Finding my fitness feet????

Finding my fitness feet????

Friday, 18 September 2020

 Happy Friday everyone! I hope you're all good and well! I've finished for the week (no working this weekend, thank the lord!) So basically I'm feeling the whole TGIF feels, right now. Anywho, I decided that on Thursday (last Thursday, not the one that was yesterday), that I'd start taking the whole fitness thing more seriously. Have I talked about fitness too much? Potentially. Am I going to talk about it again. Yes. 

As you know, I've been running three times a week, and I'm not gonna lie, I really enjoy it. I've started posting on my Fitness Instagram a lil bit more, and trying to figure out what I want that space to be. (Kinda like this blog, but yeah).

And I'm still doing my 5k runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. However, I have noticed that my time is pretty much the same. So much, that I could just change the title of the run every day and pretend that I did it. So it's a little bit annoying, which means I've been trying to figure out how to get faster.

So I went to a Facebook group that I'm apart of, which is Lucy's Squad. It's a group thing for people who follow Lucy Wyndham-Read on YouTube. I asked for any advice, and a lot of people were saying to change my route, as you get too used to it. However, it's been over a week since I began writing this, and can confirm that this is still not the case!!!

However, what I've been doing for my cardio sessions, is working on adding on more exercise videos every time, and so far, I've been loving it. Because most of Lucy's videos are 7 minutes for HIIT style videos or leg/thigh workouts. So I've been enjoying creating different variations of a workout. However, I started off with 3 videos: 2 7-minute videos and a 5-minute ab workout. Then on Tuesday I added 2 more 7-minute videos and to came to a 33 minute workout and oh my lord, it was tough and I loved it!

I'm still taking progress pictures and once I feel comfortable with how I look, I'll definitely post on here at some point. I find weighing myself too much for my body dysmorphia, however progress pictures help me see my actual progress. So if you're feeling low about the numbers on your scales, I highly recommend just taking weekly front and side progress pictures instead.

Why can't I find my Mark Darcy?

Why can't I find my Mark Darcy?

Monday, 7 September 2020

 For the longest time, I've said that Bridget Jones was an autobiography on my own life. But only in certain senses. Her personality and mannerisms are definitely me down to a tee, however I'm not actually as lucky as Miss Jones in the dating department. She (in the films) had two men after her at the same time. Mate, I'd be lucky if I had one. HA! Which is clearly laughable. 

For as long as I can remember, I've always dreamed of having a man like Mark Darcy. He was the typical tall, dark and handsome that every girl always goes on about, at some point in her life. In Bridget Jones Diary, he's very serious, he's got a very good poker face and he likes her. Just as she is. (Which come on - YOU WOULD DIE IF SOMEONE SAID THAT TO YOU!!!) 

Bridget in the bottom gif would be my face as well!! Imagine?! I would fucking die! However, I've never been lucky enough to be in this kind of scenario where not just 1 but even 2 guys are fighting for my affection. (Albeit, Daniel Cleaver's ego has been shattered and only wants Bridget back just for shagging purposes. He never liked her fully, let's be real!)

Basically ever since I was young, I always compare guys that I like to either a Mark Darcy or a Daniel Cleaver status in my head. If you're a Daniel; you're not worth my time, you're going to fuck me over and it'll last for a mere 5 minutes. However, if you're a Mark; even if I find you infuriating there's something about you that keeps you in my head, and I have a soft spot for you. 

Myself and my friend Danielle, use this analogy regularly. Especially recently when I was struggling to decide which of two boys to focus my attention on. (Please can we laugh at this, because neither were worth it and I'm a fucking idiot!) But the analogy nonetheless, does help me see things from a more realistic prospective. And that usually leads to any guy that I begin to like, last only a mere week in my head, before their true colours come out. 

If I'm being honest, I think that's why I find online dating so difficult. Because it's like, how do I figure out if you're a Mark Darcy or a Daniel Cleaver from text messages?! Also, my absolute favourite thing, is that two guys in my life have started off as a Mark Darcy, and ended up being a Daniel Cleaver in the end . Which is actually rather annoying. But hey ho! Thanks for finally showing your true colours, boys. 

If you're being 100% honest with yourself: would you prefer a Mark Darcy or a Daniel Cleaver? P.S. How many people are now watching to watch the film????? Because I now am!

Fitness Friday || Self love & Self reflect.

Fitness Friday || Self love & Self reflect.

Friday, 21 August 2020

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you've smashed your goals for the week. I know I'm getting there. 

