To wear, or not to wear?

Exercising can be one hell of a battle at the best of times. I often speak to people who claim to enjoy their daily exercise routine (yeah, right…) and think to myself, I’d love to feel enthralled at the thought of my run later in the day. The truth of the matter is, that most days, I dread the fact I have to do some form of exercise later. Now, don’t get me wrong- I know it’s great for me, it’ll get me where I want to be, and it’s building strength and stamina in all of the right places. But lets get one things straight, it will never, and I mean it will NEVER, be a slice of cake… And you see, I do love cake.

So, in a bid to fix this never ending issue, I’ve decided to include one thing I love into my exercise routine: FASHION. Now I’m no fashionista, but I do love clothes, shopping, and feeling good in what I’m wearing. So I came to the realisation that if I were to purchase some gym wear that I found kinda snazzy, then surely that’d give me the kick up the arse to get my legs moving. Because there is nothing worse than wearing capri trousers running that are too big, and having to pull them up every 100 yards!

In my opinion- and this is just my thought on the subject- I do think that you have to pay a little bit more when it comes to gym wear. For your top half, you can probably get away with getting the bargains- unless you have to invest in a very well structured sports bra (ladies…) that is! But all in all, you need some decent quality clothing to ensure you’re feeling pretty damn hawt in your training session.

From experience, I’m a biiiiiig fan of Nike leggings. They fit well, they hold you in in all of the right places, and there are some pretty funky colours out there too! Personally, I think you can’t go wrong with the classic black gym wear, but I do like to mix up the blander bits and bobs with a brightly coloured top or even some fresh and vibrant socks! Socks do matter after all…

The other day I literally threw away one pair of capris after a run because they were so dreadful to run in– as if I don’t look silly enough running; having to continuously hoist up my trousers was not a good look… So today on one of my first shopping trips in a long time, I invested in yet another pair! But I went for the full length leg version. With the weather as chilly as it is, every little helps when you’re trying to psych yourself up to go out in the cold!

Anyway, my point is, if you’re training regularly, instead of buying something you don’t need this week- treat yourself to some new running or gym gear! Trust me, it’s totally worth it. You’ll feel better when you run, and I’m genuinely excited to go for my next run knowing that I get to try out my new kit! It works well as an incentive too; tell yourself that in two weeks time after you’ve been to the gym or trained a minimum of three times a week, you can buy a gift from you- to you! That’s my plan, plus it’s the perfect excuse to go shopping again… As if I really need an excuse…

And if you’re interested, this is what I’m treating myself to in two weeks time! http://www.sportsdirect.com/nike-racer-hoody-ladies-456830?colcode=45683006

Uh oh, it’s weigh day…

Weigh day. It’s debatable that anyone looks forward to this day. You could have been trying so hard all week to exercise and eat well, but the numbers on those scales just don’t portray your dedication. Today was my first weigh since the day before Christmas Eve. Suffice to say, I wasn’t looking forward to it… (It’s also that time of the month, and that never makes you feel particularly great…)

That initial weigh-in is always the worst- both mentally and numerically. You base all future weigh-ins on this one, this is what you measure your future self against. You are essentially in a competition with yourself to beat that number! It’s irritating really, you can feel amazing in yourself, but if you step on those scales and see a number you didn’t want to see, your confidence plummets.

I’m so guilty of this. I have a wonderful week, and think “Yes, this is going to be a good weigh” and all my hopes are dashed when that damn scales is wrong again… If only I could pretend… So I’ve decided to make a change to my mentality. When I step on those scales, I can still have high hopes and want those low numbers. But I’m not going to let the number that crops up affect how I feel. Imagine if instead your scales read “Wow! You’ve had such a dedicated week. KEEP GOING!” as opposed to those dastardly numbers, wouldn’t that be lovely? It’s a case of having to educate yourself in how to react. Don’t react in a way that puts yourself down. Don’t punish yourself for not beating your target. You’ve not gotten there yet, but keep that dedication up and you’ll get there- you will.

If I see something I don’t want to see, it can make me want to reach for that Ben and Jerry’s hidden in the freezer. You think to yourself, “what’s the point?”. Well I’m here to remind you, there’s every point in continuing your journey to feeling good. You’ve started this journey of living a healthy lifestyle for a reason. You want to make a difference to yourself, the way you live and the way your family might live. Eating healthily and exercising isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle choice. And you’re simply starting out in that lifestyle. Think of yourself as a beginner? That’s certainly what I do!

