Thinking ahead to the New Year

Christmas is firmly on our lips and we are all loosening our belt buckles a notch or two to make room for the inevitable intake of cheese, turkey and party food. After all that’s part of the fun of the festive season, having a big blow out with our favourite tipples and vast array of seasonal spreads, and quite simply having a wonderful time.

It’s all fun and games until the door slams on December and you find yourself staring out at the bleakness of January. No lights, no glitter, just darkness and a few extra digits on your weight scale.

It’s no wonder that in January we all seem to have very similar goals, and they almost always gravitate around weight-loss and getting fit, I know that I am always raring to get going again after Christmas, I like to indulge as much as the next person, but I equally love to that feeling you get as your body detoxes from the richness of December.

One of the most popular questions I get asked is whether you have to join a Gym in order to see results, and I can tell you now that you honestly don’t. Even now I am back in the gym, I still have days where I workout primarily from home, and in the thick of the winter months, sometimes this is the best solution anyway. Yes in the summer you might miss the air conditioning in the gym, but when it’s cold outside, you simply need to crack a window open or flail open the patio doors.

- Treat yourself to some new workout gear, even if you aren’t going to be going to the gym, my personal experience is that if you have Gym kit that you like the look of and enjoy wearing, you are more likely to stick to your goals. Even when I workout from home I’ll get dressed like I would if I was heading to the gym, if you are looking for some new wardrobe additions, Function 18 have everything you could possibly need!

My top tips to anyone looking to get fit in the New Year are these:
- Take little baby steps in the right direction, make better food choices, say no to the last of the Christmas wine and just see what these small choices amount to, because you might just very well be surprised.
- Take part in a challenge, like dry January. This was something that my Dad did a few years ago and this was just the very start of his weight loss journey. He hasn’t looked back since, but he has had to buy new clothes that fit!
- Finally, don’t put to much pressure on yourself. Good things come to those who are patient and keep at it. January is an amazing time to start a new fitness regime, and you most certainly won’t be alone in your endeavours. Why not try and find a friend who wants to go at it with you? That way you can both stay accountable and hit milestones together!
The gyms will be busy in the New Year, but it does quieten down eventually, but if you don’t want to go down a Gym route then why not have a look at one of the following at home training programs?
- Emily Skye
- Kayla Itsines
- The Bodycoach
Remember that Christmas is only one day, my goal this year is to just take one day to enjoy the festive food, and then try to keep my eating as normal as possible... let’s see how this works out then!

Setting new fitness goals

2017 marks a rather incredible milestone for me, and that is my 3 year health and fitness anniversary. 

I can't quite believe that the time has flown by quite so quickly, it doesn't feel like all that long ago that I was making that initial decision to make a change, and took those little baby steps in the right direction. Who would have thought that 3 years later, the 'diet' I had put myself on would have rolled out into a completely new lifestyle. It's funny really because when I think back, I had a goal weight in my mind, and once I met that goal weight...I was going to stop. 

Little did I know that loosing weight was just the tip of the iceberg, weight loss was my initial goal, but as the weight fell away, I realised that I didn't just want to be smaller, I wanted to become stronger and I wanted to be fit and toned. The love affair that I began with myself taught me that I was happy in the skin that I am in, it's a journey that has taught me to stand up for myself, believe in myself and helped to further my own happiness and long term confidence.

The weeks, months and years since that monumental day back in June 2014 have shown me that I am capable of things that I didn't actually ever dare dream were possibilities for me. I used to look at girls who wore crop tops and hot pants, how I envied them. I longed to have the body confidence to be able to do just that, but then I would look down at that spare tyre around my waist and be reminded that I was past reversing the years of abuse I had inflicted on my body by the means of junk food.

I thought it was impossible for me to loose weight, I thought that my body was going to continue to grow bigger and bigger and that the miserable feeling that consumed me would slowly suffocate me. I sort of accepted this in my head and thought nothing about eating multiple take away's a week, I figured I had already done the damage, so what was one more going to do? So every weekend I would call up the local curry house (who knew exactly who I was and what I wanted to order I hasten to add!), and I would then enjoy a can of coke (my go to tipple from 10am everyday!) and a rather large bar of Cadbury's. 

