REFLECTIONS

I think sometimes, it's quite easy to get caught up in it all. You find yourself saying yes to things you don't really want to do.. You commit to things that won't make you happy. And you find yourself overwhelmed by all this extra stuff that you know will make you miserable.

I'm kind of at a crossroads at the moment. This year has been a tough one for me, but also an amazing one. I am in a space though, where I'm re-evaluating my life and trying to figure out ways to make it the best it can be. I've already made some huge progress in terms of making my life a healthier one, and it is definitely one of my biggest achievements. My Etsy store has doubled in profits this year, which is something I never imagined would happen. No, it's not at a place where I could just quit my day job and work on design all day, but it's definitely growing into something that I love and am super proud of.

This blog, seems to be where the trouble lies. Lovingly, Kate started off as a space where I could share my design work. It was somewhere that I could post things that inspired me and influenced the work that I had been doing. Now, it's grown into something else and I'm not 100% sure it's me. I'm so happy to be able to inspire and motivate you guys with my weight loss progress, but it's actually not something that I feel confident talking about. I love doing DIY projects, but writing DIY posts isn't really my thing.

My passion, is design. And I've decided that that is where my focus should lie. From now on, this blog isn't going to be something that I regularly contribute to. It's going to be a space where I can share mood boards, or inspiration, or design work that I've done. It's not going to be something that I feel like I HAVE to do, because I've found that kind of approach doesn't really work for me. 

This is definitely not the end. My blog has taken a wee while to get where it is, and I'm really happy with what it's become. There are just going to be a couple of tweaks so that it truly reflects me and who I am. I'm going to take a step back from trying to post every week, and just post when I feel inspired or have something to share. I will, however, still be out and about on Instagram and Facebook so you can still keep in touch with me there!

Thank you lovely people, for all the support and encouragement over the last year. You guys are amazing and I'm so lucky to have and know you all.

IT'S SUNDAY // 05

Oops! I totally forgot about my Three Things Sunday last weekend. My Dad came over, and I didn't even manage the three things I had planned to do, so I just kind of boycotted the post. I'm back though, and after a pretty successful week (exercise wise) I'm feeling pretty good about this one.

ONE MORNING RUN

I'm going to try this one again. It's lighter and warmer now, and I know I'll feel so much better for it. I actually managed one last week, and it was so nice coming home after work and not having to worry about exercising. Plus, I felt more awake during the day. Win win really!

ONE WEIGHTS SESSION

At the moment my focus has kind of shifted from running all the time, to working on more strength training. An awesome friend of mine gave me a three day weights workout a couple of months ago and I haven't touched it in ages. It's so good though (and I definitely feel it for a few days after) so I know that my body will benefit a lot if I keep it up.

AN INVITATION

I haven't quite specified what kind of invitation this time, I just figure anything is better than nothing. I've got loads of 21st and a couple of wedding, so I think a kids one might be a good idea. It's hard to know what's gonna sell, but I know that Mum's definitely frequent Etsy quite a bit, and themed parties are always a winner!

So, there we go. I do have two exercise focused goals, only because health and fitness is currently my priority. It makes me feel good, and my body and mind benefits from it so I figure it's a pretty healthy way to be. Have you guys got anything you want to work on this week?

LOSING 30KGS AND STAYING HEALTHY

30 kilograms is a lot. A lot of anything! I probably can't even lift 30kgs. It's hard to believe that just over two years ago, that's how much extra weight I was carrying around. Of course, at the time it didn't really FEEL like I had an extra 30kgs on me and, until I see photos of what I looked like before, I have a pretty hard time believing it.

Honestly though, it's my biggest achievement so far. Never in my life did I think I would sit in front of the computer and announce to the world (or at least, my lovely readers) that I had managed to shed 30 kilograms from my body. I won't say it was easy, because nothing is as easy as sitting at home, eating junk food and not exercising. I didn't find it that hard though, which might come as a surprise to some of you.

I often get frustrated with people who feel like they need to go on crazy diets or exercise until they throw up to get results. Okay yes, what I did may not work for everyone, but surely there is no need to go to such extremes. My journey took awhile (2 years) but it was healthy and gradual so I'm feeling pretty confident that I will manage to keep my weight off in the future. With a few tweaks here and there I managed to change better my lifestyle and the weight loss was just a natural part of it. When you cut out the crap you eat and add in some exercise, something is going to change.

