Weight Watchers

[Diane65]

It gave me a lovely warm feeling seeing us all back together again (I used my harassment skills rather than creative to get MrG back)
Sorry to hear that you are unwell ejwrank - hope that you feel better very soon.

You gentlemen deserve to be applauded with your exercise regimes and well done to asamaic for commiting to a run. Ate on the run tonight as I didn't work last Tuesday afternoon (the place was shut) had to fit in all the patients hence no break. Tomorrow will be a similar story as need to take a plumber around to my Mum's to sort out a half done bathroom (not the plumbers fault he is seeing what he can do after a family member left in the middle of doing the job 2 months ago) after work and before I go to a meeting. Thursday should be good.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Well, I thought not to elaborate that your tap on my shoulder was more of a large heavy handbag that missed the back of my head but you're right, it is a lovely warm feeling to be together again. I am feeling a flood of nostalgia sweeping over me too :)

And oh my, I tracked back to how it all started...well when I start coming on here at least which was not that long after the thread started...back on 8th October 2009! My first post was about walking to work and I had just started a journey of knowledge in health and fitness. I was obese at the time, 120 kg (19 stones). Along that journey, everyone here fed positivity from each other and all of us had successes in different ways and when we have disappointment in ourselves, we had each other to ride through it with positive outlooks and advice. Through the encouragement and togetherness of our group here, I achieved my goals and became somewhat of an athlete at my peak 4 years ago, clocking sub 2 hour half marathons, becoming a rather good squash player and a fast bowler in cricket. I even became a fitness trainer (not in practice anymore) and a squash coach (which I still do). This group helped me reach a glorious peak, that I will always be proud of and thankful for. There are so many many others in the past with a tale of success. It makes me happy to see this still going right this moment for everyone else here in this current and spirited generation :)

But guess who was there from the start, when I came to tell my story of how I was trying on a new jacket in a store and not even a XXL was fitting me, a moment of realisation that I was not the thin guy I deludely saw in the mirror everyday. Guess who was there giving encouragement for my thoughts on what I should do next. yep, Diane. And guess who seven years later, wished me a happy new year...and then abruptly tells me to get my ass back on here...yep Diane :) And pretty much everyone here would probably say the same. And while many including myself had come and gone (whom all will always be treasured for their contributions and sharing of their journeys), Diane remains a constant, throughout, just pick any random page on this epic thread and you will see at least one post from her...Its ok to take a break, you know But special mentions for EJ, Valda and Preston, for also still carrying the light of this thread and also to Clarebarr, Asamaic, jojojoane too (forgive me if I left anyone out which I am sure I have as I have not been on here for so long)...you guys seem like a constant light too from when you all began posting!

And to everyone else that come and go, every little contribution helps each other. Really does, we're all grateful. It was fun. And thanks to Preston's orange squash, it continues to be fun and always will be!



So what is everyone's MATERIAL target? Mine is getting back to Division One in squash. To get there, I need to lose a great deal of body fat that I had accumulated for too long. To lose that body fat, I need to get back to eating healthier food. Splitting the meals. Hit the gym and do more balanced combo of resistance and cardio work. 4-5 times a week. I will go for a body fat calibre measurement for the reality hit. Mind you, I am being active and making progress but I need to be more orderly.

Also, sleep well everyone. Its important to get your 7 hours minimum sleep so the body can repair the body form all the exercise done, re-enforce it so that the body becomes a more efficient machine to deal with the physical impacts of the exercise you exposed it to, and to prime itself for the challenges ahead....all of that happens when you sleep and....what the hell, its 2am! So much for preaching...good night...!

[Diane65]

Oh wow I didn't realise that I had being going on for some many years thanks for being so lovely about me Mr Glass
Basically you have got me as a lifelong friend. I still miss MissThrifty on here. You are a fabulous bunch of people that I feel privileged to know and lucky enough to have met quite a few of you in real life too. Have a good day everyone

[ClareBarr]

What a fab group this is, I'm pleased I'm back to join you all :) I must say I've never managed to meet anyone on fmuk...does anyone on here live near Croydon? Where are you all based?

I'm up mega early (for me!) today, off to Boots as their 70% off sale starts today, then to Card Factory as they're selling their Christmas wrapping paper at 6 rolls for £1. I've almost got all my birthday/Christmas gifts sorted for the whole year, after today it should be done!

