Wednesday, 20 April 2016

A Fitness Update

Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide

It's been a while since I posted about my fitness, but it is still something that I am actively pursuing, and more importantly enjoying. The last few months I have turned everything I was doing on it's head, I seemed to plateau and my results went backwards instead of forwards, and I found that I was no longer enjoying what I was doing. I was disappointed in myself and realised that I needed to make some changes in order to regain the control over something that I was loving.

In hind sight I realise that I was over doing it, it's true what they say, there most certainly is the possibility of to much of a good thing. I found myself at the gym multiple times a day for the many different classes that were going on, I was enjoying them, but my back track seemed to continue. I kept ploughing forward almost trying to convince myself that more was better. 

I knew that something had to change.

I took absolutely everything back to basics, I thought about what worked for me and decided to revert back to the plan that I had been using and loving before I took things a little bit to far. I decided to listen to my body and re-gain the control that I had lost. 

I haven't been to the gym now in 2 weeks.

I have realised that I have everything that I need at home in order to get everything that I need to do done. I decided to restart Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide from week 1 and really get my eating back on track. I am now 5 weeks into the guide and I am already starting to feel leaner again, and it couldn't come at a better time, because in just under 5 weeks time I am jetting off to the clear blue skies of Greece, and I honestly believe that it is because of this that I have finally pulled my finger out.

To think about just how much I have turned things on their head, you really have to look at how my habits have changed. I am the perfect example of an alarm snoozer. I am the least morning person you could meet, and I have been known to leave it until mere minutes before leaving the house in time to get Leo to school. However over these last few weeks I have been making the conscious effort to get up in the morning, get outside and do some high intensity training or getting my work out's done bright and early in the lounge. Of course I can't function before I have had some caffeine, but in the spirit of being healthier I have been enjoying some Mighty Matcha Green Tea!

Mighty Matcha Green Tea

For me getting the work outs done and dusted in the AM, really sets me up for the day ahead. I am up hours before Leo awakens, I can finish the work out and shower before I need to awaken my sleeping beauty and get him up, fed and off to school. 

I am doing all of my cardio in the great outdoors, which is proving to be a lovely way to burn those calories rather than staring at the cross trainer screen for an hour every other day. In fact I am doing so much more walking, that I am going to treat myself to a Sketchers Memory Foam Leisure Trainers! 

Now once that morning work out is done, that's me done for the rest of the day. No more hours spent in the gym, I am getting everything done, seeing results and im back to enjoying it again.

Enjoying what you are doing is ultimately the most important aspect in anything you apply yourself to. It keeps you moving forward and on target.


We have some news!

It's been a little quiet around here of late, but it's been a very busy few weeks. So much has been happening and I have been spending my time with that beautiful little man of mine. In fact we have some exciting news, and no...Before your mind races to 'She's pregnant!' I can rule that one out before the rumor mill really gets going. It is exciting though, Leo and I, in the next few weeks to months will be moving out of the family home... Just the two of us. 

It's been a long time coming, but it's actually becoming a reality. Day by day we edge ever closer to our new lives, and I am over the moon about all that is to come. Leo has always been my right hand and as we enter this next chapter of our lives, I know that we are going to become closer than ever. Of course as it's coming up to two years since we moved back into the family home (temporarily...) all of the furniture is in less than great condition, it basically means that we are starting all over again. 

Although we aren't completely set up just yet in terms of our perfect home, I am still using this valuable time to prepare everything that we will need. I am on the hunt for bargains and deals that are going to put us in a position to just move straight out when the perfect house pops up. It all seems to be happening so quickly right now, and slowly but surely I am ticking the essentials off the list. There is still so much that I need to purchase, but that's what sales are for! I have been loving the House of Fraser Sale over on Love The Sales, and it quite simply could not come at a better time!

Here are a few of my must haves:




Amalfi coast set of 3 scented reed diffusers £15.00 (Was £30.00) *Bottom Right*
Lucia jacquard super king duvet cover £88.00 (Was £110.00) *Top Right*
Mocha faux fur throw £84.00 (Was £120.00) *Top Centre*
Nova Rim Side Plate Set Of 4 £24.00 (Was £48.00) *Middle Centre*
Regatta set of 3 tea towels £9.80 (Was £14.00) *Middle Left*
Arthur Price Grecian Box Of 4 Stainless Steel Serving Spoons £27.70 (Was £36.00) *Bottom Centre*

Speaking of great deals, if you are in the market for some new kitchen pieces or gadgets, make sure to check Aldi out on Thursday 5th May! Aldi's Special Buys are bringing in some great items from leading names, that are going to be snapped up as quickly as they come in.


Russel Hobbs is a house hold name and from the 5th May for a limited time, you can purchase the Grind and Brew Coffee machine for a fantastic £69.99! I have to admit that I do have my eyes on this, and may just have to purchase it and hold onto it until we move out. Alongside this they have the Russel Hobbs Canterbury Toaster (£14,99) and Kettle (£14.99) that will spruce up the kitchen work tops.

One of the products that I really like the look of is the BWT 2.7 Litre Mineral Water Jug (£12.99). I am always buying bottled water, but with this useful kitchen gadget I will simply be able to fill it up and store it in the fridge.

Along side these great products you will find:

Russel Hobbs Digital Microwave - £44.99
3 Piece Ceramic Coated Pan Set - £19.99
20cm Ceramic Coated Frying Pan - £12.99

These are just a selection of my favourite items, there is so much more coming in. I will most definitely be popping along to Aldi next month to purely stock up on house essentials.

Remember... 'Once it's gone, it's gone!'

I do love a bargain, but I do also enjoy the finer things in life, so a sale is the perfect opportunity for me to stock up on a few of the essentials I want to see around my home. I have some big plans over the coming months for sorting out our future home, so you can expect to see me sharing some good deals along the way. 

Right now I am just feeling so incredibly positive about the future, and I know this excitement is only going to continue to grow as we prepare for our new lives in our new home.