How to keep fit whilst travelling and on a budget

I know the feeling. You've been travelling for a few weeks and although it seems like you've walked for miles, it just doesn't cut it. You need a gym, you need weights, you need to get back into shape...

I have been in Sydney for five months now and honestly, I haven't felt so big in my entire life! I thought coming to Australia would make me lose weight. How wrong I was! I guess I have to accept the fact that my body doesn't agree to zero exercise. I can eat (oh my I can eat) and so the only way to shed those calories is if I work out. This isn't to say that I have a unhealthy diet, not at all. I eat small but often to keep up with my busy lifestyle. However, in order to maintain my toned physique, my body requires at least three intense workouts a week.

Luckily for me, I find it as easy to shed those extra inches as I do to put them on. For the last month I have been training hard at a local gym, but this isn't sustainable if you're not going to be in one place for longer than a couple of weeks (which you're most likely not when you're on the road). So I decided to come up with some tips for those of you, who like me are travelling and want to remain in shape, but wish to do it on the cheap (cus every traveller loves a good bargain).

DO - look out for local deals. If you know you're going to be in one place for longer than a couple of weeks then get yourself on to Groupon or do a quick search on the Internet. You'll be amazed at what you can find (even in the more expensive cities like Sydney)!

DO - make use of local parks, ovals and so forth. You'll be surprised at what you can do with a set of stairs, a bench and some grass... Time to put those gym exercises into practice in the glorious sunshine ladies!

DO - try and walk, jog or run as much as possible. I love walking but sometimes I will run to and fro places to increase the intensity from day to day. 

DO - watch what you're eating. It's easy to grab a takeaway whilst you're travelling for the sheer convenience. However, this is not good for your waistline. Cook your own food instead - it's much cheaper and will save you piling on those extra pounds. Some great snacks which I often eat on the go here in Australia include cornthins (similar to rice cakes but made with corn) topped with avocado and tuna, nuts (I prefer almonds, walnuts or Brazilian nuts but any nuts will suffice as long as they're unsalted/unflavoured), boiled eggs, dried fruits, muesli bars and just plain old chopped up fruit or veg. 

DO - get some other fitness fanatics involved. Motivation is a big factor in keeping fit. I prefer working out on my own but it's easier said than done when you're staying in a hostel and most of your roommates are passed out from the night before. That temptation to stay in bed increases just slightly...

DO - take photos of your progress. It's easy to forget how you used to look. 'Gap fat' is a thing I'm afraid!

DONT - give up after a week. Change doesn't happen over night. You have to make exercise part of your lifestyle, regardless of how different it is to the one back at home. Yes you're travelling and want to enjoy yourself but what harm is half an hour out of your hectic schedule going to do? You'll thank me once you return home and step on to those scales trust me...

DONT - set unrealistic goals. This is about keeping fit, not shedding pounds which would be impossible on the road I would imagine. You don't want to be worrying about what is going in your mouth every second of the day. Travelling is about embracing the experience. Just remember, it's okay to grab a quick Mcdonald's whilst on the go, just as it's okay to indulge in a few alcoholic beverages (if that's the type of experience you're going for). Just be aware when this becomes a regular thing.

I am now in my fifth week of training and I feel heaps better already. Just remember it's easy to lose what you already have after a few weeks off, but it's also very easy to gain back. That first workout is never going to be easy so why delay? 

I will soon be on the road and will somehow have to try and maintain what I already have. This will be my biggest challenge to date as I won't know where I will be in say, two months time. Maybe I won't have access to a park or certain healthy foods which I like to eat, but I'll give it my best shot! Keep your eyes peeled as I willl be updating you with my day to day fitness and healthy eating regime here on my blog and across my other social media platforms.

Are you a finess fanatic with a passion for travel? How do you manage your busy schedule whilst on the go?

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Time to Talk Day - Living with a mental illness

It's a weird feeling being depressed. That feeling of emptiness, loneliness. I can't say I have ever been exposed to such intense emotions before, but after a terrible break up last year I reached rock bottom. July 2014 - the month my relationship ended for good. The heartbreak, the anguish, the sadness. I often cried myself to sleep - not just because of the break up, but because of the torment, the sheer torture my partner had put me through for so long.

Yes, I was in a very unstable relationship and many of you reading this may feel no empathy, but if you haven't been in a similar situation, then it is difficult to understand. There was a time when I would once mock girls who would run back to their partners after they had cheated on them, or even abused them for that matter. I saw this as a sign of weakness rather than strength but let me tell you - it takes a lot of strength to keep going back there - there is only so much pain one can expose themselves to. After finding myself in a similar situation, I now understand the  mental strains a relationship of that sort can have on a individual. 

