One foot in front of the other...

Time to set a goal... Now, I know some people have weddings... communions... jeans to get back into ...  and all sorts of goals but try one of these... 5k... with your pals for a good cause! Over 40K women do the Dublin Mini Marathon every year, for all kinds of charities and it's great craic! 

Pick one that's closest to your heart... sign up... if you're worried about doing it on your own don't be... I'll be lurking at a few of them and honestly I need a good training buddy! You'll be surrounded by fellow walkers who are up for fun and getting fitter more than beating Sonia O'Sullivans time! Remember, it's not the Olympics, so don't fret about it and most of us can walk 5k but challenge yourself... Maybe set a small goal for yourself... 'I'm going to walk this under 60 mins... 2 hours..' whatever and go for it... you'll feel so good after I promise!

I'm never going to be a runner... unless I'm on fire and running towards a half naked fireman holding a calorie free G&T, it ain't happening... my pals from bootcamp will vouch for this... I whinge the entire time about running but I know plenty of people who are addicted to it! But I'll be walking in a good few of these this year because I need something to focus on so I keep getting out for my walks so I don't need paramedics at the end of any of them! 

It's just one foot in front of the other... and get competitive with your pals... you'll encourage each other... who ever clocks up the most miles on their pedometer doesn't pay for the cocktails at the end of it... there is cocktails right?!?! re-hydration and all...  

Put on your trainers... open the front door and walk out... keep going for 10 mins... turn around... you have to come home! There's a 20min walk! DONE! If its raining bring a brolly... look at the country we live in... it rains all the time, it really shouldn't be a surprise! C'mon you get a medal!!! 

Anyone wants to stomp the tarmac I'll be at some of them! I'm not fast, I'll chat the entire way around but if someone feels they can't do it for what ever reason... just shout out, I bet someone reading this will want a walking buddy too! I'm overweight, slow and probably gonna be the last to cross the line but at least I'll do it! AND with a smile on my face!  

A charity close to my heart, Pieta House Darkness into Light Walk is on Saturday the 9th of May a fantastic cause to raise awareness of suicide and depression in Ireland... it's all about hope... http://dil.pieta.ie 

A charity close to my boobs... The Great Pink Run is provisionally set for Saturday 29th of August and its brilliant! I stomped it out at my own pace plus you get to wear pink! There are some particularly fetching men in tutus running this! 

http://www.greatpinkrun.ie 

ALSO check out http://www.pinkribbonwalk.ie for local walks around the country... 

Run or Dye I mean seriously... channel your inner hippy... wear white and have a blast, in full blow colour! Registration is open for Galway on 12th of September! Dublin date to be announced! Mr Q are you reading this?!?! http://www.runordye.co.uk

Others to check out... 

The Great Limerick Run which has a 6 mile course... http://www.greatlimerickrun.com

The Pink Ribbon Walks http://www.pinkribbonwalk.ie  around the country... 

And of course the Dublin Mini Marathon! http://www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie

If you know of any more, please comment below and we'll all get moving! 

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V8

Juicing... the word almost fills me with me with dread... I've tried lots of juice diets, cleanses, uurrgghhh, nearly ALL of the juice fads going... and to be honest I've never lasted the course... now I'm talking the kind of juices that you have to hold your nose whilst your downing it... I'm pretty sure everyone's given them a try... yes, I love smoothies... yes, including the skin and using the whole fruit makes them very low in ProPoints so I'm not against 'juice' per say... Now, before anyone shouts how delicious and yummy and good for you they are... I know... I know... I know exactly how good they are for you and honestly I'm not against the fruit or the veggies, for me it's when they're combined! I'm a probably a juice snob... and can I also note, I'm not going to down a shot of wheat grass ever again either... no way! PLUS cleaning a juicer is second only, to my other most hated chore, ironing!

I love fruit, I think it's one of the reasons I've been so successful on the ProPoints plan, I don't over dose on it but I love snacking on it, and using it to flavour other foods like porridge, making popsicles, and adding them to my baking, blueberry muffins anyone? 

Honestly, I admire people who can drink carrots and celery, not that I don't love carrots and celery in their natural form I love my veggies I just can't drink them! Until now... and I think that's because they're mixed with fruit! 50/50!

