Hey guys,
I notice that I'm still getting quite a lot of traffic on this blog. Unfortunately I've moved over to googalblog.wordpress.com
So please come say hello, and check out my 2014 Christmas Wishlist!
xx
So you're probably wondering where I'm gone! Well, hopefully you are anyway...
But I've set up a new blog, www.googalblog.wordpress.com
Come say hello :)
Hey guys :)
So I know it's been a long time since my last blog post, but between college, moving house, job-hunting etc. It's been hectic to say the least!
But not to worry as over the next few weeks, I am planning a complete re-launch. It will no longer be Fiona's Fashion Ireland, however I will have all of the usual stuff that you guys love.
I'm shaking things up a little bit. It's not just going to be a fashion blog anymore, but more of a lifestyle blog. Full of beauty, health, photos, fashion, food, exciting competitions, and the shenanigans that I'll be getting up to!
I'm also starting an internship this summer in U!Magazine which I'm super excited about, and can't wait to fill you all in on what I get up to.
I've also plenty of new clothes, shoes and beauty products that I can't wait to show you.
So as ever, thank you for being so patient with me, I really appreciate your support. And although I haven't been blogging in almost two months, you're still checking in everyday.
Without getting too sentimental and soppy, you all mean the world to me, so thanks again for reading!
Looking forward to talking to you very soon,
So today, I had my induction at the gym. At two o'clock, I met with the lovely Brian, one of the instructors in The Swan Center in Rathmines. Firstly, he asked me a couple of questions, such as "How active am I?", about my medical history etc.
After that then, he took my measurements (chest, waist and hips), before weighing me. As it turns out, I've lost 4 pounds, since starting back at the gym!
I'm absolutely delighted with myself, and have achieved it simply through cutting back on my portions, and exercising more.
I'm meeting Brian again on Monday, where he is going to give me a personal work-out plan, which obviously I will share with you all.
But for now, I've decided to put together my top tips based on my experience over the last few weeks:
1. WATER!! My biggest and by far most important tip. It will stave off any hunger pangs, keep you hydrated, and you will literally flush the pounds away.
2. Hot water and Lemon. Every morning and every evening I drink a cup and I love it! Much prefer the taste to Green Tea, and it has (almost) all of the benefits of drinking it.
3. Intervals. When I was talking to Brian today, he told me that instead of running, or walking at a constant pace on the treadmill, for weight loss, the most important thing is to vary your heart rate. This maximises weight loss. So for instance, try walking for two or three mins on the treadmill (or the road!), then run for one minute. Today I repeated this for 30 mins.
4. Eat something straight after the gym. Protein is the best post work-out snack. Try a handful of nuts (almonds are full of protein) straight after a work-out to keep your metabolism fueled and help replenish your muscles.
5. Walk whenever you can! Sounds obvious, but being the broke student that I am, I can't even afford the bus sometimes! Which I suppose helps me in the long run really, as it's an extra 30 mins walking each day.
Also, head over to my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/fionasfashionireland where you can enter into the draw for a copy of Ruth Field's 'Run, Fat Bitch! Run'.
Best of luck :)
Inevitably, it happened. I've been dreading writing this post for too long, but it's time to take my head out of the sand and admit it...I fell off the wagon.
And I've no excuse. Last week was a tough week mentally and physically, I also started back at college and I started a new job, but I can't hide behind excuses. I had plenty of time to go to the gym and I gave myself every excuse under the sun not to go.
Once I'd eaten something crap, that was it "What's the point of going to the gym now after eating that?", or "I walked to work and back today, I've done enough exercise for the day". But realistically, I could've gone, couldn't I?
It wasn't until I did my neknomination video for Facebook the other day that I realised how much weight I've gained. Each take away, can of coke and burrito I've eaten in the past few months all slowly but surely crept on.
I'm tired of being so unhappy about it. "What's to say this time is different", I'm sure you're wondering. And the answer is, "I don't know?" But if I don't believe in myself, no one will. And the main thing is, I've been honest.
The hardest thing to do is to let yourself slip, even for one day, it's so difficult to pull yourself together and get back on it. I've been giving myself excuses for months now, and I'm finally ready to admit it.
I have no excuses. I'm just lazy. But I was happy with my weight once, and I can do it again.
I've brushed the dust off my old friend 'Run Fat Bitch, Run!', by Ruth Field.
This book is all the motivation you'll need. I couldn't recommend it highly enough, and I'm reading it for the second time. It really is the only fitness book you'll need to read, (apart from my blog, obviously!)
