Thursday 29th December 2016 - lovely break but back to business

Posted 12:30pm

Just waiting to meet up with Adam, and a good natter about fitness and next year.

It has been great to take a break from everything over Christmas.  All work and no play makes for a dull life, and whatever targets and achievements we all want to have, we all need to take time away from it sometimes.

But now Christmas is over, it is time to get on with the project and the necessary work that needs to be done before we can start our first programs.  So today, I am meeting with Adam.  I will also be doing a flood of follow up emails after the presentation.  I have been doing various research, but it is important to get the content of the program sorted as quickly as possible.  We are also arranging the thirteen week program into an eight week program for people who want it to be two months not three. 

The Social Media side needs to be arranged.  From January 2017 - so technically from next Monday - I want the website tweaks finished, and also want to be posting a minimum of two videos per week onto Youtube.  Facebook and Blog will get daily entries, and we want to start putting things on Instagram, and pursing Twitter opportunities.  So fun times ahead.

Wednesday 21st December 2016 - Public Health, walks

Posted 10:25pm

For such a long time, I feel that I have been just talking and talking, arranging meeting after meeting, and getting nowhere.  But I persevered, and gradually met more and more prominent people who could actually see the outcomes I was going on about.

This year has been fantastic.  People all over are listening. 2017 will be exciting.  And I have even more confidence after meeting with Public Health today, who totally get the concept, can see the obvious outcomes, and think that we have hit the nail on the head.

Now, I am not going to just expect everything to be great.  But the feedback today, plus the advice, and other parts of the meeting, was all good.  There are several things I need to do to follow up on it all, but they are behind us all the way.  Terrific stuff.

I also went back to Islington Central Medical Centre, and it appears the Highbury Fields walk can start at the end of January.  Again, there is work to do, but I am feeling very positive about life.

Wednesday 21st December 2016 - videos, walks

Posted 1:00am

Yes, it is one in the morning of Wednesday - so technically I guess it is Tuesday night.  I've been doing what I see as my regular volunteering opportunity, where I sit with my elderly friend.  I get expenses, but I do find it rewarding, and does encourage me out of the house.

Was chatting with Kacper, my website guy.  We will be meeting up next week to finish off what we can on the website, although it is currently live and accessible - some tweaks needed but do check it out at www.hmhb2016.org.uk - any feedback is great.  We are also, excitingly, going to be starting a series of videos about HMHB, Izzwalkz, and various subjects.  As the programs start and grow, we aim to get Subscribers to our YouTube channel, and will be posting regular videos to it - fitness ones with Adam, and news ones too re health and nutrition etc.

I will be researching all the walks over the next two weeks.  I really want to start the Highbury Fields one before the start of February and, if possible, the same goes for the Kings Cross one.,  The more we can be seen doing, the better it is for us.

Sunday 18th December 2016 - diaries are going to be a hit

Posted 11:15pm

Quite satisfied with how things are going.  The diaries are definitely a hit.  And I can say that as I am using them, and found them to be useful.

It was an idea I had for a while, but admittedly had not tried.  So the four I have been running all week, and I have made sure I have been honest on all, were the food, budget, exercise and sleep.

The food one has been great.  I just put a video on You-tube ( @hmhb2016 ) where I said I realised that writing things down put things into perspective - the amount I nibble is horrendous.  A reality check. This week coming has Christmas day at the end, but I am going to be extra vigilant.

The exercise one too has been useful, as if I don't do anything, or do little, everyone would see.  The app on my phone is great for outdoor walking too.

The budget one has made me stop and think about spending - even the fact of getting lunch or a coffee when I am out.  Is this necessary? Especially at a time when money is horrendously tight?

The sleep one is making me realise that I must try and get that under control.  I have downloaded the Headspace app and am going to try a bit of that this week.

Have a meeting with Public Health this Wednesday, but that the only work related meeting this week. I am sitting three times for my elderly friend, which is useful for pocket money, but can use a lot of time split between improving my health/fitness/weight and concentrating on the program content, and exploring a different idea I had with Scott this week.

Overall, HMHB is coming along well - as are Izzwalkz (I am going to push to start the Highbury Fields one by the third week in January).

Friday 16th December 2016 - lots going on

Posted 2:10pm

My God - is it really five days since my last posting.  The days are flying by.  So close to xmas, but we have not been sitting back relaxing.

One of the biggest jobs at the moment is the content of the program - this is coming along nicely, and I have to say it is exciting seeing it come together.  Even now, fresh ideas pop into my thoughts, and one of the fantastic USPs of the program is its flexibility and fluidity.

Over lunch with Scott we talked about how we can adapt the program for different companies and different outcomes. We also discussed one new idea - which I will keep back at this time - which I have also run past Adam, and this could be big if we can get it off the ground in a good way.

We had out fourth Izzwalkz Clissold Park yesterday and, using an app on my phone, I calculated we did 4.1km.  This is around one and a half  more than I thought.  I think this is a terrific distance for our hour's jaunt around the park.  The people who came on it seemed to enjoy it again.

