Top 5: Skincare Tips For People Who Work Out

Going to the gym will help you to look after your body, but sweating for long periods of time can wreak havoc on your skin. If you’ve recently started working with one of the many certified personal trainers in London and have noticed your skin suffering, you might need to switch up your skincare routine. Don’t worry, with the following steps, you’ll be able to get your skin back on track in no time.

Don’t wear makeup to the gym

If you’re used to wearing makeup every time you leave the house, you’ve probably been working out with a full face without thinking too much about it. While you might look a million dollars, makeup actually contributes to the clogging of your pores as sweat builds up behind it. When you’re at the gym, your skin needs to be able to breathe easily. If you feel very self-conscious going out without makeup, swap your foundation for a light, tinted sunscreen or moisturiser. And if you’re worried about removing your makeup when you turn up at the gym, keep a small bottle of micellar water and some cotton pads to hand.

Wash your face after working out

Once you’ve finished exercising, you’ll want to get any sweat that’s accumulated on your skin washed off as soon as possible. Sometimes using just water will be enough, but if your skin isn’t too dry or sensitive, choose a creamy or oil-based cleanser to really melt any build-ups off your face.

Moisturise your skin

You should always moisturise your face after cleansing, but especially so after sweating in the gym. Choose a hydrating moisturiser that has a light texture that won’t clog your pores. Pay attention to your moisturiser’s packaging and check that the bottle says non-comedogenic, so you know it won’t contribute to any breakouts.

Keep it gentle

If your skincare routine usually contains anti-ageing serums and acid peels, you might want to hold off using them straight after working out. Instead, save them for your nighttime routine before bed. Always give your skin time to recover after sweating in the gym, as it will be more sensitive. To reduce redness and irritation, consider adding a cooling, soothing mist or gel to your post-workout routine. Look for ingredients like green tea, cucumber, aloe vera or cica.

Use a high-quality gym towel

The gym towel you use during your workout can significantly impact your skin, especially if you’re using it to wipe your face. Make sure you invest in a towel that’s of a medium absorbency and wicks away sweat from the surface of your skin. It’s also a good idea to change your towel often and wash it in between uses to avoid transferring bacteria to your skin. You should always have a separate towel for your face that you don’t use anything else, otherwise, it’s like spreading all the germs on your hands over your face. Make sure that this towel is only used for its intended purpose - wiping away sweat. Don’t use it interchangeably to wipe down machines or to sit on whilst your exercise!

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Health & Lifestyle: Top 5 Healthy Lifestyle Tips

 

Deciding to live a healthier life is about much more than just losing weight. Going on diets and creating short-term exercise plans can work for quickly achieving weight loss goals, but while losing weight can be beneficial for your health, improving your lifestyle in the long term is the best option. By improving your lifestyle with these tips, you can stay at a healthy weight consistently and also feel more energized and positive day-to-day.

Start exercising

Exercise is incredibly important for your health because it can lower your risk of serious complications such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. Additionally, exercise increases flexibility and mobility, making it easier for you to complete certain physical tasks. Since exercise releases endorphins, it can also improve your mood and reduce stress, and this is all in addition to the aesthetic benefits of exercise such as becoming slimmer and more toned.

Regarding this last point, many people take up exercise in order to improve their confidence by getting in shape. However, you may find this difficult if you have a lot of excess skin from previous weight loss as exercise can’t completely tighten up this extra skin. In this case, you may benefit from abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) to remove this excess skin if it becomes an issue for you.

Eat a balanced diet

Crash dieting may help you lose a bit of weight before an important event, but it’s not sustainable or good for your health. Although it doesn’t produce the instant results that many people crave, a balanced, healthy diet that you can stick to in the long term is much better for you. This means that instead of cutting out unhealthy foods entirely, you simply reduce your consumption of them and replace them with healthy cooked meals and snacks like fruit between meals if necessary. Banning foods often just leads to cravings and a lower chance of sticking to a healthy diet, so make sure you eat appropriate amounts of each food group instead.

Get more sleep

You should aim to get around 8 hours of sleep per night if possible as this is the amount recommended by doctors. Plenty of sleep will allow your body enough time to rest and recover each night so that you feel energized the next day. Sleep can also reduce stress and regulate your hormones and blood sugar levels, which are important health benefits. It has even been proven that chronic sleep deprivation can shorten your life expectancy!

