Yay…2 Years…Still Size M (just)! 💪🏼

Hi fitness family! 😀

Can you believe it’s been 2 years today, since i started on my life long health target starting with (“June time to prune”) on 1st June 2020. I wanted to post this on my blogs as a milestone for me, as i like to share all of my ups and downs with you all! 💪🏼 😀 

Now it’s June again and i have some extra pounds to prune! I’m still a size medium (from XXL) but it’s not the easy fitting new clothes i enjoyed a year ago…So yay i have a new goal to smash already, lol! 🤣

It’s great getting back to walking each day after taking a well earned rest with lots of celebrating whilst taking the whole month of May off. But now i’m back focused again on my future fundraisers, lol! 🤣 I still can’t believe in these last 2 years i’ve managed an ‘Ultra Step Challenge‘ and the ‘Trail Marathon‘ along with shrinking down from size XXL to M and having to buy a new set of clothes…My mind still hasn’t caught up! 😲

Talking of walking…I went out on the trail again this morning and managed my usual daily 6 miles in just over 1 hour 30 minutes. There were no dramas at all today, yay so i enjoyed it even more…But not as much as the stupendous Sarah special stack sandwich supreme i have when i get back! 😋

I’d just like to say a huge sorry in advance to my lovely wife Sarah…As she is probably going to hear the phrase “Caloric Deficit” again and again for the rest of the year, lol! 🤣 ❤️

Lets FitBlitz 2022 Together! 💪🏼

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‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️

Hi all, this is the official release for my fundraising towards my brobdingnagian challenge…It’s exactly 7 calendar months until my trail marathon! 💪🏼 

‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️

I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to stop MS. 💪🏼

I know I’ll be stretching myself past my limits for this challenge and so your encouragement and support would really help me to keep my training on track. Any donation you can spare would build my morale and endurance so I can smash this and reach my £1,000 goal to make my mum proud.

Together we can be a force for change and BEAT MS

Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon
Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIn Memory of my mum Valerie

Story…

Hi, I’ve chosen to raise funds for MS Society and I’d love everyone who kindly decides to support me and this amazing charity, to take a moment to remember my lovely Mum Valerie!

She spent so much of her too short life giving to me and my siblings before MS took her independence and eventually her life. This is why I’ve decided to give something positive back. I want her name and face to join the fight so that she can live on through the tireless work the MS Society is doing to find treatments that will stop MS for good. 💪🏼

My beautiful mum passed away from progressive MS, after a courageous and tiring 14 year battle, in July 2000.

As you may know I’ve been registered blind since I was 25. My sight loss happened in the same month my mum finally lost her life and missing her added misery to my own struggle to come to terms with the isolation and insecurities of managing my new life as a blind man.

And so…….

My Challenge…Sunday 24th April 2022

I originally planned to take part in an MS officially organised event but quickly realised that with my sight loss walking an unknown route amongst so many people would create too much external stimuli on my senses and be too confusing for me to manage without serious injury.

I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the challenge at all but I’ve finally found a safe(ish) trail about 2.5 miles long, in the woods and past a lake near my home. I am hoping this will work well as my walking route, (I’ve now learned it enough to be able to follow it without guided help). I think this trail will work really well for me to do my trail marathon challenge … if I can manage to make my way safely around this uneven, hilly, rough terrain about 11 times! 😰

I’ve begun to realise, as I write about this challenge during the start of my training, that I’ve only managed 2 laps each time so far, after which I collapse, needing water and food, lol! I have no idea how I’m going to continue for 11 laps non-stop but I’ve got seven more months to build up my strength and endurance… I hope. 🙏

It’s slowly dawning on me that this challenge is going to include around 8 hours non-stop blind walking… Ouch that’s going to hurt and take a lot of concentration, mental effort, strength, energy and discipline. And so before I get time to change my mind, I’ve decided to create a JustGiving fundraising page and I’ve notified the MS Society…so no backing out now 🤣.

Please help me complete what feels like an impossible challenge in memory of my wonderful mum… because Together we are strong enough to beat MS. 💪🏼

You can follow my training over the next 7 months on my Fitblitz blog and I will use my apple watch to count the steps, miles and elevation etc of the challenge, uploading the screenshots to let you know of my adventures and celebrate with me if I finish, lol! 🙌  

About Multiple Sclerosis Society

Over 130,000 of us in the UK have MS. It’s unpredictable and different for everyone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We’re the MS Society. We understand what life’s like with MS. We’re here for you through the highs, lows and everything in between. Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Click HERE for my JustGiving page.

QR Code for my JustGiving page: 

#3 What’s Happening To Me? – “Size XXL to a Medium” 😲

Hi all!

