littlegreenparrot1 Member

My favourite is to chop up an apple and cook it down with a bit of cinnamon, it keeps well in a jar so you can do a few days worth at a time. I often stir a spoonful of cocoa into the porridge before cooking, good with a bit of cinnamon and ginger as well. Defrosted frozen berries are quite squishy and jammy so they work…

I treat myself like a small child. I need a lot of sleep, fresh air and exercise. Regular amounts of food that includes whole grains, fruit and veg. And cake, do not underestimate the importance of cake. If I try being all big and clever and ignore those things I end up miserable really quickly.

I have to think of any kind of planned exercise as non-negotiable. I do it because the decision has already been made, whether I want to in that moment isn’t relevant. I will do it anyway, in the same way that I have to get on with it and clean the bathroom. Motivation is irrelevant, it’s the results that you’re after.…

I have increased mileage significantly in the past for running challenges, the same principles will apply. I work full time during the day so have to fit around that. I can do 3 or 4 miles before work before I run out of time, and would do the same after work. That would be 2 or 3 times in the week, then a long run at the…

For me exercise is a lot more about my mental health than my physical health or my weight, but it supports it. I only do things I like, I'm not up for punishment. When I'm exercising I feel better, brighter, more energetic - this means I'm much more likely to make better food choices. Better nourishment makes me feel…

I would suggest a bit of yoga and swimming for cross training. Strength in your core gets more important as the distance goes up so you can maintain good posture and technique. It also makes everything stretch out a bit which is always a good thing.

I have been invited to a fancy do for work, it happens every year and is a lot of fun. None of the options I have wear are currently doing me any favours! It’s worked out that a few days after that I’m doing a 12 mile trail race, haven’t run that far for ages, and now my brother is also doing it so can’t wimp out. The goal…

We are what we repeatedly do. I find mindset is important, I never got anywhere until I gave myself some grace. I'm not up for anything that feels like punishment. So don't be discouraged, we all just do the best we can at the time. Maybe now we have the space to do things differently. It was beautiful out running at 6 am…

I have to be mindful of not being all or nothing, and remember that it is not a moral failing.

I once read an interview with an ultra runner, and she said something that really stuck with me when they asked about how she motivates herself for training. 'Its not about whether or not I want to, the decision has already been made' So now I make the decision. In the same way I clean the bathroom, it's not about what I…

It might be worth trying tea, if its a different taste in the first place it might be easier that its not so sweet. Then there are all sorts of lovely options with different flavours, none of which involve sugar.

Its not all or nothing, and food has no morality. I'm not a bad person if I have a chocolate biscuit on my tea break this afternoon, and it doesn't mean that everything is so ruined that I might as well fall face first into the whole packet. Just move on to the next decision and keep moving in the right direction.

Brilliant, well done! I've got a half marathon in three weeks, which I signed up for after I did a 5k with a friend in February and had fun. It'll be great, we are all capable of much more than we think we are 👊

I like to run long distances, don't care about times, and go by personal experience. I wouldn't bother with anything specific for a couple of hours. I run trails, so have a biscuit in my pocket and water in case I want it and am miles from anywhere, but wouldn't usually eat it. Prefer normal food to gels. Those long runs…

Try adding a spoon of cocoa when you cook it, then add berries on top. I buy frozen berries, cheaper, don't go off, and when they defrost they're squishy and a bit jammy. Perfect for stirring through porridge. Or peel and chop an apple, cook it with a bit of cinnamon and have that on top with a bit of honey and peanut…

The best work out is the one that you like (or at least don't hate), because that will be the one you do. As to goal, that depends on what the goal is. My current goal is a race, I have to go running sometimes to achieve that :)

Hating myself never got me anywhere, and nor did being upset about it but not having a plan. I only made any progress when I gave myself grace. You're not less worthy just because you ate some food. I don't do well with strict rules, as soon as I feel like I 'can't' do something I am much more likely to do it. I have to…

I run regularly outdoors. I have different sets of shoes as I find running trainers much more comfortable. And of course it's much cleaner that way, I like running trails and always end up covered in mud.

Absolutely C25k to get started. A head lamp or chest light to see your way and high vis stuff on you. I use bone conductor head phones so can still hear everything. Go slow, slower than you think you should. Be prepared to dislike it for at least a month but persevere, it feels like it'll never get easier until it does.…

I started doing much better when I re-framed it. If you tell me I have to do something I won't, the stroppy little 10 year old inside throws a tantrum, I don't want to and you can't make me. So I will do even less than I would have done in the first place to prove a point. However, if I am doing something because I like it…

1 part oats (or other grains) to 2 parts water. As simple as it gets really. I add other stuff - teaspoon of chia seeds, teaspoon of linseed, and eat mine with fruit but of course all additions come with their additional calories. I eat them because I like them, they are good for me, and I find them filling. They don't…

Excellent, I'm all for an unlikely and over-ambitious target, and have completed 2 ultra marathons off the back of it :D . My goals for the events were very simple: don't quit, don't fall over, don't end up in the van. It was enough to finish under my own steam. My top tips, spend more than you think is reasonable on good…

I don't fail, it's always just work in progress. I had to get away from an 'all or nothing' mindset, otherwise the fear of failure will mean I never do anything.

One of my favourites is roasted veg, it requires some prep but once done will happily sit in the fridge for a few days. Chop up veg to roughly similar size - mine is usually courgette, aubergine, peppers, onions. Butternut squash and sweet potato work well to. Mix up with a bit of oil, salt and pepper, and whatever herb…

Peel and chop an apple, cook it up for 10 minutes with some cinnamon and a bit of brown sugar. Few toasted hazelnuts or almonds on top. Stewed rhubarb worked well.

Tomatoes aren't obligatory- but all tomatoes are not created equal. I am very fussy about them and won't eat massive pale coloured ones. Some lovely cherry toms though :) Salad doesn't have to be raw, try roasting some mediterranean veg, peppers/courgette/onions with a nice herb mix and mixing into grains.

My top tip is to find a slightly over ambitious fitness goal, a really fun one. A beautiful but tough trail run, an adventure race, or an obstacle race (don't be intimidated, most people aren't racing and are just having a laugh), a long hike up a mountain, whatever. The important things are it will require work, but you…

Best for what? It depends on what your trying to achieve and what your preferences are. Doesn't matter how great kale is I'm not going to eat the fecker :D Generally speaking for health variety is thought to be a good thing. I'm quite lazy and have a sweet tooth, so if I have a bowl of grapes, blueberries or similar in the…

Do you prefer cold drinks? Because for me the answer is always tea. Earl grey or green tea if your asking, but of course there are many varities. A nice big thermal mug with a lid and your good to go.

I think language is important. I'm not going to try to do something, I am going to do it. Picked up from an article interviewing someone who ran ultra marathons about how they motivate themselves to do training 'Its not about whether I want to or not, the decision has been made' When the alarm goes off at 5:30am and I'm in…