New beauty blog!

Hello!

So, after converting my last beauty blog into a fitness related one I decided to bring it back and give it another go!

Why call it Waterproof Lashes?!...

My number one favourite make-up item has to be mascara!...I love the way it opens up your eyes and gives those of us that aren't necessarily blessed with full, dark, luscious lashes a chance to shine.

As for the waterproof...adding a bit of depth ;)

I shall be adding some posts over the next few days, reviewing, showing and sharing products etc ect. Watch this space! (Always wanted to say that haha :P)

Slacking...

Hi there!

Slacking...well yes, on two counts! Firstly apologies for not posting in a while, I guess life just got in the way! Secondly, I've also been slipping a little on the fitness front...

Da da daaa! O oh! :/

Yes, I'm afraid since stopping the scrutiny on my food and counting Weight Watcher points and the likes, I feel that I've been a bit naughty and junk food has crept back in!! Sometimes things just get too tempting to resist!

I have to say that my main trigger/downfall is clubbing! Whenever I go on a 'big' night out I know that, for one, my calorific intake will be through the roof with alcohol beverages and two, I would rather die than not get food at the end of the night! Literally I feel like I turn into some kind of wild animal, desperate for the taste of greasy food...drunk munchies are awful! And then the next day is also often a complete write-off as I am constantly attempting to fill the horrible empty feeling of hunger (due to the booze)! Soak it up!

Big thumbs down to alcohol...afterwards at least!

Luckily though I'm not a mega crazy student and don't actually have THAT many big nights out...Quite boring like that :)

Over the last two weeks I've been particularly off form. I finished teaching practice. Yes, I survived! Just. And I have to say that it was a stressful time indeed, especially as I picked up a bug that was circling around my school. Silver lining was a decrease in eating I guess. But that didn't last long and the tiredness really started to take its toll towards the end of my practice, resulting in more sugar and less gym action.

Anyway I passed my teaching practice...woooo! But then of course this called for celebrations, and quite a lot of them. Takeaways, big nights and lots of laziness and skipping gym sessions. I deserved it right?!

Yesterday I moved back home for the start of my Christmas holidays and after a lovely but guilty chinese with my family last night, this morning I made a point of signing straight back up to my local gym. Time for my much missed exercise classes! I paid £22.50 for a two weeks membership which I didn't think was too bad considering I'll get my money's worth in 2-3 days! Boy have I missed them! :)

Weight wise? Well I actually haven't set foot on any scales since I reached goal weight at the end of October, so Monday will the first chance I get to see if I've caused any damage with my overindulgences over the past few weeks! I'll let you know the results! Wish me luck.

If you haven't been 'good' today, it doesn't mean the whole thing is ruined. Start afresh tomorrow :)

Goodbye Weight Watchers...

(...or sort of!)

Hi everyone. Hope you are all having a great week!

So an amazing thing happened on Sunday the 28th of October...I REACHED GOAL WEIGHT!!!

WOOOO! In total I lost 1st 8lbs. Something that I quite honestly didn't think would happen when I started Weight Watchers and exercising. I was always quite optimistic that I could lose about 7lbs, as I'd done that previously, before falling back into the junk food trap and gaining that plus more! Not good! However...doing just that, losing 7lbs, more than THREE TIMES OVER is simply amazing (knowing how I usually massively struggle to lose weight).

So...what changed? ...Well, first of all I think it is very important to find something that easily fits into your life.
1. I am not the greatest cook, nor do I particularly enjoy cooking
2. I cannot count calories
3. (When I started, at least) I had heaps of time on my hands
4. I have some OCD tendancies
5. I had previously enjoyed the odd exercise class, not a huge fan of the gym

