Category: Fitness

Animal Kingdom, Fitness, Lifestyle, Nature, Photography, Weekend Friday Favourites

Weekend Friday Favourites

by natjtan5 Comments on Weekend Friday Favourites

I hope you’re having a great weekend! I won’t lie, being on lockdown cooped coming up for the 6th week I’m having my loopy moments, my motivated moments and perhaps more demotivated moments.

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I think the Spanish government will call the State of Alarm next week for another two weeks. The government can only call it every two weeks. I’m just hoping they relax some restrictions and we’re allowed outside even if it’s for exercise. This however might be different for each region based on regional covid-19 infection levels or health care facilities. If another 2 weeks is added, that’s 2 months under near total lockdown. I understand the whys, so don’t come for me! As Catalunya is one of the worst hit regions after Madrid, it might be one of the last regions to have restrictions lifted. One thing all regions can agree on is kids that have been cooped up for nearly 6 weeks need to get outdoors to play. The next State of Alarm may allow for this. Big kids allowed out too would be amazing too.

As for Weekend Friday Favourites, it’s short one. This week’s been a struggle motivationally and mentally. My birthday’s next month, a big one and with that comes lots of whys, what ifs, what no’s, what I’ve done etc. I lost a few days in a little head spin. But hey, everybody gets old! Youth’s appreciated as it’s got fat cheeks, no wrinkles, elastic skin! Nature really likes to hit you hard with age. Just when you’ve getting used to things she takes them away! Okay enough reflection. If you’re still here, Weekend Friday Favouites, things that have made me smile this week or caught my eye. 

Birds

Ducks, kestrels, wagtails, seagulls, swifts, parakeets, magpies and pigeon seen flying. All flying higher or lower than usual. 

Dried Mango

I did a little mental happy dance finding sulphate free dried mango slices in Continue reading “Weekend Friday Favourites” →

Beauty and Skin Care, Fitness, Food, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Weekend Friday Favourites

Weekend Friday Favourites

by natjtan2 Comments on Weekend Friday Favourites

I hope you’re having a great weekend! If you’re like me, counting down the days until covid-19 lockdown restrictions end or more than anything ease up, so we can be released from our homes even if it’s to exercise only.

DSCF4258Sea sunrise colours this week

I thought again this week’s Weekend Friday Favourites, things that have caught my eye or made me smile this week would be short and sweet. However once I start, it’s like thinking what you’re grateful for or counting blessings. The list’s always larger than you think.

Less Traffic Noise

Mountain mist one morning this week

Two weeks ago Spain imposed further lockdown rules of only essential workers allowed to work helping kick start flattening the curve. I’m sure many of you know in Europe after Italy, Spain is the worst hit for covid-19 virus. Traffic in the 2 weeks leading up, was reduced as those who could work from basically had to work from home, or if in retail, hospitality etc stay at home as gyms, clothes shops, restaurants closed, has been like Christmas day. Weekend traffic’s quieter than Christmas day. From Monday the non essential workers such as construction, factory workers return to work. Everybody else stays at home as Spain starts to get back to a new normal. We’re still under lockdown! The two constructions sites nearby will be back to work and they’re noisy. I’m going to miss the less traffic, zero construction noise and better air from these past 2 weeks.

Sunrise this week

If I can I’ve been getting up early having breakfast on the balcony before my neighbours get up to soak up the quiet. Try, sometimes I’m still zzz.

Hearing Birds

DSCF0303Photos taken before lockdown

I’ve always been able to hear some birds above the traffic dim like magpies and parakeets but only if they flew at a certain heigh or a lull in the traffic. I’ve been hearing birds in the mornings during Christmas morning rush hour traffic and at the weekends song birds. It makes me so happy to hear them!

I’ve noticed too, seagulls are flying lower and a few song birds flying higher. Most seen birds are seagulls, magpies, pigeons, parakeets with the occasion wagtail, swifts or swallows and kestrel.

Toucan Plant Plant Decoration

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You never know what you’re going to find in Alcampo (Auchan in France) supermarket. While most departments are blocked off, some outdoor lights, bbq Continue reading “Weekend Friday Favourites” →

Animal Kingdom, Fitness, Lifestyle, Nature, Photography, Thought

March 2020 Catch Up

by natjtan1 Comment on March 2020 Catch Up

I wasn’t sure if to do March Catch Up this year. Half of it has been spent in Covid-19 lockdown. Spain called the State of Alarm on the 14th March. Unless an essential worker, everybody’s only allowed out for food, pharmacies, doctors or work. We’re now in our 4th week of lockdown with another 2 more weeks to go. Possibly another extension until the 10th May and beyond! Who knows! I’m hoping come the end of April the Spanish government eases the lockdown confinements. Even if it’s just we’re allowed out to exercise! Greenery and seeing the sea close up is what I miss. I will miss the quiet outside and cleaner air.

