Like many people I set goals. Most of the time I reach them and other times I don’t.

It only dawned on me last night what the ‘deal” with a personal best (PB) is.

I’m a competitive little bugger, from afar your wouldn’t know, but put me in the right conditions and it’s on for young and old!

As I’ve said many times previously I’m aiming to walk the 6km leg of the Adelaide, City-Bay Fun Run which is now under 4 weeks away.

Yesterday my Physio mentioned that it was “optimistic” and my two personal trainers are a  little divided.

Last Wednesday I walked 2.1km yesterday I set out to add a KM to that.

Well that really didn’t work out all that well! I decided I was feeling well enough to smash that out of the parked and came in a 4.34km.

Not I must admit I was a bit sore afterwards but that was largely due to be at the end of my pain killer cycle.

So now rather than “gone half way” I’m now two thirds the way.

I’m using RunKeeper to keep tabs on what I’m doing and at the moment I have it reporting back to me each minute what I’m up to.

A little over the top, but I did set myself a target pace and it was nice to know for every of the 50 minutes I was walking for I was ahead of pace.

Towards the end of the walk the challenge was purely against myself and I now know and appreciate why bettering what you’ve done previously is so strong and powerful!

I’m growing just a little sick of stereotypes and pigeonholing in society.

I find it interesting how in many cases we’re such a shallow society and go by looks and assumptions.

In the Adelaide Sunday Mail (weekly main paper) there is a lift out called “Body + Soul” and in there they have a section about a good stretching program to do. It’s run by a guy who has a fitness studio in Sydney.

There’s a note in the column if you’d like to be a model please go to this web site.

I thought what the hell, lets make an inquiry and see what happens.

I probably shouldn’t be surprised but I was to the reply (I had already detailed my background and situation”

The reply I got read something like this “we pride ourselves on only using real woman who are supper fit and are inspirational to our readers”

Now I’ve lost the best part of 30kg but based on the BMI I’m still morbidly obese. So I know from a distance people sterotype me as “fat guy” and on the rare occasion that I eat fast food or buy chocolate people seem to think that’s just me.

Well it isn’t, my fridge is stocked with fruit and vegetables, I make a point of holding pre-made salads and keeping the actually healthy muesli bars at arms reach.

Now I am letting my food intake slip a little bit, but when I look at what I eat on a regular bases it’s an almost complete overall. Gone is the bacon and cheese sandwich for breakfast, the chocolate muffin or donut for morning tea and the burger special for lunch.

I used to always eat takeaway for dinner and never ate at home. Now takeway dinners would be one maybe two meals a week.

One of the biggest challenges I face is any new medical person I come across feels compelled to tell me “oh has someone spoken to you about your weight” it’s at this point my now lower blood pressure raises and a vein in my forehead does the best job of not exploding occurs.

What people need to realise is yes I am still fat and have been for most of my adult life. I’ve decided that’s not the life I want to lead and I’m making the hard decisions to rectify that.

I didn’t become obese in 12 months and it will take me a couple of years to reverse that.

This really is something I’m passionate about and it’s why I think I’ve managed to motivate quite a few people along the way.

Something else that I’ve committed to, is not to undergo any type of obesity surgery. The journey to this point in my life was ultimately of my own making and the recovery from that also will be of my own making.

I really wish society would wake up to itself and look beyond skin deep.

My experiences over the past few months have shown me more than ever it’s the individual and their approach and personality that makes all the difference.

I had someone at work ask me a few weeks ago what my secret was when it came to loosing weight (I’ve dropped around 26kg) and he said “don’t tell me it’s diet and exercise”

There are no secrets, it is diet and exercise.

I’m mentally and physically preparing myself to train with Emma tomorrow morning. Ever since I first engaged Emma as one of my personal trainers I told her to push me and push me hard, we actually work to the point of exhaustion. Something which when you first do can be a bit scarey.

It’s my own 60 minute version of boot-camp, there is a bit of shouting that goes on from both parties as we each test and push the boundaries.

When you stress your body like this, you do get one amazing adrenaline rush but you really have to carefully manage your foot and fluid intake before, during and after.

I’ve stuffed that up a few times and the resulting nausea and ill feeling isn’t worth getting it wrong.

While on the outside this might appear borderline crazy, it really is great to push the body physically and mentally. I’ve had a couple of set backs in the past week, my ability to partake in the 6km walk of the City Bay Fun Run really is unknown at this stage.

My Physio and PT’s say I’m mentally and fitness wise there, but the ankle and knee are of a concern. I’m not going to take any substational risks with my body however we are four weeks out and a lot can happen in that time.

At this stage I’m cleared to continue training and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Due to some knee strapping I’ve had to skip any pool based activity this week and will review that with my Physio on Tuesday.

