It's a mathematical fact - the number on the scales is the largest I've ever seen it, therefore I'm the biggest I've ever been.
Weight is something that's been a constantly evolving story for me. The numbers on those scales have been up and down more times over the years than I could write about without you becoming very bored.
During the 2020 lockdown, I really thought I'd cracked it. Loads of stuff clicked into place, I lost quite a bit of weight and I felt great. But since then, the more life has got more back to normality, the more it's crept back on, fueled by the hectic social life I thrive from and a demanding schedule which makes it easy to go for convenience over what I know is best for me.
So, like so many times before, I've put everything I lost back on, plus a bit for good measure.
The effects of this are becoming evermore obvious to me. My clothes are getting together, my pace is slowing, and it's generally playing on my mind a lot.
As I mentioned at the start, a huge chunk of my social media following is dedicated to people celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes. And I completely agree with their messages for many reasons. But for me, and for my own personal reasons, I'd like my body to change from where I am now.
So it's time to tackle it...again!
Right now, the most important target I have for myself, and the biggest thing I'm working towards, is the London Marathon on 23rd April. It will be my fourth marathon and third within 18 months, and I really really want to do it to the best of my ability. It's basic science that being lighter will make this easier. Plus, putting marathon training at the cente of what I want to achieve kind of leads all the other changes I want to make.
I know for a fact that one of the simplest changes I can make which will have the biggest impact is cutting down alcohol, something which I'm going to do almost completely. I've got two occasions coming up which I'll use to keep my motivation up for staying dry in the short term, then afterwards I'll be sober until the marathon.
Let me clarify this though. Just because I say cutting out alcohol is a simple change, I do not mean it's going to be an easy one! I love drinking, everyone who knows me knows it's a huge part of who I am and what I do. But I know that it's no good for me and it's certainly no good for marathons, so it's got to go. This is a journey I'll be documenting more as part of my training and my fundraising! So watch this space.
Aside from that, I know that achieving my targets is going to be all about planning, discipline and the support of loved ones in equal measure.
Planning and discipline are entirely on me. I know that I find it much easier when I do a weekly menu plan, for example. And I need to know when my runs are going to be taking place each week and whether there's anything I need to work around to fit the miles in, then the discipline comes with sticking to those plans and giving myself a talking to when I need it.
The next bit is crucial, because as much as I want this for me, I need people to work with me on it too!
It helps a lot that Des has got the same thoughts and targets as me, so it can be a team effort on many accounts. And I know we're both actually really looking forward to pushing ourselves to start achieving the things we want to do this year.
But Des is just one of many people I spend my time with, and I need the backing from everyone. I need cheerleaders, not sneerers when I say I'm chasing some big things this year - so I really hope people can get behind me.
So what next?
Well first and foremost, I need to bloody run. I've been terrible over the last few weeks for no real reason. So the next week weeks will be about building up the consistency ready to start building the mileage quite quickly, so that the confidence I can do it emerges before the real hard slog long-runs start.
I'm planning on putting aside for strength and conditioning training this time, too. I know the dark nights and mornings, coupled with an energetic puppy who needs loads of walks, mean it can't just be about pounding the pavements to get my exercise in. So I'll be using my gym and swim membership and trying out a few other things to get some cross-training in (hopefully) without driving myself too mad and obsessing over miles.
And of course I've got to pay a lot of attention to what I'm eating. But I know that with how my mind works, that kind of slots into place once I get to grips with the rest of it. When I'm working hard, I always want food which will fuel me to progress and make me feel good. So this week's meal plan is done and I'm even looking forward to trying some new recipes.
Here we go then.
This has been without a doubt the most honest and open blog post I've ever written. And I've written it for myself as much as anything.
2022 was amazing, I couldn't have asked for anything more. But 2023 is a new year with new targets and a refreshed sense of motivation, and I'm really excited to see what I can achieve!
