2018

[mrheadmanghost]

Morning Walk – Milton Keynes

Date: Today

Distance: 6.6 km | Steps: 7,886 | Time: 1 hr 16 min | Elevation Gain: 53 m | Calories: 545 Cal | Avg Heart Rate: 104 bpm

Route: A scenic loop from Furzton Lake, past the Tear Drop lakes in Knowlhill and Winterhill, and back around Furzton.

Highlights:

* Glorious weather for the walk.

* Spotted someone riding a penny farthing — a rare sight!

* First cygnets of the year on the waterways.

* A little bunny rabbit hopping along the path.

Reflection: Today’s walk felt energising, combining steady exercise with charming wildlife sightings. The loop around Furzton Lake and past the Tear Drop lakes remains a favourite for both pace and scenery.

[mrheadmanghost]

Weekly Walk & Nature Log – Milton Keynes

Week: April 27 – May 3, 2026

Weight: 131.5 kg

Summary:

Over the past week, I focused on regular walks, paying attention to both fitness and the environment around me. Bailey, my friend’s dog, joined me for some of the walks earlier in the month; he’s now back with his owner, but I’m looking forward to his next visit during their holiday.

Walks & Stats:

* April 27 (Mon): 2.42 mi / 4,759 steps / 1 flight climbed

* April 28 (Tue): 2.50 mi / 4,923 steps / 6 flights climbed

* April 29 (Wed): 2.90 mi / 5,775 steps / 5 flights climbed

* April 30 (Thu): 0.93 mi / 1,929 steps / 4 flights climbed

* May 1 (Fri): 4.20 mi / 8,187 steps / 3 flights climbed

* May 2 (Sat): 1.89 mi / 3,710 steps / 2 flights climbed

* May 3 (Sun): 2.85 mi / 5,939 steps / 5 flights climbed

Total Week: 18.54 km (~11.5 mi), 3h 35m walking, 117 m elevation gain

Nature Observations:

* Open fields and riverbanks were active with swans, early spring growth, and budding trees.

* Water plants are emerging along the river, and bird activity remains high.

Notes & Reflections:

* Walks were mostly steady; pace would have been faster at times, but some stops for wildlife observation and casual conversations slowed it down.

* Tracking both fitness and nature keeps the walks engaging and mindful.

Target for Next Week:

* Double my steps – aiming for roughly 9,000–12,000 steps per day while keeping the walks mindful and enjoying the surroundings.

[mrheadmanghost]

April 6, 2026 – Milton Keynes

• Walk: 3.23 mi (~5.2 km)

• Time: 1h 6m

• Calories: 639 kcal total (448 active)

• Avg Heart Rate: 107 bpm

• Avg Pace: 20’28”/mi

• Elevation Gain: 55 ft

• Route Notes: Walked along river and open fields; swans visible on the water.

• Nature Observations: Trees are budding, early spring growth along riverbanks, water plants emerging.

• Dog: Bailey (friend’s dog, temporary until April 10)

[mrheadmanghost]

Walk with Bailey – April 5th, 2026

Today I walked 4.79 km around Caldecotte, Milton Keynes, with Bailey, a friend’s dog we’re looking after until April 10th. The walk took 1 hour and 1 minute, covering 5,418 steps. The pace would have been faster, but I stopped for about 20 minutes to chat with a gentleman from Leighton Buzzard.

Along the route, I noticed cowslips (Primula veris) in flower. At the end of March, it’s normal to see cowslips starting to bloom in this area. Observing plants like this helps me take notice of the environment while exercising.

Fitness and Nature Notes:

• Distance: 4.79 km

• Time: 1h 1m (includes ~20 min stop)

• Steps: 5,418

• Pace: ~12 min/km overall (faster without stop)

• Dog: Bailey (friend’s dog, temporary)

• Notable plants: Cowslips flowering (normal for late March in UK)

[mrheadmanghost]

Diet Update: Two Weeks In and 6kg Down, Payday Bonus on the Way!

I wanted to share a quick update on my health and fitness journey. Back on January 7th, I started a new Mediterranean-style diet plan prescribed by my doctor, along with the weight loss drug Orlistat.

When I stepped on the scale at my appointment, I weighed in at a hefty 152kg - one of my highest weights ever. But after just 7 days on the "Mediterranean” diet and Orlistat, I lost a remarkable 6kg!

One side effect of the Orlistat medication is the possibility of explosive diarrhoea if I eat too many fatty foods. Luckily, I haven't shat myself so far, and I'm being really mindful of my diet.

I'm hoping to keep up a similar pace of weight loss this week, although I know it might be unrealistic to expect 6kg every single week. Regardless, I'm feeling motivated and determined to reach my goals.

In other good news, my credit score has also been on the rise. It's now up to an impressive 960, firmly in the "good" range. And to make things even better, payday is this Friday the 31st! I'm expecting some nice bonus payments, which I plan to use to pay off some of my outstanding loans. This should help give my credit score another boost.

