Feeling Stylish

I’ve put on weight. I managed to get to just under 15 stone, got so excited and then put on ten pounds.

TEN POUNDS

What the hell?

I suppose that’s why I held off on blogging for so long. I’m back over the 15 and a half stone mark and I feel like a whale. I’ve lost my confidence and as a result cannot stop eating. Willpower when it came to food never used to be that difficult. Now I’m not even thinking then going out and buying chocolate.

Time for a change

There’s no way I’m going back to being 17 stone. I need to do something about this now.

I’m going to go to a personal trainer.

Firstly, the thought of that is terrifying. Wobbling around under the gaze of a physically fit gentleman terrifies me but I’m beginning to think it’s necessary. I am lazy. I would not go to the gym. There’s no one to scold me for not going and no one keeping up on my progression.

With a personal trainer I’d have to face their disappointment if I got lazy. Guilt would keep me going until I began to enjoy it and it became a habit. I want to be healthy, I want to be able to run 5k and I want to be thin(ner).

I need to get out of this rut and if it means shelling out £120 a month then it doesn’t matter. I need to get back into exercising. I’m growing increasingly miserable in this fat suit.

So rally round ladies and gents. I present to you Feeling Fit – phase two.

In my attempt to get fit I’ve been doing a lot more walking (combined with Geocaching) and Ben and I have decided to go on a few long hikes.

The first time I went on a long hike it was 10 miles. We stopped at a pub around the 4 mile mark for scampi, chips and beer. I also wore Dr Martens boots. I’ve never been so in pain after a walk. DMs are great for kicking people, looking like a punk in and their general awesomeness. They are not for walking.

Hiking boots

Patagonia Women’s shoes – £90 from Spartoo

Good shoes are essential, especially if you intend to encounter some weather. Wellies are not good enough, DMs will give you blisters and trainers will get soaked through if it rains. Not to mention that if you are having to cross difficult terrain, proper hiking boots will have far superior grip to make sure you don’t go tumbling down a mountainside.

Weather-proof clothing

This happens to be the exact jacket I want. Available from Team Lotus’ eshop priced at £150.(Did you lot know I was a massive Formula One fan?)

Your weather-proof gear should be light and breathable. There’s nothing worse than being really hot while you’re walking but unable to take your jacket off because you’ll get soaked otherwise.

Accessories

Make sure you have sunglasses, sun cream and a good quality rucksack.

This Burton bag has strong straps that are reinforced by a waist strap. It takes less toll on your back and has all the room for everything you’ll need for a day’s hike. It also has space at the side for water bottles.

You’ll have to forgive the completely off topic post. I’m sorting out my backlog of scheduled posts, working on building the site and am having a second attempt at writing a novel. Stuff is busy. To keep up with me on a daily basis please follow me on Twitter. @jetlbomb.

For info on my writing exploits. Please visit http://jetink.blogspot.com

For now, Kittens! Meet Eric (ginger) and Alfie (white) – with bonus Milo dog.

Expect a jumping kitten interlude next time I want to distract you from the fact that I’ve been a bad blogger.

Cowboy boots are a wardrobe staple for me. Every trip to Camden has me buying a new vintage pair and I try to wear them at every available occasion.

• Firstly, they are boots. Boots are far superior to shoes.
• Secondly they are, to me, the epitome of rock.

It seems that men get all the fun when it comes to cowboy boots. They tend to be more traditional with a nice, low heel and an authentic battered look. I get bored of keeping boots looking shiny and spectacular very quickly.

Atelier Voisin Men’s Boots.

Women’s cowboy boots tend to be a little more extravagant. They lend themselves better to nights out on the town and to posh family parties than to shopping, dog walking and rocking out.

But that’s not to say that women’s cowboy boots, like those above (*dribble*) don’t have their uses. Those ones from Les Temps de Cerises are pretty, have a sensible heel and aren’t too pointed. The detail on the side is just delicious too.

Gentlemen, cowboy boots are sexy.

Ben has some and I’m always finding excuses for him to wear them. They are the ankle variety, which may be preferable to some calf-boot-virgins. And they are very pointy.

This is verging on obsession. Cowboy boots make my stomach flip. On men and women they are the perfect piece of footwear.

Readers, what type of shoe or boot couldn’t you live without?