Drink water

Water is absolutely essential for our bodies. Water carries nutrients around our bodies and helps to get rid of waste and toxins, and since we are constantly losing water through sweating and urination, we need to replace it throughout the day. Rather than drinking sugary drinks that are bad for your health, try to drink more water instead.

Focus on mental health

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. To improve your mood and reduce stress, it’s important to practice mindfulness and take time each day to do some self-care and things you enjoy. A healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand.

Living a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid diseases and live a long and happy life. Try following the advice listed above to see how this can help you!

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Health & Lifestyle: Musclemary Not Just Protein - Chocolate Crush review

The start of a new week is always a good time to reassess your health goals, and if you're currently getting back into an exercise routine, make sure this Musclemary Not Just Protein powder supplement is at the top of your healthy shopping list.

Whether you're vegan or not, Musclemary has a range of premium plant-based protein blends that work for all fitness levels, and they're a great way to incorporate more healthy protein into your daily diet. 

Unlike other protein powders which focus simply on the macro element of protein, Musclemary's vegan blends contain a carefully selected superfood mix that's rich in antioxidants and vitamins to not only support your muscle gain goals, but also your overall health by boosting your immune system and energy levels at the same time!

 

I was kindly sent one of Musclemary's Not Just Protein powder supplements to try out and naturally, I had to choose the Chocolate Crush flavour as we all know how much I love anything chocolate flavoured.

The large pouch comes with a handy scoop and each 30g serving boasts a whopping 18g of plant-based protein thanks to a mixture of pea and white hemp protein. In addition, each serving provides 100% RI of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Panthothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C and the all-important Vitamin B12. Many of these essential nutrients are derived from superfoods such as Flaxseed, Maca, Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Baobab, Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry and Matcha Green Tea so that's a lot packed into this supplement. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, low in fat and has no artificial sweetners.

How to Use and Taste

Start the day with a scoop of powder blended into your favourite smoothie or simply mix on its own with water. It has a thick milkshake-like consistency with a tasty hit of raw cacao flavour. I found it to be quite sweet, although there's no added sugar as the sweetness comes from natural Stevia instead. Alternatively, you can add it to pancake/waffle/cake batter or stir it into overnight oats or porridge.

Charity

For each product sold through their website, Musclemary donates £1 to their chosen charity Stonewall which helps to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ people.

Musclemary Not Just Protein* (600g, £35, link)

What's your favourite vegan protein supplement?

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Introducing: Terre Verdi Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum + Yoga & Sports Body Oil review

One of the pleasures of being a beauty blogger is the joy of discovering new-to-me brands, and the latest brand that has caught my eye is Terre Verdi. 

Terre Verdi is a 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly skincare brand that's made in the UK. Its clean formulas have enabled Terre Verdi to be one of the first UK based companies to be awarded COSMOS Organic certification by the Soil Association, and their innovative products are kind to both skin and the environment. 

I love the luxurious and sleek black glass packaging and with enticing products for skincare and pampering, green beauty fans will easily fall in love with this organic range. To give you a taster of what you can expect from this brand, I've been testing out their Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum and Yoga & Sports Body Oil which you can read more about below.

Terre Verdi Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum* (30ml, £31, link)

As we move into Spring, you may notice that your skin becomes a bit less dry and breakouts are common amongst hayfever sufferers which starts to kick in around this time of the year due to the release of tree pollen. If this sounds like you, or you simply have oily or combination skin, Terre Verdi's Herbs & Trees Balancing Facial Serum is a brilliant product to try to help restore your skin's natural balance. 

Focused on rebalancing sebum production and relieving redness and inflammation, I've found this serum to be very useful for combatting seasonal and hormonal breakouts, and it easily fits into your routine, either in the morning or evening. Key ingredients include the astringent Geranium and Tea Tree essential oils, whilst Patchouli Leaf Oil and Frankincense Oil work their magic with their natural anti-ageing and wrinkle-reducing properties. Calendula extract is also included for its ability to boost collagen production and the combination of Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil provides a rich source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants to deeply nourish the skin. 

As a result, this oil-based serum feels a little denser and heavier on the skin than water-based equivalents, so use less than you think - 1-2 drops is enough for me to use in the evenings and it's moisturising enough to use on its own after cleansing.

