advice

I WEIGH

September 23, 2018

Hello friends,

 Today I wanted to write a post about what I weigh. Now, I'm not talking about my physical weight, because quite frankly I haven't weighed in years! I'm talking about what I, as a person, ACTUALLY weigh. If you haven't heard about the 'I weigh' campaign started by the wonderful Jameela Jamil, read her blog post here: "i-weigh". 

It is incredibly sad, disappointing and quite frankly toxic that so much of a person's worth has become so associated with their physical appearance. Humans are continuously being scrutinized for what they look like. How much they weigh. Whether they are too thin, or too fat. Or if they have small boobs. Or big boobs.  A big bum, a small bum. You only have to go on the Daily Mail's website to see the constant criticism launched towards people's appearance. It's such a toxic message that is being sent out, that we must be a certain number on the scales in order to be 'worthy'. Much of a person's self-perception has been tainted by the messages continuously being projected by the media, whether that be by the press or even by social influencers. I mean, I think the abuse Tess Holliday has received for her Cosmo cover is evidence enough. People masking their abusive words as them 'looking out for her health' or 'being concerned for her' just as a way for them to pick away at someone's appearance without being perceived as a bully. She's happy. She's confident. She's beautiful. That's something that should inspire us. The same as if someone of a different body shape was on the cover and is happy. They are worth far more than what they physically weigh. 
I was actually watching Lorraine the other day, and Lorraine had Candice Brown (winner of the Great British Bake Off back in 2016) on as a guest. In the interview, Candice emotionally opened up about the abuse she has received over her weight and appearance after bikini photos of her were released all over the press. It made me so mad. So mad that people think that it's okay to criticise and bully someone over how they look. Why is this okay? How has this become okay? It is so toxic and so disgusting. Candice's interview was really great, so I'll link it here: Candice on 'Body-Shaming'. 

Through the 'I Weight' campaign Jameela stresses the importance of us thinking past the numbers on the scale when it comes to what we weigh. We need to start celebrating who we are; our achievements, our progress, our relationships, our interests etc. It's all about moving away from being defined by a number, whether that be dress size or weight. It's about actually thinking 'okay, what is good about me? what have I achieved?' It's about saying 'F you' to the ideals and being proud of who YOU are and how YOU look. Life is far too bloody short, and yes, we have our days where we do feel insecure, but it's about not letting those insecurities take away from the celebration of life. The 'I weigh' stories are so inspiring. People of all backgrounds, ages, body shapes, ethnicities, professions etc. coming together and celebrating being them. This can be anything from celebrating being someone who has recovered an eating disorder to taking pride in the fact they have given birth to a child or celebrating their academic achievements or even being proud of their fashion sense. 
I got so inspired by this movement that I thought I'd do one myself...(and I think you should do it too!), here goes:

 I WEIGH:
  • laugher (a lot!)
  • chatterbox
  • people person (i love people)!!
  • friend
  • a family member
  • cat lover
  • (animal lover in general!)
  • Vegetarian
  • student (that loves her degree and loves studying!)
  • inspired
  • lover of carbs (and food in general!!)
  • hard-working
  • kind
  • overthinker (working on it!)
  • fitness instructor
  • Zumba instructor
  • qualified PT
  • happy
  • life lover
  • coffee lover
  • feminist
  • lover of Welsh folk music 
  • ABBA lover & Mamma Mia! lover
  • huge Grey's Anatomy, Grace & Frankie, Gilmore Girls, Friends, This is Us, Killing Eve, GBBO, Strictly Come Dancing, Santa Clarita Diet, Scandal, HTGAWM, Vera, Parks and Rec, Modern Family, Gavin & Stacey, Call the Midwife (etc. etc. etc.) fan!! 
  • love Medieval literature
  • listener
  • sensitive 
  • Welsh speaker (and proud!)
  • love clothes
  • self-critical (working on this too!!)
  • outspoken
  • loyal (why does this word now automatically make me think of Georgia from LI??)
  • supportive
  • nerd
  • bonkers
  • a little bit weird
  • bubbly
  • smiler
  • blogger...ish!? 