V8 have come to town with their V-Fusion juices and I'm giving them a go! There's two in to choose from... Raspberry & Beetroot or Passion Fruit, Mango & Carrot... The Raspberry & Beetroot one is just gorgeous... it's not gloopy nor does it smell like stewed veggies (see I'm a snob) ... the fruit really gives it enough sweetness, to drink it like a lady out of a proper glass! I'm a massive raspberry fan, I used to pick them as a teenager near my grandmothers house and most of the time I had hives from eating too many... This is sweet enough to drink and the hint of beetroot is just enough to give you the healthy buzz! 

1 PP per 100ml / 3PP per 250ml serving

Low fat and free of artificial sugars means you're still getting all the good stuff without the additives! PLUS you get two of your five a day in one 250ml serving! If you're looking for a more tropical taste... the Mango & Passion fruit one is DEFINITELY worth a try! I had this one the other night at a party as I was the designated driver and in a cocktail glass no one was any the wiser! Smells so good too... and so much better than bringing a litre of diet coke for the night... I know 3PP sounds like a lot but when you think of how good it is for your insides and if you struggle to eat fruit and veg, and many people do, it might be the way to start getting the goodness into you! Water it down if you're struggling, it'll be like a cordial! 

0PP per 250ml serving 

V8 Vegetable Original juice is big in America and that too is available here... it's been produced there since 1933 and the recipe hasn't changed from day one... 8 ingredients -  tomato, celery, carrot, beetroot, parsley, lettuce watercress and spinach... all the good guys.. 100% pure vegetable juice and 150ml glass counts as one of your five a day! Bonus!

The Original Vegetable juice, not really for me, like I said I'm a bit of a juice snob... BUT it's the perfect ingredient to make Bloody Marys! See the way my mind works! AND I'm going to add it to my Zero PP soup this week to see how that works! *crosses fingers and toes*

If you can't be doing with the peeling, chopping and all that palaver... and if you don't have juicer, or one that only needs to be cleaned for an hour afterwards or if like most of us you don't have the time to make your own... these are the business! 

These are available in Dunnes and Tesco... €2.69 for 1 litre of the Original and €2.99 for 750ml of the V8 V-fusion! 

check them out >>> HERE <<< www.v8juice.com 

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Rehydrate!

It's January... it's cold... and lets face it all you want is a hot chocolate with some marshmallows and a biccie... now before someone gets on their high horse, lot of January grumps around at the moment, I know you can have them on the plan... everything in moderation and that, but getting your full intake of H2O is vital, especially at this time of year... we're in hibernation mode, central heating, fires, and the heaters blowing in the car and office can dehydrate us... we're more sluggish... we're not moving as much as we would in the summer... well some of us aren't... and to keep everything 'moving' and your skin clear you've just got to get it into you... so my tips... 

First up... Buy yourself a 'water' glass... something fun or cute or with a bit of bling on it... something that's not a plastic bottle! Also a fancy water bottle doesn't need to cost the earth! Keep a bottle/glass ... in ALL these places... 

Beside the kettle, whilst you're waiting for it to boil down a small glass... On your desk,  sip it throughout the day... In the car, every traffic light, take a swig...  In your gym/swim bag, the more your exercise the more you need to replenish fluids! ...  Beside your bed,  often you're thirsty not hungry, so try a glass first before you head to the fridge for a mid night feast! 

Mine are all from Homestore & More, IKEA, Dealz, TK MAXX... they all have funky glasses, large one off wine glasses and hipster jam jars! Trust me on this, you will drink more... 

Next up.. get yourself a proper water bottle... then get another one... again leave them where you regularly sit... desk, car coffee table... again out of sight out of mind... if they're there you're more likely to sip! 

Clearly I'm a big fan of the 'pink water bottle'... 

Then... make water taste better... This post from Jamie Oliver >>> HERE  <<< made me rethink how I could enjoy water more and this post from the Yummy Life >>> HERE <<< drool! I challenge you not to want to try them out... if you love fruit like I do, get out the glass jug from the back of the cupboard, chop up some oranges, melon, some kiwi, any fruit except bananas to be honest and flavour your water naturally, feck it get a cocktail glass too if it'll make you drink it! Make it the night before and it'll be full of flavour by morning! 

Load up your fruit, top tip - give everything a good squeeze on the way in 
so the natural juices can flow! 

Play around with flavours, chopped apple, chopped grapes and lemon is delicious... 

Stock up your jug with fruit... add your water and let it 'stew' for as long as you can.. 

Apple and Blueberry a new fav of mine... again make sure you squash the blueberries so you get the flavour going... 

