I’ve been noticing a change in the mirror lately and was intrigued. Basically I can just see my collar bones, which honestly I’ve never paid much attention to before, but being able to see them (however little of them I can see) makes a massive difference and my shoulders are more toned (thanks to Bob Harper) and my neck looks smaller.

I know my body has changed and is completely different to what it used to look like, but I had to see it for myself. I found an old photo from 2007, just head and shoulders, and took a similar photo tonight.

Seeing this gives me a lot of motivation. Things are definitely changing…

10 days ago I posted a round up of my first week in my 6 week plan. Out of the last 10 days I’ve spent the last 5 not following that plan…

Hubby and I went to London last week for three days during which time, thanks to a happy accident of leaving it at home, I did not have my phone or any link to the online world other than my husband.

We spent the night in Islington and had some debate during our trek to find the hotel. We passed this little mexican restaurant and ended up having a delish dinner there on the way to seeing Andrew McMahon live at Union Chapel, which was beautiful and moving and so lovely and worth the grumpiness we went through to get to the hotel (in my opinion!).

Then we spent the night at Heathrow and since there’s just not much to do around there we spent 5 hours in the bar drinking and eating way more than we should have and poor Hubby was feeling very fragile and sick the next morning.

But the reason we were at Heathrow? To meet one of my dear friends from the States! She arrived early Friday morning and spent the weekend with us. We picked her up, drove home and I hugged my phone tight, but wasn’t glued to it for the weekend. I used it less than I would have normally, because I wanted to enjoy my time with my friend. We visited Longleat, Bath, the pub and spent Sunday in London where we found a street food festival and walked around the city. She flew back to the States early this morning and we trained it home to enjoy our Bank Holiday before returning to work tomorrow for 3 days before we are off on another adventure.

One of my goals on my (still unfinished) inspiration board this year is living in the moment. I have touched on this a few times in the past and it has become increasingly more important to me. I love technology and everything it allows us to do, but I loathe it for what we allow it to take away from us. More and more you see groups of people out and not speaking to each other. Their heads are down as they each stare at a glowing screen of some description.

We’ve allowed ourselves to become so transfixed by things we read on a screen or trying to get that perfect photo to capture a “random” moment that we miss the life and moments happening all around us!

When I look back on my life I want to remember things I experienced, not things I learned about on my phone or computer. So I try to use these things less when I’m out doing, being, living! I want memories, and sure I like taking photos to help me remember the special times, but I’ve stopped obsessing about taking photos of everything I do so I can post it online to prove I was there and did it. I know I was there because I experienced it fully! And that means more than my facebook timeline or twitter feed.

So the last 5 days my computer has been turned off, for 3 days I didn’t have a phone – but didn’t need one because the one person I would need to contact was with me. I enjoyed the serenity of Union Chapel as Andrew McMahon told stories about his songs and played piano beautifully. I sat in the bar and watched people and had conversation with my Hubby. I spent a beautiful sunny weekend with one of my best friends and walked around London, ate street food (even ordered it myself!) and watched street performers do some amazing stuff (and gave them a fiver!).

I had an amazing time and I have a lot of fantastic memories and a few photos, but not many! We were active, we ate out a lot, and admittedly I am ready to eat salads for the next few days before we go away again.

It was incredible. So live in the moment, step away from your phone, your laptop, your tablet, your computer and go do, be, live. I highly recommend it!

Last week I realised there was only 6 weeks before heading to Ibiza. The trip was booked in January and I’m really looking forward to it, but admittedly the first few months of this year just did not go like I wanted. But that’s life and we move on.

So, with 6 weeks left to get my act together and find some confidence I planned. I found a 6 week food plan in the latest issue of Fee Good You and thought it was perfect. Based on the rainbow diet it touts you’ll lose a stone and/or a dress size in 6 weeks!

I’m not usually one for fad diets, but reading through it it seems simple enough. You eat a lot of fruit and veg, as colourful as you can get basically, with healthy fats, lean meats and whole grains. Basically the basis of a healthy diet. So I decided I would follow it and see how I get on. Hubby is eating similar things, and the same as me when we eat together so he’s benefiting as well.

So that’s nutrition sorted, what about exercise?!

My calendar has 2 workouts a day on most days for the whole 6 weeks. We are pretty busy for a few of the weekends so those are counted as my rest days when realistically, I’ll still be getting something in, like a lot of walking etc.