Hopefully on Tuesday we can finally fit me with a suitable knee brace so I can avoid strapping the knee.

Challenging yet exciting times ahead.

On Saturday when I trained with Emma it was clear to me that the t-shirts I wear while exercising are far too big.

Had to decided what to replace it with. With the Adelaide City-Bay Fun-Run coming what better way to self motivate than to buy one of their Asic tops. Bought the red one so it would stand out.

Happy to say the biggest size available XXL fits me quite well.

Today to my surprise I got my race number, turns out I’m the second entrant in my category. There is something quite satisfying knowing out of so many people I was so early to register. The organizers hope to have around 40,000 people attend, I’m confident I was within the first 1,000 to register.

Today I visited my Physio and functionally my ankle is the best she’s seen it (I started consulting this Physio as my injury began) so that really is good news.

I have some other issues to work through and I’m seeing my surgeon on Monday and hopefully some additional imaging can be done to clarify my situation.

I’m working the ankle pretty hard with exercise, but most of it is non weight bearing and what is done weight bearing is done under supervision.

Only concern is my left knee is starting to get sore again. I’m going to give it a week then I’m going to have to re- evaluate if I buy a brace for the knee as well.

Talking with my Physio today I may need to re-visit my ankle brace as well as for the 6km walk I may need something different.

Physio and PTs are supportive of my ability to complete the course we just need to be that bit careful.

Yesterday afternoon saw me continue my endurance training with Emma. We’re building up the City-Bay Fun Run which is around 41 days away.

While my past focus has been on strength training, yesterday we turned up the intensity when it came to endurance training.

Now I’ll be the first to admit that I do not enjoy endurance training, it’s bloody hard work. That said, my abilities have improved remarkably in such a short time.

With anything though you only get out what you put in.

Last week was my first time I trained 6 days straight. This week will be another 6 days straight. Friday is my rest day and it’s critical.

I’ve got a new pair of fins I’m about to use when I lap swim for the first time this afternoon and I was so keen to try them on Friday. However in all that I’ve done, I’ve learnt to listen to my body and quite frankly as keen as I was on Friday the body sad “rest”

Good thing I listened to as Emma pushed me harder again yesterday and I responded. Possibly the best training session we’ve done. It still amazes me what she asks of me, but even more importantly what I can deliver.

I’ve asked her to push me and then push some more. She knows at the time I’ll hate her, but post session reflection gets me every time. Session after session we see improvement. In the words of “Big Kev – I’m excited”

It’s all very well having a goal, but if your not focused on what your doing right now you won’t get there.

This week I’m binging on exercise, I was meant to have two recovery days, but owing to circumstances, I’ve cut this to one.

I have no endurance currently which is proving to be a real problem at work, plus I’m having all sorts of sleep issues.

Best way to deal with this is push myself so I’m naturally tired and fall asleep!

With my training program there are currently two, one hour PT sessions a week. My entire mind and body has to be focused when I train as if I don’t it can be dangerous.

I’m swimming in deep water and now boxing with bruit force. I’ve managed to stuff up quite a few rounds of boxing because my focus was off. It takes me a split second to get distracted and then I need to re-focus.

When you land punches like I do, you need to be just a bit careful. When I trained with Emma on the weekend I tasked her to be a stickler for technique.

She was, I hated her for it but it was needed. They say practice makes perfect. If you practice the wrong thing it ain’t going to be perfect. That said ones needs to learn from their mistakes, but one has to be willing and able to make and accept mistakes when they are made.

Sunday afternoons is always pool time. I head with my father to the SA aquatic and leisure centre.

Worried about a cold pool in winter? Dont 😉

This afternoon I was really lucky to have Emma my second personal trainer come and visit and train with me this afternoon.

Emma tells me it’s all about me, it’s not about her. I disagree, while I know to a certain extent what I can and can’t do, Emma has a unique way of pushing me well beyond my normal limits.

When I work out, music is really important to me. So before today’s training session I created a new playlist.

I’m happy to report that it worked far better than I imagined, I don’t think I give myself enough credit for my music abilities, when it comes to playlists.

It might help that Emma loves many of the music I do.

Also knowing the general flow of our workouts I can generally get the BPM set out in such a way it flows really well.

Having a great trainer, reasonable location (my garage) and the right tunes all helps.

I’ve had a bit of a further set back this week, I’m not clear to return full-time for work, which is annoying to all concerned.

Out of all of this, I’m just making sure that everything I do is supportive and focused on my return to work, because that’s really important to me.

I know Team Pilko and I can do it, it’s just a matter of time.

I’m going to be really interested in how I pull up, did more endurance than strength training today and that’s going to be interesting.

Now comes my time to relax, time to head to Next Gen for a spa.

So tonight it was time to try something different.

I’ve been back in the pool for some weeks now but I’ve missed the group exercise dynamic and I wanted a bit of a challenge. That and my Physio is a little worried about me injuring myself.

