Spring is round the corner, that means.....

Spring is round the corner ladies...yes and that only means one thing, time to tone up and freshen up the skin. 

I’ve been reading Tim Ferriss 4 hour body and as I already do a lot of things he mentions I agree with most of what he says.  The nice thing about the book is his honest.  Now unfortunately for most of my friends that are breast feeding, I’m not sure if the diet will work as it is quiet a higher protein diet.  Do yourselves a favour though and check out the book either here  or buy it from Amazon.  It really is worth a read of the book to understand how the diet works with regards to different foods, what exactly to eat and how they work together.

There is a lot of physiology involved in losing weight and been so competitive I really did relate.  After reading a few chapters and been given the boost by what I read I even managed to knock 6 minutes of my running time to get back to where I was last year, because it’s all in your head, wanting and thinking you can do something makes you do it.  So get yourself a weight buddy to be in competition with to see who can lose what first.  Measure yourself before you start, measuring both the tops of your arms, your waist, hips and both legs mid thigh and take a photo of yourself preferably in your underwear or swimming costume so you have something to compare yourself to every week.  I regularly used to attend ta-boe classes and my instructor use to measure me once a month, the fear of having those measurements go up kept them down.  Centimetres matter more that weight in my opinion.  Instead of doing a food diary, we live in the age of technology do a photo food diary, you’ll think twice before putting that chocolate in your mouth after you’ve taken a photo of it.  Exchange pictures with your weight buddy making it a game of who has been the best behaved that day.  Support each other when you want that chocolate and if you live on other sides of the world Whatsapp or Viper the message across.  My sister for example has in month toned up and lost all her fat, how?  She’s been running and eating no, junk food, chocolate, biscuits nothing like that.  Even though she is eating a lot more now than what she use to eat because she’s completely cut the junk she looks amazing.  Why did she do that to herself?  Her boyfriend challenged her as he was getting fit and ready for 20km ocean swim.  Because he laid down the challenge she did it, to prove she could to herself and in the same way his also stuck to it and they have supported each other.  See it’s all in the head.  Now she’s off on holiday and looking fab!

Remember to sit and walk up straight this always make you look taller and more “hello world”.  I recently read an article about the Michelle Obama challenging Ellen on TV. to push ups.  Well give it a go yourself.  Start of small right now.  Do 2 push ups, find out how to do them properly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eovena3P6Vw&noredirect=1 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynPwl6qyUNM .  Now for the rest of the week every day do 2 push ups.  Next week every day do 3.  If you can still only manage 2 or maybe 2.5 then every day do that trying for 3 until you get to 3.  Then do 3 for a week and in the same way move on to 4.  Before you know it you will be up to 25 or 50 a day.  We don’t want flabby arms now do we, so get pressing.  You can do it and it’s all in your head.  Don’t keep saying “I can’t”, because you can!  Don’t use the excuse I don’t want to bulk up either because unless you are on steroids you won’t.  Also I would be huge if that was true.  Good luck ladies. 

Now as for that skin, when you get up every morning and every evening body brush upwards from ankles to neck, get rid of those dead skin cells for super smooth skin.  Massage your cream into your skin using a massager.  I had a horrible bout of cellulite before Christmas, so I bought a good Cellulite Cream made sure I walked taunt, put the effort in to massage hard when putting cream on and its sooo much better.  For super soft skin remember to apply a good moisturiser every morning and evening and stay out of the sun.  If you do go into the sun put a good SPF, otherwise you will end up old and wrinkly before your time, if in doubt watch Ten Years Younger, you will be shocked. 

Another thing to remember if you're dieting is that you will succumb to that cookie so give yourself a cheat day, it will boost your metabolism as well.  Then you know come Friday or Saturday you can have the cookie and if you have it when you shouldn't.  Well get straight back on, don't go all bad for the day.

Almost finished but still in progress.

And to get you ready for Spring:  My new green top, pastel colours are defiantly a must for Spring and some green wedges. 

Walking in the Snow

Happy Snow Day....yes it’s been snowing and now its melting.  Not sure I like it when the snow is melting and I have to admit I prefer the snow after Christmas personally as I don’t have any where to travel too, but if you do be safe and drive carefully.  Other than looking at the snow today I found a good use for it.  It sure does work your leg and bum muscles while walking.  You have to balance more while walking and it works your tiny muscles in your legs a lot more, a bit like walking on the sand.  So what are you waiting for get your snow boots on and get walking. 

Actually while out for my snow walk this morning working my legs I realised that I’ve spoken to so many friends lately that say they don’t have enough time to spend on themselves.  And I need to say that we all deserve a little bit of me time, even if it’s just 10 minutes.  I make my phonecalls when I go for a walk, the beauty of mobiles you can do 2 things at once or while I’m walking home from work, plus it keeps me company.  I put my weekly face mask on while my dinner is getting ready and I’m doing my 5 minute bum toning exercises while reading my book on my kindle...3 things in one.  If for some reason I havne’t been able to do my exercises in the morning I’ve started incorporating them into my cleaning.  When I clean the floor, I press down hard and make sure I keep bending my legs up and down doing mini squats, when I dust I stretch up and go down the wall at an angle when cleaning the bathroom.  A complete work out and a clean house...brilliant.  

Oh and a handy tip that I actually introduced my mom to when I was home recently the joy of a lint roller.  Yes a lint roller, it has become my new best friend.  I use it to pick up the bit’s of threads on the table when I’m finished sewing.  To make sure it doesn’t stick to the table I run it down my clothes first picking up all the fluff threads and fluff from myself first.  Works on the couches too. 

Now I’ve sewn 3 new outfits this year....see my sewing page but a what to wear when you don’t know what to and all ways looks stylish and lovely, a cream skirt; black top and court shoes.  Now I’ve teamed the skirt with a soft flowing black top that can be tucked inside or worn on the outside which would make a bigger tummy look slimmer with it been black and soft flowing.  If you want a nice outfit to out in in the evening team the top with jeans and heels, always elegant, always a winner.

This Top is See & Sew B5170 and really easy to make
The Skirt is McCalls 2634 a timeless pattern and so quick and easy

Now go spend some time on yourself...you deserve it. 

See & Sew B5170 the same top glammed up with jeans for a night out.