This week has been repeating the first week's classes, just in a different order - so just a quick rundown:
Day 7: Day off - woohoo!
Day 8: return to Cardio Power & Resistance. Slightly hungover. Painful. But I coped.
Day 9: Pure Cardio. I don't think this session will ever get easier.
Day 10: I had another day off here - I wasn't meant to, but work forced my hand by sending me to Keswick for the day, meaning a 5am rise, not getting home til after 9pm, and not eating well enough to sustain me through a heavy workout.
Day 11: back to Plyometric Cardio Circuit. For the first time, I felt like a session was getting easier. Though I still suck at press ups.
Day 12: Recovery day - lots of stretching. Actually, genuinely, feels good!
It's getting better, but also, it's getting addictive. On the train back from Keswick on Tuesday I was starting to think "ooh maybe I could squeeze in the workout when I get home..." even though I knew it was a bad idea on little sleep and not enough good healthy food.
Two more days til I get another day off!
Ax
Thursday 26 February 2015
Friday 20 February 2015
Insanity diary - day 6
WOOHOO!!! I made it!
Day 6 HURT. I'm not sure if it's because it's the end of the week and I'm pushing myself further than I'm used to, or if it's because I have a stinking cold that's making my eyeballs ache, or a combination of the two, but it was tough.
Day 6 of week 1 is a repeat of the plyometric cardio circuit session that you do on day 2. So it hurts - no surprises there. Today it definitely hurt more even though my muscle ache has dissipated, but that could be due to my cold.
There's not much more to say, except I'm now settled in front of 30 Rock with a hot toddy.
Slàinte mhath!
Ax
Day 6 HURT. I'm not sure if it's because it's the end of the week and I'm pushing myself further than I'm used to, or if it's because I have a stinking cold that's making my eyeballs ache, or a combination of the two, but it was tough.
Day 6 of week 1 is a repeat of the plyometric cardio circuit session that you do on day 2. So it hurts - no surprises there. Today it definitely hurt more even though my muscle ache has dissipated, but that could be due to my cold.
There's not much more to say, except I'm now settled in front of 30 Rock with a hot toddy.
Slàinte mhath!
Ax
Thursday 19 February 2015
Insanity diary - day 5
Almost there!!!
Today was Pure Cardio. And it's ruddy tough. The big difference with this one is that instead of repeating the same short sequences a few times, doing each exercise for 30 seconds with a 30 second water breaks between each sequence, the main section of this workout is 15 minutes of continuous hard cardio, no water breaks, and sustaining each exercise for a full minute. So yeah, it's tough. And sweaty. VERY sweaty.
It's really reassuring to watch the keen exercisers on screen struggling - I'm not the only one that had to take a few breaks! However, I can see that this is a workout where I'll probably notice a big difference week on week as my stamina builds.
Only one more workout to go then I get a well deserved day off - wish me luck!
Ax
Today was Pure Cardio. And it's ruddy tough. The big difference with this one is that instead of repeating the same short sequences a few times, doing each exercise for 30 seconds with a 30 second water breaks between each sequence, the main section of this workout is 15 minutes of continuous hard cardio, no water breaks, and sustaining each exercise for a full minute. So yeah, it's tough. And sweaty. VERY sweaty.
It's really reassuring to watch the keen exercisers on screen struggling - I'm not the only one that had to take a few breaks! However, I can see that this is a workout where I'll probably notice a big difference week on week as my stamina builds.
Only one more workout to go then I get a well deserved day off - wish me luck!
Ax
Wednesday 18 February 2015
Insanity diary - day 4
Whoop! Over half way through week 1!
Today's session was cardio recovery - and boy did I need it. Still worked up a sweat due to some deep stretching and working my muscles hard, but it's all about control, not speed.
And again, I really enjoyed it - I think my yoga (and maybe even some good habits and muscle memory gleaned from my years of dancing, albeit a LONG time ago) has really helped to prepare me for the stretching, particularly as Will struggled with the stretching a lot more than I did. Plus, it was only a half hour class so I was in a nice hot bath in no time.
Only two sessions left this week - I know they won't be easy, but I'm really psyched about completing a week. Only 7 more to go...