Therefore...
1. I needed some sort of of plan whereby any lavish cooking wasn't required. Ready meals, even. Weight Watchers therefore seemed like a good choice for me, with many tasty quick meals in only a few presses of the microwave. Even I could manage that!
2. Many a time have I tried to count the pesky calories...many a time have I failed miserably. I cannot survive on the measly 1300cals I'm supposed to follow!!! (according to the likes of Fitness Pal etc) Especially when  the likes of a banana can be a whopping 80-90cals...I mean, it's a banana for christ sake! :) Trying the WW points system seemed like a good idea...maybe I would get on better with these?! The lowest points you'll receive is 26. Mine was 26 and I found it so much more generous than counting calories...fruit and veg are free! 0 points...bargain!
3. Lots of time...so what's an hour a day? Nothing. Fit in exercise to see results *mental note to self* However starting off small could be recommended...maybe 30 minutes every day or an hour every other day? Push to your own personal limits.
4. Recording or tracking what you've eaten is half of the battle. You may not think you've eaten much but actually it adds up rather quickly. The OCD in me liked recording my food consumption and it helped keep me on track. Big gold star to the Weight Watcher's App which was very easy to use on the go, so I never forgot to track anything!
5. Book in for a load of exercise classes. They are more motivational with group pressures and instructors yelling at you! Ditch any you dislike and stick with the ones you enjoy. Alternatively you may prefer the gym, running or simply walking the dog. Pick one and be consistent with it. For me one of my goals was to fit in at least one gym session per week (when classes aren't available)...sometimes you have to do things you don't enjoy to get to where you want to be. Doing exercise also meant Activity points for Weight Watchers...I liked watching these rack up, though I chose not to munch through mine.

So Weight Watchers and exercise classes were the things I chose to help me reach my goal weight...but as I say everyone is different so you need to work out what is going to get results for you.

I have to say that I believe Weight Watchers has not only changed my weight but also the way I look at food. Before I started I was obsessed with junk food, addicted even. I often needed a McDonald's fix, or a Chinese takeaway, whereby I'd eat to the point of feeling sick.

Weight Watcher's allowed me to reduce my portion sizes so that I wasn't eating to bursting, but actually acknowledging when I was full. And that's not to say that I didn't find it hard at first. I did. Sometimes I felt hungry but I learned to fill up on the healthier options like fruit or vegetables. There were times when I felt like giving in and occasional moments of eating something I probably shouldn't have. But the good thing is, as long as I recorded what I ate and it was deducted from my daily or weekly points, then it was ok to treat myself every once in a while.

In fact every week I would save up my weekly points so I could have a 'treat day' where I might have a meal out, a takeaway or maybe popcorn/ sweets at the cinema. This was one of the things that made Weight Watchers so easy to follow. Personally that weekly treat spurred me on to be good on those other days, then when I got my treat I knew I'd earned it and I enjoyed it even more.

Exercise started off as something I needed to do but I didn't really want to do it. However, as I started reaping the benefits (getting fitter, toning up, having more energy) I began adding more into my routine and actually started enjoying it! By this point it had become my hobby and I was had actually made friends through doing it, which of course made it even more enjoyable, chatting to people along the way.

As for the gym, well I'm still not its biggest fan...but you'd NEVER guess as I now go at least 4 times a week. (During term time I can't do my exercise classes so it has to be gym-only and I have less time on my hands too!) People say that if you do something you enjoy then it's easy because you enjoy it, but if you do something you don't necessarily enjoy but you do it anyway, then you're committed to it. This pretty much sums up my relationship with the gym. I can't always be bothered to go and often feel like 'sacking it off', but I make myself go because I'm committed to it as I know it'll be one step closer to results. Personally, I would much sooner spend an hour doing something I don't always like, than to go back to finding clothes shopping a depressing chore or back to hating the reflection staring back at me.

Now, I said goodbye 'sort-of' because although I have reached my goal weight I still intend on following the Weight Watchers plan...however perhaps not with so much scrutiny. I was recalculated 36 ProPoints in order to maintain my weight and so far loosely following this allowance has proven a success. I stayed exactly the same last week but obviously time will tell as to whether I need to adjust my eating or exercise.

However, for now, I am happy and confident that I will be able to maintain. I never saw this as a quick fix, it was always going to be a lifestyle change. This is it...this is life. And to be honest I am happy with the setup for the foreseeable future :)

It took me nearly 5 months to get to where I am now and I am over the moon with my progress! Hard work, blood (definitely blisters!!!), sweat and maybe a few tears have all gone into my results. However, realistically I still have my goals, getting ABS being one of them!...Wish me luck on this haha!

I would love to hear your thoughts, questions, comments... Tweet me: @ellie1989 or comment here. What's your story? What's your journey so far?

Ellie :)

Return to Boot Camp...

...and Step n Core :)

Hello. Hope everyone is well!

So as I mentioned on my previous post, I popped home for a few days whilst on school holidays (half term). And of course being the exercise addict I am, I just had to do some of my much loved classes!

First up was Boot Camp. Now, if you aren't familair with this class then basically the instructors are pretty strict and order you about...well at least my instructors do! :) The classes generally vary in terms of what sort of exercises are involved but this week was a classic circuit training setup. We started on a mat each which were labelled with different exercises e.g. crunches, push-ups, burpees etc.

