Do it right, no shortcuts!! :D

Right, soooooo basically the fitness journey is going well BUT I'm often asked what kind of diet I'm on aaaaalllll the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not super skinny or fit but the inches are coming off nicely since I started eating right. Everything I post on my Facebook page, blog (www.thelivingcherub.blogspot.co.uk) is practically what I eat on a daily basis. I have cut down my portions but have also changed how/what I cook. I'm not a nutritionist by any means but I follow loads of great trainers/fitness fanatics/fitness pages on Instagram and Facebook and literally just do as they do and eat what they eat. I've also learnt how to workout properly by watching what they do and trying any challenges that I see be it for 30 days or just a one day workout challenge. I've learnt that when it comes to fitness/weight loss, there are no shortcuts or miracles, just hard work and sacrifices!!  So no, there's no quick fix, super miracle diet or magic food. Just educate yourself about what to eat, hang out with fitness freaks looool and make a commitment to your fitness and body!! You'll be proud you did it!! ❤❤❤Xxxx

Be better at being YOU :)

This whole fitness journey has taught me so much!! I never once thought I'd be lifting weights and trying to lift heavier each time, challenging myself to run faster or do more reps, eat better etc etc...I thought that once I could lift weights as heavy as "that girl" in the gym I'd be satisfied. But I realised I didn't need to look at others or try and be like them, I had to look at myself and compete with me to see just how far I could push!! (I now lift heavier than "that girl"btw lol ). I'm not saying don't look at others for inspiration or motivation but learn to realise that YOU are your own best goal!! You're the one pushing so hard to get there so why even bother competing with someone else?? Challenge yourself everyday and be better than you were yesterday. It'll hurt but its so worth it. Have a great day and push harder, you're getting better and better!!

Xxxx

Body type matters

It's now been just under 3 months since I started my fitness journey and I'm learning soooo much through it. From healthy eating to new workouts to how to workout correctly. The list is endless and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

We all make comparisons to other men/women's bodies. We want a butt like Jennifer Lopez, we want hips like Beyonce, abs like Chris Hemsworth (Thor, mmmmm yummy) and biceps like "The Rock". That would be fantastic!!

I'm starting to see what my true body shape is like now that I've lost a couple of pounds and can see some definition. In today's society there seems to be a mould to follow when it comes to what a woman's body should look like. Perfect bust, tiny waist, toned bum and thighs, skinny ankles and tiny feet, all whilst having the prettiest most photogenic face there is on the planet!!! I'm exhausted just writing that!!

I've never had super large hips or a massive bum. I've always been classed as "petite", standing very tall at 5ft lol. So after carrying a child my body changed slightly. I suddenly had hips and a bum and thighs, oh gosh, what do you do with this new jiggle?? I truly wasn't sure what I had become but it was very different and I wasn't sure about it. Anyway, tried some fad diets and lost a couple of pounds then put them back on with a vengeance!! I wasn't working out either so that didn't help. I thought I just had to accept this new slightly chubbier version of myself even though I didn't really like it as I knew it wasn't "me" as such. Besides, African women are meant to look round and healthy right??*rolls eyes*

I was stuck. I started working out but kept the same body. I just looked a little lost to be honest. I dressed to hide this ridiculous kangaroo pouch/pot belly combo that just wouldn't shift!! I mean, I couldn't even put myself in the basic body type categories, you know: apple, pear, straight,hourglass. I was more watermelon/avocado/pomegranate shape lol.

But through my fitness I've discovered something that has changed the way I look at my body completely. It's like a eureka moment and I'm so glad I'm into research otherwise I never would've discovered this. Instagram is a great place to follow fellow fitness junkies, experts, beginners and the photos do help with regards to motivation. I came across a photo showing different body types. I had never heard of Somatotypes before so decided to look into it a little more. I went through blog after blog, Wikipedia pages, website after website and finally found something that I could share that was easier to understand.

I'm an Ectomorph/Mesomorph combination. I say this because I have curves and they are shaping up nicely with all the training I'm doing which is great!! I also put on weight easily and find it difficult to gain muscle definition. But then again my frame is quite small (can't win lol). Anyway here is the link to the blog that I found helpful. It explains each type in detail and also gives a little help on what exercises are most efficient for your body type. Have a read, hopefully it will inform you better and keep you on track with your journey and lifestyle as it has mine.

http://www.superskinnyme.com/body-type.html

Stay positive and keep going. You're doing great!! Xx

The questions will come....

When you start doing things differently, you automatically get questioned: why are you doing this? Who are you trying to impress? Why do you work so hard? You don't think you're fat do you? What's wrong with your body as it is? You're not trying to be skinny are you? When are you going to stop? Who do you think you are? You do realise you're overdoing it? Etc etc etc.... It's human nature. When I started this journey, I got tired of complaining of my Mum-tum. I got tired of being complacent. I didn't want to look at fit people's pictures and wish to look like them, I decided to become one of them. I refused to fail and give up. I changed my mindset and didn't listen to the negativity. I made a choice to start for ME and change what I didn't like (if I can change my hairstyle and outfits, why not change my body for the better!!). I really want to have the best bikini body that I can possibly have lol!! I'm willing to work hard. But most of all, I've accepted absolutely everything and stopped denying myself the opportunity to be and look my best. I've taken the positive and the negative and made it my motivation!! I've made a choice to be better, that's all. And you can too. It's never too late and it's time you treated your body to be the temple it's meant to be. Go out there and be your BEST!! xxxx

Sharing is caring :/

Well I've searched high and low for some April challenges and haven't had any luck. So I put my greedy twin to one side and thought I'd share my warm up session that I usually do with my personal trainer Paul (www.total-bodypt.co.uk)

It's pretty self explanatory. Brilliant if you're just starting your fitness journey as it will work your entire body. Try and repeat 2-3 times if you can. That's what I do if I don't have time to go to the gym.

Have fun and let me know if you try it out. Have a great and positive week xxx

Super juice part 2 + cleanse plans

I've been juicing again, I think I'm addicted. MANGO, RED GRAPES, RASPBERRIES, PINK LADY APPLES, PLUMS...went for red fruit this time round (I know, mango isn't red inside but it was red on the outside lol). Once again, full of vitamins and nutritious for the whole family. I've been thinking about going on a cleanse after my holiday and I think this combo and my green juice should do the trick. Might try 10 days, hopefully i'll be able to keep up with my workouts and stay energised. Try this combo and let me know what you think. Seeeeee, i recycled my bottles and put some labels on this time round. They're the same ones from the green juice production. Super juice!! Have a great week xx

Just do it!! And I did it, woooohoooo!!

Sweat it out!!Yuuuuup, that's how it went down today!! Wednesday, my personal trainer had me doing tricks on the TRX bands, from cardio, to squats, to ab work!! It was intense but I got through it. This morning, I was in PAIIIIIN!! Every muscle hurt but I had to do my usual kettlercise, spin and bootcamp. The trainer at bootcamp kept a mental note that I had failed to do my box jumps on the high step he had set on Tuesday. So today, he literally forced me to do them on the high step, eeeek!! It took me about 3 minutes just to tell myself to jump (on Tuesday it was 5 mins loool) but I eventually went for it and rocked those box jumps like a pro, I'm so happy!!! TELL YOURSELF YOU CAN, AND YOU WILL!!! Positivity and self-belief will get you through anything, no matter what. Your mind is the most powerful tool you own, use it wisely and you'll be stronger than you think you are..Here's a pic of my sweaty shirt after 3 straight hours of hard work, deeeelicious!! Haha!! Thanks for believing in me Lee, you're a don:)