New Years Evolution

It's December 31st, 2015.  A day of champagne, fireworks, kisses and (unkept) promises. So many people wake up on January 1st with a sore head and a list of resolutions, which usually don't make it to January 7th.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, to make a resolution is to make a firm decision to DO or NOT DO something.  Now, if you ask me, as human beings making any sort of firm decision will usually result in the complete opposite of what we intended. 

'I resolve to eat less carbs' - eats left over Christmas pudding for breakfast

'I resolve to exercise more' - doesn't wear trainers till March 2020

'I resolve to be more sociable' - declines invitation to friend's birthday drinks because its on a Tuesday night (hellooo, obvs...it's a school night!) 

Any way, you get the point.  Ever since we were children, most of us wanted to do what we were told NOT to do, and vice versa.  So instead of making New Years Resolutions, I've decided to embark upon January 1st (and every day after that) as a New Year Evolution. 

Now, Oxford's definition of evolution is the gradual development of something.  I like that. I like the thought of gradually developing and evolving as a person.  Is that not what we were put here to do? To grow? 

The happiest people are those who are always looking to learn more, understand more, do better, meet more people.  Developing as a person is fulfilling. Part of the fun in life is the unexpected, and from each unexpected occurrence we can grow and flourish. I'm not saying sell all your belongings and travel the world with only a back pack (unless of course, you want to), but people need to start appreciating change and thriving from it.  Remember, in the Animal Kingdom, evolution is essential.  Only the strong survive, and without adapting to the environment and circumstances, they perish.  If only humans considered life in the same way, far too many of us are stuck in our comfort zones, unwilling to accept what's actually going on.  If more people decided to make changes and grow, the world would most definitely be a better place! 

Take every day as it comes, try your hardest (always), and be kind to those who deserve it and those who need it. I've said this so many times before, but life is far to short to worry about eating less carbs, exercising more, or worrying whether people think you're a hermit or not.  Do what makes you happy, and do what makes you feel achieved and successful in your own right.  

So, as the clock counts down to January 1st, think of how you are going to make 2016 the best year yet.  Imagine where you want to be this time next year, and work towards it every. single. day. And if where you thought you wanted to be changes, then cool, embrace it!  Life's all about adapting and evolving.  

Here's to a fabulous 2015, and an even better 2016! Happy New Year! Cheers! 

V x

Say No To Christmas Kilos!

Aaaaaah Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year.  Not necessarily for our waistlines or healthy habits, but it's great for the soul.  Bring on a month of festivities, jolliness, mince pies, Quality Street and celebrations. But Christmas doesn't have to put a strain on the waistline of your favourite pants.  Adopting a healthy approach to Christmas Time will help keep the kilos at bay, so you can start the new year happy and healthy! 

Get Moving

One great thing about Christmas holidays is the time off work.  Not worrying about getting to your desk by 9am means that you have more time to spend on yourself.  Get up and get moving, it doesn't have to be anything intense, but it is essential that you get the blood pumping at this time of year! Perhaps a jog with friends, or a yoga class with your mum.  Whatever it is, make it a priority to do something every day over the festive season.  Not only will your body thank you for it, but those endorphins will mean that your festive spirit will be at an all time high! 

Eat Mindfully - The One Item Rule

OK, here's the thing.  The festive season releases everyone's inner Martha Stewart. My mum recently baked SIX DOZEN mince pies! And that was the second batch!! Everything gets a little sweeter during the festive season, but this doesn't mean we have to become Grinches and turn our nose up to every delicious treat. Try and stick to the One Item Rule.  By this, I mean sticking to just ONE mince pie, or ONE sausage roll at your work Christmas party.  Canapés are delicious but beware of over-indulging, as the calories will add up.  If you're planning on having a big meal over dinner time, or attending a party with plenty of treats, eat mindfully for the rest of the day. Stick to lean protein and plenty of veggies, there will be no need to feel guilty when you enjoy your festive feast.  

