It wouldn't be January without a trusty fitness post, would it? Or rather it has been and this has drifted into February. Over the years the level of content has shifted from the way it started, which is just a natural progression. I've developed some interests while others have ebbed and flowed with some being dropped altogether.
It was around 9 years ago I found myself re-connecting with exercise after the time that I imagine many people find themselves in once school finishes and they don't have any ongoing sporting commitments. That void that you don't even notice until one day you realise that you can't just pick something back up, like running and your body has changed without you having ok-ed that.
Since then I have had peaks and troughs in my relationship with exercise but it's not fully lapsed except for times of injury.

I'd say I'm at my strongest and most capable at present than ever before. No, my running isn't up to scratch but after a knee scare last year it gave me a fright and I haven't wanted to push my luck. I would definitely classify myself as someone with the fitness bug. There's nothing I enjoy more than exceeding my own expectations or taking others by surprise. Lets smash goals and grow, I have the appetite. An easy workout leaves me feeling grumpy yet one which wears me out to the point of wanting to throw up is fully satisfying.

The strategy of exercise has changed too, I'm now happy taking control of the direction of travel instead of feeling like a passenger on a package trip. Once a week I attend the hour long outdoor bootcamp which has been a mainstay for years. Not only does this prove challenging physically but also serves to tick off the social side of things too, technically I am mixing with others. An hour of hard-as-you-make-it bodyweight exercise is great for endurance, keeping myself competitive against myself and naturally others. Sorry guys, I secretly beam every time I note my form is better, or I'm faster or I have better recovery than anyone else. I know it's childish, but that part of me that wants to win surfaces frequently in this environment. Quite often I'm last to finish because I'm doing everything properly which also makes me smug, you get out what you put in and if you think skimping on effort and form in a bid to finish first is worth it then you can keep your results. The only thing I really hide away from is the group games and swapping partner work, help!

Much of my self identity is made up by my physical build and capability. I've got very fixed ideas about who I am in terms of health and I'm unwilling to budge on that.

A couple of years ago my Mum of all people introduced me to YouTube Hiit workouts (High Intensity Interval Training) which are by nature short and intense. Through these I've maintained a good rhythm of working out 4 or 5 times a week, kept up the momentum and enthusiasm with really quite minimal time commitment.

This year more than ever I want to set some goals, tangible ones, not just feeling more comfortable in my clothes (although that would be awesome too). I want to learn to master pistol squats and handstand press ups. These are two easy to see results - either you can do it or you can't. Aside from this I want to dedicate different days to different muscle groups in a bid to get stronger in a more organised way. A full body workout is great but a focused workout might be the way forward from now on. It's going to take a bit of sussing out but I'm ready to give things a whirl.

Take care,
Sophie

The list I made last year, in review, was relatively well addressed for resolutions. There are some that I didn't make a jot of effort toward, some I struck off in grand style and many that I had every intention of doing but never quite 'got round to'.

I hate that term 'getting round to...' It essentially means that it's not getting prioritised and not likely to ever be either.

This year I have a very firm statement in mind. If I don't intend to finish, don't start. Little frustrates me more than wasting time researching something that never gets bought - either seal the deal or don't bother at all. What's the point of putting in time and effort to something when you will only have to cover the exact same ground again when you try picking it up again another time. For example, we finally got our potato storage 'unit' sorted, bought, put up and filled. Don't need to think about it again. Our mattress has almost expired altogether but has been a bane for at least a couple of years - memory foam was remembered our shapes and has unkindly left big ruts where we lie as well as being generally far too hot to be comfortable. Over the new year time off we underwent that ghastly trial of laying on all the beds and doing that thing where we take it in turns to roll over and rate how inconvenient each one was. I insisted we would have to get one bought - there was no way we'd spend another day starting the laying down games in each store again. So now it's the anxious wait to see if it's going to be comfortable for the next decade (no pressure!!!!).
Next up is the shoe rack. We currently have a small rack and a heap (despite my frequent efforts to keep things stacked neatly it becomes a mountain of lonely shoes).

It's less about what I want to address this year and more about if I want to do it then just bloody do it and don't stop 'til it's done.

