Shoes, shoes, shoes

So, I'm not big on shoes. People think all girls love shoes (and handbags) because whatever size you are you can go out and buy some, but I don't get all the fuss. Perhaps that makes me a traitor to my sex but think about it - how often do you look down at someone's feet? If you're me hardly ever. And as for handbags, don't get me started. I have one small satchel bag, one bigger satchel style bag and a rucksack. Why do people (girls) get so excited by them? To me it's a mystery, they are just a place to put all your crap! But back to the subject in hand: Shoes.

It's a bit shameful to admit but I usually have only one pair of shoes, trainers or flipflops at any one time which I wear until they fall apart and look like this;

If I'm honest, half the time they smell, let water in, and just look darn scruffy but shoes are not something I want to spend money on. However, as I am trying to spend less money on snacks, alcohol & chocolate etc, and to also find treats that are non edible (as rewards to keep me on my healthy living plan) I've been drawn towards trying to improve my presentation. I've started by booking in the hairdressers every 8 weeks (rather than about once a year!) and also buying nice toiletries (that I am going to use!) but now my mind has turned towards shoes. And I can honestly say I think I have brought my best purchase of the year to keep me engaged with exercise. And here they are;

They are Nike Lunarswift+ 3 Shield Women's Running Shoe! And they are magic! I put a little chip on the sole of them and connect that to my ipod and they tell me how far I have run, how fast, and how many calories I have burned. To be honest I have only been for one run in them but they are comfy, supportive and make me feel like a pro. Now, I say I have only been for one run in them but what makes that run extra special is that it was on my lunch break - I hardly ever drag myself out of the office at lunch but these shoes made me want to try them out. There is another reason I couldn't wait to go for a run. The data from your runs can be uploaded to nikeplus.com and you can track your progress, you can also join challenges. Skinny Jeans is the one who mentioned these Nike+ shoes to me (and for that I thank her) and she has set up a challenge between the two of us: who can run the furthest in the next 200 odd days, and as I am a bad loser I am determined to win - let battle commence.

Now when I started this post I said I don't get the fuss about shoes, but there is one pair that I love. They are Vivienne Westwood and in my mind absolutely stunning, and I have brought a pair! They are the most expensive piece of clothing I have ever brought but I want to wear them on my wedding day, so I think one expensive pair of shoes is justified. I've tried them on and they are comfy, glamorous and eye catching, but to make sure I don't feel like an elephant in stilettos I will have to use my trainers for the next few months. For now I will leave you with a picture of these sexy eye candy shoes!

Good Week, Bad Week

So, just over a week on from my last post, and it's been a mixed bag (but not a pick n mix bag!)

I started off so well - all week I had homemade smoothies for breakfast, soup or salad for lunch and a sensible dinner. And what did I snack on? Almonds, celery and carrots! Not bad at all really. Ok 3 out 5 days I had left over chocolate cake but the rest of the time I was very well behaved. However on Friday morning I woke up feeling like crap, my nose was full off snot, I ached and just had no get up and go. I felt so shitty that I only stayed for one Friday after work drink (it was a hot toddy at that - so medicinal!) This meant for the whole weekend I have sat indoors under a blanket, with DVDs and computer games in front of me. My only exercise was shouting a the TV when I couldn't beat a dragon (on a Skyrim - very addictive game, I recommend it!)

To top it off my boyfriend opened the tin of Quality Street we had left over from Christmas and I helped myself to a good old handful of them (if my hands were as big as King Kong that is). So how am I feeling today? Exhausted. I was supposed to join a work mate at Zumba tonight but I feel any sort of cardio would leave me a coughing spluttering mess, so for my (short term) health I have decided to forgo it and start next Monday. I haven't jogged since last weekend but I am determined not to fall behind so tonight I am going to try one of the conditioning classes on one of my DVDs so I can get my muscles working without wearing myself out. Perhaps I will try the Pilates for Beginners DVD I brought months back but haven't taken out of the packaging. You never know the endorphins may help me feel better! I'll let you know how I get on...

What are weekend are for

So, let me tell you a few things I have done today (Sunday)

1. Made a chocolate fudge cake with malteser icing!

2. Watched the 74 stone babysitter on 4OD (I debated about putting a picture on simply because I don't want to be accused of exploiting this woman but she had a documentary made about her so I feel justified using the photo - It is a compeling documentary though, and not completely a freak show like some Channel 5 shows!)

