The Best Mood-Boosting Breakfast Smoothie

Since swapping my diet up to a paleo-based lifestyle I have had the same thing for breakfast every single morning. Yes, I may be a creature of habit but it's just.so.good. I'm not bore yet!

And as I can't keep GREAT things away from you all, today I am, of course, sharing my favourite everyday breakfast smoothie recipe! If you're a sweet/chocolate lover... this is one for you.

Focusing On My Health & Wellbeing : My Six Steps

As many of you noticed last week I popped out a tweet to share that over the next six months I am going to be making a conscience effort to focus on both my physical and mental health and generally my overall well-being.
I'll be honest with you all, lately my mind has been a little all over the place. From work to weight - I haven't been me. 

Kirstie's April Favourites 2017

Well, well, well looks who's back with a favourites post.
It's been a fair while since I shared my favourite things from the month but seeing as I had a fair few stand-out things in April I thought what better way to talk about them than in a blog post!

First up something which could actually now go into an empties post as I've finished them - Hairburst's Chewable Hair Vitamins!
I had spotted these heart shaped gummies on Instagram in late March and thought 'I like the sound of those', so when I was browsing Holland & Barrett after payday and spotted them at half price (£9.99) I couldn't resist popping them in my basket.
I have to say I definitely feel like I noticed a difference, as most of you know I have gone back to my natural hair colour after year of bleaching and have been letting my hair grow out from a bob over the past few months. I think all of these things combined has helped transform my hair into what seems to be the healthiest and thickest state it's been in since about 2006!
Over the course of a month I think my hair has grown about an inch - which if I'm correct is double the average. I would love to keep giving these a go but my current budget won't allow for a £20 hair splurge... maybe once they are back on offer I can start re-using them.

Now onto something slightly more random, the My Dad Wrote A Porno Podcast. Oh my good god this is so hilarious I have literally lost count as to how many times I've told friends to listen to it! The first two seasons had me bursting out into full on lols in public whilst alone... never a good look! I HIGHLY recommend this - season 3 comes out at the end of this month so you have a week or so to catch up and be totally scarred by the world of Belinda!

It wouldn't be a Kirstie favourites without some form of food stuck in there and the past few weeks I have been loving Deliciously Ella's Energy Balls and Protein World's Cinnamon Roll Slender Blend!

I actually, again, picked up the energy balls because they were on offer in Holland & Barrett (yes, I can spend ALOT of money in that store!) - they were only £1 instead of the eye-watering usual price of £2. I have to say these are such a fantastic snack whilst on the go, all natural ingredients and totally gluten, dairy and refined sugar free - I have nothing but positive things to say about these tasty balls! (okay regretting that wording...)
Like I've mentioned alot, I really love Protein World products and the Cinnamon Roll shake was a firm favourite throughout April - hands down my fav flavour from them.

Make-up time! I don't think I'm only blogger who's been a tiny bit mesmerised by the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter + Glow Liquid Eyeshadows! Kitten Karma is SO fabulous - I can't wait to rock this this festival season - I'm pretty pants when it comes to make-up but this are pretty much idiot free, so so easy to use!

Neal & Wolf's Elevate has 100% been in a favourites post before! I bought a replacement bottle of this back at the beginning of the year and I honestly had forgotten how much I love this stuff. I pop a 20p blob sized throughout my hair when it's damp after being washed and let my hair dry naturally (I'm trying to grow it people!) - not only does it smell fabulous but it makes my hair feel so soft and smooth, a total hair hero!

As soon as I heard that the Embryolisse Radiant Eye Cream was a favourite with stars such as Elle McPherson, Ariana Grande and Scarlett Johansson I knew I had to try it out and jumped at the offer of a sample!
Working at home behind a laptop Mon-Fri my eyes and the surrounding area gets so tired, puffy and generally drained so this product has been a god send. As I don't wear any make-up when working at home (I mean come on that would be a total waste!) popping this on once or twice a day to refresh and relax my eyes has been incredible. It immediately wakes me up and feels so soothing - plus I can always see a slight change in my skin, it definitely does what it says with brightening any looks of fatigue!

