Dear Mountain

Dear Mountain, 

Sometimes life throws rocks at us, not rocks mountains that set us back – that make us look up and wonder how are we going to get over and past that mountain. But I have learnt that it’s not about taking the obvious route, climbing up it and over it to the other side. Instead, take a step back – look at the mountain and ask why. Why have you been placed there – is it to set me back? Or is it to make me reconsider my outlook. To reconsider my options, and the journey that is in front of me. To see things in a new light. To look at new paths and journey’s that I couldn’t see before, when my path was straight and simple. When my journey was straight forward and planned to make it easier to explore my journey. But this mountain has made me reconsider through a challenge of what is the best way to get around the mountain? What is the best way to go around, over, under, through the mountain to get the best possible outcome for me? To explore myself along the way. To challenge myself along the way. To push myself along the way. What can I do to feel proud of myself? For saying fuck the mountain, you haven’t set me back you have pushed me further forward than I ever could have been before you were there. You, Mountain, have given me opportunity. Opportunity to explore myself, who I am when tested. Who I am when under pressure. Who I am when I have not got the strength to climb over you. But I shall will myself to have the strength to find my path through you Mountain. Yes, I will. Because no mountain shall set me back, because I am strong enough to get past you. To feel stronger once I have battled you. Once I have tested myself and made myself better for it. You are not my enemy Mountain, you are my friend. Because friends test us and challenge us to be our best selves, just like you, Mountain. Friends help you see your strength, just like you, Mountain. Friends help you reach your top, just like I shall reach the top of you, Mountain. And my God shall I enjoy the view when I get there. Because I deserve to enjoy the view. I deserve to enjoy my achievements. You watch me get there, Mountain! You watch me push, and sweat and cry and laugh whilst I battle my way through. And then be there whilst I cheer at the top of you! Watch me whilst I strut away from you, on the other side. Watch me whilst I look back at you from the other side, and say thank you! Thank you for testing me, because I couldn’t have done it without you. I could not have achieved the best I can, without your challenge. So, thank you. Mountain.

Photo credit: John Chapman  

Nutrition diet plans and how they will motivate you

Staying healthy and maintaining your productivity level.

During the Christmas break, I of course ate way too much and slept far too often. I mean what else would I have done? I was back home and my mum ensured I was stocked up like a bear ready to hibernate. In her mind, I have been deprived of food due to my student budget and what better time to compensate than the holidays?

I’m sure you felt as I did when the time came to repack your suitcase, with all the clothes that never made it to your wardrobe: bloated, tired, and ready to get healthy. Downfall is, I feel like that every year, and every January I do nothing about it. Well, not this year! Thanks to my very talented sister, who is studying for a nutritional degree, I was able to complete my goal. My sister, Francesca, made me a diet plan that has weekly meal plans and 10 minute morning exercises that wake me up and make me feel ready for the day. That all sounds very scary and ridiculous at first, but the meal plans are simple and cost effective for my student budget and the exercises are more like little warm ups to get me pumped for the day.

I never thought that by organising my nutritional routine, my organisation skills would improve too. I no longer feel the need to procrastinate by binge watching ‘The Vampire Diaries’ – instead I just put it on in the background and still manage to do a huge amount of uni work! Best of both worlds right there!

It sounds harder than it actually is to start doing this for yourself, but all you need to do is:

•          Realise your need for a better diet, so you have more energy to stay up a whole day and no longer need naps like your former two-year-old self.
•          Either get someone to make you a weekly diet plan (Francesca Du Bignon for example) or easily make one yourself. Ensuring that your own diet includes foods that will keep you energised up until the evening, and then foods that don’t have too much protein and slow-releasing energy past 6pm.
•          Add in some small exercises, 2-3 a week is plenty. This just helps you stay active and makes you feel good about yourself, because you have done something more than lay in bed. Even running up and down your stairs 10 times will make you feel better, and also a little silly, but fitter nonetheless.
•          Drink what may seem like a stupid amount of water! It honestly helps (and I haven’t had a spot in 2 weeks because of it *says whilst touching wood*).
•          Finally, make a timetable of when you’re going to do work and stick to it as much as you can, but don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t achieved everything on your list.