I thought I'd share a couple of changes I made that helped me not only lose the weight, but be a bit more healthier too.

STOP EATING CRAP

This is fairly obvious but pretty hard to do. I'm no nutritionist but I know that eating packaged food that is full of processed rubbish can't be good for you. I tried my best to stop eating takeaways (at least the really bad ones like McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's etc) and if I did need to eat on the go, I tried to go for better options like Subway, sushi or Tank. Once I did that I noticed quite a big change to my body as well as to how I felt. Eating good, real food is so much better for you.

EXERCISE

Again, this isn't rocket science. Exercise means you are using energy and burning calories. If you are using more than you are putting in, you'll start burning fat which means you will start losing weight. Not only that, but I found that when I exercised, I wanted to eat better. As you start looking after your body you want to nourish it, rather than treat it as a rubbish bin. 

Exercise is tough, especially when you are just starting out. I barely managed to run 10 metres when I started but I stuck at it and eventually my body started learning and I was running further and further every time. It's also important to find something that you like, otherwise working out will just end up feeling like another chore. Make sure you try classes, weights and different forms of cardio so you can really figure out what works for you.

DOCUMENT YOUR PROGRESS

This doesn't have to necessarily mean the number on the scale. It could just be images or measurements. Whatever way you decide, note it down or save those photos. Whenever I'm having a bad day (as in, I want to eat all the food and do none of the running) I find it helps to flick through old photos of me. This can trigger memories of how you felt at the time and prove to yourself how far you've gone so far.

MAKE MINI GOALS

Sometimes we all need an extra bit of motivation, especially on those days where you're feeling a bit down and not in the mood to do anything. Having little goals, whether they are weekly or monthly, can definitely help when you need an extra push. It could be the new dress you saw in the weekend, a new weight to hit or even to run that little bit further. Let your friends and family know as well, so when you need that support you know where to look for it.

DO IT FOR YOU

This is a big one. Often we start these journeys because we are pressured by other people. We don't feel pretty enough, we want people to love us more for it, our friends are doing it. Remember why you started and do it for yourself. At the end of the day, it's your body, your health, your life. Feeling pressured can mean that you are starting for the wrong reasons and result in you having a negative attitude towards your journey. You are the person who will benefit the most from this. More energy, better sleeps, brighter eyes, clear skin. Only good can come of eating healthy and exercising so make sure you remember that.

My journey wasn't perfect. I definitely struggled. There were days when I just wanted to give up and "be fat again." Luckily, I managed to get through those times but it wasn't easy. It's all about living and learning though, and adjusting as you and your goals change. At the moment, I'm quite happy where I am. I like how clothes look on me (and the fact that I can shop at regular stores now.) I know that I'm at a comfortable fitness level where I can go and be active without dreading it too much. Food is a bit harder, but I'm working on it. Knowing what food makes me feel good and what makes me feel awful definitely helps and it's always going to be a work in progress. 

I think being part of a community definitely helps as well. Sometimes you need the support and motivation from people who are going through the same things. Have you guys recently started a health journey? How are you finding it? Let me know in the comments. 

IT'S SUNDAY // 04

I'm feeling like I'm finally back on track. I've made goals and pretty much stuck to them. This weekend I caught up on some projects that I've been meaning to do for ages and I managed the majority of my Three Things Sunday. It definitely feels good to be back, and I'm planning on keeping it up for the next week.

GO FOR ONE MORNING RUN

This might be a bit hard. I actually prefer running in the morning and I find that it really sets me up for the rest of the day, but it's been dark and cold and bed is always more comfortable. I know I'll feel better for it though, so I'm really going to try this week. 

CREATE SOMETHING 

Our home is slowly coming together but I would love to have more art work. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of hooks and aren't allowed to put any nails in the walls so most of our art leans. It actually looks pretty neat but I'd like to have a lot more. There are so many wonderful prints out there, but I figure, I can paint and design so I might as well make the most of my skills. We have this beautiful exposed brick wall so I really want to create something that will look great against it.