Thanks so much for reading you lovely lot :) I'm so glad I'm back blogging around, there's definitely been in a big whole in my life without it!

Want to chat or see more? Find me below :

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Instagram - @alohakirstie

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4 Books To Help You Create A Positive & Healthy Lifestyle

Books books books! 
I bloomin' love books and reading in general for that matter so whilst delving into my mission of health, fitness and mindfulness recently I've come across a few books that have resonated with me so much that I feel a blog post is in order to share them all with you. From quotes to tips - these 4 books have become permanent fixtures on my bedside table.

First up - Start Your Day With Katie by Katie Piper. I have actually had this book for years but never, ever get bored of it. 
Each day there is a lovely quote or uplifting and positive message to start your day with. I have shared snaps of this book so many times across social media and I'm always getting asked what it is - is it a book? is it a diary? So here it is! 
Buy here

Next we have Health Hacks by Esme Floyd - a book I actually found on ASOS!
This handbag sized book is full of 500 simple solutions to help with everything from migraines and nausea to sleep and weight-loss.
Quick and easy snippets to guide you with more or less any symptom - dip in whenever you want more information on a health concern or problem! Definitley one to take on holiday with you too!
I literally can not recommend this enough - now to invest in the rest of the collection.... beauty hacks and fashion hacks!
Buy here 

Calm is a book that came into my life whilst taking part in #calmday earlier this month and wow - this book is amazing. 
You may have heard of the Calm app  (which I've just started using and it is brilliant) but you can now create a peaceful, calm environment and mentality with your very own book by Michael Acton Smith.  
This book is FULL to the brim with different tips, techniques, things to do, facts and ideas to help you along the way.
The book is divided into eight sections including Nature, Travel, Relationships & Food, this is the perfect thing to pick up as and when you need it to help you in any aspect of your life.

There's gorgeous imagery and fantastic bits for you to fill out yourself - just head to Twitter and search #calmday to check out some of the gorgeous pages inside! If you're an anxiety sufferer/worrier like myself I highly believe this book and the matching app are  fantastic ways to help ease any negative feelings you may have.
Buy here

Last but not least is 'The Feelgood Plan: Happier, Healthier and Slimmer in 15 Minutes a Day'. This book is by Dalton Wong, Jennifer Lawrence's very own personal trainer - and I mean.... if it's good enough for J-Law, then - gimme gimme!

'Dalton taught me how to eat, move and live a delicious but healthy life' - Jennifer Lawrence

First of all I just want to say the layout of this book is incredible! It's so easy to follow, keeps my attention and Dalton along with fellow author Kate Faithfull-Williams have literally thought of everything!
Not matter what stage of fitness or health you are in this is a winner, the attitude behind it is everything I need to help me stay motivated and on the right path for me and my life.
Buy here

Do you have any books recommendations? Leave them in the comments below! 

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Quick & Easy Healthy 3 Ingredient Dinner

Dinner!
That one meal I'm always thinking of whilst sat at my desk for 8 or 9 hours a day. (well.... along with lunch and breakfast for the next day....)

Now... I'm not one to lie and fabricate things on here - I am lazy when it comes to cooking.
 I like to get home, chuck something together and be sat down eating it within like 30 minutes.
Since changing my lifestyle and creating a healthier 'me' I've been trying out lots of different quick and easy dinners to help cure my end-of-day hunger whilst avoiding the crappy additives quick meals swim in alot of the time. 

Chicken, Avocado & Sweet Potato is the answer.

Yes.... it sounds totally boring and totally obvious but this has become my go-to meal for at least 2 or 3 evenings a week. ( I'm one of those people who becomes so obsessed with something that I have it until I get bored.... but so far, no boredom!)

The sweet potato I won't lie - is not cut, boiled, roasted etc by me..... I buy the Tesco frozen sweet potato chunks - and there is nothing wrong with this!
There is only one ingredient - sweet potato, so no added nasties in there, you know exactly what you're making! (Plus it's only like £1.50 a bag and 47cals per serving.... although - who just has one serving?! Not me!)

