Excuses, Excuses, Excuses!

'It hurts'

'I'm too tired'

'I'm aching'

Is it an injury, DOMS or an excuse?

The human body is fascinating! We all have one and we all experience something different with it every single day. Good and Bad. Sometimes we love it and sometimes we hate it. If it hates us, it tells us! This post is for anyone who has had an injury, a problem that stops them exercising and those who convince themselves that a pain is life or death or generally makes excuses.... WE ARE ALL GUILTY!

Before i began my journey, i had a serious injury in my back which happened when i was a lot bigger. I remember the day exactly. I was getting ready for to go to makeup school and was rushing around in a panic in case i was late. I went to pick something up and .. POP.. my back made the most awful noise and i was stuck. I couldnt move and thought i was paralised. I managed to pull myself with my arms all the way down the stairs and remember looking at my mum saying 'i cant move mum, i cant move'. The pain and shock that i was in was something id never exeperienced before. My mum managed to get me into a chair but all i kept saying was 'I'm going to miss the train, im going to miss my lesson'. My worst nightmare had become real as she told me i couldnt go and i needed to go to hospital. I managed to get an appointment with a specialist who injected me with painkiller and told me i probably wont be able to move for about a week. The swelling in my back was too severe for a diagnosis. I spent the next week in bed, on tons of painkillers, hot and cold packs and junk food. Anyone who has has an injury like this will know how frustrating and depressing it can be. You try to convince yourself you're ok and to just man up, but in reality all you can do is wait and do exactly what the doctor ordered. I began to walk after about a week and slowly started to feel better. I left it at that and went back to normal after a few weeks. When i started my journey just over a year ago i was determined to be fit, healthy and beautiful within in year. I had forgot about my back and i didnt take the injury into account. 

I started weight lifting and cardio and everything seemed ok. After a leg session i just thought the pain was DOMs (delayed onset muscle soreness). So, i carried on and increased my weight and started feeling really good. However, a couple of months into my journey i decided i'd challenge myself on the leg press....BAD IDEA VIKKI. I pushed my back to its limits and i heard another pop. Not as severe but i struggled to walk out the gym and for the days after i knew i should of built up my back strength before attempting heavy weights. This time i took myself to the doctor who then refered me to the physio. I told her about my previous injury and she told me i should of had my back looked at the first time round. After extensive tests, MRI scans and physio, i was told i had a prolapsed disk, i was over flexible (which means, even though my muscles can lift the weight, my ligaments would not support me) and one leg was longer than the other, so i was overcompensating on one side.  Just as i was starting to feel good, i went and ruined it. But all was not ruined because now i knew i had to start from scratch and build up my core, which in turn would support my back and learn about my body and its limits. They say everything happens for a reason, this was to teach me to listen to my body. 

My physio gave me a resistance band to start working on my core and strengthening my body with key exercises and paying attention to my pelvic position. I was so determined to get back in the gym and my god, this was so frustrating. My back causes me a lot of pain, but with the help of the experts and some pateince, i can truly say it has improved so much.

Before my weightloss journey, i would have excusitis to the extreme! excuses excuses.. name it.. i had an excuse not to go to the gym or not to eat healthy haha! my favourite .. 'I'll start Monday' and  'we only live once'. But how silly are these excuses really? I'll start Monday means your going to delay it as long as you can and convince yourself it will all be ok one day and we only live once? yeah we do so why not make the best of it now and feel good right now and be who you want to be RIGHT NOW. There's no time like the present. A year ago i would not of thought id be where i am today on my journey. But i am, i did it, im still doing it and i love it. I still eat what i want when i want but im in control of it now. Many excuses come from PAIN. Yes an injury can delay your progress, but in most cases it can be improved and it can be overcome.

Professional help and a better mindset will always win. Some people blame not going to the gym or eating crap on being tired and run down. I can tell you now, exercise is the best medicine for this! There is no feeling like the one you get when you've been to the gym, your dolphins (endorphins) are swimming and you know you have done something your body will appreciate.

