The Fitness Diaries - WEEK 8

Hello everybody!
Welcome to Week 8 of the fitness diaries! By this point, I'm guessing the blogs are running a week or so behind so I'm technically on week 10 right now, but regardless, week 8 needs addressing.
This week's theme: Staying healthy when traveling.
If you've read my other recent blogposts, you'll know that I just took a short trip to Paris! eek! And if you haven't, you should go and read them. Even though this was only a 4 day trip, it still affected my normal routine as I wasn't able to eat my usual meals at the usual time and I couldn't work out as much.
But I embraced it! I had a super early flight in the morning so I packed a few Nakd bars for the trip and headed off. As usual, I only drank water (and a lot more of it!) It was super hot in Paris while we were there so it was so important to stay hydrated. I found myself drinking about 3 litres of water a day.
As for the eating, I can't say I was on top form. The food there is something else, and who can resist it? There were far too many incidents with macaroons, pastries, croissants and crepes than I'd like to admit. But I was always careful with my portions and I'd only allow myself one treat per day *sob*.
I find it so hard to control your eating habits when traveling because you're always on the go! We found ourselves grabbing croissants in the morning on the way to the metro, eating a sandwich in the afternoon in some elaborate gardens and then finally having a proper meal at about 8:30pm (not good!)
We did manage to do a hell of a lot of walking in Paris, we walked all around the gardens of Versailles, walked from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, walked UP the Eiffel Tower - yes I did say WALKED UP. And I even managed to sneak a workout in one morning!
This one consisted of:

• 100 jumping jacks
• 100 skip ropes (imaginary rope)
• 100 high knees
• 100 butt kicks
• 40 squats
• 40 lunges
• 40 crunches
• 40 reverse crunches
• 40 push ups
• 1 minute plank

Not bad ey? Getting back into my normal routine after Paris has been HARD. I managed to do a quick workout during the week, but nothing too exciting, I will keep you posted week by week on my progress. As from Week 10, I will be kicking things up a notch as there will only be 12 weeks until I need to achieve my summer body! And the panic begins! Why don't you join me on my fight for fit for the next 12 weeks? Let me know!

Week 7
Week 6


CJ x

What's in my carry on bag? The Paris Diaries

Hi guys,
Today I thought I'd show you what I took in my carry on bag to Paris. I did share a bigger checked-in bag with my boyfriend so I have no clothes and things in here. But I personally love watching these videos and reading these blogs, even just a plain 'What's in my bag?' I think it's because I'm so nosey.
Let's begin: First of all, my bag is from Zara and it's the perfect medium sized bag to take away with you because you can fit loads in it. I had all my essential stuff, my travel guide, at least 3 drinks at all times and even some food in there! You can find it here.
Inside my bag I have:

• Passports
• Boarding passes (not pictured)
• Lonely Planet Paris Travel Guide
• The book I'm currently reading - I Heart Vegas
• Purse
• Euros
• Ray Ban Wayfarers
• EOS Lemon Lip balm (with SPF 15)
• Soap and Glory Hand sanitizer
• Soap and Glory Hand cream
• Breath spray
• Tangle Teezer
• Phone charger
• Nakd bar - strawberry crunch (not pictured)
• Smashbox brush kit - inside this I had last year's NARSissit palette, my MAC blush brush and foundation brush and Benefit's Browzing's.
• Ted Baker makeup bag - inside this I had:
• Bourjois CC cream in 51 Ivory 
• Max Factor All day Luminizing Foundation in 45 Warm Almond
• Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 01 fair.
• Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in 01 fair.
• Bourjois Healthy Mix Powder in 52 vanilla
• Benefit's mini Watt's Up highlighter.
• Topshop Liquid Liner
• Benefit mini They're Real Mascara
• MAC Subculture lipliner
• MAC Cherry lipliner
• MAC Peach Blossom lipstick
• MAC Mac Red lipstic
• Kardashian Beauty Honey Stick Lipgloss in Natural Honey

There you go people! The Paris diaries have officially begun! I apologise for the delay, I've been otherwise preoccupied recently (in case you didn't know - I'm having a nephew! Like right now, when this blog is due to go up!) In case you were wondering, the postcard is from Paperchase and I didn't take it to Paris with me. Stay tuned for more Parisian adventures!
Au revoir,
CJ x

