HEALTH AND FITNESS
Friday 20 July 2018
Keeping it Cool In & Outside of the Gym
"I'm a believer that gym visits don't have to be boring, so why should your gym-wear be?"
Surrounded by workout videos and inspiration now at our fingertips, no one really delves into what you can wear outside of the gym, after, or on your way to your sweaty session. I typically favour matching sports bra and legging sets in the gym, but outside of the gym, I like to layer up with a sweater or a hoodie for a cool and casual look. Attractive womens hoodies can be hard to come by, but the new range by NICCE has got us all covered. From pretty pastels, to urban styles, I’m sure most people will feel catered for by NICCE with this range.
Today, I'm sporting the sand coloured NICCE hoodie, which provokes a classic and relaxed style through an oversized fit. As a fan of pastel and neutral tones, this nude colour flatters my brunette colourings and skin tone, whilst contrasting with my dark workout clothes. Personally, I gravitate towards lighter tones in the summer as they're softer, and easier to wear, hence why this neutral was a winner for me!
Although I’m referencing the gym in this post, I also adore wearing hoodies while I'm chilling at home, or to cover up in the cooler summer evenings. There’s not much better than relaxing in your own space, propped comfortably in front of Netflix, wrapped up in your premium soft oversized hoodie!
GET THE LOOK
Since becoming a bit of a gym bunny, I like to think I've nailed what to wear when training and what to wear afterwards too. I've narrowed it down into simple catagories: the WELL FITTING BRA, the BOTTOM SCULPTING LEGGINGS, PERFECT FOOTWEAR, and the POST-WORKOUT CHILL GARMENTS.
1. The perfect sports bra can be hard to come by. I find the bigger the straps, the better they are at supporting you, whilst also being comfortable. As pretty as some of the thinner strapped bras are, I find the complex strap designs get confusing and they end up twisted, taking an element of comfort away.
2. If your gym leggings aren't flattering you, then girl, you are doing it wrong and there are better out there. Key things to look our for when picking leggings are: make sure they're squat proof, the appropriate length, tight but not too tight, shaped around the muscles, contain dry tech fabric so that sweat is a no show, and that they are designed to offer a flattering fit.
3. Obviously, in the gym you are expected to wear appropriate trainers. However, I find that flatter style trainers are better for when you're training with weights, especially on leg days as they aid your stability and balance. I adore the style of knit trainers, however if you are training hard then consider getting a stronger shoe or be prepared for toe rips. Also, if your shoes are light in colour then always wear white socks!
4. As gym-wear is often deliberately skin tight for muscle compression and built to show off your shape, it’s somewhat comforting to be able to throw on a looser fit hoodie and call it ‘effortless chic’ after you’re done training. Oversized fits, like the NICCE hoodie that I am wearing in today's post are ideal for this. You can pick your own favourite from the range here, and let me know which style is your favourite fit in the comments.
*This post contains sponsored content*
Monday 11 June 2018
What my Typical Week in the Gym Looks Like
Fitness is an incredible journey. I may not have the best abs, or the biggest bottom, but that’s not what my training is about. It’s about pushing myself to achieve my best, and to lead a happier and healthier lifestyle. I embarked my fitness journey initially as a new years resolution, back in 2016. Cardio featured heavily when I first started training, mainly out of fear of the weights section. After being taught exercises and how to use weights properly by a fantastic PT in my gym, I've never looked back since.
The gym is a place of clarity, sometimes of refuge. I release my own stresses, realise my own strengths, and I feel inspired there. Growing up, sport was never my thing but training with weights gives me an energy, an unforgettable energy. The schedule of my sessions at the moment features 3-4 sessions that typically range between 1 and a half to 2 hours long. I've always felt that training 6 days a week, at the moment, just wouldn't be sustainable for me, so I personally prefer to do 3-4 hard working sessions and always give them my 100%.
