Live Healthy: Update #10

My tenth update and finally Spring time. Cannot believe it!

These past two week have gone fantastically well. I have been sticking to a strict, healthy diet and going to gym regularly. I am really feeling good about my progress and what better timing than at the beginning of a new season!

Here are some snaps from the past two weeks.

From top: Carrot, pineapple and pecan nut salad (recipe coming soon). Lemon water. Spring rolls. Weetbix. Butternut and onion soup.

Green Tea

From top: Orange wedges. Green salad with egg and avocado. Egg mayo provita snacks.

YAY!! I was able to do 10,000 steps in one day with my pedometer!!

The reason for my sudden high in determination is because there is a "Biggest loser" competition at work which will stretch over the next 10 weeks. The winner will get a R3000.00 cash prize which in all honesty, I am in dire need of. I don't quite qualify for "biggest loser" but luckily they choose the winner on BMI and fat percentage lost! 

Wish me luck!

Live Healthy: Update #9

I'm back! Read my last update here.

Since my last update, I purchased a pedometer. It's a small device you clip onto your pants or belt and it counts every single step you take throughout the day. It's quite a trivial device but if you are like me, and you aren't a gigantic fan of gymming, it keeps you in check. Since getting the pedometer, I have found myself parking further away from where I shop, going outside more often and of course, window-shopping in big malls where your feet start to ache from walking too much.

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My initial motivation for getting the pedometer is that I get points for my medical aid if I do 10 000 steps or more every day because walking whilst doing every day tasks will effect your fitness level and your general health. It has a neat little USB in it so you plug it into your PC and upload your information. Ten thousand steps is really difficult to get to. So far my best is 6734 steps in one day and my worst is 999 steps *major couch potato*. I am hoping to get those numbers up on the treadmill this week.

Gym visits have been non existent lately as I have been away but I have an urge to catch up by the end of August. I also have been reminding myself that the Spar woman's race is on the 31st of August and I need to put in some extra km's on the treadmill before then.

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I do want to admit that I am disappointed in my promise to upload recipes and more on what I eat daily. The main reason I haven't done this is because my eating habits have not been anything to brag about. I have never been on a " diet" before which is really difficult for me but from now I am really going to try put effort into strict meals and share them with you. 

That's it for now. Keep living healthy and remember...

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*Images from Google.

Live Healthy: Update #8

I have been feeling rather motivated these past two weeks. It must be because my birthday and spring is near. 

Gym-ming throughout winter has given me some extra confidence. I’d love to be wearing a bikini this December. Although the exercising has toned some muscle and provided me with a good base to continue, I feel the “flab” and extra fatty tissue is covering everything and hiding all my hard work. I am planning to focus on what I am currently eating and make sure I only give my body what it needs. No more winter comfort foods and unnecessary sugars (that is my weakness).

I have also been concentrating on keeping my muscles engaged when doing exercises. This means keeping them tight at all times, getting the most out of each movement. If you try this, you will feel your muscles burn a lot sooner in your rep count than if you were just going with the flow like usual.

I have also been focussing on keeping my posture accurate to prevent injuries. Ballet dancers make me so envious but I admire the strong posture they carry. I can only try get to 10% of their grace and poise.

Drinking an adequate amount of water is still an issue for me at the moment. I prefer my cup of coffee (with two sugars, eek!) although lately, with all the gym visits, my body has been nagging for more liquids. I have obediently complied with its demands.

There are only 5 months left of this year and I am feeling a bit panicky. I honestly thought I would be further in my Live Healthy quest but as they say, there’s no time like the present, so I am not afraid to play a little game of catch up and work my butt off.

Here’s some inspiration that has kept me going.

Follow my Workout pinspiration board here

Are you excited that Spring is just a month and a half away?

Live Healthy: The sequel

Last week I posted a new Live Healthy update. In that updated I mentioned a possible sequel resolution for 2014. Here it is.....

CRAZY YOGA!

Follow Zazayana on Instagram by clicking here

Follow Workin on my fitness on Intsagram by clicking here

Follow Workin on my fitness on Intsagram by clicking here

Follow Workin on my fitness on Intsagram by clicking here

I have been following these Instagrammers for a while now and I am in awe at what they are able to do with their bodies. I have not doubt that everyone has the potential to do what they do so this might be my 2014 resolution :)

What do you think?

