Best advice: Exercise and be a little bit more aware of what and how much you eat. Small changes make a big difference.
I used to play a lot of sport - soccer, cricket and some golf - but as I got older, I did less and started to put on a bit of weight. My job isn't particularly physically demanding. I spend much of my day sat at the computer or in my car so the pounds gradually piled on.
Last year, I did a story on a professor from the Sports Department at Aberystwyth University who was working on calorie walking maps. He told me that walking burns the same amount of calories as running over the same distance. So whether you walk a mile or run a mile, you burn the same amount of calories.
I always saw jogging or running as 'exercise' and was never keen on that but I enjoy walking and find it quite relaxing, especially with such beautiful countryside all around me. The idea of burning of calories while doing something I really enjoy was quite appealing!
One thing I realised is that only you can decide to change your habits and do something like this so I decided to start going for a walk as part of my daily routine, in the morning before work. There aren't as many distractions I could use as an excuse not to go in the mornings, so I just got up and went!
I walked two and a half miles each day and it took about 45 minutes. I'd then come home, have breakfast and go off to work. I found the time to myself whilst walking helped me to plan my day and sharpen my mind, ready for the day ahead.
After a few weeks of walking I found the pounds were starting to come off. It started me thinking not just about the calories I was burning off but a bit more about my diet too. One sort of fed the other, so to speak. It made sense that if I was going to put effort into burning the calories off I should put some effort into making sure I didn't take in too many calories in the first place.
I started making healthier food choices and looking at my portion sizes. I know I'm my own referee as far as food goes. If I cheat, I'm only cheating myself!
I've lost two and a half stone over the past year, just by watching what I eat and making something I enjoy a part of my daily routine.
I had sciatica recently and had to stop my walks for a few months I really missed it and put a few pounds back on but now I'm back walking and I know I can shift those few pounds again. I'm looking forward once more to my early morning walks!
your comments
chrissy southward
nice to finally put a face to the name! hope to see you at the wedding! x
Tue Jun 9 09:30:33 2009
Helena Meredith, Cierpisz scotland
Hi cousin John. At least we look alike. Saw your great loss. As I am a fitness health instructor you have done well, keep up the good work.
Tue Oct 30 08:17:04 2007
Ron Meredith Brisbane. Australia.
Hi I accidently found your site. I'm 65 and walk daily about 5 km and continue to work around home painting gardening, mechanical work or whatever needs to be done. I'm the same weight now as when I was in my 20s. I saw the story of John Meredith of Aberystwyth, where I was born and emigrated to Australia in 1960. John Meredith is possibly a relative of mine.
Thanks for your comments Ron. We've passed your message on to John - Mid Wales Web Team.
Wed May 4 02:06:48 2005
Rod Jones from Lixwm, North East Wales
Tomas llewelyn Barrett wanted to know about areas in Aberystwyth to exercise.
In my experience (former student) the daily walk from the sea-front up Penglais Hill worked wonders. Not to mention the invigorating walks along the sea front itself and up Constitution Hill and Pen Dinas (two hills that guard Aberystwyth like sentinals to the North and South of the town).
However, since it's 13 years since I left Aberystwyth, and I have become tied to the office and the car, my fitness has suffered and my weight increased. I have balooned up to 15st 9lbs which at 5'9'' is a "bit of a size".
Luckily my best mate is so worried about my health he's bet me £100 that I can't lose 2 stone in 6 months. I am so tight fisted that I will prove him wrong.
Current tactics are just eating more sensible meals (salads at lunch times), slightly increasing my exercise (tennis and walking) and trying to eliminate snacks between meals altogether.
I have managed to lose 5lbs in the first week but the first week is always the easiest. I am looking to go under 15 stone as my first milestone - that'll be the lightest I've been for over a year if i manage it.
The big danger for me and my weight is binge drinking and the snacking that goes with it ,something I also perfected whilst in Aberystwyth, but when you're heading for middle age and not exercising enough, the body becomes the victim!
Sat Jul 31 11:22:23 2004
Tomas Llewelyn Barrett from Cardiff
I think it's a brilliant idea, i am due to attend Aberystwyth University in September. Any nice areas in which you can go running e.g. picturesque areas like mountains or fields?
Wed Jun 16 15:10:00 2004
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