...and I hope to continue to add to this list in time. There is actually something quite fantastic about seeing a list like this and appreciating WHO YOU ARE, valuing yourself on far more than how you compare to society's construction of an 'ideal' person. Do it. Make one. Whether you post it publically or keep it for yourself, there is something so powerful and inspiring about it. Thank you, Jameela. Please check out the @i_weigh instagram account to get to see all of these inspiring, heart-warming and emotional celebrations of people, by looking 'beyond the flesh on our bones'. 

 Thanks for reading. I hope you liked this post :) I promise my next post won't be as focused on me...!!
YOU ARE AWESOME
♡ ♡ ♡ 


Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx




advice

GET INSPIRED & MOTIVATED | how to combat your lack of motivation to exercise

February 21, 2018

Hello, hello! You've reached the half-way point of the week. We've reached the 'hump' day! Happy Wednesday...Friday is in sight! 

Unless you've been living under a rock, I am pretty sure you know that the Winter Olympic Games are happening right now! Yes, right now!!!! One of the best things about the Olympics (whether it be the Summer Olympics or the Winter Olympics), is the way it inspires people of all ages and backgrounds to get active and to give things a go; whether that be trying out an activity you never would have before or simply to inspire you to get moving. It is so heartwarming to see so many young people taking up sporting activities because they have seen them on Olympics. There is something rather powerful about that, and I think that is what is so great about the Olympics. It has actually inspired today's whole post. 
It got me thinking about those days where we don't have things like the Olympic Games to inspire us to get up and at it- how do we get inspired and find motivation then? It can be challenging, especially when January and the new year's resolutions seem so far in the past. So, I decided to put together a few tips in hope that they can be of use to some of you in wanting to get motivated!

goodbye 5 hours on the treadmill, hello outdoors
"Maybe I should workout" *cue mental image of oneself spending the evening running on the treadmill, getting nowhere* "Nah, maybe I'll give it a miss" How many of you have done this? Hands up! Yep, me. Totally me. Using the cardio equipment at the gym is great and is really convenient, but sometimes it can get a little boring and seem like you're stuck. Sometimes it's good to switch up the environment and get outdoors. Whether that be going outside for a run, a walk, a hike, a cycle...feel that fresh air and soak in the views (rural or urban). Getting outdoors can be so rewarding and can actually give you some 'alone time'. The days are getting lighter for longer now (about time!) so there really are no excuses.
mix it up
If you're still doing the same workout routine as you were doing 2 months ago, no wonder you're getting bored. I am constantly changing up my workout routine. Whether that be mixing up the types of exercises I do at the gym, or attending a new fitness class.
classes are your new best friend
There is nothing quite like a fitness class. There is such a community feel to a class; you're all there together reaching your goals, with an instructor that inspires you to do so! Try out some classes. There are so many out there to pick from! (Note: Zumba was the absolute best in getting me motivated; it's fun, relaxed and you work hard. Maybe I'm biased though...)
at home workouts
The internet means it is so easy to find some inspiring workouts to do at home. Check out blogilates, Carly Rowena or GraceFitUK (to name some of my favourites). You'll find a variety of different exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home (you could even stay in your PJs!)
adventures
Explore. See the world. Go on an adventure. Exercise isn't all about being stuck in a room for an hour...excercise whilst experiencing new places.
research & do it!
Have you been inspired by something you've seen in the Olympics? Or somewhere else? Don't let the doubt of "I couldn't possibly do that" hold you back. Do some research on the opportunities you have in your area- find the nearest rugby club, or ice rink, or track. Open doors for yourself!
set a challenge...
There is nothing like a challenge to keep you motivated. Maybe you want to run a half marathon? Or a whole marathon? Or a triathlon? Perhaps you want to do something for Sport Relief? Setting yourself a challenge you have to reach will mean you'll feel you have to train, plus if you do it for a special reason e.g. raising funds for a cause, that gives you even more of an incentive!

