Lifting ain't all about the weight

First thing people ask when you are discussing the gym is "So what can you lift?".  This can sometimes be a great question as many guys are amazed at the fact a woman can lift anything other than shopping bags from sales, but its not the be all and end all.  Being able to lift a substantial weight is great but only when you have your form on point.  This is why I am very grateful for my personal trainer.  As much as watching YouTube videos, reading "how to guides" and doing thirty day challenges give your body a boost and test your mind they are not there to support you through each step.  There are so many people that jump right into exercises and workouts that they have never done before without any research.

I am not suggesting that everyone gets a personal trainer but reading up on how workouts should be performed is a minimum.  I would strongly suggest that you pair up with a fellow fitness lover, newbie or not, brain up on how to do things safely and spot each other.  Don't be afraid to as a member of staff at the gym if you are doing it correctly.  After all they know best.  One website I have found that gives an in depth guidance and useful steps is "The Art of Manliness" (www.artofmanliness.com).  This website also helps you to be more manly!  

Without good form and strong technique the only difference lifting heavier weights makes is the amount of damage you can do to your body.  Some workouts might be harder once you have looked up the right way to do them but this is simply because you are now using the right areas of your body to carry it out.  It doesn't matter if you can't lift as high as you might wish.  You will get there with hard work and dedication.  Getting fitter and building strength takes time and is something that cant be rushed.

So grab a guide/buddy/PT and get that form right!

Things I love Thursday #2 No Hangovers!

In January I decided to stop drinking.  For a few reasons but one of them is my health. Throughout the year I have had a few drinks here and there but as of October it is a 0% alcohol life and I don't think its going to be hard!  I currently work full time and volunteer on a Saturday.  I would go out on a Saturday night, have a laugh, drink the stress of the week away and then wake up on Sunday feeling sick and tired.  Now I do all of that but without the hangover!  I still have a drink but a 0% alcohol one!  Being allergic to aspartame I also have to be careful with the soft drinks I have and try and keep things natural.

My favorite at the moment is ginger beer and fresh lime.  Now I know people try to avoid fizzy drinks as they are quite bad for you but the average glass of ginger beer has roughly 5cals in it compared to 85cals in one 125ml glass of wine or 215cals in a pint beer.  Adding fresh lime instead of lime cordial also helps keep it more natural and healthier.  

I know stopping drinking isn't for everyone but cutting back the units can cut back the calories.  Having a glass of water inbetween drinks can help keep you hydrated and stop you downing one after the other.  The main reason for a hangover is actually how unhydrated you are.  Also saves your pocket as water tends to be cheap or here in Scotland, free!

Having a hangover can be the worst feeling in the world.  You want to eat but everything makes you feel sick.  You want to have a shower but turning over makes you want to throw up.  Pretty much everything either gives you a headache or makes you wants to spew.  This is probably the best thing about not drinking.  I can get up and go to the gym the next day.  Yes I might be tired because even without drink I stay out til sunrise but with a few hours sleep and a nice shower I'm ready for the day.  Think about the amount of time/days you have lost to alcohol.  Try it for one night/weekend and see how it goes!

Christmas is a big time for having a drink but not to worry!  Its actually best to try and resist when temptation is at its strongest because even if you have one or two its not the same as you would normally have! I have got myself some Belvoir non alcoholic mulled winter punch and will be trying out the recipe below!

Have a great Christmas tomorrow and I hope Santa brings you everything you asked for!

Spiced apple cider

Ingredients

• 2 liters of good quality non alcoholic apple cider

• 6 cloves

• 2-1/4 inch thick slices of peeled fresh ginger

• Peel of 1/2 orange

• 2 cinnamon sticks

Directions

1. Put all the ingredients in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. 
3. Strain and serve immediately, garnished with cinnamon sticks.

Everyone makes mistakes...

So today I did something that will shock most of you and quite possible make most of your stomachs turn.  I ate chips and cheese... Yes, yes, I know its bad for me and I can feel the fat pouring back on but I am admitting it.  Admittance is the first step and probably the biggest hurdle.  That I currently couldn't jump because I now weigh a ton! As much as this is a bad thing there is meaning behind this post.  I am not trying to just share my guilt with the world.