Yay…My early 14th wedding anniversary (post coming on Wednesday) present from my lovely wife Sarah!! I’ve been wearing it for every game so far and it seems to be working lol! 🤣 

 

Size XXL to a Medium… 

 

Since losing 5 stone over this last year, i’ve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. I’m loving having to get a new wardrobe and ordering a medium size and it fitting like a glove…Not much beats this feeling! 😀

#2 What’s Happening To Me? – “Sunbathing”🤔

Hi all.

My lovely wife Sarah has always LOVED sunbathing…And i HAVEN’T, lol! If you’ve ever followed us “The Blind Sightseers” on our travels, you’ll know that Sarah is always in the sun and i’m somewhere melting into a puddle of goo! 🤣

I’ve never been comfortable in the sun and always hated the heat, i’d always try and find shade or find some other way out of it but stay as close to Sarah as i could. Just sitting outside a coffee shop or in our own back garden seriously felt like my bones were being steamed in a cauldron of boiling water, whilst my skin was being attacked by a million angry wasps with mini switchblades  cutting into me! 🔥🔥

BUT…

Now i’ve lost 5 stone (70 pounds) i sit out with Sarah everyday in our garden (when the sun is out anyway) and i’m always the one wanting to stay out longer. I also have to think about being out too long and getting sun burnt…This is something i’ve neve had to think about before as i’ve never been sun burnt as it used to hurt me to be in it! 😲 

The sun actually feels nice now and i can finally enjoy it. Now i understand why my lovely wife Sarah enjoys and loves to be out in the hot sun…And it feels fantastic!! ☀️ 💪🏼 😀 

#1 What’s Happening To Me? – “Hay Fever”🤔

Hi all.

Sarah & i were walking through the woods last night on our beautiful evening walk…And i mentioned that i’d not had hay fever at all this year?! It’s been the first year since i’d not suffered from it and i’m wondering if it’s anything to do with losing 5 stone (over this last year) and eating healthier foods etc?! I thought this maybe a question for Ellie at ‘New Creation Ministries” as her blog posts have inspired and motivated me, especially over this last year. 😀 

Sarah also said that i should write a few posts on more of the changes i’ve experienced since losing 5 stone (like this one) and share it with you guys…So here is the first one “hay fever”. I can’t tell you how much easier it’s been this summer without constant watering eyes, runny nose and sneezing my head off! My body still hasn’t adapted properly yet and i walk around expecting the effects…But nothing comes. It would be fantastic if hay fever has left me for good! 💪🏼 😀 

Yay…1 Year…-5 Stone & Size XXL To Medium! 🙌 💪🏼 😀

Hi Friends!!

Can you believe it’s been a year today, since i started my epic adventure aka “June time to prune?!” I wanted to put this post on my blogs as a milestone for me and to share my good news with you all! 😀 

My mind is still having trouble adapting to the body it’s now living in, lol. 

-5 Sone…

I’ve gone from overheating all of the time, wearing shorts through the winter and staying out of the sun as it felt like pins and razor blades cutting my skin…To feeling cold most of the time, wearing normal clothes in the winter and like yesterday…Spent time sitting with my lovely wife Sarah enjoying the sun without the stabbing pains in my skin.

Size XXL to a Medium… 

I’ve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. I’m loving having to get a new wardrobe and ordering a medium size and it fitting like a glove…Not much beats this feeling! 😀 

My Engine & Body Analogy…

As i used to be a panel beater in a bodyshop, the engine analogy just seemed to click for me when thinking about my nutrition etc. As i needed to be in a healthy calorie deficit to lose weight, i needed to find out what kind of engine i had and how much fuel (calories) it burns.

Hang On…

I’ve just realised i’m going to go on for ages writing about my year of transformation. So before i bore you all to death, i thought i could write about it post by post for a while. This way i can slowly bore you to death and you may not notice, lol! 🤣 

😲Yay…-70lb Weight Loss Badge! 🙌

Wow…I simply can’t believe i’ve achieved this goal, after stepping off the scales this morning. To say i’m excited is an understatement!! 😲   

It’s taken me about 2 months to reach this next -5 pound badge as i’m almost at maintenance calories now. I absolutely love the food i eat now and wouldn’t change it back for anything. I don’t feel hungry (never thought it was possible) and most important of all…I can live on this healthy meal plan for the rest of my life!! 💪🏼 😀 

It’s not too late, to sign up for Activ8…!!!  💪🏼 😀

You can still sign up for the next 2 weeks.

Hi friends…💪🏼 😀  

Are you making yourself attractive to Cancer? 🤔  

Sarah and I have just signed up for the “Activ8 Plan” with World Cancer Research Fund as part of Cancer Prevention Awareness Week. So for once I’m not fundraising and bombarding you with donation asks, just sharing information to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle lol! 🤣  

You may not be aware (like me) of all the lifestyle choices we make that can affect our cancer risk. 😲  

Info taken from the World Cancer Research Fund website… 

What is Cancer Prevention Awareness Week?