I wanted to sit here today and just be honest, and speak my mind about all things Fitness and my own personal journey. Because I want to be honest here, and I want to be able to discuss everything. I was originally going to do an IGTV on my Fitness Instagram, but I always find them really awkward to film and I feel like it won't make much difference to my own thoughts. If that makes sense?? 

I've been having issues with my "weight loss journey" for the past 3-4 years, and as you can imagine, it's so fucking frustrating! (Excuse the language, but am from Yorkshire, and we swear to emphasise the point!) I could be on a really good eating plan; meal prepping, eating nothing but good food and cutting down on alcohol intake, and it made no difference. And it really got me down and really made me think about what it could be that was stopping it. Was my exercises not good enough? 

Everyone was seeing progress and I was seeing nothing? It does make you wonder though, just because you're not personally seeing your own progress, doesn't mean others aren't. My nana will compliment me, and tell me that it looks like I'm losing weight, and of course; I never believe her. Because I can't see it. 

So this is why I've started taking progress pictures, for my own eyes only (for now). I did a comparison a few weeks ago, and already noticed a small difference with myself. Because I'm really working on the particular areas and I'm enjoying the whole exercise-lifestyle again!

I started taking the pill in April 2016, and to me personally, it feels from then I've been struggling to keep weight off. In case you didn't know, one of the main side effects for taking the pill is weight gain. And how is that fair?! So I've been doing some research on myself, and I figured out that it was in fact the pill, that's the reason I'm struggling. (Not the only, but one of the main reasons)

Warning, this part I get critical about my own body, as I look through images.

December 2013.

I actually really liked my body at this point in my life. I was 18 years old and just finished college at this point, and was just about to start my first job in 2014. However, I don't think I was as self conscious as I am now.

April 2014.

I wouldn't be able to tell you anything negative about my body here, because I was comfortable, once again. Please ignore the hair, it reminds me of lockdown days, and jesus I didn't realise how bad it looked. 

October 2014.

I really like my body shape here. I remember feeling really good about myself in this dress, and was surprised at myself for buying such a bodycon style dress. 

February 2020

Can we firstly take a moment to appreciate how adorable my grandparents are?! Love them so much!! Anyways, this is from my trip to Australia at the beginning of the year. And all I can see is thick thighs and wide hips. However, I really enjoyed wearing this outfit and I'd still wear it again 100%! If I could still have the same body as I did from December 2013, I'd be swell. But you know what? I'm gonna have to fucking work to get it! And that's okay! I need to learn to not make excuses anymore and accept that this is my body. Even though I need to love myself for how I look in the moment, I can also accept that I want to look better. And I will.

Do Not Disturb: I'm Writing A Book! || 02

Do Not Disturb: I'm Writing A Book! || 02

Monday, 17 August 2020

I've finished my first chapter!!! It feels like it's taken forever, which to be fair, it probably has. I came up with the story idea on 28th April 2020! It's now August!!!! The whole working from home and trying to distance myself away from my laptop, once my shift is over; is just making it difficult sometimes.

However, these are literally just excuses! Why? Because I write the chapter in my notebook, which means I have literally no excuses! So with me becoming more organised and planning my days better, I'm going to try and finish Chapter 2 by the end of August. GULP! However, I've bought and downloaded a new planning app, which if it's any good; I'll be letting you know all about it!

It's one of those situations, where I know exactly what I want to write and the progress of the character development, etc. It's just writing it down. I overthink a lot! So I worry there's too many writing dialogues, too many descriptions, etc. But I need to learn to kind of accept that the story is fine and what I'm writing is good enough.

A kind of short blog post today, just because I wanted to let you all know how it's going. However, will be back shortly. Bye :)

BROGAN'S BOOKCLUB!

BROGAN'S BOOKCLUB!

Monday, 3 August 2020

Hello my lovelies! Hope you're doing well, despite the awks pandemic and being stuck in lockdown... I've wanted to do this blog post for a while now, but finally have some new books to read, rather than the same 7. (If you know, you know -- you're about to either way!) And I wanted to talk about some books I've been reading, as well as what I'm about to start reading!!

So if you know, you know, that the only series I seem to read for the past year (not even lying), is the Harry Potter series. It's such an addictive world, that I can't help finishing Deathly Hallows, and opening Philosopher's Stone the next day. However, I wanted to get out of that cycle, and read something different. Something a little more "mature" and a little more relevant to me. 

Enter the Bridget Jones trilogy. Look, don't come at me okay? I already hate myself! I've LOVED the first two Bridget Jones films (the first more than the second) for yonks!!!! And then of course, Bridget Jones Baby came out and I fell in love with that one too. BUT, I've never read the books. 

