An update on healthy 2015

So, I have been doing well with my healthy living year so far!

I am not a fitness or health expert but I have been doing lots of online research and asking my personal trainer lots of questions, so am finding out lots of stuff! Plus I study a Food and Nutrition degree so I find it all very interesting!

I have got a personal trainer at the gym who I try and see at least 4 times a week, and its been so much fun. I love having someone to tell me what to do because sometimes I find the gym so overwhelming and don't know what to do! He has got me lifting some big weights and my squats are getting much better! I have noticed my arms are showing a little muscle too which is good!

I also go to classes in the evenings, my favourites are bang tidy and LBT. HIIT fit it so hard, but definitely worth it for an intense cardio workout! I have stopped running because we have had too much snow and its dangerous - plus its absolutely freezing and I cant hack it! Once it warms up a little I will brave another run!!

In terms of eating, I have been having lots of fun trying out new recipes and new food too! I am really enjoying researching recipes to try that are high in protein, low in fat but tasty!

My favourite has been sweet potato and spinach tikka masala served with brown rice. I kinda just made the recipe up, but I used tinned tomatoes and lots of spices such as garam masala, curry powder, corriander and chilli flakes. Just made sure you add the spinach at the end as it doesn't take long to cook spinach. Spinach is a excellent food choice as it is high in iron and also a good source of vitamin A,K and C.

I also enjoy sweet potato, carrot and chickpea morrocan soup, I adapted the recipe from here.
But its very simple to make, I cooked sweet potato and carrot in chicken stock until soft. I then added drained chickpeas and added various spices tasting as I went. I then blended with a hand blender to make a soup. I have got lots pots of this soup in the freezer!

I have also been having many smoothies and I add two teaspoons of chai seeds which I bought for a decent price from tesco. Chai seeds are excellent as they provide the body with many nutrients such as omega 3, are high in antioxidants, and also high in fibre and protein. Added to a smoothie makes them very easy to consume. I vary my smoothies every time I eat them depending on what I have in the cupboard/freezer. Frozen fruit are excellent in smoothies as they last longer when kept frozen. I particularity enjoy frozen berry mixes but currently also have frozen mango in my freezer. This smoothie contains, frozen berries and frozen mango, with a banana and an apple.

I have just bought some whey protein powder so tomorrow I think I am going to try and make protein pancakes. I have been doing lots of research on how to make them and think I have the best one that contains egg whites and greek yoghurt.

I feel so much better for eating healthily and going to gym and am slowly starting to notice a difference which is fab!

Look out for the protein pancakes in the next week! xoxo

Be Body Beautiful: My guide to a healthy, happy new you

This year I have no exciting holiday plans to look forward to, unlike last year. Therefore I wanted something to focus on. I have always been active and go to the gym 3-4 times a week and enjoy a variety of gym classes, I also enjoying running 10km. However I eat absolute rubbish, I snack on sweets, chocolate and have such a sweet tooth that I have dessert after almost every dinner.

However, this is all going to change, I want to become fitter and I want to tone up. I often feel bloated and sick after meals, however this is all going to change. My new years resolution this year is to become a fit, happy and healthy Rachel. This all starts with reading Lucy Mecklenburgh's book Be Be Body Beautiful: My guide to a healthy, happy new you. I started reading it last night and cannot put it down.

The book starts with a story as to why Lucy has decided to write this book, and with a little history behind her Result's With Lucy programme.
Then there are meal plans and exercise plans too. The meal plans look fantastic and I cannot wait to start making the healthy juices, eating healthy and nutritious meals and doing the workouts.

I will document my progress on this blog. It's funny this blog started out as a food, travel and lifestyle blog. However I feel that this year it will be focussed on a healthy diet and exercise.  Then next January my adventure to somewhere in the world will begin!

I feel very motivated and cannot wait to have something to focus on and aim towards.

Here's to a happy and healthy new me! xoxo

The Colour Run

Yesterday registration opened for the 'Happiest 5k on the planet' also known as The Colour Run!

Ever since I saw some pictures last year on Facebook I said I wanted to participate in the Colour Run! One of my lifelong goals/dreams/bucket list is to run the London Marathon. However I don't think I am quite ready for that yet and I think running a 5k is a good place to start and to train for. 

I go to they gym regularly already however my stamina is not great and was only managing 10 minutes on each machine. I have been trying to go to the gym as much as possible recently and now that I have signed up and paid for the Colour Run it gives me extra motivation. I can now do 20 minutes on each machine and have been doing 45 minute gym sessions compared to only 30 minutes before. I think this is down to my dedication, and it really has paid off. I think if I keep at it I will lost definitely be ready to run my first ever 5k! 

The Colour Run is 'a unique color race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community'. According to their website the Colour Run is perfect for first time '5kers'. The run was first started in January 2012 and has been growing in popularity and runners ever since. In 2013 there were over 100 events with over 1 million runners, this year is set to be even bigger and I can't wait to be a part of it! 

Runners start the run dressed in white, paint is thrown on the runners throughout the 5k so by the end of it everyone is colourful and the run ends with a massive party called the "Colour Festival" 

I cannot wait for the June 1st for the London Colour Run!! 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Az8GPMaUZs

Be Healthy. Be Happy. Be You.     xoxo

(Photo taken from The Swisse Color Run Sydney 2014 | NovaFM www.novafm.com.au)