Curiously Charis

Recently I started running again and I also made an attempt to kick some of the crap out of my day-to-day diet. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to enjoy cake, but it's not something I can eat regularly without piling on the pounds. Stupid metabolism. I took to Pinterest to track down some motivational pins to help me on my way, since I really struggled at first, but I've got to say that a lot of the 'fitspo' (fitness inspiration to the uninitiated) seemed problematic in the least. I know I tend to take things a bit too seriously, but as someone who's struggled with disordered eating in the past and hasn't always had a healthy relationship with food, I find it important to analyse the messages set out to people looking to improve their health, wellbeing or fitness levels to make sure they are going about it in a way that isn't going to be damaging to their self esteem. Here are my thoughts on a few of the offenders: "I" is ...

I don't mind having a boyfriend six years younger than me, though it does raise eyebrows in some quarters! Generally we've found having an age gap has made little difference to our relationship. But there is one thing I do worry about, which is appearing a lot older than him. I know it's stupid to worry about, especially since my mum is nine years older than my dad so it's something that's been normal for me growing up, but it seems like society in general is much happier with the older guy/younger woman situation. I think this coupled with turning 30 has made me think a lot more about my face ageing and worrying about appearing more mature than my years! This summer when the sun came out it seemed to bring out some wrinkles on my forehead too and I am somewhat panicking. I was gonna get wrinkles eventually, even if people still think I look younger than I am! A wrinkly subject! Staring at these new lines in the mirror I tried to smooth th...

At the start of each new year I write a list of 30 things I’d like to do that year. They are a mixture of big, medium, small and sometimes absolutely miniscule things that I’d like to achieve, and to be honest this is my third year and I’ve yet to achieve all 30! I write these lists to basically make sure I don’t just spend the whole year on Facebook/Netflix/Instagram and actually do some stuff! But half the time I end up being a bit too scared to set out to do what I hoped I would. I was probably a bit optimistic with my 'green wave' expected time...    This year I’m trying hard to battle the urge to just do nothing with my time. I think the biggest challenge I have set myself is to run the Great North Run. It’s really not gone smoothly so far though! It’s been one set back after another. I’ve been injured since four weeks into training in May time. Now add a knee injury to the long list!  Before I set out training I had such grand plan...