I look at women (in particular) who have great bodies, who have eaten well for years and know exactly what they need to do to get where they want to be. I’m not there yet and I have a long way to go. But eventually, we’ll know what healthy meals are our favourites, what workouts best suit us, and we may even prefer a protein pancake instead of the normal full-of-fat one! The weighing of food will become second nature and when people say to you, “Don’t you crave junk food? Doesn’t the weighing food everyday take up too much time?”, you’ll answer with pride. You’ll say, “Actually, it’s just what I do. It’s natural to me.”

Look forward to that day! It’ll come. And it’ll come before we know it.

Also, my weigh in was pretty successful! I’ve lost a pound since the 23rd of December. So goodness knows what I put on over the Christmas period… But having basically stayed the same, I’m pleased. And I’m going to continue my commitment to the healthy eating cause and hopefully the numbers will continue to decrease.

Much love bloggers! Have a fabulous Friday! x

Done and dusted.

Day one of clean eating has gone extremely well!
I always get nervous that I’m going to mess it up for myself, but then I remember- I’m the one who controls who picks the cookie out of the biscuit tin! And boy do I love a hobnob..

I started the day with some porridge, had a concoction of roasted veggies for lunch, and some beautifully cooked salmon (and more veggies) that was wonderfully cooked by my SO! Zero snacking, other than a cup of tea and a mint..

I’ve asked my boyfriend to take a ‘before’ picture of me tomorrow- but I’ve asked not to see it. Some people need the before picture for some motivation, whereas it will probably send me in the opposite direction! If I see myself looking a bit tubby, it won’t make me want to workout- it’ll make me look for the chocolate! So he’s going to keep the photographic evidence that I will progress in my feat against the fat.. I’ll take another photograph in four weeks time- and hopefully at that point I’ll feel confident enough to post a progress pic..! Fingers crossed!
(I’m just hoping the photograph he keeps won’t haunt him too much…)

Exercise-wise, today was terrible! I didn’t do any. But, my consolation is that I’ve eaten well. Tomorrow I kickstart the running again (it’s been two weeks since my last 5K, so tomorrow will probably be a challenge!)
But I’m looking forward to it, I miss the satisfaction and the buzz! I’m also hoping to fit in a minimum of three resistance workouts a week. Best get that work in for the abs I’m longing after, ey?

So here’s to tomorrow. Another new day and another day closer to my goal! 🙂

Mucho amore x

Sunday Funday

“The diet starts tomorrow”

Well, contrary to popular thought, a diet is not something that we start on any day. A diet is what you eat- regardless of whether it is healthy or unhealthy. So I propose we forget the word ‘diet’ and start thinking of looking after our wobbly bits.

So, instead, my healthy diet starts tomorrow!
Sunday’s are meant to be a day of rest, but my Sunday will require a spot of willpower. The chocolate is going to have to live without me for a bit- though who am I kidding, I’m the clingy one..

My ‘plan of action’- so to speak- is one compiled of baby steps. As much as I’d love to step into the gym tomorrow and squat a 30kg weight, it’s both impractical and plain idiotic.. So, I’m starting small. A bit like when you ease yourself into a new routine, I’m seeing a healthy lifestyle as exactly that- a new routine. (I do love a routine)

So, what am I restricting in my diet?
As a general assumption, anything that contains five or more ingredients probably isn’t too good for you! Processed food is a big no no. It’s allllll about fresh foods and clean eating (oh how cliche..!)

Exercise wise, I’m hoping to run 5K a minimum of 3 times a week. In conjunction with this, I’ll be using Dumbbells daily on specific areas of my body.

My legs are something I detest, so some leaner tree trunks hanging from the rest of me would be lovely. So I’ll be looking at doing some exercises that specifically target these not-so-beautiful things..! I’m still fairly uneducated when it comes to these, so any help will be highly appreciated! Otherwise, squats and lunges will be the most popular words in my vocabulary for a while.. In addition, I’d love a toned tummy. So ab exercises will be featured too!

A key factor is also lots of water- stops me feeling so hungry too! And your skin will feel a hundred times more energised.

So, here’s to the beginning of a healthy lifestyle.
365 days to love my body.