You are what you eat...

You are what you eat is such an underrated phrase in my opinion. You hear it all the time but how often do you actually take into account what it means?

I will be honest when I heard that phrase I would think yeah if you eat unhealthy processed high fat foods continuously then you will feel awful, be overweight and generally feel like crap, flip side if you eat healthy well balanced diet you feel wonderful - am I right?

So lets rewind to last summer, around May time 2016. A rash starts appearing on my body, a really red, sore rash on my legs, under arms and side of my stomach, I didn't notice it much until it started getting really painful and really obvious! 

Now I have super sensitive skin, it has taken me ages to work out my skin care routine and get the balance so I don't break out, and now something has tipped the balance.
So I tried changing my deodorant, my washing powder, cleaning products used around the house, even down to my exercise trousers, and nothing changed! 

Fast forward to September, winter is on its way and I am about to change to winter breakfast - summer is eggs and toast, winter is porridge with almond milk. I also take out a morning coffee as I find the porridge to be really filling and can't manage a coffee as well. 
After a few weeks I notice some changes, I am less bloated and also my rash is looking a little less red not by much but it looks like it is clearing up. 

So I start to consider that the phrase you are what you eat might have more meaning to that I originally thought, now I think about it I don't even know why I didn't think that the food I am putting into my body would effect the outside, my diet was always 80% clean 20% dirty, so I didn't think think that my diet would ever effect my complexion. 

So I looked at everything in my diet that contained dairy and took it out. Cheese (crying), milk products, yogurts, butter, chocolate, pizza etc and started from scratch. 

Since then the rash has completely cleared up, I had a flare up over Christmas, further confirming that any dairy product is going to effect me, the way I feel and also my complexion. 

At first it was a bit of a pain if I am totally honest, sometimes I would eat things and immediately feel sick, bloat out to looking 6 months pregnant, or break out- so I knew that had to leave the food group. Now I read every ingredient before buying and consider what might be in the meal when I go out to eat. After a few weeks of food shopping I pretty much knew what I can and couldn't have in my daily diet. I am pretty regimented with my eating, always the same thing every day, makes macro counting easier as well! 

I also look for alternatives - so pizza is my ultimate food I love it, so now I look at the free from section and making things from scratch, home made pizza is actually way better and the difference is SO much better. 

The free from aisle is now my favourite section, for foods that contain dairy they have the alternative, the only thing that is really not the same is cheese. Free from cheese is awful, so now I just don't eat it all, it makes me so sad because I love cheese, one day my body will change its mind I am sure.... ;)

So if you are having a similar problem I would highly recommend looking into your diet and thinking more about what you eat. 
Keep a food diary and if you have any reactions from bloating, feeling sick to hives make a note of what you ate and also at what time, and how you felt that day. 


Looking for nutrition plans, advice or eating tips email us barbellasandbuns@gmail.com for more information! 

Beat the Sunday night blues...

You've had a great weekend, eaten good food, got some good workouts in, seen friends and family, spent it with your loved one... then there is this feeling, it sets in around 4pm, the Sunday blues, the oh man the weekend is over and I have to go back to work blues. 

This is normally reserved for people in jobs who don't like them that much, know they have a hard week ahead, or if your like my dad who works away from home, leaving your loved one at home whilst you stay away for the week! 

I personally don't get the sunday blues that much any more, I don't mind my job so much, I get it more on an early shift because who likes a 4am wake up call but in general I don't mind it. 

But here are some ways to beat the sunday blues and make sure you make the most of your weekend without worrying about the week ahead! 

