mostly david ephgrave

It's common sense really, but today I felt the value of starting the day positively. I took the dog out first thing - well, what classes as first thing for me - which I do most weekdays and, despite the rain, we both enjoyed it. The only downside to dog-walking is I often find myself thinking about difficult conversations from the past that still niggle. It's the mental equivalent to coming up with the perfect witty retort days later when the moment's passed. I try to catch my rumination when I notice it and actively change the subject as I know it's unhelpful. I'm getting better at this, though it's an inexact science. While it's good to take the dog out, deciding to play the drums as soon as I got home was the real win. Changes in my routine since lockdown has seen me slow down a bit and put on weight I'd like to shift, but it's always difficult to find the right exercise to suit my back problems and - let's be honest - lethargy. Old Me spent m...

Tonight, I cashed in my first metaphorical therapy-dog-chips of the season. I should probably explain: I haven't literally turned my dog into fries and then attempted to barter by using them as a grisly form of currency; I'm pretty sure that would result in a prison sentence. But I did use him as a therapeutic aid after an argument left me overwrought and overloaded, and definitely felt the benefit, with my four-legged friend (the dog) gaining in the process. Sometimes, a breath of fresh air is the best cure for what ails you and a dog-walk is the perfect excuse for this. I usually take Elwood out in the morning for an hour while my wife's at work and she'll do the evening dog-shift (careful how you spell that) but today I took him out twice, and that second walk was just what the doctor - or vet - ordered. One of the biggest advantages to walking him in the evening is I get to see the night skies I'd otherwise miss, and this is particularly the case when I cros...

I must be one of the few people on the planet to introduce an hourlong walk to his daily routine for a month and still put on weight. To do this requires talent - albeit admittedly one I'd sooner not possess - although to be fair my increased mass is purely supposition; I haven't weighed myself in a while. Yet despite the lack of concrete evidence, it's hard to ignore the loosening of my belt and tightening of my jacket: there's something afoot, and those feet suddenly have a little more to carry. Whether I've got heavier in the last few weeks or not, I've definitely put on weight over the past year, which I'm desperate to get rid of. It makes me feel sluggish and affects my self-esteem; I'm almost glad I haven't had a casting for a while as I wouldn't want to commit my increased girth to camera. The change is most likely caused by a combination of medication and biscuits. This partly motivated my getting a dog, as I hoped the excuse for mo...

While it’s a slow process, I’m trying to get myself into better shape and slim down a bit I’ve never been one to carry much weight - to paraphrase The Beatles - though in the last year or so, a combination of taking medication that can increase the lbs I’m packing, plus - let’s face it - a few too many biscuits have seen me loosen my belt a notch or two for the first time in my life (except for when I drop my trousers). This has inevitably affected my morale as no-one wants to be dragging along unnecessary ballast. Therefore the time has come for me to do something to address my advancing waistline before it becomes too hard to reverse. My main approach has been to increase my exercise; I already do a lot of walking (which is one of the prerequisites of a non-driver) though I’ve made an active point of upping my footfall by doing thirty minutes on a step machine every day, which is something I intend to keep up (and if anything add to) in the hope ...

This week, I’ve started using Fitbit , to keep track of my physical activity and encourage me to get more exercise. To be fair to myself, I walk a lot, which is par-for-the-course when you don’t drive. I still feel I can do more. Since getting a bus pass, I’ve got into the habit of using public transport for journeys I could easily manage on foot, which is a slippery slope to take; how long will it be before I can only leave my flat through the roof by winch? (An impractical route when you live on the ground floor.)   Things have started pretty well. I set myself the challenge of 8000 steps a day (a brave move when I'm in the midst of compiling my tax return, which is a largely sedentary act). On Sunday I managed 8562, then 6574 on Monday and 6855 today. Despite coming in a little under the last two days, I’ve been reasonably active; it won’t take much to break my goal. I’m enjoying it so far. There’s a sense of achievement when you...

I caught the bus to Stotfold this morning to walk my mum's dog Barley.  I do this most Thursdays when I'm available, which helps my mum out, as it's one day less to pay a dog-walker while she's at work (and my rates are very reasonable), and it's good for me too, as it's an excuse to get some exercise. While I walk a lot through not driving, it's nice to occasionally do it for the sake of it, without having a particular destination in mind (other than my mum's house to take the dog back). Barley is the softest beast you could meet. He's the epitome of friendliness; always pleased to see you and unlikely to misbehave (save gobbling up the occasional bit of rubbish from the pavement, if you briefly take your eye off the game. I once saw him eat another dog's poo, which wasn't his finest moment).  When we got back from our spot of Stotfold exploration, Barley and my mum's cat Chaser sat with me w...