Tracking Your Progress

Most people use the scales to track their progress. It is good to know your weight but this method of tracking wont take into consideration any muscle you may have gained and as we know a small amount of muscle weights the same as a large amount of fat! It can be disheartening to step on the scales and not see the numbers go down. 

Two methods which are much more effective in seeing a difference are taking progress pictures and taking weekly measurements.

To take progress pictures you need to get your bare stomach out! Scary for most! I need to start doing this myself. I'v been taking my progress pics in my clothes but to really see the difference I'm going to have to grin and bare it. I'll just have to remember that the first photos I take are just the starting point and as the months pass the pictures will only get better ;) Take pictures from the side and from the front. If you have someone to take pictures for you definitely use them. Photos don't lie and you will soon start to see the difference when you see the pics side by side.

The second thing you should do is to take weekly measurements. You will literally see the inches fall away :) Take measurements of  your waist, hips, mid-thigh (left + right), top-thigh (left + right), bicep - unflexed (left +right) and calf (left + right). Don't cheat by sucking everything in :P 

It takes time before you start seeing results. It may not happen in the first week but when you start to see and feel the difference it will keep your motivation going :)

Catherine xx 

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Going Up A Gear For 2014 - Who's With Me?

Hope everyone has had a great start to the year :) 

My 2013 fitness and weight loss progress went pretty well! I think I started taking it seriously once I hit the summer hols and all distractions of college and the social life that comes with it were eliminated. I don't tend to step on the scales too often but I'v lost approx 3 stone since the start of summer 2013 :) I achieved this by working out at home with plans designed around using a set of 20kg dumbbells and I also tried to eat more healthily in addition to this.

For 2014 I'm going up a gear and joined a gym so I will have access to heavier weights and more equipment. I joined a local leisure center here in Clonmel and have had a health assessment and I also asked one of the trainers to show me how to use all the machines that are in the weights area. If you don't know how to use the machines don't be afraid to ask one of the trainers! That's what they are there for :) I'v already been a few times since I joined and am definitely feeling the benefits already! Sore is the new Sexy :P 

I obviously had to get some new gym gear to go with my new gym membership ;) Thanking you January sales :D If you look the part, you'll feel the part :) It might seem stupid seen as your going into a place to sweat like a pig but it seriously boosts my confidence and makes me less likely to care if I see someone looking at what I'm doing.

Here are the progress pics from 2013. Some people don't even recognize me anymore but I'm OK with that!

 

If anyone is interested in getting a fitness programme designed for the gym I know a guy ;) Feel free to get in touch and I will pass on his info :) 

Good luck to everyone with any goals you hope to achieve in the new year whether fitness related or other! 

Catherine xx 

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Get the Look: Makeup Product List

Here's the product list for this look :) 

Makeup product list:
L'oréal Lumi Magique Primer
L'oréal True Match Foundation
Crownbrush 10 Concealer Palette
Makeup Atelier HD Powder
HD Brow Kit - Vamp
L'oréal False Lash Flutter Mascara
Makeup Atelier Eyeshadow Palette - T01
Catrice Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner 
MAC Antonio Lopez Blush Kit - Face/Pink
MAC Antonio Lopez Lip Kit - Lips/Nude

Applied using Full Range Pro Deluxe 18 Piece Brush Set 
http://cats-lashes.blogspot.ie/2013/09/blank-canvas-cosmetics-full-range-pro.html

If you were wondering how I achieved the defined lower lash look I used Catrice Liquid Liner Waterproof and used a steady hand to draw a series of tiny triangles under my own lower lashes  They don't have to be perfectly identicle so give it a go.

Catherine xx

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Cyber Monday

Today is apparently "Cyber Monday".

Haven't heard of this until today! It's the day where a lot of people log on to do their Christmas shopping online. I am partial to some online shopping myself ;) It's a great way for getting brands that aren't available in shops near you and you can often find quirky gift ideas online that you wouldn't find in store. To top it off it's delivered right to your door :) 

My advice is to go check out your favourite websites today and see if they are offering any discounts for "Cyber Monday" :)

Happy shopping xx 

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Fad Diet Warning!

