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

Being excluded

At one time in our lives, most of us will probably go through a period of being excluded from something. Sometimes, girls (and probably boys too!) deliberately exclude someone from activities in their friendship group. It is often unintentional, but sometimes there is a nasty motive behind it.

Its not nice. Whether your 'friends' mean it on purpose or not, it can leave you feeling very unwanted and upset, and often dents your confidence too. If it is happening frequently and you are getting upset by it, then it's time to do something. No-one should be left feeling like this on a regular basis. So what can you do?
You should:

• Speak to a trusted friend or adult. Each situation is different, and they may be able to advise you on the best way to resolve the problem depending on the specific situation.
• Talk to your friends about it. A problem doesn't always just resolve itself;and talking about it is often a good way to make a change. If you have one friend in the group who you are closer too, then take her aside and tell her how you're feeling. It's best to do it face to face rather than online or by text. Remember- you're friends may not realise what they are doing!
• Slowly make some new friends. Maybe, you're friendship with this group just isn't meant to be. You have to accept the fact that even though it is a very nasty way to go about it, your 'friends' could have went off you for whatever reason (there is no good reason- but unfortunately there are a lot of horrible people in this world) and this could be their way of hinting at you. If you suspect that this is the case, then it is really best to move on. You don't want to be with people like this- that isn't a healthy friendship.

The fact that this is happening to you doesn't make you any less brilliant then you already are. You are still an amazing person, and although it may make you feel truly crap about yourself you really need to rise above it and use the experience to make yourself stronger!

Thanks for reading xox

I appear to have gone glooooooobbaaalll!!!!!!

Wow. I have been in this mad little blogosphere for nearly one month now. And already, I'm amazed at the response! I logged on this evening as I have been neglecting this blog lately (I've been going swimming most evenings, and had a very important science exam which I needed to revise for so my reasons are valid!) because I really haven't had the time, but decided I would get a few posts done this evening and at the weekend. I was amazed at the number of page views I've received! I now have readers in the UK, USA, Germany, Slovenia, China, Moldova (I will admit I had no idea where that was until I googled it!) Canada, France, India, Australia and New Zealand! It's pure madness!!

I expected to maybe have around 150 page views at this time, from the UK and maybe even America. But, that number is nearly quadrupled! And I appear to have an audience that is pretty worldwide!

So if you aren't already following me, then please take a bit of time out of your day to do so. You have no idea how much it means to me! I would love to see each one of my readers, especially if you have blogs of your own!

Thank you so much for reading and continuing to do so, it is really appreciated! 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

The start of something new!

I'm at that unfortunate age now where if you're not in a team or sporting commitment already, your pretty much screwed. I did plenty of different things when I was younger but by the time I started high school I did nothing. Nada. No extra curricular activities whatsoever, apart from the odd bike ride or tennis match and fairly often dog walking. I was a pretty awkward, shy person at that time, and no longer had the confidence to try something new, due to the fact I was shy, not overly talented anymore and had a headteacher who really seemed to dislike me towards the end of primary school and forever put me down and made me think I was truly crap at any sport under the sun.

This has bothered me for three years now. Whenever we have to do things in school where we have to write about what we do outside of school, I feel truly lost. Playing musical instruments is my only 'hobby' (I really do hate that word!) and isn't exactly the most energetic thing out there. I know I'm not the only one, but it makes me feel very lazy that I don't do any sport outside of school!

After watching the programme 'splash' on itv a few weeks ago (google it if you don't live in the UK) I have been inspired. Diving looks so fun! I watched as the celebrities were transformed in only a few weeks of training, and was amazed during the finals when they were all doing complex dive after only about 8 weeks of training! I just thought it looked so fun, and looked like something I would really enjoy!

So I took it upon myself, and emailed my local diving centre! They've just emailed me back telling me about a new teen course which has spaces!

Now, I know its going to be a challenge. Its going to take lots of patience, perseverance and effort. Not to mention masses of self confidence- not only the actual diving aspect but standing by the edge of a pool in nothing but a swimming costume? That only happens when I'm on holiday, where there is only a slim chance of seeing someone I know other than my family!

But I'm so excited! Something that I can finally do outside of school, and hopefully achieve at it! I hope I will learn some new skills, make some new friends and have lots of fun!

Thanks for reading! Maybe I've inspired you to pick up the phone and call your local sports centre and see whats on! I know it's very hard to do, but believe it or not there are other people in your position! xox

The most amazing night of my life

As you know, I'm in Iceland at the moment so this will be quick. but last night, I witnessed what true beauty is. I was sitting in a hot tub with my family at our cabin in pretty much the middle of no where. The sky was clear, the stars twinkled brightly above us. and then, some bands of green started to appear across the sky. 'Is that it?' We all asked. Me and my mum went and got dressed so we could investigate further. It was, as we suspected, the highly anticipated northern lights!
Soon, the lights where strong green, and dancing all across the sky. Then, we saw strips of pink too! They put on a great show for us, dancing for a good couple of minutes all across the sky, never in the same pattern.

I have never, in my life, seen something as beautiful. It was magical, gorgeous, and really quite amazing. I made a wish, and thought of all the important people in my life, so that they could be there with me.
I was literally standing there the whole time! It was like nothing I could ever have imagined! I didn't get any good pictures though, but I know that moment will stay with me forever.

Thanks for reading! I hope you all one day get to see the northern lights!xox

Out of the loop...

Hey there readers (I know you definitely exist now- My page views have rocketed this week!) I just thought I'd let you know I probably won't be posting for a couple of days, as I'm going on a little 'vacation' until monday/tuesday (I've forgotten what day we come back!) It's not exactly our usual 'holiday' as such, because it's not to somewhere hot, sunny and relaxed- we're going to Iceland! I know what you're thinking- bit of a random one! Well it is- basically my mum has always wanted to see the northern lights. And where I live, they are non existent! So, for Christmas we got her a pretty cool present- a holiday to go see them! It should be quite fun- it'll certainly be 'different'!

I plan on doing a few posts tonight, and then posting them whenever suits me (so basically whenever I have a bit of Internet access over there!) So stay tuned! Keep reading, I have lots of ideas ahead ;)

Thanks for reading! xox