Live Healthy: Update #7

So it has been quite a while since my last Live Healthy update because life happened! But I haven't forgotten my live healthy ways so here's what I've been up to:

My latest gym session and some snacks. I really needed a pick me up so I treated myself and my colleagues to bright cupcakes! I have found that adding fresh fruit like banana's and apples to plain oats, makes it taste much better.

Fruit shake time!! The best way to boost your immune system is by giving it tons of fruit. 

Have you ever been to Fruit and Veg Food Lovers Market? They are in most major cities. Fruit and Veg on steroids as I call it. They have dirt cheap specials that change every week. In the beginning of June we bought a veg special which was 7kg potatoes, a pocket of oranges, a pocket of butternut and a huge box of tomatoes for just R100. 

This weekend I bought their fruit special (hence the fruit shake). A packet of banana's, apples, oranges, two punnets of strawberries and one large paw paw for R50. Crazy right!? 

I always saw buying food was an expensive attribute to living healthy but after seeing these specials it is definitely do-able!

Gym wise, I've been a terrible girl! I have only been going once a week as it is year end at my firm and once I get home I just pass out. This week I am hoping to play a little catch up. I have my gym contract through our medical aid so in order for me to save money I need to go at least 3 times a week.

I also have to start running my little behind off for the Spar Women's race happening on the 31st of August which I noted in my last update. 

Later this week I will be announcing a possible 2014 resolution that will be a sequel to my Live Healthy 2013 resolution. I am really excited for this!

Here's a motivational poster that has kept me going these past few weeks :)

Follow my Pinspiration board here.

TTFN

Live Healthy: Update #6

It's been a while since I did an update post, (Read update #5 here) but here I am for my newest news and check in.

Last week Tuesday's snack (kiwis ftw!!), side stepping machine, my floor setup and a little indulgent snack (bacon and cheese roll *yum*)

Sunday's home-made fruit salad, blissfully empty gym, progress pictures and me trying to concur the side plank.

I am getting a hang of this gym thing. I am gym-ming 4 times a week on average which I never thought I'd do so I'm impressed with my determination. I have a nice routine going and I feel comfortable with the machines which I was worried about when first joining. Those things are really daunting. 

I have been eating a little more unhealthily these past two weeks. We now have the most amazing butterscotch syrup in the house which goes on everything it can! But hey, its winter, I need the comfort food (small amounts though).

I am really excited to enter the 2013 Spar Most Beautiful Woman's race. I have participated the past 2 years and really want to set strict goals for this year. In the past I have seen this event as a 'fun walk' but I would really love to run it this year (just the 5km). I'll be entering the Pretoria race which is happening on the 31st of August. There will be a sea of purple in the streets this year as this is the colour of the shirts *Yay, my fave*. Entries open in the 4th of June.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for my update images and other Live Healthy news.

Live healthy: Update # 5

I'm going to start this update off by saying you are really awesome for reading my updates! I love the support and I hope you start sharing your live healthy stories with me soon. 

Missed anything? Read update number 3 and update number 4 to catch up.

Great! Now for some check-in pictures (And yes, there will be some 'skin' progress photo's in the future)

Last Wednesday's gym outfit, weigh-in, breakfast and snack.

Last Friday's blood pressure recordings, gym snacks and gym activities.

Sunday's private studio time, stunning sunset and gym gear.

Remember that I share most check-in pictures on Instagram and Twitter so follow me there to see what I'm up to, when I'm up to it.

This week I reached two big milestones which has made me so proud of how far I have come in such a short space of time. I dropped my body fat percentage by 0.8% and I can now RUN 1.5 min longer on the treadmill before needing a break. These wouldn't seem like big achievements to most people but for someone like me, who is pretty unfit, this is a big deal.

I have a mini gym routine worked out where I do about 25 min cardio, 15 min core and back strengthening, and 15 min messing about and exploring new exercises and machines. This gives me time to work on my biggest problems (my lungs and core strength) and keep reaching my live health goals.

Meal wise, I have not been following any strict diet or watching what I am eating. My main focus is fitness not weight loss so this is not an issue for me right now. However, I have been keeping an eye out on my calorie intake as this will help my gym recovery and make sure I have energy to burn.

I have also been doing research on world move for health day which is this Friday (the 10th May 2013) so I will be dedicating a special post to that this Friday. Keep your eye on my blog!

TTFN

Live Healthy: Choosing the right place

I'm adding another first world problem to my list, there are just too many options out there! Like honestly, why do we need five different brands of corn flakes!? And don't even get me started on cell phones. Geez! 