Then one day all of that changed, a fire was was ignited within my soul and I decided that I could do this, I could make a change, I could loose the weight and I was going to turn my lifestyle upside down in order to make it happen. The coke was put in the bin, as were the takeaway menus, and I slowly made small changes to my eating habits that resulted in weight loss from the get go.

3 years later I have learned so much, I am by no means an expert, but I know enough of what has worked for me personally. I know about the types of food I need to eat and I am always learning about different exercises that can help me achieve my goals.

I have recently hit reset on my goals, and this year my goal is to ultimately become stronger. I want to really strengthen my lower body. I have spent a lot of time working on my stomach and although I do all over body work outs, I would really love to see some more definition in my legs and bum. I am considering hiring a personal trainer to teach me some new techniques and help me reach my new goals.

The ironic thing is that this year, I am actively trying to gain weight in the form of muscle. It's really incredible to see how your fitness goals change the longer you are training, I have gone from trying to shed unwanted fat and shake up those jiggly bits, to wanting to do more weight training and really throw myself out of my comfort zone.

If someone said to me back in June 2014 that I would not only reach that very first huge goal that I had set myself, but would go on to over haul my entire body and then continue to set new challenges for myself, I think I would have laughed in their face.

It's not been an easy road all of the time, it's meant constantly throwing myself into the deep end. I remember that first time I walked into the gym and felt like I was completely out of place, not knowing how to use any of the equipment and being to shy to ask for help, a year later other girls would come up and ask me how they could achieve what I have done.

I am living proof that you are never too late to make a change to your life or your body. Keep setting your larger than life goals, set mini goals to balance it all out, reward yourself each and every time you reach one of your milestones. Celebrate your achievements and you will keep moving in the right direction. 

This girl loves denim

Would you believe that I used to live every day in a pair of leggings? I owned that many that they literally fell from every draw and clothes storage unit I could pack them into. For me leggings were a comfort, I felt that they looked ok, and it meant that I didn't have to worry so much about my weight. 

You see underneath the smile, I was more than a little bit aware that I had gained a few lbs (and the rest!). It was because of this that I point blank refused to wear anything but leggings, and any denim I owned had been either given away or pushed to the very back of my wardrobe with the intent that...One day I could fit back into it.

For me jeans were the ultimate insult, they pushed your love handles together and really did have the pretense to make me feel that much worse about myself, where as leggings would sit underneath a baggy top or dress and allow me to face the world. It really was a confidence thing for me and deep down I didn't think that I would ever have the motivation to get myself where I knew I wanted to be.

Of course for those of you who are regular readers of Life Unexpected, you will know that a year ago in June 2014, I made a big change to my life. Clean eating became a way of life and slowly but surely I found the girl within me who had dreamed of wearing denim and feeling confident again...

In August 2014, a mere 2 months into my fitness mission I purchased my very first pair of jeans, and I decided there and then that the time had come to say goodbye to the leggings that had monopolized my wardrobe and my life. 

I cannot express how different I feel being able to wear everything that I had longed to, and knowing that I have got to where I am today by hitting some pretty enormous goals makes that feeling feel even more amazing.

In all I lost 2 stone in the year that followed my fitness revelation, and of course when you drop 2 dress sizes you soon discover that you are going to have to replace your entire clothes collection. It means that you get to take absolutely everything you own to a charity shop, it means you can hop online and buy a new outfit for every day of the week, you literally need to replace the entire contents of your wardrobe from outfits to underwear!

Of course it has meant that I have been able to purchase a collection of jeans, and really feed my passion for denim. Esprit have a great selection of different jeans from skinny though to wide, and it has enabled me to shop the new season looks in one place.

I cannot even beging to describe the feeling when you can look at yourself in the mirror, and for the first time in a very long time, be happy in the skin that you are in. 

Self confidence is such an important mind set, and I truly believe that absolutely every women has the right to that feeling when they look in the mirror.

In a Naptime — Squeezing In a Workout While the Kids Are Asleep

Being a mum is the most rewarding job in the world. Your days are filled with love, fun . . . and heavy lifting!

As your baby moves through infancy, quite literally crawling toward toddler-hood, an undeniable fact will emerge—he just keeps getting heavier! This is a great reminder that healthy babies require strong mums—and it doesn’t have to take a pricey gym membership or daily private training sessions to keep you in great condition! 

