Week 1, Day 1.

Well, I've done it. And actually quite enjoyed it - I was also a little wobbly and more than a little sweaty when I finished, so I figure I did some good...

I timed my C25K stages using a free downloadable Android app, C25K, which meant I didn't need to manually time my changes from walking to jogging - I'd recommend it, particularly given that it allows you to play your own workout music rather than force a selection of tunes on you like some of the podcasts do.

Today has highlighted a potential issue for me with using the cross trainer rather than 'real' running - I find it really difficult to find a walking pace; the movement of the machine lends itself to jogging / running pace far better than walking and strangely I found some of the walking segments actually more strenuous, particularly on the upper thighs.

According to the monitor on the machine, during my 24+ minutes (including 5 min warm up) I did almost 8km.

I don't know whether it's psychological or not, but on the odd time I've braved my cross trainer in the past I've been blowing at around 5 minutes - it somehow seemed much easier to put the minutes in, and I'm sure my pace wasn't a great deal slower than I've gone in the past.

Other than the exercise, I'm not moving to any huge lifestyle changes just yet; well, maybe one. I am (was?) a big drinker, and would normally shift 4 or 5 cans of beer on most weeknights, and much  more at weekends. I don't intend packing the beer in completely (I'm sure I wouldn't stick at the plan if I deprived myself entirely) but I am determined to limit my drinking to 2 evenings a week. I figure I'll be drinking at least 20 pints a week less (and that is shocking to me when I actually take the time to calculate what I've been drinking), so at around 200 calories a can, I'm losing around 4000 empty calories a week. Jeeeez.

I'm kind of disappointed that tomorrow is a rest day, as my motivation is currently very high, but I'm going to stick to the plan and allow my muscles to recover. I'm sure they'll be letting me know that it's the right thing to do in the morning!

I think I'll use my 'rest days' to do some light weight training, nothing major, just 20 minutes or so with a set of dumbells. I understand that building muscle helps to burn fat quicker, so every little helps!

I should also briefly provide an update on progress for the others in my group. Two of the group were so excited to start, they bought new running gear yesterday and went out for a walk / jog straight away. They didn't stick strictly to the C25K plan, but hey, they were out there and doing exercise which is a huge thing. One of the group hasn't started yet, but to be fair he's a 15 year old lad and isn't close to the lack of fitness that the other 4 of the group have slipped to, so he doesn't really need to be starting so soon.

The final member, my lovely wife, also did her first shift on the cross trainer.

Success all round at this very early stage, then!

Time for a beer... ha, not a chance.