I hardly ever do a blog post on a weekend, I spend all day in front of the computer at work so the last thing I want to do is spend my free time on it too. Sometime though, you just have a need to blog and put it all out there.

My bus home from work yesterday was early and I ended up having run up the road to catch it at the next stop. I hardly ran any distance, maybe a few hundred metres at most but by the time I caught up with the bus I felt like I was going to pass out. I was really breathless and when I breathed in it felt like I was breathing through a straw. Honestly it took the whole of the bus journey (40mins) for my breathing to go back to normal.

I really wasn't happy and knew I needed to do something about it. I'm not exactly massively overweight, I'm a 10/12 on top and a 14 on bottom but I feel big for my 5' 4" height. I have been saying for long enough that I need to get back into running and yesterday spurred me on to do something about it.

Yes, this blog is all about my love of cake and yummy foods but the only way I can enjoy these treats is if I exercise too. It's not fair on my body to consume lots of fat and sugar but never burn it off. I can't and don't want to give up the foods I love but at the same time I need to be healthy too so I have decided to use this blog to chart some of my progress. My aim is to run once or twice on a weekend and once midweek after work. If possible I will increase this but there is no point setting unacheivable goals cos I just won't do them.

I went into town today and picked up a new sports bra, running socks and a jacket. I will need to invest in some new trainers too but that might have to wait until next month as at the moment driving lessons are draining all of my spare cash. When I got home I decided I needed to go for a quick run just to ease myself back into exercising. I downloaded the Nike running app, plugged myself into some music and went for a run around Otley. I managed 3K (although I did walk half of it) before I couldn't do any more so my next aim is to do 3K without stopping. I may not achieve it in my next run but it is my goal that I am determined to reach. From there I hope to build myself up to 5K or more and who knows where it may lead.

I also took some measurements which I've decided to publish on here. I'm not usually so open about this sort of stuff but I find it helps me to see other people being open about their fitness and weight loss so hopefully it will help you. I've decided against aiming for a target weight, I just want to build up my fitness and feel happier within myself.

Weight: 11stone 2lb
Height: 5' 4"
Waist: 28"
Chest: 36"
Hips: 42"
Upper arm: 11"
Thighs: 25"
BMI: 26.7 (Overweight)

I'll do a check-in on here once a fortnight and update my stats. Fingers crossed I'll see an improvement! If anyone has any running tips please let me know, all advice is welcome :)

Wish me luck!



(ps. don't worry I'll still be posting cake recipes!)

• Preheat the oven to 160C (fan)

• Grease and line two 20cm cake tins

• Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy

• Mix the flour and baking powder together

• Add a tablespoon of flour to the mixture to stop it curdling

• Alternate between adding an egg and some flour, whisking well the whole time.

• Once all the mixture is well combined divide between the two tins and bake in the oven for 25mins or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

• Place on a wire rack to cool.

• Put all the ingredients in a bowl. Cover with a tea towel and whisk on a high speed for around 5 mins or until it is pale and fluffy.

• Spread all of the buttercream on top of one of the sponge layers, add a generous serving of raspberry jam and sprinkle with the desiccated coconut.

• Place the second sponge on top, add more raspberry jam to it and sprinkle with more desiccated coconut.

• Add a final sprinkle of some freeze dried raspberries and enjoy!

• Preheat the oven to 160c (fan)

• Line a muffin pan with cases (I love these ones from Lakeland)

• Whisk the flour, sugar and stork together until it resembles breadcrumbs

• In a jug beat the milk, vanilla extract and eggs

• Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry and whisk until it is well combined

• Using a ice-cream scoop divided the mixture into the cases and bake for 22-25 mins until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

• Leave to cool on a wire rack

• Add the butter, icing sugar and milk to a bowl and using an electric whisk or mixer beat for about 5 mins until it is pale and fluffy.

• Add more milk if the buttercream is too stiff; you want it soft enough to pipe but still hold its shape.

• Once the cupcakes are cool use a sharp knife to cut out a bit of the centre, pour in a tsp of jam (or enough to fill the hole) and place the cut out bit of sponge back on top.

• Fill a piping bag with the buttercream and pipe a generous swirl of icing on top of each cupcake. I like to use the Wilton 1M nozzle.

• Sprinkle with the freeze dried raspberries and enjoy!

My plum sponge got a little battered on the bus :(

Cake!

Yes, this much tea was drunk!