From Couch to 5K Week 1

 
I feel before I start I should tell you I am not a good runner and I spend most of my time moaning about my weight but not doing anything about it. At 11am most days I would decide I am going to running tonight and then I would get home and watch Come Dine With Me get completely distracted and eat a slice of cheesecake. I then invested in fitness DVDS, including the ones from Made in Chelsea and Geordie Shore, and after two days they are now gathering dust under the sofa hidden from view in case anyone questions me on my progress.

 

 

So what happened? Well last year (yes a whole year ago) I went to my best friends birthday and met the lovely Jamie who was preparing to run the London Marathon. She filled me with hope that she hated running and couldn't run for more than a minute but with determination and small steps she is now set for the marathon. I spent an hour excitably talking about how I was going to start running as soon as I got home, and then I shovelled in a helping of Sticky Toffee pudding and ice cream (in celebration of my friends birthday obviously).

 

I returned home and did nothing. I cant even pretend I did anything because I didn't. Oh wait I did comment on her photo congratulating her on completing the marathon which made me feel slightly better.

Then last Sunday at 8am I had the realisation that I wanted to get fit and I needed to personally achieve my hope of running for more than a minute. I went down to our local gym and paid a considerably decent £19.99 to join and agreed to a personal training session to get me started on the Monday.

 

Further to this I went home and downloaded the NHS 'Couch to 5K' app on my iPhone and embarked on my journey to run 5k.

I didn't hold out much hope for my enthusiasm and dedication and felt I would probably lose interest after 1 day but I haven't! Yesterday, even with a stinking cold I completed week 1.

How does the app work?

 

Download the app from the app store to your phone by searching for NHS Couch to 5K, or download the podcast from www.nhs.uk

Laura is the narrator and she talks you through each day what you need to do. You can also select the Music Note in the bottom which allows you to listen to your music and she will talk over the top with instructions when needed. Make sure you choose your music playlist carefully, my pace definitely altered between Ed Sheeran and Kasabian

 

 

 

Week 1 begins with a 5 minute walk which you maintain a faster but manageable pace to get your heart rate up. Laura instructs you of what you need to do and then half way through informs you how long you have left walking

After approximately 4 1/2 minutes you are prepared for your first 1 minute run which you should take slow to build yourself up, and then after 1 minute she says hello again to instruct you to slow down for your 1 1/2 minute fast walk

 

For 20 minutes you alternate between 1 1/2 minute walk and 1 minute run/jog with instruction and praise throughout. It is fabulous having her narrating what you need to be doing and it keeps you on track

 

 

The app recommends you repeat this for 3 days with a days rest inbetween before moving on to week 2. The best bit is without completing each day you cant unlock the next day which spurs you on. It reminds me of my 15 year old days playing Echo The Dolphin on Sega Mega Drive unlocking levels (if you remember this game let me know because no one knows what I am talking about)

 

I cannot stress enough how difficult I find running and how much this app has helped me this week.

 

 

Week Two starts tonight and will let you know once that is completed. It will again begin with a 5 minute warm up followed by 1 1/2 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking.

Have you tried this app? How did you get on?

LJ xxx

My night with ClubStar at The HOB Academy

I got the pleasure last night of going to The HOB Academy in Camden for a ClubStar event.

 

It was my pleasure for two reasons:

1. The event was awesome

2. I love Camden

 

I was lucky enough to get there thirty minutes early so with my Starbucks coffee I wandered around Camden. I tried to resist buying most of what I saw and the distracted myself by sitting alongside the canal watching everyone that passed me by. People watching is a past time that is overlooked for how fabulous it truly is (or maybe it just highlights my interest in everyone else).

 

I arrived at HOB Academy and was greeted by a really friendly team at reception who led me to a waiting area where I tried to avoid the mistake by everyone that I was in fact a model. Luckily the models were in white and I was in black so it did ensure that they didn't lead me on stage for the catwalk. Panic over.