Ax
Today's session was cardio recovery - and boy did I need it. Still worked up a sweat due to some deep stretching and working my muscles hard, but it's all about control, not speed.
And again, I really enjoyed it - I think my yoga (and maybe even some good habits and muscle memory gleaned from my years of dancing, albeit a LONG time ago) has really helped to prepare me for the stretching, particularly as Will struggled with the stretching a lot more than I did. Plus, it was only a half hour class so I was in a nice hot bath in no time.
Only two sessions left this week - I know they won't be easy, but I'm really psyched about completing a week. Only 7 more to go...
Ax
Tuesday 17 February 2015
Haircare empties
I mentioned before that I basically ruined the lower half of my hair by bleaching it a few months back. Until then, my haircare was a pretty basic routine of drugstore brand shampoos and conditioners and pretty much anything would do as long as the conditioner wasn't too heavy to make my fine hair go flat.
But since bleachgate, I've been trialling some (affordable) products - the damaged ends are beyond repair, but I'm keen not to damage my hair further, and to at least improve the appearance of my frizzy locks.
Mark Hill MiracOILicious 2 Minute Intensive Treatment
This rich intensive conditioning treatment is super thick and just feels ultra nourishing - it has the texture of a Body Shop body butter. The smell is also delicious, rich with some spices in the fragrance. Two minutes leaves my hair feeling mega soft and tangle-free, and it comes in a huge tub which will last ages if you're using it as a once or twice weekly treat. I LOVE it.
Cost? £7.99 for 200ml (but ALWAYS on offer - currently £5.33 in Boots)
Repurchase? Already have.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Go Curlier Curl Activation Spray
This spray is sprayed onto damp hair, and is heat activated, designed to make curls curlier and last longer. I hoped the longer lasting curls might let me style my hair less often to prevent further heat damage, but honestly, I couldn't see much difference. A real shame.
Cost? £6.99 for 100ml (but again always on offer - currently £4.66 in Superdrug)
Repurchase? No
OGX Thick and Full Biotin & Collagen Oil Mist
This oil spray can be applied either to damp hair before styling to add a shot of moisture, make hair more manageable and give a volume boost, or applied to the ends of dry hair to smooth and control flyaways. I can't say I noticed any difference to the volume when I used on damp hair, but it did make my hair softer and more manageable. Applied to the ends of my dry and damaged hair, it did smooth and help to control, but the upshot was that my style didn't last so long - the curls fell out of my hair by mid-morning. Which is fine for a relaxed look for work or if you don't have much planned, but worth bearing in mind if you've got your heart set on big curls for a special occasion. Also, the tube attached to the spray is too long, curling up and meaning you need to remove and trim it to get to the bottom of the bottle.
Cost? £6.99 for 118ml (again, often on offer - currently £4.66 in Boots)
Repurchase? Probably not this one given that I didn't find it helped on the "thick and full" claim, but there are others in the OGX range which I'll certainly give a shot, especially the kukui oil one designed to hydrate and defrizz, and the coconut water one designed for weightless hydration.
Any recommendations for me to try next?
Ax
Insanity diary - day 3
Getting home from work this evening I had no idea how I was going to manage another workout this evening, but I'm a pretty competitive and determined sort, so in goes the DVD.
Tonight's workout was cardio power & resistance, and honestly, I found it ok. Still hard obviously, and still couldn't do it all without a few breaks, but I managed the very vast majority of the workout.
I also noticed as time went on that I'm even enjoying it - it's pitched at the right level to be both aspirational but manageable, you really feel you've achieved something come the end of a session, and the time goes pretty quickly when you're focusing on the pain.
I predict some very sore legs tomorrow, but I even kind of enjoy that - it's a reminder that I'm doing something good for my health and I've earned my aches.
Plus, tomorrow is a recovery session, which means lots of stretching rather than cardio and strength. In my eyes, that's practically a night off.
Ax
Tonight's workout was cardio power & resistance, and honestly, I found it ok. Still hard obviously, and still couldn't do it all without a few breaks, but I managed the very vast majority of the workout.
I also noticed as time went on that I'm even enjoying it - it's pitched at the right level to be both aspirational but manageable, you really feel you've achieved something come the end of a session, and the time goes pretty quickly when you're focusing on the pain.
