New Year's Resolutions - Part 2 of 3: Adopting a Fitness Routine

Maintaining and even developing a fitness routine that we can stick to is often quite tricky. There isn't a one-size-fits-all when it comes to exercise. It needs to be fun to be maintained and enjoyed - 'enjoyed' being the key word here, what one person loves another may loathe. Otherwise it becomes as fun as poking your own eyes out with a fork.

Just because your friend loves hitting the gym every evening doesn't mean you should and because you don't you're 'lazy' or 'not getting into the spirit of things'. Not everyone likes to work out in a room full of mirrors stretching as far as the eye can see under the most unflattering lighting in the world. Each to their own as they say.

I've created a list below that isn't exactly revolutionary, but I break down each approach by showing you the plus sides to exercising in this way. So you'll be able to see which methods agree with your attitude and ticks your boxes, e.g. you may work in a very busy environment and like to exercise in private, treating your exercise time as 'you' time away from the madding crowds. So finding a jogging route that's off the beaten track may be more your style. Take a look at the ideas below and see what takes your fancy. It may also get you thinking about other forms of exercise which aren't here but still attract you...

Lose Yourself & Your Troubles: Jogging

For some people I know they love nothing more than to switch off, favourite music in their ears and pummel the tarmac for a good hour or so. It's not just their way of keeping fit and nimble, it's their way of dealing with the world - getting away from it all and coming back refreshed and rejuvenated. For them it's just like a form of meditation and it has been proven that exercise benefits the brain as well as the body!

The great thing about jogging is you really don't have to think that much. No need for inductions, rules or how-to's other than it's probably a good idea to warm up and cool down in between. So it frees your mind to wander, play and digest the day's events, problems and create solutions even if you're not actually thinking about anything in particular. Like sleeping on some things, sometimes your brain works best when it's left to meander and solves problems even while you're not thinking about them!

If you like this approach, then the more private your jogging route the better too. I was lucky when I used to jog I lived in a very remote village with backroads and lanes that wound on for miles often without the disturbance of a car or person in sight! This won't be easy for everyone but let's face it, if you know your town or local area well I'm sure you know some walks, roads or footpaths that are often quiet and out of the way. Just make sure they're safe and if you take this approach in a town or city don't leave the exercise until too late.

Variety is the Spice of Life: The Gym

You may want more range and diversity in your exercise routine in terms of pushing and strengthening different areas of your body. Access to all of the different equipment that strengthen, tone and sculpt your body will all be found in the gym. You'll also get access to professional help as well as all members get full inductions on where everything is, what's available and how to use the equipment onsite. In addition if you fancy the help of a personal trainer to drive you and maintain your routine then this would be a perfect form of exercise for you.

Not only that but you get what you pay for: You can really go to town with the facilities and treat yourself to different varieties of exercise. Some gyms also have pools nearby if you fancy a swim instead. And most if not all have sauners and steam rooms for winding down and detoxing afterwards. So if you like to do it properly and make a full-on ritual of it, the gyms really do tick all of the boxes.

This is however a committed form of exercise. Well, all forms should be but you do pay good money for your membership and the better the range of equipment and facilities the more hefty the fee. Make sure you're positive about joining a gym, ask around and see which ones are the favourites in your area. You don't want to join only to flake out on going after a couple of months and waste all of that cash. For those of you on lower budgets or a bit worried about fitting it in often enough, there are 'Pay As You Go' gyms popping up all over the place now, so do some research and see if one is in your local area...

Sweat it out in front of Your TV: Fitness at Home

I'm now giving DVDs a try since my usual excuse to exercise is "it's too cold outside" Fitness DVDs are great during the winter months because you don't have to trudge to a gym and you have the comfort of knowing that you can stay in indoors and get fit all without leaving the house! There's a great variety of DVDs available now, usually something to suit everyone's tastes no matter what you're in to:

Dance Music

The Ministry of Sound have recently released a fitness DVD "Pump It Up! The Ultimate Dance Workout". It's only £6.98 from Amazon, (that's less than a meal out!) and is crammed full of great dance routines.

Perfect if you like your dance music, but if you're not fussed about the tunes you still get to exercise to something a little different while someone instructs you. The exercises all vary in difficulty and length so you can choose which ones suit your mood and how much you want to be challenged.

Dance Moves & More

"Yoga Booty Ballet" is not just a funny name (in fact the name made me cringe at first), it's actually a really motivating fitness DVD with a twist. It's possibly a little cheesy for some tastes, but this video is great because not only does it guide you through dance routines to keep you fit, but it also teaches you how to pose in various yoga moves, works on your poise and offers meditation techniques.

