by Mollie Millington | Jun 10, 2020 | books
Lockdown seems to be easing in many parts of world. You can now leave your home, although probably in a mask and not for too long. Many of us are still working from home and may have the kids out of school too. I have tried to provide ways to stay busy during this unprecedented time, with April’s self-isolation challenge and May’s musicals and baking bingo games (how are these going, by the way?). This month’s amusement I have been planning since April, asking friends and family for recommendations. While still a work in progress, I thought I had better share it now so you can get started. Remember, any of these challenges you can start at any time. They are meant to give you purpose and some structure in case you are loosing track of what day of the week it is because you are stuck at home.
June is a reading challenge. I have once again created bingo game cards for you to use in case you want to play against friends or family. Tick off a square for a category of book you have read during lockdown. I have been amazed at how much additional reading I have completed, when normally my time to read is on the Tube when commuting. The bit that is a work in progress is a spreadsheet with reading recommendations (Please note that any link to Amazon is an affiliate link to help cover the costs of running this site but cost you nothing additional.). I will continue to populate the spreadsheet with additional suggestions (leave your’s in a comment below) and Amazon USA links. Or, you can download the Kindle app for free on any smart device and enjoy e-books to save on space and paper. If you go this route, look into the Kindle Unlimited program, which costs me £7.99/month but I can ‘rent’ up to 10 items at a time (not just books, magazines too) and get discounts on purchasing some titles. If you prefer ‘real’ books, I encourage you to order books from Hive books as it supports independent book shops rather than Amazon (I linked to Amazon for the reviews if you want to learn more about a selection).
There are 24 categories, including Anti-Racism/Social Justice. I am in an incredible fortunate position to have a platform to use my voice to help raise awareness and promote education about the struggles of racism that so many people in the world experience on a daily basis. Supporting #BlackLivesMatter is important if we want the world to be one day be a fair and just place. Currently, I am educating myself by reading Why I’m No Longer Speaking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. In the past, I have read Black Like Me and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. There is a lot of black history in the UK that I need to Iearn more about too. I encourage you to do the same about the area where you grew up and then a bit further out. Empathy and kindness are two traits that I value highly in people and aim to emanate. While I will never fully understand or experience the same thoughts and feelings as the people of colour around me, I can make a big effort to learn, to listen, to speak up, and to support them.
I also encourage you to register to vote, no matter where in the world you live, and to ensure your family, friends, and colleagues do the same. If you live in the USA, please register here and start to research your choices for a presidential candidate. If you call the UK home, you can register to vote here.
Hopefully this challenge will inspire you to learn more about new topics, pick up a book you have never heard of, and find joy in unplugging from the world.
by thinkmarsh | Jan 2, 2019 | books, exercise, fitness, virtual training group
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| My book is now available on Amazon. |
I am thrilled to say that my first book, 52 Weekend Challenges: Cultivating Health & Happiness, is now available for purchase Amazon. I actually started it in 2013, but my fear of technology and fear of failing held me back from completing it. This year, I decided to finally commit and, with the help of my friends and family, couldn’t be happier with the result.
If you are as excited as I am, click here to buy the book in the UK or here for the USA. Otherwise, check you local Amazon site as it is available in several countries, both as an e-book or paperback.
What is the book about?
The book provides weekend challenges, designed to nudge you outside your comfort zone in a range of areas (fitness, food, health and well-being). You only need to use the book three days a week, which makes it very achievable. Hopefully, as you progress through the year, you will want to start incorporating the things you have learned into your every day life. Challenges range from trying a new food to checking your blood pressure to stretching to setting SMART goals.
Can I get a paper copy rather than electronic version?
Yes, paperbacks are now available! Turns out colour printing is very expensive though for print-on-demand. Thanks for understanding.
What if I need more support?
First, there is a closed Facebook group which you can ask to join after purchasing the book. We are building a community to support each other as we spend a year going through the book, using #Challenge52 to find each other on social media.
