What is it about birthdays that makes you sit back and review your life? Not in an oh-no-everything-is-a-mess kind of way. More of a not-bad-but-I-could-put-a-bit-more-effort-in.

Not that the last year hasn’t been busy. I’ve moved country, moved house (twice), had 4 jobs, made new friends, explored a new city. But I do feel I could have made even more of it. So now that the celebrations are over, I’m going to 5:2 my life. Well, at least some of it.

Normally 5:2 is all about diet. I don’t really need to lose weight but a little 3lb loss would set me up nicely for summer and I’ve read a lot about the health benefits of this way of eating. With a 5:2 eating plan you  eat 500 calories for two days and eat normally (within reason) for the other 5 days. Surely I can do that. Problem is, I’ve no idea about calories. I’ve counted Points (WeightWatchers) and Syns (Slimming World) but never calories. Well probably about time I learned. Starting tomorrow.

I’m not a great sleeper. I’ve read quite a bit on how to improve this and every article, book or advice about sleeping recommends cutting down on televisions, mobile phones and laptops for a few hours before bed. I’m going to 5:2 my screen life. That’ll be a tough one on work days but outside of work I’ll have 2 evenings with no TV (easy), mobile (should be fine) or tablet/laptop (oh heck!). I can easily do a day without TV at the weekend. Especially when I’ve a big old house that needs a whole lot of work. But I’ll have to seriously think about how to cut down on the weekend connectivity without curtailing my social life.

Money. 2 days with no spending. At all. Again this should be easy during the working week. I drive to work, bring in lunches and rarely go out at lunchtime. I just have to remember to keep myself away from internet shopping. See 5:2 screen life.  But I think 2 days will be simple. Take today – I returned something so got a £45 refund and used my Boots points for my purchases in there. Not a penny spent. Good start. Bit smug.

Exercise. I haven’t done much since moving and that’s almost a year ago. That definitely needs to change. For fitness, health and toning. I’ll do 1 hour proper exercise twice a week and at least half an hour on the other 5 days. I think painting walls and heavy gardening can count towards that. I’ve been thinking of running again, now’s a good time to start. If I can find my trainers. I could treat myself to a new pair but see 5:2 money.

Wine. Now that’s a tough one. I already have 4 alcohol free nights during the week but that can mean I scoff the best part of a bottle over a Friday evening. If I’m honest with myself I’m not really going to cut down much more, especially if we get some nice long summer evenings in the garden. I’ll maybe do a 4:3 on this one. Cheating already.

I started all this to improve my life but seem to have plans to cut down on all the fun stuff. It can’t be all about deprivation. So I’m going to add some good stuff in. I’ll make more effort to spend time with friends, read more, keep in contact with family and friends (on days I’m allowed screen time), and do something new in the city at least once a week.

All these plans, I’m not quite sure where to begin. Anyway, it’s 11pm, time for sleep. If I can sleep now I’ve just had screen time. My mind’s racing, already thinking of breakfast. Can I have breakfast? I’ll keep you posted…