If that's not enough, not only are there your standard dance routines included, but you can also practice ballet dance moves too - hence the title ; ) This DVD does require you to buy some weights before you get started as some of the exercises will use these.

Get Fit with Friends

Or you could opt for the Wii Fit - this is a bit of a serious investment, but unlike the gym it will only be a one-off payment! Of course if you already have the Wii console then all you need is the game and the Wii Fit Board - however it's a lot of serious investment if you don't have the console, in this case costing you around £200!

But the great advantages you get with the Wii Fit is that you can get fit with friends and family adding to the fun and could help you commit to a routine if you feel you need the additional motivation of extra company! You can practise and perfect yoga moves, aerobics, build your strength and balance.

Who Said it had to Feel Like a Chore?: Dance Classes

More and more people are turning to dance as their ultimate choice of exercise, because dance doesn't feel like exercise but still burns the calories. It's fun, it's sociable, it's challenging and can be very sexy - all of the things that a lady loves, n'est pas?! The options below are only a scratch on the surface of the variety of dance classes on offer but a great cross-section for all tastes...

Street Dance

Street dance is no longer restricted to the street, those hip-hop funky moves can be learnt by all now in the comfort of a studio. This is the modern dance class for those who like to shake it up a little! It really challenges you physically and allows for you to improve your overall posture and confidence when it comes to dancing socially on a night out!

Salsa

Salsa is brilliant for socialising and meeting new people. It's all about partnering up, swapping partners throughout the class session and learning together. It maybe not for the shy, but you do learn some very classy sashaying and for a lady whose maybe on the lookout for a date this is hot; for a guy - tell a lady you know how to salsa and she'll be putty in your hands!

Dance Aerobics

Dance aerobics is a workout for those who don't like to mess around and is not for the faint-hearted (no pun intended!) You'll really get your heart rate going but with the added bonus of doing all the exercises in time to music - warning: your instructor will drive you if they can see you flagging! These sessions are possibly best for those of you who like to really hit the ground running and perhaps maintain other forms of exercise during the week.

Tone Your Mind as well as Your Body: Yoga

Not only is yoga great for your strength and keeping you lean, it's fantastic for the soul! I know women who've done it for 20 years and more and they wouldn't stop doing it for the world. Someone once told me that she saw a sixty year old woman bend and flex so well and as a result it inspired her to be the same at that age!

Who says you have to be walking around with a zimmer frame and a dodgy hip by seventy?! If you start yoga now and maintain it for life, your body will thank you and reward you for it. Many people also do it for the sheer clear-out of negative energy that clogs their minds up (which in turn affects the body in multiple ways) and to keep a calm, positive outlook in the class and outside...!

If you're at all worried about the contortion and being able to push your body to those sorts of limits, you shouldn't be. Do ask around and get advice on teachers in your local area - see if you can get recommendations and why those people would recommend! A great yoga teacher will not push or punish but customise and assist, so that over time you get the knack and eventually achieve results.

Everyone learns and develops at different rates and the best teachers know this. Don't be afraid to muck in and have a go but learn that while your neighbour may be far more able than you, you will get it in time. If you can find classes that are divided into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced then even better.

The Urge for Snoods, Satchels & DMs...

Items in this set:
Petite Breton Stripe Crop Tee
Julia Denim Mini
Doc Martens Strap Boot Black
Leather Square Satchel Bag
Cobweb Knitted Snood

I've been playing around with outfit ideas that incorporate some of my threads and my three favourite fashion items at the moment:

Snoods - yes, they're "in trend" at the moment so it's not very original and they're everywhere so getting your hands on one is very easy - too easy. But they're so inviting! I'm in love with the soft knitted ones - ultra pretty against English fair skins like my own!

Satchel = wants badly! I miss having a bag that I can sling over my shoulder and chest without fear of it falling off if I lean over/down/run around a corner etc. Something a handbag just can't offer... Plus I just love the whole leather satchel Parisian geek-chic thing. All you need to complete the look is a warm croissant and a big ol' bicycle with a basket... Oooh, I feel a trip to Paris coming on : D

And finally Doc Martens. Yes, I'm going to come out of the closet and say I've NEVER been taken by them, ever. I never got into them when they were all the rage at school (oooh, way back in 1995) and I hadn't taken to them since either. UNTIL RECENTLY!