I'll be sure to provide another update next week. Wish me luck as I continue this journey! #HealthyLiving #FinancialGoals #PaydayBonus

[mrheadmanghost]

📅 Weight Loss Journey: Day 1 Update 📅

Hey everyone! 🌟

So, I’ve officially kicked off my weight loss journey, and I’m here to share all the juicy details! 🤗 Let’s break it down:

Date: January 10th

Doctor's Visit: Had an enlightening chat about weight loss options.

Prescription: Enter Orlistat! 🌟

What is Orlistat?

This little pill helps block some of the fat from the food I eat. Sounds intriguing, right? Think of it like a bouncer at a party, ensuring that not all the guests (read: fat) make it into the fun! 🎉

Diet Plan:

I’m diving into the Mediterranean diet! 🥗🍅 It’s supposed to be great for health and weight management. I picked up a book and am excited (and slightly terrified) to try some new recipes!

What’s Next:

I’ll be documenting my meals, successes, and possibly a few challenges along the way. 📸💪 I would LOVE your support and any tips you might have, so feel free to comment below!

Let’s embark on this journey together and make healthier choices! What are your favorite healthy dishes? I’m all ears! 👂💖

[mrheadmanghost]

It's the 5th of January, and I've started to complete a daily cash flow spreadsheet. It's pretty frightening, as I still need to add my grocery, diesel, and lunch expenses to it, but at present, it shows I'm spending £63.78 a day, which amounts to £1,939.98 a month and £23,279.70 a year. This is way too much, but I do plan on paying off a couple of loans at the end of the month, which should bring my monthly spending down by a couple of hundred pounds.

Regarding my weight loss, I have contacted the doctors and have an appointment with them on the 10th. I would like to try the weight loss jab, Mounjaro. If the doctors won’t prescribe this, I can go direct for about £125 a month, so obviously, a portion of the debt I pay off will be allocated to this. I do need to lose weight, and traditional methods have just not worked for me in the past.

[mrheadmanghost]

Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025: A Transformative Journey Begins!

As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome in the promise of 2025, I’m excited to resume my blog and share my targets for the new year. While these goals may appear ambitious at first glance, I’m eager to delve deeper into each one in the coming weeks, exploring the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.

### Transforming My Life: A 6-Month Journey Toward My Goals

I’ve set three key targets I aim to achieve by June 2025: improving my health, reducing my debt, and boosting my credit score. Each of these goals represents a significant aspect of my life that I’m determined to enhance for a brighter future. Here’s how I plan to get there!

#### 1. Health Goals: Weight Loss Journey

- Current Weight: 149.2 kg

- Target Weight: Below 127 kg

- Timeline: 6 months

Action Plan:

- Set Monthly Goals: I’ll aim for a weight loss of around 4-5 kg per month, bringing my total loss to approximately 20-25 kg by June 2025.

- Diet: Consulting a nutritionist for a balanced meal plan focused on whole foods will be crucial. I will emphasize reducing processed sugars and increasing my intake of fruits and vegetables.

- Exercise Routine: Committing to at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly—whether it's walking, cycling, or hitting the gym—will help keep me motivated. I’ll choose activities that I truly enjoy!

- Track Progress: I will monitor my weight bi-weekly and keep a journal of my food intake and exercise to stay accountable.

#### 2. Financial Goals: Debt Reduction

- Current Debt: £82,182

- Target Debt: Below £70,000

- Timeline: 6 months

Action Plan:

- Monthly Budgeting: I’ll create a monthly budget to track my income and expenditures, identifying areas to cut back and allocate savings toward my debt.

- Debt Repayment Strategy: I’ll use the snowball method—starting with the smallest debts to build momentum—while simultaneously focusing on higher interest debts.

- Boost Income: Exploring side hustles and freelance opportunities can help increase my income, directing more toward debt repayment.

- Progress Monitoring: Quarterly reviews of my debt reduction will keep me accountable and on track toward my goals.

#### 3. Credit Score Improvement

- Current Score: 943

- Target Score: Above 970

- Timeline: 6 months

Action Plan:

- Consistent Payment History: I will ensure all my bills and debts are paid on time, using reminders or automating payments to help stay on track.

- Maintain Low Credit Utilization: I’ll strive to keep my credit card balances below 30% of my limit, aiming even lower if possible.

- Limit New Applications: To protect my score, I’ll avoid applying for new credit unnecessarily, minimizing hard inquiries.

- Regular Monitoring: Staying updated with my credit report will help me understand the changes and adjust my strategies as necessary.

### Staying Motivated

Achieving these goals in just six months will require commitment, but I am ready to embrace the challenge! Here’s how I will stay motivated:

- Set Milestones: Celebrating small victories along the way will keep my spirits high. Every pound lost, every payment made, and every point gained on my credit score will be a reason to celebrate!

- Build Accountability: Having a buddy for support can be invaluable. I’ll seek out a community or friend with similar goals to share our challenges and victories.

