Nostalgia IS what it used to be...

Last week my good friend Chris and I went here: http://www.museumofbrands.com/index.html

I came across this place about a year ago when I was researching an Easter trip to London with my husband (total transport nightmare, me with a hideous hangover, the briefest of trips to the Natural History Museum; swiftly followed with the nullifying properties of beer and curry in Brick Lane).

Chris and I were trying to put together a day out to London doing stuff we hadn’t done before and we would both be interested in. He didn’t know of it either so we decided to give it a go. It’s situated in Notting Hill; which is part of London I am not familiar with other than that awful film with Hugh Grant in. We had a few false starts getting there and I did wonder if we were going to just give up and turn back.

Eventually we found it; situated next to a delightful Union Jack decorated Temperley shop. We entered with some trepidation. Hmmm, it all seemed a lot smaller than we envisaged. I feared we might be in and out in 5 or 10 minutes. But before long we were drawn in by an early exhibit of one of the holy grails in soft drink history… a can of Quatro! Mmmm Quatro…

And so it continued. Basically the lay out of the museum is chronological so that you finish with goods and packaging from the late ‘90s. And you start with all manner of weird and wonderful goods you didn’t even know of. Heinz kidney soup anyone?

Chris got misty eyed at the sight of a Star Wars yoghurt pot.

I dropped to my knees at the sight of a Wonder Woman doll.

We both agreed on the hideousness of squeezy Primula cheese.

Spangles! But no Pacers! (boo!)

I was convinced the revolving alco-pops display was a paean to my ruin at University.

Well you get the drift. I can highly recommend it if, like me, you’re one of those people who likes to have endless conversations about chocolate bars that don’t exist anymore and old packaging of Quality Street, Pepsi etc floats your boat. Incidentally if you’ve travelled up to Londinium by train (well at least with South West trains) you can get half price entry with a leaflet/voucher from the train station and your train ticket. Bargain.

Caf-fiend

I’ve been caffeine free for just over a week now! So, how’s it been going? Well, a bit of a mixed bag to be honest... The first day was so-so. Granted I was quite tired but put this down to the excesses of the previous weekend and with it being a Monday and all. Still, I struggled through and tried to embrace the rooibos tea. Had forgotten that while the taste is passable the aroma is questionable. But I made it through and did my evening gym session without incident.

Then Tuesday rolled around. Getting up early for the gym was no harder or easier than it normally was. I made it to work. I drank the rooibos and fought very hard with my drowsiness. And then mid-morning the headache struck. Boom! And Doom! By mid-afternoon I was zombie like and really struggling at my desk. My Moroccan mint and spice tea was a let down. I did have a couple of hours window in the evening when I did feel quite alert between about 7 and 9.30.

Day three. Up early to run. Again getting up posed no great problem and my post run breakfast of a boiled egg and toast actually seemed to have a marvellous affinity with rooibos. Agitated and fumbly just before I left for work, but this is the norm when I am running late and can’t find things. Again the headache struck about the same time and the tiredness. I tried to get by with hot water and lemon. Damn the cup from the vending machine smeared in coffee grounds just to taunt me! Procured some Berocca at lunchtime with trepidation. Wasn’t bad really, tasted like Lilt! God knows how much sugar is in it…Bring me my treadmill!

Habitually I get a GIANT coffee to drink at ‘gym school’ on Wednesday night. I stood in the doorway of Costa to see what variety of teas they did (I actually fancied a rooibos!) but the list did not excite me and the heady, seductive aroma of coffee was starting to get to me so I bolted! Managed to get some lemon and ginger tea at The Sports Centre which I really, really enjoyed. I was gratified that I actually had some in the kitchen cupboard which must’ve been half-inched from a hotel at some point ‘just in case’.

By day four things got better. The headaches and drowsiness passed and I did an amazing gym sesh which lead me buzzing and not needing any stimulants.

Friday provided fresh challenges with a work night out for cocktails. I told a few colleagues to make sure I did not order cocktails with coke in. The cocktails were lethal as was the shot of absinthe and soon all semblance of law and order seemed to go out of the window. Bumped into some people I knew in another bar who insisted on buying me more drinks and when asked what I wanted the stipulation for ‘no Coke!’ must’ve been lost in translation and twice drinks with Coke as a mixer were proffered. Twice I had to take a few polite sips – FAILURE! – and then even worse, abandon the drink on the sidelines for someone else to cadge.

Hungover and tired with lots to do over the weekend I had to stick to the rooibos and herbal stuff rather than the pints of coffee I usually imbibe. Again I adjusted and to be honest didn’t really think about it too much. So, a week into the experiment I have gone to show that I don’t actually need caffeine as my get up and go. I seem to cope without it. In fact on a few occasions I’ve been much more alert in the mornings than usual. Next week I may start to phase in a bit of decaff as a treat. I think I have 5 weeks to go and do you know what, I think I’ll be okay…

So, it’s not the caffeine that makes me nuts… turns out, well, that’s just me!

What was I thinking...?!

