Today begins the first installment of my Bloggers on the Run – blogger feature! I am really excited to not only meet some of these great bloggers myself, but to introduce them to you!

Just a reminder, if you would like to be featured blogger please submit your information here.

Today I want to you all to meet Laura!

 

Name: Laura

Blog: http://laurafat2fit.blogspot.co.uk

 

When did you first start blogging and why?

I started my blog around two years ago, I was already in the middle of my weight loss journey but wanted a place where I could document my journey and also help to keep me accountable for what I was doing, my food and my exercise.

 

What is your most helpful blogging tip?

Be Consistent – This is so your readers can expect when to see a post from you. I personally have fixed ‘topic’ blog posts that go up on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

And blogging should never feel forced, blogging should be something that you enjoy doing and have fun with it. Tailor your blog posts to your personality, don’t try to post like other people, be unique in your writing style.

 

What is your favorite fitness activity?

I almost said running, but I have a love/hate relationship with running.

I’d have to say Yoga. It’s a time for me to have to myself. To focus on myself and a time to relax. It’s great for stretching out after workouts or a run and it’s also fun to be bendy and get into all sorts of poses!

 

What motivates you?

My main motivator is to be happy and healthy and be the best version of myself that I can be but I’m also motivated on a daily basis by other people, their journeys and lifestyles.

 

What has fitness changed about your life?

Everything has change. I used to be morbidly-obese, have trouble with walking up a flight of stairs without being totally winded. I was at risk of many illnesses and health problems. I had no self confidence and thought bad of myself.

Now, I’m at a healthy weight, my confidence has sky-rocketed, I’m able to run up a flight of stairs without being winded, in fact, I’ve been able to run a half-marathon and come out relatively unscathed.

I have a healthy body and a now also a healthy mind, I feel good about myself and proud of what I’ve accomplished.

 

What is your favorite pump up song?

I think currently, it has to be Happy by Pharrell Williams

That song never fails to actually make me feel happy, sing along and most of the time, also have a little boogie.

 

What is your favorite running distance?

Probably a 5k (3.1 miles) – As I’ve already mentioned, I have a love/hate relationship with running, I love how I feel after a run, energized, accomplished and ready to start my day.

Leaving my warm bed in the morning to go for said run? Not the same feelings and runs can be tough, especially when you’re trying to increase your speed.

So, yes, definitely a 5k. Doesn’t take too long to do and I still have great benefits from it.

 

What is your favorite motivational quote/mantra?

“The voice inside your head that says that you can’t do this IS A LIAR!”

It’s a quote I’ve stood by throughout my whole weight loss journey, through tough times, when my mind tells me enough is enough and that I’ve done everything I can.. I just learnt to ignore the bad thoughts and tried to think of more positive aspects of my journey.

You can do anything you want if you set your mind to it and I’ve proved that to myself by losing 123 lbs. when my mind told me I couldn’t.

 

What is your favorite piece of running/fitness gear?

It’s a tie between my Asics Cummulus-15 running shoes OR my Brooks Nightlife running jacket.

Both because I like the color pink and both of them are RIGHT out there 🙂

 

What is your favorite “treat”?

Cheesecake. So unhealthy but so tasty. Though, you can make ‘healthier’ cheesecakes, but a treat is a treat and I have a slice if I want one.

I don’t believe in cutting certain foods out of my diet and allow myself to have treats in moderation. That’s key. Smaller portions.

 

What is a long term running or fitness goal you have for yourself?

Running wise – I’d eventually like to run a marathon. The thought of it at the moment is completely overwhelming, but eventually I’ll do it.

Fitness Wise – I just want to be in the best shape possible and be at a point where I’m happy with my body, after losing weight, I was left with loose skin which has knocked my body confidence and self-esteem. I’m due in surgery to remove the skin.

After that, I will be working on building up and improving on my fitness after my recover and work on achieving my fitness goal.

 

Tell us something unique about yourself.

It’s probably not unique, but I’m quite OCD about the way that I eat my food. I always eat my meal in sections and seem to leave the best thing till last.

For e.g. A meal of diced chicken,a sauce for the chicken, wholemeal rice and a bunch of veggies.

I will always have my veggies first, then the rice and then the chicken pieces. I’ve been told that I usually move most of the rice off my chicken, push all the chicken to the side, have my rice and then eat the chicken separately. Weird.. I don’t consciously know that I’m doing it and can’t help it.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is starting out running, what would it be?

Go for a Gait Analysis and get fitted for proper running shoes.

It’s so important and sets you up for good runs. When I first started running, I didn’t get fitted and ended up with blisters, I was aching and just didn’t feel good at all.

You can almost certainly avoid injuries in running by having good fitted running shoes.

 

How do you find/make time to train?

I get up early in the morning to fit in a workout or a run, shower and eat before going to work.

If I leave a workout until later in the afternoon, I’m more likely to want to skip that workout or be busy.

and working out in the morning helps you to feel more energized and sets you up for a good day.

 

What is an accomplishment you are most proud of?

Losing 123 lbs – Has to be by far the thing I’m most proud of. I didn’t think I would be able to do it but proved myself wrong.

Secondly would probably be running a half-marathon after only 3 months of running – I didn’t really train properly for this and was under prepared. I could have just decided not to run but I gave it my all and managed to complete it in 2 hr 18 mins.

 

Don’t forget to head over to Laura’s blog! You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.