Terre Verdi Yoga & Sports Body Oil* (30ml, £15, link)

As many of my regular readers will know, I'm an avid Yoga and Pilates fan so I was excited to try out a mini bottle of the Yoga & Sports Body Oil. This beautiful oil is a real pleasure to use after a good stretching session as it helps to aid muscle recovery thanks to its clever blend of carefully chosen plant-based ingredients. 

The base is made up of Argan, Camellia, Sunflower Seed and Jojoba Oils which provide a silky texture to gently massage into weary limbs and this leaves the whole body feeling soft and supple. However, it's the addition of Ginger Root Oil that delivers a warming, almost tingling feeling which stimulates collagen production in the joints, whilst Eucalyptus Oil brings a soothing sense of balance and relief,  and Black Pepper essential oil helps to ease sore and aching muscles. 

If you're a Yoga devotee, add this to your shopping list ASAP!

Have you heard of Terre Verdi before?

Shop the full range of Terre Verdi at LoveLula.com and TerreVerdi.com

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Health & Lifestyle: 7 Natural Products To Help Ease Muscle Aches & Pains (Post-Gym/Exercise)

Whether you're embracing the new normal of returning to your favourite gym or you're continuing to work out at home, here are seven natural products which can help to ease some of those post-exercise muscle aches and pains.

Bath & Shower Helpers: Magnesium & Sea Salt

One of the best ways to relax your muscles after a tough workout, especially if you've been lifting weights or doing high strenuous exercises such as HITT or spinning, is to take a warm bath and there are countless products that you can use. Popular favourites are Epsom Salts of course, but I wanted to feature a product that has Sea Salt instead as some people can find Epsom Salts to be a bit too irritating if they have sensitive skin, so Sea Salt is often better tolerated by all skin types. I'm a big fan of JOIK Energizing Bath Salt* (500g, £6.50, link) which is 100% natural and has invigorating citrus essential oils to give your body and mind a stimulating boost, as well as helping to relax muscle tension.

I also love REN's amazing luxury Anti-Fatigue range and the SLS-free Atlantic Kelp & Magnesium Body Wash* (250ml, £22, link) is ideal for those who don't have a bath, or are short on time and want to use something quick and easy in the shower to instantly revive tired skin. I featured the Exfoliating Body Scrub from this range in my last Empties post which is another long-time fave of mine.

Topical Treats: Creams, Gels and Sprays

Pop into any health store and you'll find a huge selection of topical products to soothe aching muscles in a variety of formulas and formats so you can pick and choose depending on your personal preference. If you want a cream product, Ying Yang Skincare MSM Cream* (180ml, £24.95, link) is one of the best that I've tried as it contains a potent and effective blend with 9% MSM to provide comfortable relief to overworked muscles - perfect for using after Hot Yoga or running. 

For something more affordable, I highly recommend Organii Soothing Arnica Gel* (50ml, £3.95, link) as Arnica is a fantastic natural ingredient for helping to reduce any kind of inflammation and swelling. It's also useful for those who suffer from muscle pains related to Arthritis, and it's a must-have if you do any contact sports where bruises may occur.

My overall favourite topical product though is a high-quality Magnesium Oil Spray and when you're buying one, make sure it's 100% natural and contains a high dose of Magnesium Chloride for the best results. I've used this one from KIKI Health* (125ml, £12.50, link) for years and I always have a bottle in my gym bag. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in your body but it's quickly depleted with intense exercise so a topical spitz applied to aching muscles can reduce painful spasms and contractions within minutes.

Internal Supplements: Turmeric & MSM Flakes

Supplements are a useful addition to anyone's daily routine and if you regularly exercise, two that I find helpful are Turmeric and MSM Flakes (Glucosamine is also a must if you're over 50 yrs old). I regularly purchase Twenty First Century Herbs Turmeric Supplements (30 capsules, £5, link) as they don't contain any unnecessary fillers/bulking agents and are vegan and gluten-free. Turmeric is an incredible natural anti-inflammatory so it's another product that I recommend trying if you suffer from any regular joint pain or have Arthritis etc. 

