Happiness

I've had my fair share of ups and downs for the past three years. That is, to put it quite simply. But lately, I've really discovered true happiness I think, as cheesy as it sounds. It's made me realise just how much I've been missing out on by being miserable! I've also realised that I've had a lot of moments where I thought I was happy, but really, I wasn't. Close maybe, but not properly happy.

Since I've started diving basically, I have been on a massive high. The addition of proper exercise into my life has really had a positive effect on me, and I've also started eating healthily and properly! I had really gotten out of the habit of eating breakfast, but after a chat and some suggestions with my amazing mum (who shares the same dilemma!)we both decided that we would eat a bowl of yogurt and granola each morning, and we've stuck to it! I also have some seeded bread with flora, and a glass or two of orange juice. The difference it has made in me has been amazing- I start the day off feeling great and it just carries on!

I've also been bringing in fruit salad and then an apple or a pear to school, and then having another yogurt whenever I get home. So, I've managed to increase my calcium, vitamin c, fibre and fruit intake without and difficult, major changes!

Another contribution to my overall 'happiness' has been not having my phone. I really broke the cycle of my problem that I was having with constantly social networking and texting (I might do a post on this but I'm not too sure yet!) It was really nice to not always feel the need to be on my phone! I have it back now, and I know it's not as bad anymore but I do feel as if I am slightly slipping back into my 'old ways'. But i have recognised this, and so I'm going to work on it over the Easter break.

As part of this, I feel like I've been able to be a lot more open to my parents. No more lying and keeping secrets with them, I'm trying hard to come to my mum when I h
ave a problem and spend more time just generally talking with them both :) And I know this may be nerdy or cheesy or whatever, but i feel like it really is a lot better that way.

So, areas I've improved in are

• Eating
• Exercising
• Healthier living
• Social networking
• Communicating and being more open with my family

Areas that I'm targeting to improve next are

• Drinking more water
• School- My grades, the effort I put in and my behaviour in general

So only two targets, as well as 'reinforcing' the other changes I've made recently.

I really think it's good to try and aim to make some changes for the better in your life. After all, you cant expect positive differences to happen unless you take a step towards achieving them! I also think that by me documenting things like this on here, it will help me to keep on track as well as maybe giving you ideas!

So thanks for reading, I hope Ive inspired you to make some healthier lifestyle choices :)

My latest love...

Just going to be a quick post here, but I've recently re-discovered something and thought I would share!

As you all know, I had my first diving lesson last week. I realised after the session that I've gotten pretty unfit, and struggled to even do one lap of the pool! So, I've been working hard this week! I've been going swimming in the evenings, and I've loved every second of it! I come out feeling so alive, accomplished and very happy with myself.

Unlike most cardio, swimming is something I really enjoy, and so I don't need any motivation to do it- it's simply fun! The pool I go to was recently featured on the itv programme splash and it's also where I'm learning to dive- It is part of a million pound investment and so the facilities are simply amazing! I hope to start the gym there soon too!

I really, really encourage you to try it- the rewards are amazing, and that is just in one week! I feel so much healthier, happier and I absolutely love the feeling of my muscles growing and changing! I also find that it really puts my eating disordered mind to rest- I know that I need to eat, and am not even tempted to purge afterwards as I know I will be burning those calories off as fuel later on!

So in short- I simply love it. I think I'm possibly becoming pretty pro-fitness, and I'm already enjoying this healthier 'lifestyle!' I've even been influencing my family- my dad and brother came with me one evening, and I'm trying to persuade my mum to come to an aqua aerobics class with me as it looks like a fun way to get fit!

Thanks for reading, go and re-discover swimming yourself if you haven't already!!xox

Diving!

I have finally done it! Today I took my first ever highly anticipated diving lesson! And it was simply... amazing!

I honestly had so much fun! It looks relatively simple on TV (or at least I think it does anyway!) But believe me whenever it comes down to it, it is very hard! It was like nothing I had ever experienced before, and I truly cant describe the feeling!

What I most definitely did not look like!

Our lesson was half an hour long. We practiced each dive from the edge of the pool (straight, tuck, pike and roll) and then we dived off the 3 metre boards! I really did not expect to be doing that in our first lesson! We also did lots of different dives off the springboards (both one metre and three metre) and I'm proud to say I attempted each one! It was sooooo scary, even though it may not look it! The feeling when you're falling in the air must be amazing, but I was too busy being scared and pulling weird faces to notice!

I really need to work on my 'water ability' though. I took plenty of swimming lessons when I was younger, but now I only ever swim when I'm on holiday! So I'm going to try and do some laps once or twice a week, as well as working on my upper body strength at home and at the gym. Another thing I need to improve is my form and posture- although I'm sure that will come with time when I gain more confidence!

The only downside is I'm now covered in red marks from where I kept slapping the water! I think I must have entered awkwardly almost every dive! I was just so scared, and I also found myself getting exhausted as my fitness level right now is pretty disgraceful!

But overall, it was a very positive experience! I think it's something I'm going to really enjoy, and cant wait till next week!

Thanks for reading xox