I am not at all into working out. The call of the sofa and a glass of wine/cake are always far too strong for my feeble will power to resist. So for the last, well actually forever, I have done diddly squat to get fit.

Unfortunately carrying a human being in your body (as well as getting older, sigh) really kind of changes stuff. Bits wobble and sag (yuk) and have a really crappy way of making you feel crappy when you look in the mirror/put on clothes/take off clothes/try on clothes/generally walk around. Seriously nature, as if we don’t have to go through enough!

Now before you say anything, this isn’t about weight. It’s about feeling crazily unhealthy and taking responsibility for my wellbeing. I’ve got into the bad habits of eating rubbish food because I can’t face cooking or don’t have time, drinking only caffeinated drinks, picking at the baby’s leftovers because I put so much bloody effort into making the delicious meal that she takes one look at and throws on the floor (I have managed to hold myself back from eating stuff off the floor (most of the time) (Five second rule right?!)). All in all it has left me feeling and looking rubbish and exhausted all the time.

Time to change

I’m setting myself a challenge for the next 4 weeks with the aim of feeling more energised and toned by then end.

Fitness – Run with buggy 2-3 times a week.

A friend managed to squeeze a tiny bit of enthusiasm out of me for a buggy run (is this the right terminology) and I actually loved it! Gyms fill me with a sense of utter dread so maybe this could really be my sport!

Diet – More veg, fruit and fish and way less relying on carbs to fill up or sugar to energise. I’ve just purchased the Madeleine Shaw ‘Get the Glow’ book which seems to be a realistic way of introducing healthy eating. We shall see if it’s any good!

Hydration – Limit myself to one cup of tea and one coffee a day. I’ll be trying to get my water intake up to 2litres.

If I’m going to do this then I actually have to feel ok about leaving the house in exercise gear. My current stuff is about 10 years old and the elastic is failing which you can imagine really emphasises those say bits I love!

Being new to anything like this I have done a fair bit of research and was staggered by how expensive running gear is, £80 for a pair of running tights Nike? Really? No thank you. Then I saw an ad for Fabletics with Kate Hudson and kind of thought that it had to be ok if Kate Hudson was lending her name to it. The styles are anything from very plain to bright colours and patterns, fabrics seemed to be good and the reviews from customers were really encouraging. Before I knew it I’d signed up for VIP membership which allows you to buy the clothes at big discounts, they then choose outfits for you each month at a rolling fee of £44 which is redeemed against clothing unless, like me, you take advantage of the discounts then cancel straight away. Don’t forget to cancel!

I chose the Solar crop capris in Seashell Bloom – £64.95 but £30.48 with discount.

The Forward tee II in white – £26 but £9.90 with discount.

The Aventura tank in Cucumber – £26 but £9.90 with discount.

And the Kemi Bra in Cucumber and white – £26 but £13.71 with discount.

So far I’ve tried them on and they are all super comfortable and fit is fantastic. I’ll report back on the performance after my high octane buggy runs 😉

Right then, this is me at the start of the challenge…

I can only apologise for the awful no makeup, unbrushed-hair selfies. It was as awkward for me to take them as it is for you to look at them.