5 TIPS FOR A FITTER, HEALTHIER YOU.

Healthy smoothie gluten free dairy free
Let me just start this post by saying that this is one that a few months back - christ, even a month back - I never, ever thought I would post. I am not fit person (waking up, getting out of bed, going shopping, walking out to the fridge etc. all counts for cardio, right?). I am not a healthy person (both health wise - #TerminalSickNote - and food wise, thrice weekly Indian takeaways followed by a smoothie bowl eaten purely for Instagram pics = balance, right?) However in the last couple of months, I have taken very simple and easy steps to become a slightly fitter, slightly healthier version of myself. Here's how you can do this too:

Put yourself into a Blake Lively transformation machine
Carly Rowena Youtube
Exercise. And no, I don't mean extra fries (well, I kinda do but for the sake of this healthy post I don't). This was a dirty word for me until I decided spontaneously to do a Carly Rowena exercise video (it was probably after seeing her rippling six pack on Instagram) and the love affair began. Now, I discovered Carly years ago when - I really hope she doesn't mind me saying this - she didn't have anywhere near the following that she did now. We spoke a few times over her blog and she was just always the loveliest person. It has been so incredible to see her channel, her following and her opportunities grow, and it's even more amazing that she is still that lovely, genuine person she always was. #CarlyFangirlAlert. So yes, Carly's video's are incredible as they're relatively short but they work you hard, as well as being so easy to follow and most importantly, enjoyable!
Yoga with Adriene stress relief
On the theme of exercise but slightly different, my next tip is to start some form of yoga. Now, I say this is different from "just exercise" because for me, it's so much more than that. Yoga calms my - very over active, over thinking - mind, it makes me more relaxed, it just generally improves my overall mood and I always feel like I'm looking after/being kind to myself after doing some Yoga. Yoga with Adriene is my absolute favourite because she just makes it so easy to follow and get it. If you struggle with the whole concept of Yoga, you need to check out Adriene. She makes it less about the technical "breath in the earth and open up your lymph nodes via the nostrils" shit shiz and more about getting the right technique and having fun with it.
Healthy smoothie gluten free dairy free
Healthy smoothie gluten free dairy free
Nourishing yourself from the inside - So, we're all aware of the benefits and sheer importance of healthy eating however - we all knew that was coming - I love food more than life itself #TheGreedyBitchNextDoor so a totally (or even, really) healthy diet is never really going to work for me. However in the last few months, I've definitely tried to be a bit more balanced. So whilst I definitely eat far too many indian takeaways and eat out too much in general, I've been enjoying much more of my sweet potatoes, nuts, avocado's, veggies, lean meats and fish.... all of that good stuff which to be honest, I have eaten ever since being diagnosed with coeliac disease (in which I had no choice but to overhaul my diet/life) but I've been eating a lot more of it. I was actually considering posting a few recipes for any other kitchen novices that could burn water so if that's something you'd be interested in, let me know :)
Rodial superfit size zero body lotion
Rodial superfit size zero body lotion
Saving the best until last (erm, well, actually the latter), I have some products for you that require no effort and bring amazing results - pretty much my dream - they're from Rodial's incredible Super fit range and quite frankly, they were the products that prompted this entire post. First up we have the Rodial Superfit Size Zero body lotion*, absolutely dreadful name - soz Rodial, but I'm not down with Size 0 even in jokey/pun form - but a brilliant product. The first thing I noticed is that it smells stunning, if this smell could be made into a perfume, I'd be wearing it all day long. It's quite a light, gel-like texture that absorbs quickly however it's so so nourishing on the skin. This product claims to reduce stubborn fatty deposits and water retention and you know what? As much as I totally believed that this was a faddy product with fab marketing, it actually works. The main thing it's done for me is make my skin feel more taut, tighter and smoother... instantly giving the effect - "effect" because obvs I'm eating my Indian takeaways and not doing tonnes of exercise - of more toned legs/wherever your put it. I am not saying that this lotion is going to rid you of all cellulite; all of the exercise, body brushing and and healthy eating won't entirely do that... but it will help you look and feel more toned and tighter and much less lumpy and bumpy. It does cost a whopping £55 - be right back, just tending to my bank account which is having a minor panic attack - however, if cellulite, water retention and general uneven skin tone is something that really effects you, I recommend giving this a go.
Rodial superfit arm sculpt
Rodial superfit arm sculpt
Next up we have Rodial Superfit Arm sculpt*. Now, this is not a product that I ever would have picked out and bought myself, because whilst I've got the odd bit of saggy skin - sexy times people, sexy times - I don't particularly suffer from major bingo wings. However, having used this, I've decided that I don't want to be without it. It works in pretty much exactly the same way as the body lotion; the active ingredients work by tightening and smoothing the skin, lessening the look of "orange peel". It also works by increasing cell renewal, shedding dead skin cells from the surface leaving the skin totally moisturised and this is the reason that I love this. As we have been in Summer - no seriously UK residents, I promise you we have actually been in Summer ;) - and I've been baring my arms more than usual, this just really helps to give me that bit of confidence that I won't be wobbling all over the place.
Giovanna fletcher
My final point is something that is so god damn essential but maybe even the hardest to do, and that is taking time out. Whether you work a full time job and blog on your days off and it's all getting too much, or whether you're a full time blogger and work all day every day and don't stop for a single second forcing yourself into many anxious moments and being on the verge of a breakdown (this is the category I fall into) it really is so important to put your phone down, step away from social media, your blog/youtube and just enjoy some time out. Whether it's reading a book for half an hour - I'm reading Dream a little dream by Giovanna Fletcher and am loving it! - going for a walk in the fresh air, listening to music... do whatever your heart desires. But please just do it. I promise it will make the world of difference to your stress levels, mental health and happiness. And ultimately, you're blog will benefit too as the time you'll be dedicating to it, won't be full of stress and anxiety.

So that brings me to the end of this post. As I mentioned, I am no expert, I'm not telling you what to do with your life, I just wanted to pass on some handy tips for changes that I've made in my life that will hopefully make a difference to yours...

... and if they don't, maybe just make out they did and humour me anyway ;)

As always, thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this!

xx

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