Tip Tuesday: Grab a Sharpie!

When you join Slimming World (or even Weight Watchers to a point) you will be introduced to the syn world. The treats, the naughty stuff, the not so naughty foods but still contain a sin value.

Being clued up about what syns are in your cupboards is the key to success I think.  One tip you might like to use is the Sharpie trick. It probably helps to not buy the naughty stuff at all, but if you have children or a partner would isn't on Slimming World then you will come into contact with these syns.  Plus having some goodies in your house is not necessarily a terrible thing.

The trick is when you first get home from the supermarket grab a marker pen / Sharpie and using the app or computer find out the syns for everything. No guessing let's be honest people. Write it on the packaging somewhere visible and when you feel like dipping in to those Oeros because you are caving the sweet stuff ... you'll instantly know the value of the item.  And it may even put you off eating it all together.  

Hope this helps!

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

Cheeky Peanut Butter Snack

If you asked me 10 years ago if i would eat spoon of peanut I would of said 'No' but now I quite like the nutty stuff as time has gone by.  The best type of peanut butters are ones which are literally (sounds stupid to say this) but are literally made of peanuts.  Sounds daft to say that however doesn't it however you'll be surprised that so many brands add unnecessary ingredients to make it taste better or to preserve it- why?!

Anyway, the best peanut butter I can recommend is the Meridian Crunchy Peanut Butter - made purely from peanuts.  For those of you who are not a fan of crunchy there also sell a smooth version.

A TBS of this will set up back 4.5 syns and I love to team mine with a fruit. I find apples and bananas are the best - plus obviously cinnamon.

A great tip if you do not know, is to eat this after a gym work out.  Peanuts are jam packed with protein and protein is especially good to repair muscle damage. Chicken obviously works too and is free on Slimming Wotkd, but if you fancy something a little different here's an idea for you.

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

Cinnamon: why you should love it!

It might sound weird or strange but I pretty much consume cinnamon every... single... day.  It is kind of a staple for me - like air... brushing my teeth - you get the gist right?

If I fancy snack foods like chopped apples and banana, I will sprinkle it on.  If I have porridge or overnight oats I will use it.  If I'm baking and eating a cheeky apple crumble (don't tell anyone)...I will use it.  It's a kitchen staple in my house hold.

The fab thing with regards to it, is it's FREE on Slimming World! High five!  But also, yes it's free on Slimming World but this tasty spice has tonnes of health benefits that you may of never known of.  For example it can be used to help treat muscle spasms, vomiting, diarrhoea, infections, the common cold, loss of appetite, and erectile dysfunction (apparently so boys!).

Cinnamon is also rich in Vitamin A and K and it assists with combatting bowel inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.  Plus according to Diabetes UK, it may lower blood sugar in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

So next time you're walking down the aisles of your supermarket, give this little guy some thought.  He may be small but he is amazing to have in your life as he will make your food taste great and give your body a helping hand!

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

Can you eat out and be healthy??

The simple answer to this is yes.  It is all about making better and wiser choices (plus having the meal out with someone who understands your journey, there is nothing worse than peer pressure to eat a Banoffi Pie -  true story!).

If you're leading a healthy lifestyle there is nothing worse than temptations especially if you're someone who can easily cave in to it.  Here are a few helpful tips.

Plan
If you're going out for a meal, plan ahead.  Agree a restaurant which has healthier options on the menu. You can even pick the meal before you step foot in the restaurant.  This way you won't be looking at everything on the menu.  Don't put temptation under your nose!!

Avoid the bread basket
I, like the next person loves a chunk of bread with balsamic and olive oil.  However most restaurants give you white bread option.  Go for olives instead as they contain healthy fats. Plus you'll be saving yourself from the bread basket bloat.

Drinks

These days I'm all about the water. I rarely have soda/pop/fizzy (whatever you call them) drinks at all.  However with a meal I may have the occasional glass of white wine.  If you're going down this road have water too as it's all about balance.  Plus water fills you up so you may not be a hungry.

Ask

So your dying for a steak but the only options on the menu is they serve it with chips and covered in sauce.  Ask your waiter if you can swap items over or have the sauce on the side.  Restaurants are quite acommendating these days and are more than happy to chop and change chips or French fries for let's say a jacket or boiled potatoes.  If you don't ask, you don't get!

Share

If you're dying for a side dish of chips then have them but perhaps share them with who you are with.  You won't feel like you have to eat them all if you're sharing with a friend.

Two Out Of Three

When you're at a restaurant there is normally the traditional of starters, mains, dessert. Well my friend just have two... either starters and no dessert or indulge in dessert but skip the starters.  Less is more.

Hope this helps and inspires.

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

What is in my yoga bag?

Yoga is far more than standing on one leg, humming and looking ridiculous.  It's actually a rather good work out - try it if you do not believe me!  For the past few weeks I have been enjoying an evening class.  I thought it would nice to share what kind of clothes I wear and what bits and bobs I take with me.  I attend classes after work, so I take a bag with my yoga essentials and a set of work out clothes.  So what's in my bag you ask?  

Let's start clothes...

The key thing with yoga is comfort.  None of the positions you try to obtain should cause you any unnecessary discomfort and neither should your clothes you wear to class.  You need to feel comfortable, nothing too tight or too loose it's falling down round your ankles.  I like to wear a skin tight work out vests - I prefer these to loose fitting flowy tops as there is no fabric falling in your face when you're in your downward facing dog!  The Nike Dri and the Adidas ClimaLite lines are one of my favourites as they are breathable and move along with you - almost like a second layer of skin.

