Don’t Compare Yourself

Are you always flicking through magazines looking at the fitness models/celebs who are promoting clothing/supplements etc and wishing you looked like them?

Are you always looking at other people and having envy of their bodies?

OK – Im sure we have all done it at one time but what I wonder is WHY??

Why would you want to look like someone else?
Why would you want their body?

WHY WHY WHY????

They are NO better than you

How about instead you try and be the BEST version of YOU that you can be
How about you focus on YOUR Body and do everything you can to make it be the best for YOU

Change how you think and how your thoughts control what you think and it’ll be easy

Instead of wishing you looked like someone else….just try and be better, healthier version of YOU….because I can guarantee that’s better than trying to look like someone else.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with looking at other people for inspiration…..but use that inspiration to fuel YOU to think about YOU and not others.

Believe it or not YOU are amazing and YOU are capable of being better……a BETTER YOU that is…not better than anyone else.

Jenx

Heart Health

So February is often seen as the LOVE month…..where everyone suddenly decides they need a date….but actually there is more important matters of the Heart – YES PUN totally intended

February is Heart Month for another reason – so I am here to talk about HEART HEALTH

You can go on to the British Heart Foundations Website and get publications, leaflets and much more….but I wanted to write this little article about Heart Health

How a healthy heart works

Your heart is a muscle about the size of a fist. It is in the middle of your chest tilted slightly to the left.

Each day, your heart beats about 100,000 times. It pumps about 23,000 litres (5,000 gallons) of blood around your body.

This blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your body, and carries away unwanted carbon dioxide and waste products. Your heart is a vital part of your cardiovascular system.

How can you help keep your Heart Healthy?

Exercise
Helps keep the heart strong
Reduces risk of heart disease
Reduces Cholesterol
Reduces Blood Pressure
Increases Energy
Reduces Stress
It doesn’t have to be a big challenge you set yourself…small steps of you are starting out:
Small Changes
As little as 10mins a day counts
Be realistic with your goals
Make it part of your day (take the stairs, walk on lunch)
Variety – mix it up
Reward progress with a massage
Join a group and get support

2. Healthy Eating
Regular Meals
Veggies in your diet
Reduce Salt Intake
Eliminate “Bad” Fats
Eat Fish
Stay Hydrated
Eat “Good” Fats
Don’t go crazy, and don’t avoid food….just change your lifestyle and eat healthy:
Keep a food diary
Plan and Prepare Meals
Resist Temptation

3. Eliminate/Reduce Stress
Stress isn’t a direct factor but it is a contributor. The more you stress, the more stress you put on your heart and it’ll also have an effect on your diet and exercise….so really it all needs to work hand in hand
Make positive Lifestyle Changes
Relax
Exercise
Positive, Healthy changes to Diet
Seek support if needed
Take time out

All the above points work hand in hand and they all support each other.
Start small and prioritise and work through a way to lead the happiest and healthiest lifestyle you can

You Deserve it

Your HEART Deserves it

Give it the love it needs….not just for February….for LIFE!!!

Jen x

Beat the Winter Blue
Top 10 Tips to get you through Winter

1. Keep active

Research has shown that a daily walk, in the middle of the day, could be as helpful as light treatment for coping with the winter blues. Plus u’ll be getting fit at the same time…bonus!! Whether it means joining a gym, a class or going for a walk (make sure you wrap up warm)

If you’re exercising after dark, keep to well-lit areas and wear bright and reflective clothing. Ideally, exercise with a friend, but always tell someone where you’re going.
Avoid listening to music while running outdoors. Not hearing what’s going on around you can make you vulnerable.

If rain or ice is making exercise dangerous, do it another day. The weather might be better tomorrow, but an injury could take weeks to heal.
2. Get outside
Go outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible, especially at midday and on bright days. Inside your home, choose pale colours that reflect light from outside, and sit near windows whenever you can.

3. Keep warm

Being cold makes you more depressed. It’s also been shown that staying warm can reduce the winter blues by half. Keep warm with hot drinks and hot food. Wear warm clothes and shoes and aim to keep your home between 18oC and 21oC (or 64oF and 70oF degrees). For further information on what you can do, including applying for grants to keep your home warm, visit www.nhs.uk

Severe symptoms

If your symptoms are so bad that you can’t live a normal life, see your GP for medical help.

4. Eat healthily

A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and stop you putting on weight over winter. Balance your craving for carbohydrates, such as pasta and potatoes, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. “Some people tell us that taking extra vitamin D helps,” Good food sources of vitamin
D include oily fish and eggs. Take in plenty of dark leafy green veggies and immune boosting foods. A perfect time of your to make those homemade soups 5. Lighten up
Light therapy can be effective in up to 85% of diagnosed cases. One way to get light therapy at home in winter is to sit in front of a light box for up to two hours a day.

6. Take up a new hobby

Keeping your mind active with a new interest seems to ward off symptoms of SAD, “It could be anything, such as playing bridge, singing, knitting, joining a gym, keeping a journal or writing a blog. The important thing is that you have something to look forward to and concentrate on,” she adds.

7. See your friends and family

It’s been shown that socialising is good for your mental health and helps ward off the winter blues. Make an effort to keep in touch with people you care about and accept any invitations you get to social events, even if you only go for a little while. It will really help to lift your spirits.

8. Vitamins

Take Vitamin C, Echinacea, Zinc to help with Cold and Flu Symptoms, it is also worthwhile taking these all year round too…so your body is topped up.

9. Sleep

During the Winter you may find you want to/do sleep more….but don’t worry its your body’s way of catching up on any Sleep Debt it may have (although saying that don’t be late for work!) Get to bed before 10:30pm….an you can lose weight too 😉

10. Look after YOURself and YOUR Loved ones

Stock up on wholesome foods, vitamins and make sure you look after all your family. Check up on elderly relatives and neighbours who may not be able to get round in the Winter months.