Maranoia returns

13 days and counting and the maranoia is kicking in - though it has to be said it's not as extreme as last time round. Symptoms this time include: - Scoffing 1000mg vitamin C daily AND drinking sambucol like water (and not breathing on public transport in case that person behind with the cough actually has TB) - Breakfast 'strategy' panic - 'what if my hot cross buns get confiscated on the flight to NYC?''what if I don't have breakfast before the coach arrives at 6am, then get to Staten Island and they've run out of bagels?' 'what if they don't have the right kind of tea with the right kind of milk at the hotel?' See what running a marathon abroad does to you? Maybe next time I'll stick with London. If you do want to follow my progress http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/broadcast_schedule.htm (you can even get my split times on your iphone!)

Skins - the squeeze factor

Yesterday we did our 3 hour marathon training run (whoop) and I wore my brand new Skins compression tights. It may be in my head, but it was the most comfortable run to date, and legs feel great today - could the tights be the reason? Either way, they're coming with me to the Big Apple for Nov 7th!

Choc milk beats energy drink for recovery

After my half-marathon on Sunday, I guzzled down a 'choc-malt' recovery drink thinking 'this tastes too good to be good for me'. But, research has actually shown that chocolate milk is better for recovery than traditional carbohydrate drinks - hooray! Just wondering why my legs are still so achey now?!

Pizza-gate

While listening to a well known football phone-in show on Saturday night, I heard a row about whether footballers should be entitled to a post-match pizza when they've lost a game. The professional footballer (not to be named!) argued 'of course they should, they've been running around for 90 minutes and need to get something in them quick to replace all the energy used up'. The fan, said they didn't deserve it and that the unhealthy pizza could be the reason they lost the game in the first place! From a nutritionist's point of view, pizza after very intense exercise is actually not a bad choice - lots of carbohydrate and not too much fat (unless it's a four cheese or meat feast!) If you're wanting to make it an even better choice, choose a thin base, margarita or veggie one and skip the added garlic bread and coleslaw! As for the post-match curries...hmmm, not convinced.

Running NYC marathon - please sponsor me!

Water for weight loss?

A new study has just shown that drinking 2 glasses of water right before a meal helps keep off the pounds - they found that the people who drunk water before food ate on average 75-80% less calories during the meal. Might be something to think about if you're trying to cut back on your portion sizes.

An added boost

Having woken up with a bit of a headache and feeling groggy and tired, it made me think 'perhaps I need a bit of a daily boost for the next few months while my marathon training has cranked up a notch'.

I don't usually advocate popping vitamin pills and supplements but it's been shown that intense training lowers your immunity - so I'm going to take a multi-vit each day in the hope that it'll keep off those colds.

Even if it's a placebo effect it'll be worth it!

Keep that holiday feeling

Coming back from a relaxing week in the sunshine is always hard - but what can you do to hold on to that Mediterranean way of life a little bit longer? I always find sticking with your holiday food is a good start. Which is why this week I've been having fresh figs, yogurt and honey for brekkie. Even if I am sitting at my desk (and the figs cost 69p EACH!), I can close my eyes and pretend I'm back on the patio by the pool. Bliss!

Get on yer Velib

Having just returned from a weekend in Paris (dahling) I have a renewed love of cycling. You can get around in half the time, soak up the sunshine AND get some exercise at the same time - perfect for when you've had a few too many macaroons!

And the good news is, London's getting it's own bike hire scheme on July 30 (though they're not quite as chic as the Parisian ones - they have an huge Barclays logo on the side) http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/12444.aspx

Pukka

Whether you love him or hate him, it's a pretty cool speech http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jamie_oliver.html

To fit or to flop?

A lot of people have been asking me recently what I think of Fit-Flops (the new flip flop which promises to give you a workout while you walk.

Anything which gives you something for nothing makes me dubious- but could there be something to it? All of these shoes, like MBTs and the new Reebok tone ones work by challenging your balance so you work your core muscles (mainly around your middle). So you will be using your abs slightly more. As for toning up your legs, it's unlikely but if they're comfy then why not?

Word of warning though - none of these shoes are great for exercising in and could cause you a serious injury if you do. They do the opposite to what a good running shoe should do - give you stabality and support.

Here we go again

Eeeeeeek, marathon training officially begins this Thursday!

I always think it's good to start things on the first of the month, hence why I've decided on the 1st July to kick off the torture (sorry challenge).

Bring on three months of blood, sweat and tears, with a few days shopping, bagels and cosmopolitans to look forward to at the end!

All in your head?

Someone sent me this link the other day (after I'd probably annoyed him for moaning that my jeans felt tighter!)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7826822/Why-women-think-they-are-fat-brain-thinks-body-is-two-thirds-bigger-than-it-is.html

It made me feel a lot better. But also got me thinking, how much of what we see is actually real? mmmm. That's one for a philosophy lecture I think.

