Typecast

A reminder appeared in today's Facebook memories.  It's four years since I did my very first session of the Couch To 5k plan with GroupRun Blackburn . At the time, I had no idea how much it would change my life. Apart from a three month break for a knee injury (the L O N G E S T three months of my life) and the occasional holiday, I've been running three times a week for all that time. I've become a Group Leader (by mistake - long story), I've coached hundreds of people through the plan and beyond, I've made life-long friends and I've found a hobby that keeps me sane(ish). But things have moved on from then too. I've joined a running club , I've completed my first half marathon (with a second coming up very soon - EEK!) and my whole attitude to running has shifted from it being a place for me to be Bossy Nickie to a place for me to challenge myself and push myself further than I ever imagined. The other day I shared a 'side by side...

Back in January, my running club set a 12-month health and fitness challenge for 2018 and the first challenge was to drink a minimum of two litres of water per day.  It worked really well for me as I already drink buckets of the stuff (or so I thought) and it helped me to kick start my new diet too. At the beginning of the year, if you'd have told me that my most favourite kitchen gadget would end up being my water filter jug, I'd have laughed in your face.  There's nothing wrong with British tap water - in fact, we are extremely lucky to be able to drink "corporation pop" without having to treat it or rely on bottled water.  But the ZeroWater filter jug is a bit of a game changer. We all know that a lack of water intake can cause stress, lack of sleep, headaches and even muscle strain. According to their blurb, ZeroWater is the only gravity-fed filtration system to match the TDS* levels found in purified bottled water so the result is amazing tasting ...

A few months ago I found some old pictures of myself; a time when I didn't appreciate the body I had and didn't think twice about fitting into a swimsuit or bikini.  As time has gone on, I've become more body-conscious but have also realised that a lot of the pressure to have a 'perfect body' comes from my own perception of what is printed in the media. Almost four years ago to the day I wrote about this in a blog post - ' This Isn't The Body I Want But It's The Body I've Got ' - where I sort of conclude with the thought that I wish I was as fat as I was when I first though I was fat... but it doesn't really matter because it's only really me and the Daily Mail that cares, isn't it?  Fast forward to 2018 and I'm finally on track with fitness and weight loss in a way that I'm happy about. A few weeks ago, we went on holiday to Tenerife. I fancied some new 'sitting out in the sun and looking like a supermodel...

Mykonos is an island famous for its beautiful beaches, wild nightlife, and luxurious resorts. Greek is the official language and the winters are mild while the summers are hot and dry. There is a lot more to the island than just preening celebrities, dazzling sand and parties. Just start planning your trip and book a villa in Mykonos with a pool . Like every Greek island, Mykonos carries a certain charm that sets it apart from the rest. Wander the colourful streets and feel the vibrant energy of locals. Mykonos has something for everyone and read on to know some useful tips for the first time travellers. Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash When to go Whichever time you decide to visit, you are sure to fall in love with the breath-taking scenery, the food, and the atmosphere. The weather is perfect during spring, and this is the prime time to see Mykonos. June and September are the warmest months, and the water is perfect for swimming. Weather is still charming from May ...