Talking about mental illnesses can be difficult. I never understood what it meant to have a mental illness before I met my ex partner who suffered with a personality disorder, but here I am two years later working in mental health (the sheer irony). Since then I have been passionate in my bid to get people talking about mental illness. In fact, I never thought I would pluck up the courage to write something like this, and so openly too. But if I can make a difference to just one person's life by sharing this post, that would make me a very happy woman indeed. 

If there is one thing working in mental health has taught me; it's the vast about of mental health issues out there, and the sheer amount of us suffering and not reaching out to anyone. Many people don't realise how closely intertwined both our physical health and mental health are. It makes perfect sense though -if you are ill in hospital, obviously this is going to have a drastic effect on the way you are feeling mentally. We all know too well that the government aren't investing enough money into mental health services. This often takes a back seat in comparison to acute Trusts. However, this is an issue that is being addressed and  will hopefully improve over time.

Last week on 5th February it was Time to Talk day, a national event which encouraged the nation to start talking about mental health, whilst challenging those stigmas often attached to mental health issues. Being able to promote such an important event was incredible. I got to talk to so many different people, some of whom had suffered previously with mental illness, and others who were intrigued to find out more. Sometimes it is the little things like starting  a conversation with a stranger which really help. I know I used to struggle when speaking about my depression as this is something my family never understood. Again, this comes down to not being able to relate to the situation. My father is very old fashioned in his beliefs and would often laugh off the idea of me being depressed.

Generally, I have always been a happy girl, very outgoing and sociable, but the chemical imbalance in my brain for that year or so during my relationship was very concerning. It was so easy for me to slip back into that depressive mode where staying in the house seemed a better option than venturing out. I grabbed onto the highs and tried to eliminate the lows but it's easier said than done. Sometimes your thoughts are your worst enemy. The only way forward was to keep occupied, to think positively. Positive thinking breeds positive actions. I know how easy it is to sit and feel sorry for yourself - I have done that many of times. It's about getting up and starting to make those positive changes which is the hardest part. Remember, you are never alone. Whether it's your family, friends or even a professional, there is always someone to help.

If you want to find out more about Time to Talk day, then click here and join in the conversation.

Have you ever dealt with a mental illness? What do you understand about mental health?

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Laser Eye Surgery - Is it worth it?

On Friday I decided to take the plunge and get my eyes corrected (hopefully forever). Laser eye surgery is something I had been considering for a while, but for various reasons, had never actually gone through with it. This included not being financially stable, but more significantly; the risks involved. It's only recently, since starting a new role and speaking with various individuals in my office who had had it done, that I decided to go ahead with it. I booked my consultation at Optical Express in no time, and after little persuasion put down my £400 deposit. But why now you may ask? Obviously the money plays a big part in it - I can afford to use my savings now I have a regular income, but the main reason behind my decision lies in the fact that I am going travelling in April for a year or so.

For those glasses and contact wearers out there, you will understand my ordeal. Taking a year or more supply of contacts backpacking isn't ideal. Not only do you have the cost implications, there is also the inconvenience. Along with the worry of misplacing these, you also are limited on what activities you can and can't do. Take swimming for example - this is strictly out of bounds unless you want to run the risk of going blind that is. I can't remember the last time I went swimming properly and that upsets me a little. Wearing glasses in the glaring hot sun isn't ideal either which again means you'll have to resort to contacts. However, contacts are known for drying out and can often become uncomfortable in the heat - a symptom known as dry eyes. 

Now don't get me wrong - the risks involved with laser eye surgery are far higher than any of those associated with contacts. In fact, dry eyes is one of the most common side effects of laser eye surgery, along with glaring lights, both of which I have experienced already. The good thing about these side effects is that they are not permanent or untreatable. I am now using three different types of eye drops four times a day and have regular check ups before I go away, but so far, so good. I am sitting here writing this post five days post of surgery and I cannot believe how quickly I am recovering. Don't get me wrong, the procedure itself wasn't pleasant (more of that later), but right now if you asked me if it was worth it I would say 100%, and I still haven't achieved the full results yet (this could take weeks).