The chicken is a fab source of protein, the avocado is super yummy and the sweet potato makes it really filling!
I can't get enough of this dinner - I love cold and hot things together so the avocado mushed with the potato chunks = heaven.

What do you like to make when you don't have alot of time?

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Easy Oatilicious Sugar & Dairy-Free Banana, Fruit and Nut Bars

Why hello there lovely ladies and gents!

I've been baking - can you Adam and Eve it?!
 I literally don't know when the last time I baked was. I'm so pants in the kitchen I tend to avoid the mess and immense disappointment usually linked with my attempts.

With my current lifestyle-change mission in full swing  I have been loving creating healthy and EASY meals/snacks and these are something I randomly whipped up earlier this week - and to my surprise... were edible!

After creating my new fav pancakes, I realised.... 1.I can actually use my kitchen and 2. maybe I can make more yummy things from just eggs and bananas?! Avoiding all that nasty sugar and dairy I decided that these two ingredients would be perfect to create some form of easy peasy snack to help me curb those sugar cravings and I was right! 

For my Oatilicious Sugar & Dairy-Free Banana Fruit and Nut Bars I used just 3 main ingredients.

3 x medium bananas

2 x large eggs

Porridge oats

I mashed the bananas together with a fork (that's hard work you know!) then popped the eggs into the mixture and whisked together until it resembled some form of even, runny mess.

I then tipped in the oats. Right, I know all you baking gods out there are going to hate me but yes, I just guess-timated the amount! I popped in what I thought was enough to create a 'flapjack' type consistency! (and it was fine - who needs scales?!)

So for the main mixture.... that's it! Literally that easy.

I then added in raisins, chopped almonds and dried cranberries to give it a bit of fun! (I think next time I might try a bit of peanut butter and maybe even some dark chocolate chips if I'm feeling a bit naughty..... although then they wouldn't really be sugar free would they?)

You can literally add in anything you bloomin' well please! Go crazy - I'm looking froward to trying all different kinds!

I popped the mixture into my baking tin, whacked the oven to about 180 degrees and left it for about 15-20 mins! (I started with 12 mins but they just weren't done so it was more like 20.)
Once the top had started to golden and the mixture was no longer a gooey mess, I took it out the oven and left to cool. (I'll warn you though are still moist  - ew I literally HATE that word - but they are still pretty squidgy once they are done... all that banana I think, don't panic!)

A short while later I was chopping them into bar sizes and displaying them on a plate to obviously Instagram away..... don't judge me.

Now... don't get me wrong, this isn't no rocky road or millionaires shortbread - but that's kind of the point! You can still get your sweet fix without actually having anything bad in it - totally GUILT-FREE (even when you eat 4!)!
 It's literally only bananas, eggs and oats after all - where's the harm in that?

Let me know what you think of these short but sweet recipes I've been popping up. I'm really loving this new mission I'm on and I find it so fun creating blog content from it too!

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Motivation Moodboard

Images sourced from Pinterest UK (minus the trainers... that's mine!)

When I was a child, cutting out pictures from magazines and printing things out to make moodboards and collages was always one of my favourite things to do.
Of course as an adult now it's not really as acceptable to have a fun wall of mix-match pictures covering your bedroom... especially when you live with your partner.

I still have a tendency to cut pictures out of magazines though.... yes I'm that girl.
I even have a small notebook that I have glued in styles, looks, tips and images that I love but because it takes up so much time it's not that often I get to sit down and do it....

So.... what better way to stay motivated and have something I can see all the time than to create it digitally.
Obsessed with moodboards and collages I find it SO enjoyable creating them on my laptop. (For a tutorial on how I do this please click here :)

Here is my Motivation Moodboard for the next few months...

Staying Focused
With my new job in full swing I really want to keep on throwing myself into it as much as I possibly can, I learning new stuff every single day and I love it! I'm so grateful that I got this opportunity to start in this industry and I want to do as well as I possibly can.

