No, I've not gone simple on you. I've just spent about a week solid feeling pretty fucking terrific and I want to share my nauseating happiness with the world wide scary, faceless web. Hello, chums!
I started a new job, after my former workmates and current mates surprised me on my final day with a cheese buffet in my honour. I've never cried over cheese before. That was either a new high or a new low. Not sure, but the cheese was the balls!
This past week, I've met lots of new faces, met up with some familiar faces and eaten the flesh off the bones of some strangers' faces.
That last bit was a lie. Just wanted to check if you were laying attention. Good job, you.
So... The main reasons for my chipper outlook:
MOVING!!
Been soldiering on through my Spartan 30 challenge and been taking daily, pretty-dull-to-most pictures of...honestly, mostly my feet and face on Instagram. Observe:
Thrilling stuff, I know. Pleased to say I've not missed a day walking or running a mile yet. Maybe except for today because I swam instead. But that still counts, right?
Screw you, it counts!!
Bar from a long run that turned into a 2 mile sprint-limp-waddle because of cramping ankles from not resting enough (rookie error - spose I'll learn eventually), it's been a good little challenge! I've been getting in from work with a brain soaked in new stuff I'm supposed to remember and barely any energy. Normally, especially with the weather the way it's been (shit. Wet. Rainy. Cold....y'know...British), I'd have curled into the fetal position on at least a couple of nights and made some excuses. But, getting outside and at least doing a bit every night has given me an extra boost of "fuck yeah!" at the end of the day.
So, where I'd usually be a frowny, napping Becky shaped sofa cushion at the end of the day, I've been an irritatingly springy, talky bag of "what shall we do now?!" before hitting the sack and crashing out like a toddler after a sweety fix. I thoroughly recommend getting off your arse and running around in the rain a bit when you least feel like it. The buzz you get just for having survived leaving the house of your own free will is immense!
FOOD!
Over the weekend, I decided that I wanted to know a bit more about food. I love food, I love people who bring me food, but up until now, I've given zero fucks about what my food is actually for.
People who have been running far longer than me have repeatedly been harping on at me about the importance of nutrition. Usually while my eyes glaze over and I still have cake in my teeth and stray Haribo down my bra.
Curiosity eventually got the better of me when I stumbled across a book review on www.jezebel.com (if you is a lady -or a man- and you live in the internets like I do, visit the site! It's like a glossy magazine but without the rubbish bits and added sarcasm where it's needed most!).
The review was on a simple guide about the body - how it utilises food, benefits from excercise.... Basically how to be nice to it and not starve or bloat it or just generally be mean to it. It's packed full of interesting, accessible if basic science (perfect for the clueless and forgetful like myself - I barely recall school, let alone biology) and actual, useable, helpful tips on how to keep yourself roadworthy.
And it's written by Cameron Diaz. It's called the Body Book and is only about six measly quid on Kindle right now.
I know!! But the fact that it's written in her cool, friendly voice makes it even better and to her credit, the lady knows her shit! She's done her research! I didn't plan on changing my eating habits, and am not claiming that the book is a total lifestyle changer, but I've been actually paying attention to what I'm eating for the last couple of days and I've found myself actually wanting to pick good stuff as opposed to nutritionally empty, sugar filled stuff (and I LOVE nutritionally empty sugar filled stuff!).
As a result, especially today, I have been clear headed, energetic, happy and weirdly focused. To state the glaringly obvious, food really does affect your overall mood. Hurrah for food! Hurrah for Cameron Diaz!
My only worry is that I'll end up going off cake and sweets. It'd feel like losing part of my identity. If not a Haribo & cheese beast, what am I?
*whistful stare*
...nah, I won't go off cheese and sweets.
But it was the perfect my first guide to nutrition kind of book for me, and I can't wait to learn more about what I get to eat that'll give me super powers!