 So, what are you waiting for? Get going! 

 Thanks so much for reading! Enjoy the rest of your week...
Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx

advice

A DEEP CHAT ABOUT FOOD | DIETS, TIPS, EXPERIENCES AND MINDSET

February 14, 2018

Well, hello there. Yes, I’m a little bit proud of myself too…I have actually kept up with posting on a regular basis... *gasp*. This is my 3rd post in 3 weeks, I mean, c'mon! That’s an achievement for me by my recent standards. So, yep…I am giving myself a little pat on the back right now, I actually may HAVE to listen to Cliff Richards singing ‘Congratulations’ on Spotify too.

Food...

Today’s post is going to be all about food because, let’s be honest, food is awesome. It really is. I’m not one to use the word ‘awesome’ very much, but I am using it now because food deserves such a prestigious title. On a personal level, good food is something that fills my life with utter joy. It really is brilliant; it provides us with the energy we need, gives us something to talk about (when in doubt, talk about your favourite pizza toppings…Yes, I do like pineapple on my pizza…now please stop judging me) and actually keeps our body working to do the very important job of keeping us alive. So, why is it that we make food our enemy, and associate so many foods with feelings of guilt?

Ok, so you may have guessed it. Today’s food post isn’t going to be an educational post on what foods you should or shouldn’t eat to lose weight/gain muscle/etc. In true Haia Eve style, this is going to be a post where I share my thoughts - I want to reflect on my thoughts on food and our relationship, as humans with food. 
Just to a friendly note: I am aware that for some of us, building a healthy relationship with food is no mean feat and I am not sitting here typing this as if it’s all easy, sunshine and buttercups - I realise that many of us have very serious battles with our feelings and attitude towards food, but in today’s post I am aiming to project some ideas I have about food. If you don’t think my points are applicable to you, please take what I say with a pinch of salt).

I remember back in my earlier blogging days I used to write a weekly series called Fit4Friday (yepp, I know I could have been a little more creative with the title, but it was cool at the time…) I absolutely loved writing that series and always tried to emphasise the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle; whether that be food-wise, fitness-wise, relationship-wise or in terms of mental health. Having the opportunity to promote healthy living was so important to me. I must admit, however, after recently stumbling across a post I had written about food (what you should be eating), I came to realise that I hadn’t appreciated how personal food choices are. Although it was the intent of my younger self to aid a reader in making healthy food choices, I know that I would never write a post in that way again. The post is not offensive, nor is it really incorrect, but it is (in my opinion) quite narrow-minded, black & white and lacks the personal touch I think is so valuable to display when discussing such a personal issue. Yes, our relationship with food is personal. It sounds quite odd, doesn't it? "I have a personal relationship with food". You do! Whether that means you love food or hate it. Anyway, I wanted to share some of my more up-to-date thoughts on the topic...

Can I just express that I am a craving a pizza so much as I write this...

Building a 'positive relationship' with food...

Ok, so let's start thinking about it. Why is it important to have a 'positive relationship' with food? For the most part, I have maintained a good and healthy view of food. I have been a vegetarian all of my life, and despite going through a period of being a very fussy child (if the cool kids in school don't eat tomatoes, then I certainly WON'T be eating tomatoes...), I have enjoyed a very balanced and exciting diet. I did hit a rough patch in my early teens though, the obsession with the scales begun, and as a result, so did my obsession with how much food I'd be consuming. I felt so guilty about having a little bit of pudding or even eating pizza (I am so regretful that I spent one holiday in Italy eating pretty much only salads) - it was a dangerous path I was going down, all because of my mindset and the fact I thought I could be defined by the number on the scales, luckily discovering my love for exercise (in particular, Zumba) meant that I was able to stop the cycle. I won’t lie, it was hard. I think when you get into such a pattern of thinking and start associating certain foods with being something would automatically make you 'fat', it can be hard to break the cycle and change your perspective. Getting out of that mindset took time and determination; I had to completely change my mindset. I am in no way trying to suggest that my situation was at the stage of being considered an eating disorder, but it wasn’t a healthy relationship with food. That's why I think it's important for me to put together posts like these, because I would have loved to have read something similar when I was younger; the internet is gaining power every day, so it may as well be put to good use (not that I have much influence on the internet). The concept of 'healthy or clean eating' will be different for everyone. It can be really easy to get caught up in the quick answer, the quick-fix these days; we all would love to have results straight away, but it doesn't work like that, and it certainly wouldn't be healthy for it to work like that. We should be seeking a permanent change, a permanent lifestyle change. The changes we should seek should be for the right reasons; not to lose weight fast or gain muscle quickly, but to feel healthier and to be healthier - it should be sustainable, and a change we're happy to make. 

