Things We Could Do Without...

If you are doing any of these this week, pick at least 5 that ring true, and aim to rid yourself of them

~ Doubting yourself

~ Negative thinking

~ Fear of failure

~ Destructive relationships

~ Criticising yourself and others

~ Anger

~ Comfort eating

~ Laziness

~ Procrastination

~ Negative self talk

~ People pleasing

~ Putting others needs before your own

~ Unnecessary worrying

~ Anything excessive

Words: My Own

Fitness Routine Time Savers

Things start to get  a lot busier this time of the year. The routine that you worked so well to perfect, probably is feeling a little disruptive right now. 

Here are some time saving tips on how to fit exercise in this festive season:

Make up for missed sessions by setting yourself some daily exercise goals that you may not even need to change into work out gear for. 

Aiming to complete 200 squats and 100 push ups over the course of a day, for example.

You could do 100 squats and 50 push ups in the morning, and then again at the end of the day, or choose to do 20 squats and 10 push ups every hour over a ten-hour period.

That modification will probably depend on your work schedule, it's probably not recommended to do your squat sets at your desk with colleagues in range.

Words: My Own | Women's Fitness

Images: Pinterest

100's and 1000's

Images: We Heart It

The Approval Game

I recently came across an article on approval. Why we care so much about what other people think, and more to the point - should we care?

Our doubts and insecurities manifest ourselves into - am I good enough?

Why is self acceptance not always enough?

We crave approval because we fear rejection in different areas of our lives, and according to psychologists, it's perfectly normal to be seeking the approval of others. I am also guilty of this. This post is as much a beneficial reminder for myself as it may be for you.

The real issue starts when we start to care and think too much about what others think, and continue to look for their approval in all aspects of live. People will always have expectations of us, but sometimes these expectations can be unrealistic or unreasonable, and feeling the pressure to meet these can damage your self worth.

If you start doing things to please others rather than yourself, or pretending to be happy and satisfied with things that you really aren't happy with, this will do nothing but damage your self esteem and overall mental health.

How do you stop worrying about what other people think and live up to their expectations?

Instead of wondering if others approve of you, focus on whether you approve of yourself.

Easier said than done for sure, but everyone has to start somewhere.

Accept that you have faults and weaknesses but remember that you still have a lot to bring to the table. Skills, talents, and plenty of other things to offer.

Think about how you would treat someone who you loved and cared deeply about. Then start to treat yourself the same way. Recognise your personal strengths, and learn to embrace them and use them. 

Most importantly, aim for a state of mindfulness. Mindfulness basically is paying attention to the present moment, where you acknowledge and accept each thought, feeling and sensation that takes place. It allows us to observe our own thoughts and feelings instead of having them control us. 

Distance yourself from any negative or unhelpful thoughts and try to remind yourself that they are not facts. Let them pass through your mind, and don't bring them back in.

Words: My Own| Women's Health

Image: Pinterest

Silly Season Organisation

 

Don't freak out when I tell you...that we only have 7 Saturday's left until Christmas.

Can you believe we are already in November, where did this year go?

 

Scoffing at how 'early' all the Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, chocolates etc that are now in the shops, will probably get me into trouble the week before Christmas when the realisation hits that I am not at all prepared.

 

Like many of the December issue of magazines currently out on the stands, this could have been a post about staying healthy during the festive season. How to eat and drink wisely and within your limits of control. But sometimes I think, the more you read those things, the more you want to rebel against them, and I won't be held responsible for that extra bottle of Veuve you had to have, nor the second helping of pavlova!

 

This post is instead a bit of a bucket list/wish list. Maybe January is still a little far away for you to want to think about making some new years resolutions. Instead this list I have created can be used as a fun way of putting to paper the things you'd like to achieve before 2014 graces us with its presence.

 

The fields are open to interpretation, and you can have more than one answer for each, but the aim is to print it, write it and stick it somewhere that's going to encourage and remind you, to give them a go.

 

I'd love to hear some of your lists and which ones you think you'd like to achieve first! For me, my most important, as always, will be -

 

STOP: Worrying

START: Living in the moment

 

Have fun with it

x

 

 

 

Words: My Own



Skin 101

With the weather getting warmer it's time to start paying more attention to our skin.

H20

What we drink is the key to happy skin. Dehydrated skin loses it's healthy glow and with higher temperatures this can lead to headaches and heat stroke.

The Institute of Medicine in the USA recommends women drink about 2.2 litres of water a day (which equals around 9 cups). This can also include herbal and caffeine-free teas.

From the Inside Out

Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables is a positive start. Particular nutrients that have been known to improve skin are Selenium, a powerful antioxidant thats found in brazil nuts, eggs, cereal grains and fish. Great for protecting against symptoms of sun damage such as age spots.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating with a homemade scrub or dry body brush. This increases circulation and leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and glowing. Exfoliate before hopping in the shower, in small circular motions.

Moisturise

The best time to give skin a drink is after a bath or shower. Dermatologists recommend in the warmer months to keep your moisturiser- face and body, in the fridge, leaving the skin with a cool calming feeling once applied.

Words: My Own|Body & Soul

Image: Pinterest