MSM Flakes are a nutritional form of sulphur which can be taken internally with benefits ranging from maintaining healthy joints and muscles to improving skin, hair and nails. Again, I always suggest purchasing a product which is high-quality and 100% natural such as KIKI Health MSM Flakes* (100g, £9.95, link) and these are easy to dissolve in a glass of juice or a smoothie. They are an 'acquired' taste though so if you don't find them palatable, stick with the MSM Cream above or try the 'pinched nose' technique when you take them!

Have you returned to the gym since they re-opened?

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Veganuary: Snack Ideas For Vegan Runners #AD

If you are a vegan runner, you have probably heard plenty of times that you need to change your nutrition if you want to become a strong and successful athlete. After all, we are taught to believe that we can only get proteins and carbs we need from meats and eggs.

Of course, these nutrients are important for your performance, they help you build muscle and speed up your recovery, but there are many ways you can follow a carb/protein-rich diet without consuming anything that came from a living creature. In fact, if you need more information about the best diet for vegan runners, let’s stick to the part of your eating plan you are most likely skipping – their majesties the snacks. These seemingly insignificant treats between your main meals are essential for keeping your energy levels up and achieving your goals. In case you have no idea how to prepare delicious vegan snacks in a matter of minutes, here are several ideas to get you started. 

Make your own trail mix 

Forget about those you can buy at the store and make your own trail mix that will contain all the things your body needs to refuel and recover. To add some sweetness to the combo, choose goji berries that are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and fats. You can also opt for flaked or shredded unsweetened coconut, dairy-free chocolate chips or dried fruit such as chopped dried apricots, dates, raisins, cranberries, blueberries or cherries. Nuts are an inevitable part of the homemade trail mix, so throw some cashews, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios in the bag as well. If you like pumpkin or sunflower seeds you can add them to the mix as well as some apple chips. Keep these ingredients in your pantry and any time you need a quick snack to add a few spoons of each of these to a small to-go container or a bag and you are all set. 

Make energy bars 

Every Sunday take an hour of your time to make a batch of homemade energy bars you will be able to keep in the fridge and grab every time you are hungry. You can make them with hemp seeds, ground flax, almonds, cashews, oats, cinnamon, dried fruit, peanut butter, maple syrup and other ingredients you love. There are plenty of recipes online, but you can also use your imagination and come up with your signature energy bars. 

Fruit and cashew cream 

This is one of the easiest and tastiest snacks out there. First, you will need to soak cashews overnight. In the morning drain them, put them in a blender with water and some kind of sweetener and make a smooth and creamy paste. Second, you will need to slice an apple, a pear, peach or some other kind of fruit and you are done! Dip the pieces into the cream and you will have yourself a tasty treat you can enjoy any time. 

Stuffed dates 

Are you looking for a delicious snack you can make in a couple of minutes? Then make sure you always have dates in your pantry because they will come in handy, especially if you fall in love with this treat. Stuff the dates with almond butter, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, put a slice of banana on top and sprinkle it with cinnamon. Easy-peasy! 

Raw vegetables and hummus 

Just as you can dip fruit into cashew cream, you can dip veggies into hummus. This tasty dip is high in protein, fibre, and healthy fats so it will boost your energy levels while keeping you full for hours. You can check out these recipes and make your own batch of hummus at home. 

With these delicious treats, snacking will easily become your favourite part of the day.

[This is a sponsored post - first image from Pixabay, food mages my own]

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My Health & Fitness Journey: 10 Things I've Learnt and How I've Lost Weight (No Crash Diets!)

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me post a couple of health and fitness updates throughout the past year. Many of you have been asking me what exercise I do, how often, how I've lost weight etc, so I thought I'd compile a special feature on here to share what I've been doing.

A Little Background Info

Last year I turned 31, and a month or so before, I witnessed a relative spend some time in hospital. It triggered something in me - it was time to start thinking about the future properly and addressing some ongoing health concerns which had been progressively getting worse. Throughout my 20s, I've been battling an autoimmune illness which has meant that I'm prone to getting regular bouts of cold and flu, and has at times, left me thoroughly exhausted and bedridden with my whole body aching. My migraines and eczema flare-ups were becoming more severe and frequent, I was having lots of stomach pains and was eventually diagnosed with IBS, and my mental health was suffering due to Stress, Depression and Anxiety. On top of all that, my weight was continuing to go up and up which only added to all of the above problems and my self-esteem and confidence was at an all-time low.