0% fat, 0 calories, lose weight in 5 mins if you drink this shake, take this pill and lose weight instantly...what the...!? 

Quick fixes and really "low-calorie diets" are quite stupid really, they won't do you any good in the long term. We are fed the idea that we must always reach for all of the 0 calorie options. All of the weight loss advice out there can leave you feeling unsure of what you're actually supposed to eat; am I supposed to be eating chocolate to make me live longer? Or should I be cutting it out? Should I be sticking to the 0% fat, 0 calorie foods? Or are they worse for you than the full-fat stuff? It can all be a little overwhelming, I can sympathise. I can't really give you an answer. (Just please don't buy into this whole detox stuff (your body naturally detoxifies your body!) or all of these weight loss shakes as meal alternatives and pills, there are other ways to reach your goals).

Of course, what we believe to be "healthy" is going to be different for everyone; we've all had our own life experiences, leaving us with different concepts of different things. 
Finding the balance between eating too much and not eating enough can be a huge challenge. Find out how much food works for you in your lifestyle, and is having a positive impact on your life and health. It may be a little bit of trial and error to get there - trying out some new recipes, ways of cooking, types of foods to eat etc, but there are so many resources out there to aid you in working it all out. It's so important to remember you should be eating enough food to keep you going; if you're not getting enough food, you're not doing yourself any good - your body won't be able to work to its full potential. It's the same with over-eating and not eating enough of the 'right' stuff; this can leave you equally as exhausted and feeling sluggish. It's all about trying to find the balance. I know sometimes the balance can be extremely challenging; oh gosh, it can seem impossible to me when I'm on my period (or, as I used to call periods when I was younger, 'my lockies'...that's a long story), I just want to eat everything in site...warning: I can be a hangry girl when I'm suffering from PMS. Umm, genuine question: is 'hangry' a word that is used much these days? 
It's important to try to avoid eating food for comfort because over-eating for comfort is only a short-term solution to your problems. Yes, there are plenty of times when I eat a tub of ice cream when I don't *really* need it (well, I NEED IT, but I'm not hungry), and that is fine! It's just ensuring you have things in moderation. While we're on the subject, it makes me really upset to think that when I was younger having a spoonful of Ben & Jerry's would fill me with extreme guilt. Food should not be something that makes us feel guilty! We should be enjoying our food. 

Avoiding the guilt train...

We aren't always going to be able to stay within the confinements of our healthy eating bubble, sometimes you're going to need to have that chocolate bar or that bag of ready salted (yum) crisps, and that is fine! Do not punish yourself for it. Don't let that one 'treat' make you give up either. To be honest, I wouldn't want to cut out my favourite little treats out, I'd feel utterly heartbroken if I knew that I wasn't going to allow myself a Quality Street ever, ever again. It's just about finding the balance. Many people like to live by the 80/20 rule, so eat 'well/clean' 80% of the time, and then for the remaining 20% eat those treat foods. It's up to you how you're going to work it out. Honestly, I don't really stick to any rules, I just eat what I feel makes me feel good and when I need a pizza, I'll have one! 

Theodore Rossevelt once said: "Comparison is the thief of Joy"...