A few weeks ago the two girls I sit opposite at work brought up the fact they both gave up chocolate for Lent last year. They were pondering whether to repeat the exercise this year. I have never done 'the Lent thing'; mainly because I am not of the religious persuasion and mainly because I believe in everything in moderation. The Lent idea came up again and so, regretfully, I said that whilst I did have a bit of chocolate every day (like a couple of squares, never, I repeat never, a whole bar) I didn't feel it was something I needed to give up. So instead I have said I'll do caffeine.

I mean, it can't be that hard right? I barely drink my once beloved Diet Coke anymore so that's easy. Do I drink a lot of tea and coffee...um...well. I don't think that I do, but everyone seems to think I have issues with caffeine! I drink, on average, 3 cups of tea a day and maybe 1 coffee. That's nothing... isn't it? What I am aware of is that I do use it instead of eating. Like yesterday, I ate a late (big) breakfast at around 11 and then ate nothing until about 8pm instead I had two lattes in Starbucks with a friend. Yes I suppose there is something skewed about finishing a session at they gym and then mainlining a (skinny) cappuccino or stifling a mid morning hunger pang with a revolting machine coffee in an uncouth plastic beaker.

Also, when one of the PTs at the gym checked my food diary all the teas and coffees got the pink highlighter treatment. Again, I still don't feel I have issues with caffeine but at the same time I will be interested to see what happens when I withdraw from it. Have stocked up on Rooibos tea today and must keep reminding the man of the experiment.

I have had to delay my period of abstinence until next Monday though and not this week. Reason being, I am off to visit a Uni friend next weekend and I suspect drinking some lovely, fresh brewed Fairtrade coffee will be a feature of the weekend.

I can do it... right?

A healthy obsession?

Yesterday I went and took part in a free taster session of something called Forces Fit. A lot of my friends have been doing British Military Fitness but for some reason that hasn't come to the wretched provinces yet. A chance and bizarre conversation at my PT course a few weeks back about tabards (!) revealed that instead we have Forces Fit.

I was a little apprehensive as I thought it might be too hardcore but due to my fairly good fitness levels I was fast tracked into the green tabards, bypassing the beginner's blue. I took part in the green-blue workout, eschewing the slightly more hardcore chance of a red-green one. Confused? yes so was I!

Anyway, it was great! I thought it might be too much like P.E lessons where I was always picked last and no-one wanted me on their team. Consequently I've never been a fan of team sports and prefer to work out alone. But yesterday I really enjoyed being part of a small group and let my competitive streak come to the fore as we had a few tournaments mainly involving sprinting and then grappling in the mud going under your team mates' legs!

And so today my abs, quads and glutes are telling me that I definitely did something out of the ordinary yesterday! ouch...

So why is it then when it's cold, wet and windy and my trainers are still sodden and muddy did I feel the need to drag myself out for a run? I mean, it was nice and warm indoors, Huey Morgan's show on 6music was particularly good and there are a lot of nice bits of leftover food from last night... but no, I had to go and do it; convinced that the run would loosen up the tight muscles and also more to the point is that I make myself feel incredibly guilty if I don't exercise 6 days out of 7...

I mean, it's not going to make any difference if I miss a session. I know that. I know that I'm not going to suddenly go up two clothes sizes if I miss a few sessions. But that doesn't stop me. So even with my aches and pains and filthy trainers I went and did it. I went and dragged myself out for a 3 mile run whilst the wind howled and the rain beat down on me until I was soaked to the skin...

And it's Valentine's Day tomorrow...and yes, that means I'll still be going to the gym...

I have a business trip next week to Milan & Rome. How exciting, I mean, I have dreamed of those cities for ages. But what was I most concerned about when I was told what hotels I'd be staying in? yes, first thing I did was look at their websites to see if they have gyms. It's okay, they do, and if they didn't I'd be dismantling hotel rooms to do press ups, sit ups, squats, tricep dips etc etc. And not for the first time.

Most of the time the obsession is okay and it's in perspective.

And some of the time it's not and I hate myself for being like this.

What makes me tick?

Some things you may, or may not, know about me:

1) I’m a ‘little bit’ Welsh and more passionate about that than being English.

2) 5 years ago I completed my Spanish GCSE as an evening course and got an A grade but have not yet been to mainland Spain to practice.

3) The large part that health and fitness plays in my life is quite hilarious considering I was a fat kid who was a coach potato until my early 20s.

4) I can not ride a bicycle. Actually I have never tried.

5) I was the co-collaborator of a Gary Lineker scrapbook in the early 1990s.

6) I can not resist pistachio ice cream.

7) I was recommended for an audition for popular 1980s game show ‘Child’s Play’ because apparently I was always saying “funny things” in class. I clammed up totally at said audition and it was definitely a case of don’t call us we’ll call you. Two kids from our school did I appear. I was jealous. If you’re too young to remember the programme : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child%27s_Play_(UK_game_show)

http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Child%27s_Play

8) I am the owner of a pseudo baby doll named Julio. It’s nothing to do with being broody. The story behind it is far more bizarre than that. He has his own Facebook page too. Although he can be quite slack with it.