I’m alternating between Couch to 5K and cycling in the mornings and then doing cardio or strength training in the evening – usually Insanity or Bob Harper’s Strength Training DVD.

It’s all pretty ambitious isn’t it?

I’m now 5 days in to this plan and things are going good. I may not have done 2 workouts every day – I was so tired Tuesday and Wednesday I fell asleep – and I’ve been sorer than I remember being for a long time, but I feel such a difference. I’ve noticed a difference in how my body looks and how some clothes are fitting me, I have been more positive and forward thinking, and I feel a shift in how I feel about myself.

This week I’ve weighed Monday, Wednesday, and this morning – just to stay on track mind – but so far since Monday I’ve lost 2.2lbs (1kg) and 3% body fat. IN FOUR DAYS. Talk about motivating.

My worry now is while we are away next week in London, not getting the same levels of exercise I’m now wanting to do and eating as healthily as I have been this week. I’m going to work on it! Our hotels have gyms, so I’m definitely going to be packing some gym clothes with me so I can take advantage if I need to.

It’s now 5 and a bit weeks until Ibiza and I have a goal kind of in my head for where I want to be then, but as long as I’m making progress I’m okay with that.

Firstly, I’m a massive fan of Shaun T. His workouts are amazing but what I really love about him is his positive, inspiring outlook. It’s such a nice change to see such powerful and positive messages being shared.

And his last one is about being selfish. When he says this he means be selfish by taking time, just 5 minutes a day if that’s all you can manage, and think about YOU. What you want to accomplish, what you need, what you want, anything. Do it for yourself and no one else.

Being selfish in this way allows us in return to be more respectful to others and ourselves.

This is a powerful message and one many people forget during their days filled with work, children, errands, whatever you have in your life that distracts you from being your best self.

So this is me spending my 5 minutes here, to share this message with you and think about what I need to do today to make it the best today I can.

I am not going to stress out about work, I will handle things one at a time, knowing they are done well rather than fast.

I will exercise tonight and share some of that time with Hubby. I love that we are both making an effort to be healthier and can share this.

I don’t need to have a big list to make my day great, I just need to take care of what I can and the rest can wait.

So be selfish, take 5 minutes and put yourself first!

Woo Hoo!

Today marks 8 years since I moved to the UK from the States!

It was a no brainer when I made the decision during the early stages of the very long-distance relationship with Hubby and it has been the best decision of my life.

I can’t imagine how things would have been if I had stayed in the States. Leaving was such a big choice and one that has allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined. I mean come on – an introvert who hates talking on the phone to the point of refusing to ring up and order take away moving to another country where she doesn’t know anyone but the guy she’s spent less than a few months in person with over the course of a few years?

It’s crazy right?

I still hate talking on the phone and refuse to order food or answer the door.

But I have found my home. I still have conversations about where I’m from and how I came to live here and all that nonsense that doesn’t really matter anymore and every person I tell is surprised that I’m happier here than in the States and that still surprises me!

I have learned that no where is definitively better, it’s all about perspective and what each individual wants.

Personally, I’m happy to have left the States when I did. I feel like I got out when it was still somewhat good and reading tidbits of media that come out of there, especially more recently, I feel horrified. Things aren’t perfect anywhere you go, but I can honestly say I feel better for not being in the States. It’s not all bad, there are things I wish we had in the UK that are more available in some parts of the States – mostly healthier eating options really.

I haven’t been back to the States for what will be 3 years this December. My last trip over was great, but lacking greatly and the food… I felt so sick the whole time. I just wanted to come home, to the UK! So much so that I remember leaving about 4 hours earlier than we had to for the airport I was so eager to leave.

If I’m honest, I have no desire to go back. Even for a visit. There are a few places I wouldn’t mind seeing, mostly on the west coast, but I would probably keep to shorter visits. I’m more than happy exploring Europe, which is much cheaper and closer (and the beaches are gorgeous!).

So all in all, the past 8 years have been the best. And I owe a lot of that to just making one very easy choice! And meeting Hubby, of course! I couldn’t have done it without him. He gives me more happiness, love, support, courage, and comfort than I will ever need or deserve. So today I’m celebrating 8 years of getting to see him every day (mostly!) and not have 3,000 miles and an ocean between us.