February Health Reset

[Sandie1961]

I really don’t do New Year Resolutions! January is such a dismal month anyway that why make it even worse? So, if I want to do something “improving” I tend to go for February with its promise of Spring being on the way (it also has the advantage of being 3 days shorter than January 😂). The last 2 years I’ve done RED Feb but this year I was going to give it a miss, as I’d snuffled and coughed my way through January and my mojo had fled! Then Shake-and-run messaged me to say she’d signed up for 100k in Feb for Dementia UK and would I like to give some moral support (virtually since we live almost 100 miles apart). A bit reluctant, but said I would, although not officially, having already done a fundraiser for Dementia UK last year. I already run 3 times a week so reckoned I could achieve it by adding 2 more 5k runs a week and if I didn’t make it, nobody was losing out.

Then I got a text from my GP practice inviting me for a health check, so it was “in for a penny…” and I booked an appointment on Monday (24th Feb) and made a plan to tackle my unhealthy habits. On top of the running challenge, I added Dry February, high protein diet (800 cals x 2 weeks, 1200 cals x 2 weeks), drinking more water and walking more (helped by the fact we were looking after our neighbours’ dog when they both sadly ended up in hospital).

Well, to say I am amazed by the results would be a total understatement, I didn’t find it difficult and I achieved all my goals. In a nutshell:

Recorded Runs - 104km (18 runs)

Recorded walks - 73.2km (23 days)

Weight lost - 12lbs

Alcohol consumed - zero 😳

Parkrun times - 3 consecutive fastest this year and improved from 36.00 to 32.45

Garmin Training Status - Productive for the whole month with Peaking on 26th and 28th (never happened before)! VO2max - increased from 39 to 42

Garmin Badges earned - 8

Blood pressure - improved from 138/88 to 120/80 (other results of health check still to come!)

I found something that has really worked and my mojo is back 😃 It might not work for you, but it goes to show how some relatively minor changes can make a big difference. A big thank you to Shakes for the kick up the backside xx

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

That is truly amazing Sandie1961 . The evidence is clear and you feel so much better for it. My weight has been creeping up over the winter months and I’m sure it’s down to more than usual glasses of white wine while huddled on the sofa and lethargy with colds and bad weather.

Keep up the good work and you will have a fantastic run at the Monsal Trail in April.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. It really is so easy to let things slip, almost without realising. I know you’ll be back on it and the better weather will get you out again - 5 weeks to Monsal 👏🏻👏🏻

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Wow Sandie, that's so good, and very inspiring

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sue. Setting it out like that really brings it home how far I’ve come in just a month 😃

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes it does

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

That is so impressive! To take on all these challenges at once and smash them. You must be feeling so proud of yourself (and of course a lot healthier!!)

Well done

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I am feeling incredibly proud of myself (and hopefully will be able to bat off any suggestion of starting on statins 😂)

[Katnap Graduate10]

Woohoo 🎉 That's fantastic Sandie1961

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[lexi6 Graduate10]

What incredible results Sandie1961 you must be so proud of yourself, what fabulous discipline to achieve all that. I can't wait to catch up with you at Monsal - not literally of course 😂 not with those stats!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Now that all depends on what you do to ambush me the week before 😂😂

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

🍔🍟🥂🍷🍺🍰 can but try 😅

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

😂🤣😂

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Wow Sandie, that really has made a big difference and that little fellow needs a big bit of fuss for helping out! Even if you slip up a bit when you’re on hols, at least you know how to get back into it again.

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Fabulous Sandie! That sounds truly amazing, well done. I have to ask how you managed to make 800 cals a day feel like a minor challenge though? And how you did that much exercise on 800 calories a day. Or have I misunderstood?

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

It’s quite surprising how much food makes up a 400 calorie meal if you go low fat, low carb! Then 150 for breakfast and 250 for lunch. I almost always run any distance less than 10k on an empty stomach too, so that wasn’t too hard.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

That is an amazing turn around Sandie; lots of determination gone into that! I had the statins fight two years ago at my annual MOT. The nurse said that I was at an age when taking statins was normal! I asked what they would do for me. Answer; good for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. I gently pointed out that she had measured both, and the levels were fine. She seemed a bit put out as in “well you don’t have to have them if you don’t want to” so I did a follow up phone appointment with someone more senior…result….it was agreed that I didn’t need statins at all!

Have a great time running the Monsal trail and meeting up with friends; you have earned it! Lovely dog pic by the way; they keep us going out of the door don’t they 🙂

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC and happy (slightly belated) birthday. The nurse said I would probably be given the option of statins depending on my cholesterol results, but I politely declined!

Isn’t he just cuteness personified? Sadly gone back home now as we are on the way to Spain in the motorhome. He’s benefitted too - much fitter than a month ago with 5k of brisk walking a day, rather than the 1 - 1.5k slow poddle he used to get with his 88 year old owner.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Molly will be dog age 91 in June, but nobody has told her that. Still acting like a puppy. If we over walk her one day, she just has rest on the day following if she needs it (her decision).

That dog’s face is just plain cheeky!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Ah, age is all in the mind (well perhaps not ALL) 😂 We are missing that cheeky little face, but, equally, after almost a month of him lodging with us, we realise we’re not ready for full time dog ownership again!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

We have agreed that Molly will be our last….not enough active human years left in us!🙂

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hopefully she’s got a few more years left in her. I still miss having a dog, but equally they are very tying (not to mention how much extra house cleaning is needed 😂)

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

You are a super star for achieving all these goals in what has been a rather dreary month with a full range of unpleasant weather to discourage anyone from venturing out. Sounds like you have found a formula that works really well for you. I hope you are enjoying a nice glass of vino to celebrate xxxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks to you Shakes 😙 I must admit, I did enjoy a G&T last night. Mind you, Gordon’s 0% is very nice, especially the pink one. I’m going to continue buying it!

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10]

Motivation is such a powerful tool and you've found it. Enjoy the benefits of your successful month. 🙂

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thank you ☺️ Stubbornness is pretty handy too 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Simply incredible Sandie! Wow, what a difference all that made; I’m not surprised your mojo is back. I see a sub 30 PR in your future, surely? Can’t wait for Monsal Trail. Not long now. 😀 🦋🦋🦋

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky. I can’t see me getting back to sub 30 tbh, but I am definitely looking to beat last year’s time at Monsal. To be fair though, I don’t really mind what time I do because it is going to be such a brilliant weekend 😃

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I wouldn’t be surprised if you did tbh, so let’s see!

Oh me too about Monsal Trail. I’m beyond excited for the weekend, and I’d be happy to walk the lot if it means having a good chinwag! 😅