INSANITY!

Hello all!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I've been so busy as I've started the Insanity beach body Workout by Shaun T.
If you don't know what Insanity is then you really should watch this trailer:

I'm now onto my third week. Yesterday I took my second fit test and was happily surprised by the results. With the ten DVDs you get a nutrition plan to help you build muscle, now apart from it being meat focused (I could easily veganise it as it lets you substitute items for tofu/soy milk etc) I don't really want to transform into muscle machine. I just want to lose weight/tone up and gain a bit of muscle. Therefore I'm sticking with Slimming World.
I must point out though that in no way have I followed SW religiously. I've been a bit relaxed if I'm honest as I've still enjoyed cocktails and cake.
Here are my fit test one and two results.

Switch Kicks - Fit test 1 - 122. Fit test 2 - 124. 2 better.
Power Jacks - Fit test 1 - 56. Fit test 2 - 55. 1 worse (lol).
Power Knees - Fit test 1 - 70. Fit test 2 - 87. 17 better.
Power Jumps - Fit test 1 - 27. Fit test 2 - 34. 7 better.
Globe Jumps - Fit test 1 - 10. Fit test 2 - 10. Stayed the same.
Suicide Jumps - Fit test 1 - 13. Fit test 2 - 13. Stayed the same.
Push-up Jacks - Fit test 1 - 10. Fit test 2 - 17. 7 better.
Low Plank Oblique - Fit test 1 - 25. Fit test 2 - 42. 17 better.

Total improvement = 49.

Inch loss
Arms L/R: 0.5/1
Chest: 1
Waist: 1
Stomach: 1
Hips + Bum: stayed the same.
Top of thigh L/R: 1/1.5
2 inches above knee L/R: same/1
Calf L/R: 0.5/0.5

Total inch loss: 9 inches.

I'm really happy by this. When I first bought the DVDs I thought I would tone up a bit and improve my fitness a little but knew I'd never look like the people in the video unless I do it about 10 times as I started pretty unfit. However I can really see in myself how much my fitness has come on. My form has got a lot better, I'm a lot more flexible and I feel a lot better. I still sweat like a beast and get out of breath and generally feel like dying but its all in a good way and I feel SO much better once I've done my work out for the day. It really does put you in a good mood!

Apart from the dramatic results in a short period of time (this is a 60 day programme) the thing that sets these workout DVDs apart from others is without a doubt Shaun T. He is the most canny man ever. He really helps to motivate you, hes not annoying AT all and he's human. Usually the workout DVDs I've tried have been either celebrities or dancers who look perfect, don't break a sweat and get every move right. You won't find that with insanity. Workout along side Shaun are regular people who have completed their first round of insanity. The are always sweaty, always out of breath and often take breaks outside the "rest period". This to me is great as it makes you feel better if you can't do the whole thing without stopping.....as neither can the people on the screen. Even Shaun T is covered in sweat and often takes his top off (not a bad thing at all). 

I can't recommend this workout enough. Seriously, if you want to get fit, tone up, lose weight and have fun while working hard DO INSANITY!

I've got to point out though that it's not for the faint hearted. You need to be committed. It's every day Monday-Saturday (Sunday is your day off) for 9 weeks. Thursday is a bit easier as you just do about 25 minutes of stretches and yoga to let your body recover, but the rest of the time its INTENSE. The name "Insanity" really suits this workout as you sort of have to be a little crazy to be able to do this. You need to "dig deeper" (Shaun tells us this a lot) but if you want it badly enough then you can do it.

During the warning at the beginning of the DVDs it tells you to consult your doctor, which I think you should if you're new to regular exercise. I didn't bother as I've changed GPs a lot with uni etc and I know my body better than them. Also I've been doing boot camp regularly for about 8 months now. 

The warning also recommends this DVD isn't for you if you have knee and/or back troubles. I had a back operation when I was 17 due to a slipped disk. Now I'm not going to say this is for everyone, and maybe I'm jinxing myself by saying this but I've been fine. Obviously your muscles get tired and sore but I've not had any major problems. Then again I have been building up my fitness levels for a while before doing this DVD. I think as long as you're not the most unfit person ever you should be able to do this, but it will be HARD. 

Apparently you can burn up to 1,000 calories in the workout which isn't really surprising as you literally "work out in a pool of your own sweat".

Anyways, I will stop boring you with my insanity review now and leave you with the only "fitness" related necklace I have.

Haha. x

beauty post!

I'm currently experimenting with my foundation after getting some samples from the MAC counter on Wednesday so decided to do a little "What I'm using" questionnaire.
Don't worry I'll blog some necklaces tomorrow!

What I'm Using:

Shampoo: BIG shampoo by Lush.

Conditioner: Veganese by Lush.

Styling products: I very rarely use any products!

Shower Gel: I generally change every couple of days, at the moment I'm switching between Rub Rub Rub, Grass and The Olive Branch - all by Lush (can you see my love of Lush!)

Body moisturiser: I'm really bad when it comes to moisturising my body, 9 times out of 10 I cannot be bothered! I do have "The firminator" by Soap & Glory and "Charity Pot" by Lush on the go though.

Deodorant: J/A/S/O/N.

Fake Tan: I don't use fake tan - if I can't be bothered to moisturise I can't be bothered using something which I think is pointless (no offence). I do have a bottle of "Charlotte Island" from Lush which I got free, so if I ever decide to go darker I'll use that I guess.