 Cancer Prevention Awareness Week is an annual event where we draw awareness to cancer and cancer prevention. Currently, 40% of people diagnosed are diagnosed with a cancer that could have been prevented.

Knowing what you need to do and making small, consistent changes to the lives of you and your loved ones can help you avoid preventable cancers. …..

Activ8: Eat Well, Move More…
We’ve also launched a healthy living programme to support people who want to eat better and move more.

By signing up, you’ll get 8 weeks’ worth of motivational emails, which will include links to specific nutrition and physical activity resources such as tip-sheets and videos, as well as live support from our experts.

Make preventing cancer part of your everyday life. By following our Cancer Prevention Recommendations you’re giving yourself the best chance of reducing the risk of at least 12 types of cancer. Take action today!

 I can’t thank you guys enough for all of the support you’ve given Sarah & me over the years!! I encourage you to join us on this challenge so that you too can protect yourselves against cancer and lead happier, healthier lives….  Thank you and God Bless. 💪🏼 😀 

💪🏼Yay…-65lb Weight Loss Badge! 🙌

A little progress each day adds up to big results. Keep chipping away at your goal and soon you’ll realise that all those little victories add up to the biggest victory of all…Reaching your goals! 😀  

I love the quote above (although not sure who said it) as i have personal experience of living it…But more importantly, i like to celebrate every little goal and achievement badge i earn. 💪🏼 😀  

I’m still not finished yet though and i would like to get to 5 stone (70lb) weight loss! If i can get to this huge milestone i can then evaluate and see if i’m lean enough, and switch to maintenance calories instead of this healthy calorie deficit i’ve been on since 1st June 2020!!  

Weight loss benefits…

The 2 fantastic health & prevention charities i love are WCRF (World Cancer Research Fund) and BPUK (Blood Pressure UK), because they really help me with their recommendations on living a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few reasons from them on why i now focus on losing (and maintaining) a healthy weight. 😀 

From WCRF…

“Obesity, weight and cancer risk…Our research shows that being overweight or obese is a cause of 12 types of cancer…”

1. Bowel
2. Breast (post-menopausal)
3. Gallbladder
4. Kidney
5. Liver
6. Mouth, pharynx and larynx
7. Oesophagus (adenocarcinoma)
8. Ovary
9. Pancreas
10. Prostate (advanced)
11. Stomach (cardia)
12. Womb

From BPUK…

“Being a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your blood pressure…” 

How does losing weight help lower your blood pressure?

If you are overweight, losing weight will lower your blood pressure because your heart doesn’t have to work so hard to pump the blood around your body. It lowers your risk of many other health problems, including stroke, diabetes and heart disease, and can make you feel better too, giving you more energy to do the things you want to.

How to lose weight healthily…Read the recommendations.

As i’m a stats person…Reading all the numbers behind what can be achieved and prevented is mind blowing, and this is why i started taking control of the things i CAN change, and not the things i CAN’T.

Now i just want to share all of this good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers, strokes, high blood pressure & many more…That we can prevent! 💪🏼 😀 

Yay…My Weight Goal Met Badge! 💪🏼

I stepped off the scales this morning with a mixture of disbelief, excitement and joy, as i’d lost 4½ (63lb) stone! As i entered the numbers into the “MyFitnessPal” app (which syncs with the “Fitbit” app) i was awarded this great achievement badge. 😀

I didn’t have any hopes of achieving this goal as i only set my goal by accident (the fitbit app is not accessible for the blind on entering a weight goal), but i had it stuck in the back of my mind as i focused on the smaller -5lb weight loss, more achievable goals. I’m still not finished yet though and i would like to get to 5 stone (70lb) weight loss! If i can get to this huge milestone i can then evaluate and see if i’m lean enough, and switch to maintenance calories instead of this healthy calorie deficit i’ve been on since 1st June 2020!! 💪🏼 😀 

Weight loss benefits…

The 2 fantastic health & prevention charities i love are WCRF (World Cancer Research Fund) and BPUK (Blood Pressure UK), because they really help me with their recommendations on living a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few reasons from them on why i now focus on losing (and maintaining) a healthy weight. 😀 

From WCRF…

“Obesity, weight and cancer risk…Our research shows that being overweight or obese is a cause of 12 types of cancer…”

1. Bowel
2. Breast (post-menopausal)
3. Gallbladder
4. Kidney
5. Liver
6. Mouth, pharynx and larynx
7. Oesophagus (adenocarcinoma)
8. Ovary
9. Pancreas
10. Prostate (advanced)
11. Stomach (cardia)
12. Womb

From BPUK…

“Being a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your blood pressure…” 

How does losing weight help lower your blood pressure?