Another option is my virtual training group (VTG). This is limited to ten people and begins with a 15 minute consultation call with myself. The group then emails each other once a week to report on the three SMART goals we set at the start. It runs for nine weeks (one week for goal setting, followed by eight weeks of accountability) and is a £75 investment. Each week you receive a newsletter that includes healthy recipes, relevant wellness news, and motivational graphics to hang around the home. The next session starts 14 January 2019. Click here to sign up. You will need email access for this support group.
The third option is one-to-one digital coaching via an app. We can work together no matter where in the world you live, as long as you have Smartphone and internet access. I can monitor your activities, sleep, food intake, and holistic goals from anywhere in the world. I will cheer you on to get you across your finish line, whatever it may be. This service is perfect for busy people who don’t have time to hire a personal trainer.
The investment is £65-85 per month depending on how much interaction we have via the app. Accountability can make all the difference when you are debating about whether to skip your workout.
Free beginner’s run club in London
Wednesday mornings at 7am (yes, I know it is early it ensures everyone has time to travel and shower before work starts at 9am), I lead a run club from St Pancras station area. We have up to 60 minutes to run 5K along the towpath, primarily away from the roads. We run at a social pace and have a very friendly group. It is lovely being near the water and a great way to start your day. It is organized through MyCrew, a new app that allows you to lead and/or join runs near by. Sign up for MyCrew here and then register for my runs.
Train with me in Central London
I am available for 1-2-1 client sessions in your home or outdoors. You can fill out this form to book a complimentary consultation consultation where we can discuss your goals and how I can help. Rates vary depending on location. Sixty minute sessions start at £65.
I wish all the happiness and joy for you in 2019. If you need my help to achieve this, please get in touch with the form below.
by Mollie Millington | Jan 2, 2019 | books, exercise, fitness, virtual training group
|
| My book is now available on Amazon. |
I am thrilled to say that my first book, 52 Weekend Challenges: Cultivating Health & Happiness, is now available for purchase Amazon. I actually started it in 2013, but my fear of technology and fear of failing held me back from completing it. This year, I decided to finally commit and, with the help of my friends and family, couldn’t be happier with the result.
If you are as excited as I am, click here to buy the book in the UK or here for the USA. Otherwise, check you local Amazon site as it is available in several countries, both as an e-book or paperback.
What is the book about?
The book provides weekend challenges, designed to nudge you outside your comfort zone in a range of areas (fitness, food, health and well-being). You only need to use the book three days a week, which makes it very achievable. Hopefully, as you progress through the year, you will want to start incorporating the things you have learned into your every day life. Challenges range from trying a new food to checking your blood pressure to stretching to setting SMART goals.
Can I get a paper copy rather than electronic version?
Yes, paperbacks are now available! Turns out colour printing is very expensive though for print-on-demand. Thanks for understanding.
What if I need more support?
First, there is a closed Facebook group which you can ask to join after purchasing the book. We are building a community to support each other as we spend a year going through the book, using #Challenge52 to find each other on social media.
Another option is my virtual training group (VTG). This is limited to ten people and begins with a 15 minute consultation call with myself. The group then emails each other once a week to report on the three SMART goals we set at the start. It runs for nine weeks (one week for goal setting, followed by eight weeks of accountability) and is a £75 investment. Each week you receive a newsletter that includes healthy recipes, relevant wellness news, and motivational graphics to hang around the home. The next session starts 14 January 2019. Click here to sign up. You will need email access for this support group.
The third option is one-to-one digital coaching via an app. We can work together no matter where in the world you live, as long as you have Smartphone and internet access. I can monitor your activities, sleep, food intake, and holistic goals from anywhere in the world. I will cheer you on to get you across your finish line, whatever it may be. This service is perfect for busy people who don’t have time to hire a personal trainer.
The investment is £65-85 per month depending on how much interaction we have via the app. Accountability can make all the difference when you are debating about whether to skip your workout.
Free beginner’s run club in London
Wednesday mornings at 7am (yes, I know it is early it ensures everyone has time to travel and shower before work starts at 9am), I lead a run club from St Pancras station area. We have up to 60 minutes to run 5K along the towpath, primarily away from the roads. We run at a social pace and have a very friendly group. It is lovely being near the water and a great way to start your day. It is organized through MyCrew, a new app that allows you to lead and/or join runs near by. Sign up for MyCrew here and then register for my runs.
