Hi Everyone!!

Yay its FEET FRIDAY and time to take a break from all our hard work during Walk to Work Week.  Today's post is all about pampering our feet!!  Our feet carry us from A to B and back again, get swollen, trodden on, squeezed into shoes, boots and trainers - and at the very least, we need to be giving our feet some TLC!!

Now I LOVE treating myself to a pedicure, but if you are on a budget, that doesn't mean we have to neglect our feet.  With Spring in full swing, now is the perfect time to soften those heels and add some glam to your toenails before strutting in some fierce sandals!!

Here is a great recipe that you can easily whip up at home and apply during your at-home foot spa treatment

Coffee and Shea butter scrub (Makes a little tub as shown in the picture!!)

6 spoons Softened Shea butter
2 spoons of Sugar
2 spoons of Salt
1 Spoon of Lemon Juice
2 spoons of any oil of your choice (I used Sunflower as it was all I had in the house lol!!)
2 Spoons Coffee Granules

-Simply mix the above ingredients together until smooth.  (You can use an electric mixer if you wish, but it's pretty easy to whip up by hand!)

-Take a spoonful size of the mixture and gently massage into your feet.  Try not to rub too hard, as this could make your skin become irritated and remember this is supposed to a relaxing experience!!

-Rinse thoroughly in warm water to remove the salt.  Pat dry your feet with a warm towel and take a moment to feel how smooth your feet now feel!!  (and apply your FAVOURITE nail polish for the weekend)
 

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I love this scrub combo as it helps to remove the rough and tough layer, leaving you with smooth and hydrated skin!!  You can actually use this mixture for the whole body - as it really works!!!


x

Hi All

Ok I am in super-competitive mode now, as I have been so busy walking, I haven't had time to stop and write a daily blog!!  So here is an update on the story so far.....

   On Monday I managed to clock up a whole 23,300 steps (Whoop whoop!!) and on Tuesday, my total dropped slightly to 22,288, which I felt was still good - considering I braved the pouring rain and got completely soaked!!  On Wednesday, my total steps took another leap to 24,420!  So what is my motivation I hear you cry??

Introducing the stepometer...

Lets face it, there are very few people who walk around manually counting every step that they take for the ENTIRE day!!  A stepometer does all the hard work for you.  You simply clip it on to your waistband and then it picks up your hip movement

So how many steps should we be doing?

Well for adults, the goal is 10,000 steps a day!  LOL I know you must be thinking that is a ridiculous amount of steps, but in 15mins you can clock up to 1,500 steps - so you do the math!  

How do you get to 10,000 steps and beyond?

My day starts very early, so a useful tip is to put your stepometer on as soon as you wake up.  I tend to train around 5:30am, so I make sure that I record every step - so even before I leave my house in the morning, I tend to clock up at least 3-4,000 steps.

But what if I can't get there?

Don't beat yourself up about it.  I always tell my clients to start from where you are and work your way up.  As long as you are doing more than you did yesterday, then you are on to a winner!!


What about children?

Yes children can be encouraged to use stepometers too!!  My kids love competing with each other and are constantly pacing up and down to get more steps (LOL it does make me a little dizzy watching them, but hey, at least they are being active!!)


Where can I get a stepometer?

Anywhere!!  Most supermarkets and sports stores sell them (or go online)!!  The one in the picture is a Silva  stepcounter, but I've recently switched to using a Fitbug which records the calories burned and keeps a log of at least a weeks worth of steps.  If you have a smartphone, then there are VARIOUS apps that you can download.  

Remember, these are just motivational aids, there may be variations in the accuracy, but consider it as a guide!!  So keep a log and continue to surprise yourself as to just how much you actually do!

Happy Stepping

x
 
P.S  It's not too late to try one of the walking challenges on 
http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/walking-and-work/walk-to-work-week-12-16-may-2014

Hey Everyone!!

It has been a while, but its great to be back!!!  This week we are focusing on all things walking as its national Walk to Work week.  I for the next 7 days, so I hope you will join me in ditching the Oyster Card and start pounding the pavement!

Now I know the idea of walking to work might be somewhat unrealistic if you have a very long commute in.  However, the aim of this campaign is just to promote a more active lifestyle - one step at a time.





So how can I add more walking into my day?

The list is endless really!! Here are a few examples..

-Getting off the bus/train a few stops earlier (go on you can do it!!)
-Climbing up the escalator at the train station (don't just stand there and enjoy the ride!!)
-Take the stairs instead of the lift this week (and count them too!!)
-Parking further away at the supermarket (and not on the Parent & Baby bays when the kids are not with you!!)
-Walk around your house during commercial breaks (there are loads when Britain's Got Talent is on!!)
-Take a walk on a rainy day! (no excuses people, if anything, you will walk even quicker!!)
-Go for a walking lunch with a friend or two (best time to gossip with the girls and get a workout too!)
-Download a walking app or pedometer (so that you can log your steps and mileage!!)
 
Do I need any special equippment?

Not at all!!  The perfect thing about walking is that you don't need any special gear (not even the Nordic walking poles), as it really is a "Come as you are" activity - so lets leave the excuses at the door and lets get started!

Where can I go to be inspired?


The first stop will have to be www.walktoworkweek.org.uk , as Living Streets have put together a wealth of resources and you can set up your own profile and log your progress.  And of course, stay tuned to the blog, as I will be sharing lots of ideas and challenges this week too.

Let me know how you are getting on x