Happy New Year| 2012 In Pictures

 

Happy New Year everyone! I am writing this post nursing a tiny hangover after drinking too much champagne last night, while cuddled up on the sofa...I assume that I’m not the only one currently in this state! I had a lovely evening despite not being the biggest fan of New Years Eve as I think it is very overrated but I do like to take the time to reflect upon the year I’ve had and plan the year ahead. I decided to celebrate 2012 by sharing with you my favourite pictures from the year, you can see them above.

2012 has been one of the best years of my life, I graduated with a great degree, I gained a job straight out of university, I celebrated 5 years with my boyfriend, I was Chief Bridesmaid at my mum’s wedding, I got to travel new countries with my close friends and I saw my blog become a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards.

There have been some low points in the year that have affected those I love, with cancer raising its ugly head in my family again (thankfully my Grandma won her battle), and my best friend’s marriage also broke down. But as I said the worst is over, and with 2013 being a New Year it’s a chance to put a line underneath all the negatives and focus on the positives.

As with every year I always like to set goals to achieve... much more attainable than vague resolutions. So to make sure I actually attempt to do them I thought I would write them down and share them with you.

Health

• Complete the 365 miles in 365 days challenge. Yes its only a mile a day to run, so not too difficult, but I hope by taking part in a challenge it will ensure that I keep up with my fitness streak.
• Continue to lose weight and inches, and become healthier. As I mentioned in previous posts I don’t believe in scales, so don’t have a goal weight, just an idea on what I want my body to look like.
• Complete a competitive run, be it 3/5/10k
• Learn to cook. I have zero flair in the kitchen, so aim to put my food and nutrition knowledge into good use by actually cooking my own meals!

General

• Learn to drive!! I need to do this!
• Buy a car... just a cheap one to go from A to Z
• Continue to develop and grow my career through both my performance at work, and through my blog and independent projects.
• Move back in with Matt... as much as I love my family, living at home at the age of 23 going on 24 is not living the dream.
• Actually use my savings account and put 5-10% of my wage into it each month
• Spend more time with my family and friends. This was difficult this past year thanks to a gruelling final year at uni. So I aim to get the balance between work and play more equal this next year

Blog

• Develop my photography with the use of my new camera
• Film a You Tube video
• Buy a tripod and remote for my camera
• Develop my skills in html and continue to edit and adapt my blog layout
• Take part in more #bbloggers #lbloggers etc. chats

So there we have it a reflection on the past year and my hopes and goals for 2013. I hope you all had a lovely evening last night, have had a great 2012, and wish you all the best for 2013. Thank you for all your love and support over the past year, I really do appreciate it as it makes blogging so much more fun!

What are your resolution and goals for 2013?

Fitness Friday| Festive Flat Tum Week 1| Highs & Lows

 

*Images from Tumblr*

As many of you will know this past week I have been following my Festive Flat Tum Challenge, and as a result will be posting regular Fitness Friday posts on my highs and lows of the week gone by, plus some motivation for both you and I. This weeks are as follows;

Lows

This week I did not get off to as strong of a start as I wanted. I have been really struggling to wake up in the mornings... why is it so dark?! So have missed my morning workouts which is not good! I must do better next week! I have been trying to get to bed earlier so I will get into a routine of falling asleep earlier so I will find waking up less of a struggle!

Highs

Diet! This week my eating has been great, I’ve been eating clean and feel great because of it! I have not eaten crisps or chocolate, my only treat has been a cupcake on Cake Day at work, so I am giving myself a pat on the back for this!

I am also really pleased that I have ran 2 5k’s this week, although they are not the quickest, I am still pleased as this is the longest I have ran on the treadmill so far. I can run 5k outside easily as it is more interesting, but the treadmill bores me so much! So to stay on it for longer than 15 minutes is torture!

This next week I aim to get up earlier in the mornings and get my morning workout in, as well as keep up my daily cardio with the aim to run another 3 5ks! This next week I am going to take my body measurements, and some pictures, so I have something to mark my progress with. I am not weighing myself as believe this only demotivates myself. Anyways measuring inches lost is a much healthier way to analyse your health and fitness than being obsessed with the weighting scale. Scales do not take in to account muscle gained, and a toned body is much healthier and sexier than a skinny body with no definition! 

