Just Another Fitness Update

Aloha! I've been meaning to write a fitness update for the blog for quite a while now, as I've really changed up my routine since May. I've been doing the lovely Carly Rowena's Get Gorgeous Guide, which has really shaken up my routine and got me out of my gym rut. The guide is a 12 week plan (I'm a week behind due to going away), with three workouts each week, one upper body, one legs and butt, and one abs. 

I'm still going to the gym five or six times a week, with an additional cardio and abs day, an additional butt day, as well as (if I do 6 workouts a week) a back and biceps day. In all honesty, I haven't noticed a huge change in my stomach area over the past few months, but that is down to me not changing my food plan as much as I should have. However, my legs have definitely got more toned, and the booty is growing *hallelujah*! I've also noticed my arms are getting much more toned.

With my graduation coming up next week, I am planning to kick myself up the bum for the next week in terms of food, trying to lower my carb in take as when I do I notice a huge decrease in bloating. I'm also trying to add on more cardio at the start of every gym session, ideally 20 minutes on the StairMaster. 

I'm not weighing myself anymore as I've just found I get too focussed on a number and that's really not what it's about. I'm doing this for what I look like rather than what I weigh, so as long as I'm happy with what I see in the mirror, everythings good! And speaking of being happy with what I see in the mirror, I have to say when I wake up in the mornings my stomach has been super flat which I am loving, but I am suffering a lot with bloating throughout the day still, I'm yet to put my finger on what is causing it though. *note, before taking these pictures I had just inhaled a McDonalds Breakfast...I think this may be the connection...*

Overall, I am actually so proud of how much stronger I have gotten through the Get Gorgeous Guide, and I am absolutely loving being a part of the community that Carly has created. All the ladies on the facebook page are super inspiring and when you really aren't feeling working out that day, a quick look on the group and you're motivated AF. My upper body strength has improved greatly, as has my core strength, and I can now hold a plank for a minute, which may not seem like a long time, but girl, I don't have the strongest abs. My main goal at the moment is just to up my Squat weight, I am still on a pretty low weight as I have the world's dodgiest knees (thanks Mum!), and I don't want to aggravate them.

One final note: how gorgeous are these leggings? I've become a true Gymshark fanatic and invested in the new Seamless Leggings in Beet and I cannot stop wearing them, like literally they probably need a wash. I would link them up but they sold out in 5 minutes which is absolutely insane, but you can probably see why! 

A Healthier Alternative to a Chocolatey Favourite*

I just got back from holiday in Nice, and I am really suffering with the post-holiday bloat (due to all the Crepes and Baguettes...), so I have been looking for more healthier alternatives to my favourite foods. Thankfully, the people at Pulsin* contacted me just before I went away and asked if I would like to try their new revamped Raw Chocolate Brownies, as well as their Protein Booster Bars. Of course, I said yes, as a massive fan of their old Raw Chocolate Brownies, and my lord are these amazing!

Firstly, the bars are: Gluten Free, Soya Free, Dairy Free and Vegan, for those of you who require these sorts of food. My stomach has recently become a bit sensitive to Dairy, so I was happy to find out that they were Dairy free. 

The macros are pretty impressive too if you are bothered by those sort of things, with around 220kcal in the Protein Booster bars, consisting of 11.6g Fat, 15.5g Carbs and 12.3g of Protein. The Raw Chocolate Brownies are even lower in calories, but you'd really never know!

The Protein Booster bars are not at all chewy like many other protein bars, and I really could not fault them. My favourite was the Orange Chocolate Chip flavour which legit tastes like Terrys Chocolate Orange, closely followed by the Vanilla Choc Chip. 

I really did not that Pulsin could make the Raw Chocolate Brownies taste any better, but they have succeeded. they have actual chocolate chips in now and small bits of peanut which just make the texture even nicer. I cannot express to you guys how amazing these bars are if you, like me, are obsessed with gooey chocolate brownies. 

The bars are perfectly sized to just throw in your handbag as a snack on the go to save you picking up those naughty treats on the go. I've been loving throwing the protein boosters in my bag to have after a workout when I am hungry enough to eat a horse.

Have you ever tried anything from Pulsin? I really recommend those of you after healthier alternatives to try them!

*Kindly sent to me by the brand

OOTD: Summer Ball 2017

Last Saturday was my final ever University of Essex event, our annual Summer Ball. It was amazing and I was in love with my outfit so wanted to share it with you guys and hopefully inspire you for any formal events you have coming up!

Shoes: Miss Selfridge £45

Dress: My Bandage Dress £70
Bag: Accessorize £17
Choker: Topshop £10

I'm trying to create more photo-based posts at the moment, just because that's what I'm enjoying reading, so I hope you guys approve!

Carbs Are Not The Enemy!

I remember when I first decided I wanted to lose weight when I was 16, and back then 'no carb' fad diets were all the rage, and unfortunately I got sucked into the promises of the Dukan diet. No carbs, and all the protein. Yes, I lost an extortionate amount of weight in a short time, literally around a stone in a month, but it was just not healthy and it completely shattered my metabolism. As soon as I started eating carbs again the weight piled back on and I was unhappy again. My body was clearly malnourished and when I wasn't eating carbs I had absolutely no energy to do anything. Disclosure: I am not a nutritionist, but I am just sharing the things I have learnt over time.

1) Carbohydrates are an essential macronutrient, and they DO NOT make you fat! I cannot stress this enough. Carbs are needed for energy, and yes some aren't as 'good for you' as others, such as refined carbs, but unless you plan to sleep all day, carbs are essential. Not only will avoiding them make you lethargic, but you will for sure struggle to concentrate on any tasks.

2) Choosing to eat carbohydrates which are full of fiber will be absorbed slowly into our system, therefore providing energy for a longer duration and avoiding spikes in our blood sugar levels, which can lead to a crash in energy. Examples of such carbs are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eating less refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, can be beneficial for health as they don't contain the high fiber of those 'healthier' carbs. Some carbs can even lower cholesterol, such as oats.

So seriously guys, if you aren't eating carbs because you think they'll make you fat, they will not. Yes, some carbs may bloat you, but this is completely natural! They're essential for your body to feel the best it can, and so long as you are eating the right ratio of macronutrients you will not gain weight. Also, 'fats' do not make you fat!

The Gym Leggings I Can't Stop Wearing

I am not going to lie, I spend 80% of my life in Gym clothes so when I find a pair of leggings I love, they make a constant appearance in my wardrobe. These are my new loves, the Seamless Leggings from Gymshark.

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate HOW it works for the booty?! I have the worst pancake arse ever so to actually have the tiniest curve in these leggings makes them an ultimate win for me! They're also completely squat proof, so ain't nobody seeing anything they shouldn't in these bad boys. They are a tad expensive, the cropped ones, which I have, are £38, and the full length ones are £40, but honestly they are so worth it and I have never owned a pair of leggings I love so much.

They also come in a dark Charcoal colour which are super nice too, but I was feeling summery when I bought these. Please ignore the massive red patch at the bottom of my leg, a lovely mozzie decided to attack me in the night.

The sports bra I am wearing is from Victorias Secret, I don't think this exact one is available any more as I did buy it at Christmas.

Have you guys tried anything from Gymshark? If not, what are your favourite brands for gym gear?!