A quick trip to the local supermarket or sporting goods store can give you all you need for at-home fitness during those stolen moments when the kids are with dad or the baby’s asleep. In under 20 minutes, you can invoke the essential aspects of any workout with three low-cost items—a jump rope, dumbbells, and a yoga mat— and this can be at home or at the health club!  

Experts agree that the most beneficial exercise routines combine cardio and strength-training. Lifting manageable weights (small dumbbells weighing two to five pounds) will develop and strengthen the arm muscles that mums use so much, while cardio (jumping rope can be done in place) burns off the calories that lead to excess weight and, in extreme cases, an unhealthy heart.

In fact, jumping the rope for just 10 minutes can burn 135 calories. But first, be sure your stance is correct. The rope should be held low, with your arms held down by your sides; the movement should come from your wrists and forearms, and the bounce in your step should be from the balls of your feet. Work up to the recommended 10 minutes; though a short span of time, it’s easier said than done for most beginners! 

Next, grab your two weights and hold them in the palms of your hands. If you’ve using your skipping rope correctly, you shouldn’t feel too much soreness in your upper arms and should be able to complete a few sets of bicep or triceps lifts (well, if time allows, as always!). Holding your hands palms-up and raising the weights toward your face will work your biceps. Twisting your palms to face each other and pushing back (straightening your arms from your hips) will attack the triceps at the back of your arms, where the dreaded batwing can emerge! Both bicep and triceps curls should be completed slowly and controlled, with about three sets of 12 to 15 reps, and arms should be held close to your sides. 

Look to your third step—stretching—as treat after your cardio and strengthening. The simple stretches you did as a kid — leaning over and touching your toes, touching an elbow to the opposite knee and twisting your torso around — are still totally valuable!  

Close out your first few workouts with shavasana, a classic yoga pose also called ‘corpse pose’. To get into position, lay flat on your back on your new yoga mat, close your eyes . . . and relax. Observe this routine and watch how you start to shape up despite the busy schedule.

Image by andrewmalone and keithallison, used under Creative Commons licence.

Arianne Harper is a mum of three and full-time personal assistant who still finds time to fit plenty of exercise into her daily routine. She particularly enjoys dumbbell exercises.  

Disclaimer: This is a featured post

Netflix - #GetFitWithNetflix

Earlier last month I became an active member of the Netflix Streamteam. I have teamed up with Netflix for the next year, and over this time period I will be bringing you exciting news and themed monthly features! To get us all up and running we were kitted out with everything that we need to enjoy Netflix…

Suffice to say that excitement ensued with the arrival of the above goodie box, and everyone put dibs on exactly what they wanted out of the box. The younger brother won the battle for the iPad, and he is now all set up with his own profile to watch his own selections on Netflix! I have been able to hook up my own iPad to the television with the included HDMI cables, and of course tuck into the ever so tasty popcorn that they kindly sent along to get us started.

This month as we are all still settling into the new year… and hopefully keeping any New Year’s resolutions we made to ourselves? Or if we are looking to make some resolutions (it’s better late than never!) Netflix have come up with a rather genius idea. #GetFitWithNetflix is something that must have been designed for me, getting fit while watching your favourite television programmes! Netflix have teamed up with Niki Wibrow to help us all to find a way to fit in some work outs during our day to day routine…

I know for me I am incredibly guilty of getting home from work and getting into my slouchy clothes. Once I am in those I find it incredibly hard to find the motivation to do anything… But maybe I can compromise. Maybe I can switch on Life Unexpected and catch up with the next episode while doing something for me.

What better way to burn some calories while watching Netflix!?

Niki has put together 3 three exercises for each area of your body that you can do from the comfort of your own home, at the gym or whenever you feel like it! Each of the exercises can be combined in any order, at any level of intensity.. This means you can have a short work out during ‘Weeds’ or a more vigorous work out during ‘Orange is the New Black’.

Regardless of what you choose to do, what programme you decide to watch during your work out session, you can tailor your own entertainment workout to fit your own exercise and lifestyle needs.

Niki Wibrow has covered everything from warming up, legs, arms, tummy and back. I am loving the abs work outs, as this is an area that I am really trying to get myself motivated over.

For me having access to Niki's advice is great, the only time I get chance to work out is when Leo is in bed. Fittingly it is the only time I get to pop the television on and watch some television. So for me this is the perfect combination.