We have a meeting organised with Public Health for next week.  But in the run up to Xmas it is mostly about sorting paperwork and program.

Good times ahead for 2017.

Personal front? I am maintaining my four diaries, and it does make a difference in outlook.  Being honest about spending and food, and must do exercise or it looks like I have slacked off for a day.

Monday 12th December 2016 - upbeat on all levels

Posted 9:45pm

Had a weekend of composure and domestics.  The program is gradually coming along.  I don't think people realise just how much work goes into all this sometimes.  I am preparing the best interactive, fun and proactive course I can.  This means a lot of research.  I can be searching for the right quiz, questions, games for two or three hours and come up with nothing that I think would fit.

I have however started to do the four diaries myself - as pictured above.  The Food, Budget, Exercise and Sleep diaries I will not do weekly until the first course starts, and then I will continue them during the course too.  This gives a good example to the participants - as well as helping me. Due to the amount of project work, I had neglected my own fitness targets, and in fact had put weight back on. I wont say what it was Sunday night, but I was shocked.  Today, I have really gone to town and will be pushing hard right up to the first course

The walk is doing well on Twittter.  I will be dropping more flyers around tomorrow and Wednesday.  I also have a meeting tomorrow with a doctor that I messaged with on Twitter - we both have similar outlooks for Islington health.  Could be interesting.

Trying to sort out my bike at the moment.  It needs lights - I have them - but fitting them seems as easy as climbing Mount Everest to me.  I can balance multi-million pound budgets, but anything manual I a,m dumbfounded.!!!  I did have a walk app on my phone that told me I walked outdoors for over 11.5km today.  So that is good..

Friday 9th December 2016 - Youtube, Advertising, Fitness and Mind-set

Posted 9:50pm

So, the end of one of the biggest weeks of my life - certainly in the last decade - and I have a smile on my face, and hope for the future.  Still no guarantees and plenty of work to do, but definitely on the right track.

Posted my first Youtube video for a while - our channel is @hmhb2016 - and this was really just catching up on the week.  A couple of months ago I posted several, and then stopped,  I was on the journey too, but the presentation took over my life for several weeks.  Now, although still a lot of research and paperwork to do in building up fun, interactive, pro-active content for the program (which is going well I may add - in some ways I wish I was attending without seeing what we have planned as it looks a good laugh, but also informative), I can dedicate time back to my own goals - which still includes getting fitter and losing weight - and yes, the people who know me will know that is an ongoing fight!!!

I am not sure if I managed to load the pic at the top correctly so people can enlarge it.  Me and technology don't go together well.  But I can say it is from the latest Islington Gazette, and is a feature on the Clissold Park walk - although they neglected to say it is every Thursday, leaving Highbury Grange Medical Practice at 11am.  I have emailed them thanking them for the feature, but asking if there is any way they can put it somewhere else in the next issue.

We do have Islington Council magazine coming to our next walk, which is fabulous.  Fateha and myself will hopefully meet her beforehand to chat about the initiative, why they are onboard, and the benefits of the walk itself.  Hopefully we can have a few people there.

Adam and I are excited at the fitness side of the program and how we would like to deliver it in a fun, proactive way, that will get the people excited, as well as being more fit and healthy.  We have our ideas on how to base it, and a lot of that is influenced by the bootcamp mentality.

So, all in all, things are going well.  The journey has officially began.

Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Izzwalkz promotion

Posted 10:40pm

After the euphoric feelings from yesterday's Ajani presentation, I really wanted to use today to concentrate on the Izzwalkz initiative.  Tomorrow will be our third Clissold Park walk, and I am looking forward to it very much.

I travelled to see Islington Central Medical Centre to chat about the walk I want to start in January in Highbury Fields, and left my number.  I chatted with them around three weeks ago, and am hopeful they will partner up with me for that one.  I am also actively looking around for partners for the other three I am planning - Finsbury Park, Whittington Park and Kings Cross (probably with SHP) - and I have decided to also look at Dalston Park near to Old Street too.

We had the flyers delivered for the Clissold Park walk. 1000 A5 size.  I left half of them with Highbury Grange Medical Practice, and then I took others round the area with some posters.  Two chemists took flyers, as did Christ Church Highbury, Health Food shop in Highbury Barn, and Clissold Park themselves.  Over the next week I am going to drop some into local community halls, and the Practice is going to take to schools I believe, thinking of mums during the day.

I also blitzed Twitter with the walk, with some terrific retweets and contacts from there.  In fact, I am meeting up with a local lady - doctor - next week who contacted after seeing the Tweet.  Exciting stuff I hope.

Not only that - I contacted GT Magazine which is run by Age UK, askinhg if they could feature us in the quartely magazine.  The next one has gone to printers, but they felt we could be in the one after that.  I am sending them more info.  All in all - a good day forward.

Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Terrific Presentation - plus Izzwalkz news

The SHP and HMHB team

Posted 10:05am

Yesterday was brilliant.  Months and months of preparation, paperwork, meetings and a smidgeon of stress culminated in a solid presentation at the Euston Partnership building near to Warren Street.