Everyone makes mistakes, whether it be in life, love, health or money.  When you do make a mistake though, the thing that actually makes it wrong is when you see this one little mistake as the end of all your work.  I have been trying to eat well and keep fit for nearly half a year now.  These chips and cheese are not the end of all the hard work I have put in over that time.  First step is admitting that you have done wrong, however the second and most important step is realising it is not the end.  You have to look at your mistake and see where you went wrong.  In my case it was my lack of preparation.  I came to work without lunch and my colleague bought chips and macaroni cheese.  The smell was so enticing and before I knew it BAM! there I was eating this cheesy pile of fat.  If I had planned the night before and brought in my gigantic salad like I normally do this wouldn't have happened.  Another thing that I should have resisted was "peer pressure".  No I am not blaming my colleagues for my bad decision making however I was strongly encouraged to join them in the fat eating as it is close to Christmas.  I am normally very much a "do what I want" type of girl.  This normally involves turning down alcohol or buying dresses I really shouldn't but today I gave in.


Looking back I know that I will regret this later on with probably some stomach pains and feeling bloated.  I am not happy with myself however I am not down hearted.  I am ready to get back up on my feet and go! Literally because I need to burn this off.  I have been logging everything that I eat on myfitnesspal and typing in chips and cheese will be very hard as I know I have let myself down.  I can look back at my diary and see what things I should be eating and get this problem fixed!  Feel free to add me on myfitnesspal and track my journey!  My name is ameliagourlay. 


Thanks for reading guys and see you one Thursday for "Things I love Thursdays"!

Protein Pow(d)er

Merry Christmas to Me!

So today I started my protein powder  porridge tryout.  I have been eating maxi nutrition sustain and rebuild bars after workouts for just over a month. I feel that they really help not only to up my protein but to help my muscles recover and fuel me after a good workout.  My PT suggested adding protein to my porridge in the morning.  I went online and bought a bulk of stuff.  It amazingly only cost me £40.  I got maxi nutrition promax extreme sustain and rebuild in chocolate.  Not going to lie it tasted like eating thick mushy cocopops.  I couldn't eat it all but I am going to look at new recipes to make it the best breakfast ever!

I added everything at once.  One scoop powder, one cup oats, one cup milk and one cup water.  I am going to change this to making up my porridge with more water and then adding in the powder after I have cooked it!  I should have looked up recipes before I did it but was overly exited and didn't want to wait!  I am not a massive fan of sweet breakfast foods but this is whey better than I thought it would be.

Next try out...  Protein hot chocolate!  Wish me luck!

Things I love Thursday #1 Coffee

Coffee has and always will hold a special place in my heart.  Sadly the Toffee Nut Latte of Starbucks also holds a place in keeping me plump for winter.  It was something that I use to always crave and am not going to lie, dream about every now and then. 

Starbucks however is not the meaning of life. Yes I said it.  I know that some people may find this hard to believe and being a gold member myself (for the next two years) its quite hard to admit.  Thing is though, I do love a Venti Toffee Nut Latte with Christmas Blend and whipped cream but is it worth 400cals?  To burn that off you would have to play doubles tennis for an hour and standing at the side running away from the ball doesn't count.

When I decided that I wanted to improve my healthy lifestyle these fancy lattees were one of the first things I kicked.  Now I stick to Americanos with a little bit or no milk.  I can still go out and enjoy a coffee with my friends but I don't feel like a chubby cherub afterword.  The other week me and my best friend hit the gym instead of grabbing a fatty coffee!  Never in million years would I have believed we would be gym fairies but there is always time for change.

Todays "Things I love Thursday" is coffee and it shows being fit doesn't always mean loosing the things you love!  Hope you enjoyed my Christmas themed things and I'll see

you next Thursday!   

Four Months In!

Well its been four months since I started my fitness journey.  I have spent time in the past doing these 30 day challenges but this is the real stuff, the big one.. I started lifting.  Yes ladies and gentlemen I know this may come as a shock to you.  I was once the girl that use to roll from one side of the playground to the other and couldn't lift a kettle to make a pot of tea but things change. 



I decided that I was no longer going to be the "unfit fit" friend and put my curves into all the right places.  I have been working hard and couldn't have gotten to where I am without my amazing PT.  The sad thing is I still cant do a push up to save myself but one day I will get there.



All of this, getting fit, eating right, being generally healthy has taught me a lot about myself.  It has made me more confident about me.  Not just my looks but who I am as a person.  It has lifted me up and I am sure this happens for everyone who works out.  It has also helped me to realise how important my body is.  I have even stopped drinking! 



After four months of training I have had my body stats taken again and I am so proud of myself!  I have lost 4% body fat and 2 inches off my hips and waist!  I will post my before and after stats on here. 



I can't wait to continue my amazing journey and watch myself become me!  4% less for summer here we go!