And one other thing...when it comes to Christmas Dinner, remember the rule - one healthy meal won't make you healthy, just like one naughty meal will make you unhealthy. Everything in moderation! Christmas dinner is actually a great opportunity to eat plenty of yummy veggies (hello brussel sprouts!) and some delicious lean turkey. Be aware of piling up your plate with things like stuffing and gravy, but, like I said, one indulgent meal won't make you obese over night! And after all, Christmas only comes once a year! 

Enjoy A Fizz

No one likes that person at the Christmas party who insists on not drinking because 'they're watching their waistline'. Pu-lease. If there is one time of the year you can relax, enjoy a couple of drinks with friends and family, then this is it.  Remember, come January EVERYONE wants a break from drinking, rest your liver then.  Obviously it's advisable not to go over board, but savouring a bubbly glass of champagne is what Christmas is about! Of course it goes without saying, ensure you're drinking plenty of water during the day and before you go to bed to avoid a fuzzy head the next day! But there is NOTHING wrong with getting into the Christmas Spirit! 

Enjoy It

Like I said, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  Even if your Christmas extends all the way from November 31st till January 1st, relish in it.  It is the time of giving and remembering those who can't be with us.  It's a time of being grateful and spending precious moments with our loved ones.  So don't worry too much about gaining an extra kilo here and there. All it will take is a couple of weeks of healthy eating and exercise to get back to where you were! Enjoy this time, it only comes once a year! 

Merry Christmas Everybody! 

V x 

The REAL Reason You Can't Lose Weight

Speaking from experience, I've tried it all...Juice Cleanses, Apple Diets, Green Face Diets, No Carbs, Excessive Cardio, Cutting Sugar. The fact of the matter is, long term NON OF THIS WORKS. Deep down, we ALL know that the principles to losing weight and/or maintaining a healthy weigh, are to train consistently, mix up your training, be honest about what goes in your mouth, and get enough sleep. 

But I think there's more to it than that.  

I know a lot of people, very smart people, who 1000% understand these principles, and perhaps even follow them most of the time. Yet these people REFUSE to believe they are losing weight or look good (because, let's be honest here, the reason we get up an hour earlier to exercise, or choose a salad over a burger, is WE WANT TO LOOK GOOD NAKED). The problem lies not in their physical body or habits per say, but in their minds.  

These are the people who talk themselves out of a pizza, or exercise for 3 hours on the weekend because they didn't exercise during the week (that's not how it works, btw). These people create their own storm of guilt over every little thing they think they do wrong. Every time they chose a burger over a salad, they obsess over it for days.  They might even starve themselves for the next 24 hours, to make up for the calories they just consumed (again, that's not how it works).  I know it sounds extreme, but I know this happens because I used to be one of these people.  

I believe insecurity is one of the main causes for this kind of behaviour.  That, along with body dysmorphia (where by the person sees themselves completely differently to how the public views them).  

But why could this inhibit weight loss? First of all, it's the extreme acts - starvation followed by binging, being completely sedentary then over-exercising to the point of exhaustion.  Combining the two: gyming for 2 hours then going to bed on a completely empty stomach straight after.  It's completely inconsistent and doesn't allow the body to become balanced, inhibiting the chance to get stronger, healthier or slimmer. The thing is, these people KNOW deep down that what they're doing isn't right. This plays on their guilty conscience even more. And then it's just a vicious cycle.  

Secondly, guilt is fuelled by negative thinking.  Studies have shown that negative thoughts increase stress and anxiety, resulting in the release of stress hormones, such as Cortisol and Adrenaline. We already know that in excess, the presence of these hormones can cause the body to go into 'survival mode' and cling on to every last bit of energy it has left.  In other words, your body will not allow you to lose weight.  More importantly, your immune system will weaken, your blood pressure will increase, and you increase your risk to heart disease and stroke.  

