Okay so, this weather is glorious! (It's currently 28 degrees celsius here in Manchester) and its gotten to that time of year where I'm really struggling to find something to wear that I won't overheat to the high heavens in. Partly because I own way too much black, I live in jeans or pants and the old chestnut of 'I'm not happy with my body so I won't wear half of my clothes'.
How often do we say to ourselves, todays the day or this year will be the year when I change for the better. (More on this in one of my previous posts Revamp Your Resolutions.) This year I started out really well and began to see differences, however since changing jobs i've just been too busy settling in. Given the weather, I realised I needed to make a change quickly to be all around more comfortable in my own skin - and showing a little more skin due to the heat.
As I was wandering down the isles of my local shop, I soon found the newest edition of OK! Magazine in my possession. This isn't usually the sort of thing I go for purely because I'm not all that phased by celebrities, however with the words 'Diet & Fitness Special!' and a photograph of Michelle Keegan splashed on the front page how could I refuse?!
Now, given the fact that this issue houses so much choice with a selection of workouts and meal plans that we can't possibly do all of them (can we?!) I've decided to hand pick my favourite parts from the issue and combine them with one of my all time favourite bloggers workout routine and come up with a plan thats ready to go from the moment you read it. I'm going to do a two part post, so part one will focus on the diet side of things and part two will focus on the workout routines!
Are you ready?
Firstly, theres a few things that you can include in addition to this to help you're lifestyle in general. OK! Mag's 'Simple Tips To Change Your Life' gives an insight into what some of the celebrity mums do to help maintain their fitness and wellbeing. Everyone is different so choose a couple that suit you and try them once a week or making a gradual change toward having that lifestyle. These include; a Vegan Diet, Juicing, Meditation, Pilates, Power-walking, Sleep, Elemis Body Oil, Sugar-free eating, Mood-boosting Fitness, and 24/7 Glam. Which will you choose?
The next thing I've come across is a simple list of 'Happy Foods' to try to incorporate into your diet, these foods are natural mood-boosters and when you combine good food with some exercise then its the perfect combination to start feeling some good vibes! This was put together by nutritionist Claire Baseley with ratings and a description for each item! Listed below i've ranked them highest to lowest so now its over to you include these in your diet!
- Kale 4/5 Others: Pumpkin seeds, Brown rice
- Strawberries 4/5 Others: Blueberries, Raspberries, Goji berries
- Turkey 4/5 Others: Shellfish, Soy products (Tofu)
- Dark Chocolate 4/5 Others: Berries, Red vegetables.
- Salmon 3/5 Others: Mackerel, Herring, Sardines
- Oysters 2/5 Others: Prawns, dairy foods, Wheatgerm
- Chickpeas 2/5 Others: Green vegetables
- Brazil Nuts 1/5 Others: Tuna, eggs
I've selected three of the best eating habits for you to try out and inspire yourself with. Charlotte Crosby, Michelle Keegan and Lucy Mecklenburgh. This also gives a great mix of personalities, from someone who has proved they can do it just by going for it, to someone who is of a naturally slim build who likes to maintain a healthy balance, to a fitness guru - and guess what? They all look superb!
One of the most noticeable changes of the year is Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby's incredible transformation. After consuming numerous takeaways and junk food, Charlotte has completely turned her life around and more than reaped the benefits losing a total of forty inches! This proves that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
To begin with, why not take inspiration from Charlottes eating habits? It's feel good food that tastes great and better yet, its satisfying!
Here is a typical day:
Breakfast: Two poached eggs, avocado and smoked salmon.
Snack: Fruit salad and Greek yoghurt.
Lunch: Chicken with a chopped green salad.
Snack: Handful of nuts and a piece of fruit.
Dinner: Tuna steak and vegetables with sweet potato wedges.
Below is an insight to Michelle Keegan's eating habits. Michelle takes a more relaxed approach and lets herself have weekends off, she's about being happy and healthy and maintaining that balance, no strict crash diets or punishments for not going to the gym!