3. Gone for a jog. (This is not me but I wish it was!)

I have to admit number 2 on my list did help to finally kick start me to do number 3, but before we get in to that, I suppose I better answer about the cake first. Today is my boyfriends birthday and he loves chocolate (I know I'm getting married in September but I can't use the F word, it sounds too pretentious, so he's still the bf). I didn't want to simply buy a cake, I wanted it to be special and thoughtful, so I made the chocolatey-ist cake I could! What a great girlfriend I am. But wait a minute Blue Crush I hear you cry, what happened to the "no crisps, diet coke, alcohol and biscuits" you wrote just 2 days ago. Well you will see I cleverly/stupidly/deceptively left off cake and chocolate. However, don't fret just yet - I have had the smallest piece you could imagine (it was divine) and will not being having any more. Birthdays have to be exempt from this no sugar stuff I think, and only birthdays of important people will be considered for this luxury! I also made a roast dinner but a large portion on my plate was taken up by vegetables, so I'm not going to apologise for that.

And now on to the jogging. I have been putting it off because I was scared how unfit I have become since stopping jogging (according to my ipod I haven't gone since 1 November) and to be honest it was quite bad. I have gone back to week one of my 'Couch to 5k' app and could only run for 3 minutes without having to stop and walk, but I have to start somewhere. For the half marathon SJ and I are planning in Oct we apparently need to be able for 30 minutes straight before even considering training to run 13 miles. So that it my current aim. Before I stopped jogging in November I had got to about 7 minutes solid jogging, so I know I can do better than I currently am doing, I just have to push myself.

Another thing I have done this weekend (see how busy I've been because I can feel my energy coming back) is over an hour of my Davina DVD, had a trip to the aquarium (there were more pushchairs than fish) and signed up to the Channel 4 Revolution - Get Fit!

http://revolution.channel4.com/.

I saw this because I watched a programme called Fat Fighters on 4OD. Basically you sign up and they give you a task to complete each day, for 31 days. This is to kickstart your new year, you can stick at it after the 31 days are up. Today was a simple 2o minute brisk walk, and seeing as I started my jogging, I ticked that as completed. I like the idea of this as it may give me new exercise ideas, so go on, be inspired sign up too and see how you get along! And watch the Fat Fighters too. It's gawdy, loud and more than a little camp (a dominatrix bingo wing busting class anyone?) but that's great for this kind of show, we've moved on from Mr Motivator and I for one would love one of these guys as a personal trainer!

Channel 4 Fat Fighters!

New Year Resolutions

Ok dear readers (of which I am sure there is only one!) you may remember I posted some aims last year one of which said "To enjoy Christmas without binging on all the goodies" Well lets just say, the less said about that the better, but it is a New Year now with a renewed outlook.

2012 is going to be quite a busy year for me. We have the Olympics in early August, Skinny Jean's 30th beach party mid August, Paralympics in early September and then I am getting married mid-late September. So looking at this I need to pull my finger out so I can have a summer of rushing around and looking fabulous. But how am I going to achieve this? I started this blog in September and I am the same weight now as I was then (I lost some but put it all back on at Christmas) so clearly I need to sort myself out. I think the key for me is exercise. If I've been for a jog or work out I think, "hell no I don't want that chocolate, it'll ruin all my hard work!" But if I haven't done anything, I think "nevermind I'll be good tomorrow". Well Tomorrow is here and I have to get on track. But how? Well in the spring I will be walking up Mt Snowdon, so I need to start preparing for that. I am also going to sign up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October. I always thought I'd do something like this, and now I will. Exercise is going to become an almost daily part of my life. I can't afford to join a gym but I can go jogging, work out at home, and go to a Zumba class once a week - I just need to stop being lazy!

Last year I was always going on about moderation. Which is basically my code for saying "I can still eat crap, as long as it's not too much". Well screw that, it didn't work, so now I am going to be harsh on myself. I am not allowed diet coke, crisps, alcohol or biscuits for the whole of January. It's official, I am on a detox!

So there we go. I will write more later about detoxing, and my new exercise regime later this month but for now I will write down by resolutions for 2012.

1. Weigh 11 stone or less, as soon as possible.

2. Do some kind of exercise (20 minutes minimum) at least 5 days a week

3. Eat well and make healthy choices.

4. DON'T GIVE IN OR BE PUT OFF. It won't happen overnight but it will never happen if I don't stick at it.

Raahhhhhhhhhhhh (that's my battle cry)