Rollercoasting along

So, February started very positively. I went to the gym about 3 times a week, for the first couple of weeks, and stuck with the 3km distance on the treadmill (along with some easy weights work to easy myself in) - I took a substantial amount of time off the 3km run each time I did it, and was feeling pretty good about it. I even managed, on the most recent visit, to run the full 3km without walking. Progress again! Then, as is my way, black clouds descended, my mood shifted, and I had a simply awful 5km parkrun in the rain, which led to a bit of a meltdown in the carpark afterwards.

In the week since then, I've struggled to find the same motivation I was feeling at the beginning of the month. I had a nice day out for my birthday, overindulging with far too much cake, but reasoning if you can't indulge on your birthday, when can you?! It would have been fine had I been doing any exercise this week, but it's been a real struggle. However, the clouds are lifting, and I'm feeling ready to get back on track. I even signed up for a race last night... not just any ol' race, but my 2013 nemesis, the Southside Six. It sold out completely in under 40 minutes, so I'm glad I got a place. I'm re-writing the story this year, which means a positive frame of mind, focus, and proper training. I'm even going to try and follow proper training plans this year... shock horror! :)

I need to do something about my rollercoaster moods, though. Going to address it firstly through looking at what I eat and drink - I've been eating far too much processed food for so long now, and need to get back to cooking proper meals with loads of vegetables, and the right nutrients. Salmon, nuts (especially walnuts, apparently), low-fat dairy, fresh veggies, and so on. I'm doing some reading online, and there are clear links to 'bad moods' where there are deficiencies in omega 3 fats, and selenium levels. It will work in my favour in a number of ways to cut right down on processed foods, so I'm going to work hard to do that - and maintain it. I received gift vouchers for my birthday to allow me to buy a whole load of good quality non-stick cookware, so I'm throwing out the old battered stuff, and coming at cooking with a whole new attitude. Years ago, I used to love reading the big celeb cookbooks with the stunning photographs, and work out how to cut the fat/kcals down a little from their recipes. I used to think a lot more about what I was cooking, be constantly fresh and inventive, because I had a veg box delivered, and wouldn't know what vegetables I would be getting each week, as it was all seasonal. It kept me interested in what I was eating, and I spent a lot of my evening preparing food or cooking, which was enjoyable and a great distraction from constantly staring at the TV screen or computer. I would receive a veg box, and instantly have to start researching what I could possible cook with, for example, a fennel bulb, or celeriac. (Fennel bulbs, btw, can be trimmed, cut into 6 wedges, braised, and served with a baked white fish such as cod. Marvellous. Celeriac I never quite got the hang of.... lol)

So, on we go. Blow the dust off the old recipe books, throw out the junk, and start christening a new set of cookware. If I can stop using junk food to try and dull my emotions and instead use good food to balance them, then I'll most definitely win. x