Now, as someone that is an avid lover of Bridget Jones, I realise how shameful that is. (Almost as shameful as claiming to love the Harry Potter films, without reading a single one of the books. Then reading them i 2019 and realise my life is a lie, because the books are 100 times better!!)

If anyone has actually read these books, let me know below what you think. I'll also be doing a review on each book, so look out for those! I'll be back shortly in the week! Bye!!

MY WORKING FROM HOME PLAYLISTS!

MY WORKING FROM HOME PLAYLISTS!

Friday, 31 July 2020

Hello everyone! I'm back and raring to go with my blog posts and updating this more frequently! I've got a ton of ideas, thanks to becc4, so I'm here for the next several weeks. 

This week it's all about my fave thing: MUSIC. Whilst working from home, I find I need a distraction, whilst working at my desk. Apart from lately, I've relied on my Alexa to play my Spotify playlists. I've been also watching good old Netflix shows, for example Friends. Absolutely OBSESSED with that show!! However, music is my second true love (the first obviously being books), so here are a few playlists I've been loving!

1. Summer 2020

This was a playlist that I took inspiration from another pre-made Spotify playlist. The ones that change practically every week. I really enjoyed the music from this particular shuffle of songs put together, that I decided to create this Summer playlist. It has a mixture of my faves; i.e. Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Jonas Brothers, etc. And as well, it has a few artists I haven't heard of, but enjoy the song nonetheless. So feel free to give it a gander, and lemme know what you think! 😄

2. I Love You's Radio

This started from the Hailee Steinfield song: I Love You (surprise, surprise), and I wanted to hear similar songs that would be put together in a playlist. This radio pretty much changes every time you listen to it - and as you can see on this one, it doesn't even start with Hailee's, which is a bit awks. (It does on Spotify, so no idea what this playlist is doing like!) And I'm aware with my love of One Direction and a certain blonde-that's-now-turned-back-to-his-natural-brunette-hair-colour, is her ex-boyfriend, but it's the only exemption to the rule! I love this song, and I honestly think it's the only one of her songs I like, but yeah. I enjoy the changes to the Radio songs every time I listen to it! 🤗

3. One Direction - Official Playlist

Thanks to the 10 year anniversary on July 23rd, ya looking at a girl who happily dived back into the fandom! Were we clowned? Yes. Am I surprised? No.  (I'm going to do a post uploading on Sunday of my recent vlogs, as yes - I also vlogged it too!!!) I wasn't aware there was this playlist, because I always listen to This is One Direction. So can confirm, I prefer this one to the one Spotify created. No shade. Just honesty here. This playlist really brought me back to my fangirl days and yes, I've officially been roped back in. #NoRegrets! 🥰

*    *    *    *    *

I was going to write more, but after looking through my most recent playlists, these three are the ones on heavy rotation! The other stuff I listen to whilst working from home, are just albums in general; (and yes, they all involve members of One Direction!)

Let me know in the comments what music you've been listening to, whilst working from home. And if you made it this far, comment below, "accio comment." Bye! 💕

Workouts at home!

Workouts at home!

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

Hello everyone! Back and raring to go - thanks to becc4, I have a bunch of blog posts ideas, to keep my blog up and running (and returning) with content that I can post, whilst we're still kinda in lockdown. 

So this one is all about the workouts I've been doing during the time we've been in lockdown, and hopefully, can help you all out if you're needing new ideas. So I'm going to do different subheadings for the ones I've genuinely been loving and you'll have to let me know what you think of these accounts! (They're all YouTube based, if this helps!)

1. THE BODY COACH

I did some of his HIIT, abs and cardio workouts and I really enjoyed them. Unlike being at the gym (well mine, that is), it's nice to exercise alongside with you in the time he's telling you to workout. I find it a lot more motivating as well.

2. CARLY ROWENA

I adore this woman. And her workouts as well. She was a YouTuber I had my eye on back in like 2013, when I was really interested in the UK YouTuber gang: aka. Zoe Sugg, Alfie Deyes, Joe Sugg, Tanya Burr, etc. And I started getting into The Lean Machines online, as well as Carly, as she's married to Leon. Her workouts are quick and effective, and I really enjoy them.

3. CHLOE TING

Oh my god, this is the most recent fitness vlogger I've used and I love her. She's tough, she's honest and she has amazing FREE programs. I started the 2 weeks shred challenge, and found it very effective. I didn't complete it or film my results, because I've missed running and got back to that. So that's my main focus, at the minute.

These are some YouTubers that I've enjoyed during lockdown, however if you're interested in checking them out - please do! If you've made it this far, please comment "Accio comment."