I understand that in some cases, injuries can stop you from a lot of things in life and sometimes everything, however i would encourage anyone with an injury or problem to go see a specialist and make the most of what they have told you to do. We are all guilty of brushing problems off and in most cases, the problem gets worse. If we just took a moment to seek some help, we would be very suprised at the improvements that can be made.

Again, my mindset that i have developed on my journey is learnt from the Law of attraction and reading books that educate me on the human mind.
http://www.thesecret.tv/ Sometimes it is all in the mind and the excuse is the result of your mindset. Now i actually enjoy the DOMs, i know ive really worked those muscles. I still take care with my back and use a belt for squatting now which i should of done a long time ago. Even if you dont have a back problem, using a weight belt will correct your posture and support your back during exercise. I also have a velcro belt which keeps me supported throughout any exercise. By the way, im not saying i find this easy, mentally i am challenged everytime i go to the gym. Sometimes i have a mental block because im scared of hurting my back. Take a look at my previous blog in relation to anxiety at the gym. http://theworldisyourlobster2017.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/anxiety-at-gym.html

Another great remedy for aching muscles is TIGER BALM. I love this stuff almost as much as i love Nutella ( ok thats a lie) but it is honeslty amazing stuff. Get someone to massage this into your muscles and wait for that pain to dissapear, its a bit like deep heat but i believe it works deeper into the muscles.
Its also used for headaches and other pain.  http://www.tigerbalm.com/uk

ALWAYS listen to your body its very intelligent. Sometimes i wish i had studied the human body but everyday is a new oppurtunity to learn and my journey really is educating me. One thing i have noticed since losing weight is that im lighter on my feet, i have more energy and i can focus a lot better, but we are all at risk of getting an injury.  IF your looking to start a fitness, weightloss or wellbeing journey, i really advise to check with a specialist or educate yourself if you have any injuries or worries. I learnt from my mistake but now i can look back and say that i learnt and im wiser for it. I love exercising and nothing is going to stop me from achieving my goals, but i will always listen to warning signs now and advice of others around me. The gym is full of experienced people and sometimes they give the best advice. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER...USE IT WELL.

So with all that for your information, get up and get started haha! 

Ciao for now,

Bella xxxxxxx

Gym Bras

BOOBIES!!!! We love em and we hate em ... a little bit like Marmite, but we dont have a choice *roles eyes* 

But we can choose how to make the most of them ... we are blessed as woman to have boobs and what better way to enhance their beauty with a perfectly fitting sports bra!

On my fitness journey i have had a nightmare trying to get the right support for my jubblies, but im hoping that all my struggles will help you girls out if your trying to find a good sports bra. 

Ever since i was young i'd make excuses not to exercise because my boobs grew way before everyone else, when your 11 and have big boobs its like being a goose in a peacock field. But as i grew up i learnt to love them. Having bigger boobs came with pros and cons, mainly having a bad back and not enough selection of bigger bras. Pros being 'everyone wants big boobs' and feeling like a 'female'. But its now 2017 and fashion experts and the general public are in need for a wider range of sizes for woman and different levels of support, and this is exactly what we are being given.  A few years ago the 'normal' was a size 8-10, but now the social norm is to be a bit more curvy and to embrace the womaly curves. It's so funny how these 'norms' change. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If i knew back then that my body shape was going to be a fashion statement, i probably would of been a more confident teen lol. However, being 'in fashion' isn't the important point here, its important to be comfortable and confident in your own body. Luckily now, there are a massive range of bigger and more supportive bras and sports gear for the curvier woman. 

With that said, im going to share with you my favourite and least liked sports bras for the gym...and let me tell your now, unfortunatley it comes at a price to be comfortable. 

my least fave:

Asda Sports Bras

Although a very good price, the support of these bras is just not going to

cut it for the bigger breast. I tried on a few and all of them came up either

too small in the cup or too big around the waist. The bras that state the 

actual bra size didnt seem to quite give me the full support i need. However,

they have a wide range of colours and styles and anyone with boobs smaller

than a D would adore these bras. 