So what better way that to do a Hydro (pool) based class in deep water! How deep? 3M deep to be exact!

You front up and get given a buoyancy belt and then it’s time to get into the pool.

OK so I probably should have thought more about this, how do I get into the pool, when I can’t touch the bottom and I’m wearing glasses!

I did my usual trick, legs over the edge and slide in right? WRONG!

I lowed myself down and plunged straight into the pool above my head! So any plan to keep my glasses out of the water were gone. Rather than freak out, just went with the flow and laughed at myself.

Next time use the ladder and edge!

Class started and it was an instant winner. The buoyancy belt is amazing, your can float!

I was initially worried that I’d still be too large for it, but it turns out there was some slack in it.

Was great to be supported in the water and be able to get around.

Gave both my upper and lower body a awesome workout. Was able to do quite a few things I wouldn’t dream of trying on land.

I can’t begin to explain just how amazing it is to be in the pool, exercising, particularly my lower limbs knowing that it’s a safe way to exercise!

For probably the first time in months I’ve been able to get the legs working and I’m really excited about re-gaining fitness and strength.

Looking forward to Tuesday night next week to try it all over again 🙂

Man may not maketh the clothes, but it does feel great to look good.

I’ve struggled over the past few years to look smart. It comes as being larger than most.

Until recently I had to always buy from the “big mans” type stores, over the past few months I’ve had the joy of being able to buy “normal” however there are still many exceptions.

While I’m not going to turn eyes as I walk around, at least I generally give a damn about my appearance.

The past week has seen me need to adhere to the work dress code and one slight sticking point if the wearing of neck ties for men.

Now I have a slight obsessions with neck ties I must admit, as a man you don’t always get to show individualism with a limited dress code.

Now I’ve tried avoiding wearing neck ties, as most of my shirts don’t fit well and I’m not prepared to fork out for shirts that will only last a few months.

That said this past week I’ve been careful with my shirt selection and have worn a neck tie and it’s amazing the compliments I’ve had. I’d forgotten how much a number of people appreciate my tie collection. While I have just over 30 there is a guy at work who has over a hundred. Even at 30, I believe quality over quantity, that said if your ever stuck on buying a gift for me a well placed vibrant tie is a winner.

The problem I have is I dislike buying cheap clothes, they are generally of poor quality, look terrible and feel and ware terrible. When I went back to wearing proper business shirts some years back I bought up on Harris Scafe $12 shirts, talk about pea shooter material. Now I try to always buy quality 100% cotton shirts. All my shirts have and will always be dry cleaned only. They also come at considerably higher cost. Thankfully we have the likes of Gloweave who are forever having sales and their outlet store at DFO Southwarth is now a favorite.

Prior to surgery I had to give in and be practicable and buy some new track suit bottoms. The ones I’ve worn previously are way too big. The ones I bought from Kmart cost all around $10 and the quality isn’t really there. The first few times I washed them I didn’t dare mix them with anything else as they linted everywhere.

Sadly due to a bit too much comfort eating and some other poor dietary choices I can still fit into them some months later.

Even though we are only early in the winter season I will have to hedge some bets and buy smaller trackies as when they go out of season they will be hard to source.

That said, I already have a pair of quality that I can’t fit into and that is  goal of mine.

Part of my determination is to be able to again re-build my wardrobe with quality clothing that looks good, feels good and affords me that sense of achievement which is currently seen as a weight reduction in 26kgs and a thinning around the waist of 16cm.

Caught up with my dietician during the past week and while 26kg down is a good effort, I sitill need to tip the scales below 100kg. The original aim was to do this by years end, but I fear that this goal will slip.

Despite two Pilates classes and 1 to 2 hour long PT sessions a week it’s not really enough to motivate me with my diet.

To loose weight you really have to be spot on with your diet. I’ve been there before and I know I can do it, I just have to find it in me. Right now I’m quite negative towards myself as I’m a hard task master. Right now all I want is the pain and discomfort from my ankle to largely bugger off.

During the past week my personal trainer Sean congratulated me for being so focused on my exercise, but for me until I can get exercising near 100% it will cause my diet to slip. It might sound a cop out, but i’ve always found exercise helps diet.

I have a second PT Emma who has forced me to re-evaluate  my pre work out diet. Emma pushes me far harder than anyone else. This is a special permission I give her as she is one of the few people I trust so much. A mix up in diet prior to training can have such an impact on your endurance.

It’s through her I’ve be reminded and rediscovered what I’m capable of. For someone who’s having massive confidence issues I can’t begin to explain how amazing that is.

For various reasons we trained two weeks straight, then with three off. All going well I can return to train with her next weekend and that should be totally amazing.

Looking forward to the week ahead and challenges it has, what ever they are.