On a separate note I've been meaning to write a fitness update piece which ought to have some specific goals on there, although I've never really made goals before as I don't go to a gym or use weights (or dare to dream of running like I used to) so they may take a little more consideration.

Take care,
Sophie

A few days ago I had a blunt exchange of words with someone. It's not particularly often that I have an angry outburst but on this occasion I feel it was entirely justified and in hindsight, I handled it in a remarkably good manner, considering.
In general I would describe myself as easygoing, genial though in a quiet way and reluctant to approach conflict. My visions of at some stage metamorphing into an extrovert with knowing the right thing to say at any given moment have long since evaporated but the older I grow, the less nonsense I'm willing to put up with. My real annoyance is when someone decides to launch into their blinkered niche and anticipates you'll dive right in alongside them for a spot of wallowing in prejudice too. Not on. You can forget me casually nodding along to the rumblings of things I don't agree with. I'm waving the white flag and bailing on that kind of conversation. Old people who just don't understand how racist their outdated and naive remarks are. Or homophobes who cluelessly bandy around insults which only highlight their own ugly stance.
Wow, no.
It really is shocking how humans can be so wrapped up in their negativity that they have such little respect for others. We all know people who hold prejudices of some nature or act in a way we just can't agree with. Words carry so much weight, they really do. I want to be more aware of what messages I'm spreading at any given time; both increasing the positivity and joyful sides while also calling out people on things that I won't agree with. It's a small step and I'm not thinking of launching into fights that are uncalled for, more of on occasions, face to face when it becomes clear that an opinion needs challenging.
From now on I won't bite my tongue when it needs to be let loose.
Sophie

Blah blah, blah.
Yes, I know how dull it is to hear about peoples' unrealistic resolutions to get a beach body and become a super successful human being. I can't deny that my hopes and plans for the new year include some aspirations but hopefully I've kept mine within the realms of possibility and practicality.

Something which has become profoundly clear of late is the realisation that unless I get up and take steps to making something happen, it's just a wasted thought. Get off your backside and make it happen or pipe down; that's the truth. Words are easy, but action speaks for itself.

With that in mind I want to make some simple changes to enrich my life and how I reach out to others. Firstly, I wan to be more careful with my language. Often in real life I swear a lot and it's mostly uncalled for (swearing at the microwave for example). Words carry more weight when used infrequently. Eating meals at the table as opposed to on the sofa is an important one. Sitting up properly and enjoying food instead of absent-mindedly lifting my fork up and down ought to be standard anyway, I've been so slack on this over the last couple of years.

C and I are discussing holiday plans. There may be some changes on the horizon.

Naturally, the obvious 'adopt a healthier lifestyle through a good diet, exercise, sleep and balance' has to be an aim although I don't feel like now is the time to quantify any specifics. Our allotment produces so much each summer, and to a lesser extent over inter too. I want to use more creatively, waste less and get the balance right of what we grow. Wasting less in general needs to be prioritised. Before Christmas we tried to eat our way through the contents of the freezer and it's shocking how much just gets shoved in there only to be forgotten and abandoned. We still have a bag of frozen strawberries from 2015 that were going to be made into jam... More homemade food would be lovely, simpler food and comfort food. Less nonsensy food. Drinking more water and less alcohol.

We already make quite a few things from our own and foraged seasonal produce. I cannot imagine ever running out of jam; even giving some away still leaves plenty. As well as strawberry and raspberry jam we make gingery apple jam, pickled onions, cabbage and beetroot. Rosehip syrup, elderflower cordial. I make courgette pickle - which has been fantastic and courgette chutney which also was a treat. Onion chutney, redcurrant jelly (sadly the recipe we followed didn't perform!). I want to forage much more. Nettles, roses, edible flowers and leaves. Nuts. More, more, more.

I want to grow so many flowers. My plans for this are coming along nicely and I can't wait to get started. We also have lots of vegetable plans too.

Keeping things simple is so much easier said than done. I want to make more things, be creative, practice skills, learn new ones. Make cards. Wrap neatly. Put thought into things. Completing the tidying and furnishing of the craft room will get things more on track with this. Buying a unit for storage will be a good start.