For my bottoms I like my leggings and when I say leggings I mean work out ones, not those causal thin black ones.  The causal ones generally are a little thinner and can show your knickers off - keep that for the bedroom ladies!!!!!  I own a few nice pairs from USA Pro, which have good Lycra in them and are quite high waisted.  No falling down to my ankles!

Now ladies, when it comes to your boobies - please wear good support.  Whether you are small, medium or large or even extra large in the bust department - you need support.  I wear my sports bra as I have mountains (as per Shakira - Whenever, Wherever).   The bras I use are from Active D+ range from Shocker Absorber, I love this kind I wear as they are high at the front so I don't fall out.  No awkward moments!

Okay on to the essentials...

You may not necessarily need any equipment to begin with.  If you're attending a new group perhaps message your instructor and find out if they supply matts at the class.  If you love it, want to make the class a regular thing, then you may want to buy your own.  The matt I have is from the Argos Davina McCall range.  I personally didn't want anything too fancy and this does the job perfectly.

On to blocks, these aren't a must - it is dependant on you really.  Unfortunately I don't have long luscious limbs like a super model.  With some of the yoga positions you need a little help and I certainly do.  The two I picked up are from USA Pro (not being sponsored - promise).  I've provided the link to an Ebay page as the blocks weren't on the USA Pro site - LINK.

The belt is next on my list to buy.  I'm currently using a range of residence rubber bands I've collected over the years.  These are great too if you aren't that flexible yet and need help reaching certain positions.  Link HERE if you want to browser at some.

I hope this helps any yoga newbies out there.  Have you ever tried yoga?  Do you have any yoga essentials recommendations?

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

Food Temptations

It was someone's last day at my company yesterday and as a goodbye she brought in massive cakes (yes two of them!!!!)  Oh man!!  I was surrounded by mouths munching on these all day yesterday.

It was hard!

However I made it and didn't succumb to temptation by having a giant slab of sugar disguised as a red velvet cake.  I know from personal experience it can be very difficult to avoid temptation when they, aka naughty treats are literally put under your nose. What I usually do which sounds very weird is I sniff the food.  Doughnuts, cakes, chocolate, biscuits whatever is, I'll take a deep breath through my nose...I take in the smell of it and that's enough for me.  Strange I know, but there is no calories in sniffing, only when you eat it! True story.  I'm quite lucky to have a strong will power but I know others can struggle..here are some of my tips for you to avoid temptation.

The bigger picture
There is a very good saying... A moment on the lips, a life time on the hips.  Just guesstimating, but I think you'll need to do approximately 500+ burpees to burn that slice of cake off.  You fancy doing that really? No?  Then put the spoon down my friend!  If you eat it then remember have to burn it off!  Keep in mind the bigger picture, don't let one piece of cake ruin it for you... If you eat it you might cave and want more bad things!

Do you really want it?
Just because it's there does not mean you have to grab a fork and start digging in.  If it was not there, would you rush out to the shops to buy something similar?? If the answer is no, then you don't really need it do you.  Just walk away. Yep just keep walking.

Visual trick
I like this trick where I visually change what the naughty food looks like.  Instead of seeing cake for example, in my mind I just see a big bowl of sugar with a spoon.  Seem very advertising now?  Not really hey.  No one would eat sugar with a spoon on its own would they??  Technically that's what cake is.... Just think about it.

And finally

Have some...
...but have a very very small portion.  If you cannot keep the craving at bay or you've been healthy eating for a while then have a small piece (and I mean SMALL!!). If you've gone without sugar for a long time, it'll be out of your system.  You might only be able to manage a small amount of cake, as you'll find the sugar in it too sweet and your stomach has reduced in size meaning you'll fill up faster.  Afterwards you might think why did I bother?!

If  you had some did you enjoy it?  Was it really nourishing food?  Naughty treats never are.

I hope these tips help someone. Do you have any tips??

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

Bring Your Own....

... lunch!!!

We're having a little competition in work to see who can lose the most weight by September 1st.  There are four of us and we have all set ourselves goals of what we wish to shred.  My goal is 14lbs, however I technically started my healthy life style two days before and I'd already lost 2lbs.  So it was agreed my goal is 12lbs for fairness.  We all throw £10 in to the kitty and the winner gets it.  I personally don't care about the extra cash, but I DO care about loosing my spare tyre around my waistline!!!!

Afterwards we were all having a group discussion where most of my competitors admitted they usually munch on a wrap or sandwich from the likes of Pret or Eat.  Nothing wrong with that, however not the best option.  I always take to work my own lunches, either prepped the night before or that morning.  I much prefer this... Why?  Because I'll know what I'm shoving in my mouth.  It's very easy to run to the shops to buy a 'healthy' sandwich but are they really?

I generally have a salad which makes my work mates groan, however I usually eat more than just a lettuce leaf.   You cannot really tell from the picture as it's hiding underneath - but there is a whole chicken breast, feta cheese and sunflower seeds in there too!  Yes I have rocket and spinach with tomato, cucumber and radishes in there, but I always love to build my salads up so they fill me up.  And they do!!!  

These are my go to during the week whilst I'm at work.  I know what I'm eating - which is good, plus you can get a weeks worth of salad goodies whereas buying sandwiches etc from the high street can be costly.

For a week try to make your own lunches.  Experiment on ingredients, salads don't have to be boring - get creative!! See how you get on and also how much you save.

XAX

Where can you find me??

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'