Train with me in Central London
I am available for 1-2-1 client sessions in your home or outdoors. You can fill out this form to book a complimentary consultation consultation where we can discuss your goals and how I can help. Rates vary depending on location. Sixty minute sessions start at £65.
I wish all the happiness and joy for you in 2019. If you need my help to achieve this, please get in touch with the form below.
by Mollie Millington | Nov 13, 2017 | books
With Kilimanjaro coming up in March, I have been slowly accumulating the kit I need. When I was in Houston in October, I found trekking pants, base layer leggings, and a down vest (gilet) at the outlet mall. On the weekends, we have been taking longer dog walks in the park as I build up the time on my feet.
But the wanderlust is real and I cannot wait for the trip. I am anxious to plan the next and the next trip after that. To help satiate me, I have loaded up my Kindle with a few adventure and travel books. I also reached out to my fitness blogger community for their recommendations too. Here is a great list of books to inspire you to be more adventurous.
Non-fiction
Wild: A journey from lost to found by Cheryl Strayed
I have yet to see the film starring Reece Witherspoon but this book is what got me thinking about going on an epic hike. To help find herself, Strayed hiked the Pacific Crest Trail solo and met some amazing people along the way.
Africa Solo by Mark Beaumont
This book I read before we rode from London to Paris. Beaumont set a challenge to ride from Cairo to Cape Town (self-supported) as a world record attempt. To do this, he would have to repeatedly have to ride over 100 miles a day in intense African heat. This book was shortlisted as adventure travel book of the year. If you are a cyclist, check it out!
 |
| Me and Dean at his book signing |
Road to Sparta by Dean Karnazes
With the launch of this book, I was lucky enough hear Karnazes speak here in London and talk about his passion for running. This guy is the original ultramarathon man, running 100s of miles on little sleep all over the world. He doesn’t even have a chair in his office, just gym equipment and a standing desk. This book explores his Greek heritage and retraces the steps of Pheidippides.
Pants of Perspective by Anna McNuff
McNuff recently founded a Facebook Group called Adventure Queens and from the adventure told in Pants of Perspective, you can see why she wants many other women to go on a life-changing adventure. It takes a lot of guts to pack up your things, fly around the world and commit to running across an entire country. After finishing the last chapter, you will be ready to go too!
Cold: Extreme Adventures at the Lowest Temperatures on Earth by Ranulph Fiennes
Last weekend, I went to the European Outdoor Film Tour which featured Simone and Tamara climbing to the top of Kangchenjunga in Himalayas. Winter is coming so I decided this is the next book I am going to read.
Fiction
End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
Many people, including Sarah from Dreaming of Footpaths, recommended this book. I actually found it on my own when looking for new running books last spring. It is a post-apocalyptic thriller that has a out of shape man running through a demolished landscape without any laws to find his family. This is a #1 bestseller.
Call of the Wild by Jack London
We had to read this in school and it is still a timeless classic. Read the stories of a wild dog in gold-rush Alaska. Perfect for animal lovers and those wishing for snow this winter.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Written in 1870, this book dives deep into the ocean. Of course, as a fish nerd, I loved this book. You will probably find many references from modern day television or film originated in this book. There is a lot of details about the submarine, so get your engineering hat on.
Please note this post contains affiliate links. They cost the buyer nothing extra but help maintain this site.
by thinkmarsh | Nov 13, 2017 | books
With Kilimanjaro coming up in March, I have been slowly accumulating the kit I need. When I was in Houston in October, I found trekking pants, base layer leggings, and a down vest (gilet) at the outlet mall. On the weekends, we have been taking longer dog walks in the park as I build up the time on my feet.
But the wanderlust is real and I cannot wait for the trip. I am anxious to plan the next and the next trip after that. To help satiate me, I have loaded up my Kindle with a few adventure and travel books. I also reached out to my fitness blogger community for their recommendations too. Here is a great list of books to inspire you to be more adventurous.
Non-fiction
Wild: A journey from lost to found by Cheryl Strayed
I have yet to see the film starring Reece Witherspoon but this book is what got me thinking about going on an epic hike. To help find herself, Strayed hiked the Pacific Crest Trail solo and met some amazing people along the way.