George, Asda
Rating: *2/5
Average Price £8

H&M

To my dissapointment , H&M sports bras were not what i thought they would be. Most of my gym leggings are from H&M becuase i love the cut and the way they fit me. To my suprise the bras did not live up to my expectations. Again, the support was not there, even the high support bras 

did not make me feel supported because if the cup fitted, the waist did not. 

H&M
Rating:*2/5
Average price £19.99

ADIDAS and NIKE

As you can guess, you get what you pay for with both of these brands. When i began my fitness journey i purchased 2 adidas sports bras which stated they were high support. That's exactly what they were. For a year, i wore these bras because i felt secure and even when running or jumping, i didnt feel uncomfortable or scared that a boob would pop out (yes, its happened before haha).

Once i started to lose weight, i brought a Nike high support bra and that was exaclty the same. It took a while to get used to pulling them over my head as they needed to be tight but once on, they were a dream. 

Adidas and Nike
Rating: *4/5
Average Price £21.99



Marks and Spencer

So recently, i needed to purchase more sports bras because YES your boobs do shrink when you lose weight. I never thought that would upset me, but as i said its now in fashion to have big boobs and a big bum hehe. I noticed that Marks and Spencer had amazing reviews for their sports bras and took a trip down there to try them out. Once again.... you pay for what you get!!!! At £25 these bras are AMAZING! I tried on a few different styles, including over the head, zip front and bra style. The review i read was for the zip front bra, and to my suprise it was 100% correct. Easy to put on, amazing support and so comfy!

I had to test this bra out with a 'jump test' (i made that up) so i jumped around the changing rooms for about 30 seconds and i can honestly say my jubblies didnt move a bit! RESULT!

Marks and Spencer
Rating: *4.5/5
Average Price £25

Another shop to try is Decathlon! This place is full of workout gear and i have purchased a couple of bras and leggings from here too. However, the size range isnt too good, if your going for a perfect fit and below a D then game on, but if your cup size is bigger you can purchase S/M/L for a good fit. Decathlon is such a cool shop as well, its worth a visit just for a browse, try some horse riding hats on or even some snowboard boots? LOL.

Decathlon 
Rating: *3.5/5
Average Price £14.99

With that being said, spending more money on a sports bra really is worth it. But thats for high support and quality. This is the same for normal bras too, the more you spend the better the bra (in most cases). So many companies are now bringing out a sportswear collection and its worth trying it all to see what suits you best. I find that for bras though a better quality one will always support you better.

As for leggings and tops, almost anywhere has a collection you can try. My favourite leggings are from H&M and they fit me perfectly. However i will be trying some different ones soon from the online shops such a tikiboo (eek cant wait). Watch out for my LEGGINGS blog, where you will see me trying on and testing them out. We all know if you have a bigger booty, there's going to be the danger of a VPL or even worse a completely see through legging nightmare .... watch this space.

ciao for now 

Bella xxxxxx

Anxiety at the gym

Anxiety. Its all about mind control. 

OMG everyone is looking at me! 

What if i cant do the exercise?

What if my bum sweat is on the seat?

Why are they looking at me?

What if i injure myself and have to go to hospital and everyone sees?

IF you havent said something like this when you walk in the gym, then your a confident gym bunny... and if you have then maybe you have a little bit of social anxiety in the gym?

All i know is i had bad anxieites when i started going to the gym. When i say bad i mean, id drive to the gym then id drive straight home, or id go in the gym and then go and hide and cry, i even once pretended i felt sick and just got my stuff and left.

Ive never been small and always loved food BUT a few years of my life lets say from 21-27 i had some very unpleasant relationships, a hard time finding myself and ultimatley just struggling with life. I turned to food as a comfort (many of us do) and over time just piled on the pounds without even realising. So once i decided to change my life, i felt like i had no idea what i was doing. ANXIETY STRUCK!

My weight always held me back. Socially, at work and in relationships. The experience in relationships i had broke me down and i ended up losing all my self worth, confidence and purpose. My friends and family were always my biggest support, but when your that far down in your mind, nothing can bring you up because you dont know why you're there. I suffered from bad skin conditions, lost my job and became ill because of the stress and anxiety which ultimately made everything a lot worse. It was a vicious cycle. stress...illness...food...weight gain...stress...illness...food... weightgain etc etc. Being bigger held me back because i had no confidence in myself which is the worst place to be.

