4lbs Down!

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 :)

The Post I Never Wanted to Write

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!