Supporting local businesses is really important to me and I want to further this as well as lending my support to good causes. Being more open and giving with my heart. Expressing more gratitude and really relishing the little things.  I want to write when it feel right. Taking time for myself on creative things, relaxation or investigation is more than ok, it's a necessity. The more I indulge myself in what I want to do, the more it pays off in what I have to do.  So no more feeling guilty about drawing a line under chores to break off to read a book or write up a blog post.

This turned into a monster of a post but it's superseded any kind of winter wishlist (plan: make it to spring) and it feels good to sit here, airing my thoughts. Oh, and I want to give the blog interface a facelift but that's going to take a good lot of time so we shall see. Plenty to come this year, who knows what, but I am thrilled to have you along for the journey.

Take care,
love, Sophie

They say time flies when you're having fun. When it comes to December people comment with great frequency they can't believe how fast the year has flown by. I'm guilty of it. But this year I feel like things have been different. I'm not going to say it again.
Instead, my version of the year can be summarised as busy. It's been all go; here there and everywhere. I can quantify where the time went. Some of it is recorded in pictures, some of it blossomed in a vase and much of it resulted in being able to sit here and tell you all about it having completed the regular chores.
They say that life is what happens while you're making plans.
It's all too easy to put off things in favour of an easy time; maybe slobbing on the sofa all evening and telling yourself that you'll have a better day tomorrow. Sometimes I do that.
To be fair though, it feels like I've crammed in as much as is realistically possible while allowing myself plenty of sleep. There has been plenty to look back on this year and I can say for certain that I've given it my best. Boxes have been ticked. Over the next few weeks the list of plans for next year will be collated and it will be interesting to see what direction 2017 will lead. One thing I can say for sure is that it's going to be made up of doing things and not just letting time fly by while I'm slow out of the blocks.
Sophie

Last year saw my fitness regime all but completely evaporate and funnily enough, there were consequences. At the start of the year I stepped on the scales for the first time in a long time, met with something of a shocker which has only been corroborated by most of my jeans refusing to do up. I knew that something had to change, both in my weekly activities and in my head too. A healthy body goes hand in hand with a healthy mind, or something like that. Late nights and bingeing on junk food is no good for you regardless of how much you work out so I had to look at everything in the round.

As my strength is better than it's ever been, it was clear that cardio was where improvement was needed and running on the treadmill was the obvious answer. I can't lie, most of the time I still whine about having to run after work. It tends to be something that feels like it's getting in the way of relaxing and enjoying my evening but deep down I know I have to do the exercise. So after a bit of a dither (I still need to iron out the 'putting it off' stage) I don my running kit and hop on the treadmill four evenings a week. One hour of bootcamp still stands firm in my diary. The rest have been allotted to a run. My relationship with the treadmill is hate-hate. It's a machine and therefore will not negotiate nor show compassion which doesn't sit well with me. What I really want is to set a time and count down with a neat way of scheduling the speeds but so far no joy. The treadmill is sturdy and safe but as I've got a relatively fast sprint in me the speeds I whack it up to seem to end up with me running in a messy fashion with one false move potentially ending in disaster. Due to the insane irritation that the treadmill causes me, I try to vary what happens on each session; sometimes a short fast mile, a HIIT session, a steadier longer go... To be honest my longest encounter has been about 1.75 miles this year and my shortest run lasted ten minutes. I always get off the treadmill puffing and hot.
I'm getting there. Once it's light enough I'll be outside hitting the roads again. I want to fall in love with running again, looking forward to feeling like this is something I want to do and enjoy. It's progress!
Sophie 

Not only are Corkers down the country road from us, in Ely, but they grow the potatoes, wash, grade and cook them all on site too. The flavours are excellent, a good hit of taste with every mouthful but my favourite thing is the proper crunch. Vegetable crisps are something of a treat for me. Given the choice I'm sure I'd veer towards the vegetable packs every time and that's probably due to my sweet tooth. In a selfless moment I offered to share the sweet potato, parsnip, carrot and beetroot pack with C. We carefully took turns in taking out a few crisps and ensuring that neither took too many in each go. They were divine. I'm keeping the sweet potato with chilli and the parsnip with honey and black pepper to myself. The rest of the potato crisps can be C's in lieu. Fingers crossed that's enough.

