If you're like me, and wish you were a runner...

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Ever wished you could run like the wind? I'm taking Forrest Gump-style. Wind in your hair and stuff.

Running 'aint the easiest thing, if you're not used to it.
I have never been a good runner.

So when I came across the Robert Ullrey's Couch to 5k podcasts I was keen to see if this would actually work for me.
Basically the program runs for 8 weeks and is aimed at getting you from walking to running a full 5kms non-stop by the end of it. Each week you do intervals of running and walking, with Robert talking you through, telling you when to walk and when to run. The music that is played it quite uplifting too, so along with Robert cheering you on, you'll find it easy to stay focused and motivated.

Now I initially tried this program a couple of years ago, and sure enough, by the time I got to week 5 or 6 I was feeling confident enough that instead of stopping when Robert told me, I just kept on running!
After feeling like I couldn't run for so long, it only took me just over a month to be running 25-30 minutes non-stop!

I would love to tell you that over the past couple of years I have been running non-stop and that I was at marathon running level... but, I'm not.
I feel off the wagon and it took me quite some time to get back on.
Well, I'm back in running mode now, and I'm determined to get back up to running 25-30 minutes non-stop!

So I have started the program again (this time at week 3 as I found the first couple of weeks a little too easy) and I have just signed up for a 4km fun-run next month! I would like to have had a little more prep time to build up my agility but I'm determined to run that 4kms by next month - eeeek...

I would love to hear from you if you've used Robert's podcast before! 

Sweet weekend - do you DIY?

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I have to say that over the past few months, ever since going clean with my skin care products, I have spent a tidy little sum of money on new moisturisers, cleansers, hair care products and make-up. It has become my new shopping addiction. And while I'm doing something good for my body, my bank account isn't too happy with me.

So I thought I would start looking into a bit of DIY skin care. I mean, many of the products I have been using have a handful of ingredients (the fewer the better in my opinion), all of which are natural and don't need a science lab to melt and cook and freeze them together. So, how hard can it be, right?

I'm not kidding myself here, I'm not going to be mixing my own foundation, bronzer and mascara, I'm talking about the basics. If I can find a way to make most of my own skin care, not only will I be doing my bank account a favour, but I will know exactly what's going into my products and I can alter them to suit my skin and what it needs.

So stay tuned as over the coming weeks and months (hell, it may take me years!) I'm going to be posting my good, and not-so-good attempts at making my own skin care.

First up will be my own deodorant which I will be posting about next week.

Happy weekend all! x

'Tis better to give...

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Whether it be helping a stranger pick up something they dropped, giving a gift to a friend for no particpular reason, or letting someone in front of you in bumper-to-bumper peak-hour traffic, random acts of kindness (ROK's) are a really good way to not only make someone else's day, but to make yours.

A while back I posted about Making Australia Happy, a series shown on the ABC late last year. The series followed 8 Australians on their journey to improving their level of happiness. It looked at whether it was possible to actually teach ourselves to be happy.

The study looked at things like positive psychology, mindfulness, physical activity and diet.

What I found really interesting in the study was just how much mindfulness, through random acts of kindness, helped to increase the participants level of happiness.

How do you feel when you do something for someone else? How about when you see the look on someone's face when they open a thoughtful gift you have given them? Or when you give them a compliment when they have been feeling pretty down on themselves?

Here are some great ROK ideas for you, showing just how easy it can be to do something nice for someone else. I challenge you to give at least one a go today and see how it makes you feel!

• send flowers to someone you care about
• make something yummy to bring in to work to share with your workmates
• stand up for someone on the bus or train (and they don't have to necessarily be elderly or pregnant!)
• say hello to a stranger who crosses your path on the street, or in the lift
• put a coin in an expired parking metre
• tip the barista making your take-away coffee
• write a thank you note for your parents/partner/friend, expressing your gratitude for all they do for you
• shout your co-worker a coffee
• say 'I love you' to someone you care about
• give money to the homeless person you pass on your way to/from work
• clean out your wardrobe and give your clothes to charity

Have your got any good ROK ideas?