Day 1
Breakfast: Raw buckwheat and blueberry porridge.
Snack: Green chia dip with oatcakes.
Lunch: Hot and sour broth with pulled chicken.
Snack: Mango and blueberry cheesecake.
Dinner: Salmon with lemon and parsley vegetables.
Day 2
Breakfast: Chard and leek frittata
Snack: Mango, passionfruit and Goji berry smoothie.
Lunch: Pistachio-coasted chicken with cauliflower rice.
Snack: Tropical trail mix.
Dinner: Honey and soy chicken with cabbage and noodle stir-fry.
Day 3
Breakfast: Mango and coconut.
Snack: Mozzarella pot.
Lunch: Spicy sweet potato soup.
Snack: Low-carb chocolate and chia muffin.
Dinner: Chicken Stew.
Finally, if you're looking for something a little more vigorous and set, Lucy Mecklenburgh has a seven day meal plan. This does contain a combination of two smoothies a day for those of you who'd like to involve this kind of thing to your diet.
Day 1
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: Almond and date smoothie.
Lunch: Lettuce chicken tacos.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: Healthy fish pie.
Day 2
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: Natural porridge with cinnamon and honey.
Lunch: Feel-good veggie soup.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: Black bean patties.
Day 3
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: BLAT (beetroot, lettuce, avocado and tomato) on German Rye Bread.
Lunch: Green salad with avocado, green beans and lemon.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: RWL stir-fry on brown rice or quinoa.
Day 4
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: Breakfast 'roughie'
Lunch: Feel-good veggie soup.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: Thai steamed fish with Asian greens.
Day 5
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: Feta, tomato and parsley omelette.
Lunch: Feel-good veggie soup.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: Garlic rosemary lamb chops with roasted sweet potatoes and steamed greens.
Day 6
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: Natural porridge with cinnamon and honey.
Lunch: Beetroot and egg salad.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: Grilled chicken breast with green salad.
Day 7
Upon Waking: Antioxidants blend.
Breakfast: Almond and date smoothie.
Lunch: Lettuce chicken tacos.
Snack: Clean and clear smoothie.
Dinner: Pacific island fish curry with steamed greens.
Antioxidants Blend:
Ingredients:
- Just boiled water
- 2 organic green teabags
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 2 tsps honey
Method:
Pour the boiled water over the teabags in a mug and leave to stand for an hour to cool. Then, cover the mug with cling film and place it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, remove the teabags and blend the cold green green tea, berries and honey in a blender, then enjoy!
Clean and Clear Smoothie:
Ingredients:
- Handful of spinach leaves
- Handful of kale, chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 large or 2 small bananas
- 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple (optional)
- 1 tsp squeezy organic honey (if needed to sweeten)
- 300ml water
Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender, then drink!
Taken from Lucy's book Be Body Beautiful, available here. The article also includes four of the recipes listed in the meal plan (RWL stir-fry, Beetroot and egg salad, Feel-good veggie soup and Thai steamed fish with Asian greens) so be sure to pick up your copy as soon as possible!
The best part is, to start with you can mix it up from all three food plans and tailor it to yourself until you're comfortable to branch out and try other foods. You have to make it work for yourself. Once you begin to notice a difference in the way you look and feel not only will it make you feel amazing and proud of yourself, but you will be motivated to continue and aim even higher!
Top Three Interviews of Note:
Sadie Frost - On being in a low place and coming back from it, and finding happiness with her weight.
Michelle Keegan - On doing things the right way, eating a balanced diet and exercising.
Denise Van Outen - On setting a good example for women and top tips.
I'd love to know what works for you or what you're looking to try, or if you have any tips for me that i've missed out! Don't hesitate to comment below.
I will try my best to follow up with 'Part Two' as soon as possible!
Until next time,
Antonia
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