Don't quit the 'New Year New Me' just yet...

Keeping into that New Year fitness after January can be challenging for us newbies, trust me I should know! The whole 'New Year New Me' thing can wear off all too quickly. I have spent the last three years saying that 'I am going to be the next fitness junkie' and don't get me wrong, I start the New Year with a real motivation, but by the time February hits I am back to being a couch potato. (Imagine an upside down emoticon face here) So, this year I said I was going to stick with it, and stop talking about it and do it! Here is my blog post on how to stay motivated to keep fit and healthy and the essentials you need. So, put down the FAD diets and let's get motivated! 

2 LITRES REALLY ISNT THAT MUCH...

I am one of those people that use to be obsessed with fizzy pop and squash and all things sugary. Everything apart from water. And do you know what put me off drinking water? The constant reminder that we had to drink 2 liters a day! 2 liters sounds just like so much, doesn't it? Later in 2016, I was sent this incredible water bottle by HydrateM8. They create motivational water bottles that encourage you to drink your 2 liters a day, without the added pressure. If you see in the pictures below, one side of the bottle gives you a kick-ass quote that pumps you into motivation and on the other side has times running down from 9 am all through to 6 pm. The bottle is designed to encourage you to refill and drink up. Now, I can easily drink 2 liters a day and sometimes even more! HydrateM8 offer smaller bottles and the regular size bottles that vary in prices from £11.99 to £13.99. And for that price, you really cannot argue!  

GET CONFIDENT GYM WEAR TO BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE

I have an incredible Personal Trainer, who also has a blog (click here). She may be like family, but she still motivates me and comes down on me like a ton of bricks if I don't complete my workout, specifically those dreaded burpees. She can seriously be scary! The first thing she told me when we started working out together was to get some funky gym wear. I couldn't understand why bog standard black gym wear wasn't okay? Now I get it! I don't have the most confidence, I put on a front, yes, but I wouldn't say I am 100% confident when I workout. Then, I started to wear ProSkin's ZigZag full print leggings and sports bra. You might think these are loud, but I tell you what they boost your confidence when you are working out! And this is exactly what you need when you are about to commit to 30 burpees. 

FIND A WORKOUT YOU LOVE

I do enjoy going to the gym, don't get me wrong, but I can get bored quite quickly. And I never know how long I should be there for? I also get extremely intimidated when I am in a workout class. Apart from spinning. Spinning is the only exercise class that I feel the urge to compete with the others in the room. Up until last month, I had never even considered boxing. But now I am in LOVE with it. Being a member of Fitness First in Hammersmith opens up tons of exercise doors. There are loads of core classes, and the staff there are just incredibly helpful (apart from the manager Jonno, who isn't that friendly. But never mind, that's another story!) I met one of the staff members there called Mikey, who is trained in Personal Training and Boxing. He convinced me to give boxing ago, particularly since I hated my arms and struggled to find a workout that would fix those (and dare I say it) bingo wings! Now I am hassling him to book in those boxing classes non-stop! It is particularly great if people wind you up, and you tend to hold onto a lot of anger and stress. Just take it out on those boxing pads! Although, don't do what I did and nearly hit the instructor (sorry again, Mikey)! What was great about Mikey's exercise is that is can be just you and the instructor, or you can bring a friend along! This meant that we did something called 'Ten to One.' One of you boxes with the instructor while the other starts with ten burpees, squats, sit-ups and slams. Then you swap over, and eventually, the Ten will go to nine, then eight and all the way down to one. I am not a 'sweater' when I workout, but trust me I was drenched after this. If you are in the Hammersmith area and need a boxing instructor then definitely hit Mikey up! Click here for his Instagram page. 

USE INSTAGRAM AS A MOTIVATOR!

Instagram is a powerful tool and is only going to get more powerful-er as we go into the future. So use it! There are thousands of fitness and health enthusiasts on Instagram that have created their feed to, yes most likely show off, but it's also there to motivate us couched potatoes. Don't deny that when you see a picture of Kylie Jenner rocking her bathing suit, you instantly feel motivated to the maximum! So, now we have this saved section on our Instagram, which means we can save other people's feed without them knowing. Use that as your motivational timeline. And each time you go to the gym or workout from home take a look at that Kylie Jenner picture and think 'yeah, I could be that fit.' I am very anti the whole inspired to look like somebody mindset, because everyone's body is different, and different shapes suit different people but that doesn't mean they cannot motivate you to be a better and healthier you. 

The next best celebrity collection is here...

