have been beating myself up and I have noticed that I have been medicating with food and mindlessly eating. As I sit here typing, my mind drifts to the the packet of French Fries crisps calling my name from the kitchen cupboard and I believe that I need and want to eat.

And then, I remember that French Fries do not talk and I am not even remotely hungry. I have adopted the habit of having a wee snack (or two or three) late at night while I blog, plan physical activity initiatives (oh, the irony) or watch non-Disney television. It is just a habit. Just like my other habit of having a wee slice (or two or three) of toast to eat when I come home from work. Just like the habit of getting the bus to work when I have been walking to and from work for the past ten months.

I have tried to lead what I think is a normal lifestyle with normal treats and I have forgotten the origin of this blog’s name.

It is not related to running. It refers to my journey. It will never end. Like so many others, I can never slow down and I certainly cannot go into reverse. Every day is a battle, but as a friend just reminded me, every day is an opportunity to be start afresh and to improve on the day before

I will make loving myself my new habit

I refuse to be a statistic. Do you?

December 8, 2015 4 comments