February is the new January in my blog book. Time to set my resolutions. Somehow January 1st is still too close to all that over-indulgence. Still Christmas cake left over and chocolate uneaten. Anyway I needed all of January to psych myself up for the ‘main plan’.
And the plan? Well later this year I will turn fifty. And I don’t want to be a flabby fifty. I want to be a fit fifty. I basically need to start getting fit again after a year of being pretty scared to exercise following back problems. I want to flatten the belly, re-tone the arms etc. Hand-in hand with this I plan to reduce my alcohol consumption. (That maybe the hardest bit. Not that the consumption is huge, I’ll have you know, but more than the recommended amount for a woman is easy to exceed.) Anyway the ‘Alcohol Free February’ has already folded: now reduced to ‘Alcohol Free Weekdays’ – and Friday is counted into the weekend.
So in order to get fitter I decided to start going to the gym and register again for the ‘Swimathon’ raising funds again for the Marie Curie Nursing Service. Two years ago I did the 200 length challenge (5km) but decided this year to do 100 lengths (2.5km) and have until mid-April to train. Tonight was the first swim and I did 40 lengths, but un-timed and not continuous. I am going to keep track of training on here and wonder if I can get anyone to join me. Anyone interested? ‘Swimathon’ is a country wide event, with many local pools taking part and there are a variety of options to take part in.
Anyone interested?
Links: http://www.swimathon.org/
Boadicea's Chariot 
A great idea, Nym.
And sponsoring a great cause at the same time – it’s got to be a winner. 😀
I neglected personal fitness until I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at 55. The earlier you start, the greater the benefits, I reckon.
Yes, er well, I’m not really very keen on swimming Nym, but I don’t mind the odd sponsored walk from time to time. I’ve been very bad this winter as far as keeping fit is concerned. Must try harder.
Bearsy, what do you do now to keep fit?
Never mind, Ara! We all have to find our own ‘thing’.
Nym, I find that ‘real’ gardening provides a marvellous fitness régime: not scrathing out weeds but heavy digging and raking. As Mrs J observes, it has the added advantage of keeping me out of the house.
Nym – I walk.
I don’t look good enough in my budgie-smugglers at my age to swim. 😦
Bearsy, too much information already, thank you.
I am gratified that you understood the Strine, Janus. 😆
The swim last night was in the 9-10pm slot, being the time in the day that there is lane swimming for the public. I may have to find an alternative. The late exercise had the disadvantage of making sleep pretty difficult. I struggled until 3am, lying next to a husband who was fast asleep – but then you’ll see from the previous comments I was up and about for a while in the night!
I went swimming with Techie Advisor who currently has only boardies and no budgie smugglers and a broken pair of goggles. Will need to rectify that for stream line swimming. he’s doing the 200 length challenge.
😆
Janus, I’m not doing much gardening at the mo, the weather being what it is….
At least blokes have an option other than budgie smugglers, unless you’re trying to swim in a French municipal pool. Women don’t! All snugly-fitting, clingy fabric.
Anyone going to join me? Well, I guess formally only if you live in UK, but you could join me in spirit….