Post 21

Going well this week, even though I am starting to feel like I have a bit of a cold coming through a niggly cough that seems to get worse at night. I am hoping that I can simply work through it and it won't stick around too long.

I have managed to get to the gym every morning this week and focus has been on cardio with an increase in speed and intensity plus a little heavier weights, however I am not seeing any movement on the scales (in fact I think it has gone the opposite way a little).

I spoke to the personal trainer at the gym about this today and he suggested that as I have been increasing the cardio and weight activity, this might be building core strength and working my lungs which builds the overall fitness level but for fat burning I need to work on a less intense activity that works at more like 60% of max heart rate rather than 80%+ where I have been working at and lighter weights with more reps might help produce the desired results.

I will therefore try and go for slower, longer sessions next week and see what the difference is.

I have noticed that by increasing the work rate in the gym I have felt my energy levels drop off a little in the afternoon too, so I have been eating some granola and fruit bars mid afternoon and that seems to have helped.

I took the tape measure to my body last night to see what had changed and found some positive results;

Body Part Start Now

Neck 17.5 16.75

Chest 48.5 45

Waist 44.5 42

Arm R 14 14

Arm L 13.5 13.5

Leg R 22 22

Leg L 24 22.5

Total Lost 8.25 in

I am surprised that my left leg has reduced in size rather then the right increasing but I guess that must mean that it had a bit more flab than muscle compared to the right!