I don't know what happened, it's like a Doc Marten bug bit me and I've got the virus. Or maybe I've been contemplating them since I saw this awesome lay-dee in the Sartorialist. I love the contrast of the dress with the boots and that trench, it takes a lotta guts to pull this off - she gets my salute!

What's your favourite items of lust-worthiness at the moment?

Under Construction!

Hello Everyone!

This is just a *big* thank you to all of you who've left your love for my new header - yes, this is just a mere morsel-y taste of things to come!... It is slightly too far right for my liking and I'm trying to centre it at the moment.

Over time more new features will be added and the site will get a proper design overhaul so if you do see anything a bit squiffy going on, it's all constructional and will be fixed in due course!

Happy blogging : D

Amanda x

Product Review - Weleda Iris Cream

This has been my moisturiser of choice for the past month as I wanted to try a natural, light moisturiser ideal for combination skins that doesn't strain the purse strings! This Weleda cream has been formulated to moisturise but balance the oil production in your skin - i.e. help your skin produce more in drier areas and less in oilier areas all with the help of iris that like lavender helps to regulate the skin's moisture naturally.

I've really enjoyed using a moisturiser that I know won't be plugging my skin with anything other than what it needs and it's nice to go back to nature and rely on something like iris to help combat problematic combination skin. Beneath is Weleda's product description so let's see if it lives up to their hype:

A refreshingly light moisturiser that is quickly absorbed... Suitable for vegetarians. Organic Jojoba Oil, biodynamic Iris Root extract and other pure plant extracts help support the skin's natural functions, leaving it feeling healthy, refreshed and smooth. Natural essential oils provide a light, fine fragrance. Tip: Iris Moisture Cream is also recommended as a base for make-up.

Refreshingly light?

Definitely, despite appearances with it looking more like a heavy cream and maybe feeling so to the touch, it goes on like a very light gel, you need only enough for your skin to suitably absorb and no more! A one pence piece-sized amount or less is all that you need to sufficiently moisturise your entire face.

Quickly absorbed?

Absolutely! Once worked in the cream sinks in beautifully and fast, leaving no greasy residue or build-up so it really is perfect as a daytime moisturiser and it leaves no nasty sheen either.

Suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, there are absolutely no animal extracts or derivatives in the cream whatsoever, so it's not only friendly to your face it's friendly to the environment and animals. You'll also be pleased to hear that it comes in a recyclable aluminium tube and cardboard box.

Organic jojoba oil, iris root extract and other pure plant extracts?

Yes, yes and yes. The other pure plant extracts are: witch hazel (great for oily skins and combating bacteria that cause blemishes), beeswax and calendula flower extract. On top of that there are no artificial additives - Weleda pride themselves on making products without synthetic fragrances, preservatives or chemicals.

Healthy. refreshed and smooth?

Yes, surprisingly, as when you've applied it it does such an effective job of soaking in that it almost feels like it might not do the trick of nourishing enough. But it always leaves my skin velvet-soft, non-slippery but the scent and the natural extracts make it feel like it's doing a great job without the horrible, unnecessary excess of artificial ingredients!

Natural oils provide light, fine fragrance?

Yes, there is no artificial perfume or fragrance in the moisturiser whatsoever so what you smell is 100% natural which is lovely because it really smells nice!

Base for makeup?

I would definitely say so. I still use a primer underneath my foundation but because the moisturiser is light and easily absorbed leaving no traces it makes a great base for makeup unlike some moisturisers that create an oily barrier slip-sliding your makeup half way down your face by afternoon!

Overall...

Suitable for all budgets retailing online at £8.95 but I swear I bought mine at a local organic store for £7.95, this moisturiser really is worth a try. It won't be nourishing or intensive enough for drier skins but if you suffer from oily or combination skin then you should definitely give this a go. Bear in mind with its all-natural ingredients its shelf life is only nine months after opening.

Would I buy again? Yes but my only concern is how this moisturiser might fair in the summer months - on days where I've been busy on my feet and got a little hot indoors the oil isn't quite kept at bay as my Mary Kay moisturiser used to do. So I'd need to wait to see how it copes. Bear this in mind as you may have to combine it with a mattifier if you want to keep oil at bay all day.

Product Review - Aveda Botanicals Kinetics Hydrating Lotion

One of my friends used to work at an Aveda salon and as a result I've got a backlog of Aveda freebies stocked up in my cupboard. Today I'm reviewing their Botanicals Kinetics facial moisturiser - Hydrating Lotion.