The Fitness Diaries: WEEK 7

This week's theme: Strength Training
Hello from Paris everybody!
As we are now on Week 7 (can you believe it?!) I am definitely noticing a change in my body, more so in the strength I have rather than the exterior but as I said last week, things are slimming down.
I am still loving my morning workouts, there's something about going to the gym first thing in the morning in the fresh, crisp air and then having the rest of the day ahead of you without having to worry about squeezing a workout in!
Last week's goals were to incorporate strength into at least two of my gym sessions. The first one I did was leg day (oh my god - that hurt). Leg day consisted of:

• 5k bike ride
• 2 mile run
• 10 minutes on the stairmaster
• 100 jumping jacks
• 50 weighted squats
• 50 weighted calf raises
• 50 weighted lunges (25 each side)
• 50 weighted plie squats

(All weighted exercises were with a 4kg kettebell)

In addition to this, I did one normal cardio workout, you know the drill, 5k cycling, 5k running/walking, elliptical and stairmaster. As well as incorporating an upper body workout into my week as well. This workout had:

• 25 tricep dips
• 25 bicep curls
• 25 overhead presses
• 25 overhead tricep extensions
• 25 lateral raises
• 25 hammer curls

(I repeated these exercises twice - ow!)

So there you have it, this week's workouts and routines. Eating has been as normal, may have had a few dr peppers here and there but no caffeine, everything wholeweat, no red meat etc. Sorry this is a tad late - I've been out of the country. Be sure to check back for more about that!
CJ x

Week 6
Week 5

The Fitness Diaries: WEEK 6

This week's theme: Morning workouts
Happy April, Happy Easter
This week I have been super busy. I've actually worked 32 hours in my part time job and have started revising for my end of year exams. But that doesn't mean I've stopped working out!
As of this week, I've actually noticed a change in my body, I feel myself getting slimmer and can see it too. I just need to work on toning my muscles now!
What I've really loved about this week is the fact that I've been going to the gym first thing in the morning. I wake up, have breakfast, potter round for a bit and then go to the gym about an hour later. I'm really loving morning workouts because they set you up for the rest of the day, I feel energised and my workout is out of the way then. I'm actually trying to train myself to go a little earlier each day, I'm currently going at 9am but I'd love to be one of those people who can wake up at 6 and go!
Furthermore, I've really noticed the importance of a good night's sleep recently. If you get at least 7-8 hours in, it's so beneficial for you and can even aid your weightloss (I think it has something to do with curbing hunger).
As for last week's goals, my Jump Nation class was amazing! It was really hard but so fun that it didn't even feel like a workout and I'd love to go again soon just to mix up my routine a little. I went to the gym an additional 4 times this week, 3 cardio sessions and one leg session which consisted of weighted squats, plie squats, walking lunges, calf raises and a hardcore stairmaster session.
This week I am going to continue with the cardio-strength combined sessions, focusing a little more on my legs because I really want to tone them again and I might even do a quick arm session too!
Thanks for sticking with me all the way to Week 6!
CJ x

Catch up with the latest Fitness Diaries!
Week 5
Week 4

The Fitness Diaries: WEEK 5

This week's theme: Finding time to work out
Ok, so this week was quite difficult. I could sit here and give you a million reasons why I didn't find time to go to the gym, and give you excuse after excuse, but I'm not going to do that. I'm coming off one of the worst weeks I have ever had and it's definitely the worst of the year. However, I did find tie to get in a few workouts ( even though the blog wasn't out on time).
Last weeks targets were to build up my endurance when running, and beat my previous cardio times. As for endurance, I'm currently trying to build it up so I can just run a mile straight, without any walking in there. I'm asthmatic so it is tricky to regulate my breathing but I'm currently running for half a mile, then walking for a minute, running for 1/4 a mile, walking a minute and running the rest. That is actually an improvement on last week so I'll keep you posted! My first mile on the treadmill was 13 seconds better than in week 4 and my 5k on the bikes was 7 seconds better.
As far as incorporating strength training goes: I've been doing it via my at home workouts. I've been loving blogilates '6 minutes' videos.
These videos have really helped me this week as I was still getting a workout in even though I didn't have a lot of time; I did these workouts either first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening and I managed 4 of them! So proud of myself!
Moral of the story: when you're feeling sorry for yourself, don't let it affect your body, even though I've been stressed and I have slacked on my workouts. I haven't let it affect my eating. I still manage 2 litres of water and 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day while trying to watch my carb intake.
Next weeks goals: I'm going to a jump nation workout this week and I'm so excited to give it a try, so one goal is to do that and at least 2 more workouts which are cardio and strength combined. I'm going to start building up my strength training with a leg day this week!
Wish me luck!
CJ x

 

Week 4

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

 

I've also got some super exciting announcements coming up soon on the blog - we're going to be seeing some huge changes leading up to the 50th blog post!



