Well, it has been a while since I blogged (memo to self - get back to blogging regularly again) but this is a good time to restart.

It is my 6 month anniversary since I started on Spark. In that six months I have lost weight and gained fitness. At the moment I not weighing in regularly as I am concentrating on the fitness side of things and still eating healthy. I do not want to have muscle building discourage me.

In the last six months I have;

Lost weight - in excess of 15 kg

Started walking - a little at first - only 2 ten minute walks per day but that was enough in the heat of summer and the distance 0.66 km per walk. Now walking on average over 5 kilometres per day. This years total is in excess of 1000 kilometres. Had to buy new walking shoes lately as wore one pair out.

Climbing stairs when I can - this incentive came through having a Fitbit which registers stairs or incline walking. My best has been 34 flights in a day. I currently work on the 6th floor but unfortunately we do not have access to the stairs as they are for fire escape purposes only. I have found going up stairs easier than going down due to a knee problem.

Joined a gym - never thought I would say that - and actually going regularly.

Restarted dancing, using the Wii doing Zumba and the Just Dance Games and to any music that I play.

Hey and guess what, I am saving on heating bills this winter as I am burning my own fuel to keep warm.

Cleaned out the wardrobe and donated the clothes which are now too big - less temptation to go backwards. I did not find Narnia at the back of the wardrobe but found a lot of clothes there that now fit me so still giving me a new world. Purchased jeans for the first time in about twenty years.

Got some great comments from various work mates and friends. Been called an inspiration by one!!

Was sick a few times, which was annoying as it interrupted my exercising.

And now - training for a virtual 5km walk. I have twice completed more than 3 km on the treadmill already.

Still a long way to go and there are some areas I need to concentrate on. I have the cardio going well and some strength training but need to work on 'my core'

And now to finish - a picture.