Day 2 of our 'step challenge' and hey that was hard work - I am well out of condition and have had to really push myself today.  I did start well and walked to work but I stayed in over lunch time and then because I worked until 7pm and had a Chinese Meal waiting at home for me - I took a lift home.......

So after enjoying my meal and Eastenders (life seems so good after some of those stories) and failing to persuade Alex or Robert to join me for a walk I set out.  After two rounds of the park - lovely ducks, anglers, families, couples, individuals I was not close to my 10000 target......so off I went through the other Beckton Park - very nice too but I was getting tired.....home seemed to be calling me.

Eventually - over an hour later I did it....over 11 thousand steps - yippee!!!

Still this walk got me really thinking - quite a philosopher am I....and I realise how lonely a long walk can be on your own.......I don't notice the distance half as much if I walk with someone I like to be with!

Now life is like that - how much we can lighten each other's burdens and share each other's challenges just by 'walking alongside' each other for support....now sometimes it is good to be on one's own but often a good friend alongside is such a relief.

So here's to tomorrow - more stepping and of course more thinking!

Well, well day one of our pedometer/stepping/walking team challenge and guess what?  I overslept - now that is hard for me since I listen to LBC overnight all night - on and off - and normally I am wide awake by 6:30 and ready to go.........but not today - I slept until 7:50.

Now the point of writing about this is to say that this could have been a fine excuse why I could not possibly walk to work - after all - hadn't I planned to be in the office by 8am?  However, I know myself well and I knew I had to push myself to walk and therefore get my challenge started.....I still got in just before 9am and although late for me this was absolutely fine - I never get away from work at 5!!!

So how did I do today?  Well up until now - at 7:25pm - 11275 steps - and I am happy!!!!

So okay I could have done even better - could have walked to and from the Credon Centre in Plaistow for the Flu Planning Meeting - but did you feel how airless the atmosphere was today? - and did I want to be smelly and sweaty by the time I arrived? - and I don't want to overdo my effort so that tomorrow I am overtired do I?

Talk to you tomorrow.......bye for now.

It's Sunday and I have enjoyed a lovely relaxing, pressure free week-end so I am ready to start the pedometer challenge tomorrow morning.......first change is to get up earlier - so that I can walk to work and still get in at 8am.....

Making changes can be challenging and I have been listening to LBC talking about the 'stuff' in Michael Jackson's life story.  This made me think about the 'stuff' in our everyday that can distract from meeting changes and challenges....like the times I have allowed myself to be annoyed, upset or just distracted by something said, heard or done and that can spoil so easily any resolve for change.

For this 2 weeks I need to focus on increasing exercise and learning what it means to be consistent in that exercise.

I will use visual inspiration as I imagine how I will feel better and look fitter after the two weeks.  Of course you and I know that to start a challenge for 2 weeks and then forget it I will relapse to old habits of resting when I should be walking.  I fully intend to use this period of team challenge to kick start me into better healthier living.

As a Christian I believe that not only physical health is important but for my whole health I need also to focus on mental health and spiritual health.  When I walk to improve my health and fitness levels I also find it refreshing to the mind - I feel better mentally - a walk can clear the mind of anything that could nag or worry me.  Spiritually I want to feel closer to God and if I make more of an effort to focus on wellbeing I will feel better and more fulfilled.

So here goes - and this time no excuses!!   

Now today is 26th June and I have been avoiding this SHAPEUP blog because I am ashamed that I have not been sharing up - rather shaping out with chocolate and all things nice but bad!!!!

Work is better than it has been in ages...that does not mean easy or without challenge but it is good - real support - a good team and loads of variety in terms of tasks and people!!!   So why am I not serious enough about shaping up?

An addictive nature is a real draw back in life - I am just addicted to chocolate and sweets......and caramel shortcake and anything dipped in chocolate - need I go on?  Do you understand?

Now some folks just say they are overweight because they love food - but I can pass on food for a large part of the day and then go mad on wrong things......this is seriously bad for my shape.

So since Fridah and Preeti at work have really taken to walking to work, from work and everywhere and stepping up the distances walked I am getting serious.

I have collected some pedometers for a team challenge between our HR team and our Public Health No Smoking Team - and we start on Monday to clock up a daily individual total of 10k steps.......for a period of 2 weeks!  Now I love to win....so here goes.  I am now in serious training for Monday and have clocked up over 10k steps yesterday and again today.

So Monday I will get up and organised earlier than normal and walk to work - then walk back from work.........and have a walk each evening too.  The good thing is that Alexandra and Robert are inspired to join in too - well they may not go for the 10k but they will set out to improve the exercise they do now......so it is a family affair at work and home! 

I will be recording this venture so look out for more each day.......bye for now.