However, i really dont regret or get upset from the past because it really has made me a stronger person today. Whatever path your on, whoever is in your life right now and whatever happens next, it can always be changed because as humans, we are very lucky to be able to manipulate our lives and make it the way we want it to be.

What made me anxious in the first place your probably thinking?

A BOY LOL.....The funny thing is, i had one comment when i was 10 years old where a boy at school said i had 'double knees' and i have never worn shorts or a dress above my knees for that reason. However, ive never had any nasty comments even when i was at my biggest, in fact the complete opposite. Sometimes you dont see what others see in you and thats always been my issue. After losing 4 stone last year, i actually had a comment when i was out and someone called me fat which did for a moment kick my confidence because after losing all that weight and for only now someone to comment on my appearance, i was completely confused. I also plucked up the courage to wear a shorter dress that evening, but i didnt feel comfortable and to get a comment like that was awful for me. For me, that comment as a young girl obviously stuck in my mind and as i grew up, relationships with boys were not too pleasant for me. Toxic relationships that made me feel selfless and worth nothing were a normal thing for me. Jealous men who didnt want me to have fun or have any friends, they just kept coming along.  I then realised that the only way i would ever be happy was to start loving myself and using everyday to make myself a better person. After the last episode of controlling, and manipoulative behaviour i decided enough was enough for me, either i stay single or wait until someone comes into my life who will support me, grow with me and bring out the best in me.  Without my friends and family though i would never had built up the confidence i have right now. Support is so important. After a few years i am still single and thank god for that becuase im really starting to love myself, YAY.

I met someone a few years ago who introduced me to the law of attraction, it's the one belief I fall back to every time that keeps me positive. Please please read this if you havent yet. I will never forget what my friend said to me when he gave it to me, 'if you can see it and believe it, then you can achieve it'. From that day forward and after completing this book, i now know why everything happens in my life. If its rubbish, i know why, if its good, i know why, its all about controlling your thoughts. You can make the rest of your life the best of your life.

What made me change my life a year ago?

I remember i completed my makeup artistry course in London and looked at some pictures and realised i was so unhappy everytime i looked in the mirror. When i was sitting in front of the mirror doing practical work for my course, i found it hard to look at myself without cringing. Travelling to london everyday, sweating on the tube and feeling so uncomfortable just got the best of me. Id look at instagram and other social media and be inspired by fitness models such as Tamra Dae and really wanted to believe i could be like that. In December 2015 i met one of my closest friends now and he encouraged me to go to the gym. He said he could help me and i could be whatever i wanted to be. It was wierd because people had said it to me before, but the fact that he was completely ripped and obviously knew what he was doing at the gym , gave me some hope. I wanted to be something that people thought id never be, but mainly i wanted to prove to myself that this was it, and this oppurtunity was too good. Funny enough one of best mates Danielle said to me a couple of months in, 'this time you're going to do it, ive got a feeling' and she was right. She was there for me through all the bad times and this time she knew i was serious and something in my mind had changed. A year later she is still saying ' i knew you would do it' and supporting me constantly. Im lucky that i have friends who have supported me the whole way through (minus the couple that have jealousy issues etc) that was expected.

My guy friend Jack, helped my get through my anxieties in the gym but also helped me believe in myself. A few months later i met my friend rachel (Bella) who has also been my rock for the last 7 months. We believe in eachother, we push eachother and we have become family. 

The gym: XERCISE4LESS(Milton Keynes)

The gym itself is big and also has a womans only section. I started off in that area because there was a max of 5 people in there everytime i went. This helped me get used to walking into the gym and the machines. Walking into the gym was probably the hardest thing for me back then, because it was like another world. I had one training session with a PT and that helped me with understanding what my body could do and where i wanted to go with this journey. I still talk to him now and he is amazed at my changes and dedication. I know a lot of the staff there now and everyone is always welcoming. I think the gym has everything i need and it set out really well for everyone. Xercise4less is a community and I have made so many friends there, I go there even when I'm stressed and walk out smiling.Xercise4less also has a great support network on thier app, website and social media sites. Currently they are running a competition which is great for motivation and gives you another reason to be a better you. FINGERS crossed i win and get to go to my dream destination ....NYC.