We like to compare ourselves to others, don't we? There really is no need. Do not look at others as a means of measuring yourself and your progress, rather look to them as an inspiration to you. I did a whole blog post about self-confidence, see here: SELF-CONFIDENCE | "HOW DO I STOP HATING MY BODY?" and I touched on the dangers of comparison there, and honestly comparison is an issue that falls under the umbrella of a person's relationship with food, too. "Oh gosh, she eats 500 calories a day less than me" "oh my gosh, she's eating so much more than me" "Oh my gosh, he's eating so much more of this" "he's eating so much less of this" etc, etc, etc. There actually is no point getting caught up on that. You can use them as an inspiration for you if they're eating a diet that perhaps is aiding them in reaching a similar goal you wish to meet, but do not let the fact you're not eating exactly the same as them get you down. You may be eating a different number of macros each day or a different number of calories, but you're also leading a different lifestyle to them. You should only be aiming to fit your diet around your own lifestyle. (Oooh, can I just highlight something here, please? Notice my use of the word 'diet', I think the word 'diet' has really become associated with weight-loss over the years, when in fact everyone is on a diet; plant-based, vegetarian, high-protein, low-calorie etc. It's not a word that simply means losing weight).

Slow and steady wins the race...


Let’s STOP with the crash diets. You’re not doing yourself any good in the long-term. It is exactly what it says on the tin: a quick fix, but in the end, you’ll crash – you’ll hit your endpoint and in the majority of cases, you’ll end up back where you started – it’s unsustainable. Food is not the enemy. We all need to build a healthy relationship with food. Stop feeling guilty about foods.
For those of you who desire to lose weight, the best advice I can give to you is....make little, slow changes. Have a look at what you eat and drink daily – what are your weaknesses? Look at what will be easiest to change first (this will ease you into it). Maybe you’re drinking a few glasses of wine? Could you cut one glass out? Or decrease the size of your glasses? Maybe you’re eating three chocolate bars a day? Could you cut one out? Aim at making one change a week. This could mean cutting down on the amount you eat slowly to ensure you’re staying within your daily calorie intake goal. Or this could mean making smart swaps. Swapping shop- bought high sugar pasta sauce for a homemade pasta sauce. You’d be surprised how much easier it is in the long term to make small changes rather than cutting everything out and eating salad for breakfast, lunch and supper, and realising it’s too much and then ordering a pizza and a tub of ice cream – believe me, I know how hard it can be.
hello there, Patrick Demspey... *insert heart eye emoji*
 Why are you wanting to eat healthier?


Eating healthily shouldn't make you miserable or feel like a chore. You should WANT to do it. It should be about feeding your body with the right stuff so it can work at it's best- it's not just about losing weight, it's about looking after yourself - love your body! 
Don’t think you have to spend your life eating salad leaves to be healthy. Gosh, I’d hate eating salad every day. That’s miserable (in my opinion). Do your research – there are so many healthy (tasty!) recipes out there. Do your homework.
Eating healthier can make you feel so much more energetic, positive and just happier in general. Think of healthy eating as a lifestyle, not a diet for your upcoming holiday.

Track and plan...

For those of you who need to be in control of your food, it may be an idea to think about tracking your eating habits and planning your meals in advance, now I am not encouraging you to become obsessed with calorie counting or anything, this is just about ensuring you are able to note down your choices to aid you in making healthy decisions each day. 

Give yourself a break

Eating shouldn't be something you dread to do or something that stresses you out. It also shouldn't be all you do. It's about the balance. Now, some days you're going to eat healthier than other days, and vice-versa. This is life, it's not something that is short-term, so don't make this miserable. Don't look at food as something miserable. 

A healthy relationship with food...

- Food is not the devil...
-Food is not the reward...
-Food IS a fuel...
-Food can boost the immune system...
-Food is good...
-Food does not 'make you fat'
-Food does not 'make you skinny'


Eat mindfully -
 listen to your body. Does this food do your body any good?
Don't skip the breakfast - 
this is a bad idea, breakfast is so important to ensure you start your day right!
Everything in moderation - 
deprivation could lead you to binge in the future!
Don't feel guilty - 
don't feel guilty about yesterday's supper, or this morning's lunch...there is no point punishing yourself.
Enjoy your food - 
enjoy trying new things and enjoy eating foods that make you feel good!

