Still Running…

February 28, 2022February 25, 2022 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.Leave a comment

Well, five weeks in and I’m still motivated and in the mindset to get fitter, eat healthier and tone up. I’m impressed with myself, I wasn’t sure when I started this journey that I wouldn’t have slipped up by now. But I’m still going strong. That Summer trip to Ibiza is still the carrot dangling in front of me and wanting to fit back into my Summer clothes, back into my jeans and also get some confidence back to push myself out of the comfort zone I have settled back into and get myself out there singing. 2022 is the year of making it happen, that’s what I said at the start of the year and I’m still aiming to do this.

My energy has increased so much already it’s untrue. I alternate my workouts from a walk around the block, Couch 25K (C25K) and if the weather is really bad outside, I do a home workout with Lucy Wyndham Read https://www.youtube.com/user/LWRFitnessChannel/featured Sometimes it is a real chore to push myself outside, especially in this very cold wintery weather but I always feel so much better once I return home. I have also kept to my dry February, no Prosecco and strangely I haven’t missed my Friday night tipple at all.

Wednesday afternoon has become batch cooking afternoon whilst I listen to podcasts. It has taken some weeks but I have really got into this routine of cooking from scratch using fresh vegetables, herbs and spices. I don’t really make a plan of what I’m going to cook, I just go with whatever I have in and as I love pasta, I usually make some kind of pasta bake. A recipe I found on Instagram and has become a weekly staple for me is for banana, oat and peanut butter bakes. I find with these that I can have one with a cuppa mid afternoon and I’m not looking for snacks and treats to fill me up.

Very easy to make; 3 bananas mashed up, add 40g of peanut butter and mix well, then add 100g of porridge oats and again mix well. Place in a baking tin and bake for 30 minutes on Gas mark 4, Electric 180 c. I find cutting into squares when just out of the oven is easiest. Leave to cool and then place in an airtight container. They stay fresh for about four days. I have adapted the recipe a little over the weeks, I have added cinnamon and also some chocolate sprinkles to the top. Himself doesn’t like them as they aren’t sweet enough but for a semi healthy bite they serve their purpose.

As I write this post, I’m midway through week four of C25K and at times puffing my way around. When there is a lot of traffic or people around I just remind myself of the quote about lapping everyone on the couch or I visualise myself running on the promenade by the ocean in the warm sunshine. That gives me a real boost to keep going. I have my daily cappuccino and have managed to stay away from chocolate, cakes and biscuits. The season of Lent starts this week on March 2nd and I would have given those particular items up anyway so I’ll just continue without them for now. It would be totally unrealistic for me to say that I will never eat cake or chocolate again, of course I will, I love chocolate. And as for never drinking Prosecco again? Never going to happen! For now my focus is on getting fitter and healthier, powering my body to do what I want to do.

I feel this health and fitness boost is another part of me emerging from loss, emerging into the new me and embracing that I need to have a certain level of fitness to carry out and enjoy the career in music that I have chosen to follow. I’m also mindful that I am getting older and that we don’t know how long we have here on earth. I want to do what I can to keep myself healthy, fit and able to live life to the fullest for as long as I can. Starting new careers, new fitness regimes and discovering who you are isn’t just for younger people, it’s for all people and it’s never too late to start. If I can do it then so can you. I truly believe if you really want to do something, you’ll do it. Just start, baby steps if you want to, that first step is sometimes the hardest but so worth it. Don’t give up.

With love and sparkles xxx

Life Sparkles

Here I go again…

January 31, 2022January 28, 2022 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.Leave a comment

As usual I’m on my get healthier for the new year, I’m as regular as clockwork on this one. This year however is the first time I have weighed in at two stone over what was my usual weight, TWO STONE!!! 28 LBS!!! I’ve gone way beyond my clothes being a little tight, they just don’t fit at all. Something else I have noticed is that I feel sluggish in myself and running upstairs gets me out of breath. Dancing in the kitchen also puffs me out. Now I’m well aware that as we get older we are not going to be as fit as we were in our twenties, thirties or even forties but there is no reason that we cannot be as fit and healthy as we can be as we are right now, irrespective of age.

I have a few incentives for getting healthier, fitter and a tad trimmer. Healthier so that I have more energy to do the things I want to do, to not feel sluggish and to hopefully live a longer and healthier life. I’m hopefully going to Ibiza in June this year. I say hopefully as this holiday was booked for 2020, postponed to 2021 and postponed again to 2022 so fingers crossed it’s third time lucky. I want to be fitting into my summer clothes for the holiday so June is a huge incentive for me to trim down. I am happy to embrace the curves and be body positive. I also acknowledge that carrying this additional weight is not good for my health and it has affected my confidence. Purely because I am not 100% happy with myself and I know this will prevent me from having the confidence to push the comfort zone and get up on a stage a sing. For me to step on a stage to sing will take a lot of self belief and bravery and I just won’t have that if I don’t feel happy in myself or my clothes.

