I like your attitude :<)

Well, of course Barbara is right in a way, but for geeks like me (and maybe thee!) poring and pondering over the minutiae of training are FUN and so help with motivation.

A spike is just that, as you describe it, Fred - a rise in heart rate in response to something that is happening eg reaching for your drink, pedalling faster, seeing a tiger behind the couch, hearing your tax return thump through the letter box. Drift is where, assuming that you go throughout your workout at the same pace, your heart rate gradually rises. I think this is because you get hot. Advice is usually not to slow down in order to stay at a level heart rate, but just accept the rise. Assuming you feel OK.

Another complication is that in races HRMs are of doubtful use because the excitement tends to send people's heart rates sky high from the start, out of all proportion to the effort being made. Personally, I still like to wear mine, because I now know by experience how high my HR goes in a race if I am on good form (around 150) and also how high is too high for me to maintain it - (approaching 160). In training I struggle to reach 150. As Mike J would say, "interesting" (at least to me!) Happy training.

Hi Fred, wouldn't stress drift and spike too much (especially since I have no idea what they are) and focus more on getting an average HR where you want for your exercise session. The other thing I would advise is to KEEP GOING on getting into your 6 day a week habit and take a moment to think about the other rules and how you want to incorporate them into your life. In other words, YNY is not an exericse book for me, it is a lifestyle book. I have been involved since I turned 50 last Feb and have found that their coaching has resonated deeply with me. I am younger physically and happier mentally and spirtually now than I was a year ago. BIG time. :) It's worth it so just keep doing what you need to do to build the life you want going forward.

I agree with all comments here... this sounds too low key & sensible not to take hold & grow into success.

sounds like a great plan... keep it fun, and enjoy!

Hi Fred, your plans seem brilliant to me. The boxing sounds helpful - we could all use better co-ordination. How lucky we are to be living now. I doubt very much if our fathers at 60 could be found cheerfully making idiots of themselves in the living room in front of the wife. In fact I know one male who was far too dignified to be seen jogging round the park, used to sneer at older men he saw doing so. Well, he had a triple bypass and after 2 good years the pain and restricted capacity came back again. I hope his dignity was worth it!

Fred, you made me cry.... happy tears!! I'll be watching for your blogs, you bet!

Fred: Don't forget the weight training. It bumps up the metabolism 24/7 which helps with weight loss. I lost 15% of my body weight without ever dieting. (Probably lost more fat as I added muscle)

Hi Fred, terrific congratulations on your new start and on the very sensible activity plans - nothing unrealistic here at all, but lots to be excited about. I am 67 and am hoping to get back to running my local 5k time trial in January (last did it about 18 months ago). I think it is a great distance and challenge and I will think of you when I am training for it.

If you want to see what a difference effort can make to diabetes, read some of Arlene's blogs.

Have to go as here in the UK it's 16.05 and I haven't done any aerobic stuff yet. Inspired by your blog, I'm off to the Cross Trainer. Good luck!

Well done so far Fred! Getting started is often the hardest part, closely followed by keeping at it! The only advice i'd give you is to listen to your body, and when it says "enough" tell it to shut up and do just a little bit more!