She's been acting for years and was the most talked about housemate of the Big Brother House 2016. NOW Miss Laura Carter has gone into fashion and I can't quite hold back the excitement for the range... The last few weeks has seen Laura launch her collection in collaboration with Cherry Drop, which is a brand that collaborates a lot with the hottest reality TV stars. It has started off minimal, but I just know there will be more to come. The collection really is Laura to a T! There are dresses, shoes, and even loungewear. 

I was fortunate enough to be sent the Lilac Crushed Velvet Loungewear and I am sat here on a Sunday afternoon feeling slightly sorry for myself as I clearly had one too many drinks the night before and the only thing I want to do is put on something comfortable, but also something I can wear whilst walking to the local shop to buy hangover food. This is where my new loungewear comes in. The 2 piece (jumper and joggers) combo is slightly untrue to fit, I will admit that. I feel it is kind of cropped, but I am quite tall so this may be why. The material is super soft, and one of those that you can't help stroking. And for £28.99, you can't really argue! The only major critic I would have would be that it should come in many more colors. Lilac is not a colour I would normally wear, and it won't suit everyone so you should really bare this in mind, but I am hoping Laura will read this and consider bringing it out in some more colours, because I would most likely buy them all. 

But don't forget to check out the many other items in Laura's collection. The dresses are to die for and the shoes are super cute. PLUS to all my lovely readers out there, if you use the code LOIS10 you can get 10% off your order today! Now, there's an offer you can't miss. To take a look at the collection for yourself click here and you will be redirected to the Cherry Drop website. 

The next best meal prep company...

The Yummy Tummy co. is the next best food service you need in your life! But I will say one thing, you need to be a 'meal preparer' in order to really use these. I try to be, but I always get to week 3 in the month and just loose the motivation to do so. Being a full-time student, and having a million and one things to do in the day, however, is the main benefit for these meals as I really take them on the go and have most of them hot OR cold. Let's also not forget that The Yummy Tummy Co. is GLUTEN, WHEAT and DAIRY FREE!

THE JAMMIN' JERK
This name excited me, who doesn't love a bit of jerk in their life? I have to say, though, the taste was lovely initially, but after getting halfway through there was a sort of artificial taste in my mouth? But sometimes I feel this is because you need to heat them up in the plastic containers that they come in. They recommend that you heat them up for 2-3 minutes on full heat, but I actually needed to put mine in for 5-6 minutes because I like my food to be piping hot! I most likely wouldn't order this one again, but I am a fussy eater.

OOODLES OF NOODLES
This was by far a preferable meal! I initially looked at it and thought I was going to turn into a rabbit with all that veg, but I am still human. This dish had thin noodles, with peppers, onions, and spring onions. Plus the most DEVINE sauce! I decided to heat this up, as I much prefer hot food to cold. I poured the sauce over the OODLES OF NOODLES after heating, and not before! This time I took the food out of the container and put it into a heatproof bowl instead of heating up in the plastic container. This made the food taste much nicer and should be recommended. Half way through the noodles, I started to get really full. There was quite a lot and you could easily make this a 2 portion meal and share with somebody else.

PROTEIN PODS
These are the best thing ever! I have such an obsession with Edamame peas, so you can imagine my excitement when  these came through with my delivery. AND THEY WERE SPRINKLED WITH CHILLI! Although I would have liked more but that's personal preference. I heated these pods up for 3 minutes, and I was loving every single one. (No seriously, if I wasn't sharing them with my flatmate I could have eaten all of them!) These are great to have as an on-the-go snack or to accompany your meal.

Overall, I would like to try some more meals from The Yummy Tummy Co. as I feel I need to taste them all. I would definitely order the OODLES OF NOODLES and PROTEIN PODS again. Just remember, they taste much nicer when they are removed from the container and heated up in a bowl. Fancy trying some? Visit one of their cafe's to try some today! Click here to be redirected to their website too!

Sourced Market 

Kings Cross St Pancras

Marylebone - Wigmore Street

Budgens

East Finchely - N2 8AQ

Belsize Park - NW3 4QG

Planet Organic 

West Bourne Grove W2 5SH

Devonshire Square EC2M 4AE

Torrington Place  WC1E 7HJ   

Muswell Hill   N10 3HS                  

Islington  N1 8LR                             

Tottenham Court Road W1T 1BJ

Wandsworth  SW18 4TF

As Nature Intended

Marble Arch - W2 2EH

Chiswick - W4 2DR

Balham - SW12 9BP

Ealing - W5 5DB 

Spitafileds - E1 6NG

Yes, sweet Hummus does exist!