It is common fact that everyone recovers differently. One of the ladies I work with claimed that she had to sit in darkness for two months post surgery, whereas I am back at work and doing just fine. In fact, I was able to use my tablet just hours after surgery. This isn't something I would recommend, but it just goes to show how fast technology is advancing. With Lasik surgery, you are able to return back to work within 48 hours which is just incredible! Most people who qualify for laser eye surgery are eligible for this type of surgery, which not only offers faster recovery, but also claims to be pain free. Lasek on the other hand (the other type of surgery) requires a much longer recovery period (2-3 weeks) and is said to be much more painful. Luckily I qualified for the most advanced surgery on the market: Lasik iDesign, with guaranteed 20/20 vision. 

I must admit, my initial reaction after surgery was questioning what I had done. I can't say the procedure was painful as it wasn't, but it was very uncomfortable. I think the worst part  was being awake throughout it all, even though the procedure itself takes little under ten minutes. Your initial reaction to anything entering your eyes is to blink, but this is something you are incapable of doing. This was a real concern of mine prior to surgery, along with something going wrong of course, but rest assured, nobody has ever gone blind from laser eye surgery. Afterwards, I couldn't wait to get home and close my eyes but after an hour or so in bed I felt okay to get up again. Since then I have been wearing goggles to bed each night, and have been extra careful not to get water near my eyes for a week (this includes when bathing or showering). Obviously it's not convenient not being able to wash your hair properly, but you get over it. I don't even mind the fact that I cant wear makeup for a while, I just wish I could work out! Hopefully I will be back at the gym in no time and feeling a little more human!

So overall - a terrifying but incredible experience and one I will definitely remember for a lifetime - it doesn't get much better than that. One word of advice if you are considering surgery - do not be afraid and put it off like many people do. I think I have been treated at a prime time in my life; I am young, have a stable prescription, but most importantly, this will have a huge impact on my future. To find out more or to book your FREE consultation, visit the website today.

Have you considered laser eye surgery? What are you thoughts on the procedure?

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Yoga for beginners

I am always one for trying new things - whether this be food, clothes, wine - I am your woman. A fitness fanatic (as I often like to call myself), it's only fitting that I came across the wonders of yoga at some point. Prior to attending my first yoga class, I had heard many great things from various friends of mine about this mindful practice. Often said to test your strength and stability, this is a workout like no other. Of course, this could only make me eager to find out more. I went along to my first yoga session not only for the workout element (which I have to say didn't quite live up to my expectations), but to open my mind, to feel liberated. The latter I certainly achieved. This was a very relaxing session where I got to stretch my body to new limits and clear my mind of any worries. For those of you who aren't sure what yoga is, or if you are reading this because you want to find out more, and possibly try it for yourself then do read on.

We began then with a quick warm up- stretching our bodies in all sort of ways, and of course finding out who were the most flexible ones amongst us. I have got to give it to our yoga instructor - she was not only very friendly but also very spiritual too. After a quick warm up, it was time to try out some of the more testing exercises (if that's what you call them). Luckily for me I have quite good balance - my weekly gym sessions certainly made me look like I had been doing this for a while. Some of the moves I was already familiar with thanks to my Wii fit back in the day. We finished off the session by turning off the lights and sleeping. Yes - sleeping. I didn't quite know what to make of the sleeping part and I can't say I was overly keen. I was expecting my money to be well spent and to feel like I had actually worked out afterwards. That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable, I just think a lot of the moves you could do in the comfort of your own home using the wonderful Youtube of course (god bless the internet). I ended up in fits of laughter and walked out with a rather red face. Maybe I am not cut out for this spiritual stuff after all...

As you may know, I have an avid interest in anything concerning mindfulness, which has acted as a constant theme on my blog posts recently. I often find myself over thinking things, especially at night due to recent trauma in my life, and yoga is a brilliant way of de stressing - there is no denying this. However, just like meditation (which I will be focusing on in one of my next blog posts), this is something you have to practice in order to get the most out of it. Even though this isn't a strenuous workout, you are testing your core stability and strength which makes this an art form in its own right. Remember, training your mental health is completely different yo your physical, and this is something we need to be more concious of.

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World Mental Health Week

So last week, we saw people all across the world celebrating World Mental Health week in various shapes and forms. Working for a Mental Health Trust, mental health is a phrase I am exposed to daily and one I am able to speak about openly and confidently. However, the same can't be said for your everyday person, your supposedly 'happy' celebrity. Mental health, it appears, is something many of us are too embarrassed or afraid to speak about. Even though the stigmas surrounding mental health are currently being challenged more than ever today, in the media especially, this is something that needs to be addressed. We are certainly seeing an increase in people opening up about their mental health state. However, I think we still have a long way to go before this is something that is discussed openly and willingly.

