Hi everyone! I hope you are having a good weekend after what has probably felt like a long week in work after the holidays! I don't know about you, but it has been nice to get back into the swing of things with some exercise and healthy eating, I never thought I would say this but I was getting fed up of chocolate! The past week there has been nothing but fitness clothes and healthy eating tips EVERYWHERE on both social media and TV programs, and we are jumping on the band wagon here however with a bit of a twist! As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, exercise is not only good for the waist, every year there are more and more studies showing that exercise is also good for your mental health. According to yourmentalhealth.ie, exercise improves your mood, helps reduce stress and boosts energy levels. So you would be mad to not try to include some sort of exercise into your daily routine as it will help you to relax, sleep better and you will start to look and feel better about yourself both inside and out! So to get you started while not spending a fortune on gym memberships, I have you covered from fashion, to equipment, to cool ways to stay hydrated etc., all without breaking the bank! Fit FashionGone are the days when you robbed your dad's t-shirts and wore baggy tracksuit bottoms to workout, now it is nearly against the laws of fashion to work out in clothes that are not classed as "trendy workout gear". Although last year many people wandered around looking work out ready from head to toe to just lounge around, with the New Year I think it is time we but these pretty and comfy outfits to the test for some real workouts! Up to two years ago, gym gear was quite expensive and was mainly found in sports shops, however now sports gear is a top trend on the catwalk and can be found almost everywhere on the high street, so you don't have to pay a fortune to look the part while jogging! Here are some of my top cheap, cheerful and trendy looks to get you motivated to ditch the sofa and hit the track instead: 1. Lidl: Last October, when I was at the U Magazine style awards I was pleasantly surprised with the winner for the Best Workout Wear as Lidl walked away with the title! From the look of their new gear it is no surprise they won, as the range is so trendy, perfect for any type of workout and most of all extremely affordable! They have you covered whether you are looking for leggings for Pilates, to cycling gear to sturdy runners. Although Lidl stores from time to time have workout vests and leggings on offer, both their new cycling and running range will hit the stores on the 3rd and 7th of March so keep your eyes peeled! 2. New Look When you think of New Look fashion you think pretty party dresses and sparkly shoes to match, however this season they have definitely upped their game on the workout gear with comfortable slogan T's and vest tops that will keep you cool while breaking a sweat! This means you can keep your style while working out! Although their workout range is available in store at an affordable price, what I love about New Look is that they have some online bargains that are not in store! So you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home to find a bargain! 3.Aeropostale I haven't been in this shop much, however during the January sales I was pleasantly surprised with their sale on workout gear. Although some of their clothes would not be me, I found the most funky pair of 3/4 length leggings that I am obsessed with! They were half price, from €44.50 to €22.25, and I have to say they were worth every penny! I wouldn't of paid the full price for them (as I am a bargain hunter) however they are ideal for walks and jogging through the spring/ summer and also they will look cool during the day with a nice T and Nikes for lounging in during the summer months. They are baggy so they would be perfect for a Zumba class!! They are perfect for working out as the material cools you down instantly! So although they are a little bit more on the pricey side, you might want to check out their stuff if you are making a serious commitment to working out, it will be worth it I promise! Home gymThe most expensive part of working out can be the actual working out fees, whether it is gym membership, classes, personal trainer costs etc. This year I have decided that I am not going to let cost stop me, that I am going to work out but on a budget. So instead of me going to a gym, I am bringing the gym to me. As well as their gym clothes line, Lidl are also selling a wide range of gym gear at a very affordable price. The range went on sale on Thursday the 7th of January. I picked up these weights, two 2.5 kg weights and two 5 kg weights. They are sold separately, start at €4.99 for the smaller weights and €6.99 for the 5 kg weights, just under €24 for the four weights! They also have 10 kg kettlebell weights as well as 10.3 kg Dumbbell Sets for €19.99 available for you strong people! Also available in Lidl are workout kits, fitness accessories such as hula hoops, skipping ropes, resistance bands etc. starting at just €4.99, you could nearly have your own personal gym with the essentials at a small price!! Another place that is full of work out bargains is Homestore and More. Here is were the pretty Bodytech Yoga mat above is from for just €6 as well as the Toning Tube for €3. They also have fantastic offers on other equipment from heavy kettlebells to spining bikes and threadmills if you are tired of paying for gym fees but you want to use gym equipment! You better work!Now that you have the equipment necessary to shed a few pounds and clear your mind, you need a plan to stick to in order to achieve your New Year goals! Although I love fitness, I am no expert, so here are two of my favourite ladies in fitness that will help you on your journey without having to leave your own home! Charlotte Crosby: Many of you may know Charlotte from the MTV Show Geordie Shore. Whether or not you agree with her crazy behaviour and her party lifestyle, the one thing I bet we can all agree on is that in the past two years she has been in fantastic shape! Charlotte has never kept the secret to her slimming success as she has told the world that it was due to a healthy diet and her 3 Minute Belly Blitz DVD which includes a warm up, twelve 3 minute exercises ranging from cardio to resistance and a cool down. I highly recommend this DVD! Although I am no where near the shape I want to be, During the summer I lost a bit of weight and slimmed down before my holidays with the big help of this DVD. At the start, it is almost impossible to finish the entire workout however, if you even do the warm up, 5 to 6 workouts and the cool down three to four times a week and add on a workout gradually, you will see the difference in no time. You will lose weight and tone up at the same time. The DVD is not expensive and is available in HMV's across the country as well as many other stores! Sheridan Sikes: Sheridan is a personal trainer whose profile I found on Instagram last year and I have been following her tips and tricks ever since! Sheridan is a young woman who, like many of us, was not happy with her physical appearance. Her weight dragged her down and made her feel extremely low. She turned her journey around and has since then lost weight, gained muscle, maintained her shape and in the process helps people to achieve their dream body. You can follow Sheridan on Instagram for some tips on training both at home and the gym as well as diet and snack tips. Sheridan also has many programs that you can do from the comfort of your home with great support and help from Sheridan herself. To follow her on Instagram here is her link: https://www.instagram.com/sheridansikes/ . Stay cool....Last but certainly not least is water. As we all know water is extremely important as it keeps us hydrated, however that makes it extra necessary when we are working out and trying to lose weight as it helps to regulate our body's cooling system during exercise and according to bodybuilding.com, studies have shown that water helps remove toxins from the body and that when a decrease in water intake happens that fat deposits increase. Not only is water good for the body it is extremely good for our brains too and helps keep headaches at bay! The recommended daily intake of water is 8/9 glasses of water a day, however many of us probably don't even have half of the recommended intake on a daily basis. So in order to encourage myself to drink more water I headed to Lidl to buy one of their Fruit infuser water bottles and I have to say for €10 it was a bargain! It has made the idea of drinking water instead of fizzy drinks a little bit more bearable as the bottom part of the bottle is where you can add some berries, slices of orange, limes, herbs etc., for a bit of flavour. It sounds so simple and silly but the added flavour really helps and make it tasty! It makes it so much easier to stay hydrated while working out! So guys there you have my top 4 ways to achieve the body you want to without having to leave your house! There is no more time for excuses like the weather when you can burn the calories from the comfort of your own home and still looking stylish while doing it or while going on your jog! Don't forget that it is not only your physical health that benefits from working out but your mental health does too. After exercising you have a natural glow and you feel a lot better and positive about yourself, it helps relieve any stress and it also takes away any negative thoughts about yourself as you start to see results and a change in yourself!
Happy exercising guys and here is to a fit and healthy 2016!! Love as always, Em X
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This is where I share parts of lifestyle which I feel help or hinder my mental health. Archives
January 2018
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