I predict some very sore legs tomorrow, but I even kind of enjoy that - it's a reminder that I'm doing something good for my health and I've earned my aches.
Plus, tomorrow is a recovery session, which means lots of stretching rather than cardio and strength. In my eyes, that's practically a night off.
Ax
Monday 16 February 2015
Insanity diary - day 2
I'm keeping this diary largely to motivate me to keep going with it. Six workouts a week is going to be TOUGH!
Tonight was my first session of "proper" workout following yesterday's Fit Test. Guaranteed sweat and pain.
But actually, I thought it could have been worse. This workout isn't for the fainthearted, but just because don't start with a six pack doesn't mean you can't give it a go. You absolutely can.
The workout - this one is the Plyometric Cardio Circuit - is 45 minutes, but the first 15 minutes or so is a warm up, and the last 10 is a cool down. The middle 20 minutes however? Holy hell it's hard work. I should add, Will's also doing this, and as he was at home today he did it before I got back. He texted me at work to say it gave him a vision of Jesus and Lincoln doing the foxtrot. So yeah I was pretty terrified.
But actually, it's manageable. I certainly didn't keep up with Shaun and all the folks on the screen - but they're all on day 60+ and I'm on day 2. I'd guess I did about 80% of the work out overall - all of the warm up and cool down, a slightly slower version of all the cardio. It was mostly the press ups that were my downfall again.
I guess what I'm getting at is, it's not completely unachievable. It's not for beginners, but as long as you're reasonably fit and you're willing to work hard (and sweat. LOTS.) you'll get through it and get lots out of it.
Oh and another bonus - you need to stay well fuelled to do such an intense workout, so as long as you're eating nutritious food, you can eat quite a lot of it!
Ax
Tonight was my first session of "proper" workout following yesterday's Fit Test. Guaranteed sweat and pain.
But actually, I thought it could have been worse. This workout isn't for the fainthearted, but just because don't start with a six pack doesn't mean you can't give it a go. You absolutely can.
The workout - this one is the Plyometric Cardio Circuit - is 45 minutes, but the first 15 minutes or so is a warm up, and the last 10 is a cool down. The middle 20 minutes however? Holy hell it's hard work. I should add, Will's also doing this, and as he was at home today he did it before I got back. He texted me at work to say it gave him a vision of Jesus and Lincoln doing the foxtrot. So yeah I was pretty terrified.
But actually, it's manageable. I certainly didn't keep up with Shaun and all the folks on the screen - but they're all on day 60+ and I'm on day 2. I'd guess I did about 80% of the work out overall - all of the warm up and cool down, a slightly slower version of all the cardio. It was mostly the press ups that were my downfall again.
I guess what I'm getting at is, it's not completely unachievable. It's not for beginners, but as long as you're reasonably fit and you're willing to work hard (and sweat. LOTS.) you'll get through it and get lots out of it.
Oh and another bonus - you need to stay well fuelled to do such an intense workout, so as long as you're eating nutritious food, you can eat quite a lot of it!
Ax
Sunday 15 February 2015
Insanity diary - day 1
One of my friends was recently getting rid of his Insanity DVDs, so given my fitness has stalled a bit recently, I decided to take them off his hands and give my fitness a bit of a boost.
If you're not familiar with it, it's the "hardest workout ever put on DVD", and after my first session I'm pretty sure I agree. It's not a quick fix or easy ride - it's not for the faint hearted.
It's a 60 day (8 week) programme designed to get you in the best shape of your life through a combination of strength training and cardio, all performed at maximum intensity. I'm concerned that it's completely unsustainable, and 6 workouts a week is a LOT to fit into your life if you've got an office-type job, unless you like getting up really early, or have bags of energy when you get home at 7pm. But I'm giving it a go - partly to help me look my best for my wedding in November, partly because I'm a fool.
Day 1:
The Fit Test.
This looks as though it shouldn't be that bad: a warm up, followed by 8 exercises for 1 minute each, then a cool down. But easy it most certainly is not. You perform this test every fortnight throughout the programme, as a means of tracking your progress. You just count how many of each exercise you can do in a minute. Easy, right?
