Back in 2000 I remember taking the 'Holy toledo' test as set out by Dr Bob Glover - an expert in all things relating to fitness in particular marathon running. A painful process that requires you to look at yourself in the mirror (literally) and analyse your physique and how well suited you are to covering the 26.2 miles. Surprisingly I shouted the words as he would have wished - it's fair to say I didn't like what I saw. This led to an amazing process which was enlightening, spiritual and most of all physically transformative. In the year 2001 I completed a marathon, a half-marathon, two 10km's and two 5km runs. I had turned back the clock to get close to the times I was running in my late teens....'Holy Toledo' back at you Dr Bob!
Ten years on however and I find myself in the same boat (which appears to be sinking fast given my love of saturated food and excess lifestyle especially when Arsenal play at home!).
This sinking feeling comes in the form of my unsympathetic A2 group. Not only quick on the field of play, but quick to remind me of my lack of hair and unsporting physique which is more akin to a champion pie eater than a marathon runner!
They have talked me into doing a round of fitness testing at the start of a development plan which in hindsight only fuelled their transition into part-time comedians (their jokes are nearly as funny as the coursework they produced last year!). I hit the scales hard and put serious strain on the calipers, my weight and skin-fold results may have Dr Bob creating a new test which could be called the 'Flippin' heck' or 'Blimey-Riley...save the scales' test...I think he would be seriously unimpressed.
To make things worse my A-level students were coming in as super-light featherweights unable to pinch a couple of millimetres of skin around the abdomen and a body mass reading to die for - I realised I was in big trouble as I was more likely to die from heart related issues. Jolted by the prospect of being saved by a CPR machine, I finally accepted that with a slower metabolism due to the ageing process and poor exercise levels I needed to take drastic action to overcome this 'big' problem.
That action comes in a challenge of doing the development plan with the group - a minimum of 16 weeks on the road and gym in an effort to change the future. Do I want to be a burden to the health system and my family? 'Run fat boy run' are the facebook taunts as I try to rally support for my newly found motivation.
The real motivation however comes in the form of the Olympic games, the Olympic dream and everything it stands for.
My gold medals await - Weight loss, quicker metabolism, lower rating heart rate, lower BMI readings, getting into that large t-shirt I was given as a present six years ago, squeezing into those 33" waist jeans purchased from Gap back after completing the London Marathon in 2001...the dream lives on!
Wow! I now have a hatful of Gold medals to go with the inevitable triple plateful at my next seating at Christmas dinner - my guilt free gold medal really does await......
Monday, 20 September 2010
Thursday, 16 September 2010
And they're off! AS students make a great start.....
As we approach the end of week two, it is fair to say that you have made a great start! The best thing is the amount you have taught me...I am suddenly an expert in high cholesterol, diabetes (I think!), and metabolic syndrome. I need to practice what I preach!
Although it took ten minutes, Abdi came up with the goods explaining in detail the differences between LDL's, HDL's and the links to CHD and obesity levels. We have acknowledged for some time that the UK has high levels in all of these contemporary concerns but the arguement regarding prevention rather than cure rumbles on as we can't agree on the solutions.
However, if you think we have problems then check this out. I would never have guessed that Finland has one of the highest global cholesterol levels. All of a sudden it makes sense! I'm sure I read years ago that cereals...yes cereals (high salt and sugar content) were banned in some Scandanavian countries in an effort to reduce the level of heart related illness. I never really had true faith in this flimsy fact but now I have real evidence to suggest I was talking sense all the time. Can someone please put me of my misery and confirm its true!
To make the fact more dramatic, I go on to compare the troubles of Finland to Japan which I know is one the healthiest countries in the world. All the sushi and the natural oils found in fish no doubt contributes to the low levels of visceral fat which accounts for a significant proprotion of heart related fatilities in the Western world. Once combined with good activity patterns you get a recipe for a healthy and active lifestyle which leads to a 'Healthy Nation' where life is sweet and less troublesome as the population becomes older - I am experiencing this at the moment as I like to think I'm aging gracefully!!