This post is for all the eager beavers like me. I will be giving friendly advice on how to choose the best gym for your needs and why you should wait before jumping into a contract.

I have had a nightmare of problems since joining my "un-named" gym and have decided to change to a different 'health club'. Looks can be ridiculously deceiving as this is how I got caught by said gym. The machines were in great condition, the facilities were always spotless and it had an overall appeal to it. However, once my signature was on the dotted line, all the problems unfolded. Disgusting service by reception, trainers and general management. Overall lack of assistance! I feel that if I pay for a service, I better get the best frikin service ever. Simple as that!

Here are a few tips I wish I had been told whilst shopping around for a gym.

1. Never settle on the first place you see. Look around and don't always stick with the big branded gyms like Virgin Active or Planet Fitness. Smaller, private gyms can also be just as good.

2. Ask for a week free training voucher. This will give you an idea as to what you may expect when actually joining. It can also assist you in estimating whether or not gym-ing can fit into your daily schedule. You wouldn't want to join and realize you don't actually have time for it.

3. Don't feel guilty to ask for free stuff. I see it as a little welcome gift and it is imperative if you want to feel a part of the gym. A gym towel, bag or water bottle that has the gym logo on can boost your motivation. It means you 'belong' somewhere. Also, if you are starting out, you might not have equipment such as a towel or gym bag so getting this as a 'starter kit' can be a much needed bonus. (I would totes join a gym if they gave me free stuff)

4. Make sure the staff are friendly, helpful and willing to go the extra mile to help you. It seems like a trivial, happy-clappy request but it really does make a difference. Having piece of mind knowing there is always someone to assist you, can help your whole gym experience.

5. Lastly, don't gym where everyone else gyms (this excludes best friends and close relatives). There's nothing worse that sweating like a pig, panting like a race horse and then bumping into someone you know, who then wants to chat for the next 30min! Then you start making up excuses not to go because, "I don't want to bump into her again". Rather make 'gym friends' who have already seen you at your lowest low.

I must say I am much happier at my new gym and it would have been my first choice if I had some tips like the ones above.

Live Healthy: Update #4

Read my previous update here.

This past week and a half of living healthy have been pretty frikin awesome! My horrid throat infection is gone, I am back to visiting my gym often and I am loving every minute of my workouts! Here are some "check-in" pictures (remember to follow me on Instagram).

Last Thursday's workout with my bright gym bag and healthy 'after gym snacks'

Monday's gym outfit

As you can tell, I'm not one to really dress up for gym. Comfy gym pants that don't ride up your butt when your run, a strong sports bra to keep them girls stable and a loose shirt to mask your sweat patches. Honestly, that's what I love to wear and all the fashion forward gym bunnies can judge away, I don't care.

I'd love to know what you wear to gym? The whole entourage or your old track-suits that are really only good to wear whilst out gardening?

The two weeks that I was sick gave me time to remember and review my live healthy goals. This is a very imperative step to do throughout any goal. Sometimes you get too overwhelmed by what you want to achieve and you get caught up in the whole process. Taking time out is always a good thing.

Great news is, I'm seeing results! One of my biggest health concerns is my lungs. I had a period of bad asthma as a kid and since then, my lungs have been weak. Running on the treadmill at gym has helped my lungs strengthen. I can now run that 30 seconds longer whereas before I wold almost pass out. I plan to continue helping my lungs strengthen until I can breathe easily during cardio sessions.

I am also starting to be more conscious about what I am feeding my body. As soon as I started doing proper workouts, I felt my dietary needs change and in order for my body to be at its best, I have to pay attention and feed it properly. That's one thing I admire the most about our bodies. If we just pay attention, we'll know what our bodies want and how to take care of it.

That's it for this update. Let me know in the comments below, if you have any questions or tips for me to test out. I love to hear from you!

Oh and...

Live healthy: Update #3

Catch up and read update #1 and update #2 before continuing!

These past two weeks have been rather difficult for me as most of my time, effort and concentration has been going into my job, and I have been stricken with a lousy throat infection. Needless to say, I have not been to gym nor have I tried to do any physical activities.

Good news is, being sick puts a temporary dampen on your appetite. I feel like I have lost some weight. Not the most desirable method but I'm trying to be optimistic and look on the bright side! All the tea drinking has also helped with a mini detox as well as calming my fiery throat.

I am not too sure when this sickness will go away, but until then I have been, and will still be, trying to work on my mental health. It's not like I have any mental problems (besides the modern day norms), living healthy has a lot to do with your mindset as well. Clearing out unnecessary stresses as well as reviewing and setting new goals is a great way to start.