Lockdown’s, restrictions, celebrations and really any excuse for eating the goodies and drinking prosecco was what I did over the past two years so no wonder I gained the weight. Experiencing burnout last summer meant that I stopped exercising because I just didn’t have the energy to do it, another reason for the weight gain. I got lazy about cooking for myself and relied on pre packed meals and no matter how healthy they appear to be, it’s just not the same as home cooked food. I was out for meals, cocktails, pizza nights, fish and chips and of course Christmas and New Year goodies as we really didn’t have Christmas celebrations in 2020. I’m not making excuses here, I’m holding myself accountable. I enjoyed it all, every single mouthful and I have no regrets. Now is the time though to take control. I have plans, things I want to do and I want to be the best I can be to do them.

With love and sparkles xxx

Life Sparkles

In the words of Spandau Ballet…

June 27, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.2 Comments

…”these are my salad days”, (that is what they sing in “Gold” isn’t it or have I been wrong all these years?). Anyway, I digress, as usual!

Last week we had a heatwave in the UK. Apparently five consecutive days where we reach 30 degrees celsius, eighty-six farenheit, is officially a heatwave. I loved it! Blue skies, sunshine, warmth and a rare chance to wear Summer clothes. Let’s face it, we don’t get brilliant Summers so any chance to enjoy the good weather and we’re out there.

This beautiful weather kick started me back to healthy eating. After my gall bladder removal operation I ate very little, eventually progressing to fresh soup, fruit and bran flakes. I lost a stone in weight and felt great, my clothes were not straining to fit anymore. Of course as I healed I fell back to bad habits, biscuits, chocolate and yes even cake. I admit I enjoyed it better when I was eating healthy and not having to worry about what I was eating, because it was all healthy. I just need to keep the momentum up now that the weather is back to rain between the showers and colder than average for the time of year. Here comes Summer 🏖☀️😎

You know it’s Summer when the Strawberries are sweet.

I think I’m addicted to falafel 🥙

Making good use of my Ninja again!

Yes, falafel again.

I’m also addicted to avocado 🥑 but limit my fix…not the cheapest – wait for the bargains.

Life Sparkles

Let’s Start Again…Diet and Exercise

November 14, 2016 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.4 Comments

I have lost count of the times this year I have “started” to be healthy. Eat the right food, drink plenty of water, exercise. I start off so well with great intentions and then whoops…there goes that chocolate bar…oh dear, did I really just eat that cupcake…are those unattended biscuits I see on the plate?

Picture via Pinterest

Being the main carer it is important that I keep myself healthy in order to look after my parents. However, being the main carer also means that generally I don’t sit down and eat meals, I tend to grab what I can and eat on the go either at home or when I get to the office in the afternoon’s, everything is rushed, or at least appears to be.

I love fruit and vegetables and I do eat a lot of them. I love fish and chips, Indian food and pizza and I do try to keep those delights for treat nights. I need to try harder.

I love walking, I re-started running a few weeks ago as strangely I really enjoyed it when I started running for the first time in January this year. It was a huge achievement for me to run 5k for Cancer Research in June. I am very surprised at how quickly I lost the fitness I had gained and I really want to re-gain it.

I have become more conscious of how what we eat affects our bodies and how exercise affects our hearts and brains. Everywhere you look there are articles about eating healthy, moving more, getting fresh air and protecting ourselves from the onset of diseases in later life.

Picture via Pinterest

I have 14 pounds to lose, just one stone. My clothes are tight, I can’t get into some of my favourite dresses and as for my jeans…let’s not go there!! Although I’m not stressing about this I know I’ll feel better when the excess weight has gone. As I get older I notice the fat distribution area has changed, it is predominantly the tummy area which can be the worst area to carry fat, health wise.

So, once again, I’m starting to get healthy. Time to eat healthier, fresh, non-processed foods. To move more, to walk more, to build up the running, to dance even if it is just around my bedroom. To leave the chocolate, cupcakes and the fish and chips to treat days and to look after my body, my mind and my wellbeing. I want to be as fit and healthy as I can to care for my parents, they are depending on me. I want to be as fit and healthy as I can for me, for my later life and I’m thinking I need to start preparing now. I know there is no guarantee that I will be fit and healthy in my older years but at least I’ll have done what I can to try…if I can just stick to my healthy plan…bring on the willpower!!

Picture via Pinterest

Thank you for reading my blog 😀

Life Sparkles

Fruit Burst.

January 19, 2016 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.Leave a comment

Amazingly I’ve kept the Fruit breakfast momentum going for fourteen days. I’m loving it!! I’m enjoying experimenting putting the different fruits together and finding it hard to decide upon a favourite. So far I have two – one with a hint of coconut and one without. Although my blog isn’t strictly about health/food/fruit, I thought I’d share my various blends in case you’d like to try them.

I don’t know if I have lost any weight, this isn’t about weight loss but it is about trying to be healthier and looking after my body. What I can tell you is that I don’t feel bloated anymore and fourteen days in, I’ve noticed an increase in my energy levels so I must be doing something right.

Pineapple, Strawberries, Banana, Red Grapes and a handful of chopped fresh coconut. (I bought the coconut already prepared). This is one of the two favourites- delicious!!

Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackcurrants, Banana, Red Grapes and a handful of coconut. Really enjoyed this one.

I’ve not quite cracked it yet with the Vegetable blends, this one contained Carrots, Cabbage, Leeks, Tomatoes and Beetroot. It tasted fine, strongest flavours were the Beetroot and Leeks. Not sure I’d blend this mix again though.

However, good old Marks and Spencer to the Vegetable blend rescue. I found these yesterday, two for £3.00 – definitely worth a try!!

And for today, Strawberries, Raspberries, Pineapple, Blackcurrants, Blueberries and Red Grapes. Don’t forget to add liquid to your blend. I’ve found 100 ml of juice and 100 ml of water works well as I like a thicker smoothie. Trial and error really.

I didn’t take a picture of my yesterday blend – Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Apple and Red Grape with the last of the coconut – this is my other favourite, it tasted so good!!

I’ve kept my shopping receipts so that I can work out how much I’m spending on fruit, how many days I’m getting from the fruit and if it is more or less expensive than what I was eating before. One thing is for sure, I’m feeling much better within myself although I’ve still not managed to step away from the chocolate.

Thank you for reading my blog 😎

Life Sparkles

Easy on the Spinach!

January 15, 2016 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.Leave a comment

I did it! I gave in. Over twelve months of deliberations, I purchased a Nutri Ninja in the post Christmas sales and I have to say, I LOVE IT!!!!

I’ve obviously lead a sheltered life as I have never owned a blender/juicer before. I am totally converted. My Ninja is my pathway to eating healthier which is the plan for this year. I’m still learning about quantities, what goes together (apples, blueberries, strawberries) and what doesn’t (easy on the spinach girl) but it’s a great journey and I have to say that in just over a week of Ninja breakfasts, I can feel a difference to my overall body. The sluggish, lack of energy feeling is reducing. That feels good!!

So, I thought I’d share a recipe or two with you in case you’d like to try out some blends yourself.

My favourite so far for breakfast is my Ninja blend of banana, blueberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, red grapes and 200 ml of pure apple juice.

Blend for 45 seconds and…

The finished blend!

Variations of these fruits have become my breakfast and I’ve been very surprised at how full I feel. It has stopped me snacking before lunchtime.

I have tried a vegetable version using carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and a hint of fresh ginger with 300 ml of water. First time it tasted ok, the second time it was so bad I had to throw it away. Not enough water and far too much spinach. It will be trial and error to find what I like and I am stocked up with enough fruit and vegetables for at least a week. I will keep you updated. I’d love to hear about your blends especially if like me this is a whole new experience 🙂

Now, if I could just leave the chocolate and the nuts alone…

Thank you for reading my blog ✨

Life Sparkles

My Monday Motivation

October 26, 2015 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.Leave a comment

Something I start quite often is a healthy eating regime and for a while I do very well. I’m lucky because I do love fruit and vegetables but I’m not a huge fan of meat. I’ve not eaten Red meat for over twenty years, I just went off the taste. I eat Chicken and Turkey and that’s about it meat wise. However, as much as I enjoy fruit and vegetables, I enjoy chocolate a whole lot more. I’m not big on cake but recently biscuits of all types have almost become my staple diet!!! Over the past weeks I have said to myself in the evening “tomorrow you start eating healthy and moving your body again”. Each day has gone well until just after lunchtime and my hand reaches for the biscuits once again. “This has got to stop”, I tell myself. Well tonight, I’m writing to you that yes, it is going to stop!!

Picture via Pinterest.

I know for sure that the change in “normal” life over the past six to seven weeks has been the cause of my total derailment of eating proper food. Because I have been so busy in my caring role, I’ve grabbed what I can to eat to keep myself going. I have grabbed totally the wrong foods and really I have no excuse for that as I am cooking healthy food for my parents. Because I have been working from home to carry out my “day job” I feel I have to worker longer hours, get more done, because I go missing from the laptop throughout the day to care for my Mom. I sit down too much, hunched over the laptop. I find myself doing all the things I tell my friends not to do. Time to take myself in hand and make some changes!

I’m not talking about dieting although I’m sure that I would benefit from losing at least a stone. I’m more interested in being as healthy as I can be, feeling energised and not sluggish. That my skin glows with health, my nails return to strength and my hair feels strong again. How easy it is to forget the wonderful benefits of eating correctly.

Picture via Pinterest.

During one of my vocal coaching sessions I asked my tutor about foods or drinks I should or shouldn’t take that could affect my breathing or voice. She had one simple response, “eat and drink as healthily as you can and your general health and voice will reap the benefits”. She also added “don’t be too strict with yourself though, everyone deserves a treat…in moderation”. Of course, we all know this but somehow we tend to forget it when those chocolates appear, the cupcake with our coffee and the ice cream dessert on a night out and “now and again” becomes an every night treat.

And so, because I want to stay healthy for as long as I can, because I want to take care of my body and because I want to achieve my country music dreams…from tomorrow, my Monday Motivation will be:

Drink more water, eat fresh food, move more…Are you with me?

Picture via Pinterest.