Spring has sprung

3 March 2010

I don't know about you but I've been feeling 100% healthier and happier over the past 2 days since the sun has come out! SAD exists and I am a prime example.
I either need to move to the Caribbean or get a light box (talking of which I have an alarm clock which wakes me up with natural light- it's fabbers!)

Banana-rama

Friday 26 February

I've just read that bananas are Britain's most wasted food. That doesn't really surprise me- I hate it when they go all brown and mushy. But, to do your bit to stop food waste (and to save some pennies) why not chuck em in a blender with some strawberries, natural yogurt and milk. Easy! The older the bananas, the sweeter they are so they're perfect in smoothies, cakes, breads etc.

If you watch one thing today..

20 January 2010

..make it this! Check out Ada, the 92 year old- she's an absolute inspiration. The next time I don't have the motivation to get in the pool I'm going to think of her.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/Moodvideowall.aspx

She learnt how to swim at 73 years old, which just shows it's never too late.

2 weeks bubbly-free!

16 January 2010

Yes, I've survived 2 weeks, 1 day and 5 hours without a touch of the bubbly stuff (and all other alcohol as a matter of fact). I'm feeling pretty damn good (and very smug).
Tonight might be tricky, a dinner party with my two booziest friends but I told them well in advance I'll be on the appletizer and will not succumb to peer pressure!

All I have to do now is plan what my first tipple will be in 2 weeks 1 day and 8 hours...mmmm.

Bootylicious

13 January 2010

Apparently having a big bum is good for you! Well, we've actually known this a while but it's always good to hear. That's no excuse to stuff your face with Krispy Kremes though- putting on fat around your tummy is linked to heart disease and all sorts of other problems.
But if you're a natural Beyonce or J-Lo enjoy it, and keep doing those sit ups!

Tweet your eats

8 January 2010

Apparently if you want to lose the love handles, twitter is the way forward. Keeping a food diary is the first thing I recommend to people so I guess it works on the same principle. Not sure I'd want all my followers to see my weird midnight snacks but that's probably why it works!

Check out http://www.tweetwhatyoueat.com/ and see how it works.

Let me know if you try it!

Grrrrrrrr

6 January 2010

Did anyone else watch that awful programme the Big Fat Diet last night? What a load of rubbish. So, a bunch of women got together to lose a dress size in 2 weeks and were shown around a supermarket with bags of '100 calorie' foods (half a biscuit, 2 pringles, that kinda thing).

When you're losing weight it's been shown time after time that quick-fix very low-calorie diets won't last, and putting the emphasis on 'dropping a dress size in 2 weeks' is setting yourself up for a fall.

Better to make small changes which you're going to stick to, rather than saving all your calories up for 2 glasses of wine and feeling starving all day long!

Right here is where you start paying, in sweat!

5 January 2010

Made it to body combat with Giles last night- the nutty Aussie. 'Fire!' 'Booooooom!' (his words, not mine).

Tonight I'm going back to my youth and back to ballet- cannot wait, though the thought of putting a leotard back on after 5 years is a bit scary! Luckily I have my dancing bud with me, so we can pretend we're at the Fame school together. Wish me luck.

Off to kick some a***

Monday 4 January

I survived - hooray! Now off to body combat to start the year how I mean to go on (and all that). Really helps having someone to go with - if not I think the thought of a warm sofa and cup of tea would be too much to resist.

Going to try a spicy pumpkin and coconut soup tonight with the tinned pumpkin from my US buddy. Will let you know how it goes!

2010..wahoo!

3 January 2010

Am I the only one actually looking going forward to going back to work tomorrow? Ok, so maybe not the 7am alarm and the hot, sweaty tube journey in, but I can't wait for a bit of routine again:
9.35 porridge and a cup of tea
9.45 an email catch up with my girls
9.55 a good moan with the colleagues about how much we've all stuffed into our mouths over the hols

Bring it on! (Though ask me again on Thursday and I'll be screaming for a lie in and a mince pie).

Ooh, and if like me you can't wait to cook some healthy grub this week, try this hot goats cheese and beetroot salad- it's SO easy and delish. Check out those sunshine colours, bound to make you feel better!

Ingredients:

1 packet mixed salad leaves
4 rashers lean back bacon
2 cooked beetroot
50g goats cheese
2 handfuls cherry tomatoes
1 red pepper
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tbsp olive oil
mixed dried herbs


Method:
Roast the cherry tomatoes and chopped pepper in a tray with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and herbs for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, grill the bacon and cut into small pieces.
Add the veg and bacon to the salad and crumble the goats cheese on top. Serve and enjoy.

Nutritional info: Per serving
Calories: 139 calories, 3g saturated fat, 1.1g salt, 2g fibre