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PREPPING MAKES PERFECT

So I am sure, like me, a lot of people have piled on the pounds over Christmas... (Or much before but are blaming it on the festive period in my

Case).

Come January 2nd myself and Rich are embarking on a super clean get fit month or two. We will be training a lot, but more importantly we will be trying to eat the right things (this is the bit we struggle with more). 

I've already been thinking about recipes and have prepped a shopping list (which I'll share at the weekend) but I suddenly thought about the need for more Tupperware etc- prepping makes perfect.

So if you also want to shed some pounds  in January- do you have the following:

Water bottle- get a big one- ensure you always have a bottle of water on your desk and if possible on you out and about to Stay hydrated. So many people don't drink enough water- and opt for sugary drinks as they don't want to cough up for a bottle of water on the road- be prepared! 

I will share some water recipes (not just turn the tap on!) to make it a bit More exciting. 

Plenty of Tupperware for salad/ lunch- dividers are great in Tupperware for portion control. 

Breakfast pots- it's all about overnight oats- the more pots you have the more prep you can do at the start of the week  meaning more chance of sticking to your plan.

Sistema soup Tupperware- love my soup pot- currently £3.75 in sainsburys so we will be getting a few more so there is always some homemade soup ready to go from the fridge.

Protein bottle- me and rich constantly argue over the small transportable protein bottle. I'm Making a stance and buying my own (on the joint account).

Small Tupperware pots- for nuts, salad dressings, sauces, grapes etc! Don't underestimate the power of the pot.

I know this all sounds incredibly boring and serious but if you are the type of person that will look for any excuse not

to do something- don't let tupperware be one of them! 

If you're out and about today get down to the pound shop for Tupperware bargains!! I think £15 will cover everything you need and will save you loads of money in the long run. Sometimes you've got to spend pounds to shift pounds...

Image below of my current favourite piece of Tupperware- wow, who knew I had a favourite piece of tupperware. 

Right must get into Amazon and place

My order ready for the weekend...

The Christmas pig in a blanket....

Is me.

I've officially become a Christmas slob. 

I'm sitting here looking at the table in front of me littered with my torn open advent calendar (forgot to open for 10 days- winning). And the pack of malted milk biscuits I just consumed most of.

And then I looked at a photo of me from a year ago- last year my frame of mind was definitely more into loosing weight and this years was to maintain. I looked so much better last year- you are what you eat that's for sure. 

This month is always tough watching your weight- there is alcohol, chocolate and late night kebabs everywhere. I had a kebab last night. On a Tuesday at 10 after mulled wine and nibbles. A kebab. On a Tuesday. 

I guess my rule for December is to have a bit of what you fancy (or the whole packet) and just try to be healthy where you can. I'm still going to the gym a fair few days a week and if I am home I'm cooking and prepping healthy meals. Unfortunately I know, as do the scales, that it isn't enough so come January we are going clean again.

I'm actually really looking forward to eating healthy, training hard and getting back in it- I know I'll have so much more energy but hey, it won't be nearly as much fun as chocolate for breakfast and kebabs for tea. 

***I will be posting on Instagram or blogging everyday in Jan!***

They say you are what you eat

If this is true then right now I am

A heady mix of mince pies, Galaxy chocolate, wine and pasta and have been for many days. 

What to buy and where to buy it

Thought I'd jot down some recent findings on the gym clothes front- I am always on a hunt for bargain gymware to ease the washing debates in our flat (rich constantly moans about how much washing I create).

I think there are some things you can scrimp on when it comes to gym clothes- and some things you can't. Tesco trainers- probably a no (although my dad did run a half marathon in a pair from Tesco he bought that day- who forgets their trainers to run a half marathon?!). My brooks trainers are the most expensive shoes I've ever owned. 😢

But when it comes to bras, tops and bottoms I like to mix it up with sports direct, super market, decathlon and high street retailers. There is also great gym clothes at TK MAXX if you are willing to hunt a little. 

My outfit today sports the following:

Karrimor joggers (sports directs own brand- careful of the was/now pricing as it can be not as good a deal as you think!). Always do the hand test when buying bottoms- ARE THEY SEE THROUGH? I don't want to see your barely covered bum during the downward facing dog. 

£20ish 

Tesco tshirt- picked up for the princely sum Of £3 in their sale whilst picking up some booze- excellent. (NB always try to grab sportswear on sale- it doesn't go out of fashion so get yourself a bargain) 

New sports bra from primark! Probably wouldn't run a marathon in it but it's comfortable enough for a gym session and they have some great colours for the bargain of £5-£6! (Eat your heart out Nike).

Lots it say about clothes so will do a few more posts soon! 

Han 

Focus

Do you find yourself wondering around the gym getting distracted or looking at the news mid sets?!

I'm always getting distracted by my

Phone- hence writing this whilst stretching my glutes...

Top tip from Rich is to time the breaks between your sets- make your phone useful rather than a distraction!! I do 30 Seconds between sets but rich does 1 minute so you pick! Helps keep you focused on recovery rather than reading the latest blog from your favourite fitness blog.... 

Han 

Cauliflower "rice"

It seems to be that every man and his dog are loving healthy eating at the

Moment- I bet the sales of spiralizers are up ten fold on last year. 

The latest craze is for pretending things are things that they aren't. In comes cauliflower rice... 

I have been eating cauliflower rice for a fair while now and I've got to say I love it... No it doesn't taste like lovely fluffy carby rice but nor does it have the calories and it is a perfect substitution for the evening in particular (cutting carbs out in the evening is one of the more effective ways of losing weight- I try to have my carbs for lunch and limit it in the evening (unless I'm eating out, can't be bothered or fancy carbs of course.) 

So how to cook? 

I've tried toasting it and this works but takes time... Last night I tried microwaving it- works a treat. 

Simply blend a cauliflower ( without the green bits obvs) in a food processor pour into a bowl- cover and microwave for about 3.5 mins. 

Last night we had ours with Turkey chilli (beefs less well known but lighter minced friend) and a sprinkle of Parmesan (a good substitution for cheddar as you don't need as much).

Next post on spiralizing- I'm a bit slow off the mark- mines just been delivered.