I hope you liked hearing my thoughts. I'll definitely do more food posts in the future that touch on more specific topics. 

Speak to you next week (if I can keep this regular posting thing up)...

Oooh, and shoutout to my instagram because I have been posting there regularly: @//evejohnsonzin 
Thanks so much for stopping by...

Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx


advice

SELF-CONFIDENCE | "how do I stop hating my body?"

February 07, 2018

Wednesday the 7th of February 2018


Hating your own body is something common in the society we live in. We tend to blame this on social media projecting an idealistic image of what we 'should' look like, when in fact without social media, we would probably find some other way to criticise our figures. Someone else is always going to 'look better than us' or have features we seek to have. We look at others, whether it be in images or in real life and somehow are reminded of our insecurities and imperfections. The sad truth is that the majority of us will go through times were we feel crap about something about ourselves. We will always have one too many freckles or too big a bum, too small a bum, or don't have enough muscle, or too much fat, or our hair isn't long enough, thick enough, thin enough, our face is too round, or not round enough, our eyes are too small, or too big, our lips are too big or too small....I could go on. If you could change something about yourself, what would it be? What is the thing that holds you back from loving yourself? If you could change that thing about yourself, would you be satisfied? Or would there be something else holding you back? 
The truth is, there is ALWAYS going to be something. Always. Even for that person you think is absolutely flawless, they have something they'd like to adjust, change, remove. As humans, it's like we're never satisfied. Many of us are very quick to criticise our reflection rather than appreciate what we do have. A lot of it is to do with mindset. What you believe you're expected to look like in order to be accepted as attractive. We are always seeking a change. Oh boy, it shocks me how many people will come to the gym and are so quick to tell me what they hate about themselves, it becomes an obsession. People exercise just to get a quick fix or start a low-calorie diet to lose weight FAST, we should all be looking at the bigger picture, we should be making it a lifestyle and we should be appreciating our progress. 
Do we hate ourselves because loving ourselves is too cocky? Or because someone else defines us through their own gaze? "Oh, someone said I'm 'too fat', therefore I am. Someone said that I'm 'too skinny', therefore I need to change". People hold so much power over us. It is so sad that others can make us feel so sh*t about ourselves, well it's actually sad that we LET them make us feel like that. I remember when I was younger, I would overhear kids calling me 'fat', it used to hurt me, and so I HAD to change. For what? To meet their expectations of what was pretty? They had such influence. We let people influence how we define ourselves, of course, sometimes this can be great when they are singing your praises, however, if not, this can be harmful to our self-confidence. People are always going to have opinions, of EVERYONE. Some people have more harmful opinions than others, but everyone has an opinion. Not everyone is going to like everyone, no matter how kind and attractive someone is. That is life. 
A lot of the time, people tear others down due to their own insecurities, so try to avoid paying too much attention to people who try to destroy your confidence. If the criticism is helpful/beneficial, take it on board...if not, let it go. Worrying about it won't do you any good. 
I think one of the most important stages in improving your self-confidence is accepting that you are not perfect, nor will you ever be perfect. You need to look at yourself and realise you have a body that keeps you alive, gives you the opportunity achieve things and really is an amazing thing. Embrace the things about yourself that you can't change, and work towards changing the things that you really want to. Don't let yourself be defined by superficial things. As cheesy as it is, the type of person you are is a 100x more important (imo) than the type of person you LOOK like. Honestly. 

We should learn to take and accept a compliment from others, and also to give a compliment to someone - you don't know how much that might mean to them. We need to build a society where everyone feels inspired to lead a healthy and positive lifestyle, where everyone is accepted. But...we actually have to accept ourselves. We are individuals. Unique. There is no one who is exactly like you, so please ENJOY being like you, accept yourself for who you are, be kind to yourself and others. 