Eating Clean

Before Christmas my diet was amazing. All clean, healthy, natural foods and I hadn't felt that good about myself in years. 2016 so far has NOT gone well for me and I am SO disappointed in myself. Time to rewind to last year and remember how great I was feeling.

Image

Yes. Margot Robbie is my ultimate girl crush.

But, I shall not compare myself.... because I mean that never ends in happy thoughts! I LOVE her hair here and with my hair appointment just around the corner I think I'll be taking this photo with me!

Organisation

I'm becoming more and more organised as the weeks go on and I love it. Not only at work, I want my home to be tidy, organised and clutter free - it's so much better for me, mess = stress.

Saving For A Puppy?

It's no secret that being an owner of a French Bulldog is probably the number one thing on my bucket list. Fingers crossed we can move out of our flat over the next year or so and then I'm hoping it's then puppy time! So I want to start putting a little money away each month for the little nugget!

Worrying

I love this little image about only focusing on what you can control. I spend so much time worrying about things that really don't matter and won't change as much as I worry about them, time to just focus on the things that matter!

Writing

Like I said in my blog make-over post, I really want to focus on my content. I love writing and this year I want to stretch myself and head out of the normal 'beauty review, wishlist, favourites' types of posts! Plus.... I still really want to write that book, I'm determined to get that started this year, even it's just a page a week.

Reading

First up how gorgeous is that image?! I've already talked about this (here) but reading has now taken the place of my nightly social media addiction. Every weeknight I've been putting my phone down earlier then normal and had a nice little reading session before bedtime. It's so relaxing and my love for Harry Potter has well and truly increased by a million percent!

Running

Yes. I must start again.

 Joining in and making one yourself? Let me know what's on your motivation moodboard! 

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A New Me : 2 Week Update

You may have noticed on Twitter I've been tweeting away about this new 'me', this new changed 'diet' I am on etc etc and I've been getting a few questions about it so I thought it was about time I did a good old blog post to explain myself!

First off I just want to say - I am not on a diet.  
Nope, I refuse to say that word now - I have just decided to permanently change my eating to hopefully change the way I feel inside and the way I approach/look at food.

I was given a huge kick up the backside recently when I read Scarlett's 6 Month Food Transformation post - reading her thoughts, feelings and experiences was like reading a diary of my own.
 I read so many similarities and realised that 'Hey, maybe I'm not the only person that feels like this' and I don't actually have to feel like it at all, it CAN be avoided.

For years I've known the foods I have to avoid. Alot of people in my life call me fussy which I can find really embarrassing. I can't eat certain foods... kind of not my fault - it's not my choice, I don't want to be fussy, but that's just how it is. I'd rather be that way than be ill.
My tummy troubles have ruled alot of my life since I was a teen, thinking through everything I ate, panicking about going out to eat somewhere new or going to people's homes for dinner - sometimes I would do anything to avoid these situations, in fact, I still do.

The diet I had was poor. Alot of sugar, way too many snacks and not enough fruit and veg... nowhere near enough. 
I was lazy, I would just eat the most convenient easy dinners and fill myself up on unhealthy snacks like biscuits, chocolate and sometimes crisps which I would then totally regret and in all honestly would just want to throw up as I felt so full and disgusting. 
I would decide to diet every other month and maybe loose a few pounds but it would be a stupid diet. One where probably wouldn't eat enough and get so bored that eventually I snapped - it just didn't work.

So that Sunday evening 2 weeks ago after reading Scarlett's post I kind of had a food epiphany. 
I needed to actually start looking at what I was putting into my body, cut the crap and unnecessary over-eating and maybe just maybe I could actually feel normal for the first time in years.
This isn't about loosing weight, it's about becoming healthier and happier and after only 2 weeks I already feel a total difference, I'm eating enough and of the right stuff, I can't believe I've been letting my body go without this for so long.