The Fitness Diaries: WEEK 4

This week's theme: At home workouts
Hello everybody! I hope my tips from last week about drinking water have worked for everybody! I used to find it so hard to stick to drinking 2 litres of water a day, especially if I wasn't doing anything, I just wouldn't remember. But now I drink at least 2 litres a day without any fizzy drinks and I'm so happy about it, I feel so much better, more energised, my metabolism is better. I have one coffee per week on a Saturday morning, and for the rest of the week it's off limits. It's slowly killing me, but I know it's better for me in the long run.
So, for the workouts, I've made it to the gym twice; once for a class and once for a workout. This is mainly due to the fact I had to write my LAST two essays of the year (yep - I'm essay free, yay!). However, I've found that working out at home can be just as effective as going to the gym, just a little less time consuming. At the gym, I usually spend about an hour an a half doing strictly cardio for the first month. Therefore, if I couldn't make it, I'd still keep to a cardio workout using youtube videos, and I'd make it equal the same amount of time. I've found channels like POPSUGAR Fitness and Blogilates have the largest variety of videos to follow.
My  choice to build up my healthy lifestyle has really paid off. I used to go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and I knew if I picked up immediately where I left off, I would have given up by now. Set yourself weekly targets and you'll be amazed by what you can achieve. Coming into my fourth week, I'm astonished that all of my cravings for Dr Pepper and coffee have gone, I don't feel the need to eat large amount of carbohydrates anymore.
I've found that having 3 small meals and 3 snacks is the best way to combat hunger and cravings. Every morning I have either yogurt and granola, oatmeal or a piece of wholemeal toast and peanut butter. Whichever one I choose I have with a portion of fruit too. Mid-morning I like to have either more fruit or a nakd bar. For lunch I'm sticking to either an omelette, soup, a wholemeal sandwich or pitta or a salad. My afternoon snack normally consists of carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus. And for dinner I'm having mostly protein (chicken, turkey or fish only) and vegetables, with a small amount of carbs.
As I've only just finished week 3, and I'm starting week 4, I haven't noticed any visible external results yet. But I do feel stronger, I have more endurance when I run (something I've previously found really difficult due to breathing problems). I'm nowhere near where I want to be, but I know I'm off to a good start. I'm also sleeping better and spending less time staring at screens all day. Something for the mind as well as the body!
This week's goals are simple: build up my endurance when running, beat my first mile in the 5k on the treadmill and beat the overall time for 5k on the bikes. After this week, I'm hoping to incorporate strength training into my workouts! Fingers crossed it pays off!
My favourite video workouts of the week:

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this week's fitness diaries! If you'd like to see pictures of any of my meals or a run down of any of my workouts, let me know in the comments and I'll be happy to put them up weekly! This will be much better when I start doing strength training exercises!

When I start seeing visible progress, I might even keep you updated with pictures. But for now, here's my week 4 motivation picture



 

If you've missed any of the previous weeks, don't worry! Here are the links:

Week 1 

Week 2 

Week 3

 

Have a nice week!

CJ x



Spring Fashion Wishlist

Hello everybody,
With Spring fast approaching, I couldn't think of a more appropriate blogpost than what's on my Spring fashion wishlist!
Not all products on here are what you can wear exclusively in Spring, some of them are summer pieces and others are transitional. I might add though, there's no real theme here, there's a huge variety in items, colours, textures, you name it.

Zara Ladylike Backpack £39.99

River Island Jacquard Flippy Skirt (Found on asos) £28

Asos Eagle Stone Rings £15

Topshop Longline Kimono £38

Vans Grey Slip on Trainers (found on asos) £55

Topshop Pale Pink Court Shoes £55

Urban Outfitters Dress £42

Urban Outfitters Gold Layering Necklace £18

AX Paris Crochet Crop Top £22

AX Paris Check Monochrome Playsuit £25

New Look Grey Tote Bag £29.99

Office Cut Out Shoes £60

I know it's a lot and a huge variety but it's a new season so it's alright ok?! No, but seriously, I know I can't justify everything, yet that doesn't mean I won't give it a go!
Let me know if you want to see more fashion related posts on the blog, I already have this wishlist down on my phone and it constantly has at least 20 things on it, I just want all the things. Sigh. It's nearly Spring though! Happy Sunday
CJ x