Eating out - to cheat or not to cheat!

Going out for dinner is one of my favourite things, good food is also one of my favourite things so when I go out for dinner I like to make the most of it! 

I used to use it as an excuse to eat loads of food, feel stuffed and basically crappy. 

Now I use it to eat good food, enjoy what I am eating - maybe have a small treat but know my limits. I am on a no cheat meal at the moment because of holiday so when I go out I choose the healthier options when I am eating out such as salads, a starter or a dessert - not both - and go from there.

Usually I would make this my cheat meal of the week so I would choose a burger with a bun or have a sweet instead of a starter. 

I have been out for dinner a lot lately with birthdays, evenings out etc I have tried to stay on track and opting for meals with side salads, no chips, and no desserts.

When I went out for my boyfriends birthday I chose the vegetarian option of a spring roll with sundried tomato, ratatouille and side salad and it was amazing! With a started of bread and houmas it was one of the most delicious meals I had eaten in ages, drinking water and a small amount of alchol I left the restaurant feel full, satisfied and did not touch a chip! 

I like opting for healthy foods not because I have to but because I want to! I don't like feeling overly stuffed and like I cant move for a few hours - I save those for my once every six months epic pizza cheat, when I am at home in my pjs - it was nice to enjoy my meal and still feel like I am on track to my goal! 

It is true that you don't have to be strict all the time and that once meal won't mess up your hard work but there are certain sacrifices you have to make to ensure you stay on track and meet your goal - if I have to give up chips and chocolate etc everyday then so be it because I have been working hard for so many years to get into shape and honestly I want abs god dammit!! 

Workout Wednesday - Rowing machine

I have a love/hate relationship with the rowing machine - when I switched gyms and they don't have good rowers then I realised how much I missed it! 

Thankfully my other gym (yes a member of 2 gyms) does have a rower, it is a good rower and oh man does it feel good to be back on and rowing! 

Rowing works your entire body, from your back and shoulders right down to your legs - take a look at this picture to show just how many muscles it works! 

It is the perfect exercise to improve your endurance and increases heart function. It is also a good calorie burner so if you are looking to lose weight this is the machine for you! 

It is also a low impact exercise so if you are looking for something that is going to be less of a strain on the joints again this is an ideal exercise. 

Overall it is a total body workout - I do around 20-30 minutes on the rower on level 9-10, the more resistance the stronger the pull and the more you will work! 

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!

Workout Wednesday - Russian Twist

Having a strong core is as important as any other muscle and you should ideally be adding a full core session into your routine - I do mine the same day as I do my cardio so my session is split with 45 mins cardio and then 45 mins abs.

So Russian twists are an awesome for targeting all ab areas - they can be done in a variety of ways if you are new to this exercise then I would start slowly and build this exercise up!

Sit on the floor and bring your knees up with your feet flat on the floor - if you have done this exercise before then elevate your legs so they are still bent at the knees but now in the air.

Sit up with a slight lean creating a V with your body.

Using a weight or kettle bell - I use an 8kg kettle bell, twist your torso from side to side keeping your core engaged and your back straight.

Repeat this for 12 reps 3 sets.

Currently

It is bank holiday here in England today so I am using this day to catch up on some well needed rest, "trashy tv" (Total Divas - I don't fine it trashy!) my blog and just little things in general, after the gym of course!

I love 3 day weekends, I feel I have been so busy every weekend lately that it is nice to just take some time and relax! 

I am also planning my next 8 weeks of training and eating - the prep in on! Unfortunately it is not for competing (next year I hope!) but it is for something equally exciting - HOLIDAY! Ten days in the sun!

So the next couple of weeks will be updates and training tips - I am trying fasted cardio so expect a review on that soon- we will also be looking at staying healthy on holiday and tips for healthy eating out! 

For daily updates check out my Instagram and Twitter and hit the follow button!

I use social media to inspire and motivate myself and I hope this is what mine does for others! 

I hope you have a lovely rest of your Monday, I am off for some lunch and to read the rest of my book! 

Workout Wednesday - skipping rope

Want an exercise that will challenge your fitness and coordination? Then skipping is for you!
If your like me and have a short attention span and need new exercises to keep you interested then skipping is for you!

I remember skipping all the time when I was in school and have recently rediscovered my love for skipping.

Adding it to my cardio routine and at the end of a my leg sessions I am using it to strengthen my legs and to shake up the cardio.
Skipping is a great exercise to work the heart and lungs, improve your fitness and muscle strength, as well as improving your balance and coordination.
As well as working your physical fitness it will also challenge your mental fitness as you will need to engage both sides of your brain to keep you coordination.

As this exercise can be done anywhere there are no excuses to not grab a rope and skip away! Don't be disheartened if it takes you a will to get the hang of it, soon enough you will be skipping faster and lighter than a boxer!!

                                             

Change is always good!!

Lots of changes are going to be happening in the next few months!

One is going to be my training programe I am training for the great south run in October and now after a month and half off training I am back on it and feeling good! 

I am going to revamp the training programe making sure I am the strongest and fittest I have ever been! 

I will also be studying to qualify as a personal trainer and fitness instructor a life long ambition of mine, finally I can push to make my dream a reality! 

My boyfriend said something very interesting to me this weekend, he said if you treated every task like you do when you do squats you would smash everything you ever wanted to do.
Believe in yourself babe because you can do anything when you put your mind to it. 

So I am and I will!!