So.... I've cut out main dairy products like milk, cheese, mayo and eggs, avoided unhealthy processed snacks full of sugar and salt (which I was kind of addicted too) and tried to increase my protein, fruit, vegetable intake as much as possible.

So far I feel brilliant, no tummy aches, no sluggish feelings and I'm feeling alot more positive! It's amazing what just a few changes can do.

I won't lie... when I was hungover I had a bounty .... but we can let that go right? haha! Could have been alot worse.
I've avoided the biscuits that are still in the cupboard, which is kind of a miracle and I'm bought 2 birthday cakes for people in the last fortnight and not had a single slice!
 I've found what I'm eating really does keep me fuller for longer, I'm not thinking of snacking half as much as I used to. 

I've already lost 4lbs which is a total bonus and I can't wait to add exercise into this new life routine of mine! I just struggle to find the time when I'm at work 9 hours a day and trying to blog on my days off.

I'll be keeping you all updated on my journey and this 'new me' - so far I'm SO happy with how I feel, I can't imagine ever wanting to pop into a shop and buy a family size bar of dairy milk to stuff my face with again - which can only be a good thing.

Don't get me wrong though, of course treats will still happen. I'm not going to let myself go without popcorn at the cinema - that would just be rude!

Got any fab recipes or things to share? Link them below or tweet me @KirstieLouiseS

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Be Body Beautiful by Lucy Mecklenburgh : Book Review

Well this is a first for A Yellow Brick Blog, a book review! I purchased this last week from amazon after spotting people talking about it on twitter and immediately wanting to check it out for myself.

I always loved Lucy on TOWIE and even though sometimes I wanted to shake her and say what are you doing? I always found her to be pretty genuine and definitely a likeable 'character'!

Since leaving TOWIE I think we've all seen the transformation Lucy has made from Essex glam girl to fitness fanatic and I have been fascinated with her journey every step of the way.

 Lucy story seems different to alot of other "weight-loss celebs" - Lucy was never fat, she was never big... she's probably never even been above a size 10, but her fitness and total life overhaul seems genuine, healthy and really achievable if you put enough energy and effort into it.

Her book Be Body Beautiful : My guide to a healthy, happy new you - is a real page turner and not your usual celeb auto-biography.
This isn't about loosing weight, it's about changing your lifestyle and the way you think and feel about food, exercise and the way you live.
 Yes, we do hear snippets about Lucy's life from childhood up until now and how she's got to this point but it is also full of tips, motivational advice, yummy recipes and amazing exercise routines and ideas.

Normally when I look at "healthy eating" books and recipes I sit there and roll my eyes at the extravagant ingredients, 1000 different steps to make it and normally think to myself... where in the hell am I going to find that? But this book is full of easy and attainable concoctions that have got me really excited!

There are meal plans for you to follow for weeks on end, which help you make a healthy change slowly but surely and great lists of foods for you to avoid and encourage! I love the no-no's lists!

Some of the recipes I am looking forward to trying out include :  

Raw Chocolate Mud Shake

Banana Berry Smoothie

Antioxidant Blend

Purple Porridge

Salmon & Scrambled Eggs

Spinach, Apple  & Walnut Salad

Chicken, Strawberry & Kiwi Salad

Green Soup

Beef Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

Beauty Bowl

Healthy Fish Pie

Avacado, Chocolate & Strawberry Mousse

Dark Chocolate Shake

Berry Crunch

Lucy also shares her favourite exercise routines and even includes a six-week challenge for both diet and exercise to help give you that needed kick up the butt! Lucy also talks, confidence, body, fashion and self-esteem. She's brutally honest and I'm looking forward to finishing the parts I am still yet to read.

This book is all about a permanent transformation which I something I am really striving for.
I want to make my body a healthy both on the inside and out and get out of my rut of junk food binges and exhaustion.
If you're looking for some motivation, ideas and support whilst trying to become healthier and happier this is definitely something you should pick up - even if you aren't a TOWIE fan (it's literally nothing to do with it!)

Thank you Lucy!

