I have never paid my therapist

When I first started running I had two things on my mind:

• I want to lose weight
• I am definitely not going to enjoy this

I was miserable all the time and for some reason I thought that losing weight was the answer to all of my problems, and that once I was super skinny all them would just magically go away... I wasn't completely wrong.

Losing weight definitely didn't make any of my problems go away, and it didn't make me and less stressed; in fact, when I first started losing weight I only felt more pressure to keep losing it and to be better. But running - the part I thought I wasn't going to enjoy - played a huge role in my happiness and mental health. 

When I first started running, I could barely make it to the end of the street after stepping out of the front door. I'd run to the nearest park and do a couple of laps before heading home. The entire time I was out there running I was in agony; my feet were blistered, my lungs would burn, and I'd get a stitch in my side so painful I was convinced I had actually been shot and I just hadn't heard the gun go off over the music I had blasting in my ears. But as soon as I stopped running, I had a rush of euphoria. I felt accomplished, my mind was clear, I was determined to make good choices for the rest of the day and become a better person - and I did. 

Over time as my fitness grew, I would run for longer and my mind would start to wander during runs. I had time to think about any issues in my life, set goals and plan my life (but mostly, I just pretended I was in a post apocalyptic wasteland running from the infected in a hardcore movie-like moment only I could survive due to my fitness and worldly knowledge). 

As my positive mindset - brought on by running - led to more positive attitudes and changes to my life, my mindset began to shift from wanting to lose weight to wanting to become a better runner. Rather than starving myself of food in order to lose weight I began to research what kind of food I should be eating to perform better, I started eating more, running further, and feeling happier - on top of that, weight loss started to happen naturally and I was feeling more alive than I ever had. 

Not only did running help me to accomplish my weight loss goals, but I had discovered something much better along the way: happiness. I'm now more focused during the day, allowing me to think more clearly and perform better at university, I'm more determined and goal oriented, helping me to achieve more in other aspects of my life, and overall I am a healthier and happier person. I've even started to look at other ways to exert positive energy and get fitter and have started personal training, incorporating weight training into my regime - which has not only helped me run faster and further, but has made me even happier than before!

I have even decided to sign up for the local running events, so in the upcoming months I will be participating in:

• The Colour-Run
• The City-to-Bay run &
• The Adelaide (half) Marathon!

I never knew what a positive influence running would have on my life but it is the best therapy I could ask for - and it's free (aside from the expensive running shoes... which I buy far too often)!

note: running will not always solve your problems, it can cause health and happiness but if you think that you need real help then seek it out - don't literally try and out run mental health issues.

A day at the markets

Last Sunday I went to my first ever market. The Gilles Street Markets are usually held once a month in Adelaide and I'd never heard of them before now. Surprising, considering they are right up my alley - vintage clothes, vegan food, music - ah, heaven!

So first impressions: incredible! Seriously, there are some stunning clothes for sale at the markets. I immediately shoved handfuls of money at the nearest vendors, completely sucked in to the allure of a unique piece and a great bargain.

I ended up buying way more than I had planned, but the great thing about it was everything was super cheap so if I didn't like something I had bought when I got it home I wouldn't feel guilty about donating it.

The atmosphere was super relaxing. It wasn't your usual crowded, anxiety inducing shopping experience. It felt more like a folk festival. People were stopping to chat and sitting down to eat (the food was delicious, I had a raw peanut butter fudge protein ball - yum!) while a DJ played some cool tunes in the background. I could have stayed for hours... well, I did.

It had me really inspired to actually participate in the event myself. There were so many different things for sale, I think putting together a stall would be relatively easy. I could offhand old clothes, sell some art, meet some cool people and take home some cash. Perfect.

Basically, the Gilles Street Markets (any market, I assume, I'm definitely going to seek them out from now on) are perfect for a relaxing little Sunday treat. I think this is going to be my go-to for any future shopping expeditions, the clothes are beautiful and it's a great way to save some money.

P.S. Getting fashion tips and inspiration from other market goers is also a great idea. May have snuck a snap of the girl on the right who has inspired a new hair cut!

How to be a more mindful eater

Since becoming vegan and taking up running I have become very aware of what I am putting in my body. I'm fascinated by nutrition and it's benefits, but as hard as I try, I often slip up just when I think I'm doing well, taking me back a step on my road to a healthier lifestyle.

Improving your lifestyle isn't something that happens overnight - something I'm constantly having to remind myself. One step back isn't going to hinder your progress overall, as long as your persistent you will always improve over time.

Something that has been integral to my progress is the practice of mindful eating. Admittedly, I have been known to turn into a mindless eating machine at times, but I always endeavour to be more aware of what I am eating, why I am eating it, and how it will nourish my body.

Mindful eating isn't something that happens over night - you can't just wake up on day one and fit perfectly into a mindful eating habit. Unless you have excellent self-control - in which case, good for you! I try and practice at least one of these mindful eating technique a day, and I hope eventually I will always eat mindfully.