After 10 or 15 mins you'll see it go cloudy and that's ALL flavour! 

The orange season is nearly done, so the bigger ones are super juicy right now.. 

I leave this in the fridge with my over night oats  

and its SO refreshing in the morning! 

Just so I'm down with the kids! ahem... 

Tangent - When I was a kid, if you drank out of a jam jar 
you felt like a third world citizen! Now it's THE cool think to do! 

Oh and never underestimate the power of a straw.. you'll drink loads more with one... and most of the shops do them... the pound shop / dealz do some very cool ones... IKEA have their SUPER straws coming in again soon so keep an eye out for them, bargain too! 

Other tips... When you're out for dinner place your water glass on the side of your dominant hand... you'll automatically reach for it... we're creatures of habit! Plus think of the hangover! 

First thing after you wake up, don't reach for the coffee... try a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon... it's good to kick start your liver and kidneys... sweeten it with a drop of honey if you don't like the taste... 

Eat your water... melon, celery, cucumber, soup... lots of ways to add more to your diet.. A lot of times we're not hungry we're thirsty so have a glass of water before you reach for something to eat! 

Drinking water is so good for you.. for your skin, hair, digestive system, your liver, kidneys there's nothing negative about drinking the stuff and you're 75% made of water! 

The science bit... If you need any factual back up, check out the graphic below, you can find it >>> HERE <<< I know its American based but the facts are still the same, water is good for you! 

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You choose...

You know those cream cakes you walk past in the supermarket, ok RUN past, those chocolate croissants in the board room... that cheese all melty on buttered toast ... you know how good all that stuff tastes... next time you feel like dipping your paws into the biscuit tin just remember this... 

There's a reason why all the foods that are bad for us taste so good, between the bad fats, MSG, all the 'E' numbers and additives these foods are addictive! That slogan 'Once you pop you can't stop' is so true! Anyone know someone who opened a tin of Pringles had one and put them away?!?!?! No way! There's an entire industry, within the food industry that's there to make us want products more, they add flavours and chemicals to food so that we all drool at the mention of its name... and no one is saying you can't have a cream bun now and then... but the bad stuff, that's going to stay in your system a lot longer than the 30 secs that you get to enjoy it in your gob! And sometimes that's all we crave, that smell, and taste, once its made it's way to our tummies we just feel guilty and crap and lethargic... 

This week be more mindful of what you're eating... is that cupcake worth the momentary bliss or can you eat something else that would give you that same satisfaction but without all the apres binge drama... question things before you just put it in your mouth and forget it ever happened... that old saying 'a minute on the lips a lifetime on the hips' rings true! 

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Stop quitting...

January is all about the 'new me...' *groan*

AND if you must make a resolution and, by the way, I'm not a fan of those... 

make one you can stick to...

STOP QUITTING 

Stop giving up on you... 

Its SO easy to throw in the towel... 

but you've only got one body and this ain't a dress rehearsal! 

Do you really want to look back next year and say I wish I hadn't wasted so much time 

and energy on resolutions, fad diets, yo yo dieting... the list goes on...  

when all I had to do was listen my body and be a little kinder to it 

and enjoy things I love in moderation... 

This year don't quit on you... as the ad says... You're worth it... 

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Some common sense... Monday Motivation!

Just a little FYI this cold Monday morning...

 

You didn't go to bed last night and wake up 2 stone heavier... You won't wake up tomorrow 2 stone lighter, damn it... So be realistic! 1-2 lbs a week is a healthy way to lose weight, any more is a bonus... add in a little extra walk into your day, take the stairs, have a boogie in the kitchen, do squats when you're doing laundry... a little exercise here and there all adds up! 

Have a great week x 

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Tomorrow... tomorrow... I love ya...

You totally sang that.... 

Tomorrow is a wonderful place isn't it... housework will be done... filing will be done... diets start.... junk food ends.. it's only a fabulous day... but if you put off starting to exercise until the time is right, you'll never reach your fitness goals... There is NEVER a right time... EVER!

Q. When is the best time to start exercising?

Monday morning?
New Year's Day?
The beginning of the month?
After your holidays?
When you can afford a gym membership?

All tried and tested excuses... you heard me...

A. The best time to start exercising is NOW.
If you keep waiting for the perfect time to start working out, or for the ideal time to change our eating habits, we risk procrastinating and waiting for a time that may never come.