How I Got Started

I've always followed a lot of fitness people on Instagram and one day, I decided to try out a Joe Wicks HIIT workout on YouTube. It lasted 10 minutes and I could barely get through 5, that's how unfit I was. However, I was determined not to buy the next size up of jeans and started doing 10 minutes of HIIT here and there throughout the week. I gave up a lot of times, especially during the first three months, but when I started to see the physical changes, I stuck with it. The progress was a lot slower than I wanted it to be due to these constant stops and starts, so don't worry if you're the same and struggle to motivate yourself. Just treat each day as it comes and if you didn't manage to do a workout today, make sure that you do one tomorrow.

Getting Into Healthy Eating
Much of my diet throughout my 20s was mainly based on convenience foods - anything that was ready in 10 minutes was a good thing! I picked up a lot of bad habits from my family who have never been into healthy cooking, as well as from housemates (being a student doesn't help!). I watched a lot of cooking programmes on YouTube and started to mess around in the kitchen trying to recreate some of the meals. I had a 50/50 success rate in the beginning, but I'm now a much more confident cook and when I'm in the right mood, I actually enjoy it! I've tried a lot of new foods and I'm currently focusing on improving my gut health to lessen the symptoms of my IBS.

How Much Weight I've Lost
I started this about a year and a half ago and I've managed to lose just over two and a half stone, going down from a UK size 12/14 to a size 6/8 on top and size 8 on the bottom. I no longer weigh myself and now stick to taking measurements around my waist and bum every so often, but I'm pretty happy at this maintaining stage.

The Exercise I Do Now

Doing HIIT and spinning is amazing for blasting away excess fat, but I didn't feel all that stronger in myself. To remedy this, I've added in some weight training and also do Pilates and Yoga for additional strength and a healthy mind. I get bored very easily though, so I like to switch things up throughout the week to keep it interesting. I generally workout 3-4 times a week, but this does vary depending on my energy levels and overall motivation. I try not to get too stressed about it if I miss a workout as I'll try again the next day. Side note: I do all of my exercises at home as the very idea of setting foot in a gym gives me a panic attack - that's not for me! Plus it's cheaper this way anyhow ;)

10 Things I've Learnt

1. Doing 10 minutes of exercise every day is better than doing an hour-long session at the gym once a fortnight.

You don't need to spend hours in the gym to lose weight, tone up or feel physically stronger. When I started, I only did around 10 minutes of HIIT 2-3 times a week for about a month before I started getting into it and the pounds were beginning to slowly come off just by doing that. Check out Joe Wicks on YouTube and Davina McCall's Toned In 10 to get you in the right mindset.

2. Stop Making Excuses. Seriously. Just Stop It.

The one thing that I love the most about anything do to with fitness and losing weight, is that you simply can't buy the perfect body. If you want to lose weight properly and keep it off, you have to work hard at it and anyone can do it, regardless of how much money you do or don't have; whether you have kids or not. Stop making excuses and get on with it.

3. If you can spend 3 hours a day on social media, you can do 10 minutes of exercise.

If I had a £1 for every person that I see on social media complain (constantly) that they haven't got any time to do any exercise, to meal prep or to cook a proper meal at least once a week, I'd be a multi-millionaire! You do have time - stop wasting it scrolling through mindless memes and reading the comment sections - get off your phone and go and workout instead!

4. Crash Diets & Detox Teas - They Don't Work In The Long Term So Please Stop Buying Them

Sure, only drinking laxative teas for two weeks will show you a lower number on the scales, but the minute that you start eating solid food again, that figure is going to go up and you will end up putting on any weight that you temporarily lost (and usually more). They're a stupid fad and aren't a sustainable way to keep weight off, so please stop wasting your money.

5. Look After Your Gut

You may have heard about Gut Health in the news as it's been a huge wellness highlight over the past two years and when you stop to think about it, it's actually just common sense. For a good starting point, Liz Earle's The Good Gut Guide is very useful for beginners, and both Lee Holmes and Dale Pinnock have some excellent books for more in-depth guidance. I would also recommend looking into Ayurveda which has Gut Health (or 'Agni / Digestive Fire') as one of its core concepts.

One of my Foodie Friday posts - Quinoa Pizza!