Now if I'm honest about it, I always think I need to do more as I fit the bill when it comes to the stereo-typical non-participant giving all the reasons in the world for not taking part. I blame a lack of fitness, resources and time but could I do more? The answer is a loud YES! I don't doubt my ability to maintain my fitness once I get going but getting started is so difficult. I have however given myself four weeks to get out and blow away the fitness cob-webs so if you see me munching away on a chocolate bar or juicy piece of cake (or both at the same time), just do me a favour - grab it and throw it away. (nb. please replace with fruit! If you bring it in, I promise to eat it!!!!).
Now for the real issue. As I said earlier we can't agree on the solutions to our national health problems in the UK. So can we learn from Japan and Finland? Would banning certain foods help? We know that combining regular excercise with a balanced diet will reduce obesity and CHD levels but what is stopping us from doing it? I love sport yet I don't do any so why would people who hate exercise take part?
The lasting problem is an aging population who think little of enjoying their elderly years instead left to deal with the excesses of yesteryear which undoubtedly puts a strain on our health service. Surely the money should be pumped into schools and clubs to get us all up and out from a young age...it happens in Australia so why can't we do it?
Given the power though i.e. if you were Prime Minister, what would you do? Save people from themselves at a younger age or invest money into making life comfortable when it's too late.
Maybe the Olympics of 2012 is the start we need to start building a legacy as a globaly perceived 'Healthy nation'.
Sources:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/high_cholesterol/article_em.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp
http://www.springerlink.com/content/b011711g64k05142/
Although it took ten minutes, Abdi came up with the goods explaining in detail the differences between LDL's, HDL's and the links to CHD and obesity levels. We have acknowledged for some time that the UK has high levels in all of these contemporary concerns but the arguement regarding prevention rather than cure rumbles on as we can't agree on the solutions.
However, if you think we have problems then check this out. I would never have guessed that Finland has one of the highest global cholesterol levels. All of a sudden it makes sense! I'm sure I read years ago that cereals...yes cereals (high salt and sugar content) were banned in some Scandanavian countries in an effort to reduce the level of heart related illness. I never really had true faith in this flimsy fact but now I have real evidence to suggest I was talking sense all the time. Can someone please put me of my misery and confirm its true!
To make the fact more dramatic, I go on to compare the troubles of Finland to Japan which I know is one the healthiest countries in the world. All the sushi and the natural oils found in fish no doubt contributes to the low levels of visceral fat which accounts for a significant proprotion of heart related fatilities in the Western world. Once combined with good activity patterns you get a recipe for a healthy and active lifestyle which leads to a 'Healthy Nation' where life is sweet and less troublesome as the population becomes older - I am experiencing this at the moment as I like to think I'm aging gracefully!!
Now if I'm honest about it, I always think I need to do more as I fit the bill when it comes to the stereo-typical non-participant giving all the reasons in the world for not taking part. I blame a lack of fitness, resources and time but could I do more? The answer is a loud YES! I don't doubt my ability to maintain my fitness once I get going but getting started is so difficult. I have however given myself four weeks to get out and blow away the fitness cob-webs so if you see me munching away on a chocolate bar or juicy piece of cake (or both at the same time), just do me a favour - grab it and throw it away. (nb. please replace with fruit! If you bring it in, I promise to eat it!!!!).
Now for the real issue. As I said earlier we can't agree on the solutions to our national health problems in the UK. So can we learn from Japan and Finland? Would banning certain foods help? We know that combining regular excercise with a balanced diet will reduce obesity and CHD levels but what is stopping us from doing it? I love sport yet I don't do any so why would people who hate exercise take part?
The lasting problem is an aging population who think little of enjoying their elderly years instead left to deal with the excesses of yesteryear which undoubtedly puts a strain on our health service. Surely the money should be pumped into schools and clubs to get us all up and out from a young age...it happens in Australia so why can't we do it?
Given the power though i.e. if you were Prime Minister, what would you do? Save people from themselves at a younger age or invest money into making life comfortable when it's too late.
Maybe the Olympics of 2012 is the start we need to start building a legacy as a globaly perceived 'Healthy nation'.
Sources:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/high_cholesterol/article_em.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp
http://www.springerlink.com/content/b011711g64k05142/
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