From fat to fit!

Is my constant battle!... Life and work over the last few years has gotten in the way of a healthier lifestyle, but this year I was determined to make some changes....
Food:  I now make my own pack lunch trying to achieve at least 3 of my 5 fruit & veg options. I have wholemeal sandwiches, yoghurt, crudités and fruit..which I snack on during the day. My day starts with porridge, fruit compote and a banana. I drink decaffeinated coffee and water during the day. I try to cook from scratch each evening and not opt for the easy option of a ready meal.
Exercise: is a little bit like an ex boyfriend to me... We don't have a great relationship! I wish I could find an exercise that I love... I have however started to walk more, I leave the car at home 3 days a week and walk to the station ... This is about a 20 minute walk and is lovely now the mornings are light and the birds are singing. I also over the last month have gone out for  a 5 mile walk early on the Sunday morning. I've downloaded a couple of books and now walk a number of chapters a week listening on my iPod.

With the number of apps to help me along my way... I'm hoping to feel a little fitter by the end of the year.... My goal is to have a lovely bicycle to potter about on, but currently wouldn't inflict my behind on a bike to anyone!
Looking forward to reading what you all do to stay healthy and fit..

5 blogs I love...

I love blogging, it saved from myself a few years ago and has extended my wardrobe of friends in a way I never imagined. 3 of my favourite blogs I follow ( I have lots I follow via google reader & bloglovin, please do not be offended if not listed here!) have been with me from the beginning.... and I have been lucky to meet up with the 3 writers and we now share a "virtual" friendship.
They are;

• Florence & Mary  - the world of Victoria, full of fashion & fun. I have met up with Victoria several times, along with her friend Kelly, who now I regard as my friends too... It's been lovely sharing our lives and meeting up over coffee over the last 4 years to catch up in real life as well as blog land. 
• The wonderful world of Ali McNamara - snippets of Ali's daily life, along with snippets and teasers of her novels. I became friends with Ali via twitter a couple of years ago after her first book was published. We met up and have since shared lots of emails / links discovering a mutual love for New York & Bradley Copper... Both feature heavily in her 3rd novel... From Notting hill to New York actually! ...
• Mrs M's meanderings the lovely Caroline writes his blog and she again has been with me from the early years, we meet up when she visits London and I love reading about her boot fair finds and life in the West Country countryside.... Although from the comments she leaves me, I know there is a city girl fighting to get out of the country!... I'm currently loving all her budget beauty buys... As budget & beauty never go side by side in my thinking!
• Just me, my soldier & our 4 little chicks is the blog of Stephanie. It's the life of a soldiers wife, who in the time that I have followed her as moved 3 times, husband has been deployed 3 times, gave birth to twins which resulted in her having 4 girls under 4!!...  on top of that she still, crafts, blogs, & scrapbooks...
• Chicklit Chloe - blog dedicated to chicklit reviews and forthcoming releases... My perfect escape. A lovely fun read.

As I have embarked on this blog everyday in May I have added some new blogs to my list who I have started to follow. I am looking forward to getting to know you all a little better as the month progresses...

• City Girl at Heart
• Words that can only be your own
• Madame G's lifestyle
• Foolala
• The finch's beak

Thanks for providing with endless hours or entertainment... you brighten up my days x

A day in the Life...

of me!...
Day started with a lie in this morning as its Friday! ...Alarm trilling at 5.15am, a welcome half hour extra than usual... Rushed out the door at 6.05, jumped in trusty Florence my little car and drove to station. Caught the 6.24 Greater Anglia train at.....This morning was lovely and bright, which lightened everyone's mood. Once on board I browse my kindle library to select my daily read...this kept me entertained through to Stratford where I hop off the overhead and jump onto the tube. I usually stand ( yes even at that time of the morning, & hence why a kindle is invaluable for commuting) until Bank when the crowds get lighter and I sit until I embark at Bond street.
I quick stop at Starbucks & Pret for breakfast pickup before heading down Oxford Street to the home of Mr Selfridge.... arriving at my desk for 7.30, half hour later than the rest of the week. Coffee and porridge, banana & compote are the perfect start for my morning.  Fun & Frivolity in office as its one of the teams birthday.

Everyday is different, today was a day of 2 halves; training and back to back meetings filled this morning and closing month end filled this afternoon. This was celebrated with a quick after work drink in the sunshine with my team. Followed by my commute home and the homemade chicken korma for supper.... Now time to put feet up and flick through today's Blog everyday in May posts..

Spring bloom

Today's theme for Blog everyday in May is Spring.... What do I love,... first and foremost is the cherry blossom on the trees. Commuting in and out of London daily when invariabley I leave home in the dark and arrive home in the evening in the dark, a small blossoming tree can lift a weary spirit.

I get excited when I see the daffodils poke their heads above the grass and start to bloom because I
know that lighter days are on there way.... It's the little things that make a difference and a little
injection of colour makes all the difference for me..taking me from the grey and gloom of winter towards blue skies and a little warmth....

5 lines...

Blog every day May ~ Day 1
Subject : me in 5 lines! (Feels like Blog online dating!)
5 words to describe me: Loyal, Caring, Stubborn, Independent, Kind hearted
5 things I love:(friends & family excluded) New York, Cupcakes, Books, Coffee, Handbags
5 things I loath: Snakes, Marmite, Coriander, Cucumber, Feet
5 things I like to do; Read, Knit, Bake, watch Rugby, take Photos.
Here is me in one of my favourite places in Central Park on Christmas Day 2010, why am I proud, because I spent the holiday period on my own in NY having an adventure.