Never too old - to get fit and lose weight

As many (some/a few/none) of you know, I had to pull out of this year's Marathon des Sables because of problems with my feet. Incidentally, medical science is baffled - if you have any experience of a foot problem that shows all the symptoms of bursitis I'd be grateful to hear about it.

Since my decision (last December) I have done virtually no running (or any other exercise of note). I am now an unsightly blob weighing in at 13 stone 5:

Ugh! (The sheep is not full size!)

The good news (for me) is that I have been inspired by a 4N (http://www.4networking.biz/) colleague, Basil Mienie (http://www.focusonlife.org.uk/) to actually do something about it.

I have a target weight of 12 stones. And a target date of 26 October. And a blog to tell the world (or at least the 2 or 3 people who actually read this) and thus expose myself (see above) to ridicule if I do not make good.

And, of course, I need help. If you read this, the odd word of encouragement will not go amiss. I have begun my exercise regime and will be creating a diet plan in the next week or so. I will report regularly and truthfully on my progress and will publish pictures also.

This may bring a glimmer of hope to others who are fighting a weight/fitness battle. Or it may plunge them into despair, of course. But here is my planned gentle introductory 'back to fitness' plan:

Day 1 - cover 2-3 miles; one minute walking, one jogging, one sprinting throughout. I have to confess that my sprinting is rubbish to begin with and gets worse. But it is a start.

Day 2 - upper body workout. To begin with a few dumbell curls, push-ups, crunches and leg-raises. In a couple of weeks I will expand. But it is a start!

Continue alternate days with, maybe, Sunday off.

Next update in one week.

At last - customer service!

I went with my wife, Kate, to the traditional boat show at Henley one Sunday recently. Most enjoyable and, if you go after about 2pm, entry is half-price!

There was a stall selling, among other things, deck shoes. As I needed a pair, I browsed. And found the perfect pair at the perfect price!

However, a little demon (Kate) whispered in my ear, "Don't buy at the first place you come to." This, of course, is a female thing. I'm not sexist but they do insist on visiting every shop before returning inevitably to the first to make the purchase. This is because they could not bear to find the same thing at a lower price somwhere else. Men do not have this problem as, having found what we want, we buy and never look at that item anywhere again. Thus we remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that we might have saved a bob (10p to the youngsters) or two by spending three hours trailing from shop to shop.

So my natural inclination is to buy now. But there is the possibility that Kate will get the chance to say "I told you so." later on. So I reluctantly depart promising to return soon.

We cover the entire show, Kate buys yet another hat she will never wear, we have an ice cream and, eventually, return to the shoe stall.

THEY HAVE SOLD MY SHOES!

There is not another pair in stock. I am desolate. But the nice couple running the stall have good news; another shipment is due in next week. I order and pay. By the following Friday, my shoes have arrived. They are just as I remember (perfect) and there is a spare pair of laces in the box. Bliss!

Unfortunately the nice people who run the stall do not have a website. But I'm sure maggieandivor@hotmail.com would be delighted to receive your enquiries if you too need a new pair of deck shoes!

Postscript. Isn't it sad though, that I am getting so excited over a supplier that simply does what they say they will do?

What's in a name?

Quite a lot, according to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

I recently decided to launch a new service for public speakers/aspiring speakers etc. Feeling expansive, I thought I would call it the 'Institute for Public Speaking'. On trying to register the name I was told 'Institute' (even with a lower case i) was a sensitive word. I would have to get a dispensation! From where, I enquired. Check with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, I was told.

After several unsatisfactory phone calls and an exchange of emails where each reponse came from a different person, I announced to the Department for Business Impairment and Stupidity that I was going to call it 'Institute' because they had told me nothing to suggest I couldn't. I was advised to talk to Business Link. Who advised me to talk to Companies House.

Having had no joy with the Department (or Business Link or Companies House) I went ahead and named my creation 'Institute'. See http://www.ifps.org.uk/.

However, there were dark mutterings and a sense of unease, so the fragrant Teresa May (who, in addition to being my MP - her most important function - is Home Secretary and Minister for Women & Equality) was approached for help. Next thing I know, a 76-page document arrives from the aforementioned DBIS explaining why I can't be an 'Institute'. And can't be a lot of other things, including 'Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru'. No offence to the Welsh but why would you want to?

Why they could not have sent this informative document in the first place .....