Ever heard this or said this out loud? (This past week, I've actually lost count of how many times I've said or thought it - it's getting ridiculous and boring!) So I've been doing a bit of research into why, and found some very interesting ideas, not all of which will work for everyone, but they are certainly food for thought. What do you think of these?

​1. What you eat does make a difference. Yes, yes, we all know this... But how many of us 'know' it then don't change anything? Try eating more protein, fats and vegetables, still with some carbohydrates but perhaps not as much as normal. The post-lunch slump doesn't need to happen if you change your lunch ingredients.
​2. Pessimism is exhausting.​ And it can leave you feeling unmotivated to make positive changes. This is quite a major one to work on - it's not necessarily a quick fix - yet small changes in attitude are possible. Looking on the brighter side takes practice, and this starts with a small step in the right direction.
​3. Exercise a bit more. ​This will come as no surprise to regular readers, who will know that my go-to fix for anything is a bit of fresh air and a walk! The evidence-based research for the benefits of exercise is overwhelming, as is the evidence for feeling worse after slumping in front of the TV all the time.
​4. You could be dehydrated.​ Dehydration affects concentration, alertness and focus - so try to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. I'm sounding like a broken record now...!
​5. You need some more rest.​ It sounds so obvious! Time away from what you normally do is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Taking time to recuperate is vital if you want to have enough energy to keep going. If you are so busy that this one feels impossible, schedule it in to your diary. And the best part is that resting is usually free!

... I started my new 'career' as a fitness instructor with my Wednesday night classes. Happy birthday/anniversary to me - and to everyone who has supported me since then, thank you. My classes remain the highlight of my week! We're having a little celebration tonight, if you wanted to join in. 

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my friend Sue (a stalwart Wednesday night class regular), who was doing the 'million steps in three months' challenge. As well as all this stepping, Sue continues to attend several fitness classes each week.  Last week, she reached a total of 1,000,138 - A WEEK AND A DAY EARLY! Phenomenal! Well done, Sue. Here's what she said:

"I'm quite chuffed but realise there is still more in me! One of my considerably younger colleagues told me that according to her app she's averaging less than 5,000 steps a day, which is probably fairly typical of sedentary office-based workers. I feel fighting fit, have a sense of achievement and have lost a few kilos too. I've also enjoyed meeting new people through the exercise groups that I've joined. It would be great if that inspires others to start moving more!"

​Just one more thing: I'm taking over a friend's exercise class from Thursday 13th October, 9.30-10.20am in the normal hall in Tilehurst. You're very welcome to join me. More to come soon.

Are you a destination addict? Sounds like an odd question, doesn't it? All it means is that you have a bit of a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place you live, the next job, with the next partner, or when you are next on holiday. You might find yourself saying that things will be better if only you had something different or new... If only you were anywhere but here... Then you would be happy. Sound familiar? (In my mind, things will be peachy when I have a bigger trampoline!)

​Until we give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where we are. Happiness, contentment and fulfilment, whatever you like to call it, can all be in the here and now, within all of us, regardless of our circumstances. So, as Garth from Wayne's World used to say, "Live in the now!"

PS Thanks to everyone who came to my new Fusion class today - it was great to have your support! Didn't it go well!

I was thinking about something I heard recently about the quickest way to unhappiness, and thought I would write a blog on it. Then I thought about how I wanted this blog to always be as positive as possible, so I changed the focus. The phrase I heard was this: "The quickest way to unhappiness is to compare yourself to other people". And if you change it around and say instead "The quickest way to happiness is to not compare yourself to other people", the focus changes immediately. It may or may not be true (happiness is so many different things to people) but nevertheless I like the intention behind it.

I found myself thinking about it in last night's yoga class, when the person next to me (who happens to have very long arms) was able to do a pose that my body just couldn't do (yet!). I thought, "If only my arms were longer, like that person's... Then I would be able to do this pose". Which totally defeats the purpose of yoga - and is a ridiculous notion as that person is 7 inches taller than me, and I'd look pretty odd with much longer arms.  Anyway, the point of this is that comparing yourself to others, particularly with things about which you have no control, is pointless and defeating - and like comparing apples and oranges. Instead, how about overlooking what those around you are able to do/say/think/feel and focus on all things you ​can do/say/think/feel? You might find it liberating and rewarding and enlightening.

Did you know that today is National Fitness Day? (Me neither!) Apparently, Wednesday 7th September marks the third National Fitness Day - a day that celebrates the role physical activity plays across the UK and this year coincides with the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Its aim is to get people up and active and to highlight the benefits of regular exercise - something that many people have been inspired to do after watching the Olympics. What are you going to try today? A new exercise class, a lunchtime walk, or something completely different. (Have you heard of Sosa? It's solo Salsa!) You can find an event near you here. If you're anywhere near Reading, you can try my Fitness class tonight! Do anything that gets you up and active - and even if it feels like an uphill struggle, small progress is still progress.

​Talking of the Olympics... Have you ever wondered which Olympic sport you would be suited to? Try this and see what event you would be good at depending on your height. My dream of being a gymnast is over (apparently way too tall) but I might be good at 800m swimming. How about you?