I had a great day on Saturday at our own World Mental Health event, speaking with a whole range of people, mainly volunteers and service users who were able to share their experiences with the public, and really challenge those stigmas surrounding mental health. I think raising awareness of it, especially in those deprived areas is extremely important as individuals may not be as knowledgeable on how to go about seeking help. From my personal experience, I now understand what it means to be mentally ill. However, prior to this, I had no idea of the impact of such an illness on your life. 

We are often too quick to feel sorry for someone with a broken leg or a bleeding nose, but this is only because we can see their pain.  So what happens when you can't see the problem? Does this mean it's okay to ignore it or to not ask them if they're okay? Of course not. Sometimes it is the little things, like asking them how their day is going or if they would like a chat. Those things I have learnt are the most important when helping someone on their road to recovery. Take the #findmike campaign. This went global and rightly so. An ordinary man offering his time to someone who had quite clearly given up on life. Mental health isn't something we can see so clearly, but I would say it is more important to take care of than our physical health. If you aren't feeling well enough to leave the house or carry out day to day tasks, then this may escalate into more problematic issues.

We need to open our eyes more to what mental health really means. Mental health doesn't have to mean suicidal, it can refer to a whole range of problems. Maybe someone is stressed at work or has lost a loved one and isn't feeling too cheerful. If they get help early then they are likely to make a quick and full recovery. It is when the problems aren't addressed, and people don't want to open up when things start to become more complicated. Obviously you have your more severe cases, but everyone deserves to be listened to, everyone deserves a voice. We all experience hard times in our life, but the hardest thing of all, opening up and speaking to someone. Don't be embarrassed, don't be afraid of the unknown. More than likely you are not alone and there will be someone out there to help you. It definitely needs more intervention and hopefully in next year's election, this will be addressed. 

What's your stance on mental health? How did you spend world mental health week?

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Why I love Quorn

One of my favourite Quorn dishes - Spaghetti Bolognese

Quorn; a brand that isn't for everyone, but one that has certainly got me excited. I suppose you either love it or hate it as the cliché saying goes and I know too many people who hate it. But why? Does it really taste that bad? The answer to that is no, of course it doesn't else it wouldn't have the success it has had. People are afraid of change, the unknown but most importantly, healthy eating. I have heard too many people disregard Quorn as being a 'fungus', or turn their noses at its 'unnaturalness'. Yes, about as unnatural as that pizza and chips you are eating...

Yes, it's not meat and it is handmade but it's a whole lot healthier than a lot of products you find in the food aisles these days, and that's why I love it. I am no veggie don't get me wrong but I am a health freak so naturally I was destined to fall in love with this brand. Marketed as a 'healthy protein', this isn't just for you none meat eaters, it's for the gym lovers out there (men and women), and even for families too. There are so many delicious recipes to be found over at the Quorn website and no excuse as to what to do with your product. Even I didn't realise quite the selection they had until I did some further research online.

Some of my fave products in the Quorn brand include the Quorn mince and the Quorn sausage. By purchasing Quorn, I am able to make the dishes I love but healthier alternatives, and this is why Quorn works for me. I am sure everyone has their own stories as to why they like using Quorn products. Two of my favourite meals are sausage sandwiches and spaghetti bolognese. I am now able to enjoy a sausage sandwich on a Saturday morning after a night out without the guilt, or cook up one of my family favourites, spaghetti bolognese without the heaps of saturated fat. It's difficult to find a mince that is healthy lets admit it, even the mince with reduced saturated fat is bad for you. It's processed meat and something we need to be eating less of. Sausage, ham and bacon is the same, it's not real meat just like Quorn, the only difference being, Quorn is good for you. Their products may not taste exactly like the real thing but this is another reason why I love them - they are unique in both flavour and appearance. 

The great thing about Quorn products is that you can cook them from frozen and they don't take too long to cook either. Just take them out of your freezer and pop them in the oven for 10-20 minutes. I must also mention how cheap their products are too. You wouldn't think it but you can get a huge 500g bag of mince which is said to feed 6-7 for just £1.50. I have certainly stocked up and am always looking for new products to try. Next on my list is their meat free wafer thin ham and chicken along with their meat free burgers. I have tried their chicken pieces too but I won't be purchasing these again as I eat a lot of fresh chicken anyway and this isn't exactly bad for you.