So how to obtain inner peace...unfortunately it's not an instant fix or over night improvement.  Things like this take time, because altering your psychological well-being is an on-going process. It helps to surround yourself with people who motivate and encourage you. It also helps not to relate every single thing back to weight loss, or think that everything is directed to you and your weight. The less you concentrate and obsess over it, the easier it will happen, I promise! Speaking from experience, the day I stopped trying to 'lose weight' and, instead, started to 'get stronger and healthier' was my turning point.  I've come a long way, but don't think for a second I won't keep motivating myself to do better. Self improvement is a wonderful thing, it can be used to great advantage. But pairing it with negative thoughts or setting the bar too high will ultimately lead to defeat.  

And to the people out there worrying that they don't look like a Victoria Secret model or Mr. Olympia, you are AWESOME just the way you are. There's always a way to be healthier, but true health does not exist in the absence of HAPPINESS. And remember, at the end of the day life is short, so don't sweat the small stuff and just enjoy it.  

Just something to think about...

V x 

How To Recover From A Massive Weekend...

Yes, that's my netball team taking a selfie with rugby legend, Sonny Bill Williams! 

Anyone who has lived in Dubai knows that the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is THE most anticipated weekend on the social calendar. 3 days of early mornings, late nights, rugby (and netball!) in the sunshine, followed by at least one night of excessive boozing and poor food choices. Bliss! But the fun sure takes it's toll on the body.  Most are left feeling sore, hungover, grouchy and tired.  So in honour of the best weekend of the year, I thought I'd share my secrets to sorting yourself out and getting back to normality (NOTE: give yourself a day to revel in your hangover, it will make you more motivated to refresh afterwards).  These tips aren't just for the Sevens, music festivals or epic nights out can also cause symptoms of such come-downs.  

1. SLEEP

It might seem obvious, but those 12 - 16 hour days of excitement and adrenaline pumping fun can leave us absolutely knackered. Getting an early night once the weekend is over is the best thing we can do.  During sleep, our body can heal and repair itself efficiently as it doesn't have much else to worry about.  Our sore muscles can repair and we can make up for the hours of rest lost over the weekend.  Plus, you'll wake up feeling a whole lot fresher than you did the day before with significantly smaller dark circles under the eyes! 

2. HYDRATE

Whether you participated in sporting events or not, a weekend full of sunshine and booze generally equates to dehydration.  Obviously increasing your water intake over the next few days will help this (adding lemon to the water will help alkalise your body at the same time) but also consider herbal teas, coconut water and fresh juices to help replace some nutrients and minerals that have probably been lacking over the past few days.  Another reason to hydrate is to banish water retention in the body (something I suffer exceptionally badly during a hangover).  If we are dehydrated, our cells cling on to every last drop of water they can find, resulting in bloating, puffiness around the face and neck, and poor digestion.  In order for our body to return to equilibrium, we need to replace the water we have lost.  Remember, what you EAT is just as important as what you DRINK.  Fresh fruits, veggies and plenty of lean protein should be on the menu for a few days. Keep your carb intake lower for a short while, as starchy carbs can also increase water retention and bloating.  My final suggestion, especially if you are feeling a sore throat coming along, is to take some supplements (either in pill form or powder) to really boost your vitamin and nutrient intake quickly and avoid the classic 'run-down cold'.  Nutra Organics does a great raw powder packed full of the good stuff, and it's as easy as throwing a teaspoon into a smoothie or a glass of water.  Just a few days of eating light and clean and drinking plenty of fluids will have you feeling and looking fab once again! 

3. SWEAT

Finally, don't use your big weekend as an excuse to avoid your sports bra for 2 weeks.  Getting back into it as soon as possible will get the endorphins pumping, relieving those post-Sevens blues.  Perhaps a good hot yoga session or a light jog is all you need to get the blood pumping and stretch out those muscles.  Maybe you'd prefer a hardcore HIIT session to really kick start things...whatever feels good! But trust me, once you're back to your normal training routine you'll start to feel refreshed and motivated.  

And if that doesn't help you feel better, remember its only about 363 days till next year's Rugby Sevens when we get to do it all over again! 

V x