For those of you wondering what on earth a 'burpee' is...

Yes, it is extremely tiring when repeated over and over again!

Anyway, some of the mats also had equipment such as weights for bicep curls and what not. We completed the assigned exercise for one minute before rotating round to the next mat and so on.

Once we reached half way we ran a few laps around the perimeter of the sports hall before being allowed a quick drink! Strict, but all part of the fun! We continued the different exercises eventually reducing the time per mat to 30 seconds each, eventually finishing with a cool down and stretches.

Next up was Step n Core....basically a fancy name for step aerobics with a quick abdominal floor workout ;) I don't have much more to say about this class really, pretty self explanatory so I won't bore you with the details!

I was worried that my fitness may have slipped since dropping down my exercise to every other day rather than everyday, like in the holidays. But generally I didn't find it a major challenge so all was good...

UNTIL....the next morning. I woke up and felt I'd aged by 30 years. Stiff as a board comes to mind! OUCH! It's ok, it'll be fine tomorrow...right?

WRONG! Oh my goodness...this morning I could barely move, get up or sit down! Not ideal haha but the signs of a GREAT workout. Goes to show that perhaps classes work you harder than an average gym session? Or maybe just work different areas? Hmmm...

Ciao for now!

A Naughty Week & Results

Hi everyone. Hope you all had a great week. Come and say hi to me on Twitter: @ellie1989 :)

So as you may have guessed by the title...I've been a bit naughty this week and have eaten loads! Oops! I guess after feeling like I'd indulged last week but still managing to secure a 2lbs loss, meant that this week I was very relaxed with counting my points. Infact so relaxed that I didn't even bother to record them all in my Weight Watchers app.

As some of you may know, I'm a student training to become a primary school teacher and have been in a school all week on teaching practice. It seems that school dinners aren't particularly healthy and often result in a calorific pudding! Sadly though I don't have the willpower to resist them, as I'm often drained come dinner time and in need of a hearty meal. So, I allow myself the treat of at least one decent/cheeky meal a day (with dinner time more of a snacky meal) yet it means point wise I have to estimate their values (usually around 15 PP).

However this week has been one of those weeks whereby the school has had cake sales and staffroom treats and what not, so I've definitely been nibbling more than usual. I also had a few nights where I felt like eating and then eating some more...We all get this from time to time, don't we?!
Tuesday evening for example, I ate my dinner and then finished off a box of my houesemate's poppadoms dipped in mango & chutney. Not sure why, but damn were they good! :)

Friday was the cake sale day at school and unfortunately my role was to take the children to buy their cakes. Lucikly this only involved two trips but each time I went I treated myself to a shortbread biscuit. I was hungry, honest. And then the staffroom had white chocolate chip cookies... Oh dear!

And then of course yesterday was Nandos day. I met up with a friend and I took advantage of my free 1/4 chicken, adding creamy mash and spicy rice as sides. It was so worth it, I have to say! But then I was just plain GREEDY and decided to buy sweets to munch on whilst watching Taken 2 at the cinemas. I felt like something sweet? :/ lol. The movie was amazing btw, yet can never live up to the first one.

So as you can guess, today I wasn't feeling particularly optimistic about my weigh-in! Again I had to head to my local Boots store and use their scales as my gym has seemingly lost theirs?! :S

RESULTS: (Drum roll)....

A STS!!! Yes, that's right, I stayed exactly the same weight. Pretty shocked I have to say but obviously my body didn't react too badly to the naughty week I had. Also I did go to the gym Sun, Tues, Thurs, Fri and again today so I guess that could have helped reduce the food impact. Haha.

Anyway...back on the wagon this week with only 2lbs to go until Goal Weight! (Although I may adjust slightly when I get there). Heading back to my much missed Boot Camp and Step n Core classes on Thursday during a visit home. Yes, it's half term for school's where I am. So I may just have to let you know how I get on with that. Hope my fitness level hasn't decreased too much?! EEK.

Wish everyone a good or better week this week , if you too didn't quite keep to it last week. At the end of the day we all have to be a bit naughty sometimes, but moderation is key! Keep going, you can do it :)

Hilton's Living Well Gym/Spa & Weigh-In

Hey everyone :)

As some of you may know, if you've read some of my past posts, I've recently moved into a new student house for my final year of University. Sadly this meant that my gym membership had to be cancelled and I've had to leave behind my beloved classes! Crazy, but I actually  really miss them!