- Visualize Success: Keeping a vision board or reminders of my goals will inspire me daily, fueling my determination.

### In Conclusion

This six-month journey toward better health, financial stability, and an improved credit score will not just change my numbers; it will transform my life! I’m excited for what lies ahead as I challenge myself to grow and thrive.

Here’s to the journey, the hard work, and the amazing transformations that await! Join me on this adventure, and let’s inspire each other to reach our goals!

[mrheadmanghost]

Newton’s Second Law Of Thermodynamics

“A body at rest tends to stay at rest - and a body in motion tends to remain in motion.

In Jeff Olson’s book “The Slight Edge” he talks about not just making plans but putting your plans in action.  It’s all well and good having all these grand ideas in your head or on paper but if you never try to put your actions in motion you will never succeed.  Failing is just part of the process of succeeding and you only really fail when you quit.

“In the process of learning to walk, did you spend more time falling down or standing up? If you were anything like most babies, you failed (fell) far more than you succeeded (walked). It didn’t matter: you were on the path of mastery.”  

Also part of this journey is reflecting back on what went well during the day so I will also use this blog as a reflection tool.

I will finish off with another quote from the Slight Edge.

“The predominant state of mind displayed by those people on the failure curve is blame. The predominant state of mind displayed by those people on the success curve is responsibility.”  

[mrheadmanghost]

New month

January ended up being a decent month on the gambling front.  During January I staked on my systems £5969 with a strike rate of 32% and a profit of £1417.  I am pleased with this but I an slightly concerned that my staking plan is all wrong and my betting balances could be eaten up within a couple of bad days.  

At present my betting accounts stand like this

Paddy Power £888.42

Bet Victor £213.45

Ladbrokes £970.48

Betfair £131.90

Giving me a total betting balance of £2204.24.  Like I say I am happy with the returns so far but today my total stakes were £500 and tomorrows stakes are £750 so if the worse did happen and I have a terrible run my betting balance could be wiped out in just a few days.  Another worry I have (and its a nice worry) that if I do keep on winning my betting accounts are going to get restricted with me losing out on Best Price Guaranteed and even staking restrictions 

[mrheadmanghost]

Rudyard Kipling

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss.

Easier said than done Radjard. Black Tuesday was followed by a mediocre Wednesday and a slightly better Thursday.

My betting balances are as follows.

Ladbrokes £151.65

Paddy Power £143.45

Bet Victor £71.88

Betfair £67.12

Total betting war chest £434.10

That’s a deficit of £441.75 from my last post and if I had of made any New Years Resolutions I would of lasted just over a week as my lack of discipline reared it’s ugly head on Tuesdays I went chasing. I’m down but not out.

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

Wise words Radyard.

[mrheadmanghost]

Small loss.

With Hereford being abandoned today we was left with just two meetings and four bets on my Top Speed and Rating systems. Not much damage was done after my first selection won at 11/4 but my next selection finished second after trading odds on in running and my last horse went off 8/15 (I’d got it at 23/20) and was beaten a neck. The top three rated horses in each race faired a little better with my account finishing £15.12 up on the day. I also back a first time out horse of Ian Williams at Wolverhampton as he has a good strike rate when he receives a new horse but alas today was not his or my day.

After all that gambling my figures look like this.

My betting balances are as follows:

Ladbrokes £124.38

Paddy Power £156.27

Bet Victor £112.09

Betfair £483.11

Total betting war chest £875.85 with a loss of £16.13 on the day.

Only two horses on my system tomorrow which I have Backed at 2/1 and 4/1 but of course I will have backed 3 horses in every race at Taunton, Southwell and Doncaster.

[mrheadmanghost]

New Year

Well the dust has settled on 2017 and are now a week into 2018.  I haven't made any New Year resolutions as I don't like disappointment but I have given myself so targets to aim for.

It’s the usual stuff, lose weight, get fitter, nice holiday, increase savings, more discipline when it comes to gambling.  I will make a proper list and go into more detail on how I aim to achieve the above and probably add more when I put my mind to it.

With regards to my gambling it has been going quite well and I have now subscribed to Proform professional to try and help find some winning trends I can exploit but at the moment I've been backing their Top Speed and Power Ratings along with their top 3 horse ratings in every race.  Yesterday showed a profit of £41.75 but today I had a loss of £123.42 so over the last two days I am £81.67 down.  I've already backed the Speed and Power rating horses for tomorrow (6 horses at £25 a time) and will back the top 3 rating horses at Betfair SP for £3 a pop.

My betting balances are as follows:

Ladbrokes £149.38

Paddy Power £112.52

Bet Victor £162.09

Betfair £467.99

Total betting war chest £891.98

Getting away from my betting I have a couple of other things to look forward to this month

28th Darts Unibet Masters final (cant get away from betting)

31st Jersey Boys at the Milton Keynes theatre.

[mrheadmanghost]

I have many different journeys to go on so I’m hoping this blog will keep me motivated and focused.