Are you stepping up your health and fitness in time to look great for Christmas? What have you done this week to make yourself proud? What fitspiration do you use to keep yourself motivated?

Fitness Friday| A new fitness favourite Cani-X

Well I don’t now about you, but I have well and truly been swept away by the Olympic spirit. I love seeing the country come together to share moments of joy; the athletes pushing themselves far and beyond their limits for glory; and learning more about sports I’d never paid any interest to previously. I really do hope that these games inspire a generation. If not a generation, at least they have inspired me.

My little fitness or health kick has came from finally finishing university, so having no excuse of a crap diet and late nights spent in the library for my unfitness, and from the fact I went for my bridesmaid dress fitting and my dress did not fit! Argh! Well the zip reached, but we didn’t force it as did not want to pull the chiffon. So I need to get fit and thinner, and what better time than when the nation is enthralled in sport.

So my mother decided that she would introduce me to her new favourite hobby Cani-X, which is basically running with your favourite furry friend. You have a special lead which you strap around your waist, the lead then has your dog attached on a sort of bungee rope. It’s great really as both you and your dog get an extra hard work out, as you both work together and at times end up pulling each other along. I know my dog Archie, pulls me up the hills.

I used to run quite often when I was younger and loved it, there is no better feeling than a runners high. However after not running for a long time, and being un-fit my first run was pretty hard! It was extra hard for me as I’m a road runner, so fell running was a completely different experience. Yes it is easier on your joints as you are on grass most of the time, but your joints are the only thing its easier on! You work what seems like every other muscle while you try and keep yourself level when running across uneven ground in fields, and running up hills! Oh the hills! I don’t bare well on them at the moment.

However I am loving it! It makes running so much more fun because you are with your dog, and also the views from the top of the fell are amazing, as you can see above. The pictures above show my mum and I with our running partners George and Archie; the hill I aim to run too and from in a couple of weeks (it doesn’t look too steep in the picture, but it is); and me feeling great after my run. I also added a few pictures from Google showing you how its done properly.

I’ve added a link to a Cani-X website if anyone wanted extra information- Cani-Cross.co.uk

Has anyone else been inspired to try a new sport after watching the Olympics? Or have you ever tried Cani-X?

Fitness Friday| March Running/ Walking Challenge

Image taken from Tumblr

I hope you have been taking on some of the tips from the past few Fitness Fridays, and trying to incorporate a few of these into your everyday lives. Remember that little changes equal big changes. Personally I have decided that I am going to try and body brush 3 times a week, as well as moisturise, I don't want lumpy thighs for my holiday in June, so think this will really make a difference.

So this month we have a walking or running challenge, based on your fitness level. I used to be an avid runner, and really saw the benefits from it very quickly, so am trying to get back into it. I know to begin with it can be difficult, I'm a girl who couldn't even run 100 metres, but you soon build up your fitness levels.

This challenge is taken from Justaskiinyminute.tumblr.com. Her challenges really inspire me, so I want to inspire you and hope you will join me this month. Here is your action plan;

I will explain this chart to you, as it can be a little confusing. You basically need to take the number for that day and make your own challenge with it, based on your fitness level. This also ensures you are mixing up your routine, making boredom less likely. For example today the number is 4, therefore I aim to incorporate 40 second sprints into my run (I normally run at a very slow pace). Tomorrow the number is again 4, so I could decide to instead go for a 4 mile walk/run.

Do whatever you fancy, and whatever your body will permit you to do. If you wish, you could start from scratch, as I am a week behind posting this, so start with 20 second sprints, or a 2 mile run. 

For those of you who don't fancy running, there is the fun Jumping Jack Challenge, found here; Jumping Jack Challenge. I have posted about the benefits of jumping jacks previously, found here; Fitness Fridays-Jumping-jack Challenge

Its a new month, so set yourself some new fitness and health goals, and try to succeed them by the end of the month. If you set small attainable goals you will soon see the benefits. 

What are you going to do today, to ensure you are fitter, healthier and stronger than yesterday? Let me know!