Exercising

New Shoes!

Last year I was involved in a diet competition at Lawn Ranger.  Although I didn't win, I beat the two guys who I worked most closely with, Josh "Chubby Cheeks" and Jesse "I bet anyone $50 I win the whole thing" (which he didn't).  During that time I started running.  Also, during that time I had to go and have my driving licence photo taken and it showed the difference exercising can make.  Compare below...

So, big fat Derek became Bearded thinner Derek in 4 years of America.  Over the winter I have been slowly putting on weight again, and gradually the scales has gone from 235lbs (16 stone 11 or 106 kg) to 240lbs (17 stone 2 or 108 kg).  So time to start exercising again, especially now that the roads are mainly free from snow, ice and slush.

My theory of exercising is simple.  Don't do it if it hurts.  I can see from how long it took me to put on 4 or 5 lbs that my eating habits are pretty good, and I have a reasonably active job.  Why should I want to hurt myself trying to get fit?  So I gently work myself into longer and longer runs.  At my best last year I was running about 4 miles twice a week.  Without stressing myself.

Tonight I ran (and walked to avoid stress) about a mile.  It was a lot better this time than it was the first time I tried it last year.  We'll see how it all goes this time.