• Get the boring stuff done first - But I have so much to do I hear you cry - especially if you have kids, it takes a lot more time to get things done! So prioritize the chores that need to be done when they are occupied or napping, or if they are old enough get them to join in! Get the boring stuff out the way first then spend the rest of the weekend enjoying your time. Once they have gone to bed that is you "me" time, spend it with your partner, watch some tv and enjoy the peace and quiet! If you are without children its still applies it just means you have less distractions! 
• Take a bath - a hot bath with candles is a perfect way to end a weekend. Turn off the lights, light some candles, shut the door and breath. It's amazing how much better you can feel when you just shut everything out and just relax. 
• Clean bedsheets - argue with me that there is nothing better than climbing into a clean bed and I will argue with you right back! I LOVE clean sheets, the feel, the smell - yes I never want to leave the bed again but it makes me feel so good, especially after my relaxing bath I feel ready to settle down.
• Read - don't watch tv an hour before bed, especially in your bed! Put the laptop down, the phone away and any other technology and open that book. The read doesn't have to be relaxing, I love crime thrillers - not exactly bedtime reading but it works for me! 
• Make your bedroom your sanctuary - I make sure my bedroom is for sleeping or bed activities.... nothing else, no eating, no working, no stress. My boyfriend does everything from bed... We have a small house and when I am downstairs he claims upstairs... I don't agree with this, by him working in bed, eating in bed and basically doing everything in that room I think he associates it more with stress without realising, he won't listen to me of course but I know that since I have stopped doing all those things in bed I have slept a lot better
• Think positive - if you are feeling stressed write it down. By the time you are finished you normally feel ten times better, you have vented to the person who understands - you - and you have let your feelings go. When I was really stressed about things in my life I used to write a list of everything that bugged me and then I would burn it as a way to let go. It helps it really does, it may sound strange or stupid but I would give it a try! We have all seen the valentines ritual on friends right? Where they burn the picture of ex boyfriends to break the curse? Well this is the same thing just be careful with fire we don't want the fire brigade out! 

Try these any night of the week your feeling stressed, but try to introduce them on a Sunday for a nice end to the weekend, and don't get to bogged down in the little details of the week ahead - a positive mind set is key to a healthy positive lifestyle! 

Lately...

So lately life has been hectic! I have been away with work, handing in my notice at work and trying to get back on the wagon of exercising like a pro! 

The work trip was ok, I ran everyday but one which felt great and walked around 3-4 miles everyday, I ate pretty healthy with a few treats - the craving of a cheeseburger and chips got too much one night so I treated myself! I stayed clear of wine and again treated myself to a few cocktails on the last night coz hey why not! 
I got back and made sure I went straight to the gym the next day to make sure I got back into my routine straight away because there is nothing worse than getting out of it! 
I was admittedly exhausted after some seriously stressful months at work, but I pushed through, it wasn't until Wednesday when I was back at crossfit that I felt totally back on it and motivated again. 
It was a great feeling!  
Eating normal, healthy foods again and working out really makes a difference in how you feel! 

I am away travelling again this weekend, but this time it is a weekend break to Rome! I have a different mind set for holidays, here I will relax, eat in moderation what I want but not worry to much because hello Italian food is one of the best kind of foods! 

I am looking forward to having a straight set of about 8 weeks with no interruptions with exercise and my routine though, I know exercise isn't everything but I am really wanting to be competition ready for the new year and it means hard, dedicated work needs to take place!
I will have a few adjusting periods when I start my new job - I will be working shifts, one week early one week late, so I will need to make sure I adapt to my new hours and fit the training in. 

I am really excited about the next few months, I am feeling super positive and happy, something that hasn't been happening for a long time! 

I am working on introducing new features to the blog as well, so bare with me if I get a bit behind, I promise I am working on keeping it up to date!

On another note - I started my birthday yesterday just right with a nice personal best on the deadlift 95kg 2 rep max!

The post holiday body - what happens now?

 

So you have been working hard for months getting your body 'bikini ready' you have the holiday and now is the time to relax, eat what you like, workout if you feel like it and all round relax and enjoy yourself, then you arrive home, look at the killer tan you have from holiday, but then notice the body you worked so hard for, well it is no longer there. 

First of all welcome to the holiday club, I had almost abs at the beginning of my holiday, now not so much, I am softer than I was 10 days, I haven't gained any weight but I am feeling out of shape, but you know what I had an awesome time away, add good food, worked out and relaxed, and now I am back I know I will clean up my eating, get back to my full workouts and get back to where I was in no time! 

I make an effort to workout on holiday not because I force myself but because I enjoy my workouts, I went lighter on the routine for the past 10 days, spending about 40 mins doing different weight exercises and 20 mins of cardio and abs each day to keep me active, I also swam alot during the day and we walked every where which is always an added bonus! 

As we were staying in an apartment we had the advantage of being able to cook our own meals and then eating out at different restaurants and picking exactly what we wanted to eat.

I love all inclusive but having this change meant I drank less, ate healthier and basically got to make my own choices - no chips! 

I ate pizza, bread and crisps and had ice cream of course, I think the gym helped balance it and some days I got bogged down with weight worries but then I took a step back, knowing it is only 10 days and that I am away to enjoy myself! 