I've been using it daily for over a month now but as my skin is combination I only use it as a night moisturiser as it's too rich for me in the day under my makeup. It's supposed to be one of their best sellers and I can see why: the product's very creamy and soothing as you put it on and the next morning my skin feels ultra nourished and velvet-soft, something I really appreciate with the sub-zero temperatures we've been having!

If you like your products to be gorgeously scented then this would be perfect for you as you can really smell the lavender and chamomile, it's quite strong, in fact I would go as far to say that this moisturiser has a fairly unisex scent - it's not too girly so you may find the other half borrowing it... However there is some synthetic fragrance in it so for those of you with sensitive skins I'm not sure how you'd get on with skin irritation! This product doesn't claim to be hypoallergenic so weigh this up if you're at all unsure...

So let's take their product breakdown as listed on their website and see if it does what is says on the bottle:

Nurturing your skin comes naturally with this quick-absorbing lotion—containing emollients derived from coconut, jojoba and other naturally-derived ingredients—that replenishes moisture with a gentle touch. Camomile and lavender blend helps promote a soft, supple skin texture.

• Leaves skin feeling resilient and moisture-refreshed
• Protects from dehydration
• For all skin types

Quick-absorbing?

Fairly, but in the summer months I'm not sure it is as quick-absorbing as when my skin is on the drier side. If your skin is oily bear in mind it may take some working in, you may not like the texture or sensation so much as it tends to leave a layer for a couple of minutes.

Coconut, jojoba and other naturally-derived ingredients?

Check, check and check! This blissful moisturiser also contains lavender extract, chamomile extract, rosemary leaf extract and rice bran oil so it's full of natural derivatives. However the basic premise of Aveda's products is that they use the 'science of nature' but they're not without some artificial ingredients. However you will find these fairly minimal and there are no parabens in this moisturiser.

Soft, supple skin?

Definitely! The next morning when I wake after using this, it sounds cheesy but my skin really does feel baby-soft and very nourished. I had a few flaky patches from the chilly weather but they've completely gone since using this every night.

Resilient and moisture-refreshed?

This moisturiser has been a total god-send for me this winter. There have been a few occasions before I started to use it when my face has ended up very weather-beaten and dry from a day in blustery winds, crying out for moisture. As soon as I put this on it relieved the tense, tight feeling immediately and nourished so well that by morning it felt as if I had a new face, ha!

Protects from dehydration?

Absolutely. This lotion really has made a difference as in the day my skin feels a lot more protected even when I'm wearing a much less creamy moisturiser during the daytime.

For all skin types?

I wouldn't be so sure. As I don't have sensitive skin I can't vouch for this but I would warn those of you with sensitive faces to approach with caution. Equally if your skin's quite oily you may find this only exacerbates the situation!

Overall...

The lotion is a little on the pricey side retailing at £32.00, so it's certainly not for all pockets and possibly not suitable for those with sensitive skin, but if you have dry or combination skin I can really recommend this, especially as a night moisturiser or one for the winter months as you do really feel the benefit. Would I buy now that I've sampled? Seeming as I can really feel the benefits and you get quite a lot of moisturiser for your money (it's rich too so a little goes very far) then yes!

New Year's Resolutions - Beauty Inside & Out: Part 1 of 3

I don't know about you, but I've got a HEAP of New Year's resolutions for 2010. They all vary in terms of subject: some are mental spring cleaning goals, others are career resolutions and one is keeping fit. Granted the last one isn't particularly original and I bet at least one of you out there is in the same boat!

The trouble is after a month into the year the good intentions are intact but the actual putting-into-practice isn't quite so much... We've all been there, but there are ways to make life a little easier when it comes to exercise and maintaining a really great diet.

So whether you're aiming to improve your diet, fitness routine or beauty regime - or maybe all three - here's one of three instalments to give you a helping hand so that by this time next year, you won't be rolling your eyes at the thought of you making the same resolution another year in a row. After all, your internal well-being means looking great on the outside will be a cinch ; )

Part 1 of 3: Improving your Diet

I'm not talking about hitting the Slim Fast. Or the Atkins diet. Or restricting yourself to blended juices only. I'm talking about healthy eating - not denial of certain foodstuffs, nutrients or anything that makes you happy! Diets don't work because they're not sustainable, they usually involve incredible limitations on what you can actually eat.

All that drudgery makes you feel you have a mountain to climb and often leaves you thinking more about the food you love but can't have than anything else. Never mind that most of these diets are incredibly bad for your body and mind. Sure enough, diets are often the first thing to go out of the window!

