Don’t feed the duck

tough going

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:42:00 GMT

Welcome to this weeks blog.

This week has been a challenging week, & I feel tired as a result of this.

I have been to the gym 3 times this week, but unfortunately keep missing my trainer, as I keep forgetting the days he’s in on.

I have been focusing on cardio exercise, doing spinning, biking, rowing, cross trainer.

I feel good but tired as I have also been to Grafton Waters in Cambridge this week with my school Excel group, where we did sailing, climbing, archery & team skills exercise.

Going to the gym, I have had to learn discipline, self control & commitment, but have seen it paid off as I know I am losing weight since starting & I feel more confident.

I am also still watching what I eat, with only the occasional chip shop purchase, but that’s Tuesday only.

Hope it all pays off & really appreciated all that Greens is doing for me.

burgers

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:31:00 GMT

This week I am feeling ok, and doing well with my work out at the gym.

I am keeping a healthy diet eating mainly healthy wraps, dinners, fruit…I am loving the apples, eating no junk food, apart from one bag a day of crisps. My diet does not include chocolate or MacDonald’s which has been a test of inner strength.

At my work placement I was being teased because there was a burger van on site, but let my colleagues do all the unhealthy eating. My boss made me go and get his burger which I thought was harsh.

At the gym I have been doing 2 hours a day, this includes, treadmill, cross trainer, rower, spinning class, punch bag and sometimes leg push & calf roller.

I have lost over a stone since I started the programme, which is a great personal achievement for me.

A big thanks to everyone whose supported me, I also have a Bebo account where you can contact me for more questions.

Catch you next week.

Andy Cormack AKA Mighty Ducks

pounding the cross trainer

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:15:00 GMT

Welcome to this weeks blog.

Apologies for not doing my blog last week but this was due to being on holidays.

Over the past couple weeks I have stepped up my commitment to the gym, going more regularly & using the time to focus on using the equipment to improve my fitness rather than always going to the pool.

Today (Wednesday 9th April) I am doing 2 spinning classes, one I did this morning at 7.15am, the other tonight.

I also take one hour a week to run solidly on the cross trainer.

I would like to thank GREENS gym & my personal trainer Craig again for this once in a lifetime opportunity, as I don’t know any other gyms that would have given this fantastic opportunity to me. I think it should be something that other gyms should consider.

Another great aspect of the gym is that I have made some friends, who have encouraged me with getting fit.

The weigh in at Wildlife Youth club is helping me keep track on my weight each week, and while I am losing weight my friend has to gain weight lol, (Supersize Lee).

I appreciate the comments of encouragement, please keep writing.

Andrew Cormack. Aka Mighty Ducks.

FALLING OFF THE BOAT

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:55:00 GMT

To start this week’s blog, I have an embarrassing but funny confession to make. I managed to fall off the rowing machine. Stop laughing….please.

It was a week to remember for the above reason, but I managed to go to the gym most days apart from two (sorry Candy). This was due to being tired and sleeping in. I’ve just remembered that I forgot to go to spinning class today!!

The days I was at the gym I focused on rowing, biking, running, the cross trainer and now and then the punch bag. I also made an appearance at the swimming pool.

Craig my trainer is doing a great job in helping me keep on track and focused. I see him twice a week, and I'm loving every minute.

I missed the weekly way in @ WILDLIFE YOUTH Friday night, due to injuries sustained from the rower fall!

I am now going to start measuring my waist in inches; my goal is to get to 34 inch waist. My healthy eating habits are continuing, with healthy lunches each day.

Please don’t hold back in leaving any comments or questions about my new lifestyle. Please look at my new pictures from my day out with the army.

Thanks for now; I’m off to the gym.

Tea with Nan

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:58:00 GMT

Over the past week I have been twice to the gym, which I realise was a bad decision as I missed out on fitness & keeping my weight down.

This week I am going to improve on attendance, starting with today, I was in the gym 7.15-8am taking part in a spinning class.

I did manage to beat my rowing time again, completing level 7 500m in 2minutes 28seconds.

Since I started the fitness course I have found it rewarding but also some areas of difficulty, for example staying awake, and sometimes skipping the gym to go swimming.

I am determined to use the gym more often using the running machine, rower, cross trainer & bike more to lose weight.

Over the past week I have started eating quorn products which will help alongside the use of the gym.

I still don’t feel I that my upper body strength is where it’s supposed to be, so I’m going to ask my fitness trainer Craig if I can use the weights.

I will be going to my Nan’s for a healthy meal this week & I am considering weight watchers to help monitor my progress.

Ps, please feel free to leave any comments or questions.

Thanks for your support.

