This Month of Mine #9 - British GP, having two birthdays and general life

Where to start? It's been two months since my last life update This Month of Mine #8, i'll try remember as best I can!

1. Charlotte and I had an amazing time at the British Grand Prix. The weather really does make or break a weekend. Last time we went there there was torrential rain all weekend but this time we had beautiful sunshine. I especially enjoyed sitting on the International Pit Straight (opposite the pits) during qualifying, I find it fascinating watching the garages!

I've had two birthdays:

2. Firstly my 1 year blogday was at the end of June. Very proud to have kept this going.

3. Then last Sunday was my birthday (pre-birthday thoughts)and we went out for the day to Llandudno. We arrived there but what was sunshine throughout the rest of the UK was pouring rain in Wales! So we went for a drive to see if it would clear up and ended up in beautiful Llanberis followed by Bangor. That was cool as i've not been there since I left uni 7 years ago. We then headed back to Llandudno and went up the Great Orme in the cable car and spent out 2ps in the arcade. On the way home we ate in our favourite fish and chip restaurant.

4. My cleaning job is keeping me very busy. Some days i'm in the office and others i'm all over the country cleaning show homes. Some early starts though,  for example tomorrow I have to be at work for 6.15am! I've given up the catering work at the weekend as it was too much for me doing that, working full-time and trying to complete my Sociology.

5. Talking of which . . . I'VE COMPLETED IT! I Sent in the last unit for marking on Friday and am now just waiting for the results. So glad to have done it.

6. We went to see Villa play Wolverhampton in a pre-season friendly.

7. We worked at a trade show in Devises and stayed at this cute B&B on the Wiltshire/Somerset border. My room looked onto the garden and farm behind with countryside all around! It was in the area we used to live when I was a child, so so pretty!

8. You know i've attempting #10000 steps every day? Posts here and here. I'd been doing well in that but i've been so busy in the past week that i've failed a little in both that and in eating. Not to worry though because that's life and this is a lifestyle change not a fad. I bought a Fitbit this week. I like seeing my sleep pattern but i'm not finding the step count all that accurate! If any of you have one, i'd love to hear what you think? If you do and want to be friends on it (or whatever it is called) let me know your email and i'll add you.

9. Going to the theatre on Wednesday night was the first time i've been out in the evening for months!. (I won't even tell you how long it's been since i've been out out, it's pretty embarrassing!) We saw the summer school production of The Wizard of Oz. I couldn't remember what happened in it though and had ask my friends if it was the interval or if that was the end!! I've also never seen so many kids on stage!

I reckon that about covers it, what about you been doing recently?

I AM

I am Amy. I am 27.  I have to write that because tomorrow I am different. But I have been thinking I am the next number all year long. Because my friends have all turned that number, it is all I keep thinking, along with everyone asking 'how old are you going to be this year Amy?'

Does anyone else feel that?

I've always been the baby out of my friends and at school, with the whole year group turning a year older before me, wanted to feel that age too. Because you do at that age don't you?

But now I don't. Today is the last chance to say, I am 27!

27

27

#10000STEPS update - feeling fit and healthy!

What do epsom salts, coconut oil and essential oils have to do with this post? It's all part of my feeling and looking better. You know how you always look slimmer when you've just woken? Well a couple of cups of the salts in the bath the night before helps with this! Putting coconut oil in as well is just my lazy way of moisturising and i'm hoping the eucalyptus in it with help my hay fever.

Anyway onto the actual post. I've been on this path for two weeks and everyday i've been attempting 10,000 steps in a bid to get healthier and lose weight. Have a look here to see my initial post on the challenge. It's really surprising how little I do on a normal working day without effort. About 4,000 steps and when you consider that anything under 5,000 is classed as sedentary, it's a little worrying.

I've been out for walks at lunch-time but my main way of reaching the target is by going on a 50 minute walk in the evening on the marshes where I live. I don't live on the marsh itself, it's across the road ;) I've also started walking to and/or from work. It's 2.5 miles each way so walking there and back reaches the magic number in itself.

I get to meet the cow on my walks

I'm really loving doing this and there has only been three days i've not managed to reach the target. I am eating better and have cut out a lot of the snacking I used to do, but i'm not restricting myself or classing anything as a no-go. I've lost 2lbs in these 2 weeks, which I am well happy with. All from walking. I can't be bothered with this running malarkey, too much like hard work, but walking is no effort at all!

I'll do another update in a few weeks where I hope I will be just as positive as now. In the meantime i'd love to hear if you're partaking in any similar challenges and how you're getting on?

Amy x

#10000STEPS

Since switching jobs at Christmas (i've actually changed twice since then!) i've gone from standing on my feet all day to sitting on my backside most of the day. Cue the weight gain. It's surprising how much of a difference your job makes. I've always eaten badly and still do but since the job change and in particular the more recent one, i've put on a stone.

I've tried, halfheartedly, various exercises. I've done a few YouTube workouts and i've bought a hula-hoop but my latest attempt is the most simple and the cheapest.

Just walking.

It's recommend we do 10,000 steps a day and although that is probably laughable as a form of exercise to most fitness enthusiasts, it's definitely better than doing nothing. It will help. Almost everyone can do it, it can be combined with days out and it requires very little equipment.

I've bought this Target Fitness 1 Pedometer from Argos for £3.99. You can also use various apps on your phone or the fitness bands that are all the rage at the moment.

I have heard of some of the apps being a little unreliable in that they count steps when you are driving. Even a standard pedometer like this one (remember when Kellogs used to give them away?) adds extra steps every now and then. On the whole though mine seems fairly accurate.

I've writing down my steps each day and thought that anyone that wants to join me can check in with each other on the #10000STEPS on Twitter. You can set yourself whatever target you like and that is appropriate for you, whether that be more or less.


Let me know below if you'd like to join this challenge and use the # to keep us all updated!


A few tips to get you started:

• Do a few steps whilst waiting for the kettle to boil
• Walk around the lounge during ad breaks (don't get too dizzy!)
• Take a walk in your lunch break instead of eating at your desk
• If walking upstairs at home, go up and down a few times