My goals now
I still have a few stone to drop in body fat, however i want to keep my shape and have been weight training since day one which has been perfect for me because i now love my shape. I want to lose the excess fat and tone up. Id love to inspire and show woman that anyone can do it. My goal this year is to inspire, lose more weight, tone up, see some abs and hopefully become a fitness model. I am a normal woman, i dont want to be that woman who looks different in the magazines or wants to be a size 6. I want to keep my womanly curves and i want to show the world that anyone can do this. I feel so much happier in myself now and things can only get better from here.

Anxiety at the gym can be a barrier but if you keep going and take day by day, workout by workout, soon it will dissapear. Dont get me wrong i still feel wierd in the gym sometimes, but nowhere near as bad as i was. Having a gym buddy or a few people you can go to the gym with, makes it so much easier.  Grab the girls, join together, go to some classes or get a PT session together. The more you try the easier it will be to find your prefered style of training.

TIPS TO HELP WITH GYM ANXIETY

Go with a friend...or 2

Try a couple of classes

Book a PT session

Wear headphones and focus on yourself

Breathe deeply before entering the gym

Go at quieter times to begin with

Talk to people if you need help (People love to help)

Make new friends

Set your goals.....then smash them (FOCUS IS KEY)

REMEMBER..... everyone is in their for themselves :) 

Ciao for now,

Bella

xxxxxxxxxxx

Me and jack as reindeers LOL

Me and Bella xxxxx

Makeup at the Gym

 Its not a fashion show, but it is a place where you should feel good and let's face it,  your making changes to be a better you!!! Do what makes you happy and comfortable. 

Ok, so i have had so many messages and questions from my introuction blog and im so thankful for all the compliments and encouragement to keep going. So thats exactly what im going to do, this year i want to inspire and help people to achieve their goals. By blogging my experiences with my weightloss and confidence journey, i hope to show everyone that its easier than you think and possible for anyone.  Everyones story is different and noone can tell you that its going to be easy BUT i can tell you thats anything is possible if you can believe it then you can achieve it.

So this Blog is about wearing makeup at the gym. Why? Because ive had a few people asking me as a makeup artist, do i wear makeup at the gym? ... ERM the answer is YES haha. Not because im a makeup aritst, because technically that means i apply makeup to others, but because its what i like to do and it makes me feel more energised, confident and just more me. If i was to wear no makeup, my face would look like a bit of paper next to my body ( i love a bit of fake tan when i havent been on holiday).

I am human afterall,and i do what makes me happy. Dont get me wrong, that has taken me approximately 28 years of my life to do, but i now do what makes me happy, confident and comfortable.

So heres what makeup i wear to the gym:
Bare minerals Complexion rescue

Hydrating tinted moisturiser - doesnt clog your pores and evens out skin tone.

Bare minerals Bare pro foundation
Light weight and full coverage. 

 Max factor Waterpoof Mascara (noone wants to look like a panda)

 Anastaia Beverley Hills Bronzer and Dip brow pomade
 Natural and easy to use.

So not an awful lot of makeup there, but its enough just to give me a fresh and natural look whilst working out. Now, because i mainly do weights in my workouts i dont sweat an awful lot, this means i dont walk out looking like a drowned rat. However, when i do cardio, i do. But i still wear the same makeup everytime i go. I find that the mineral based complextion products stay on my skin and do not go patchy once i have been sweating.  A good waterproof mascara will not run down your face and your eyebrows, well be prepared for a few smudges here and there lol. 

As long as your cleansing, toning and mousturising after your workout then you should not experience any issues. When i first started training, i did have sweat rashes, now thats not from makeup but my body and skin adjusting to temperature changes and excess sweat. Exfoliating twice a week removes excess dead skin cells and lets my skin renew itself. A good skin routine is always advised. My skin care routine is very simple, i use Liz earle cleanse and polish, Tonic and superskin moustirusier. I exfoliate with the Liz earle exfoliator twice a week and use the clay mask twice a week also. 

