getting fit [fast]

Three weeks ago I bought this book:

Three weeks, 46573 lunges, 75752 squats and 346564 minutes on the treadmill later, I can honestly say I love it!

Before this book came into my life, my gym sessions had no structure. I may have made the effort to go three or four times a week but I had very little variety and unless I was feeling the body pump class once a week I did little to no weight training.

Oh how things change!

This book pushes me to include a mixture of cardio, resistance and ab training into almost every session and ensures I work out five times a week.

Some days are harder than others - 50 minutes on the cross trainer last night near enough killed me, but I persevered through to a slightly less hardcore 15 minutes cross trainer and 15 minutes cycle tonight followed by strength training.

Phew!

You are encouraged to eat more good food.

There is a set meal plan but I decided to mostly stick to my own plan as I'm not keen on all of the recipes - and really, I don't have time to make a stack of pancakes on a work morning, much as I'd like to!

I may only have been a follower for three weeks but I've noticed changes. I'm eating more nuts and seeds for energy and less sugar; I find I'm turning to fruit for a sweet snack and, due to the meals I'm eating I'm losing the urge to snack between meals.

Ultimately my goal over the remaining nine weeks is to tone tone tone! If I lose weight along the way then great! But really I could do with a bit more muscle tone and definition especially with summer (hopefully!) just around the corner.

Well, my tum says it's dinner time!

Have a lovely Friday night!

Soap & Glory Slimwear Review

Soap & Glory Slimwear – Slenderizing Body Balm 200ml

£9.00

They Say: "An amazing puff-draining, triple action peptide balm that targets problematic 'orange peel' areas and firms, contours, smoothes and reduces the appearance of cellulite. Heavy thigh? Vigorously massage-in Slimwear every morning after showering by using circular sweeping motions from your knees up toward your inner thighs. Those more dedicated to the cause can reapply each evening for around-the-clock anti-orange peel action."

I Say: I've been using this religiously every morning for the last four weeks, as well as regularly going to the gym, eating (semi) healthily and drinking tons of water.

Have I noticed a difference? Well, my thighs weren't terribly dimply before I started to use it; I could only see cellulite when I sat down and squeezed my thighs, but this is enough to upset me! The balm itself has a lovely smooth texture and a slightly menthol scent to it, which I quite liked - it's not strong and unpleasant smelling.

I have been using a grape sized amount for each thigh and I spend around 30 seconds rubbing it into each leg. The balm soaks in fairly quickly so there's no danger of your clothes sticking to you if you choose to get dressed right after applying it. It did however leave green patches on my white towels after I wiped my hands before washing them - fail!

After a very close inspection of both thighs, I can still see a couple of dimply areas - when I stand up and my legs are straight they look smooth and lovely.

I'm not sure if they feel much firmer, but they are very soft, so if nothing else at least I have very hydrated moisturised legs!

All in all, I want to say that this balm has made a difference, but with the exercising, eating masses of fruit and drinking a lot of water, it's hard to say if this would have made a difference on its own.

After using this every day for a month there's still half, if not more left in the tube so at £9.00 for 200ml it's great value for money. I would repurchase because I don't want to neglect my thighs, and a little extra help is better than nothing!

3 monkeys for this product due to the massive stains on my towels!

Have you used this? Do you think it's made a difference?

Back To The Gym!

After over two weeks away from the gym for various reasons I finally went back tonight. There’s nothing worse than being surrounded by thin, beautiful people while feeling heavy and unhealthy – by this, I of course mean the cast of the Hills, who never fail to make to feel pale, unglamorous, and generally completely under par! I love the gym. I’ve missed it so much over Christmas, and I’m so glad to be back. I love nothing more than a good long run, or a session on the cross trainer; it definitely makes me feel so much better about my self, and it’s not just about staying slim – my skin looks better for going and I am more energized.

I won't lie though - tonight was an epic struggle. I think this was partly because the gym was so full of people, which made it unbearably hot before I'd even started and I only managed 50 minutes which I know is better than nothing, but I can do better. I'm hoping that everyone who has joined this month will quit within a few weeks and it will be quiet again!

As well as going to the gym, to help along with toning my stomach, I have a hula hoop!

I bought this off Amazon for around £20 last year and it works wonders! It’s a weighted hoop, and let me tell you, after swinging it round for half and hour or so you can feel the effects. When I first got it, I couldn’t manage 30 seconds and I kept laughing and losing my concentration, however it didn’t take long to work up to 40 minute sessions. I like to clear the living room and do it while I’m watching ANTM on a Saturday morning. If anyone wants a toned tummy and hips I can’t recommend a weighted hoop enough!

Now that I'm back at the gym, and getting back to a normal, healthy eating routine, I can start using my new

Soap and Glory SlimWear Slenderising Body Balm 200ml

£9.00

I received this for Christmas - maybe I should have been offended, but honestly, it just saves me from splashing out on it! At £9.00 it's quite a lot cheaper than Soap and Glory Sit Tight, which I've also used.

The directions on the bottle specify that 'users who control their diets and get regular exercise will see the combined consequences more quickly'.

Now, I'm not completely daft. I know that a lotion is not going to get rid of any cellulite and firm up my thighs by itself, but I'm willing to give it a try! I'm going to use this every morning for a month to see what difference, if any it makes.

The lotion is green and has a slightly menthol flavour, which is actually quite nice I thought.

Look out for a monkey rating review in a few weeks time!