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.