HEALTHY DESSERT

I've never had much of a sweet tooth, but lately I've really been finding myself craving chocolate and lollies. Bad. There are so many healthy options out there and I'm going to try one this week. I really love fruit so I think it will be something fruit based. Yum!

RECAP // LAST WEEK

The week just been was good. I went for two runs (I know I said three but I figure two is better than none.) I wore make up 4 times this week, just a light bb cream, mascara and a bit of bronzer. Each time I looked in the mirror I felt a little bit more proud of my appearance. Not more confident, just a bit more put together. It's definitely encouraged me to put more effort in, just for work and when I go out. And I created that baby shower invitation! 

All in all, I'm pretty happy with  how my week went. I'm feeling a lot more motivated and excited to get things done. This feature has been so good for me. It really helps to have that little push to get shit done. 

IT'S SUNDAY // 03

Last week was okay. Just okay. I had a few meltdowns that really stuffed up my thinking. I had all these plans to be productive and on top of things but it just didn't seem to happen. I think we are all allowed to have our moments though and I'm looking at this next week with my happy hat on. 

GO FOR THREE RUNS

Despite not even managing to run last week, I know that I should be exercising at least three times a week - even if I don't feel like it. I need to get back into a routine and treat exercise like brushing my teeth, it's not to be avoided. Plus, I have a treadmill! No excuse really.

WEAR MAKEUP

I'm not really a big make up wearer. Sure, I'll wear it if I'm going out, but I've never really taken the time to sit down and figure out what works best on my face. Because it's not important to me, I think a lot of my friends, family and just people I know are used to me not wearing make up. Which I like. It means they are pleasantly surprised when I put "my face on." I like how I feel when I wear it though. Not a lot, but enough to just make me feel a little more confident and put together. I want to spend more time on me, and I think this is a good step.

DESIGN A BABY SHOWER INVITATION

This is the one party I can't seem to get my head around. Currently my design style leans more towards an older target market (twenty firsts, engagement parties, weddings) and while I do try and design more "cute" invitations, I've been struggling with one for a baby shower. I thought this week I would be a bit more specific so I'll be a bit more focused. We will see how I go.

RECAP // LAST WEEK

Well, I failed on the photo side of things but I did manage to go vegetarian (for a meal) and see a friend! My vegetarian meal was a simple stirfry with frozen veges, egg and noodles - plus a few bits and pieces to make it tasty. On Monday I had a lovely friend come over and I even cooked dinner! I hadn't seen Michelle in ages and it was so nice. What I love are friends who you don't need to see everyday to maintain a friendship. I've known Michelle since I was in primary school (18 years!) and we've been pretty tight ever since. Unfortunately, I didn't make the run. It's been a rough week and I find that when I'm not feeling 100% exercise always seems to be the one thing that slips. It's also something that makes me feel better when I'm down, so I really need to work on remembering that when I'm not having such a good day. Live and learn though, and this journey is a work in progress.

I'm looking forward to this week! I'm feeling good and determined to see my three goals through. 

PHOTO SHOOT // KATE TOVEY PHOTOGRAPHY

I was lucky enough to win a wee Facebook competition with the lovely Kate Tovey Photography. That girl is a total gem and she made us feel so comfortable during the shoot. The forecast was pretty average that weekend, but luckily the rain stopped long enough for us to go and play in the trees at Cornwall Park.

Thank you for the photos Kate. We love them.

THREE THINGS SUNDAY // 02

Well, week one of Three Things Sunday actually went really well! I managed to do what I wanted to do, and without too much drama either. I know that I definitely to have a cooking/eating/drinking goal each week because I haven't felt too motivated in the kitchen and I'm definitely needing a push. 

Here's what I want to achieve this week.

1. GO VEGETARIAN

Let's not go crazy, I mean just for a day. Or a night. It can work out cheaper, and I really do need to work on eating more vegetables. Plus, Rob isn't a huge fan of vegetarian meals so it will challenge me to make something really tasty so we don't even miss the meat! 

2. SEE A FRIEND

I'm not going to say I'm bad at socialising, because I don't think I am. I see the people who matter, and I catch up with them over text or online. It's not quite the same as being face to face though, and I need to make more of an effort. As you get older, there are more priorities and it can be hard to juggle friendships, but it's so worth it. 