Wearing makeup to the gym is a personal preference. I wear makeup to the gym because that's what i want to do, so with that being said girls my answer to your question 'can i wear makeup to the gym?' is YES of course your can. Choose products that are mineral based and dont wear too much just because you dont want to be covered in makeup at the end of your session. Keep is simple, natural and make sure your skincare routine is on point. BUT, if you choose not to wear makeup then again still keep on top of your skincare routine because the sweat will affect your skin regardless.

I think thats all for now, and my next blog will be up shortly on ANXIETY at the gym. Thats going to be a long one and i cant wait to share it with you.

Ciao for now,

Bella

xxxxxx

From the beginning...

So this is my first blog post about my journey through weightloss and fitness. A few friends have told me that i should do this and i thought 'oh why not lets give it a shot'. Although primarily im going to share with you my experience of weightloss and fitness, i will be posting blogs that have connections to other topics such as confidence building, anxiety, injuries etc

My weightloss journey begun many years ago, because i have always struggled with my body weight, self confidence and food related issues. But, just over a year ago i began view my weightloss issues and my fitness goals from a different perspective. An old friend once said to me 'you are unique, this is your life Vikki, set your goals and smash them'. So on 1st January 2016 i decided i had to do something for myself and the one thing i had always wanted was to be happy in my body, because let's face it, we only get one to live in. The same friend who told me that also introduced me to 'The secret' and the law of attraction about 2 years ago. I wont go into it now but it really has changed my way of thinking. http://www.thesecret.tv/ - check this website out if your intrigued.

My mindset before my journey began was 'i cant', 'but ive failed before','whats going to be different this time?', 'i like food too much' etc etc. But something this time did change, i had a new support system and i had been broken down too many times that i actually found comfort in doing something just for myself. Since joining the gym i have made a ton of friends who support me, show me new workouts, encourage and understand me. Sometimes, going out of your comfort zone and just listening is one of the best things you can do. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER..i really belive that. But its how you use that knowledge that is important. 

Now dont get me wrong, this is probably been one of the hardest years of my life so far. Overcoming anxiety in the gym, not binging on everything i can get my hands on, changing jobs twice, having relationship and personal issues arise and generally dealing with life has been so tough. But that switch in my mindset has literally saved me, and everytime i get a knock, i bounce back now like an olympic trampolinist.

So far on my journey i have lost 4 stone, dropped 2 dress sizes and gained a whole load of confidence. Now, you might be wondering why ive only dropped 2 dress sizes? Well the thing is, i began to actually really like my shape and i didnt want to lose it. So i focussed on weight training and building muscle in the areas that my fat was coming off. Weight training has made me stronger, more toned and kept my womaly curves. My goal this year is to lose a few more stone and build a beautiful body. 

If anything, the best feeling is seeing change. Its my motivation. Ive added some photos at the bottom to show you my transformation, taking pictures really helps to stay motivated also.

You also might be wondering why this blog is called 'Bellas Journey'...well its a funny story really. I joined the gym around August 2015, however i didnt start going until January 2016. I trained with my new friend for a few months until a met another new friend. This friend in particular, works in the starbucks i go to in the mornings. She has previously said to me that she thinks im beautiful and we started to talking more often. In the July of 2016 i was in the gym and bumped into the starbucks lady, and we decided that one day we would train together. Since then, me and her have become not just friends, but family. On one occasion, i was telling her i wanted to learn a different language and we started saying 'ciao bella' everytime we left each other. The result of that conversation has meant we call eachother Bella, sometimes i forget her real name. Even other gym goers call us Bella and even my parents call her Bella. So thats the reason ive called this blog 'Bellas journey', i am Bella, and guess what Bella means? Yep, you got it 'Beautiful'. We are all beautiful in our own ways and this journey has taken me down a pathway of self love and discovery. 

So thats an introduction to my story, and i will be blogging regulary with different parts of my journey and also some good links and tools you can use if your looking to choose a fitness journey this year. 

Ciao for now, 

Bella xxxxxx