So now it is back to the grind, I got straight back into my routine yesterday when I returned and cleaned up my eating, today was my first day back properly weight training - chest and back - but it felt so good! Yesterday was cardio and HIIT session, both felt awesome and I don't actually feel too bad, which was good! 

So if you are heading on holiday and unsure of eating and drinking my advice would be everything in moderation but also relax and enjoy yourself. You know you can sort it out the minute you get home, if you have the chance to workout then go for it 3 times a week just to get the body moving and trust me it will make you feel so much better! 

Happy summer holidays!

Post Holiday and ready to get back to the grind

 

Well hello there! 

I returned this morning from a wonderful 10 days away in the sun and I can honestly say I really feel SO much better for it! 

If you are feeling stressed, down or just a bit defeated I highly recommend getting away if you can, if not for a week or so just take a long weekend and you will really feel the benefits from it! 

I had a lot of time to think whilst I was away about my life and where it is going and I honestly feel more positive with the actions I am taking to improve my life and change myself for the better. 

First of all I took the plunge and have enrolled to take a diploma for working in the fitness industry... more to come later on, I have also signed up for 2 week trial at my local cross fit gym! 

I am really excited, I love the training I am doing but I need a goal and I have decided to give cross fit a try and see if I enjoy it, and then compete in the cross fit games. Basically my life is going to start revolving alot more around fitness, more so that it already does, and eventually my job will be part of the fitness industry as well! Yay, exciting. 

For the meantime whilst I am still working at my current job I am making sure I don't get to bogged down with work outside of work, and that my life and mind does not revolve around it when it is out of my control, I don't want to become obsessive and stressed like I did before, I just want to be good at what I do, and also have my life outside of work.

I also want to make sure I travel more, I love to travel and see new places so I am making sure that I do these things when I have money and am able to that I make sure I do it!

In the near future aka next few months, what are left of this year... eek! I am focusing on building my body to its best potential, studying hard, building this blog and working hard whilst at my actual job. 

I feel ready to take on the world again, which is an awesome feeling compared to 2 weeks ago. 

Lift like a girl

I don't know why but I have become more and more sensitive to the phrase "like a girl" recently, it might because the blogs, women I follow on Instagram etc are highlighting being a strong, independent woman that I have taken on their mindset, the face I am comfortable in my own skin and also probably that I am training with boys and its all I hear!

The other day I over heard some guys talking in the gym and he said "come on, do it properly, your doing it like a girl" and then this morning a guy couldn't lift heavy and he said to his friend "eugh I feel so girly".

It frustrates me because well I could easily turn around to these guys and correct them as I can squat heavier than one and lift heavier than the other - I know this for a fact as I have seen them train!

But I don't obviously because are they going to care/listen - no of course not because they are already set in comparing weak performances to being "like a girl".

I feel that men like this fear strong women, I am lucky that my boyfriend was raised by a strong woman so he encourages me to be stronger and fearless - sometimes he does use the phrase like a girl and he gets a look ;) but he would never put me down because I was a girl, if I can't do something it is not determined by my gender it is determined by my own strength.

I posted this on Instagram for International Womens Day and also because it is my favourite image to show that doing things like a girl is NEVER a bad thing unless you make it a negative!

Working in male dominant industry (marine industry) and training with men 7 days a week really makes me want to stand up for women and represent us as the strong, independant women we all are!

If the men in your life can't encourage you to be this, ignore it and do it anyway - they will either accept the change or you know you are better off without them - I have known so many men who think strong women are out of control, or women who believe in womens rights are "lesbians" I don't have time for people like that when I want to build a brand that empowers women and encourages them to shine!

So friendly reminder on this Monday - lift like a girl, run like a girl, think like a girl and act like a girl, because you are awesome!

Currently

This weekend has been a good one. I spent the entire weekend away with family and my boyfriend to celebrate my uncles birthday.
Since moving out, I obviously see less of the parents so it was nice to spend some quality time with them just having fun, a few drinks and basically enjoying life.
This week is also set to be a good one as its is the boys bday week! I am excited to celebrate with and his family this week!

I have been stressing recently alot about my body and how it is changing. So last night was nice to let go, relax and enjoy myself, and realize that it really isn't worth the stress.

So currently I am watching Richie Rich, preparing for the week ahead and writing some posts.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and a great week ahead!