3. RUN/WALK 5KM.

Whenever things happen in my life, eating and exercising are the first to slip. As you know I'm doing the 365 Miles Over Days challenge and I'm so far behind it's not funny. I need to start giving myself little mini week goals to try and make sure I make it to 365. Five km isn't hard, and it doesn't take longer than an hour. I know I've got an hour spare most nights this week, so there's no reason for me to not do it.

RECAP // LAST WEEK

green smoothie recipe // pancake recipe // engagement invitation

Just quick recap of last week! I made my green smooth and surprisingly, it was pretty tasty. The kale definitely caused me some digestion issues so I can't really say how good it was for me. Apparently spinach is the way to go, so I'll try that next. With the recipe, I had planned on doing something new for dinner, but because of the accident I just couldn't get my head right, so this morning I made banana pancakes! The most simple recipe ever, but it was a new one so it totally counts. And of course, my invitation! I designed an engagement party invitation, and I totally love it. Enough that I would use it as my own (if I was getting married haha.)

And that's how I went! Have you guys got anything that you'd like to achieve for the week?

WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO RUN

Running and I are on okay terms. We don't love each other. We don't hate each other. But we get along, mostly because it makes me feel good. I don't just mean health wise either. Running, for me anyway, is almost a bit like therapy. I get to go and enjoy the fresh air, take in the sights, and just think about stuff. Sure, losing weight has been great, but the feeling of knowing I'm looking after myself is better.

I haven't always been a "runner." I don't even know if I deserve that term as I'm yet to run more than 5km but it's my main form of exercise so I'm claiming it. I'm not entirely sure how I got into it but I do know that there were a few excuses that popped up from time to time that came close to discouraging me. I thought I'd share them with you, as I'm sure you have all heard (or used them yourselves) from time to time and I figured they might also be stopping you.

BOOBS

This one could just be me, but having big boobs has always made me a little unsure about running. It's not exactly the most supportive exercise and I'm not going to get into the physics of it all, but it's hard to avoid bouncing. I got over it though, strapped my boobs up and off I went.
MY SOLUTION: Double bra it. Or I'll wear a tight (like, one size too small) crop top sports bra thing over it for extra support.

I'M NOT FIT ENOUGH

Unless you are under ten years old, I don't think anyone is actually "fit" enough to run. Naturally, when you go from walking for the majority of your life to upping your speed and putting more of a bounce in your step, it's going to be hard. Nothing really prepares you for when you start running, but just know that it gets easier. I always started out walking, and then I'd get to a fitness level where I felt comfortable starting to jog.
MY SOLUTION: Start slow. Remember, the first step is hard for everyone (despite what your fitness level is) and the only way you'll improve is by starting.

I CAN'T BE BOTHERED

This is a HUGE excuse that is used constantly, myself included. It's also one that is pretty easy to give in to. With all the other pressures of life - work, school, university, partners, friends etc - it's one thing that seems to be neglected. Which is crazy when you think about it. What's more important than you and your health?
MY SOLUTION: Be bothered! Not helpful? I find that thinking about how it will make me feel after the run helps to motivate me to get out there. I know that I'll come back drenched in sweat, but feeling a lot better because I've taken the time to look after myself.

RUNNING SUCKS

Yes. Some days it does. And running might totally not be your thing. It can be exhausting. It's cardio (and can be a high intensity) which means you are using your whole body and a whole lot of energy. That's when it's important to have balance. Running shouldn't be your only exercise (even though it's currently mine) because it only works one group of muscles. I've started thinking about what other exercise I can do, and that I'll enjoy, so for those days when I don't feel like running, I can do something else.
MY SOLUTION: Find something that you do enjoy. Just because running isn't your thing, doesn't mean you should forfeit exercise. There are so many classes and activities out there that are bound to tickle your fancy. Find one, and stick to it.

These thoughts of mine aren't original. I'm not alone. They will have been thought a million times over by people all over the world. The sad thing is, these excuses have the potential from stopping you looking after yourself and being healthy and happy. Starting isn't easy. But it never is, regardless of what you're doing. Working from the bottom is hard, but it's so worth it. I think a huge part of getting passed the excuses is really thinking about why you are doing it. Stop viewing it as a form of exercise that you HAVE to do each week. Instead, remember why you are running (or doing whatever you're doing) and how it makes you feel.