I begin each session now with 10-20 minutes high incline walk cardio. I find it not too strenuous yet a good warmup and fat burner to kickstart my workout. I then follow this with a 5 or 10 minute abs circuit, alternating between various 30 second exercises. I split my sessions up into muscle groups in order to ensure that the majority of muscles get trained. With core already covered, at the beginning of the week, I'll have an arms and shoulder session, some of my favourite exercises when training arms (but not limited to) include the shoulder press, tricep rope pushdowns, and cable bar bicep curls. Following that, I'll train back and chest, including (but not limited to) lat pull downs, t-bar rows, press ups, and the cable fly. Thirdly, I'll train legs and glutes. At the moment my top go-to legs and glutes exercises include heavy glute bridges using a smith machine, goblet squats, sumo deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts, hamstring curls, and the leg press. For the fourth session of the week, as I don't always fit one in, I'll vary with what I train. However, more often than not, it is either a second legs session as I feel they demand more of me. I am stronger on legs, I lift heavier, and building glutes is always a goal! Or I'll go for a more cardio and abs focused workout. I typically enjoy this if I feel that I need to relieve a bit of stress as it clears my mind a little, or I've just eaten too much cake that week and want more of a fat burner session!
I'd love to hear about what your typical week in the gym is like, and whether or not you found this post insightful or interesting? Let me know, and I'll then be sure to keep up the fitness posts. Have a great week!
I begin each session now with 10-20 minutes high incline walk cardio. I find it not too strenuous yet a good warmup and fat burner to kickstart my workout. I then follow this with a 5 or 10 minute abs circuit, alternating between various 30 second exercises. I split my sessions up into muscle groups in order to ensure that the majority of muscles get trained. With core already covered, at the beginning of the week, I'll have an arms and shoulder session, some of my favourite exercises when training arms (but not limited to) include the shoulder press, tricep rope pushdowns, and cable bar bicep curls. Following that, I'll train back and chest, including (but not limited to) lat pull downs, t-bar rows, press ups, and the cable fly. Thirdly, I'll train legs and glutes. At the moment my top go-to legs and glutes exercises include heavy glute bridges using a smith machine, goblet squats, sumo deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts, hamstring curls, and the leg press. For the fourth session of the week, as I don't always fit one in, I'll vary with what I train. However, more often than not, it is either a second legs session as I feel they demand more of me. I am stronger on legs, I lift heavier, and building glutes is always a goal! Or I'll go for a more cardio and abs focused workout. I typically enjoy this if I feel that I need to relieve a bit of stress as it clears my mind a little, or I've just eaten too much cake that week and want more of a fat burner session!
I'd love to hear about what your typical week in the gym is like, and whether or not you found this post insightful or interesting? Let me know, and I'll then be sure to keep up the fitness posts. Have a great week!
Saturday 16 September 2017
WHAT WORKOUT SUPPLEMENTS I TAKE...
There is a world full of confusing supplements, click bait, and false claims out there. I personally don't like taking many supplements, but the only two things I do have regularly are protein shakes and BCAAs. These are supplements that add to my nutritional diet, in areas that I may need a little help getting the amount that I need. In complete honesty, I do not have some strict diet plan that I stick to every day and have that same routine each week, so my diet varies. One thing that I try to keep fairly regular is getting a good amount of protein into my diet. Protein comes from things like chicken, eggs, nuts, etc. But there is only so many eggs that a gal wants to eat! Quick and easy protein shakes allow me to get my protein in and help me make sure that I am having enough calories to fuel my muscle growth and repair. I never, ever, ever replace my meals with shakes and I wouldn't support that either. I drink a protein shake immediately after my gym sessions.
In addition to my protein shakes that I have post-workout, I also sip BCAA amino acids before and during my workouts. These act as the building blocks for protein. Since incorporating BCAAs into my sessions, I've found myself feeling less sore and recovering far quicker, therefore meaning that I am able to get back into the gym quicker and am less likely to suffer with muscle soreness.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
My Favourite Protein Snack
Please note: I am not a nutritionist. I am simply sharing what works for me, and my experience. I get asked a lot about these things, so if you do have any further questions, just ask and I will answer as best as I can.
Sunday 26 March 2017
TURN YOUR VISIONS INTO VICTORY...
"She turned her pain into power, and her visions into victory"
Monday 13 March 2017
SURVIVING THE SOLO WORKOUT...
Solo workouts can be a challenge. Since training on my own through good and bad sessions, I have put together some words of advice that I have found work well for motivating myself whilst training on my own.
Friday 3 February 2017
MY WEIGHT LOSS AND HOW I LOST A STONE AND A HALF...
Since this time last year, I have lost a stone and half. I've made some really positive changes that I will now keep with me for life. I thought I would share my own experience and things that I have learned along the way.
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