Cleanser: I use a Simple "Kind to skin" face wipe every day to take my make up off and then wash my face with water. That's about it. I have a little bottle of "Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel" by Simple sitting on my skin but I very rarely use it. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to my 'skin care routine', I have used loads before in the past, many from Lush but I always get bored after a while. Also if I'm honest I don't really see any difference when I do follow a routine. I have really good skin (with the exception of dryness). My version of spots are (usually) my friends versions of a good skin day. I've always been this way and if anything overly washing my face makes my skin worse. Just take your make up off every night and splash your face with water!

Exfoliator: See above. BUT I do sometimes use "Scrub Your Nose in it" by Soap and Glory before going in the shower. I'll put it on like a face mask and wash it off in the shower. When my skin is extra dry I will use an exfoliator once or twice a week, but at the moment I'm ok.

Primer: At the moment I'm using a mini trail size tube of "Prep + Prime Skin" by MAC that I got free.

Foundation: At the moment I'm switching between free trials of "Select SPF 15" and "Studio Sculpt SPF 15" both by MAC in NW15 and NC15.

Foundation brush: B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful foundation brush. Best brush ever ever ever. :(

Concealer: I'm using the Light Pink Colour supplement by Lush.

Powder: Don't really use it.

Blusher: Mighty Aphrodite by MAC (from the Wonder Woman collection). But I only actually own 3 blushers haha.



Bronzer: Never used it.

Highlighter: High Lights by Technic.

Eyeshadow base: Urban Decay.

Eyeshadow: Right now I'm LOVING my Ammo eyeshadow pallet by Urban Decay. I really have too many eyeshadows though.

Eyeliner: I have too many eyeliners too haha. At the moment I'm switching between my Beauty Without Cruelty liquid liner and my MAC liquid liner pen from the Wonder Woman collection. If you mean pencil I always use Barry M's Intensive Eyeliner Pen in black.

Curler: Don't have one.

Mascara: Just using up a mini tube of Clinique high impact mascara.

Lipstick: It depends on what I'm wearing but probably a lipstick from Topshop, MAC or Barry M.

Lip gloss: When I was about 13 I used to LOVE lip gloss but I hate it now and never really use it.

Nail Colour: I have Barry M "Peach Melba" on right now, but it'll change as I have pretty much all of the Barry M nail paints.

Tatty Devine sale!

Last weekend Tatty Devine had a bank holiday madness sale. There were several things I wanted to buy, but not having much money I only bought two. A necklace (obvz) and a large lucky dip.
My items came today in the post.

This owl is a hand made ceramic necklace which was supposed to cost £72 but I got it for £20! There was only 8 to buy on the sale day so I'm guessing it's pretty rare and they're all slightly different due to being hand made. As its ceramic I'm only going to wear it on special occasions as its heavy and I think it will break easy (hence being wrapped in bubble wrap). I love it though :)

My lucky dip contains a musical necklace, a couple of brooches, some gun earrings and a cat ring (which is too small for my fingers!) If I'm honest I don't know if I'd have bought any of these items individually, but I do like the necklace and LOVE the ice cream cone brooch, it'll be such a good summer wear!

Did anyone else get anything from the Tatty sale?

Green festival necklace haul.

Today I went to the Green Festival in Newcastle. It's the first time for a couple of years that I've been able to go as I've been in London for the past three summers (and it wasn't on one year).

At the moment, I'm drinking apple vodka and listening to jlo while telling my friend Hayley (who's ALWAYS late) to hurry up with her makeup. I bet I'll post this blog post before she's ready.....

Speaking of Hayley, she's staying at my house for 2 weeks at the moment and as a thank you she bought us all a little treat. She kindly bought me this necklace (which I'm wearing tonight).

It was £6 at the "Dolls & Molls" store.

(Now we're listening to "pitbull & neyo" :s)

I bought myself this necklace.....I had to really!

(The bottom picture is the back of the owl)
It cost me £8, but was hand made by the lovely girl who sells them at www.dollbox.co.uk there was different colours/fabrics.

Enjoy!

Scarlett Hearts launch.

Tonight my friend Jenny and I went to Florita's for the Scarlett Hearts jewellery launch.

We got there early so enjoyed a cocktail, it was happy hour at Florita's so their drinks cost anything from free, half price, £1 or full price depending on where the button lands. Jenny was very kind and paid for both our drinks...the costly sum of £2 haha.
While sipping on our cocktails we looked through our goodie bag which contained sweeties, a bottle of vitamin water (which my dad stole once I got home) and A FREE NECKLACE! YEY!

How cute! I love it!

There was so much amazing jewellery for sale, not just necklaces and they're all very cheap! If you'd like to see what else is for sale or buy your own items then visit the website http://www.scarletthearts.bigcartel.com/

This is what I bought all packed up, including my free goodie bag necklace.

Obviously I got a little owl necklace. There was four different versions of the owl necklace, I was very tempted to buy all four (£3.50 each!!) but I was good and only bought one. Hopefully in the future I'll complete the collection. Hehe.
I also bought a Koala bear for £3.50, the woman who sold me it said it was a bear, but it looks more like a Koala so that's what I'll call it. and I bought a little pumpkin carriage for £2.50!

Here's a better picture.

Overall I'm really impressed with my necklace 'haul' and I could have easily bought more ..... if I had the money..... but I'm VERY impressed that all four necklaces cost me £9.50!

I will definitely be buying from Scarlett Hearts again and recommend you do too :)