I’m sure many of you are tired reading and hearing covid-19 news, so I’ll try to keep the 2nd half of March to a minimum focusing on the freer first half. Back when I could cycle, run, climb, pop to the shops with no worry of will the police believe me I’m only getting bread or a weekly shop! I never knew how much I travelled in the city looking back at photos. My world was small then, now it’s even smaller. Do I have more time to do stuff I didn’t back then?

Not even a day or 2 old already running, jumping, exploring!One patient Mangabey monkey mum. She’s a good mum. I think as monkey hierarchy goes, one of the higher ranking mums. Late winter early spring life

Erm, I got a wheel blocker for my bike so I’m trying to do as much cycling. Gym workouts are now at home, run days are Popsugar Fitness dance classes. Climbing hours I don’t know where they went. Maybe more phone. One thing I have noticed is my skin tone has improved as I’m not wearing make up. There’s no point if I’m not going out. I’m still washing my hair every day as it’s still getting as greasy. And for sanity. My hair’s so fine grease shows in an instant. If clean hair gives me a sense of normality in a crazy time, Continue reading “March 2020 Catch Up” →

Animal Kingdom, Fitness, Lifestyle

Weekend Friday Favourites

by natjtanLeave a Comment on Weekend Friday Favourites

I hope your weekend’s going okay! I’m patiently counting down the days until life returns to a new normal of being allowed outside. Spain’s extended the current lockdown until 26th April. I’m hoping the weather’s not sunny skies everyday. I understand the lockdown whys but lots of sad puppy dog faces looking out the window on sunny days. Okay, rainy, cold, windy days too.

Anyway, this weeks Weekend Friday Favourites, things that have made me smile or caught my eye this week after a little break.

PopSugar Fitness

As much as I love Tone It Up, Studio Tone Up App, when it comes to cardio, I need more for my substitute run days. YouTube read my mind suggesting PopSugar Fitness! I’ve been having so much fun doing their free kickboxing and dance classes. I’m like a stick insect body rolling, I’m picking up the steps and I genuinely look forward to my classes. Classes are anything from 10-50 minutes. They also have a wide selection of HIIT, Zumba, toning and strengthening. One of my favourites, 30-Minute Latin Dance Workout with Nicole Steen when I discovered it 2 weeks about had about 5.2 million views. It’s currently at 8.1 million views! So much energy and positivity! The kickboxing class, 40-Minute Boxing and Kickboxing Workout with Christa DiPaolo fly by. I’m enjoying Deja Riley’s classes as well as others by Nicole Steen’s and Christa DiPaolo. The cherry on the top, they’re all free!!! To save my neighbours ears I put 2 yoga mats down which also help me get a better rhythm. My trainers squeak and catch on the floor tripping me up and putting me off count. Blame the tools! My ‘stomping’ puts me off and I think the neighbours will ring the doorbell asking me to stop.

Moisturising Cotton Gloves

If you have small hands, these are fine. Larger hands or longer fingers they might not fit

Leave it to my washing machine to have a breakdown in a lockdown. I’m waiting for the landlord to replace it. He’s been ill, so I understand the wait. The weather’s been windy, cold and rainy and I’m hand washing practically everything. I get bad hands in the winter anyway. Throw in hand washing they’re chapped and cut to F. I’ll put my hands up and say I forget most nights to do this. Continue reading “Weekend Friday Favourites” →

Animal Kingdom, Fitness, Lifestyle, Thought, Weekend Friday Favourites

Weekend Friday Favourites

by natjtanLeave a Comment on Weekend Friday Favourites

Happy Spring!

 Here comes the warm! 

How are you?! I hope you’re okay!

If you’re isolating, under lockdown yet are allowed to run or cycle outside for exercise and aren’t afraid, please run and cycle outside! Here in Spain we’re under Covid-19 lockdown. We’re allowed out for food, medicine, the bank, doctors, work or to walk the dog. From Monday, Catalunya region needs a form saying where you’re going to and from. Any other reason is out. Fines are in place. So soak up the sunshine out, soak up the greenery, soak up the spring flowers I can only see from my balcony!

 

Cherry blossom last week. I can only imagine how much more in bloom it is

This Weekend Friday Favourites, things that have made me smile recently or caught might be a little all over the place. Some might be about what I’m grateful for now my world is vastly smaller. 

Sea View

I’m thankful I have a sea view from all the windows and balconies. There’s some grey concrete jungle inbetween, but I can see nature, some greenery and trees. The weather gets rainy next week, which helps me deal with the days better. I have morning sun Continue reading “Weekend Friday Favourites” →