Thursday 31 March 2016

Spain in Spring: Day Two

Yesterday's post demonstrated which clothes I packed for day one of my trip to Spain.  Today I am back with day two of my Spain outfits posts.

Wednesday 30 March 2016

Spain in Spring: Day One

I have had the last week off work and all I wanted to do was relax and chill out.  It's been mental at work recently and I have been working six days a week so I couldn't wait to do whatever I wanted.  However the last thing I did was relax and chill out.  I have been so busy!! It's always the way.

Then I went and booked a last minute trip to Spain so this morning I was awake at 3am and happy to be heading to the airport.  As I am away for the next few days I am going to do a series of pre-planned, outfit posts, showing you the clothes I took to Spain.

I found it extremely difficult to pack as I only took hand held luggage, and I didn't know what the weather could be like.  My phone was telling me it would be sunny one day, rainy the next day, and windy the next.  So I tried to mix and match my outfits the best I could.

Tuesday 29 March 2016

March Empties

How is it the end of March already?  I blinked and it's already the 29th March.  What is going on?!  I have been so busy this month I have had no time for myself whatsoever, however I do seem to have had time to use up a few products which is what I am going to show you today.

Monday 28 March 2016

Marathon Training - The Long Runs

After consuming our body weight in chocolate yesterday, let's think about exercise.  Everyone who knows me must know by now that I am running the London Marathon on the 24th April which is now JUST UNDER FOUR WEEKS!! Help.  You can check out previous updates of my marathon training here.

Today I am going to talk about the long runs.  Those dreaded grueling long runs.  They're not that bad.  Really.


Sunday 27 March 2016

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER

Image Source

I hope you are all enjoying chocolate filled breakfasts, I know I will be.  Every diet is allowed to be forgotten today.  It's Easter!

Friday 25 March 2016

Maria's Festival Guide

It's fast approaching my favourite time of year...


FESTIVAL SEASON!!

Saturday 19 March 2016

Little (mostly Primark) Haul

This morning I bring to you, the first of it's kind, my very own haul video on Youtube.  Ta daaaaaaaa!!



I ummed and ahhed about posting this and in the end I was like, Maria just go for it.  I really enjoyed filming this and hope that it's the first of many more to come.  Maybe in a year I can look back on this video, cringe a little, and realise how much I have improved.  Because let's be honest, there's room for improvements.  Including the quality - it was great before I uploaded it to Youtube.  What happened?  If anyone has any tips on this please do let me know!

I would actually like to improve upon my public speaking (you know, for interviews and making presentations at work and stuff).  I can be quite mumbly and softly spoken at times and I feel like that this will improve with practice.

Do you have a Primark haul video or blog post you would like me to check out?

Friday 18 March 2016

Thursday Shopping Spree

Thursday was such a sunny day! I woke up early, went to a spin class, and by the time I was showered and ready for the day it was looking gorgeous outside.  Of course it is still only March so I had to wear a coat but I wore sunglasses for the first time this year!

I headed into town in search of a maxi dress for my upcoming trip to Spain.  I had a spending limit and said that I could buy 1 maxi dress, 1 strapless bra and one moisturiser from Lush that I had my eye on.  All things I needed, nothing that I didn't need.  Well, I didn't get a maxi dress and I didn't even go into Lush but I did buy a strapless bra... as well as the whole of Primark.


Tuesday 15 March 2016

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato is one of my favourite and most eaten foods.  One of my favourite foods ever is sweet potato fries but I have never attempted to make my own.  The word fries alone makes it sound unhealthy.  The other day I was really craving some sweet potato fries so I decided to make my own.


Monday 14 March 2016

Sometimes I like to dress up and go out

All I seem to have done in February is work so when my friends decided to go out for a meal last week I was totally up for it.  I had just been on a shopping trip and was excited to wear my new purchases! I believe this is my first outfit post! So please be nice :)


Sunday 13 March 2016

February Favourites

Is it too late to do a February favourites blog post?  I have been meaning to do this for the last two weeks but have just been so busy lately!! At the moment I am working 6 days a week whilst trying to squeeze in marathon training, pole practice and gym sessions, then using that extra day to fit in my long run (you can see my marathon posts here).  This has left me feeling exhausted and no time for anything else! I keep thinking of blog ideas then writing them down and not being able to act upon them yet because I have no time right now! So frustrating.  Anyway, that is just a little catch up on what I have been up to.  Enough moaning and onto my favourite things in February.




Wednesday 2 March 2016

7 reasons why I am glad I applied for a marathon

Almost a year ago when I applied for the London Marathon, I didn't actually think I would have any chance of even getting in.  Then there's the first run I did back in October.  I only just completed 2 miles, my lungs hurt, my legs didn't know what was happening and I thought there was no chance of me being able to run a marathon.  Then there was my knee trouble.  Iliotibial band syndrome is a bitch.

But nonetheless I am still glad that I applied for the London Marathon and this is why:

1. Motivation
Before training for the marathon I did exercise.  I have a gym membership and I attended classes and sometimes went into the gym.  There were weeks when I went three times a week, which I thoought was a lot, there were weeks when I didn't go.  Now, I exercise almost everyday.  Because I have to, but because I also want to.  I feel motivated.  I don't just feel motivated to exercise, I feel motivated to do other stuff too now.  If I wake up early to go for a morning run or gym session, I then feel motivated to achieve loads in my day.

2. Fitness
Like I have said, it's not like I was a lazy slob before but my fitness levels have increased SO MUCH!! I can really tell the difference and I am loving it.  I am able to go faster and for longer on my runs and I am able to work at a much harder level in the gym.  I think I might be the fittest I have ever been in my whole 25 years of existence. I am super proud of this.

3. Looking good
I can officially say, this is the first time in my life I have been able to see my abs.  I knew they were in there somewhere!! My stomach is far flatter than it's ever been and my legs feel far more defined.  Even if no one else could tell the difference, and just I could notice it, I would be happy, but other people have commented on it as well.  I feel great!!  Which brings me nicely onto the next section.

Image Source

4. Diet
My diet has always been good (for the last 2 years) but it has increased dramatically and is so much better.  I'm not on a diet, I just have a good diet, and I enjoy my food.  This includes alcohol.  A year ago I used to drink every weekend, now I drink about once a month and my body loves me for it!!

5. Confidence
This ties in with looking good and fitness. I was never terribly un confident about my body, but since I have seen improvements I feel so much more confident about my body.  Before, I would be self conscious about wearing a bikini, now I cannot wait to go on holiday and strut about in a bikini with my new found confidence.

6. Achievement
I love a challenge and I love feeling success.  Every time I run a longer distance, or beat my previous fastest time I feel success.  When I did the half marathon, crossing that finish line was such a great feeling.  I had done it!!  I love each step of achieving and it leaves me wanting to achieve more.

Image Source


7. Challenging yourself
As I have said, I like being challenged.  I like setting targets and getting to those goals step by step.  It not only gives me a sense of achievement but motivates me and keeps me going.  These days I never think, oh I can't do it.  I think I will do it and will work out a way to get there.

Are there any goals you have set out to achieve this year?