Fitness For Less

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting lighter and summer is getting closer. And that can only mean one thing…early morning boot camps, of course!

Don’t worry, I haven’t decided to join the fitness blogging band wagon (I would be terrible at it!), I actually wanted to share with you a few items I have picked up over the years that have become staples in my fitness wardrobe. Exercise gear can often be expensive, and with the cost of gym membership added on top, getting in shape or keeping fit can become a bit of a wallet buster!

Well, firstly I don’t go the the gym, so that’s one cost I don’t need to worry about! Tom and I are lucky enough to live on Millfields Park and the River Lee, so I have miles of gorgeous running routes and trim trails to keep my wobbly legs happy. This morning we decided to reinstate our morning bootcamps, where we jog around the park and do circuits for about 30mins before work. Tom is a tough trainer, and I might grimace, snot and sweat my way through it but it’s a great way to start the day and best of all it’s totally free!

And now here comes the important bit, my kit. I bought these trainers from the Trinity Hospice charity shop on Queensway, London about 4 years ago. They are Asics, fit perfectly, and were £5! Asics retail at £50+ so this was an absolute bargain, and they have been with me through thick and thin the last few years. These guys helped me finish my first ever 5K Race for Life, they’ve crossed the finish line in the Olympic Stadium, plodded their way through 2.5 hours of running my first half marathon last year, got me through numerous spin classes, and here they are on my first 6.30am bootcamp of the year! They are a little worn, but they’ll be falling apart before I can be persuaded to buy a new pair!

For years I have been running in old cotton t-shirts that make you sweat buckets. But a few months ago I came across a pair of almost new Karrimor running tops in an Oxfam in Cambridge for £2 each! Here I am wearing the blue one (the other is black). They are really comfortable and perfect for the summer season!

And here is the full outfit, plus a picture of me doing the monkey bars, simply because I’m usually rubbish at them but this morning I got across the whole way:)

Pretty in Pink

Dalston Oxfam is fast becoming one of my favourite charity spots. I usually leave with something, and my most recent visit didn’t disappoint.

My first find is this simple but cute pink and white polka dot cami, bought for £3. A perfect top to brighten up a pair of jeans in the spring, or with a grey tube skirt like I have here.

 

The next little purchase is this pale pink blouse with scallop collar, from New Look. Such a cute top that can work dressed down or up, perfect for work! Also bought for a mere £3.

I Heart You

January. The worst of all months. Like most people, I got a little giddy over Christmas – presents, nights out, food, train journeys, musicals, more food.  At the time this is great, you’re loving life. But in reality it leaves you a cereal for dinner eating, antisocial, ‘I’ll walk’ rather than get the tube mess 6 weeks later in January.

And so it was, last week I was faced with a challenge. My housemate and girlfriend were ‘just popping into Dalston’ on a Saturday afternoon, and ‘would I like to join them?’. Now, I know what popping into Dalston means. It means charity shops, which would be filled with unwanted  Christmas presents and treats, and usually this would be music to my ears. But pay day was two weeks away, and I was barely able to afford my food shopping, let alone a charity shop binge. But I went, with a promise to myself that I wouldn’t spend anything. Not a penny….. unless it was AMAZING and under £10.

You all know where this is heading readers. I went into Oxfam in Dalston, and low and behold I did find something AMAZING, and it was well under my £10 limit at a mere £3.50. I didn’t even feel guilty.

I’m a sucker for a cute dress, and cute this one was. A very simple, but wonderfully fitted tulip dress in a navy blue colour with a white hearts pattern. It’ll be fabulous for nights out, but also for important worky stuff too. Teamed with some tights, little black boots and bit of pink lippy, I have a feeling this will become one of my firm favourites amongst my collection.

Lady in Red

Mostly, when rifling through the rails in charity shops you find primark rejects and once loved topshop delights.  Every now and then though, you stumble across a designer gem. This is one of those occasions. I found this stunning Camilla and Marc dress for £15 in Oxfam, Dalston. A little more expensive than your average charity shop purchase, but considering it’s retail price is about £150, you can’t complain! The dress is made of the most sumptuous wool and it feels amazing on. A wonderful winter dress.

Glittering in Gold

A gorgeous gold shift dress, with a very 60’s feel. Bought from an Oxfam branch next to my University campus in Manchester for £9. It was a lot longer in length when I bought it, as you can probably tell I cut it a bit shorter and with some black tights and trashy heels it’s great for nights out!