THREE THINGS SUNDAY // 01

As I mentioned in my last Currently post, I'm really going to try to be more productive and more proactive. I figure, what better way to keep me accountable, than by blogging about it. So here I am. I've started a new "feature" if you like, called Three Things Sunday. I'm going to set myself a goal to complete these three things by the end of the week. It's really just to encourage me to get out there, and not to procrastinate. Easier said that done I think! But I'm trying, and that's half of the battle.

Okay. Here we go.

1. HAVE A GREEN SMOOTHIE.

This may be something that all of you do on a regular basis, but I've only just gotten into the smoothie business, and so far I haven't been very adventurous. I bought Kale, so I feel like I'm pretty serious now (HA!) so I'm gonna try. The lovely Danijela has some delicious recipes on her instagram (seriously, check it out. She is magic) so I think I'm gonna do it.

2. TRY A NEW RECIPE.

I... Do not like cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love food. I love eating. But cooking is not my forte. Often, our meals are a little lacking in flavour and creativity, mostly because I'm not really too sure what I'm doing. Because I'm trying to be healthier and look after my body more (especially from a food perspective) I'm really going to try more. I know that once I get a couple of yummy recipes under my belt, I'll be fine, so this is the start.

3. DESIGN AN INVITATION.

I always talk about making my Etsy store into something bigger with more items, but when the time comes to design something, all of the excuses come out and nothing gets done. I know that I'll get more sales with more products so it's not like the motivation isn't there. I actually want to design more than one a week (for a couple of weeks at least) but at least this way, I'll definitely have at least one up in the store each week.

And there it is! Not too hard (I hate goals that aren't really attainable) but this is definitely going to motivate me to do things I already want to do. Next week I'll be sure to prove that I've done them! I'm looking forward to it. Having a plan and goals is really important when you want to improve or get more out of life, so I think this is going to be really good for me.

IT'S FRIDAY // 13

Every Friday I'll be sharing a wee collection of links with you. From DIY to my favourite music tracks, there will be something for everyone.

THESE TIPS

I love this advice from the lovely Jackie. Her and her fiance have been together for nearly seven years (WOAH) so she knows what she's talking about. Rob and I are coming up to three and a half years and I can definitely relate to each and every one of her "secrets."

THIS DESIGN

We've finally sorted out our bar cart (mostly anyway) so now it's time to become pros when it comes to cocktails. There are so many delicious recipes out there, but none as pretty as Cocorrina's. Her style is so inspirational! 

THIS DIY

How cute is this? I'm not a huge fan of hanging portrait or family photos on walls. Candid ones I like, but I've never really liked the idea of having big smiley photos everywhere. This idea is cute though, and can make any image look a bit more interesting and fun. I actually have a photo in mind, so I might have to try this out in the weekend.

THIS RECIPE

Oh my yum. I love peanut butter. And chocolate. And pretzels. So this super sweet recipe is a winner in my books! There's only five ingredients and no baking required so for a baking rookie like myself, this is perfect.

THIS SCRUB

I'm a big believer in "me time" although I don't always put time away for myself. This, looks heavenly though. And it's good for you! There's only four (or five) ingredients and it takes no time at all to make. I've never really been into or used scrubs before, but if Tillie says it's good, I trust her.

THIS SONG

Ghost by Ella Henderson always comes on the radio on my drive home. I love it. It's awesome to sing a long to, it's catchy and her voice is just lovely. 

THIS VIDEO

Of course, It's Friday wouldn't be complete without my video for the week. It's not quite "on theme" with my blog but I'm just so proud and want to share! Rob's niece competed in the Hip Hop International competition last month and I am so proud of her. Unfortunately they didn't place but they made it to the finals and smashed their set. Can you believe these girls are only 9-12 years old? Insane.

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Alright, It's Friday is back. I had a wee holiday from it while I was trying to figure out my blog, but I think this is a good post for me. Not only do I get to share some neat stuff with you guys, but it also encourages me to explore the internet a bit and find cool things for myself.

So glad it's the weekend! I was lucky enough to win a free photography session with the wonderful Kate Tovey Photography so that's what we will be doing tomorrow morning. I've also got a ton of cleaning to do as well as some business planning to sort out so it's going to be a busy one. How about you guys? Any exciting plans?

