The Lifestyle Revolution

Summer is fast approaching and whilst I don’t have an exotic holiday planned where I can lounge around on a golden beach, sipping cocktails and topping up my (non-existent) tan, I would like to have a somewhat acceptable ‘beach body’.

I joined the gym in January and for the first month or so was completely motivated, going straight there from my lectures to spend a good 20 mins each on the cross trainer, treadmill and bike. However, as time went on and essays piled up (and ‘naughty’ food began looking too good to resist), said motivation took a severe hit and, alas, I was left with none.

But in an effort to get back into this brief period of extreme motivation I have taken it upon myself to order the ‘Insanity Workout’ DVD’s. ‘The Hardest Workout ever put on DVD’, 60 days of muscle-searing exercise which is meant to produce ‘crazy-good’ results…hopefully.

I’ve heard great things about this workout and to be honest I’m pretty excited to start it tomorrow, though I’m pretty sure this optimism will diminish almost as soon as I press ‘Play’.

In addition, I’ve started to cook healthier meals, focussing on reducing the amount of starchy carbs in intake- this means waving goodbye to potatoes, rice, pasta and breads *cry*. Though this doesn’t mean I am cutting them out altogether, instead just limiting myself to the recommended 3-5 servings per day (i.e. where one serving= a cup of rice or pasta).

As well as this I am making myself consume a full, balanced breakfast everyday, I’m not really a breakfast person and, if it was healthy enough to, I would potentially miss it out altogether. Alas, it is not so, instead, I am attempting to have sufficient protein (30-40 grams), a complex carbohydrate, like oatmeal, and a piece of fruit in order to start my day off right.

The general steps I am following include:

1)      limiting my sugar consumption

2)      drinking more water

3)      drinking a black coffee before working out (this is particularly difficult as I am in no way a avid coffee drinker)

4)      eating 5-6 meals per day- though not big portions for each

5)      increasing my vegetable consumption

6)      consuming 25-30 grams of fibre per day- this includes bran cereal, oatmeal and beans

7)      eliminating junk food- such as crisps, chips and sweets (upsetting but kinda necessary)

All in all I am completely changing my lifestyle and, as my blog centres greatly on lifestyle topics, I thought such a post was both appropriate and necessary. I will keep you updated on my progress with the ‘Insanity’ workout as the days go on, as well as be posting any new (and healthy, of course) recipes or tips I come across on my ‘Lifestyle' tab!

 

`Any good tips or advice when trying to lose weight and tone up? If so, please do let me know- any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

Home sweet home

Crazily, my first year as a uni student is nearly up. I can't believe I've survived living on my own these past months; the idea of doing my own washing, cooking, cleaning and food shopping would once send shivers up my spine and have me running to my mum, begging her never to leave me. But, alas, after 6 months of solo living, these tasks come natural.

In my first year I did as many of my peers did, and lived in my university halls. I was blessed to be sharing my flat with some lovely girls, whom I have NEVER argued with, and a room big enough for my friends when they come and visit. However, it's location in regards to my campus in Central is not ideal, nor is the neighbourhood. Albeit I've never had any problems with my 'neighbours', and the daily commute has become one of my favourite times of the day when I can just relax, catch up on my messages, listen to some music and most importantly read through my Bloglovin' favourites. Having said all this, I am uber excited to be moving out come August as I am amazingly fortunate to have scored a flat in Kensington with my friend...oh, woe is me...

One of my all time favourite types of shopping is for home ware and I regularly browse the home sections dreaming about what I would purchase for my own home...when the time comes. H&M Home is, to me, absolutely amazing and they have so many things that I'm too excited to buy! Here are some of my ultimate faves --->

 

Come August I will be making a quick (and very excitable) trip to H&M to purchase some of the above, and I cannot wait!

<3

Do you, like me, love browsing the home ware sections? Any little gems you have found? If so, comment below!

New blog, new name, new post

Sometimes you just fancy a change. I know I've only had my blog for a matter of months, but I felt like I needed to make it more personal and more specific...as well as more updated and constant..

And, just like that 'ess-dee' was born. Using my initials I immediately feel more connected to my blog and ready to use it more as an online diary/scrapbook/photo album of my life in the Big City.

So, without further ado I welcome you to 'ess dee' and offer up some of my most favourite camera snaps as a way of opening this new site. Enjoy! <3