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!