Here are some quotes that may keep you inspired. TTFN

All images from Google search "positive quotes"

Live Healthy: Update #2

Here I am for another quick update on my  Live Healthy quest :)

I have decided to start taking "in progress" photo's to get you ladies motivated. Below is me on my way to gym (completely forgot to shave which was ridiculously embarrassing) and a few firm favourites that I am currently consuming!

Yes I am one of those who sucks her stomach in when taking these types of photo's but soon I wont have to "suck in"  anything

I would love to see your gym outfits or even your progress pictures! Tweet me @msclairabella or just use the #LiveHealthy when sharing your pics on Insatgram

TTFN

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Live Healthy: Alternatives

We all get the urge to just grab a cold coke out the fridge or snack on the chips and dip in the cupboard. No brainer, that kind of food is not really doing you any good but from some recent enlightenment, I have found some pretty tasty alternatives to the snacks you probably cannot live without! I am also sharing them with you so that you keep me around a little longer ;)

My number one weakness is sugar! I love snacking on Chocolate and gummy sweets that have ridiculous amounts of sugar and corn syrup. If you're looking for a chocolaty snack that wont make you feel so bad then try Canderel's low kilojoule chocolate range.

Image source

"These luxurious, creamy chocolates are suitable for Diabetics, have lower kilojoules/carbohydrates and no added sugar. They are the perfect indulgence without the guilt." - Canderel

If you're not so much of a chocolate fan (Yes, you do get those foreign creatures) but still need that sweet taste in your mouth then try some dried fruit. My favourite sweet fruit snack would be guava rolls which are made by numerous food brands. They are full of fantastic ingredients that might not aid in weight loss but can actually help in other health departments like keeping you "regular" and giving you extra boosts of energy. The most well known would be Safari Fruit Snacks.

Image from Google

Raw Veggies can also be eaten in huge quantities during the day. I once read an article where some fancy schmancy University did a study and found that eating can actually be a habit/addiction all on its own. The fact that we might be addicted to having food in our mouth at all times can become a health issue. Tricking your brain into eating raw veggies in between meals can be a step in the right direction

Image Source

Lastly, I sometimes get major cravings for rich foods like cheese and hi-carb breads. My alternative is Salticrax and low fat plain cream cheese! Again, It wont help lose weigh but snacking on one or two a week will lessen the risk of binge eating.

Image from Google

Please feel free to comment on your healthy alternatives and I'll give them a try!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Live Healthy: Update #1

How do I always forget to do these posts? *slap self in face*. Here I am for a quick update on my living healthy new years resolution and to let you know how I've been doing.

So firstly, there was a self pity period of about 3 weeks where I had lost all hope and motivation, saying things like; "whats the point" and "who am I fooling, I cant really do this!". I then started follow some health bloggers (mostly international) on Twitter and their daily tweets really helped me see that I'm not alone and I should just suck it up and do this thing. Thank goodness!

Secondly, I joined a gym. You know, those big scary ones where everyone else is about 20x fitter than you are and there are these gigantically intimidating machines that you'll probably never use? Yeah, one of those (I'm not trying to advertise so I wont mention the name). The reason for joining is that I felt the need for a more serious approach to living healthy. I can talk for hours about how I plan on changing my lifestyle, eating habits and exercise habits but at the end of the day I am just telling myself these things so that I sleep better at night.

Signing a 12 month contract is something that will kick me in the arse and will force me to go. Funny thing is, its only been a week and I really love it! Having all the fitness gym energizer bunnies around me motivates me to run that 5 min extra on the treadmill or do just 3 more lifts so that I can prove that I "belong" there with them and hopefully I get accepted into their 'gym pack'. Is my mindset a little too dramatic?

All the equipment I bought in my "home workout" efforts will still be used. I am starting to do stress relieving yoga routines, on my yoga mat, when I get home, as well as doing stretch positions to help my aching muscles to heal a little faster. The 2kg and 5 kg weights will probably used for endless dead-lifts when I'm bored, which apparently really work. I have not seen the benefits as of yet.

I am giving myself some time to get used to a healthy exercise routine and from there I will try a stricter eating plan where I cut out unhealthy fats, sugars and other toxins my body can do without.