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Palmer's Bust Cream Review

Boobs! There we go... I got your attention!

Yes today we are talking boobies... I'd say 98% of you readers are of the female persuasion so this hopefully won't make you feel uneasy at all!

This was a bit of a random, spontaneous purchase for me. After stumbling across this product from Palmers online and seeing some glowing reviews I thought why not give it a go! So I used my Boots points and ordered it into store. (Made me feel like I got it for free so it wasn't so bad!) 

This cream is to help firm and tone the bust area aswell as reducing the apperance of stretch marks. 
After gaining and then loosing a fair bit of weight (to lol at a fatter me click here.) my boobs have had a rough ride! At one point they were hitting nearly a G size - ridiculous huh? But now I'm back to my normal size 10/12 self they aren't as great as they used to be. (Is this too much info for a blog post..... well if so, sorry - but I've started so I'll finish!) Palmers has made this cream especially for these sorts of problems - pregnancy and extreme wight gain/loss being the main two.

This cream comes out a white colour but rubs in like a soft serum type gel! Rubbed in in circular motions this cocoa butter smells amazing and leaves the skin feeling really soft.
I've been using this for the past few weeks, although I haven't been using it as much as recommended. 
This cream is meant to be applied at least twice a day but I am majorly slack and have been using it once a day... if that! I'm just forgetful/lazy okay and when I'm sleepy at night I just can't be bothered!
Saying this even though I've only used it at half the rate recommended I have still noticed that the few stretch marks I have have slightly faded.
I really believe that with more dedication in using this that it really could cause a dramatic change, each time I've used it the bust area has felt alot firmer and with more application I'm sure it would last.

For £6.95 this is just a fraction of the price of other high end products which promise the same thing! I'll definitely be re-purchasing once I've got through this tube!
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Dieting & Me : #5 #ChocolateFreeMay

I will happily admit and hold my hands up - I am totally and utterly addicted to chocolate (and sugar in general) and it is my MAJOR downfall when it comes to dieting and sticking to a healthy diet.

I've tried for the last few months to cut back on the devil in brown but as much as I try I just always come crawling back no matter how good the rest of my diet has been!

Having given up meat for 6 weeks recently and finding it a breeze I decided that I needed to give myself a proper challenge.

 Something that will take willpower and something that will be tough for me to stick to.

So here it is - Chocolate Free May (#ChocolateFreeMay). I am going to give up chocolate for the month of May. 

I will be having nothing chocolate related -not even a bowl of coco-pops!

I can tell you now - this will be hard for me, I haven't even started yet and I am already doubting myself BUT I am determined to complete it and prove to myself (and my boyfriend) that I can control my intake!

I tweeted about this recently and I had lots of you replying saying you'd love to join me (especially after the Easter pig-out) let me know if you want to join in, it will be great to have people to go through this with me!  

So tomorrow and for the next 30 days after that .... wish me luck! Hopefully this will help me loose a bit of weight aswell... seeing as chocolate is my major downfall when it comes to that balanced diet, having none of it should help my shift a few unflattering lbs! 

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Dieting & Me : #4 Healthy Snack Alternatives

Dieting & Me : #1 Falling Of The Wagon

Dieting & Me : #2 Motivation & Keeping It 

Dieting & Me : #3 My Top Tips

Snacking is something I am seriously guilty of.

 It's normally late night binges, seeing friends and boredom at home that lead me to take in all those unnecessary extra calories and grams of fat, salt and sugar each week and I've been tying my hardest to change my ways slowly but surely!

So instead of picking up chocolate, crisps, cake and sweets (basically all that junk) I have been grabbing other things to add to my lunchbox and have at home to try and help me change my diet from horrifically unbalanced to something a little more acceptable!

As you can see, it's still not a totally crazy-healthy diet - that clearly isn't going to happen over night! But it's got to be better than scoffing a family-sized packet of biscuits and 12 mars bars right?