 

The event was held in The Academy room downstairs and after guzzling down some complimentary apple juice I took my place armed with my notepad, pen and iPhone. For those of you who work in PR you certainly have to master the art of abbreviations, fore example HC means haircut and ED means editorial. That's an insight by the way and you can thank me later.

 After a brilliant VT which with a risk of sounding totally uncool made me want to get up and strut my stuff. The music was awesome and it accompanied perfectly a collection of The HOB Teams awards, shows and accolades. Then three models entered the room to a perfectly selected soundtrack and they conveyed beautiful colours with complimentary styling from The Team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Rotman led the night and was joined by Peter Burkill and Sean Nolan. The evening focussed on antique colours and distressed looks. The emphasis was on a 'grown out' look rather than a freshly cut and coloured style. The colours were soft but still vivid and the grey colour Sean created on Ian's second model was amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Burkill demonstrated two editorial hair ups which are a particular favourite of mine for seeing at events. They excite me and I find myself trying to edge to the front to make sure I see all the little finishing touches. He used a knotting technique to create the silhouette of a haircut on his first model and his second model had braiding that created a woven look throughout the back.

 

 

 

Ian demonstrated how haircuts have to versatile for the client and related this to being salon friendly to the audience. I don't have thick hair and envy those that do but it was really interesting to see how he approached his model who had really thick hair. The short haircut he created really suited her hair texture and she looked uber cool.

 

 

It was a brilliant night and I love ClubStar evenings because they are really tailored towards a younger audience. It is great seeing so many upcoming hairdressers in one event and you can see the enthusiasm and excitement throughout. Even if I do spend some of my time envious of their own beautiful cuts and colours. For more information on ClubStar evenings visit www.fellowshiphair.com
 

In Fashion at this years BAFTAs

Last night welcomed the annual BAFTA awards to London. This calls for rating and slating of all that was good and bad in terms of fashion at the event. 

Eleanor Tomlinson from Poldark looks beautiful in this Ralph Lauren dress. The feathers are soft and the colouring compliments her skin tone. The metallic clutch is a perfect finishing touch to the whole look. I think Eleanor looks so elegant and her figure really suits the cut of the dress. Big thumbs up from me!

Brooke Vincent from Coronation Street always gets it right. I love her style and regularly check out what she is wearing. However although I like the concept behind this style I don't think it works. Her makeup is too heavy and her hair is too harsh. Some bold shoes or accessories could have made this look a top choice, but I am left disappointed.

Rochelle Humes has been complimented on this look throughout the press today, although I am not sure why. Yes she has an awesome figure, and yes she has done well to shed the baby weight however there is too much flesh on show. It is a celebration of how figure and not of her chosen garment.  I love the neckline and the cut of the dress from Zeynap Kartak, I just don't think she is quite Rihanna. Try again Rochelle.

Michelle Keegan is hot and no one can deny that. I like how she has gone high street with this Label Lab dress for only £129, and the colour is lovely. HOWEVER, has anyway got an iron for the girl. I mean really did she not check the material? Awkward.

Laura Whitmore you are amazing. You just get it right. I love you. That is all. Oh dress by Adrianna Papell

Jennifer Metcalfe in her Philip Armstrong dress is undeniably not great. It's like a large animal attacked her before proceedings. Personally I don't think we should criticise her too much she obviously had a terrible ordeal before she got there with a Yorkshire terrier. Thumbs down.

Donna Air chose light up the event with LED lighting. Did no one tell her they have flood lighting already organised? You half expect her to turn on flashing hearts on her boobs. This custom made LED dress is trashy and awkward. I would love to know if she kept the lights on during the awards. Great if you are like me and trying to find your seat after toilet breaks. Head for the light. You have to admire her adventurous side though, just not the dress. I don't admire the dress. 

What were your thoughts? Did you love Rochelle Humes dress? Or agree with Laura Whitmores ability to look timeless?