Avoid Distractions

In todays world, this is a hard task! It's difficult to sit down at the table for breakfast without the television on, or your phone beside you so that you can check Facebook. But trust me, put your phone away and turn of the TV, sit down with your food and absorb the experience. Use this time to think about what you are putting in your mouth, enjoy the taste and think about what good it is doing for your body. I find this technique to be really meditative too! And you don't even have to do it with food. For example: I got home from the gym this morning, had a shower and got ready for uni, but I made sure to leave enough time to sit down with a cup of coffee. I didn't use my phone and I didn't turn the TV on. I made my cup of coffee and sat on the sofa, drinking it slowly and enjoying a quiet moment to myself. I enjoyed the hot liquid pouring down my throat and afterwards I was completely relaxed, clear minded and ready for the rest of the day.

Be grateful 

Since completing the Live Below the Line Challenge, this aspect of mindful eating has become a greater part of my routine. Take the time to be grateful for the food you have on your plate, and appreciate it for what it will do for your body.

Eat slowly and breathe

Enjoy your food! If you put it all in your gob at once and swallow before you taste it, you're not going to enjoy the meal or appreciate it. Chew slowly (this is also good for digestion), think about the taste. Take a few deep breaths in between bites. This gives you time to think about my next technique.

Don't stuff yourself!

Eating slowly gives you the time to consider your level of fullness. When was the last time you stuffed yourself full of food and felt fantastic and energised afterwards? Think about how full you are feeling, and how full you will be after the next bite. Consider that you will feel more full once the food gets to your stomach, this won't happen immediately, so try to eat until you are about 80% full, this way you will feel satisfied but not stuffed or bloated. This way you will enjoy your food more and have more energy to do something with your day rather than slipping into a food-coma.

Pay attention

Whilst you are eating, consider how the food is making you feel. Are you enjoying it? What is it doing for your mood and energy levels. If you are eating with others, pay attention to what they are saying, enjoy your meals with others and use the time to really listen to them. If you are eating alone, use the time to acknowledge your thoughts and feelings and sort through them.

There are plenty more ways to be a mindful eater but these are the techniques I have found to be most helpful and enjoyable. Like I said, I don't always follow my own rules but every time I do I consider it an accomplishment. The more mindfully I eat, the better I feel, and I must always remind myself of this.

Try to eat mindfully during one meal this week and let me know how it made you feel!

Live Below the Line: Day 1

And so it has finally begun! I have just completed my first day living below the line and I can already tell this is going to be a difficult and enlightening experience. 

Yesterday afternoon I made my way to the shop with a $10 note and a vague idea of what I was going to buy with it: rice, oats, and bananas. Honestly, I didn't even know if I would have enough for that so I had decided what I was willing to sacrifice and what I would most need to survive the week.

I left the shop with fuller hands than I expected. Here's what I got:

• Quick oats - $1.43
• Jasmine rice - $2.49
• 5 pack of Mi Goreng - on sale for $2
• Sultanas - $1.43
• Bananas $0.98

Total = $9.35

I was surprised and happy with how much I walked away with, though it still doesn't look like much it was more than I had planned for. In the spirit of the challenge though I'd like to note that I was lucky to get these items for such a small price and not everyone is so fortunate. I'd also like to not speak too soon - I might be surprised at how quickly I run out of food.

I have to stay my first day started horribly. I only had about 3 hours sleep the night before and so I woke up I was exhausted, hungry and grumpy! However, I persevered and started my day with a bowl of oats topped with a handful of sultanas, which was actually really yummy. 

After that I was at university 'til about 3 in the afternoon and didn't expect to be held up and so I didn't bring anything to eat with me. By the time I got home I was pretty hungry so I ate one of my bananas while I prepared another (big!) bowl of oats. 

Something I had not anticipated was the oats making me feel sick... I didn't feel too bad after breakfast but I found what I had for lunch to be far too much for my body and mild gluten intolerance to handle. I wouldn't usually eat oats but I was depending on them to keep me feeling full for the longest amount of time. I fear that I will have to depend more on the rice from now on and I'm hesitant to dig into the Mi Goreng after today's gluten-ey scare. 

I also struggled with the lack of tea! I usually drink about 10 cups of green tea a day, but today I could only find comfort in a mug of hot water. Something I often drink after dinner anyway, so I'm sure I'll get used to it as the week goes on.

I'm planning on having a bowl of rice for dinner but for now I'll sit here with my third cup of hot water for the day, planning my meals for tomorrow. 

I have had some interesting questions about the challenge so far. My room mate keeps asking me how far the rules go, "are you allowed to have chewing gum?", "what if I buy you the cup of tea?", "can you put cinnamon in that?", "what about salt and pepper?". I think answering questions like this are a big part of using the campaign to raise awareness, because even the smallest of comforts like a dash of cinnamon or a sprinkle of sugar are not available to those living in extreme poverty.

So I shall persevere the same way they do. So far - despite my previous complaints - the experience has not been too difficult, but I'm sure things will change as the week goes on. Stay tuned!