I’ve been meaning to write about Stephen Fry’s weightloss for ages, especially as he seems just as enthusiastic about keeping up the exercise that led to his shedding at least 6 stone. For those of you not familiar with Mr Fry (can there be anyone?) he’s a British actor, writer, bon viveur and all round institution. He’s been on our screens and in our lives for as long as I can remember and his height and size have only added to his larger than life character. I must admit that it never occured to me to me that he was significantly overweight until it was revealed just how much he’d lost by walking and modifying his diet but this picture really does show how great he looks now.

Even though I know that walking is brilliant for weight loss it’s great to see someone as well liked as Stephen Fry also sing its praises and demonstrate how it has worked for him. Granted, he walks pretty huge distances every day (5 – 10 miles) but a 20 minute walk to the shops and back is never going to be enough to shift such a lot of weight. I am also happy to hear that he uses his walking time to catch up on podcasts too – something I love doing. It will be interesting to see the changes in him over the next year or so as he continues on his walking path and how he encourages others to take up exercise too. I hear there may be a book in the pipeline about his walking and weight loss which sounds a great idea. I wish him every luck in the future and hope he keeps motivating others to follow his lead.

Picture courtesy of  The Mail

I apologise for the negative tone of the post (it’ll get balanced out by the next one I promise) but no matter how hard I try, there are some things I will ALWAYS hate about walking…..

The very early morning walk

I love my sleep, I really do and as a natural night owl I’ll often work through to 2 or 3 in the morning. Unfortunately, if I’m busy the next day that means an early morning walk and I will never, ever get used to these as long as  live. Don’t get me wrong, once I’m out the door I’m fine but the 15 mins before doing that are absolute torture. I now make sure that I have all my walking ‘kit’ ready in the bedroom so I don’t have to find time scrabbling around for my trainers or iPod at 6am which does make thing a little easier. The main thing is I just make myself do it – no excuses anymore. It works but I don’t like it.

The evening walk

If I miss my morning walk then I need to fit it in during the day and as I prefer walking in the dark (in the winter at least) then the ideal time is roughly at 6pm. Again, I have no problem once I’m out the door but 6pm usually comes right about the time I either pick up my husband from the station/start making supper/am in the middle of a complicated project/am just home from a long day at work myself. It’s usually freezing outside, the house is cozy, the cat is on my lap and and I just want to flop down on the settee in front of a rubbish programme.  Again, I give myself absolutely no choice but boy do I bitch for the first 20 minutes.

Rain - Don’t like it

Cyclists on the path – especially when they are behind me and I have my headphones in

The way my lower back aches if I walk over an hour and a half

Trying to balance drinking enough without wanting to pee every 10 minutes

Wanting to pee every 10 minutes

Dogs – I love ‘em but for God’s sake owners, don’t let them out and about on their own especially when they bark their bloody heads off at every little thing and look like they are about to eat your leg off.

Buses that don’t turn up

I like having somewhere to work to, it gives the walk a point and gives me a sense of purpose. I try and time my walks so that I’m at the bus stop after about 7.5 miles. If however, the bus fails to turn up, I have to walk 3 miles to the next town to get a different bus or walk 3.5 miles back to my town to get the local bus home. OK, so it’s extra mileage which is a good thing but it does my temper no good at all.

Just how long it takes to walk 7.5 miles

Although it’s pretty rare that I listen to the radio or any kind of music when out on the hills, having something to occupy my brain on my early morning walks into town and back is essential. Not only does a good podcast or radio show drown out the traffic and make the time go a bit faster, but it gives me a chance to catch up on the news and reviews I may have missed. Now that I’ve upgraded my phone to a Blackberry Bold (wooohooo) I’ve lost the FM radio that came with my previous mobile (boo) but I’m catching up with an even wider range of podcasts which is a GOOD THING. Here are ten of my current favourites:

1. Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo’s Film Reviews – Radio 5

Unmissable weekly film review from the good Doctor and Mr Mayo. I’m not much of a film goer but I haven’t missed a episode of this in 2 years and it’s a treat I look forward to every Friday.

2. Collings and Herrin Podcast

This is a brilliant but quite extraordinarily rude weekly show by journalist Andrew Collins and comedian Richard Herring. If you think swearing is funny (which I do) then this round up of UK news and celeb gossip is a must.

3. Pods and Blogs – Radio 5

“The week’s news as seen by bloggers, podcasters and citizen journalists” says the website and I couldn’t have put it better myself.

4. Excess Baggage – Radio 4

Travel show – perfect listening on a grim Yorkshire morning.

5. Ramblings with Clare Balding – Radio 4

Different walks around the UK – much more interesting than I’m making it sound here.

6. Speechification

Not a podcast as such but a collection of Radio 4 shows on mp3 – some absolute gems including comedies and documentaries.

7. Stephen Fry’s Podgrams

Too few and too far between but a wonderful treat

8. 606 Football Phone-in – Radio 5

Especially when the incomparable Danny Baker is in the chair.

9. The Outdoors Station

Excellent podcasts about backpacking, hiking etc in the UK. Bob Cartwright is a legend!

10. Countryfile

Informative podcast about the UK countryside and the happenings within it.

I’d be very interested in hearing your recommendations