This Week's Reflections

For many of us it’s been the first full week of normality since Christmas. How’re you all getting on with that? I’ve been back to work and back to school. I’m on week 10 of 16 of my Nutrition for Weight Management course, half way through my case study and I started a 2 week course on Exercise for Weight Loss on Monday. I need to set aside some time to knuckle down for a couple of hours but generally feeling on top of it all.

The week got off to a fun start as I took part in the Women’s Running Great Debate. That was a lot of fun I can tell you, discussing running kit with three other lovely ladies. I think my group will be in the April edition which will be out in March. Still nervously awaiting the copy for review!

I’m not doing too badly with my new year’s goals so far. I’ve not had a protein shake everyday but I’ve tried a few new recipes and I have been doing my daily stretches. I’m taking part in 100 Happy Days and I’ve done a fair amount of decluttering; a bag of clothes went out for charity collection today, I dropped a bag of odds and ends at Oxfam last weekend and I have a package to send to A Mile In Her Shoes.

Good looking kit is definitely a motivator for me, but only as long as it's functional too.

I’ve been battling with getting back on the exercise waggon despite my enthusiasm. I wussed out of parkrun last Saturday because of the rain in favour of a gym session but failed to do anything of significance on Sunday once a proposed climbing session was shelved in favour of a lie in and brunch… it was an excellent brunch! I’ve been beating myself up about not running. Somehow I feel as though a week of exercise isn’t complete without a run so that’s what I made myself do this morning and I am doing a new-to-me parkrun tomorrow COME WHAT MAY! In addition, a gym session, Group Kick class and two mornings of sun salutations mean I have done *something* every day this week so far but I need to do more to combat all the meals out I’ve had this week (4 in the last 7 days - yikes).  

Thankfully the energy levels have been a lot higher recently. The iron tablets I’ve been taking seem to agree with me and are taking effect. That and I’ve been stuffed full of broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens. I had another blood test and review this week which revealed the iron levels are creeping back up but the B12 levels are crashing. The doctor advises I keep doing what I’m doing and have another review in a couple of months. Fingers crossed it’s all evening out.

Do any of you use the NTC app on the phone for workouts? I had my first experience of it last week and I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be using it more. It was easy to follow with demonstrations of all the exercises, timely count downs and the ability to use my own playlists.  Do you have any other suggestions for good apps and videos to use for home workouts, to make them a bit more interesting? I’m working my way through the Zero Calorie Advent Calendar videos but it’s always nice to have options.

A Mile In Her Shoes

The lovely Nicola gave a talk at the social this week about a new social initiative that she is setting up to inspire homeless women to find their feet through running. A Mile In Her Shoes is looking to pilot the scheme by providing the opportunity for homeless women to run at sessions with a qualified group leader. If you're a runner yourself you'll know just how empowering and beneficial to both body and mind running can be. It's no different for these women. It can be the only time they get to really be themselves, without the worries of food and shelter. Some of the insight Nicola gave into why some women want to run but can't or don't was heart breaking. Imagine the reason you didn't want to run was because you didn't want to get hungry because you couldn't afford more food!

Of course another barrier is kit, specifically shoes. These can be expensive but are ultimately necessary so Nicola is collecting second hand shoes to distribute to the women in the project. I donated a pair on Wednesday and am now reaching out to you to ask if you could consider doing the same. 

If you have a pair of sports trainers you don't wear or need anymore, perhaps that pair that you use at the gym since they wore out for running, please get in touch with either myself or Nicola and we can help you get them to her.

Alternatively, perhaps if you are a sports company or have a connection with a sports company, you would consider donating some brand new pairs? I think this is really great project that deserves our support.