Ok, so I've rambled. Let's get back to the question in the title... "how do I stop hating my body?" if you truly HATE your body, the process of learning to love it is going to be challenging, but you have to start the process. You shouldn't hate your body. Be kinder to yourself and work out what steps you need to take to grow to love your body. This may be changing your diet, exercising more, exercising less, dressing differently, wearing more makeup, wearing less makeup etc. 
A big thing to remember is that you shouldn't compare yourself to someone else. You can be inspired by them, yes, but you shouldn't allow for someone else to make you feel insecure or decrease your worth - that is all in your mind, they are unique humans just like you, and as previously mentioned, they have their own insecurities. Comparison to determine self-worth must end - comparison doesn't really get you anywhere! Be a kind and loving human because that is worth so much. 

Just a note to say: you're lovely!
Thanks for stopping by.

Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx

fitfam

#FITFAM | Gift Guide 01 | Fitness & Health Lifestyle Books

November 26, 2017

Dear reader,

 Firstly, how are you? It has been a loooong while since we last chatted, but I have had to take time out (again), just to be able to get my creative juices flowing and to ensure I know what content I want to be putting out there. I am hoping to be posting a new fitness/lifestyle post on here every Sunday (let's hope I'll actually be able to stick to it!!) I am also hoping to launch a fitness a lifestyle channel at some point in the new year, but we'll see how that goes! 
Anyway, today's post is my first Gift Guide of 2017, how exciting is that? I cannot believe how quickly this past year has gone and that we have less than a week to go until December! It's mad! I absolutely adore putting together Gift Guides for my blog - they were one of my favourite posts to do back when I did Blogmas, so I thought, why not a few together for you this year too? It's always good to get a little bit of inspiration. 
In today's gift guide, I wanted to share some absolutely fantastic fitness/healthy lifestyle books that are out there, a perfect gift for someone you know who is interested in fitness and health, or for you to place on your wishlist! These books will be the perfect companion in helping you to learn more about fitness and food, as well supporting you on your journey in starting your fitness/health journey or aiding you in making positive changes.

 I have decided to include books from three authors whom I am sure the majority of you will have heard of. These are three women who I myself consider inspirational, and I have learnt so much from, even as a fitness instructor and PT.  They are so passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle and in encouraging others in leading a healthy lifestyle, which to me, adds to the appeal of purchasing one of their books - it evident that they really care about what they do. 



| WISHLIST |

Book #1: "Strong" by Zanna Van Dijk 

For those of you who are sick to your stomach at the thought of having to spend hours in the cardio section at the gym, whilst switching your yummy meals for meals with no substance, this book is for you! Zanna's book encourages you to lead a balanced life. 
This book is full of motivation, tips, and tricks in order to help you kick-start your journey with fitness, as well as an achievable guide to eating well. The book is packed full of recipes and exercises to give you the inspiration you need.
Zanna is encouraging and positive, and uses her book to help readers live a healthy and happy lifestyle! 

Strong - Available at Amazon.co.uk for £8.94.
Direct link: click here!

Zanna on Instagram: @zannavandijk 


Book #2: "Get Gorgeous Guide" by Carly Rowena

As many of you know, Carly has been a real inspiration to me for a long while now - I just think she is a really lovely person and I absolutely love watching her YouTube videos (you should definitely check out her channel if you haven't already), so when I heard that she was releasing her very own book I was very pleased! Carly's "Get Gorgeous Guide" takes the complicated out of health and fitness. The guide is filled with food tips and exercises  to get you feeling gorgeous! The e-book guides you through a "12 week transformation" to support you in reaching results quickly and effectively. 

Get Gorgeous Guide (digital edition) - Available at carlyrowenashop.com for £24 (sale offer from Friday 25th to Monday 27th), regular price £30.
Direct link: click here!

