Five top tips to feel refreshed

• Play music – Plugging your headphones in and playing a track which reminds you of summer is a great way to evoke positive feelings. Switching off and listening to the beats will alter your emotional state for the better.

• Make plans – It’s tempting to curl up on the sofa every night, but making plans gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day, which will alter your state of mind in the hours before.Why not plan a walk along the coast or in the country this weekend?

• Light it up – With dull days and longer nights, we’re prone to feeling blue. Buy a light box to trick your brain into releasing a natural cocktail of hormones and endorphins which will make you want to smile throughout the day.

• Balance your body – What you put into your body will affect the feelings that come out. Don’t neglect your health and steer clear of calorie-laden hot options, instead reach for a refreshing and hydrating drink.

• Think positively – If your first thought in the morning is ‘grey’, the rest of the day will follow much the same. Steer your mind to focus on the things that are good in your life. A little positivity can be infectious!

Psychologist and life coach Becki Houlston shared these top tips.

An exercise routine while the kettle boils?‏

Decathlon UK recently enlisted the help of fitness guru and qualified personal trainer Julia Buckley to create exercises that can be done at home, without using specialist equipment. The idea behind this was the fact that many people struggle to get to the gym as often as they’d like for a whole range of reasons from not having enough to time to being slightly intimidated by other gym users.

The workout consists of the following exercises, which should each be done for 40 seconds with a 20 second break before moving on to the next one:

• Standing Mountain Climber
• Hindu Push Ups
• Ski Abs
• Thai Plank
• Russian Twist
• Lunge Kicks
• Back Raises
• Burpees
• Ab Tucks

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I've been enjoying doing some of these at home. If you give this workout a try let me know how you get on.

Race for Life 2015

If you're a regular reader you will know that I hate exercise and I've only ever found a few things that I enjoy like yoga and lifting weights. I'm just a lazy so and so who would rather be sat down listing to music than pounding the streets. I can follow a eating plan but can't always motivate myself to move more.

Cancer Research UK got in touch and asked me to be part of their Race for Life blogger team which means I have to give running a good go. Who can say no to a charity? Especially one who does such pioneering work. I work for Cardiff university and CRUK work in partnership with us and spent nearly £4 million in Wales on clinical research focusing on bowel, breast and prostate cancers last year.

I took part in Race for Life last year and despite jogging a very slow 5k me and my friends still managed to raise £300 for CRUK. I was very unprepared for last years race, never running before attempting it (bit silly of me) and both me and my friend took a tumble into a ditch (only we could have been so silly and clumsy) and it took me nearly 40 minutes to jog the course.

Last years race was jolly good fun and meant that I had a nice day out and raised some money in the process but I would like to push myself more this year. It would be a tough task to raise the same amount of money again so I'm setting myself a target of jogging the course in under 30 minutes this time. Hopefully a target will make sure I practice and give people a reason to donate again.

I'm very lucky because I've been given everything I need for my training including a clean eating cookbook which I've been dipping into and some very bright pink training kit to get me into the Race for Life spirit. I'll be keeping you updated on my training progress so check back in about a month to see how I'm getting on.

If you want to sign up for Race for Life too (you can choose 5k runs, 10k and muddy runs), you can use the code RFLKnees to get discounted entry. You can also donate to my fundraising page over on Just Giving if you can't take part yourself but want to contribute. 

Women of all shapes, sizes and ages, children, babies, your granny are all welcome and can take part in the fight against cancer so what are you waiting for?! Let's take the fight to cancer. Lace up your trainers and come and show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink. (Or black which is what I'll be wearing)

I'm completely new to running so if you have any tips, links to resources or words of encouragement they will be greatly appreciated. 

Wish me luck.

Active88 - Fat Face fitness wear

The brand Fat Face launched a new active wear range last year, Activ88. Activ88 performance products have been designed for running, jogging, walking, cycling and yoga. This new Summer collection features lots of blues, patterns as well as plains just like their regular range, some contrast neon stitching and is perfect to mix and match.

I've tested my Activ88 items out around the house, at yoga and on the bike and I have to say I love them The Activ88 collection features flat-lock stitching, a soft-touch finish that’s comfortable during exercise, and is made from polyamide which takes sweat away from the body. The range comes in sizes 8-18 (big bonus for me because some fitness ranges stop at a 14) and there's a selection of styles ranging from vest tops, capri pants and zip up hooded jackets.

I love my Activ88 Moonlight Garden Vest. It comes in at £25.00 and is a loose fitting longline vest top. It has a cute all over floral print with a mesh racer back to help my stay cool whilst working out.The pattern is very subtle but makes it stand out from the rest of my plain black work out clothing and it's super light and comfortable.

I also love my high waisted capri style work out leggings. They have a thick comfortable waistband and pretty printed panel detailing which matches my vest top. They have a internal pocket that's perfect for a gym card or locker key.I much prefer wearing these to yoga instead of my long trousers that are flared at the bottom. The extra fabric can get in the way but these are perfect. They come in at £38 a pair which I think is good value for money for an attractive and comfortable item.

These are excellent quality items.They make me feel confident and comfortable when working out.

Have you tried Actviv88 yet?