Figs, Farro & Farts.....But Fighting Fit @ 40? The Gladiators' Guide To Physical Rejuvenation. by aphrodisiologist

OK! One quarter of the way through my twenty four week preparation period and it has to be said that this was been a pretty erratic start to the ‘Fighting Fit At 40’ campaign. There have been successes, failures, feelings of pride and feelings of shame but, fuelled by the latest scientific evidence that, in matters like this, we should reward our successes and forgive our failures, I remain mildly satisfied with the progress to date and in my ability to complete the London Marathon in April..... though at what speed is another matter!

To get the failures (and huge failures they are), out of the way first and quickly, I must admit  that all attempts to cut out the fags and the coffee have been disastrous. There is nothing more that I can say about that. Ashamed of course but, in the spirit of above mentioned scientific evidence, already self-forgiven!

The diet, however, has been a success. Success, at least, if the fact that it is has been followed is the measurement and –see below-  also if it has anything to do with my physical progress. Not only am I now, well into the routine of the ancient Roman & Greek diet, I am even enjoying it. That was not the case initially however and, to begin with, the side effects of such a radical dietry change were hard to cope with by both myself and my family. The sudden switch to a high grain and fibre intake created more than just a small reaction from within and the winds of change –if you get my drift- were noticeable to all around me. There was also a big taste shock with the conversion from Cows to Goat's milk and, whilst it has taken a while to adjust to the very distinctive flavour of the latter, my regular 'snack' of goat's yogurt, dried figs, walnuts and honey is the most enjoyable part of the diet.

All things have settled down now and I have remained as true as possible to the foods that were discovered in my initial research and, apart from one family meal every Wednesday, have feasted each week on the same basic dishes with my own twists to provide some variety. There is a bit of preparation inolved on the food side of things, but to make life easier, I tend to cook the grains in bulk, portion and refrigerate or freeze for the whole of a week. I have also discovered a three grain mix made by Riso Gallo, which provides spelt, barley and rice in a simple to cook mix, that requires no soaking or long cooking process. This is healthy, tasty and nutritious food and it equates to alot of munching....more than six kilos of spelt, barley, orzo and oatmeal, a kilo each of garlic and onion, half a kilo each of dried figs and walnuts, a kilo of pulses and beans, thirty meal cakes, half a kilo of mozzarella, a litre each of goat's milk & goat's yoghurt, pickled walnuts, three bottles of red wine, gallons of water, vegetable juice, fruit juice, olive oil, copious amounts of dill and anchovy sauce, eggs, meat, fish and seasonal fruit and vegetables. This all measures up to about three thousand calories a day, with increases and decreases worked in to allow for heavy and light training days. My overall weight has constantly fluctuated across a one stone parameter but is very close now to my initial weight. The dietry percentages of carbohydrates, protein and fats seem to be working well also and there has been little effect on BMI or loss of muscle mass.

There has also been success in terms of fitness and progression towards the completion of a marathon.  Having initially tried to follow the official London Marathon training plan and struggled, I am now on my own routine. Time will tell if this is going to achieve the desired  results and I am not one hundred per cent sure that my training plans are effective but the last run of this six week period was ten miles in ninety minutes which is ahead of the target I have set myself and that which is shown on the official plan. So long as I can keep to the aim of a mile a week increase on the longest run and a half mile increase on three shorter runs (up to ten mile), my confidence in this system will increase. I am aware that I need to do some more work on weights and circuits and the introduction of this, along with the progression of distance and correct dietry adjustemts are my clear goals for the next six week period. All things that, please Jupiter, I will report on positively at the next update!!!