So for anyone who loves the gym and cares about their health I recommend you trying these products,that's if you haven't already. I am obsessed by the word protein so the words 'healthy protein' do funny things to my body. Protein is not only good for rebuilding our muscles, it forms part of a balanced diet, and something we need to be eating more of.

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Baking - Banana Bread

My second attempt at making this delicious treat turned out much better than I had anticipated. I have become quite fond of cooking just lately (baking particularly) after being inspired by so many of you wonderful foodie bloggers. In this post I am going to talk you through the steps required to make this simple yet delicious treat in the comfort of your own home and maybe even getting your banana bread looking as good as mine if you're lucky (just kidding).

Ingredients

So to begin, make sure you have all the ingredients you need - pretty self explanatory. I have missed the milk off this picture but you will need the following:

-285g plain flour (I used wholemeal just to be super healthy)

-1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

-½ tsp salt

-110g butter, plus extra for greasing

-225g caster sugar (I halved the amount of sugar, again to be super super healthy)

-2 free-range eggs

-4 ripe bananas, mashed (Next time I may use more to make up for the lack of sugar)

-85ml buttermilk (or normal milk mixed with 1½ tsp lemon juice or vinegar)

-1 tsp vanilla extract (I didn't use this)

Added Extras

To make my banana bread that extra bit delicious I decided to add pecan nuts to the mixture which are quite pricey but work really well in this dish. I also used a handful of cranberries to give it that extra kick of sweetness. 

You will also need:

-A baking dish for your bread mixture

-2 bowls for your mixtures

-A whisk

-Tissue for greasing

-A spoon for measuring

-Weighing scales

The ingredients required

Start by weighing your flour

And then adding your salt to the mixture

Next step is to weigh your butter

And add your sugar to the butter in a separate bowl. Make sure this mixture is light and fluffy (a process known as creaming).You can use yours hands to do this or a spoon like I did.

Next step is to add your two eggs to your sugar and butter mixture. Note - I have a double yolk here, I didn't use three eggs.

Once you've done that, add the four mashed bananas to this mixture. I mashed mine using a fork. It is important that you use black bananas which you can purchase readily from the supermarkets for a fraction of the price. This adds sweetness and makes it easier to mix too.

Next, measure your milk and add your vinegar or lemon to make the buttermilk 

Then, add this to the mixture

Along with your flour and salt. 

Finally, fold in the flour to the mixture slowly. This will take a while but it's important that you do this gradually.

Add whatever filling you prefer. I used pecan nuts and cranberries on this occasion. The pecans work particularly well with the softness of the bread.

And here it is, your completed mixture all ready to go in the oven at 180 degrees for around 40 minutes - I left mine in for a good 50 minutes to ensure the middle was cooked.

See I told you it wouldn't look that bad!

So there you have it - the finished result and I assure you - it tastes as good as it looks. The perfect mid afternoon snack with a cup of tea without the guilt. I hope you have enjoyed my first baking post. Sure to look out for many more over the upcoming months!

Do you like banana bread? What fillings do you prefer?

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Coconut water | Is it really that good for you?

So last week I decided to treat myself to a little shopping spree in the midst of nursing my looming hangover. Now for those of you who have ever been shopping with a hangover you will understand how painful this experience is, even more so when it's hot and your'e dehydrated. So what better way to rehydrate than to buy some water? I may have mentioned this previously, but I am a bit of a health freak, and if you haven't picked up on this already from reading my blog, you certainly will do in due course. I love researching and testing out all the latest health products on the market and have recently done a lot of research into the benefits of coconut water. Now I must say, this is quite a pricey product and I was quite reluctant to buy this healthy drink at first for this main reason. However, I decided one sunny afternoon that I would treat myself and hopefully tackle my hangover in doing so.

UFC Coconut Water

It even looks refreshing from the outside

Some of those benefits everyone's talking about

When poured it looks just like cloudy water

I quickly broke the seal shortly after purchase and was faced with a very strange sweet taste, nothing quite like anything I had ever experienced before. The taste itself was very overwhelming in fact, to the point where I could barely take more than a couple of sips out of the carton. I decided I would wait until I had got home and refrigerated my beverage until I drank any more. However even after refrigerating, this product still was undrinkable. I am not usually very fussy when it comes to trying new foods or drinks but this was a really acquired taste that I couldn't seem to stomach.