The essential point to remember is that it's all about balance. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "a healthy balanced diet"? Well not only does it address the balance of all the essential nutrients, but it's all about moderation. Everyone's different and you may want to adapt the following a bit to suit your lifestyle but here's my tips for maintaining a healthy body - and not going crazy whilst you do so:

Don't start off with the 'shoulds' or 'shouldn'ts' when addressing your eating habits - that sets things off to a very dull start and makes the whole goal feel like a chore. Instead look at what you enjoy from a meal, what keeps you going and what you can do without:

What foods do you really love?

You may really love a good steak, or fresh fruit, steak and ale pie or smoked salmon. I'm not talking about temptations like chocolate (yet!), I'm talking about food you can have every day that you love to eat.

Once you've made a list of all these elements come up with recipes whereby you can include a good amount of vegetables or fruit around that particular food. For instance if you love a good steak and ale pie, you could have one a week but make sure you include three portions of veg - e.g. parsnips, carrots and leeks. Vegetables don't have to boring - you can sprinkle rosemary onto potatoes and roast them in the oven or glaze parsnips and carrots in honey for instance. Find a combination you love and sticking to eating the good stuff won't feel so tricky!

What do you need to survive a day on the go?

A big breakfast? A couple of snacks? A hearty lunch? I can't start the day without a bowl of cereal - if I eat anything else it never keeps me sated until lunch and I end up wanting to snack. You might however need to eat little and often to keep you going instead of having an official three square meals a day. Whatever you feel you need stick to. But any excess can be cut.

If you have three square meals a day you might not need snacks so often. If you feel sluggish or lightheaded without them though why not replace your packet of crisps with a packet of mixed nuts or replace your chocolate buttons with dried mango slices? Snacking can still be as tasty but less calorific!

Is there anything you eat that you feel you could do without?

We all do it now and then - eat or drink something so often we do it without thinking and if we did think about it a bit more, we'd realise that we probably don't appreciate or really need it. That cupcake after your sandwich - do you really need it? Or do you often sit at your desk afterwards thinking "Hmmm, I could have given that a miss"? Or when you do a supermarket run and you instinctively grab that chocolate bar - could you leave it? Or if you're going to do it, could you cut it down to once a week?

Don't go denial crazy!

Once or twice a week I allow myself something naughty. For all my efforts at staying healthy I think it's fine to have an indulgence every so often. Complete denial of my favourite treats has led to overcompensating later on - it just doesn't work. Whereas if once or twice a week I let myself have my favourite chocolate bar I don't feel guilty and it usually satisfies the craving until the next week.

You'd be surprised at how much you'll appreciate your treats that way, enjoy them more and don't end up feeling like needing one every single day! The point is you can eat the foods you enjoy - just work out what your favourites are and learn to work them in once or twice a week as rewards for anything - a promotion, jogging 3 miles rather than 2, being a great girlfriend ; )

Eat for your activity

By this I mean if you work an office job the chances of you burning off a lot of calories and needing to compensate for this are slim. You're actually better off with a smaller lunch and one that won't be so carbohydrate-intense - a huge baguette, pasta or a full-on bowl of noodles are all rich in carbs. Whilst tempting at the time they'll only send you to sleep half way through the latter half of the afternoon as your blood sugar levels crash.

Try eating a bowl of soup - without the bread roll! Chunky soups often fill the gaps fantastically, are low in calories and leave you feeling satisfied until dinner time. Or sushi is just as filling but great in warmer climates or summer months. You don't have to stick to salad, there are inventive ways to satisfy the hunger but without the regret.

However if you work outside, work out a lot or your job is physically demanding, you're going to need more than a bowl of cereal for brekkie, soup for lunch and a small dinner. You are more likely to need carbohydrates - a healthy pasta dish with mustard dressing for instance will keep you fuelled as you go. You may require a more fuelling breakfast too like granola, yoghurt and honey with a banana and hemp shake for instance.

In summary, the more you burn, the more you need - if you're eating more than you burn off look for ways to trim down your portions. If you're feeling fatigued but do a strenuous job then you may need to incorporate some healthy snacks in between meals to keep you going!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas/holiday time and some fantastic partying when seeing in 2010.

I'm sorry that it's been so long since I posted - the Christmas hecticness and last-minute running around took more time than I thought it ever could... However 2010 will see All That Glitters evolve and offer you, my wonderful readers, more for your blog-reading time : )

You'll see some exciting new features coming soon here on All That Glitters as well as a bit of a spruce-up on the appearance front! So keep your eyes peeled as I reveal all very soon...

Here's to a year of fun, sparkles, happiness and wonderment! x