Andrew Cormack (AKA MIGHTY DUCKS)

rowing and climbing

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:48:00 GMT

DO NOT FEED THE DUCK

Hi everyone welcome to my weekly blog.

What a journey I’ve had over the past week. It started Monday, with a spinning class at GREENS, where I was put through my passes and really felt the pressure.

I also beat my personal best time on the rower, achieving level 7, 500m in time of 2minutes 31seconds. I achieved this in my PE lesson at school. I also noticed that I’m sweating more than I used to & that I’m not getting as frustrated as quickly.

On Tuesday I went with a group of students to an army training day in Colchester Barracks. The day included an army assault course, where I fell off part of the course, from a rope I was climbing down. This was due to being scared of heights.

I decided to compare the food that I’m now eating as opposed to what I was eating a month ago. I’ve cut down a lot on snacks, such as crisps & chocolate. I’m still eating pizza, but now only once a week rather than nearly every day as I used to. Boiled potatoes have taken the place of fried. Tonight (Monday 25^th) I am going to eating a healthy casserole.

Due to this change of diet I have lost weight, which has gone hand in hand with daily exercise.

I feel as though I’m getting more tired, so am going to sign off now.

Please feel free to leave comments. They are appreciated.

Bye for now.

Andrew Cormack, (aka MIGHTY DUCKS).

Blisters and handstands

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:33:00 GMT

Firstly apologies for not having a blog last week, this was because I was on holidays.

The last 2 weeks have been alright, but could have been better.

I have been to the gym everyday in the last 2 weeks, except for three days - which were due to waking up late, being away, and tiredness. But apart from that I have been everyday.

At the gym, GREENS, I have been involved in 3 spinning classes over a 3 week period, which I have enjoyed. Although getting a blister and being hit by pedal aren’t pleasant, but funny.

I also have increased my swimming to 40 lengths (1000m), only stopping once to get a drink of water, and being encouraged on by one of my mates from WILDLIFE who uses the gym, Darrel.

Though I was caught though doing a handstand in GREENS swimming pool by one of my teachers from my school. Whoops.

I have been careful with my dieting apart from 2 things which I shouldn’t have eaten. My friend gave me pizza & cheesy chips, I blame my mate for forcing me. I have cut out sugar in hot drinks, cutting down from 2 in coffee & 1 in tea, to 1 in coffee, & none in tea.

I feel great improvement in myself and my appearance from using the gym, a continued thank you to GREENS GYM, my trainer Craig & his mate Damien, Liz Easton my tutor and Jon & Tim from WILDLIFE YOUTH (I’m looking forward to my next weigh in to see how I am progressing).

I appreciate everyone who reads my blog, and your comments are appreciated. I hope they continue.

Thank you.

Andy Cormack (AKA MIGHTY DUCKS).

Outlook is bright

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:34:00 GMT

Last Friday night I attended my local youth club called WILDLIFE in Drayton which is for 12-18yr olds, and during the night I was weighed in as part of a weekly programme to help monitor my progress in front of 130 young people. It is called the MIGHTY DUCK’S WEIGH IN.

During the past week I did 20 lengths of the pool at GREENS gym, resulting in losing another 2 pounds, which was noted at the weigh in.

Craig my trainer is doing really well in helping me. I have improved slightly by beating a previous record of 2 minutes 56 seconds on the rower, covering 500m on level 7. I beat it by 8 seconds.

Although I feel tired from my new routine of going every other day to the gym, I know it is helping me feel more confident about myself. I feel pushed & sometimes angry with myself when I don’t go, as I know it’s a must.

Liz Easton, my tutor, has said she has seen a slight but definite improvement on my outlook to life, and Purtons Doors where I work, say they have noticed an improvement in my appearance, and I feel I am losing weight.

I have cut down, almost stopped eating & drinking junk food/drink, which has been hard but worth it.

A big thank you to everyone who has left a comment on my blog, it’s encouraging and helpful, please write again.

Andrew (aka THE MIGHTY DUCK).

Like a duck to water

e.easton@ntlworld.com — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:43:00 GMT

I have chosen this name because my favourite hockey team is called the Mighty Ducks and the youth group I go to came up with this name.
I have been to the gym five times this week and I am very tired. I have managed to build up to swimming sixteen lengths without stopping (400m).
I have enjoyed my sessions with Craig but he really needs to speed up, when we were boxing I was so fast I nearly knocked him out! On the rowing machine I had a time of 2 mins 56 secs to beat and I have!
The good news is I had a weigh’ in this morning and . . . I’VE LOST TWO POUNDS. I have a bet with Craig and Damien that I will go six months without chocolates, crisps, ice cream and fizzy drinks.
I am eating lots of fruit, apples, kiwi and lots of veg. I feel a lot better and still really keen.