If you are overweight, losing weight will lower your blood pressure because your heart doesn’t have to work so hard to pump the blood around your body. It lowers your risk of many other health problems, including stroke, diabetes and heart disease, and can make you feel better too, giving you more energy to do the things you want to.

How to lose weight healthily…Read the recommendations.

As i’m a stats person…Reading all the numbers behind what can be achieved and prevented is mind blowing, and this is why i started taking control of the things i CAN change, and not the things i CAN’T.

Now i just want to share all of this good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers, strokes, high blood pressure & many more…That we can prevent! 💪🏼 😀 

Yay -55lb Weight Loss Badge! 💪🏼

Yay my next fitness goal smashed! Being lighter will help me on my stupendous advent walking challenge. I can’t believe the journey so far and all of the walking i’m doing as preparation for my step challenge is making it even easier to stay in the healthy calorie deficit! 💪🏼 😀 

OH…Have you heard about my ‘Blindman 20,000 steps, every day, for 24 days (during advent 2020) for Blood Pressure UK!’ That’s around 252 miles!! 

If not, lol…Please read my story and DONATE and help me smash my £1,000 target! 💪🏼 

I believe that the greatest gift you can give your loved ones and the world this Christmas…Is a healthier you! ❤️ 💪🏼 😀 

Yay -50lb Weight Loss Badge!

Yay another fitness goal smashed! Being lighter will help me on my stupendous advent walking challenge…And won’t wear out my new trainers as fast! 🤣 

💪🏼 Blindman 20,000 Steps, Every Day, For 24 Days This Advent Challenge!

An Advent For Change…❤️

Blindman 20,000 steps, every day, for 24 days (during advent 2020) for Blood Pressure UK! That’s around 250 miles!! 💪🏼   

Hi friends!

I’ve chosen to raise funds this advent for Blood Pressure Uk. I want to help raise awareness of how vitally important it is that we all know what our blood pressure is and understand that we need to take action now to keep it at a healthy range and protect our hearts. I would love everyone who donates to me to “know their numbers!”. It will only take five minutes to get a check but could change everything and help you live much healthier and happier lives. 

When I was 24 (and fully sighted) I had two brain haemorrhages that burst my optic nerve and left me blind due to Grade 4 severe hypertensive retinopathy (caused by my high blood pressure, that I’ve since discovered is something my family suffers with). So I can’t stress enough how important it is to be aware of this creeping death! Please don’t be complacent about your blood pressure, and if your numbers are too high please do something about it. I know I was very lucky to survive this silent killer…But you might not be”.  

The Challenge…1st Dec – 24th Dec 2020… 

I found a safe local road about half a mile long, near my home, that could work as my walking route (and I can follow without guided help). I then thought it would be great for me to do an ‘advent positive pressure challenge’ …and i’d only have to do 20 laps every day! 🤣  So I quickly set up this fundraising page and created a challenge that would raise funds and generate awareness for this very important message! 💪🏼😀  

Then…It slowly dawned on me that this challenge will include walking nearly a half marathon a day for 24 days…Awww that’s going to hurt and take a lot of effort/strength/energy/discipline to complete. But before I had time to change my mind, i’d created this page and notified the charity…Please help me complete what feels like and impossible challenge, lol! 🤣  

I’m using my Fitbit to count the steps, and upload the screenshots  to keep you updated each day with my progress on here, and my other social media sites…

Follow me and my challenge and say hi! Facebook, Twitter  Share and make everyone aware…😀   

Blood Pressure UK… 

Blood Pressure UK, is the UK charity dedicated to lowering the nation’s blood pressure to prevent disability and death from stroke and heart disease. Our vision is that everyone will know their blood pressure numbers, and take steps to keep them healthy both now and in the future. Funds raised from events like this make a huge difference to the work we can do, helping us to offer advice and support to more people, preventing strokes and heart attacks. 

Know your numbers and help me to help others know theirs, thanks in advance – Steve. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity….DONATE NOW 

I believe that the greatest gift you can give your loved ones and the world this Christmas…Is a healthier you! ❤️ 💪🏼 😀 

Blindman Tough Mudder Update – 5 Days To Go!

Oh no……With only 5 days left until “Tough Mudder”, Sarah and i went into the woods to try out my new trail shoes and also try and get some photos of me jogging/training for World Cancer Research Fund as they want some promotional shots.

Sarah did an amazing job getting me to run in a straight line…..She had to walk with me to get into position….Then walk away until she was in position. Then after Sarah shouts “GO!” I hopefully run in a straight line towards her(not through her) and she can get some shots.

I’m not sure how she did it…..But it looks like i’m jogging on my own and also looks like i’e been jogging for miles, lol…..Not just 50 feet at a time! 😎 💪🏼 

Be inspired…

My Tough Mudder Challenge

Who Is Bananaman?