 

I've been loving raspberries -  not only a great sweet snack to help me avoid chocolate but fab extra in my porridge in the morning! Make it taste extra yummy and a portion of fruit before 8am too, perfect! (Hate supermarket prices though, I really need to head to an actual greengrocers to save some pennies!) 

Banana's I've found are great for break times, they really do fill me up until lunch if I'm feeling a little peckish between 10 and 11 and again another portion of fruit!

Savoury snacks like Ryvita minis and bites, snack-a-jacks and Special K mini breaks are great! If you haven't tried them yet go out and get some, hardly any calories and they taste so good - I'd pick them over a packet of walkers any day!

Peanut Butter.... on everything! I love rice cakes and peanut butter for lunch and spread on sliced Granny Smith apples as a lovely pudding after dinner - don't knock it til' you've tried it!

Tea's are obviously a great 'snack' too! They fill you up, keep you hydrated and if you avoid the biscuits then most of the time are 0 cals! 

I am currently drinking alot ginger green tea along with my favourite Clipper's green tea!!

Have you tried any of the foods pictured? What are your favourite snacks - healthy and unhealthy?

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Dieting & Me : #3 My Top Tips

Post number 3 is here! To catch up here is where we've got to so far... 

Dieting & Me : #1 Falling Off The Wagon

Dieting & Me : #2 Motivation & Keeping It

This time I'm going to share with you girls (and possible boys) some of my top tips for shifting those few unwanted pounds and feeling better about yourself! 

Like I've said before I am in no shape or form a trained dietitian or fitness expert but these are things that I have learnt over the years and things that have worked for me! 

This is fairly text heavy, so make yourself comfortable and get your reading brain in gear.

Now... let's turn that self-esteem around and make ourselves look and feel fabulous!

1. H20 - Yes, any dieting tips you will ever read will probably more often than not have this as the number 1 top tip! 

Water has so many benefits I could be here all day jotting them all down! If you aren't a water drinker then it is time to change your ways! It is such an easy step to take and water is free so there is no excuse for this one! (Don't like water? Add a slice of lemon or lime!)

It helps boost your metabolism, keeps your brain working and helps you remain focused and keeps you feeling full. So if you think you're hungry then have a glass of water (colder is better as it  makes your body work harder to regulate its temperature again) alot of the time the hunger you feel is actually dehydration!

2. Get into a routine - Being in a routine has always helped me immensely. Getting up and having a healthy breakfast like high fibre cereal or porridge and/or fruit to kick start your morning everyday is a fantastic way to kick start your metabolism and will have you motivated and energetic for the day ahead! Having lunch and dinner at the same sort of time each day helps alot too! Just a few days into setting yourself into 3 meals and your body will get used to the routine and you won't feel hungry as much and end up unnecessarily snacking (with biscuits in front of Eastenders) - score!

 

3. Have a Buddy - Having some to talk to in the same situation and on a similar journey is always a bonus! Whether it's a friend, a family member or maybe even just someone on Twitter or Instagram having someone you know is in the same position as yourself is always motivating!

 Talk about your cravings, your progress and your achievements - it will help keep you going... and if you're anything like me and competitive then it will help spur you on even more!

4. Don't Go Cold Turkey Or Under Eat  - A mistake a lot of people make when deciding to go on a diet is just going full-on diet crazy and cutting our more or less everything they think is bad!

 This is definitely something I would say don't do! Just slowly start to cut out a few things a week - maybe start with swapping fizzy drinks for water, having 1 biscuit instead of 4 or not eating after 8pm.

 Each little difference, as small as it is, will have an effect! If you suddenly just start living off soups, salads and fruit only you will only crave the foods you want more and will have a high chance of snapping and quickly reverting back to your own ways (and stuffing you face with those things you've missed!) .

As well as this under eating will not help you lose weight. Eating 1000 calories a day, yes will help you loose weight at first, but as soon as you go back to eating normally your body will just cling to all that extra food and those pounds will pile back on - it is a proven fact!