Disclaimer: I was sent everything I needed to get started watching Netflix for the next 12 months. I have not been paid to write this post. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

Getting Fit With The Britax BOB Stroller

When I was pregnant with Leo I was always really conscious of my weight. 

I know this is a silly thought when you are pregnant because of course you are going to be putting on weight! Your growing a little person after all, but silly or not it was certainly an in-security of mine and I am sure I am not alone in this!

Your body changes so much throughout the course of pregnancy, hormones rage and your belly expands to the point beyond recognition, so of course you are going to feel a little alien in your own body from time to time while your tummy becomes your babies home. 

Britax have teamed up with Laura Williams and created some really interesting content that you can put into practice while you are pregnant, and beyond. I have found watching the videos really interesting, and if you have had a baby recently you are sure to know all about your pelvic floor! I lost count of how many times I was asked whether or not I had completed my pelvic floors post birth...But really it is something you should start before even giving birth.

If you are unsure what a pelvic floor exercise is... Then just watch Laura and you will see exactly what to do.

The  videos highlight exercises that you can carry out safely and even while you are out and about with your little one. Who knew you could use the BOB Stroller to get fit!?

I have picked out a few of my favourite exercises highlighted in the videos:

Curtsey‘n’Swing. Hold onto the stroller with both hands before taking a big step back with your left leg, crossing it behind your right as you bend your knees lowering hips to the ground until your right thigh is nearly parallel to the floor. Make sure you keep your torso upright and hips and shoulders facing forward. Then, as you straighten back up, extend left leg right out to the side at hip before ‘curtseying’ back down again height (note: leave this part of the move out if you still have any pelvic pain, and just return to standing before repeating). Do 10 on each leg.

Stroller Squat Walk. Turn sideways on to your stroller, on your right side, with your right hand on the stroller. Then take a step to the right and as you do so, squat towards the floor, making sure you push hips back (as if you were sitting down) as you bend your knees pushing the stroller slightly to the right.  Return to standing and repeat. Do 10 of these sideways squats before switching to the left leg.

Waist Whittler. Stand tall with your right side facing the stroller. Keeping as still as you can in the upper body, gently push the stroller away with your right hand, while reaching overhead with left arm. Tense your abdominal muscles on the left side to pull the stroller back. Do this 8-10 times before changing sides.

 What would you like to start doing?
Or are you already well on the way?

A Belated New Years Resolution!

January is the month that you make or break your New Years Resolutions, and honestly…I don’t think mine ever took flight. My resolution to myself was to eat more healthily (less of the chocolate gold!) and to somehow find time to exercise and maybe even go to the gym a couple of times a week.

Now don’t get me wrong I am not heading for a mass diet, I am in my pre-baby clothes and have been since I brought Leo home from the hospital (please don’t hate me!) but I really want to get toned again.

Now although I am yet to give up the chocolate, I am mentally preparing to do exactly that!

Maxitone have given me the final push and of course the motivation to give my New Years resolution a chance by sending me a very generous box of goodies.

Now before I can start and make the very most of everything that I have been sent, someone really needs to tell my tummy that Christmas is over and there is no more excuse for me to be munching on the naughty goodness, oh and let’s not forget the occasional tipple of Malibu and Coke!

Maxitone must have heard me pondering how I would fit in the time to head out to the gym, or the dilemma I have with finding the motivation to leave the house in an evening as they have included a Power Ball Kitl and a DVD to work out too. They have also included a Cardio To Go Kit and DVD and although I haven’t had chance to use it yet, it is going to make my chances to exercise so much easier as I can do it through Leo’s nap time in the comfort of my own lounge.

To help with the exercise that I WILL be doing, Maxitone have included their Definity Shake, a high protein drink that is ideal for drinking straight after your work out to help your body recover. They have even anticipated that I may like to snack, all be it a healthy alternative! Sculptress bars are a nutritious high protein snack replacement, so I can wave bye bye to anything that may want to distract me from the mission in hand. Getting toned!

*Empties Bin and throws all chocolate away!*

So yes I have opted to start a New Years resolution a little later than everyone else… I did in fact have a Mcdonalds for lunch…However from this moment I am going to be skipping and donning my weighted ball, choosing a healthier lunch option and hoping that by shear determination I will be able to get the tummy back that I was once rather proud of!

So here it goes….Wish me luck!

I have a feeling….I am going to need it!