We're all busy... and there's never be a perfect time to start...

If you want to achieve your goals... start now... 

because NOW is always the best time to make YOU a priority.

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You just can't see it...

This last week a few things happened that made me sit up and think... I'm an over thinker as a rule, I can dissect a simple 'OK' into a thousand different ways, but this was more than usual... Our minds are tricksters at the best of times and the mind games we play with ourselves can be pretty silly... Every left the house having tried on EVERY single item that you own and still not been happy?!?

It all started with Comso Australia posting a picture of supermodel Robyn Lawley wearing her own swimwear range... This woman is regarded as 'plus size'! Don't even get me started... I've sworn on twitter more than twice in the last week! Initial reaction... they've put up the wrong pic... but no... this healthy, curve, super sexy woman is 'plus size' ... it terrifies me what category I'd fit into if this is 'big'! And what gets me is women, who are younger or more impressionable or more insecure than me will think to themselves.. 'well she's gorgeous but I don't want to be 'PLUS SIZE' ... that's worse than being fat for crying out loud!' 

Then I came across this link... I posted it all over the shop and every single person bar 1 was way off on their body shape... seriously, try it... it's like the line up that GOK does without having to stand in your knickers... 

http://www.marisota.co.uk/shop/freeformat/page.action?pageId=7758

I too, had underestimated my size by 17.5%! Very nearly one fifth out of synch! When we lose weight, sadly our brains take a lot longer to catch up with the rest of us... We look in the mirror and see the old body... the need to cover up... to save the poor general public having to look at us... 

I had a brief chat with a mum of 4 who was confident with her body and I admire her so much... her body has produced 4... FOUR beautiful tiny humans... how magic is that?!?! It's cared for them, nourished them, chased them away from harm, cuddled them, kissed them and so much more... she's a super star in my eyes... How society could roll their eyes at her for a few stretch marks, earned by doing something SO incredible is beyond me... So time to ignore this nonsense... 

A lot of us when we look in the mirror, we hate what we see, and don't understand when people compliment us, or think they're just being polite... when in fact people, we're pretty awesome! You've only got one body and whilst it may not be perfect for Cosmo or Vogue, its strong, healthy and ALL Yours!  So shake your booty and sashay you're way around the world today and just say "thanks!" ... because you are fabulous!

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It's not me... it's YOU! #MondayMotivation

Does anyone else have a friend in their life that just drains every ounce of energy out of them?! Can't just be me right?!?! This weekend I had some long hard talks with a good friend who's opinion I really trust... Yes, there was gin, vodka, weight watchers sausages and buckets of cinder coffee involved but it was 'deep and meaningful no holds barred all night' kinda chats and I could tell her anything and know it was OK, I wouldn't be judged and she wouldn't call the cops... but when I waved her off last night, I realised I needed a new mantra... 

Good friends are really important, I'm talking the ones who will lend you bail money... and they're really hard to find... sometimes you invest your energy and give it your all but it's doomed ... no matter how hard you try to make it work for you, eventually you realise that it's not you... it's just not! Trust me!

This week... if someone is begin a negative Nancy... or someone is draining you and not supporting you, really supporting you... lose 'em... if someone is dumping all their drama on you AGAIN... breathe deep and remember... it's not you.... it's THEM!!! You're not a bad person if you put yourself first... 

As we get older... we outgrow people... as you lose weight, you learn who is really behind you cheering you on... and although people might start off shaking their pom poms for you... are they there when you really need support? I mean REAL support... When you feel like giving up, are they there? If any alarms bells are ringing... just remember, out loud...  'It's not me.. its YOU!'

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Stick with it...

I hear from people all the time, 'I've followed my plan for a WHOLE week and it doesn't work... ' so ... that's that! 

I always tell them... give it a chance... just because Mary loses 2lbs every week... doesn't mean you will too... good for Mary... but don't write healthy eating off because you're not superhuman... Mary will plateau too, Mary will struggle at some point... everyone does... but bunny hopping from one diet to another never worked for anyone... healthy eating.. treating your body well... nourishing it... feeling better in your own skin... all the reasons you want to change your attitude towards food...  if you stick with it... you will feel it.. whether its on the scales or not... you will have more energy... sleep better... less sugar cravings... you can crave fruit too.. who knew?!?!

Just don't give up on yourself...

As the L'Oreal folks are always reminding us, You're worth it! That. Is. All! 

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