Have you thought about making the most of what's on your doorstep?

Sophie

Thanks to Corkers for sending me a lovely box and to NorDEVcon for the t-shirt. All content and opinions my own.

The start of every new year can be a little unsettled; what with getting over the last dregs of Christmas as well as the introduction of resolutions. I'm not entirely sure I like beginning anything new in the middle of winter - it's the worst time of year for inspiring any sort of enthusiasm. Surely spring would be the optimum point in the year for implementing positive changes? Certainly from my personal viewpoint it would make more sense. Nevertheless, in accordance with my resolutions for 2016 I have been making a few changes which I'll probably cover in greater depth over the next little while.

After the success of last years amaryllis, I'm already filling up with joy over since planting this little beauty (another present from my Nan) and this one is an unusual purple one so I'm excited to see what the flower will look like in a few weeks' time. The bulb from last year was kept around the house and after just sprouting greenery I lopped it all off and stuck it in a dark cupboard for a number of weeks. Last week I took it out, watered it and popped it out on the table, I'm not convinced it will spring back into life but who knows.

I want more adventures. The times that get talked about for years to come.
Maybe I need to redefine my ideas.
Take a little adventure each month; visit somewhere new, make spontaneous decisions to go out, do new things.
Perhaps a little list of things to take inspiration from as opposed to a list of things to tick off in a chore-like manner.  I'd like to make 2016 a year I can look back on and say "oh yes! Do you remember when we went here...saw this...ate out here". This blog is a wonderful, wonderful way of looking back on what I've been up to, it's fascinating to re-live a day out that is no longer fresh in my mind. I'd love to think that anyone else enjoys reading about what I've been up to as well.
Keep your eyes peeled for a few thoughts on what I'd like to do this year and going forwards!
Sophie 

I don't want a new me in 2016, I want the old me back. The Sophie who enjoyed running, made goals, worked out several times a week and ate a balanced diet. I'd rather like to be able to wear everything in my wardrobe without having to avoid the ones with a tight waistband and I've had quite enough of deciding whether to sit my jeans above or below the rapidly inflating spare tyre.

2015 has been a mixed bag of a year but I've learnt a few lessons, broadened a few horizons and believe it or not I picked up a few ideas I'd like to further. What I'd really like from the new year is to enrich life, simplify life and to fill it with more love and positivity. My thinking is that by working on myself, it will filter out to all aspects of my life and others may benefit too.
So here goes

Read

I want to allow at least 20 minutes a week to sit down with a book. Uninterrupted reading. To those of you who regularly read it wont sound like long at all but if I start off small, I can add to it. For Christmas I asked for a few titles which came recommended and my idea is to only read books which have either been shortlisted for literary awards or which get good reviews.

Eat clean

Less waste

Recycle

Thinking time

Self care

Put care in and take joy out

Support local and independent businesses

Allotment goodness

Blog

Generally 

I'd like to start the year by having a little whoop in celebration of my blog's fourth birthday, hurrah. It's hard to see where the time has gone, but it's been time well spent; getting acquainted with my camera, getting out exploring the countryside and letting the words spill out in the evenings as I muse in my pyjamas.

I haven't felt like figuring out any firm resolutions yet this year and I certainly don't feel overwhelmed by positivity for new chances and starting afresh. Being a girl of summer means that the cold weather at the moment just leaves me feeling blue with precious little enthusiasm for setting goals or jumping for joy about the dawn of a new year. Some days I feel just dandy and others quite frankly I'd rather not surface from bed at all so I'm just taking each morning as it comes and staying busy.

After last year's decision not to set any hard and fast resolutions I anticipate following the same path of being kinder to myself, working on fitness and generally finding more happiness from simple things.

So there's no song and dance to be performed over the new year, it's just business as usual for me; the systematic capturing of what I see around me goes on.

Sophie

Happy new year! I wish you all things good for 2014.