But of course being the fitness freak I am, I could not go cold turkey on the exercise front, I had to search for a new local gym. I had a few priorities in mind when selecting one, e.g. a gym with a pool, fitness classes, good facilities like showers etc and also the location/easyiness in terms of getting to and fro.

Consequently, when I came across the Hilton- Living Well it seemed perfect as it appeared to tick all of the boxes (based on their webpage). However, when I got there I realised that this particluar health spa/gym didn't run any exercise classes bar aqua aerobics, due to space limitations.

But an all honesty I was so impressed with the things it did offer that I went ahead anyway and joined. I also got a special deal whereby the usual £75 joining fee was scrapped and the monthly student price of £35 was cut to £10 for the first month. Bargain! :P

So, my initial thoughts...Well I must say I am quite happy with my choice. I have probably been around 6 times now (I joined the other week) and each time I've started off in the gym and then finished up in the pool and the steam rooms. Yes, I am really enjoying the novelty of the steam rooms at the moment! :) The jacuzzi is pretty fun too!

As for the showers and changing areas, they are always really clean, modern and quite posh. I absolutely love that they give you a towel when swiping in at reception- it really does make my life a lot easier. Instead of travelling home all sweaty and still having to wash and shower, I get all of that out of the way before leaving. They also have hairdryers (free of charge) so I can also get my hair all sorted whilst there too!

Like I say, I do miss exercise classes but for the short time I require the gym membership it really isn't a massive deal. I also plan on going back to my home gym during uni breaks...get my fix of classes! :D Can't get enough!

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Weigh-in!

Ok so since I've been in my new house I've been a little slack with following my Weight Watcher's plan. Unable to turn down my housemates on an 'all you can eat' chinese lunch last week and then a clubbing night out leading to a 2am KFC feast, it's safe to say that I wasn't entirely within my propoints entitlement! However the good news is I still LOST, weighing in at just under 8st 11lbs. So, I lost just under 1lb, which yes isn't amazing but it is certainly better than I expected! :)

Also, my goal weight is now 4LBS AWAY!!! Wooo....cannot believe I've almost achieved what I set out to! I suppose maintaining will also be a challenge but I'll have to just see how I get on with that and work out what works best for me.

For now though, I'm going to continue with the plan but perhaps be a little more relaxed with it, afterall I can do it in my sleep now after 4 months! :)

And to those of you that are battling with the desire to give-up...don't think about how far you have left to go, but how far you have come.

Or, if you are just starting out...think about why you need to do it for yourself....why do you want to change? And imagine something that will inspire you. For me, the thought of not feeling completely vile in a bikini on holiday and instead having more confidence to wear one was in the front of my mind when I started. And guess what....I achieved that! I didn't die at the thought of getting into swimwear but actually felt good about myself, of how much better I looked than I ever have before. I didn't reach perfection, but perfection doesn't exist. I just felt more comfortable. BIG CHANGE! :)

Hope this spurs you on. Feel free to message me. Twitter: Ellie1989

Post holiday weigh-in!

Hey guys. Hope you all had a brill week! :)

So as you may know if you read my last post...last week I was holidaying in Gran Canaria. I had a great time and decided to go all out and have a week off my Weight Watchers plan.

However, as you may know if you read my last blog, the workout obsessed me required a exercise fix whilst away. I found a nearby gym and did about an hours session each morning. I also did some swimming during the day in the lovely pool...

It's weird because I guess I've been so active during the summer that my body now expects it! I literally get 'twitchy' if I haven't done anything in a day haha. Yes, I got it bad :p

Diet wise I certainly didn't restrict myself though with alcohol, ice cream and fast food all a part of my daily intake! And although I enjoyed what I ate I certainly was glad to be retuning to my much healthier eating towards the end the week. I had forgotten how crap junk food can make you feel after excessive amounts!

Convinced that I'd gained 3+ lbs during the week, I nervously got on the gym scales once home.

Amazingly, I had gained less than a lb!! Something silly like 0.8 of a lb! Unbelievable right?! I guess I forgot how gradual gaining weight is, just like losing it.

So, very happy with the results. Worth it but pleased to be back on my plan :p

Stay strong and remember it's ok to occasionally treat yourself!!!

P.S. I've never felt so happy on holiday before. What a difference feeling good about yourself can make! It's so worth it, so keep going!