October Favourites!!

    Hi pretty people!


 First of all, I'm soo sorry for the lack of posting, college has totally taken over my life! Also I have some really exciting news about a project I'm working on in regards to mental health with the college  that I can't wait to tell you about!:)


   But all about that later;)

   I don't know if it's just me, but October flew by. One minute it was the end of summer and college was starting and the next its almost Christmas(I know, I dropped the C bomb!) Madness!


                                  


   So with out further a due, here are the things I have been lavishing love on in the last month!


    Home made pop corn: I hadn't made this since my second year in college until recently and I loooove it! It's so much nicer than microwavable stuff, which always has that weird after taste that you cant get rid of.However, I recently discovered that 100g of unposed popcorn made with 125ml cooking oil has 559 calories!So I'm going to look into cooking it with rapeseed oil, as that's supposed to make it healthier!

                                             

 Yoga: I down loaded the 'Yoga Studio' app and it it brilliant! I find it so beneficial for the physical aspects of stress, such as tension knots and stiffness. The app has different levels, and is in 15 or 30 minute slots, meaning it doesn't take much time out of your day. I would say to everyone to give yoga a try, you feel so much better and it's wonderfully calming for the mind. Ooooohm...

                                       

 Walking: Bit of a boring one, but I have been walking home from college every day and trying to get in as much brisk walking as I can. I try to incorporate some jogging, in the hope that one day my walks will become jogs! I can't stress enough how good for you it is to get out in the fresh air and do some exercise, even for 10 or 15 minutes, especially for people who suffer with their mental health. Exercise has been scientifically proven to help reduce stress, improve the quality of your sleep and to help you develop more energy. And remember, no matter how slow you're going, you're still lapping everyone on the couch!


 Crepes: Oh.My.God. I discovered Gino's crepes in town and now I am just addicted! They're on O' Connell street and Gratfon street, and you can not walk by without wanting one!The crepes with filling are around the €5, meaning they're not cheap, but soo worth it! I'm going to try Lemon Jelly crepes which are supposed to be the nicest in Dublin.And now I really want one, dammit!


                                                     

     

 Soap and Glory Heel Genius foot cream: This cream is so light and soothing on the feet. After along day walking around town or home from college this cream/gel is just what my feet need. It has allantoin, glycerin, macadamia oil, menthol, and bilberry with fruit smoothers. I use this after my shower and I haven't needed to use my ped-egg once since I started using it. Feet are a lot less scary with this little gem!

                               

   My Diary: With the medication making my head a little fuzzy, and the million and one appointments with staff in college and at the hospital, and due dates for papers I really needed something I could write stuff down in and carry around in my hand bag and school bag(I feel about 12 saying that!) So my lovely mom found my this really cute diary and its been so useful:)

                                      

 Garner Body Intensive 7 Day Lotion for dry to Extra Dry Skin: I have seriously dry body skin. As in if I didn't moisturise after every shower my skin would start to peel and get so itchy and raw. Even things like emulsifying ointment wasn't enough, But since i have started to use this I haven't had any problems with my skin. It really does what it promises and is fast absorbing and doesn't have a strong smell. It's also not expensive and can be gotten in most grocery stores or Boots, and I even think I saw the big bottles in the €2 store, which are around €7 normally! I would have no hesitation recommending this and they do cater for other types of skin with in this range.

                                       

     American Horror Story: I only started watching this on Halloween, how appropriate, and already I'm onto season 2. I don't know if I'm going to like Asylum as much as the first series, probably because of the subject matter, but I have to say I'm still glued to it. Freaky as shit! 

                                                 

No. 7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum: I have just started using this again as it never does any harm to do a little extra when it comes to anti ageing, especially when my birthday is this month! I really love this product, even though it it very expensive (probably not be general serum standards, but it is for me), but Boots often do No.7 vouchers and they have recently brought out a new larger size of these serums. I use the Advanced version, while my mother uses the Intense, which is for older skin. This has made a huge difference to my skin, it's clearer and smoother and I will always keep this serum in my skin care regime. I also have another No.7 favourite but will be doing a separate post on that:)

                               

  So ladies, there are my October favourites! Are any of my favourites on your list too? What did you love in the month of October? As always I'd love to hear from people so leave any comments below! 

Thanks so much for reading:) xx

       

 

 

First Lifestyle Change Update!

     Hi Pretty people!


