Did you know that running burns more calories than any other form of exercise? I wish I’d have known that fact earlier! I feel so much healthier now that I’m running all the time, but I did need a lot of motivation. Below, I’ve comprised for you some running tips for getting started…

1. If like me, you haven’t been very active for a while, start building yourself up to running by walking
2. A good pair of trainers are necessary so do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy
3. Plan when and where you are going to run and make a note so that you don’t forget
4. Run with a friend, as they provide company and motivation
5. Don’t forget to warm up before you run - you don’t want any injuries
6. Make sure you are running with the correct technique. Your arms and shoulders should be relaxed, you should be in an upright position, and you should be hitting the ground with the middle of your foot
7. Allow time for stretches and a cool down after a run
8. Mix it up, don’t keep running the same routes, it can get boring

I’ve learned a lot recently about what I should be eating to stay healthy and I thought maybe I would share my new knowledge with you.

Firstly, remember to stick to a diet that contains all of the main food groups and as little fat, salt and sugar as possible. However, all of this is pointless if portion size isn’t taken into consideration. If you can conquer this, maintaining a healthy body weight should be no problem. The 5 main food groups are:

• Fruit and Vegetables
  Eating 5 a day will provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals that decrease the risk of you getting heart disease, some forms of cancer and strokes.

• Starchy Foods
  - Potatoes, Bread, Rice, Pasta etc.
  Your meals should be based around the foods in this food groups as they provide the body with fibre and, in some cases, vitamins. For example, Eating potatoe skins will provide you with bothe the fibre and vitamins you require.

• Meat and Fish
  This food group provides the body with protein that is essential for growth and repair. It is beneficial to try and select meat that doesn’t contain a lot of fat, and in terms of fish, try and eat 2 portions a week with one of those being an oily fish.

• Dairy Foods
  - Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt etc.
  The food in this group provides the body with calcium, which is essential for healthy bones, and protein. However, it is more beneficial to drink semi-skimmed milk for example, because it is lower in fat, and to eat lower-fat cheeses like cottage cheese.

• Fatty and Sugary Foods
  - Not entirely necessary
  This is the food group that can cause some problems. Fatty and sugary food is often the nicest tasting and is alright to eat in small amounts, but large amounts could lead to obesity, the risk of diabetes, cancers, and heart disease.

Calories are more important than people think. Healthy foods and some drinks may contain a high number of calories, but if the number of calories a person consumes is controlled then the world might be a healthier place. It is over-eating that is causing the high levels of obesity in our country at the minute. The absolute key is to make sure you’re not consuming more energy than you are burning through exercise/activity. Give it a go!

Up until now my sister and I have been training by running through fields, making sure we can’t be seen, but now things have started to get serious - we’ve been going to the gym.

My first time at the gym was horrendous! I have never been to a place where I have felt so self-conscious. I think in order to feel comfortable in a gym you need to lose weight first, despite the point being to lose weight while you’re there. The women are so tiny, they made me feel enormous, and the men weren’t much better. I felt so embarrassed! The best option for me would probably be to stick to swimming, at least that way the majority of me would be hidden under water. I have problems with swimming as well though - how do you decide which lane you belong in? Do I belong in the slow or the fast lane? If I’m honest I could do with something in between! I don’t belong with the old people in the slow lane but I definitely don’t belong in the fast lane with the professionals. If it was up to me I would never return to the gym, but unfortunately my sister is adamant that it will be more beneficial than running through fields; I beg to differ. Help!

My sister and I have been training for the marathon for a few weeks now, and we feel we deserve a treat. Naughty I know. We’ve decided we are going to treat ourselves to a day at a spa, I’m so excited! My birthday is fast approaching, so that seems as good excuse as any to go. This is sure to be heaven after the aches and pains we’ve endured as a result of training so much.

I’ve been having a sneaky look at the spa day package we’ve bought and it looks amazing. The pampering session is going to last 3 and a half hours, with treatments including a full body massage, a pedicure, a manicure, a facial, and we even get a glass of wine on our arrival! I’ll have to let you know what this day is like, but I’m sure we’re going to love it. I’m not sure whether I’ll want to go back to training after I’ve had a day like this. I might try and persuade my sister to join me for a meal in their restaurant - I’m going even if she says no, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity especially as we get a 25% discount! It is my birthday after all, but we should probably be good and at least look for something on the menu that follows our new diet. We don’t want to ruin our hard work.

Keep reading for my thoughts on the spa day!

As you may be aware from my previous post, I am very keen to lose weight, and while I was watching the London Marathon this year I had a great idea - in 2014 I am going to run the marathon! No more sitting at home eating my breakfast and watching it on the TV. I want to be like the people in this picture, proud to have completed a 26 mile run all for a good cause.

This may be just the incentive I need to get fit and hopefully, lose some weight! My sister has agreed to join me in this challenge so at least I’ll have a partner to push me while we train. My first session is tomorrow… Wish me luck!