Yet there is no denying the plethora of benefits this drink contains. Referred to as 'mother nature’s' sports drink by marketers and made from Thailand's finest coconuts, this product is very popular with sports personnel. In fact this product has increased vastly in popularity after several celebrity and athlete endorsements. Everyone wants to get their hands on this new American craze it seems, but unfortunately it really wasn't for me. 

All in all despite the taste I can see why people love it. It's a guilt free drink with zero fat, barely any calories, and no nasty artificial additives or sweeteners which you can enjoy when you're hungover, dehydrated or after a workout. Some of it's health benefits include reducing blood pressure, slowing down ageing, hydrating the body and supporting digestive and urinary health. It is also said to contain more potassium than four bananas in just one serving which is incredible - I do love my bananas!

Have you ever tried coconut water and if so what do you think? I guess there is only one way of finding out if you're a coconut water fan and that's by trying it out for yourself!

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New Year's Resolution | The Fad Diet

A lot of people often ask me how I do it, how I maintain my weight and how I have done for many years. Hopefully in this blog post I am going to explain to you exactly that…

I have never been a ‘big girl’ as such, but as I have grown older, like every other woman out there, my hips widened, my breasts and bum multiplied and my thighs, well let’s not even go there! I don't think there is a single woman out there who is completely 100% happy with their body and if she is, I would sincerely like to meet her. My tips and tricks to keeping slim (not skinny) include the following:

 1.  Portion control.

This is essential when counting your daily calories. I eat a lot, little but often. I try not to have big heavy meals before bed either as these can disrupt your sleep and eating late (this generally being any time after 8pm at the latest) can also make you put on weight. It may not come as a shock to you that it is much harder to burn off those calories when your body is lying still! If I feel peckish after this time, I will often snack on some sort of fruit (including dried) or nuts (unsalted).

2. Using low fat alternatives.

Okay so I a big fan of this one. I am forever telling my family and friends just to make some small simple changes to their diets and they WILL see results. I have never EVER been on 'a diet'. Forget The Cambridge, The Atkins or the new 5.2 diets; I don’t see the point in wasting your money on endless shakes or meal alternatives only to put the weight back on once you have completed the 2 week plan (or however long it may last). With the right amount of exercise, nutrients and occasional treats (as we're only human after all) you will be able to maintain your weight and not only look great on the outside, but the inside too. So for example you could change your skimmed milk to semi skimmed, your full fat cheese to low fat or your butter to low fat margarine. Making small changes where necessary will certainly save a lot of calories and you will be eating less of the bad stuff (saturated fat) which can only mean one thing; onwards and upwards.

3. Exercise

The most important one on the list and luckily for me something I actually enjoy taking part in. Going to the gym for the first time can be quite daunting when you are trying to lose weight, but there are many other alternatives when getting your weekly recommended exercise. A brisk walk with the dog, a Zumba class, a celebrity DVD workout in the comfort of your own home; whatever you fancy just to get you moving. Once you get into a routine you should start to see the pounds drop off. A little exercise daily along with the right diet can make all the difference so even if you feel like you're not doing enough to start with, after a couple of weeks you are sure to see the results.

4. A Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet and not skipping meals is VERY important. I swear by the old phrase, ‘eat like a King at breakfast... and a pauper at dinner'. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and will set you up with the right amount of energy to keep you going until lunchtime (or at least 11am in my case). I often snack throughout the day but on the right stuff as mentioned earlier; natural yoghurt, fruit, seeds and nuts or rice cakes with a small heaping of organic peanut butter. I will never go hungry and that is the main thing I think people are put off by when someone mentions the word ‘diet’. A diet does not mean you have to starve yourself. Getting enough protein, fibre and fruit and veg in your diet should enable you to feel full throughout the day. Eat when you are hungry is my moto as this is your body's way of telling you it needs to refuel!

5. Meal Preparation 

Meal preparation has to be another big one for me! After moving out for university I had to learn not only how to cook for myself, but how to make my food go further. Even though I was a student, I was a healthy student, always making meals from scratch using fresh meat and vegetables. I often cooked in bulk and froze a lot of my leftovers so that I could use them whenever I wanted at my own convenience. Being prepared is key as if you do get hungry when you are out, it is always so much more tempting to just grab a takeaway for the sheer convenience. However if you know you have your dinner prepared  and waiting for you when you get home, you are much less likely to splurge on fatty foods which is what you often crave when you need a sugar fix!

I hope this has helped to motivate you in some shape or form. Keep a look at for some more blog posts to follow on my daily eating and exercise regime in 2014.

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