Africa Solo by Mark Beaumont
This book I read before we rode from London to Paris. Beaumont set a challenge to ride from Cairo to Cape Town (self-supported) as a world record attempt. To do this, he would have to repeatedly have to ride over 100 miles a day in intense African heat. This book was shortlisted as adventure travel book of the year. If you are a cyclist, check it out!
|
| Me and Dean at his book signing |
Road to Sparta by Dean Karnazes
With the launch of this book, I was lucky enough hear Karnazes speak here in London and talk about his passion for running. This guy is the original ultramarathon man, running 100s of miles on little sleep all over the world. He doesn’t even have a chair in his office, just gym equipment and a standing desk. This book explores his Greek heritage and retraces the steps of Pheidippides.
Pants of Perspective by Anna McNuff
McNuff recently founded a Facebook Group called Adventure Queens and from the adventure told in Pants of Perspective, you can see why she wants many other women to go on a life-changing adventure. It takes a lot of guts to pack up your things, fly around the world and commit to running across an entire country. After finishing the last chapter, you will be ready to go too!
Cold: Extreme Adventures at the Lowest Temperatures on Earth by Ranulph Fiennes
Last weekend, I went to the European Outdoor Film Tour which featured Simone and Tamara climbing to the top of Kangchenjunga in Himalayas. Winter is coming so I decided this is the next book I am going to read.
Fiction
End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
Many people, including Sarah from Dreaming of Footpaths, recommended this book. I actually found it on my own when looking for new running books last spring. It is a post-apocalyptic thriller that has a out of shape man running through a demolished landscape without any laws to find his family. This is a #1 bestseller.
Call of the Wild by Jack London
We had to read this in school and it is still a timeless classic. Read the stories of a wild dog in gold-rush Alaska. Perfect for animal lovers and those wishing for snow this winter.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Written in 1870, this book dives deep into the ocean. Of course, as a fish nerd, I loved this book. You will probably find many references from modern day television or film originated in this book. There is a lot of details about the submarine, so get your engineering hat on.
Please note this post contains affiliate links. They cost the buyer nothing extra but help maintain this site.
by Mollie Millington | Jun 28, 2016 | books, product review
Although I don’t have much time for reading these days, I do like to have a book with me on the tube or when I am on holiday. Usually, I aim to read one book at a time because it is hard for me to focus, while my husband will be reading a few different books at a time. Somehow, I have found myself with a little pile, so I thought I would share what I is on my nightstand and Kindle:
Your Holistically Hot Transformation– Written by fellow IIN alum, Marissa Vicario, this book is s fun read if you are looking to get your eating back on track. She offers simple but effective tips while telling you her story and what habits she has overcome. It is designed to be read one chapter at a time, after which you go off and implement the tips suggested by Marissa. It is a really fun read and great for a little boost.
The Diet Myth– KCL lecturer Dr. Tim Spector gave a lecture about how microbes are more unique than finger prints to each individual’s gut. These microbes are best suited to process different types of foods and that is one of the reasons why one diet regime doesn’t work on everyone. You can even send his lab a sample of your stool to find out which microbes your gut possesses.
Like The Wind Magazine issue #9- When it arrived in the post, I was so excited to see I could color in the cover. How cool is that? LTW is about art, running, and everything in between. Published quarterly, articles are submitted by the running community and amazingly illustrated. You can order back issues or check out these stockists.
Natural Born Heroes- I was lucky enough to meet Chris McDougall last year at a ‘lecture’ about this book. I say ‘lecture’ because Chris has unfortunately lost his voice. Even without a voice, his energy and passion for running and storytelling radiated throughout the crowded running shop. This book looks into English residents of Crete who would literally run messages from camp to camp during World War II, creating a running style form similar to parkour.
I am eager to finish these as I have some awesome books being sent to me in the post:
I am always looking for new books, both fiction and non-fiction. Please comment below if you think I should read your favorite.
Please note this post contains affiliate links, which add no cost to the purchaser but does help to maintain this site. Also, I was provided with ‘Your Holistically Hot Transformation’ and LTW but all opinions are honest and my own, as always.
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