Podcasts and Plodding

This year I decided to set myself some new goals and improve my fitness and well being.  Most of you know who have followed me over the last 3 years I have changed my food lifestyle and lost a considerable amount of weight through following Slimming World and walking. As with all things its not easy to maintain and I need to move a little more to help it stay off. Since my accident last year some of the fitness things that I did to do this I have been a little restricted with.
With the lighter days I have managed to pull on my trainers and have embarked on a walking challenge in 2019 of walking 1000 miles. To assist me with this I have set some monthly goals on Race at Your Pace which is a fantastic fitness site where you can set your personal challenges across a wide range of activities including walking, cycling, swimming and running.
February and March I set myself a goal to walk 75 miles each month and was thrilled to achieve this with over 100 miles each month.

With this in mind I have set myself a goal of 100 miles for April which I am on target to achieve.
There is something very rewarding to receive a medal in the post (small fee) at the end of each month recognising your achievements and a great motivator to set a bigger challenge for the next month.
I haven't seen a difference on the scales but now that Easter is gone and with a short city break planned at the end of June I have lots of motivation to get back on plan and loose a few llbs
For those of you that aren't familiar with my Slimming World and Walking journey over the last 4 years - here's some highlights.

To assist with the walking I have recently discovered Podcasts, previously when I've been training for the walking marathons I have downloaded audio books or created music playlists, this year I am trying to mix it up a little with listening to some podcasts and trying to de-stress a little (much needed with the dreaded menopause!) Favourites that I have found are:

• Fearne Cotton's - Happy Place - This podcast see's Fearne talk to a range of celebrities, social media influencers and sports personnel who have supported mental illness about where they find their "happy place " - favourite episodes have been Dawn French, Alexandra Shulman (former editor of Vogue) Bryony Gordon and Henry Fraser - its a lovely oasis of calm, happiness and great conversation.
• David Tennant Does a Podcast - this is David interviewing celebrity friends, another great chatty conversation where the genuine affection for their friendship comes across in a very warm style. - favourites so far have been Olivia Colman (partners in crime in Broadchurch) which was quite raucous and very sweary! Jennifer Garner and James Corden.
• Dessert Island Discs - 45 minute condensed podcast of the radio show featuring chat, 8 favourite songs, must have item and book of choice - a game that we have all played around the dining table at some point - love that the Podcast has a back catalogue of favourite guests - my musts so far have been - Dame Judi Dench, Clare Balding, Dawn French, Michael Buble, Alan Carr, Ann Cleeves, and Cressida Dicks - a fascinating insight into their lives.
• Oprah's Super Soul - Oprah doing what she does best and interviewing the big hitters - her 2 part (1 hour each) with Michelle Obama is a joy.
• Wellness with Liz Earle
  
  - Liz not only shares her knowledge and wisdom of health, food and beauty she also interviews some amazing experts within their fields Her 2 episodes with Professor Michael Baum the world class breast cancer surgeon is insightful and informative. I started to listen to this podcast as Liz has written a significant amount about the menopause and she has a number of podcasts talking about the different symptons and is breaking the taboo on discussing something that all women will face at some point but is still not really discussed openly.

As you can see I am really enjoying the podcast library and if anyone has any recommendations please share as they are helping me tick off the miles as I walk.
Pop back next month when I share my April achievements and May challenges.

Best Bits of 2018 - Charity achievements

May saw myself and my oldest friend take on the Moonwalk challenge, 26 miles through the streets of London in aid of Breast Cancer. Having lost friends and loved ones to this disease and seen people close to both of us going through treatment for it is was a cause close to our hearts.
Accident and Surgery nearly put this challenge on hold, but (looking back now, I'm not sure how)we both crossed the finish line after 10 hours. Exhausted, Emotional and so very proud.

Having taken on the Shine walk the previous September I thought I would be ok with this, but with limited training and post accident recovery this was a huge undertaking both physically and mentally. Both of us were extremely glad to see the finish line.
The walk's theme this year was wild West so Cowboy hats were in abundance across the city. along with the infamous decorated bras.
Famous London icons turned pink for the night and were a huge boost when you saw them glowing along the skyline.
I have never been so pleased to see mile 26 sign in the early morning and knowing that I was in touching distance to the finish.

Both of us have been plagued with injuries this year pre and post accident and have struggled to get back into a fitness routine. I hope that 2019 is a little kinder and I find my walking feet again.
However October saw me take on another challenge with my first 5k run.
This one was in aid of the Poppy appeal for the British legion. In and around Victoria park in East London  and accompanied by M,  I pulled on my running shoes and completed my first 5k.
Lets see what 2019 brings ....