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How to improve your life

October 25, 2013

Not that I would want to turn this into a fitness or dieting blog but the fact is that I’m not happy with my body and the way it’s been functioning. When I lived in Lisbon 3 and a half years ago I walked everywhere. Walking was not only necessary to get to places but also a pleasure. I lived in a very central area so walking around was something I did often, to meet with friends, go shopping, etc.  I also walked home from the office every day, and that equated to at least 2 miles. I also went dancing almost every weekend, which can be a workout in itself. I ate well and didn’t really have to deprive myself of anything.

Then I moved to England. I was told by a few friends that I would most likely gain weight and at the time I didn’t believe them. Nonsense! I thought. Well, turns out that they were right. Not only I gained weight (about 1 stone of it) but most importantly I lost any semblance of fitness I had and trust me, it wasn’t a lot. I don’t think my diet has changed all that much – chips and chocolates are everywhere in this country but I rarely touch them as I’m not that fussed. What changed was that I stopped walking.

I live in a small rural town and to be honest, there isn’t much to see. By the time I leave work at 5 the only places that are open are the pubs, the 24 hour supermarket and not much else. There are nice countryside trails to explore but to do it you have to drive there. As you know, I don’t own a car and I wouldn’t do it on my own or after dark anyway. So as you see, not a lot of places to walk around (not to mention that the cold here is a real bitch during most of the year!). Walking was once an enjoyable experience and now it’s just boring.

So I am now trying to lose weight (don’t tell me that I am not fat, I know I am not, I just want to lose what I gained and feel myself again) and get back into feeling fitter and more energetic. I don’t appreciate that when I finally spend a day walking somewhere, all I want to do is fall asleep and it takes me a day to recover.

Recently I felt so much stress I felt like running to release it but decided against it due to not having the proper footwear (unbelievable, right?). You see, I had a bad experience running with the wrong shoes a few years ago – my knees were hurting for 2 weeks and that’s not good as once the knees go you’re screwed for the rest of your life. It was a real shame as going out running along the river with Caroline was extremely enjoyable!

Last week I decided to not buy another pair of heels and invest in a decent pair of running shoes. I went to the local Sports Direct shop (one of the few shops that stays open after 5) and bought myself these Adidas Kanadia babies. I love them and I’m going to try running once again. Wish me luck!

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26 Comments

  • Reply Femke October 25, 2013 at 08:08

    GO GO GO GO GOOOOOO! 🙂 At the moment, I’m trying to do the same thing! Let’s start en feel fitter and healthier soon! Do you want to be my motivation buddy? 🙂

    • Reply Mrs D October 25, 2013 at 14:24

      Let’s do it!!!!

  • Reply OHLALALI October 25, 2013 at 08:14

    Go girl, you can do it!
    Don’t forget to get a cool app to check your progress (go for mine so we can give kudos to each other along the way!)

    • Reply Mrs D October 25, 2013 at 12:32

      I’ve downloaded the one you recommended. If it’s not raining this weekend I’ll go out running for a bit 🙂

  • Reply Little Miss Joey October 25, 2013 at 11:03

    Best of luck for your runs 😀

    • Reply Mrs D October 25, 2013 at 12:31

      Thanks hun!

  • Reply jane at the flight platform October 25, 2013 at 11:33

    oooo love it! doing the same my end!!!! need to cheer each other on! xx

    • Reply Mrs D October 25, 2013 at 12:31

      Let’s do it!!!

  • Reply Vix October 25, 2013 at 12:56

    Be careful of those joints! i love that you’ve chosen an activity that requires new shoes, talk about staying true to yourself! xxx

    • Reply Mrs D October 25, 2013 at 14:23

      Haha, true! I’ll be careful, I don’t want to ruin them for life!

  • Reply pastcaring October 25, 2013 at 14:54

    Good luck with the running, Sara – take care of those knees! Cute running shoes – of course! xxx

    • Reply Mrs. D October 25, 2013 at 17:03

      Thanks! I’ll do my best 🙂

  • Reply ariane October 25, 2013 at 15:08

    Don’t forget to strecht before and after! Don’t over do it!
    Plus if it’s ok with you – here’s a little tip – Choose low Glycemic index foods – I guarantee a weight lost and you won’t feel hungry at all –
    I do and I’m able to maintain my weight -I walk a lot too, do yoga and walk/run on a treadmill 2x a week –

    Good Luck!

    Ariane

    • Reply Mrs. D October 25, 2013 at 17:03

      Great suggestion! Thank you very much!
      Hugs x

  • Reply MIS PAPELICOS October 25, 2013 at 20:11

    I know extly what you mean. I put on weight when I stopped walking because of my knee, and now I have to get back to the right wheight, but when to start is the problem, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    • Reply Mrs. D October 25, 2013 at 20:38

      I know! It’s terrible! I hope your knee is better though, after your surgeries 🙂

  • Reply Joyatri October 26, 2013 at 03:21

    Good for you for taking the first step to getting active again. I’m sorry that you don’t have the pleasure of walking each day as you used to. I’ve never owned a car and I walk everywhere like you did in Lisbon, so I actually get antsy if I don’t walk enough each day.
    My former colleague, Dr. Michael Greger, has some great short videos on nutrition. Here are the ones on weight loss: http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/weight-loss/. As you may have seen on my blog, I took his advice regarding flax seeds and sensitive skin and now I’m cured of an itchy skin problem that I’d been afflicted with for decades.

    • Reply Mrs. D October 26, 2013 at 17:25

      Thank you so much for the suggestions, I’m definitely checking them out 🙂

  • Reply PinkCheetahVintage October 26, 2013 at 15:04

    Good luck! I can so relate to your situation. The city I live in is not conducive to being active at all. I am going to have to go out of my way to try to get back into shape.

    • Reply Mrs. D October 26, 2013 at 17:25

      It really sucks! It’s a lot better when it’s just part of your life…

  • Reply Hollie October 26, 2013 at 19:08

    best of luck to you on your journey!!

    • Reply Mrs. D October 26, 2013 at 19:54

      Thank you hun!

  • Reply Connie* October 27, 2013 at 17:13

    Shoes are sooooooooo important. And those are beauties. Sara, you are so funny. While you’re singing PonPonPon I hope you’re wearing bones and birds and bananas in your hair and doing the Way Way dance. That should burn a few calories. LUV!!!!

    • Reply Mrs. D October 27, 2013 at 19:56

      Now that’s a fabulous idea for exercise – learning that choreography!!! 😀

  • Reply Jocy October 28, 2013 at 22:11

    I totally can relate and have decided to give jogging another go. I would stop working out every time I travelled and when someone told me running is the only thing you can do everywhere I realized he was totally right.

    I love walking but when I work or go to events I spend my times mostly in public transportation so I don’t move a lot. When I get home I’m behind the computer. I’m not sure if I gained but I notice it in my energy level. When I travel all I do is walking and my energy is sky high! But when you know and live in a place you don’t take the time to walk and re-discover your city.

    Let’s keep each other motivated, good luck!!

    • Reply Mrs D October 29, 2013 at 09:42

      Let’s do it! I’m going running tonight (it shouldn’t be raining hehe)

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