Will be good to get out early & stretch my legs, might treat myself to a porridge in McDonald's afterwards, after all my bargain efforts :)

Have a good day everyone,
Clare x

[Sunny Saver]

Oh wow I didn't realise that I had being going on for some many years thanks for being so lovely about me Mr Glass
Basically you have got me as a lifelong friend. I still miss MissThrifty on here. You are a fabulous bunch of people that I feel privileged to know and lucky enough to have met quite a few of you in real life too. Have a good day everyone

Where is MsThrifty? Did she move or does she no longer attend screenings?

[ejwrank]

Afraid dear Ms Thrifty is no longer on FMUK. A real shame as I so much enjoyed her contributions -- so lovely.

[Sunny Saver]

She was very lovely. I remember she gave me tickets to Neil Diamond one and I told her I'd ask him to dedicate a certain song just for her. I'm sure you'll know which one I mean!

[asamaic]

Live, work and play in London proper, ClareBarr. I've always been reasonably central.

Diane65 I met briefly many years ago at the first London FMUKCON and I remember her being very thin and pretty indeed and wondering what she was doing on this thread! I think that's it as far as the WWers go - but I've met cheerleaders ejwrank and Sunny Saver too at film screenings. Back when I had time for film screenings, that is!

Which reminds me... I need to set up my Unlimited card. Decided to treat myself through a corporate code and I have 3 months to finish setting up it.

TheyCallMeMrGlass, I guess my big goal is to get my running time down to 35 minutes again and to start tail running when I do. I don't feel competent enough to do it at the moment, but as I slowly gain more mobility in my knee and ankle, I hope to be that person bringing up the rear. I wouldn't have started running at all if there wasn't a tail runner. I volunteer regularly doing pretty much everything else, but that is one voluntary role I think is so important for helping newbies find their motivation.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

TheyCallMeMrGlass, I guess my big goal is to get my running time down to 35 minutes again and to start tail running when I do. I don't feel competent enough to do it at the moment, but as I slowly gain more mobility in my knee and ankle, I hope to be that person bringing up the rear. I wouldn't have started running at all if there wasn't a tail runner. I volunteer regularly doing pretty much everything else, but that is one voluntary role I think is so important for helping newbies find their motivation.

Well done, great target! I assume this is the 5km Park Run on Saturday mornings? What a great scheme. I use to run this regularly up to a couple years ago until my squash coaching sessions clashed. It started in Bushey Park in Kingston 11 years and now is all over the wold. Wherever any of you are, chances are there is a parkrun at your local park. Its free for everyone and its a wonderful vibe to regularly run with many people of different abilities around you. At least 100 people take part (in Bushey Park, 1000!) every week. You also get timed and included in weekly global stats and rankings. Volunteer photographers would take pictures of runners and all go up on the website for you to spot yourself in action :)

As for Miss Thrifty, she was an epic walker! Back in the heyday of my cinema going with fmukers (I am still a huge cinema goer but with my own unlimited movie pass), Miss Thrifty was lovely and fun to talk to. I hope she is well and continuing to enjoy life. Its understandable to disappear from forums, I've done so. Forums can burn you out at times, at least with me. But then we can return fresh, so maybe Miss Thrifty will someday, and when she does will get lots of hugs.


So tonight I am going to see a Chinese film called Railroad Tigers Leicester Square. Its 4.5 miles away from home but I will run 3.5 miles to a leisure centre that is on the route, do some resistance work, shower, then continue with a leisurely 1 mile walk to the cinema. I own a UK Gym membership pass, so there are many gyms all around London that I can go to and most are conveniently located near or en-route to Cineworld cinemas (for which I have an unlimited pass) or my club societies, and work places. Whenever I can walk or jog or run to a place of leisure/work, I would do so. For some of you, when going to work, consider walking cycling or if too far, public transport part of the way and walk the rest. This gets your body active without having to set aside extra time...so its time efficient.

Anymore "material" targets? Its all well to want to lose body fat or maintain a healthy lifestyle but it helps to have a material target such as asaimic's run time, or fit into your favourite dress for an event or to achieve a physical goal activity, perhaps learning a new dance requiring agility etc. I would always use the term body fat loss btw as weight loss is not really what any of us want because that would include water which misleads us. Worse, weight loss might include muscle, which we DONT want to lose...if anything we want to gain weight on to make our bodies more efficient and strong to do everyday activities.

[Diane65]

You are very complimentary asamaic (I have put on 2 stone since then ). I too remember you at the first meet up being slim and attractive. And the lovely Greece doing those workouts on YouTube. I am loving reading all your journeys.