April 2015 Gym Wear Haul!

It's been a while since I bought any new gym kit.
I've really been needing some and always find that I have a lot more motivation to go when I'm in shiny new kit.

I'm still on the lookout for some new tops though. All the ones I find seem to be tight ones (I like them big and baggy) or sold out (Reebok I'm looking at you).

Anyway here's what I bought......

Top: Nike Trainers £29.45  |  Reebok Leggings £30.00

Middle: Primark Workout Towel £2.50  |  Primark Sports Socks £2.50

Bottom: Primark Running Jacket £10.00

My favourite purchase by far was these mint green Nike trainers. I got them from the Nike Factory Outlet shop at Castleford Junction 32. They were reduced to £29.45! BARGAIN!

You Know You Are A Grown Up When

Being a grown up is pretty crap, but honestly you've got this down!

*1. You can find stamps in your actual purse!

Yes not a huge achievement but it sure beats having to queue to send an actual letter. 

*2. You own a slow cooker 

Not only do you own a slow cooker but you know how to use it! Coming home to slow cooked beef is there anything better?

*3.You know your real bra size!

You've actually been to a shop and been fitted! High five to you!

*4. You have survived more than one break up!

Well done you....yes it was shit but yes you've moved on and managed to make it on your own

*5. You've stopped moaning.

Finally you've give up the moaning and realised than positive actions get you a lot further.

*6. Wine is a fridge staple

Not cheap crappy wine but actual good wine! A glass a night is good for your health right?

*7. You can afford Sky TV!

*8. You have hand cream in your purse

Yep that's a proper grown up thing to do your mum and Nana do it too right?

9. You have a gym membership....

...and you use it! You are officially grown up when you realise that watching £40+ go out of your account each month and not doing anything with it is damn stupid!

*10. You can build IKEA furniture!

*11. You can say No, walk away and not feel guilty

*12. You read books.

Not for uni or school but because you want to...and they're not all filled with sex either!

*13. You have a hairdresser.

You've finally found the perfect hairdresser who can cut your hair perfectly! No more bouncing from one to another and dodgy style after dodgy style!

*14. You take a coat on a night out!

Yes practically unheard of a few years ago but you've been stood waiting for taxis in the cold for long enough that you now want to avoid hypothermia!

*15. You realise there are more places to shop than in Primark!

*16. You can spend time alone without feeling stupid!

*18. You have life insurance

Its morbid but hey shit happens.......

*19. You have a credit card and you manage to pay it off most months?

*20. You've done a few things on your bucket list!

Wasted in Thailand.......Bought your own house.........?

Finding A Pretty Camera Bag

I recently decided to purchase a DSLR camera!

I was very excited. I'm a complete novice with a camera but thought that my blogging would greatly benefit from me having one. 

I'm still getting used to it but so far I LOVE IT!!!!

I did a fair bit of researching and settled on this one. I read the reviews and they all seemed to agree that this camera was fairly fool proof and it certainly seems that way!

Obviously with my new expensive purchase I needed a pretty new bag to keep it safe in! Honestly I thought this would be much easier than it turned out to be.
There were plenty of ugly black camera cases and bags in the shop, however no pretty ones.

I did find these online:

1. The Palma   2. The Lula   3. The Brownlee

4. The Bossi   5. The Lola

6. A Beautiful Mess

Do you have any camera bag recommendations? 

Les Mills Body Pump....I Love It!

It's been almost a year and a half since I started hitting the gym on a regular basis. One of the main things that has kept me motivated over the two years has been attending group exercise classes!

By far my most favourite class has been Les Mills Body Pump class!

What is it.....?

Well in short expect to pump iron! No seriously this is a weights based class, Lasting 55 minutes or 45 minutes depending on which class you attend, you use a light barbell and a step to complete a full body workout! 

The class is divided into 10 sections each lasing for one track (song) and each is designed to work a different body part.
The exercises are pretty straightforward and are easy to follow. I usually get by following the person in front of me if I can't see the instructor!

Essentially the class is weights based but as there is very little rest and lots of reps per track it really does provide a good cardio workout too!

Each class follows a certain format for about a three month period which means after attending 2-3 classes you'll have got the hang of the routine. Also there is no jumping up and down so you don't need to be mega coordinated for the class!

WHO IS IT FOR....?

In my opinion pretty much anyone. It's up to you whether you use a light or heavy weight. If you regularly lift weights always go lighter than your regular weight. You complete 100s of reps per class so going too heavy isn't really an option.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AT MY FIRST CLASS....?

Find the instructor! This is probably the most important step! They will give you advice tell you what weights are best to use and give you a quick overview of any moves and combinations used in the class.

WHAT DO I NEED....?

Water, water and more water
Probably a towel as the class can get pretty intensive.
Step & Matt - This is needed for usually a couple of tracks
Barbell - with appropriate weights
Dumbells or Spare Plates

Honestly give it a go......Body Pump has been great motivation for me and made me realise I much prefer lifting weights to pounding the treadmill!

Have you done a Body Pump class? Thoughts??