Well I had the fitness exercise programme today and it was good. I had a fitness test first which was similar to the bleep test except it was stepping on and off a box. My heart rate reached the 80% limit before I couldn't carry on anymore which I think is good as I can now get it fitter with some cardio.

We then moved on to the cross trainer and did 5 mins making sure to keep the pace up above (I think) 128. That was followed by some resistance training and then 5 mins on the treadmill. This consisted of 5 mins at a fast pace on an incline of 3. I then did some more resistance training and finished on the rowing machine. The aim was to row 500m to warm up and try to beat the warm-up time after I had rested.

I've been instructed to do 2 or 3 reps for each of the resistance training and to also increase either the rate or incline for the cardio to get my heart rate up to 80% of its maximum (about 180 bpm). I only did one rep for each of the resistance training exercises so feel OK today but I think Monday will be a different story!

I'll blog again then.   

This.

This for my next tattoo.

Well I had my consultation at the gym yesterday. It was really good. The guy knows what he's talking about and we discussed my goals. He said in terms of the numbers (weight, body fat percentage etc.) I'm don't need to be too concerned. I agreed and said I'm not so bothered about losing more weight (although I'd like to reach my target of 12 stone), I'm more interested in losing fat. He said that he gets results with people going two or three times a week and that, for good or bad, I won't be in the gym for very long as the workout regime will be fairly intense. This suits me as I think I'll be more likely to stick at it if I go three times a week and don't have to be in there for hours at a time.

Tomorrow he's going to do a fitness test and go through the exercise programme with me so I'll blog again after to that with how I got on.

So I finally saw a headache specialist today. He said that they were cluster headaches. We had a chat about where to go from here. He said he'll write a letter to my GP outlining the medication I need to be prescribed (steroids and Varapamil) as well as the injections being essential for if/when I get the headaches. He said that the injections are a last resort and they should be able to find the right combination of drugs that means I'll be able to live normally if/when I have another cluster.

Although it's still a bit up in the air, I feel better having spoken to someone who knows what they are talking about.

OK, time for a confession. My name is Ascendant Justice and I hate the way I look. There, I've said it. I've never been happy with the way I look. I know everyone has hang-ups about their bodies but there are things (like going to the beach) that I will specifically avoid. I don't really care who's to 'blame' (media etc), all I care about is becoming happy(er) with myself. I am happier than I was two years ago as I've lost around 4.5 stone and my weight is now in the normal range; but I still wouldn't be happy, for example, taking my shirt off in front of other people.

I saw a picture on (I think) failblog or the like that said “Life has no remote control. You have to get up and change it yourself”. It sounds clichéd but it is true. If I'm not happy with the way I look then I'm the only one who's going to be able to change it. About this time last year I joined the gym at uni. I did go regularly but I stuck to mainly the treadmill and cross trainers and didn't really get anywhere. I did the same things and not only was it boring but I didn't really see any progress, so I stopped. I've joined again now with a renewed determination. What is different this time? I've recently become single and although I have no intention of getting into a relationship soon, I wouldn't be happy with someone else seeing my body. I've got the time to sort it out before that happens and so I'm going to make the most of it. I succeeded with the weight loss when at first I didn't think I could, so this won't be any different. First thing to do is pay £10 for a fitness programme. That way I can specify my goals and the fitness instructors will design a programme to achieve those goals. I've taken various measurements so I can compare my progress in a months time. That way I'll be able to see if what I'm doing is working.

Vital statistics:

39” - chest

38” – waist (belly button)

22” - thigh

11.5” – arm     

And this.

Supernatural Convention
Star Trek

This.

(no copyright infringement intended)