Coming round fast!

Well since my last post...

I've been training hard down the gym, building up muscle strength mainly. Although fitting in time to go to the gym around my university work has proven difficult. I've also been going to a yoga class on a Saturday morning which I've found really helpful; not only to chill me out for the weekend but also to stretch those muscles that we don't usually use.

I've also lost 6 lb so far, not going mad on a weight loss programme but have pretty much cut out bread and potatoes from my diet. I have more energy and don't feel as bloated or lethargic as I had been.

The new Spring edition of verity magazine comes out this month- I've got an electronic copy and I'm SOOOOOO pleased with my one page article highlighting my trek and PCOS journey. This has spurred me on to slightly more unusual ways of funraising. I've spoken to friend via facebook and found that lots of them have baby clothes to get rid of and therefore thinking of doing a car boot shortly and putting the proceeds towards my fundraising pot! Another idea I've come up with is collection tins/buckets at either a train station at rush hour or at big shops near me so got lots of letters to write and post... fingers crossed!

I've had lots of support from Verity- the charity I'm raising money for and have also had a hoodie and t shirt printed with my justgiving page and verity logo on. These have proven popular when out and about and people just seem to strike up conversation (generally when in a good old British queue!) asking who Verity are and when do I climb Kilimanjaro. So hopefully that will generate some funds for the charity too.

Paid £250 off the trek cost last month... only £1500 to go... gulp! Then its just my visa cost £70 and travel insurance another £70...eekkk!!

Although I have got most of my trekking equipment now, which I tried out last month at the Peak District. Planning to do some walking in a couple of weeks in the Lake District and then in July I'm off to do Ben Nevis with some friends.... watch this space...
The three photos below are from Castleton in the Peak District, and the last of my awesome hoodie!

Time flies....

Hi!

I know it's been a while, couple months in fact. I've got quite alot of my kit for my trek now, breaking in my boots doesn't seem as bad as I thought. I've been going to the gym as much as 90+ hours of work can allow, have my follow up with my gym instructor tomorrow which will be great to see how my measurements are looking.

I had an article/recorded interview with Newbury Sound radio station in January/February and tonight I've been putting the finishing touches to an article for Verity Magazine which is published quarterly for their members. This last one has really boosted my morale and motivation as its great to see the charity getting behind me as I've raise over £600  for them so far!

Did my first practice walk last weekend- approximately 7 miles which was a great start for my first walk of the year!

Plans for this year:
Peak district next week with my best friend to get some walking in.
April- Lake district walking
July- Practice walk weekend with Action Challenge- the company I've booked to do my trek with.

Wait and see what else is in the pipeline :)

Well there's no going back...

2011- what a start!

I've paid my deposit for Kilimanjaro January 2011 so there's no going back now...had a long chat with the company "Action Challenge" that I'm going with as I wanted to know what happens if the airports get closed due to snow etc so that was really productive. I've also had a few friends suggest some fundraising tips so Im on twitter as "studentnursegem" to try and raise the profile of my climb. Because I booked my trip before the end of January 2011 I also get a free training weekend, which I've chosen July so it doesn't clash with my uni course. Which will be held in the peak district.

I also moved to Andover, with some ace friends. So that means I need to change my gym membership over too.... and really need to step up my training... feeling pretty fat following on from the christmas indulgence...oops!

Got my first PCOS meeting in Reading this Thursday to discuss emotions relating to people with PCOS, which will be interesting, and also good to see if anyone has any further ideas of how to fundraise.

And lastly one of the girls I work with has decided to join me on my adventure which will be ace as then I have someone to motivate and motivate me throughout as we already know each other. Although slightly concerned as shes super fit!!

Holy cow!

Ok...

So I've had a hectic time since I decided to climb Kilimanjaro... I failed an assignment at the end of my first year at uni which then meant I spent my summer re writting... but passed it second time round.
Then I had my first assignment due of my second year- which I've passed, had 9 weeks on placement, a presentation today, another assignment due in on the 5th Jan 2011... and tonight I've realised just how little I've done since my last blog- both in fundraising (although don't get me wrong £360 is nothing to be sniffed at!) fitness, and paying for my trip. To be fair I spent my summer paying out for 4 new tyres, front brake pads, servicing, moting, taxing my car which all needed doing so I can't be too hard on myself- needs must.

So yes... I am slightly wetting myself at the thought that in a little over 12 months time I'll be jetting off to Tanzania to climb a F**K off mountain!!

Well here's to the new year! My goal is to pay the deposit by the end of January... watch this space I guess... :/

One week in...

Good Morning!!


Ok, so this blogging business won't be a weekly occurence but I'm amazed at how many donations I have recieved already. One week ago today I set up my justgiving page and Blog and I'm  already up to £215.


Ok, so I did push it on Sunday as I was up to £85 and said on Facebook- if another £15 worth of donations came in before the end of the day I wouldn't post the website for "Justgiving" ever 5 minutes on Facebook... and I ended the day on £115. Then work got involved and sponsored me £100. Really warmed by how my friends have rallyed around already and this is just the start as I've got a few more ideas up my sleeve.


I've written to a few outdoor companies to see whether they would donate equipment for my trip as thats going to be quite costly expenditure. Also a friend of mine mentioned it worth approaching a well as a well known supermarket as they specifically have a pot of cash stashed away for this sort of thing, so fingers crossed and if I heard anything good back- of course, I'll blog it.


I've also set up an Ebay account to get rid of some unwanted items- it all adds up after all. So just watch this space...

Oh and last but not least I've been to the gym everyday, with exception to yesterday as I thought I should have a break. Already I'm finding my programme easier so will have to up my game- although I have absolutely no upper body strength so I've been concentrating on building up my muscle strength and therefore if you see me around... don't ask me to move my shoulders... they're very sore at the moment...!!!

And so it begins....

Well I've been toying with the idea for most of 2010 and decided to take the plunge!


I needed something to motivate me into exercising, does anyone go to the gym just for fun, really??


I have set the date of 26th December 2011- 4th January 2012 to take part in Action Challenge new year special of trekking Kilimanjaro. My aim is to fund the trip myself but raise money for a charity called Verity.
Verity are the only charity in the UK that support women with a condition called Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).


I have chosen this charity as I was diagnosed with this condition four years ago, and feel very strongly about the need to educate and support women with the condition.


The reason to blog it? So that people who sponsor me can see how I'm getting on...and more importantly? So I don't bail out!!


So here it goes... the ball is rollin'!