6. Learn To Cook From Scratch

This time last year I barely knew how to boil an egg, but if you're serious about losing weight and improving your health, you really need to learn how to cook your own wholesome, healthy meals from scratch so that you have full control over the ingredients and portion sizes. Cooking tutorials on YouTube are brilliant and I have a stack of cookbooks from popular foodies such as Deliciously Ella and the Hemsley sisters. I also post regular Foodie Friday features on here so keep an eye out for those.

7. A Cheat Meal Is OK - A Cheat Day Is Not

If you've been sticking to your exercise routine, indulging in one cheat meal a week is not going to completely derail your fitness goals. In fact, I find that they're a good way to stay on track because it helps keep you sane mentally and combats certain cravings. However! A whole 24-hour binge day, when you haven't reached your target weight yet, will definitely cancel out any calorie deficit that you've built up over the week so just stick with the one cheat meal. 

8. Meal Prep Sunday

I've gotten into the habit of planning my meals in advance by doing some kind of meal prep on a Sunday so that I know what I'm going to be eating that following week. It stops you from wasting food and is a great way to stick to a weekly food budget. Visit your nearest charity shop to look for cheap cookbooks or check some out for free from your local library to get meal ideas. The internet is full of inspiration as well of course!

9. Ditch The Scales

I'll be the first to admit that it's easy to become fixated on what your weight is when you can see it so clearly in plain numbers on your scales, but honestly, one of the best things that I did was to throw them away. Your weight will fluctuate throughout the month (more so with women who typically carry more water weight than men, especially when you're on your period) and let's not forget that muscle weighs more than fat anyway. I found that keeping track using a tape measure around your waist, bum etc, was much more useful for my own personal goals.

10. It's Not A Diet, It's A Lifestyle

I hate the word 'diet' because it has so many negative connotations within our society and is often associated with misery and starvation. Instead, for successful weight loss where you keep it off for good, you should think of it as a lifestyle and not something temporary. I know it sounds cliched, but you want to strive to be the best version of yourself and not a yo-yo dieter who cycles between binges and deprivation. Being healthy, for body and mind, is a long-term game plan.

Going forwards: Whilst I love the fact that I've lost the extra weight and feel physically stronger, I'm still struggling with the mental health side of things and exercise alone hasn't improved my migraines as much as I'd hoped, so there's a lot I have to continue working on. It's definitely a journey but at least I've made a start!

Are you into health and fitness?

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Luxury Mid-Week Pamper Treats: Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala - Neck & Shoulders Oil, Anti-Stretch Marks Oil and Muscle Recovery Oil review

Neck feeling tense? Shoulders stiff and tight? Whether you've been hunched over at your desk for too long or you've been hitting that Hot Yoga class a little too hard recently, it's time to give your body some much needed TLC with the help of Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala.

Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala is a cruelty-free, French natural and organic skincare brand which mainly specialises in pure, cold-pressed plant oil-based products (although they do a lovely range of toners and floral waters as well which are not to be missed!). They have a strong wellbeing ethos that fits perfectly with their eco-friendly approach to skincare, and all of their products are Ecocert certified. 

Their formulas have been reworked from traditional and age-old skincare recipes, meaning that everything is as natural and simplistic as possible, whilst still being incredibly effective for the health and wellbeing of the skin. Needless to say, you won't find any 'nasties', preservatives or synthetic fragrances in anything that they offer. 

I've used body care oils for years, so I was keen to try some from Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala for a little luxury self-care pampering this week.

Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala Neck & Shoulders Oil* (100ml, £28.95, link)

I'm one of those people who carries a lot of tension and stress in my neck and shoulders, so this product was literally made for someone like me, and it is an absolute godsend! This dedicated oil is super relaxing and soothing with a blend of Organic Arnica and St John's Wort to help relieve all those niggling symptoms of daily stress and anxiety that build up in the neck and shoulders. There's also Organic Lavender, Orange, Wintergreen and Chamomile essential oils to further soothe and relax the muscles, and I love the handy rollerball that makes applying it so quick and easy.

Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala Anti-Stretch Marks Oil* (100ml, £27, link)

Give your body a confidence boost with this Anti-Stretch Marks Oil. Not only has it been specially developed to help reduce the overall appearance of stretch marks (both existing older, and newer ones), but it keeps the skin hydrated and smoother for longer with a nourishing composition of Organic Prickly Pear Flower, Jojoba Oil, Calophylle Oil and Centella Asiatic extract.  Skin is left feeling much firmer with improved elasticity so it's perfect for those 'wobbly' bits! Please note this oil isn't suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala Muscle Recovery Oil* (100ml, £28.50, link)

Finally, the product that I've been using the most often recently has been the Muscle Recovery Oil and it's been coming in so useful to use after a yoga or pilates session. Like the Neck & Shoulders Oil, this also has a convenient rollerball which makes it easy to apply to help soothe sore and tired muscles all over the body. It's formulated with a range of beneficial natural ingredients such as Organic Arnica Oil, Harpagophytum extract, Rosemary and Lavender essential oils to relax and ease muscle tension, and it can also be used pre-workout to help prevent muscle spasms. I found the oil to be nourishing, non-sticky/greasy, and easily absorbed like all of the other Laboratoire du Haut-Ségala products above.

Are you a fan of wellbeing body care oils?

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Health & Lifestyle: New Year’s Resolutions and Beginners to Running #Ad

Words by Dan Chabert: 2017 started running ahead of us and now is a great moment to start running along with it. Prepare your New Year’s Resolutions and tie your shoes, it’s time to run.

Challenge yourself this 2017 for a healthier, more active and exciting year. Whether you’re looking to run extra miles, drop some seconds from your personal record, or just get started in running; setting goals will give you something to look forward to. 

Consider running as your first option for achieving your goals this year. Losing weight, increasing overall health, enhancing durability and staying fit are all goals that can be achieved by running.

Basics of Running: Gearing Up and Starting

One the many great aspects of this activity are the few requirements it has. Probably the largest investment a novice runner will have to make is that of a good pair of sneakers and regular sportswear. For the shoes, I recommend that you buy decent running sneakers that fit you comfortably. You don´t want to come across with a sprained ankle or sore feet later on due to poor quality equipment. Quality goes over quantity when it comes to running shoes. 

Once you got your gear sorted out, it´s time to set the plan in motion. Choose a place to start is completely up to you. You should select an ambient where you feel comfortable with. A park should be an excellent option for initial training. Some people prefer to start on the treadmill, which is a good idea if you have access to one. While treadmills offer features such as speed and inclination, running outside is completely fine as well. Don’t feel obligated to join a gym; remember running is a free sport. However, if you’re already in the gym, adding weight training your routine is a plus.

Getting Stronger Every Day

So, your gear is set, your laces are tied, and you’re ready to run. Don’t forget that everyone is a beginner once. Some people expect to be able to complete a triathlon in a week, and are hugely disappointed to find out exercise requires effort.

20 minutes for your first cycles should do the trick, three times a week so your body catches the rhythm. You can gradually increase the intensity and frequency of your training sessions; however, be aware of your limits. You’re not trying to get yourself injured within the first month. Increase your mileage or speed at a controlled rate.

As you progress, you will get stronger and more confident in your capabilities. You´ll start to need fewer walking rests and notable changes will appear. Not only will you to start to look better, but you’ll also start to feel better. If you’re going serious on your running goals, start measuring your progress. Keep a record of your times, mileages and other aspects of your running. Keeping track of your progress is a great source of motivation. 

You started running, and you can’t help it but to feel awesome (and healthy). You’ve already got used to the feeling of your feet striking the floor; keep on it!

Toe to Toe with 2017

Imagine yourself by the end of the year when you have finished your 2017 running program. Not only you will be noticing the changes, those around you will also be able to notice them. When they ask you for your secret, you’ll tell them how awesome running is.

Don’t think of running as a hobby. Making it one of your priorities will give a healthy turn to your life. It’s not just losing weight; you’re doing your body a favour. Let running become a part of your lifestyle.

Ask yourself how badly you want to accomplish your goals. Most people don’t want it badly enough, and that’s where they fail. Many beginners quit under the excuse that they’re not physically fit; truth is they’re not psychologically fit. Determination can compensate for the lack of physic condition, and running is an activity that can be performed by almost anyone. Kids, seniors, men and women are all perfectly capacitated to run.

The hardest obstacles to overcome will be in your mind.

Writer Bio: Dan Chabert - Hiking addict, ramen eater, trail runner and entrepreneur. Currently handling several websites such as Nicershoes, GearWeAre, Runnerclick, Monica’s Health Mag and Runners101.

[This is a sponsored post]

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