Keep your eye on this space as I will be doing a "Healthy Alternatives" post later int the week!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Live healthy: Homemade Banana Shake

Here is a healthy snack that I have been loving lately. A banana shake is the perfect thing to drink when you are craving any bad foods or you're looking for a yummy drink. 

I start off by adding 1 cup of low fat or skim milk (you can use soy milk as well). I then chop and add 2 banana's and a small amount of vanilla essence. Banana's are generally really sweet so there is no need to add sugar or sweeteners. Mix everything in a blender until its creamy and smooth. I topped mine off with a tiny amount of white chocolate (cheating, I know) but I don't do this everyday. 

Yummy!

Another ingredient you can add, if you're a gym junkie, is protein powder. It'll taste extra yummy and will help build muscle.

I make this shake as soon as I get home from work because its too early to eat dinner but it has been a long while since lunch time. It curbs any cravings and is quite filling. You can also add meal replacement shakes to the ingredients above if you are using this as a meal.

I am looking experimenting with other shakes but for now this is my go to live healthy snack.

Follow me on Twitter and Like my Facebook page for more live healthy posts. you can also subscribe via email in the to right corner of this page.

Any recommended recipes?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Live Healthy: Chicken Wraps

One of my Boyfriend's favourite foods are wraps. It's quite convenient that we eat chicken wraps often and they are a really healthy dinner alternative to heavier, more hearty foods. Here is what we usually put in wraps and how you can make your own.

We usually just use salad left overs in our wraps. Lettuce and tomatoes that are coming to the end of their shelf live are perfect for wraps. Using chicken cubes or chicken strips is a personal preference. I find that chopping the chicken into cubes, makes it go further than using strips. We add a small amount of chicken spice when frying our chicken, to add some flavour, and we spread a tiny layer of mayonnaise to give it a tangy taste. 

A healthier version; just add everything without spices or sauce. Another great idea is to add some plain low fat yogurt. Delish!

Add all your ingredients, in no particular order, wrap and eat! 

Healthy, low fat foods, can be quite pricey but I got all these ingredients for around R100, which is a complete bargain considering you can make 6 wraps. 

As I am in the beginning of my live healthy transition, I haven't cut out the mayo, but I find this way better than eating KFC or tons of starch for every meal.

Let me know how you like to eat your wraps. I'd love to try new ingredients.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

*Little Whispers*

Live Healthy: The Basics

My first week of living healthy has flown by really quickly and this post gives me the opportunity to reflect on what I have achieved and what I did completely wrong. I will also be sharing the basics on how I plan to get into healthy habits during 2013 for a lifestyle I can live with till I'm a hot grandma.

Equipment

I recently landed up with a R500 Mr.Price gift card and found inspiration to go shopping at Mr.Price Sport, to see what they could offer and fuel my live healthy habits. Boy was I shocked at how cheap their equipment was, compared to other sports warehouses I have been to.

Note: my mat is purple, to match my dumbbells :)

I picked up a yoga mat for my toning exercises as well as some yoga moves I plan to try out next week. It was only R179.00 and it is really great quality considering the price. Soft on the hands and knees and it beats lying on the hard floor when you do crunches.

Then I spotted some dumbbells, which I was not planning on buying, but they were a steal at R29.99 (1kg) and R59.99 (2kg's) each. I decided to buy one pair of each, for more of a home gym experience.

Routines

I have been trying out some routines from Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up on YouTube. They come up with simple yet effective routines that are easy enough to do at home in under 30min. Can I just say these ladies are beyond fit, they are machines!!

Water, water, water!

Everyone knows that water is really important for our bodies yet we always find a substitute to avoid the 'bland' taste. I am already in a habit of not drinking fizzy cold drinks because I know how terrible they are so water and I are pretty good friends (but not best friends).

Thanks to the crazy heat wave in Gauteng this week, I have been filling my 2litre of water a day quota which makes me feel pretty good about myself *YAY*. My body can now flush out more toxins and I will hopefully see a difference in water retention in my thighs (they feel huge!). I just hope that once it gets cooler, I will still find the urge to drink tons of water. Good habits!

I need chocolate...

Lets all just remind ourselves every now and then that we are only human! I did, after eating a chocolate brownie avalanche from KFC this week. I have also been snacking on far too much sugary foods but if I get rid of all sugar, my body would probably go into shock. Take it slow :)

Damn you, Avalanche!!

That's all I have for this week's update. I will be uploading a few recipes next week that I have fallen in love with and will also chat about working out as a beginner!

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page. I am also on Instagram so follow me for some inspiration.

Live Healthy!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo