progress report jan 07
Fixed Gear Exercises
There are so many of these at first I didn’t know where to start. So I thought I’d build on the ones that I sort of do a little bit. This month I have been alternating which foot goes on the ground and getting out of the habit of always putting my left foot down. That way I don’t wear out the cleats unevenly either.
I have also been working on slowing down the bike with my legs especially when I’m going slowly anyway. This gives one a better connection with the bike and brings one even closer to the coveted trackstand.
And pulling up of course as a means to turn the pedals rather than pushing down. I can now reserve that for when I really need that power boost, like quickly making it through the lights or dashing around Hyde Park Corner.
Mula bandha at the traffic lights
I’m pretty much there with this one. Not just at the lights but just anytime I have to stop pedalling and put my foot on the ground and stop. I had always wanted to find a way to try to implement this into my life and all I had to do was to do what I tell my students to do. Practice what you preach and all that.
Minimum of a 100 miles a week on my bike
Not there with this one. I managed my usual 60 miles or so and got up to 80 miles one week. But as I didn’t do any rides down into Kent I wasn’t able to put those extra miles on the clock.
A yoga course for the drop-in classes I teach
Haven’t really thought about this one. With one client I have suggested the idea that we review the whole thing every 6 weeks or so and replace one posture that seems easy with a more difficult one and they liked the idea. After all, we all want to make progress.
Press-ups and sit-ups upon rising
I am totally there with this one too. I am up to 20 press ups. Which may not seem a lot, but try it in totally strict form and first thing in the morning, seconds after you are out of bed. I could barely do 10 a month ago.
I started with leg raises at the top of the stairs, but have moved on to doing back arch sit ups over the fit ball. I have to be careful I don’t get another hernia! So I do them very carefully and strictly. I can just about do 10.
I have to start thinking about TUL or time under load, as that is what counts rather than reps. I did some research on it last year but didn’t get round to testing my findings.
Meditation
Been a bit hit and miss with this one, especially after doing a bit through December. There is no regular slot. I think that’s the main reason that it gets missed. I do the morning pages every day, but that is because there is a slot for them.
My own yoga practice – one class, one alone
Well I have been practising on my own and that has been lovely, but haven’t been to any classes. I have shed one class, teaching that is, so that I can devote more time to the web design.
Diet – 5 a day, etc
Going very well indeed. I have lost about 2 kilos and on course for getting to my target weight of just under 60kg. So another couple of months of eating like this ought to do it. I’m surprised that I haven’t had any cravings such as sausages, pork pies or cakes. Strange.
I have been monitoring my water intake more thoroughly and I seem to make the 8 glasses or 2 litres a day. But only just. And with the amount of cycling that I do, I think that I may need a bit more than that. But getting to the 2 litre mark is a very good start.
The fruit and veg intake needs a bit more awareness. Unless I do it consciously it doesn’t really happen. I think that my average is 3 portions a day rather than 5. At least I have an idea of where I am and now I can see where I need to get to.
Bike rides eg London to Brighton etc
I’ve posted the application for the official BHF London to Brighton bike ride. Hurrah.
Keep a log of monthly achivements
I’ve posted one thing. Better write some more before the month is out.
Reading
I’ve been reading two books at the same time so I haven’t finished either. This isn’t really a habit of mine, especially in my day to day life. I do it on holiday and when I have a few days off in a row. I have been reading in the bath, but I would have to take a lot of baths in order to finish a book.
Trips to visit friends
Almost. I planned a trip to Brighton to see some friends and even had a load of meetings lined up. But then we had the high winds and the trains were cancelled. So it’s going to have to wait till the next month.
Selling things on Ebay and having a clear out
I threw out a shirt and that was about it. Bought lots of new shit. But didn’t sell anything on ebay.
Pampering and ‘me’ time
I’ve been so hooked on working this month that I haven’t done much of this apart from going to the cinema. But I want to do things out of the ordinary such as having a massage or going for a sauna. But I have to book it I guess.
Reviews in the blog – films, books, exhibitions etc
Plenty of reviews. Especially movies.
Selling more wheels on ebay
Well, a few people managed to find me through the wheel website and have made contact. One guy is planning to drop off some parts this Saturday. Cool. Welcome to the "wheel world"
Checking out the Herne Hill velodrome
They don’t start again until March anyway. So I’m off the hook.
The bump on my head
It’s still there.
Working on my Svenska
I’ve been downloading a podcast from a Swedish radio station. But haven’t been working actively and developing specific areas of my language skills. Jattebra.
Contributing to Songfight
Songfight will have to wait till I have a lull in the web design work. I need at least three full days in order to submit a songfight entry.
Songfight
Songfight entries of Bell Green
Business Plan
I have started on this one. I have made an outline with all the sub headings, just a question of filling them in now.
Ruby on Rails
This one is going to have to wait a bit as well because I’m getting into php and have just discovered content management systems.