How Running changed my Life... My Couch to 5k Experience

Okay so bear with the overly dramatic title here, it probably didn't actually change my life. But it did change a lot of my outlook on life, more than I ever expected it would. To take you back just a little bit, I started the Couch to 5k (C25k) programme at the start of last summer. I knew a few people who had done it and loved it so I thought I might as well give it a stab. I've never thought I could run, in fact I would use any excuse to get out of PE at school and the prospect of Sports Day would loom over me like a terrifying monster each summer. But this programme changed that.

Its combination of walking and running to a podcast of admittedly rather strange music helped me get over my feeling of 'I can't do this' by making me feel like I'd achieved something great, and I barely noticed it building my stamina and endurance. Now when someone says let's go for a run, it doesn't fill me with dread. In fact, I rather enjoy the chance to get some fresh air and clear my head!

I'll be the first to admit that since returning to uni I haven't run nearly half as much as I would have liked to, but I still enjoy the occasional Park Run on a Saturday morning. Doing C25k gave me the confidence to start playing netball too, something that I would never have dreamed of doing just a year ago.

It's also crazy how it's changed the way I view my body. Especially when I'm running regularly, my mind is changed from thinking of what my body looks like, to what it can do. It makes me feel happier and more confident in my own skin when I know that my body is fit and healthy, the sort of confidence you could never get from viewing your body as a shell!

Long story short, I think everyone should do C25k. It's about more than just running!

Underweight models could go to prison under French proposals

A few hours ago, the BBC announced that BMI regulations for models in France have been proposed. Models now with a BMI under 18 (the upper limit of the underweight range) could be fined up to 75,000 euros or even given prison sentences for their weight. This is all part of the ongoing crackdown on anorexia in the fashion industry.

But I'm not hugely sure what I think of this new regulation. Should it be solely down to the model and their agency? Or maybe should the fashion industry itself be changing it's view of beauty? After all, fashion labels are the ones who chose which models are in and which are out. Models may not be given much choice except be that weight if they want a job.

Like I'm sure I've mentioned before, I am a firm believer that we need to be focusing on health instead of idealised beauty standards. And I believe it is the industry itself that has the power to change, not models. There's simply no point in penalising models for simply trying to better there chances of getting work in a unstable industry, whilst companies and brands themselves are choosing the slimmest of the slim.

Instead of focusing on the models, maybe we should be campaigning for a change in beauty ideals. I've been noticing recently, especially with the growth of blogging, youtube and pinterest; that strong and healthy has become the new skinny. I love that. Now all we need is for designers and magazine editors to think the same way. I want to see healthy, happy models walking the runways this season, not ones who have scraped through with a borderline unhealthy BMI to get a job. These rules are an attempt, but a misguided one that doesn't really get to the root of the problem. How can we change this? I'm not really sure, but these regulations are not the solution.

What do you think?

5 Free iPhone Apps that if you don't have, you probably should get.

Phones. Love them, hate them, we can't live without them. One of my favourite things is finding a new app that I love, so here are a few of my recommendations...

She Reads Truth

Recommended to me by my lovely friend Lizzie, this is possibly the best Bible reading app ever. Not only does it have your usual bible, but it also has a bunch of different Bible reading plans with well-written, encouraging and challenging commentary. For each days of study notes there is also a live chat feed where you can read other peoples responses to the study, and add your own as course. As if that wasn't enough, it is beautifully styled and formatted, and also offers lots of lock screen bible verse images to remind you of God's love every time you look at your phone!

Bloglovin'

To be honest if you don't have bloglovin' but read lots of blogs, then you may be living under a rock. Bloglovin' compiles all your favourite blogs into one easy feed so you never miss a post again. It also has a 'popular' feed which is a great way to discover your new favourite blogger!

Quizlet

This is such a great app if you, like me, have loads of vocab or terminology to learn. It's basically an electronic flashcard app, but it not only allows you to read them, but gives you a couple of games to test your knowledge. I love doing this if I have a spare five minutes, just to keep the words ticking over in my head. One of my favourite aspects of Quizlet is that you can add words on your laptop as well on your phone, just log into your account online and all your vocab is there!

Period Diary

Oh yes Ladies, I'm about to get a bit personal. Period Tracker is great, you just tap in when your period starts and then when it ends, and then from your average cycle it predicts your next period. The more you use it, the more accurate it gets. So useful, especially if you're going on holiday or something! Also in case you were wondering, no the logo isn't anything obvious or awkward, no one has to know!

Blackboard Mobile Learn

If you're a student at university then this app will change your life for the better. It gives you quick easy access to MOLE so that you can access all the content your tutors and lecturers put up with just a couple of pushes of the button. So handy for finding information out in a rush.

I hope you love these just as much as I do!