ChicP. I don't know what sounded more exciting when I saw this brand as I scrolled through my Instagram. The fact that it was Hummus, or that they also make savory Hummus. I am the biggest fan of this kind of food, so I was excited to try it out. ChicP kindly sent me 3 flavors:

• Carrot, Ginger, and Turmeric Hummus
• Beetroot, Horseradish, and Sage Hummus
• Banana, Peanut Butter, and Cocoa Hummus

Let's start with the Carrot, Ginger, and Turmeric flavor. It was a very interesting texture, really smooth and one thing that stood out was how there wasn't the artificial taste of supermarket bought hummus. I thoroughly enjoyed this flavor, especially with toasted Pitta Bread. The main ingredient that stuck out to me had to be the Ginger, so if you're a Ginger lover then this flavor isn't for you! However, if you LOVE ginger like me, then you really should order some! 

The next to try was the Beetroot, Horseradish, and Sage hummus. I wasn't keen on this flavor at all. In fact, I could only stomach one mouthful. But, this was due to the fact I really dislike all 3 ingredients. I feel as though it wasn't going to work out from the start, but was worth a shot. I know many people that LOVE beetroot, so if you do, this is for sure something you'll want to try. 

Last, but most certainly not least, the sweet hummus! I love Banana and Cocoa, but I am not the biggest lover of Peanut Butter. This, however, didn't ruin the experience for me. The banana was most definitely the strongest ingredient and stood out like a sore thumb. It was really enjoyable, and I was most certainly have again. But, I heard that they also sell this flavor minus the Peanut Butter AND they also make one with Avocado as a replacement, so I might be making a trip to one of their stockists soon to try those both out. For this, I actually enjoyed the hummus with fresh fruit on sticks, it was a great healthy alternative to melted chocolate. 

Like the sound of the ChicP Hummus? Well, you are in for an extra treat! ChicP is launching in WholeFoods on the 9th of November 2016 (TOMORROW!) and is already selling at the Rude Health Cafe. So get your ass down to either to pick some up or alternatively, you can check out their website here! 

Chin up with ChinUp Masks

Introducing the revolutionary non-surgical facelift. The new Chin Up Masks are the new way to reduce those double chins in just 30 minutes. Chin up can be used as a quick fix for a night out or special event, and even as a long-term solution if you stick to it.

There are 4 active key ingredients in the formula, and they are Q10, Vitamin E, Corum 9235 and Advanced Skintronics Technology. The Q10 is the simulator for cell strengthening and promotes the regeneration of skin, as well as helping to give immediate relief to the dry and dehydrated skin. Vitamin E is one of the most talked about benefits to our skin, and in the Chin Up Masks it acts as an anti-oxidant and will offer improved elasticity and smoothness. The most exciting ingredients out of the four would have to be the Corum 9235. This is what promotes the loss of chin fat and gives the most relaxing warming sensation when applied to skin! The final of the Key Active Ingredients is the Advanced Skintronics Technology and this is Chin Ups’s very own patent formula and will not be found in any other beauty and skincare product. What makes this Chin Up formula so special is the Skintronics Serum, which creates the contoured ‘chiseled’ look and reduces the appearance of your double chin!

Firstly, make sure you read the instructions on the inside of the sleeve. It took me a while to figure out where they were, but once I had it was GO GO GO! I measured my chin at 15cm, which was sort of heartbreaking to read but oh well! I applied the mask on and strapped myself into the ChinUp Band. You really do have to stretch the ChinUp Band, and wrap it from the chin to the top of your head. Your mouth, by this point, is closed and there is no physical way you can talk. So, make sure that your phone doesn't ring for the next 40 minutes. Instantly I felt the mask underneath the band tingling, which felt very similar to Tea Tree oil. This sensation carried on throughout the 40 minutes I had the mask on for. It felt relaxing, but the band was very tight and this kind of ruined the relaxing experience. 

By the last 16 minutes, my muscles around my chin actually started to hurt. REALLY HURT! This wasn't a pleasant feeling, but when you think about it, this 30-40 minute treatment is supposed to be a quick fix instead of having botox, and for that reason, I powered through the pain. 

Finally, the result! After 40 minutes, I removed the band and massaged the excess serum into my skin. I then measured........ 12.9cm! Just over 2cm thinner! This was definitely impressive, and actually, I would purchase this product in the future for results like this. The best part is I have another mask in my Trial pack, so I can do it all again next week. 

Chin Up Masks can be purchased in bulk, or just to trial. They are so confident in their results; they ask you to measure your chin size before starting, and again after. They even show you how to measure your chin accurately! Chin Up can be bought online at their website, starting at just £29.95.

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