I'm getting a bit frustrated with my blog recently, as I'm sure you are too. I'm struggling with what direction to take it in. At the end of the day it is 'Fiona's Fashion Ireland', (although I am toying with the name). So what I've decided to do it, a weekly update (at least) of my weight-loss, rather than daily. And every other day, blog about the things I love. Fashion, reviews, and the odd bit of celebrity gossip.
Keep an eye on my Facebook page though for healthy recipes, tips, style tips and competitions. I'm definitely going to be more active on Facebook, so please please please don't be afraid to like and share!
OK, so I'm starting to feel the burn. Yesterday was a busy day. I was handing out CVs in the rain, and did a lot of walking. My legs are beginning to ache and I'll be honest, I wanted nothing more than to skip the gym and go home to a hot chocolate.
But I didn't!
I did go to the gym and I was glad that I did, although I took it easier than I did on day 1. I did 40 mins, varying my speed and incline. I was definitely glad that I did though and I think that those are the days when you benefit the most, because you know you've pushed yourself.
I'm aware that gym membership is expensive, and I certainly wouldn't have it, only for Christmas, but there's always a free treadmill outside! And if you've a smart phone, there's plenty of apps you can download to help you figure out how many KM's you've done, and how many calories you've burned. My favourite is 'Map My Run'.
**Just remember, it's not all about the calories. You won't know yourself, how euphoric you'll feel when you get back in the house after being out in the fresh air.
Before you begin, make sure you're hydrated and have had plenty to eat about an hour or so before hand.
If you are heading to the gym, make sure you:
✔ Are wearing the proper gear; sports bra, tracksuit bottoms and a pair of comfy runners. There's nothing worse than runners that cut your heels and squash your toesies!
✔ Have a towel with you. The gym is a sweaty place...
✔ Bring a bottle of water. Hydration, Hydration, Hydration!
✔ Have a playlist made; I'm going to post my ultimate gym playlist soon. There's nothing worse than being in full swing when a bit of Adele comes on. There's a time and a place!
✔ And off you go!
Tomorrow, I'm going to post my top 20 workout songs :)
I've decided not to weigh myself until the end of the week, and although I'm not going to disclose my weight, I'll let you know what I've lost.
Last time, I fell into a trap of weighing myself on the hour! Any chance I'd get I'd hop on the scales and tell myself "Ok well if I don't eat and go for a run now then I'll loose another pound", or if I'd put some weight on I'd be so cross at myself and starve myself as punishment (forgetting that although I was loosing weight, because of my gym regime, I was putting on muscle!)
Top Tip Number Two: Beware of the scales!
As you know, I headed out the night before last, and while alcohol is supposed to be a no-no, I drank vodka with a dash of blackcurrent, and didn't do any shots in the club. We tend to over look alcohol sometimes when dieting, after all it's only liquid, right? Well, it may shock you to know that there are 209 calories in a single Jager Bomb!
Top Tip Three: Be mindful of your drink choices.
So yesterday was a bit of a lazy day! I may or may not have gotten up at 4pm...
I didn't go to the gym today, instead I decided to try out Vicky Paittison's DVD, 7 Day Slim.
I'm not gonna lie, it was feckin hard, not only the workout, but having to listen to that accent! You'd definitely have to have some level of fitness built up before starting the DVD. I'm also very unflexible. They do an "easy" and difficult version of each workout, but I don't think there's much of a difference to be honest! There both pretty hard.
It's only a 10 min work out, that you do everyday for 7 days. While that sounds easy, it's a grueling 10 mins!
That said, it obviously worked for her. Tomorrow, back to the gym!
Last night, I went for dinner with Stephen to Jo Burger (yum!) I love Jo Burger! I know it might seem a little strange to be going out for dinner when trying to loose weight, but as I've said before this is not a diet, it's lifestyle change.
Instead of banning yourself from going out and enjoying yourself, just make some simple swaps. For example, in Jo Burger, you can opt for sweet potato fries, instead of regular fries. Or instead of getting a burger in the bun, you can opt for "nude", "half nude", or even have it in a tortilla.
You'll never stick to a healthy lifestyle if you deny yourself doing the things you love.
Breakfast: Melon, a handful of blueberries, and a yoghurt.
Lunch: 3 Crackers with medium cheddar cheese.
Dinner: "The Dobson": cheese, beef burger with tomato relish and rocket, half nude with a side of sweet potato fries.
Drinks and Snacks: Hot water with lemon, water.