Carly on Instagram: @carlyrowena 


Book #3: "Clean Eating Alice: The Body Bible" by Alice Liveing 

Alice, like Zanna and Carly, is a bundle of positivity and truly gets you excited about fitness and eating healthily! What I love about this book is that Alice's aim is to inspire you to look at eating and exercising in a positive way in order to change your lifestyle for the better in a sustainable way. The book is filled with tonnes of healthy recipes and exercises to make you feel stronger, healthier and happier!

Clean Eating Alice: The Body Bible - Available at Amazon.co.uk for £8.19.
Direct link: click here! 

Pssst...Alice also has some other fabulous health and fitness books available on Amazon too! :) 

Alice on Instagram: @aliceliveing 

---

So there we have it, the first gift guide done! I know that health and fitness books can often be hit or miss, but I honestly do think these books are worth giving a go, whether you are looking to begin your health and fitness journey, or if you just need some tips to make further improvements. 

Thanks so much for reading!
Speak to you all very soon. 

Love,

Eve
xxxx

Twitter: @haiaeve
Instagram: @evejohnson15 

Fitness

My Fitness Challenge | Push Yourself!

July 30, 2016

Hello everyone!

 Happy Saturday, I hope you're all okay! 

 Today I wanted to have a quick chat with you all about my new fitness challenge and motivation. I have loved all things fitness for the past few years and adore regularly working out, however I have been doing the same routine for TOO long, meaning I am not seeing as many results as I'd love to (although Zumba is the BEST thing ever and will definitely be a central part of my workout routine!!)

 I am on the road to getting fitter, stronger and healthier. Why? Zumba have brought out a fantastic new programme called STRONG by Zumba (it is amazing...so much different to the average Zumba class) and I am hoping to train to be an instructor in it, which means I need to get a heck of a lot fitter and STRONGER! It has to be done. I am terrified because honestly I have stayed within my fitness comfort zone for WAY to long and now it's time to pull up my socks and get working. I have a goal in sight and I am going to get there...and I am taking you lot along with me! Look out for LOTS of fitness journey posts, workout videos (I am starting up my channel again) and VLOGS (my fave videos to watch!)

I can't wait! It's time to get fitter!!
IMAGE SOURCE
Lots of Love,

      



Fitness

"I've reached my goals, what next?"

July 24, 2016

So many people embark on a fitness journey in order to reach a certain goal...


"I want to lose a stone"
"I want to run a mile"
"I want to tone up" ...

but suddenly, when they reach those goals or get closer to reaching those goals they hit a bit of an exercise slump, where they are unsure of where to go from there. Honestly, I think it's so important for you to sit back and pat yourself on the back for achieving so much, and then ask yourself, what is next?  

In order for us to continue to develop as humans, we must set ourselves attainable goals, in order for us to continue to achieve and change. 
As fitness instructors we usually use the SMART goal approach, this ensures you've almost mapped out what it is you want to do and HOW you are going to do it. It is a brilliant way to look at what, when and how you are going to reach your goal.

PIC CREDIT : SEE SOURCE HERE!! :)
Changing your eating habits slightly, adding a bit more resistance and speed to your workout and setting yourself some SMART goals can ensure that you continue on the path to developing. Rushing into an unrealistic goals is dangerous, as you are more likely to make big and quick changes (meaning it's harder for you to continue to change in the future, leading to you hitting a plateau...which in the long term can backfire), however it is also dangerous to your confidence as you will feel disappointed/disheartened if you don't attain those goals, thus setting smaller and achievable goals will not only benefit you in the long term, but will also boost confidence as you achieve them. Does that make sense?

Constantly setting yourself new goals to achieve IS A GREAT THING. Even if your initial goal was to improve your body strength, your next goal could be to run 5 miles. Many people think that once they've reached their goals they can return to old habits, unfortunately this isn't the case, you'll just be going around in a circle. You must also ensure that when you reach your goals that you continue to make small and realistic changes to avoid hitting a plateau.  Keep pushing yourselves, but be kind to yourselves!!

Any questions? Please comment or TWEET ME @haiaeve

Lots of Love,