    Sorry this post is a bit delayed, I meant to post on Thursday, but I was really busy with moving my stuff up for college and unpacking. It's really exciting but so scary too! I am moving into my grandmother's vacant house, so it is a home from home, which is nice. I've also being setting up a mental health 'toolbox' for myself to keep well in college which I will do a separate post on later. At the moment lack of sleep and nightmares are a problem, but I'm working through it:)


                                   

   So, on to the lifestyle change! I found it quite hard at first. The night I wrote the last article I got up and went for a walk, which I really enjoyed. That Friday night I was suffering with hormones and I did eat a bit of chocolate, but not as much as I normally would, which I was happy with! I have been going for brisk thirty minute walks most days, which has been working up a bit of a sweat and getting my heart rate up, which is an improvement. I also downloaded an app called FitCommit, where you can set your goal in either how long you exercise for everyday, or how many calories you want to loose a day. You can add any type of exercise and the app will work out how many calories you have lost depending on how long you have performed it for. It puts a tick on every day you reach your goal and I find it great encouragement to look at the calendar and see how many days I have reached my target, which is thirty minutes of exercise every day. This may not work for every one, but so far I have found it very useful. I think if you have your phone constantly around, it's worth looking into apps which might be practical and provide you with reminders and incentive.


                                     

FitCommit App

   The last time I posted my weight I put it in stone, but as it's easier to track any loss, I have changed to Kilos. As I was just over nine stone the last time I was 58 kilos, and on 28 August I was (drum roll people!!!) 

Waist: 26 inches (loss of 1.5 inches)
Hips: 36 and 1/4 inches (loss of 1/4 inch)
Thighs: 22.5 inches (gain of 2.5 inches)
Weight: 56kilos (loss of 2 kilos or 4.4 lbs)



                                       

   I am delighted and amazed at this!! I am not too worried about my thighs as I know that this will be the hardest place to loose from and I decided to measure them at the widest part this time. I'll be honest, I didn't starve myself and I didn't kill myself going to the gym. I just made slightly better choices, less chocolate, a little less bread, slightly smaller portions and walking and getting up when I can. I have been trying my best to change my attitude towards physical activate,y for example if something was needed from up stairs I'd go and get it, and walk short distances which I would of once wanted to drive. Basically what I'm saying is, we don't all need to become gym bunnies, don't get my wrong, my aim is to be fit, but we can start the process here and now, by making small every day changes to our lifestyle. This week has been proof of that to me more than ever! I did have a cheat day on Saturday, where I had fish with no batter and chips and banoffie pie, but instead of having a whole slice to myself, I shared it and only had a few mouthfuls. 


                                         

 
    I also find as well that seeing the weight loss there in black and white on the paper is a huge help. Sometimes we can't see the changes in our clothes, or in the mirror, but to see it somewhere, to see a goal being achieved, it can be the best incentive ever. I think it is important to discover what your own incentive is when it comes to loosing weight, is new clothes, is it a family get together? Or is it like me, you simply want to change your lifestyle in order to get healthier and look better? What ever it is, keep reminders all around you; I have my backgrounds on my phone and computer changed to keep me reminded of the changes I want to make. I also asked my mom to support me and remind me why I'm doing this, try rope in family, friends or your partner to help. 


 I think it's also important to stop looking at this as a diet, and think of it more as a permanent change in your life. A diet makes it sound like a short term change, where as the reality is even when you have achieved your target weigh loss, there will still be maintenance required.  So try see it as a lifetime pursuit, rather than something that if you do for a little while, you can go back to the eating habits ect. you had before and won't put any weight on. It's a bitch, but it is the reality of it. 

                                           

  So, for next week? Well I'm hoping to loose a half a pound at least, and to walk at least four days of the week. The reason I'm aiming for such a small weight loss is I know often after a large weight loss, it can often slow down and I would rather set myself a small, realistic goal, and therefor continue to achieve my goals. I am also not promising myself I will walk every day as I have a very busy week ahead, and may not manage it. I really feel setting small goals that I feel I can achieve, and building on them as I go along is the best way to do this, and if I can do more than my goals, wayhay! Would love to hear how other people are getting on if they've started this journey and what do people think of the FitCommit app? How do other people keep themselves motivated?

  I also don't ever post full length pictures of myself, but since I had my little bit of good news I decided to do an ootd! I never know how to pose for photos and what to do with my hands! Hope you like it:)



                                       

Black Ankle Boots: Primark
Leggings: River Island
Vest: H&M
Kimono: Dunnes
Necklace: Primark
Choker: E-bay

  Much love and take care of yourself:)xxxx