5. Keep a Diary/Get The Apps - Keeping a food diary is a great way to keep track of your progress and it is great to see where your downfalls are aswell. Apps like My Fitness Pal are amazing for this. You can write in everything you eat and what physical activity you do each day and it calculates for you everything from your calorie intake to what % of fat you had that day! 

The one thing with this though is you need to be HONEST. If you "forget" to add in or write down that sneaky snickers bar you had at 7pm it doesn't mean you didn't eat it - the only person you are lying to is yourself!

6. Avoid Those White Devils - I made a conscious effort a long while ago to swap all those white things for wholegrain!

 Breads, pastas, rice, you name it - I always have brown/wholemeal. With these I feel so much less bloated than when I ate white and they are so much better for you! A great source of fibre and it makes eating carbs alot less naughty! Just swapping your bread over will make you feel a million times better believe me!

7. Treat yourself - Cheat day is something I am all for! There are always going to be times when you seriously fancy that chocolate bar or some cheeky sweets! I think one day a week is fine to relax and eat what you want! Without these days it would definitely be harder to keep up the dieting and when you've been good a treat really does feel like a treat, not an everyday snack!

8. Make Your Goals Realistic & Attainable - Now I did touch on this back in my 'Motivation' post! We all need goals that are attainable. Wishing to loose half a stone in a week is pointless. It is isn't going to happen. Nor is staring at photos of Michelle Keegan - you aren't her so don't strive to be like her. Look at photos of yourself, photos you have from when you've felt better about yourself - you know you can look like that so go for it! Making small goals is the key - loosing 1 lb a week for a month or cutting out crisps for 2 weeks, these are goals that can be done, go for it and you'll be ticking off your accomplishments before you know it!

9. Green Tea - "ewww" will be alot of yours reactions to this one but I have to say - I swear by this stuff! 

I thought I'd give it a go about 3 years ago and I've never looked back! I could drink this all day everyday, I love it and can drink unto 10 cups a day! The fact it comes with so many benefits is a bonus! It boots metabolism, is a great source of anti-oxidants, lowers stress levels, seriously hydrating and a perfect 0 calories per cup! The list goes on! And if you aren't a fan... try green tea with lemon, or ginger! Just don't add sugar... that defeats the object!

10. Swap Your Snacks - Snacking is one of those things that no-one can seem to agree on. One diet tells you to snack on small portions all through the day and others tell you to just stick those 3 main meals! Who knows?!

I'd say if you're hungry, you've had a drink and you're still hungry - the eat! Just make sure what your snacking on is helping not hindering your hardwork!

Instead of picking up that packet of crisps or an easy chocolate bar option - swap it! Fruits, salad, veggies, nuts, some yogurts - these things are great ideas for simple snacks! 

I also Love Ryvita and Special K products! Ryvita bites/thins are great tasting and have hardly any calories - perfect for an inbetween meals munch!

11. Never Shop Hungry & Avoid Those Unnecessary Extras  - Something which you may not have noticed is when you go food shopping. If you go shopping before a meal when you're a bit peakish you are 100x more likley to over spend and come out with things you had no intention of buying! The best thing to do is go after a meal or when you are just not hungry and write a list! Only write down what you need - try and get in and out as quick as your can, avoid those tempting offers and save both money and unwanted calories!

Same as what I said in my last post aswell, plan your meals, take your lunch to work - this will save you money and you will be less likley 

12. Keep Moving - Just 20-30 mintues a day, whatever it is it is better than sitting on your butt! Walking, running, zumba, the gym - get out there and work it girl! 

13. Be Patient - Patience is key. Don't get disheartened if after a week you feel the same and have only shifted half a pound - everything comes in time! The longer you keep at the the easier it will get. 

Try and only weigh yourself once a week - same day, same time, same clothes - this will give you an accurate reading of your progress! 

You will get there in the end - the more progress you see the more motivated you will feel! Take before photos as you may not feel a change over time but looking at photos you will see how far you've come! (I've added a few of mine for you... cringe at 2011 me!)

ALWAYS REMEMBER...

THE BEST PROJECT YOU WILL EVER WORK ON IS YOURSELF.

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