Massive thanks to Single Homeless Project for hosting us, and the opportunity of getting people together all in one room.  And I got positive vibes from people there.

We started with a quiz - with a difference. SHP spoke about themselves and why they are looking to use our project with their service users. Scott said some wonderful words about how we had met, and I should add that without his help I would not be anywhere near to where we are now.  The pic about has the two ladies from SHP (Amy and Amanda), me in the middle (I must lose the weight!!) then Luke and Scott.

The Power Point went well.  I enjoyed delivering it - and afterwards realised I had forgotten a couple of quite important parts - but hey ho it did not detract at all.  I was a bit nervous, as it has been my baby for such a time.

Overall, amazing experience - and I am really hopeful that Circle Housing, Change Grow Live, Business In The Community, Disability Action Islington will all give us an opportunity to work with them.  And terrifically I have already set up a meeting with Ian from the DWP in regards to talking about a Job Centre pilot and possible funding.  We also had a terrific chat with Public Health, and that could prove to be a great opportunity.

Izzwalkz is also going well.  I have collected the new flyers - A5 size (will put a pic up on the next entry).  We have had contact from Islington Gazette (I emailed them) and we should be in this week's issue.  Hackney Gazette are also interested.  On Sunday I emailed the Camden and Islington NHS, and they emailed me back to ask for more details so they can feature us.  I am hopeful that over the next few weeks the numbers can increase.  It would be nice to get into double figures before 2017, and hopefully from then on always manage to get that kind of number.

I am going to pop into Islington Central Medical Centre to chase up on the Highbury Fields walk I want to launch in January.

Still on a high from yesterday - caught up on sleep last night.  Lots to do still.  We have to develop the content on the delivery - but that is fun.

Finally - this is a team efffort.  Not just me. Scott, Adam, and Rosemary who have been so supportive over the last few years - and my committee - have all contributed in their way, and I look forward to working alongside Adam on this project, as well as Scott as we move forward.  Kacper, for his social media input, and the incredible amount of time he has given on the website (dealing with my constant nagging!!). Luke for coming on board.  And all the people who have supported along the way - my friends who read this!!!  Thanks

Monday 5th December 2016 - lots of news - plus generous Pret

Posted 11:00pm

A lot to put here - especially as we are preparing for our big presentation tomorrow.  This involved me, this evening, travelling down to Tooley Street and picking up leftover sandwiches and baguettes for tomorrow.  This was arranged between SHP and Pret a Manger, and guess it is part of their community work - certainly saving on food being wasted.

Preparations are just about done - I will be working quite late tonight though.  The Program Power Point is ready - and I am excited to be delivering that.  I have also prepared a quiz, which is not all it seems to be - this will reflect later in my presentation.

Fateha has prepared a statement for us, as work means she cannot attend - but I am just vert grateful for their efforts at Highbury Grange Medical Practice.

Adam cannot make it, but again I am just thankful for his backing and support, and know that the fitness side of the program will go well.

I have ordered 1000 flyers for the Clissold Walk.  We did have 250 small ones, but these are going to be A5 size, and we are looking to get them in local job centres and community projects, as well as the doctors handing them out.

Kacper has finished all the links on the website.  He has worked very hard, and I am extremely grateful for his efforts.  We are still reviewing some of the wording, and need to put some content on a couple of pages, but that is extra stuff.  Brilliant work mate!!!

We have interested the Hackney Gazette to do a feature on our Clissold Park walk.  In fact, they may be sending a reporter on Thursday, but will let me know.  That would be fantastic.

Thursday 1st December 2016 - second walk success plus meeting - website

Posted 9:45pm

Today we had our second Izzwalkz Clissold Park - and delighted to have six people on this one (a lady was camera shy, hence just the five showing above).  We all enjoyed the hour, even though the cold has really set in now.  You can see how wrapped up some of us were.

Again, I would like to thank Highbury Grange Medical Practice for their wonderful support in this venture, and they have agreed to pay for flyers to give out at local centres and shops, which is terrific.

I think I am just about prepared for the daunting meeting next week.  It's a mix of emotions, when I consider just how important it is.  We are going to have a small file of papers to give out to the participants.  I say "meeting", when in fact it is two meetings - first organisations, and the second to SHP users.

Our website - still needing some work - can be accessed at www.hmhb2016.org.uk  yes, it is published!!!!  yay!

In fact a list of our growing social media is as follows:

Twitter:  @hmhb2016 - if you have an account please follow us

YouTube:  hmhb2016 - please subscribe to our channel

Blog:  www.hmhb2016.blogspot.com - obviously, as you are looking at it at the moment - but if possible please join up

Facebook:   healthy minds healthy bods  -  please like out page

Website: www.hmhb2016.org.uk - save it in favourites

I am really looking forward to the next few days, gathering papers for meeting, plus researching more content for the 13 week program, and still looking at funding opportunities.