CURRENTLY // 04

Man. It's certainly been awhile since I've written one of these. Life has been busy, and I've been a bit out of whack with routines so I'm trying to slowly get back into it all. 

Reading rubbish. I feel like I should boy cot this reading part and replace it with something else. I never want to share because I know that it's crap and not worth mentioning. Don't get me wrong. I love reading silly books because they make me feel good and I relax. But they are definitely not ones that I would recommend to anyone.

Feeling like life could be better. For the last two years I've had some stomach issues (that will not be fully discussed ha!) and what was a minor problem is now something that is really starting to mess up my life. Unfortunately, it all stems from anxiety and so I'm currently stuck in a bit of a vicious cycle. I know that it's not a great way to live and so I'm really going to try hard to sort it out. I'm gonna go to a doctor (once I find a good one), start doing yoga and get my life back on track.

Thinking doing a yoga challenge. As I mentioned, I'm wanting to bring balance back to my life and I figure that yoga could be a great way to do that. I contemplated just doing some youtube videos on line but I think a class might be better. Just to get used to the breathing and proper techniques so I can make sure that I'm doing everything right. 

Working on being proactive. It's so easy to come up with excuses. Living with your boyfriend/partner can sometimes get a bit too comfortable and I find myself not doing as much because I'd prefer to just stay at home with Rob. Which is fine! But I'm missing out on things and I've decided that it's not going to happen anymore. I'm going to explore, walk, laugh, eat and drink more outside of my own home.

Wanting to sort our home out. Easier said than done, especially because everything I want to do requires money. It is frustrating though, when you have all the ideas, but not the means to get there. Our spare room is looking lame, we have next to no art on our walls, and our cushions are boring. I've been pretty clever so far, and managed to do quite a lot for not a lot of money, but winning lotto right now would be amazing ha!

FATHER'S DAY

I thought I'd pop in on this lovely Sunday (seriously guys, after some yucky rain days the sun is out!) to tell you all how much I love my Dad. Here in NZ it's Father's Day, and while my Dad is enjoying the beautiful island of Niue, it doesn't mean I can't share some appreciation and love for this guy.

Even though we don't see each other very often and visiting means a 3 hour plus flight, I know can count on him. I've had a pretty rough year and despite the distance, he's always been there for me to make sure I'm okay. He is my voice of reason and my hero. He knows how to make me laugh, and which shoulder is best to cry on. His hugs always make me feel safe and I know I'll always be his little girl, no matter how old I get.

Happy Father's Day Dad. I love you.

NIUE ISLAND

Hello friends, I'm back!! After a wonderful week away it's nice to be home, but not so great to be at work. However, that's life! We did a whole lot of exploring, swimming and snorkelling and even saw some whales and dolphins. Dad and Donna treated us to a whale watching trip which was so amazing! There were whales only about 50 metres away from us. You're allowed to swim with them but they were a bit too playful so we didn't get a good look underwater. Pretty amazing though to see these huge creatures so close.

Here are some of my favourite photos from our trip.

Drinking fresh coconuts!

My lovely Nana and Grandpa with their famous MakFurly burgers!

Our local Niueans (Dad and Evil Step Mother - who's not evil at all!) husking coconuts

Our family land in Liku

And of course, I had to finish off with some underwater photos! Luckily Dad had an underwater camera (I'm definitely going to buy one) so we managed to get some pretty awesome photos. I'm thinking about making a scrapbook for all our travel adventures so that's going to be my little project for the weekend.

HOLIDAY TIME // NIUE

If you weren't already aware, this is actually my homeland. Okay, maybe that's not quite right. But my Grandpa is full Niuean which makes me a quarter! I'd say that was enough to claim Niue as one of my homelands.

Anyway, Rob and I are flying over tomorrow morning for a wee holiday! I'm so excited! The last time I was there, I must have only been 6 or 7 years old. It's been a while. My Dad and ESM (evil step mother though she is far from evil!) are currently living over there so we thought we'd head over for a visit and a relax. Doesn't it look beautiful? There isn't a whole lot to do there (except for explore, swim and snorkel) but that's exactly the kind of holiday Rob and I need. We've had a lot going on so it's going to be great to have some family time and just chill!

