Fitness Wishlist #1

GAP Shorts - FT4 Watch - Vest -
Gym Bag - Trainers 

Everyone needs the right tools for the job right? In my quest to find out if I actually have any fitness levels at all I think its only right that I kit myself out correctly, even if it doesn't help me to physically train it will at least give me a bit more motivation if I'm wearing some new gladrags, right?

Although I might not be brave enough to get my legs out in the gym if I did the shorts from GAP would be perfect, gym chic without looking like I'm trying too hard, they seem pretty lightweight and not too clingy. Whilst I might not know the ins and out I do see a lot of fitness gurus taking snap shots of their Polar FT4 watches after they've clocked up hours in the gym and I want in on the action. I can imagine seeing the calorie burn on the screen is enough to spur anyone on.

Scrolling through Etsy is one of my new favourite things, on one Etsy session I came across a pretty cute workout top available in plenty of different colours, I couldn't help but smile! I may not have the muscles, yet but who doesn't love a slogan top! I can count the amount of trainers I've had since I left school on 1 hand finger. I hate trainers, or so I thought but who knew there were so many different types, all different colours and patterns! I need in on this trainer action and these Nike trainers are a good start, now I have no idea whether the type is good but bloody hell don't they look good! As I'm going to be such a gym bunny I need something to lug around all my gym bits and this Nike bag was perfect, big enough for all the essentials but small enough that I'm not carrying the world on my shoulder!

Who would have thought that I'd be spending hours seeking out gym clothes, definitely not me that's for sure! I'm just hoping that I find something somewhere deep inside which gives me the motivation to get to the gym time and time again. Watch this space...

Do you find a good workout outfit helps? How do you motivate yourself?

My First Park Run

On Saturday morning my alarm went off at 7.45am, a time that I never normally see on a weekend. If it wasn't for my friend picking me up at 8.30am I think I would have hit the snooze button but somehow I managed the conger up the motivation to get up, scrape my hair back and tie up my running trainers. All because I was going to complete not only my first Park Run but my first ever 5k! Now, I know for some 5k is a walk in the park but for me it was a big deal. Running for me doesn't come naturally, I wasn't a born runner or anything sports related for that matter. But with my 10k within seven weeks I knew it was time to get the training started. When I say I knew it was time, I mean my work colleague brought me to the realisation that if I didn't pull my finger out soon then completing the 10k at all, let along in a respectable time would be a distant dream! Now I know she was only pulling the scare tactics on me but boy did it work! Two days later I'm at the very muddy start line of my local Park Run!

I took the run nice and steady as having never run that distance I wasn't sure on pace and with no distance markers or my trusty Nike + app (conveniently it wouldn't work that morning) to guide me I was running in the dark - well not literally as it was bloody bright for a normally dark January morning. Somehow I made it to the finish line minus a friend - sorry Charlotte! - in 38.25. For my first attempt I am very pleased with the time, although I know I can do better! The course was very muddy and through woodland which I've never ran in before, normally favouring the road or treadmill.

All in all it was a very proud morning, but I now know I've got a lot of work to do but hey we all have to start somewhere don't we! If  you want to take part in your nearest Park Run visit the website www.parkrun.org.uk/. Its a great weekly event that is so well organised and even better, its free!

The Fitness Journey

The start of the year for me, has always felt like the start of another a month, or another day. I've never had the feeling that I needed to make resolutions or change anything in my life. That was until this year. This year I decided that 1st January was the perfect time to change certain things that I wasn't entirely happy with. Nothing major just small things that would hopefully make a bigger difference.

In life I am a very happy chappy, I have lovely friends and family who I wouldn't change for the world, a great job which funds my shopping addiction and an amazing boyfriend who I love dearly. The only place in my life that I thought needed a little tweak was my fitness. Before signing up for a 10k (more on that in another post) I very rarely did any exercise. Don't get me wrong I had a gym membership but only visited once or twice a month and even then it was a quick cross trainer workout and then to the coffee shop for a treat after the not so strenuous workout! Recently I've been working out a lot more and running here and there but not near enough what I need to do to get me through the 10k on 1st March. So I decided to make a few resolutions that would help me become a lot healthier and fitter and complete the race in a respectable time. I'm not in this to loose weight - although it wouldn't be a bad thing - I'm in this to look and feel more healthy and confident. With this is in mind I made the following resolutions:

• Complete the 10k in March
• Run one other competitive race during the year
• Complete a Park Run at least once a month
• Attend the gym at least twice a week - with workout to hand
• Try one new fitness class per month
• Meal plan every Sunday for the week in advance
• Drink more water.

I know these things are not life changing but as they say sometimes its not about the destination but the journey to get there. Each step of the way I'll letting you know how I'm getting on and I would welcome any tips or tricks you have to keep motivated!