Have you made a plan for the year ahead? Decide that this is your year, your year to get out there! Do something you've never done before, have a look online, see what all us mad mummies are getting up to in the field of fitness.

I write this as a mother of a toddler, with sleep deprivation..... yet still having to continue on and do what needs to be done in the day regarding motherhood, work, and chores......

Last weekend I took part in my first Adventure Race since I had my baby, so needless to say the nerves were there. It was in Wicklow - a beautiful, sunny, scenic hilly part of our country and yet a stones throw away from Dublin city. It is breathtakingly remote and incredibly beautiful. The race is affectionately known as WAR... Wicklow Adventure Race, and it took me 3 hours and 25 minutes to complete. It involved cycling, mountain running and kayaking. 

As I say so often, exercising is free! All you need is the motivation to get going! Unfortunately this is something we all, at one time or another suffer from - lack of motivation. So how do you stay focussed, how do you overcome that voice in your head that says, "ah I donʼt feel like it", "ah Iʼll do it tomorrow", or later in the day (which as you and I both know... it never happens!) 

Now that you’re a mummy, donʼt think for a second you canʼt still be that gorgeous person you once were pre-babies, thats rubbish! You’re even more gorgeous than you ever were!The only thing you need to do, is believe it is so!

OK, so you may be a single mummy. You may feel let down, abandoned and alone.Your partner for whatever reason (and there are many, many reasons out there why single mums are single mums!) left you and you’re doing this by yourself. Turn those emotions around and start to  look at your life through a different lense. See yourself as an empowered, blessed, happy,confident, able and happy single yummy mummy!

Yes, you now have two mouths to feed, sleepless nights, and at times lonely days, but life is wonderful. Embrace this time in your life! Look at it as a positive, instead of a struggle.Those lonely moments are fleeting when that little person looks up at you - you are all they need right now, they love you unconditionally.

By turning your emotions around, you will feel empowered. My sister from imagineican.co.uk is an amazing inspiration to me - always says the word “Gratitude”. Be grateful for what you have in your life, not for what you donʼt have. Try not to compare yourself to your neighbour as we all live different lives. We are all given a purpose or challenge in life, and it is up to you how you deal with those challenges. You can stick your head in the sand, hide away, look at all the negative things you have, OR you can give thanks, stand tall, take a breath and look at all the positive things you have... like a healthy, happy baby in your arms! ʻAttitude to Gratitudeʼ!

Be the person you want to be! Surround yourself with positive people, who encourage and support  you - look at what you can do, not what you canʼt.

You’re a single mum, thats ok! You are doing a great job. Yes it’s tough, nobody said it would be easy so try not to put too much pressure upon yourself. If you get one project done a day that’s brilliant. If you’re a single and working mum like me, then just do what you can asthe most important thing is that you are in good health. You must schedule a time in theday for “YOU” if that means when the baby sleeps, great! Get outside, put baby in the Mountain Buggy and go walking - meet your friends for coffee, or let baby sleep in the buggyand do some yoga, whatever it is... start doing it, the benefits are endless.

Play with your little one, laugh with your little one, get outdoors! Life has no limits...

Do you feel inspired and excited by the Olympics? Wow, I am! I’ve been glued to events I never even thought about before, like diving! Who’d have thought it's was such an incredible event?! I was blown away by the opening ceremony - it brought a positivity to people that was long overdue.

Sounds corny, but the only way to start is, as Nike says, Just do it! Get up, get out, get energised! I guarantee you, by just moving your body, getting the blood flowing, filling the lungs with fresh air and oxygen, and moving your joints... you're halfway there!

Outdoor fitness has sky rocketed in the last few years in Ireland, races popping up all over the place and rightly so, I can’t see a more perfect country to get out and about in. I have lived in Australia for ten years, and done Adventure racing over there - a perfect place for such events! Those of you unaware of Adventure racing, its off road running, cycling and kayaking. 

‘Whether you think you can, or you can’t, you are right’ Henry Ford
Hi, and welcome to the beginning of our blogging relationship! :-)
I’d like to motivate you and encourage you to become active with your Mountain Buggy now that your little one is out in the world!