It seems people will do anything but eat healthily and exercise regularly to stay in shape! There are some ridiculous new fad diets out there. Some are just outright dangerous! Here are two of the worst that I'v heard about so far.

1. Breatharian Diet

The most outrageous celebrity fad diet has to be the Breatharian Diet. The followers of this diet swap food and water for AIR. I actually laughed when I heard about this! Weight loss is guaranteed with this diet - obviously...but at what cost. Michelle Pfeiffer revealed she was in a cult where this diet is followed. Madonna is another celeb name allegedly associated with the diet. 

2. Alcorexia / Drunkorexia Diet

This diet involves eating very few calories during the week so that you can binge-drink alcohol at the weekend! Consuming few calories alone is very dangerous without the added bad effects of too much alcohol. It is said that many models favour this diet.  

If you want to lose weight eat better and move more! Do not try these ridiculous diets that are just going to harm your health in the long run. 

Catherine xx

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Evolution of Smooth

Evolution of Smooth lip balms have been seen everywhere lately! The celebs love them counting the likes of Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus as fans. 

They are not available in the shops here in Ireland so the easiest way to get them is on amazon.co.uk or ebay :) I ordered mine from amazon. I got the Limited Edition Fresh Watermelon/Strawberry Sorbet Lip Balm.

The packaging is soooo cute! It's basically the shape of a little ball making them so easy to find in your handbag. 

The lip balm itself is great! It boasts all natural ingredients so this is a big plus. It is clear in colour so its not going to tint your lips. The flavours are amazing! They taste and smell gorgeous on your lips while still keeping them chap free :) Perfect for this time of year!

I would definitely recommend these lip balms. They look really cute and do what they claim to :) There is a great variety of flavours to choose from so you are sure to find one you'll love!

Catherine xx

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Supplement Shopping List

Since I'v become more interested in health and fitness I'v been introduced to the importance of different supplements. They are a great way to make up for vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in your diet. They are NOT meant as a substitute for real meals though! 

Going into a health food shop can be daunting as there are so many options and so many different products to choose from! It's definitely best to have a list of what you want to get before going in.

I have four different ones that a religiously take :) These include a good multi-vitamin, omega-3, vitamin C and Lactobacillus. I'v been taking the multi-vitamin and omega-3 for a long time and have recently been advised on the other two. I'm not one to argue with people who know more about these things than I do :P

The multi-vitamin that I take is from Centrum. I usually go for Centrum Advance and more recently have started using Centrum Women. These are packed with vitamins and minerals that may be lacking and the Centrum Women comes with extra Iron and Folic Acid which is so important for women! 

Omega-3 gives us some of the essential fatty acids that are not produced by the body. It also helps to reduce inflammation so this is a great way to help your joints especially if you workout and it helps to maintain a healthy heart. Omega-3 has a number of other health benefits and seen as most of us don't eat enough fish this is an easy way to get our daily dose of omega-3. I tend to go for omega-3 from Seven Seas. 

Vitamin C is a great vitamin to take, especially this time of the year! It's well known that it helps to combat colds. It is also packed with anti-oxidants and it has been proven to help wounds to heal faster. 

Lactobacillus is a "friendly" bacteria and acts as a digestive aid. It also has a number of other health benefits to treat skin disorders and high cholesterol. It can be found in many of the pro biotic yoghurt's or it can be taken in supplement form which is what I opt for. If you are looking for it on the shelf it will be labelled Acidophilus.

When you are supplement shopping the general rule is to buy the best that you can afford. Going for cheaper brands and thinking they will do the same job is often not the case. You pay for what you get so the purity of the supplement will be better the more expensive it is so go for the best you can afford :) 

You should be able to find these in you local supermarket, pharmacy of health food shop. Holland and Barrett is great for getting a better choice of brands and you can also order from them online ;) 

This is my supplement list :) If you have any others you take and love the effects of feel free to leave a comment.

Catherine xx

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