9) I own around 75 pairs of footwear. I say ‘around’ because last time I counted it made me feel quite sick. There’s been a cull since then…but also several more purchases. Gah!

10) Food heaven involves hot curry, chips, bread & butter, pasta and chocolate. By contrast food hell features mac & cheese, mayonnaise, nearly all tinned fish, whole milk and capers.

11) I am a Feminist with half of my degree in Women’s Studies. Quite a lot of people are ‘Stealth Feminists’ without realising it…

12) I went to Iceland once (not the supermarket!) and was quite blown away by it.

13) Spiders and snakes don’t really bother me but woodlice and slugs do.

14) I am ‘quite good’ at accents leading me to think I can do great mimicry and impressions. I am probably wrong.

15) I have diagnosed myself as having slight dyspraxia after 5 failed driving test attempts largely due to manoeuvres. I now know why ball games and racquet sports at school were so dismal, why I suck at bowling and why I don’t enjoy the Wii.

16) Inspired by Miki from Lush I had gorgeous, bright red hair for a few days once…followed by candy floss pink/orange hair for a few months. Epic hair fail!

17) I like to indulge myself by watching films from my childhood like The Railway Children and Bugsy Malone. I have to draw the line at Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music though.

18) Totally loved planning my wedding in 2008 and am still a bit sad it’s all over!

19) Rather bizarrely I got chatted up and asked out by Bubble from the 2^nd series of Big Brother. You can’t make these things up.

20) I have an irrational fear of Komodo dragons.

21) My Dad once got stopped for speeding and 'fessed up to the policeman that he was doing over the speed limit as needed to get to the local M&W store, before it closed, to procure some toilet roll as we had run out at home. Policeman was so amused he let him off.

Keep On Running...

I’m training for my first ever half marathon this October and although I don’t wish this blog to become a ‘training diary’ it’s inevitable that the odd post is dedicated to running as it’s going to feature heavily in my life. This is one such post…

I’ve been running for ‘about ten years’ now. At first it was a hellish lap around a nearby field as my then boyfriend sped off into the distance and I lagged behind cursing, puffing, panting and generally hating the whole experience. Then a stitch would occur and I’d give up.

I did stick with it though and annually would enter my local ‘Race for Life’. My training started around Easter and my running for the year would usually finish pretty much after the event. Ok, I slogged it out on the treadmill from time to time but essentially I was a fair weather runner. Still, I enjoyed the challenge of the 5k event and attempted to better my time every year.

Once I started travelling regularly for work, and gyms were not always readily available, then a running kit could be squeezed into my luggage and used just about anywhere. And believe me…I have… round the Royal Palace in Oslo with snow on the ground, the city park in Tallinn also in the snow, along the harbour in Stockholm, round the lake in Zurich. A great way to see the sights and sure beats traipsing round the back of housing estates!

I got a whole load of new running kit for Christmas. You’ll see me coming now for sure in my garish mix of neon pinks and yellows! I am experiencing teething problems with some of it though. The reflective ankle straps have already lacerated my ankles and my new arm strap for my I-pod likes to work its’ way down until I am running with I-pod at elbow height.

The best part of any run is usually in the middle of it, towards the end. The euphoria levels are high and at last! Your brain and your body are working together as one amazing, powerful machine. I know the ‘science’ behind it but won’t bog you down with the minutiae. Basically at the beginning of a run your brain is trying to tell your body to move and run and your body is basically thinking ‘WTF?’ until the signals and chemicals reach your muscles. That’s why it’s advisable to warm up before a run. I don’t have to practice what I preach: fact.

But God I mean, half marathon? What was I thinking? That’s going to be about two and a half HOURS of running?

Two and a half hours of RUNNING!

TWO and a half hours of running!

I mean, really…what have I done? The self doubt it beginning to creep in now even though I have ten months to get my act together and that means no more crafty cigarettes on a night out, cutting down the vino, sorry to say cutting back on carbs and dairy also. No, they’re not bad for you per se and they’re full of good stuff but I experimented with trying to eat more of them last year and now hardly any of my clothes fit me. Case rested.

Watch this space for more updates...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Last year was some what of a mixed bag to be honest and although the high points definitely outweighed the low points I am quite glad to be in a new year.

Rather than dwell on the stuff that "went wrong" last year, instead I am going to celebrate the good things:

I left the job I hated and got back into my beloved publishing. Turns out there was a life beyond furniture.

I completed two 10km charity runs, raising almost £400 for two separate charities in the process. Training begins soon for a half marathon. OMFG.

I started this blog thus I began writing again, okay it's not brilliant what I do on here and it's not going to change the world but the main thing is: I am writing again...for fun.

Joined a reading group.

Moved house. First house jointly owned by me and the husband so it feels right. And it is a lovely house. With three toilets.

Qualified as a fitness instructor and began the next level to become a personal trainer. It's tough, but I want to do it.

Finally visited India. Well India-Lite if you will, but India all the same.

I do have some resolutions for this new year but I am not going to commit to them just yet. Nothing earth shattering but if I am doing well with them, then you'll know about it :-)