Dress – Derhy via charity shop, shoes - ebay, clutch - gift from Char (thank you!), earrings and necklace - gift from Husband

This is what I would have worn last night had I been going out. This is actually what I wore on Christmas day minus the shoes and bag but I only got a blurry selfie on the day (although I rather like the flash effect)

Let's crack on with my resolutions. The past few years (2011, 2012, 2013) I've made quite a lot with varying degrees of success so this year I want to be a little more relaxed. I'm listing a few things I'd like to do instead.

• I’d love to have a injury free year of running, ideally with some 10k and 5k races. A new pb would be good, I'd be delirious with joy to run a sub 46 10k and sub 22 5k.
• I’d love to master the art of rustling up quick, healthy meals.
• Writing to my lovely penpals more often would be thoughtful of me and I'm sure they would like receiving correspondence more often too
• Learning to use my SLR would be very helpful
• Taking part in Alex’s Blogging Good Read  (this will be on her blog on 7th January I believe) has reminded me how much I used to enjoy reading. Perhaps making a few hours each week to get through a few books this year would be nice
• Sleep! For the past few months I have been lucky to get 6 hours sleep each night, purely as I've not headed to bed earlier and although I feel ok, it's probably only a matter of time before I screw myself up
• I'd love to improve my fitness in general with my focus being on improving my cardio capacity and to work on toning
• Find some positivity and joy in more things. Many other bloggers are always sharing things that make them happy and that's just not me at all, but I would like to feel better more often

I’m planning to write a separate post on last year as I think it may be a lengthy one. What do you think of my list? Are you making any resolutions yourself?

Sophie

Jacket, jumper and blouse – charity shop, trousers – River Island, boots – Mikaela via Sarenza

I’ll admit it, I have a tartan problem. Every other outfit I wear has a plaid print and it fills me right up with happiness. My Jaeger jacket is an obvious choice to wear with these trousers and the green jumper seems perfect for this tipping point between autumn and winter. I do think greens and browns are just right at this time of year, although if I count up which other colours I feel are just right at this time of year we'd probably have the majority of the rainbow.

It’s a funny old time twix Christmas and new year. Not least because I have a few days off with pretty much nothing pressing to do; all the cleaning has been done before Christmas and I get to chill out and ponder my resolutions for next year. In fact I'm in two minds whether to make any at all for 2014, it seems I either stick to them like glue or abandon all effort altogether with very little in between. Needless to say I absolutely cannot face another year without alcohol. I'll be dedicating a post to that in the coming weeks. What are you getting up to?

Sophie

I made so many resolutions for this year and it has been ages since I gave an update on my progress, so here is how I've been getting on:

• Six pack. – Not made any progress on this really. To be honest running has become my main focus which has contributed to burning off a bit more fat but I’ve not been making the concentrated effort I had imagined. However, I still have two months of the year left, so keep your eyes peeled. I started Carly Rowena's 30 day abs and core challenge on Thursday 17th, so there is hope yet.
• Cook from scratch more. I think I've done ok about this! Plenty of home cooking has been taking place and I'd like to think I've made a pretty good effort.
• Go green. Nah, not really.
• Love myself (take care of myself better) Nope.
• Actually see more real people YES! I did this. Sort of. A bloggers holiday, several meeting up with internet pals, plus I arranged a get together of my college buddies. Baby steps!
• NO MORE DRINK Much to my own and everyone else's surprise I have done really well on this. Not a drop of alcohol has crossed my lips.
• Make my blog into something people want to read and engage with. The big revamp at the end of August was a bit of a turning point but I'd like to think that content has been a little better than previous years.
• Get into Youtubing. FAIL!
• Providing a good home to a four legged friend. What a mixed bag this has been. After a rocky start we (touch wood) seem to be getting there. Time has flown by with Lincoln, he arrived in the middle of March and I guess that makes it 7 months now he's been part of our family .
• Ease off the technology Heck no, I'm worse.

I find that I'm only really able to make any progress with anything if I've resolved to do it. I've been in two minds about whether to make any for 2014 and if so, if I should abstain from alcohol for another year or not. Do you have any advice for me?

How do you set (and work towards achieving) goals for yourself?