I'm sure I'll have loads of photos to share with you when I come back! See you in a week! 

A GUIDE TO RUNNING // PART TWO

I hope you're all ready for my Guide to Running Part Two! Like I said in Part One, I'm definitely no expert, merely someone who has started from the bottom and knows the struggle! This guide is purely to get you ready for your first run. Last time, I talked about how important it is to wear the right gear and how music can be a huge motivator! I guess we should get into the running side of things now.

MAP IT.

Part of a successful run is the route. Make sure you plan ahead and ensure that the route you're taking is a) long enough (time and distance wise) and b) easy to follow. There are heaps of great sites where you can "map your run" so make sure you do that before hand otherwise you could get stuck or lost!

NZ Map-o-meter / Map My Run  

STRETCH IT.

Stretching is pretty important and probably something that a lot of us can't be bothered doing (I'm definitely guilty.) If you haven't been active in awhile, your body isn't going to be too happy about suddenly having to push itself. You're going to be sore and it's going to be hard. Do yourself a favour and have a stretch. It doesn't have to be 30 minutes of stretching, just enough to loosen up your body a bit. Don't forget to stretch after your run as well.

WARM IT. 

Warming up is another pretty vital part of running. This can be a walk, or a light jog. If this is your first run in awhile (or ever) I'd say that a walk is all you need. Just start by walking at a brisk pace for about five minutes, or until you feel ready to run. If you push straight into running you'll probably end up injuring yourself or not being able to last as long. Slow and steady is the name of this game.

RUN IT.

Here comes the fun part (or the not so fun part.) Alright, so you've stretched and you are five minutes into your warm up. You're feeling pretty good and reckon that it could be time to start running. You've upped your pace when suddenly your chest gets tight, your calves are aching and sweat is everywhere. Look. Don't feel bad. I couldn't even run 100 metres when I first started. Running is pretty hard, and it can take awhile to build up the fitness to be able to go for awhile.

I've got a couple of ways that really helped me to improve my fitness and increase my running time.

1. Run Lamp Posts - This is something that I did to help me get into running. Even though the distance between lamp posts isn't very big, it's still enough to get you used to a faster pace. I'd plan a 30 minute walking route (about 3km) and I just started by walking to the third lampost, and then running to the next one. I'd spend my whole walk/run doing this at first, and then I'll build up each week and run a little bit further. You'll slowly find that you can just keep running, without needing as many breaks, and eventually you'll be running the whole way!

2. Make Mini Goals - This is similar to running lamposts, but you can make your distances a bit shorter (or longer.) As you're walking or jogging, keep note of what's around you. A stop sign? How about making that you're next goal. A street sign? Reckon you can keep running until you reach that? It's easy to get overwhelmed when you know how much further you have to go, but it helps to have small goals along the way. Look for something ahead of you, and keep pushing until you get there. Who knows, you might be able to keep running passed that point. If not, no worries! You made it. 

3. Hills - Okay, hills suck. And they always will. But they are such a good way of getting your heart pumping and improving your fitness. When you map out your route, make sure you have a couple of hills in there. Running up hill is pretty hard, but if you use the lamp post or mini goal ideas, you'll definitely be able to make it! 

4. Couch to 5K - If you're a bit more technologically inclined, this program could be for you. It's perfect for the non runner, and will have you running 5km in no time. You can download the app onto your phone and it does all the work for you! It's a similar idea to running lamp posts, but is time based so you'll be running and walking for allotted times.

KEEP TRACK.

This one is totally up to you. I found it good to keep track of my distances when I first started, but that was because I was trying to run a mile everyday. It is good though, to be able to track your times/distances and see how you are progressing. I like to use them for different things as well. Runkeeper is awesome for tracking my run but I prefer to log my workouts on Cody as is easier to compare past runs. There are so many awesome apps out there so have a look and see which ones suit you best.

Runkeeper / Cody / C25K / Nike +

So there we have it. I reckon you're ready for your first run! It's all about being prepared and confident. I won't lie to you, your first run is going to be hard. But you're going to do it and feel great after. Our bodies are pretty clever, and you'll be surprised at how fast you can progress. You've gotta stick with it though. There are no shortcuts, but the results are totally worth it.

Let me know how you get on, and what else you guys like to do to make sure you have the best run!