Thursday, 21 December 2017

My Swimmo Journey

 My journey with Swimmo started last winter; I was searching for a fitness tracker that would help me count and measure my progress in the pool. I had just started to really get back into swimming as I used to compete with Sheffield swim squad when I was in school. I really wanted to improve my fitness and I knew swimming was a strength of mine. I was bored of counting lengths in the pool and wanted a tracker to help so I could concentrate on my performance and use it to set goals. Last Christmas, I started using my new Swimmo watch and I was very impressed with its capabilities, to not only keep track of my lengths, but also the goals you can set. These goals have really helped me stay focused and improve my physical and mental well being.

Swimming really has helped me settle into a routine; I usually swim for 30 minutes, 3 times a week in a 25 meter pool and usually go in the morning to start my day. When using the Swimmo watch, I set a goal of 50 laps and start my regular workout with basic stretching, as this is important to any workout to get the muscles ready. I first start out in the pool with 5 laps to warm up with breast stroke then this evolves into 10 laps of front crawl to pick up the pace and get my heart racing. After my blood is pumping, I take a little breather and get stuck into training my upper body with just using my arms for breast stroke; I swim one length then I sprint back with a powerful front crawl. I repeat this for 10 laps. Now, I am on 25 laps, I am half way through. I cool down after the sprints with 5 laps of breast stroke, I then swim 10 laps of front crawl then afterwards I do 5 laps of front crawl using my arms and for the last 5 laps I cool down with breaststroke. Depending on how much time I have left I may swim longer which will change my last few laps. I usually get to 50 laps in about 25 minutes and this is without over exerting myself.

I have been to numerous destinations around the world this year and I always ensure that I have researched what pools there are close by. Having the watch with me motivates to achieve the goals I have set. One of my favourite trips this year was when I visited the Olympic pool in Barcelona. Seeing an open air stadium like this was incredible; you could see the whole of the city from there! I must admit I did get carried away in the pool and swam for over an hour in the 30 degree heat!  However, the Swimmo watch will adapt to different pools and could track my progress seamlessly in a longer pool.

 In November this year, I had reached 4000 laps since I started out. I knew that it had almost been a year since I had been using the Swimmo watch and I was inspired by my friend to set another goal. So I decided to set a promise to myself to swim 1000 laps by New Year’s Eve 2017. I am adamant that I will be able to achieve this goal; I am so motivated. In my head, I know I could do it, I had planned if I swam 3 times a week over 2 months I could easily do it. Although in the back of my mind I was afraid that I might not achieve this as I knew holiday season was coming up and I know how distracting the festivities of Christmas time can be. Even though I was aware of this, it made me more motivated to swim that bit more every time I go. I could always compensate if I had to miss one session. Luckily, I have not missed one session and instead, I am now ahead of schedule and I can now see I will achieve my goal in time. I now only have 200 laps to go and it’s only less than 3 weeks away from deadline day. So, I know I only have to swim another 4 sessions and I will have completed my goal. My physical appearance has changed since using Swimmo which I am very proud of; I have more muscle definition than I have ever had.  Swimming has also helped my mind, I love going swimming because I can totally zone out from all of the stresses that life brings you. It helps me focus on goals I set and with the help of Swimmo, I can say I have developed in ways I could not have imagined. I am looking forward to achieving my goal this year and I will have completed 5000 laps in one year with Swimmo!  I am really looking forward to 2018 and setting more targets. Thank you for taking the time to read my post, I welcome any feedback and advice. 

All the best for the new year…

Matt Fisher

Monday, 17 August 2015

Greece Getaway Part 2 Eia Sunset #TEDTOTOE AW15

Santorini Eia Sunset

Santorini is world-famous for its romantic sunsets, crisp white buildings and sapphire blue roof tops. here are some shots of the beautiful sunset I enjoyed and what I wore...






The Gladman shirt is a truly charming investment for your summer holidays, its cool cotton blend is perfect for those hot summer nights.








Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Greece Getaway #TEDTOTOE AW15

I am not long back from Greece, I took this summer to visit the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, We had 5 nights in each. It was a great adventure!

One afternoon we went on a wine tour, where they took us to 4 different wine vineyards. Learning how to taste the wines of Santorini was an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable experience.  We tasted a variety of wine from white, red and a sweet dessert wine. I felt very cultured and educated and I got to taste some of the best wine in the world. Who thought learning about history could be so much fun!? My favourite wine was made from the grape Assyritiko which produces a dry, full-bodied white white with citrus aromas combined with a pleasing mineral character derived from the volcanic soil it is grown in.

Here is the outfit I wore...





The shirt is a great fit, it is made from a light cotton and is great for the hot temperatures of Greece PLUS its fanastic to pack as its crease free! I teamed this shirt with some textured shorts, whitch I have previously bought the same texture in chinos and I was so in love with the feel I had to have these to. Another beautiful feature is the detail of these shorts they just add that little bit extra. 




To Get involved yourself and Show off your style on Instagram to be featured across Ted's Global Galleries from NYC to Shanghai. Simply share with us and tag using #tedtotoe.

Or you can upload your picture at www.tedbaker.com/uk/Editorial/Ted-to-Toe-Gallery

Tuesday, 29 July 2014

July Isme Edit


July, the summer season is well in swing so ladies it's time for a summer wardrobe update...

This month I have been selecting the top 10 buys for Isme.com Here are the key wardrobe must-haves that look gorgeous and will keep on trend right through to autumn! BONUS

With stylish regards








View the full edit now at isme.com/inspire-me-the-edit

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Mens Hilfiger Denim

This Month I have been working on Styling these looks for very.co.uk with one of my favourite mens brands Hilfiger Denim. 

Hilfiger are specialists in collegiate stateside style, they deliver  key shirts for the new season with strong American roots.

 "It’s east coast prep with west coast attitude"


Discover the collection...







Hilfiger Denim Coventry Badge Logo
Hilfiger Denim Coventry Badge Polo
Hilfiger Denim Lawn Striped shirt
Hilfiger Denim Florian Long Sleeve T-shirt
Hilfiger Denim Federer T-Shirt

Hilfiger Denim Federer T-shirt