My starting scores:
There were two I didn't even attempt today. I went for a (short) run before doing this, and was DYING by the time I got to power jumps, so I managed about half a jump and realised I'd be better off preserving my energy for what was to come. The push up jacks I knew were a lost cause as my upper body strength is lousy at the best of times, and this was not the day. But at least my next test should show an improvement on zero!
I'm reasonably fit - I run 3-4 times a week, can complete a 10k in under an hour, and do yoga a couple of times a week for strength and flexibility, but I can tell this will be HARD.
Wish me luck!
Ax
If you're not familiar with it, it's the "hardest workout ever put on DVD", and after my first session I'm pretty sure I agree. It's not a quick fix or easy ride - it's not for the faint hearted.
It's a 60 day (8 week) programme designed to get you in the best shape of your life through a combination of strength training and cardio, all performed at maximum intensity. I'm concerned that it's completely unsustainable, and 6 workouts a week is a LOT to fit into your life if you've got an office-type job, unless you like getting up really early, or have bags of energy when you get home at 7pm. But I'm giving it a go - partly to help me look my best for my wedding in November, partly because I'm a fool.
 |
| I SURVIVED!! |
Day 1:
The Fit Test.
This looks as though it shouldn't be that bad: a warm up, followed by 8 exercises for 1 minute each, then a cool down. But easy it most certainly is not. You perform this test every fortnight throughout the programme, as a means of tracking your progress. You just count how many of each exercise you can do in a minute. Easy, right?
My starting scores:
Switch kicks 45 (2 kicks = 1 rep)
Power jacks 50
Power knees 85
Power jumps 0
Globe jumps 5 (4 x jumps = 1 rep)
Suicide jumps 8
Push up jacks 0
Low plank oblique 33
There were two I didn't even attempt today. I went for a (short) run before doing this, and was DYING by the time I got to power jumps, so I managed about half a jump and realised I'd be better off preserving my energy for what was to come. The push up jacks I knew were a lost cause as my upper body strength is lousy at the best of times, and this was not the day. But at least my next test should show an improvement on zero!
I'm reasonably fit - I run 3-4 times a week, can complete a 10k in under an hour, and do yoga a couple of times a week for strength and flexibility, but I can tell this will be HARD.
Wish me luck!
Ax
Saturday 14 February 2015
Skincare review - Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix exfoliating facial pads
I've been flirting with glycolic acid for a while now. Saucy. I started with Alpha H's famous Liquid Gold - maybe my expectations were too high, but I just didn't love it. Used 2-3 times a week as a treatment at night, I'd wake up with my skin feeling greasy and grubby. I then moved on to First Aid Beauty's Facial Radiance Pads which I did like a whole lot more. At around £18, they're not overpriced, and I found them pretty effective. I was all ready to repurchase when I was in Boots one day and spotted Nip + Fab's Glycolic Fix exfoliating facial pads on offer. So here we are.
Used at the toner stage, they're gentle enough to use twice a day, but I just use them in the evenings - meaning that a tub of 60 lasts two months. Each pad is saturated with enough product to treat the entire face and jawline, the pads stay moist right to the end of the tub, and they are lovely and refreshing with a light, pleasant fragrance. The glycolic acid gently exfoliates, with a little assistance from the pads' bumpy texture, and hyaluronic acid replenishes moisture. Since using, I've noticed a slight improvement in skin texture - and my oily, spot-prone, easily aggravated skin hasn't broken out.
I've just purchased another tub of these, and might try upping the ante to using them twice a day to see if they show any faster improvements, but for under a tenner (as they're always on offer) I'm pretty impressed.
Nip + Fab's Glycolic Fix exfoliating facial pads cost £12.99 for 60 pads, but they're almost always on offer somewhere - currently Boots has them at a third off, and Superdrug has them at half price.
Ax
Used at the toner stage, they're gentle enough to use twice a day, but I just use them in the evenings - meaning that a tub of 60 lasts two months. Each pad is saturated with enough product to treat the entire face and jawline, the pads stay moist right to the end of the tub, and they are lovely and refreshing with a light, pleasant fragrance. The glycolic acid gently exfoliates, with a little assistance from the pads' bumpy texture, and hyaluronic acid replenishes moisture. Since using, I've noticed a slight improvement in skin texture - and my oily, spot-prone, easily aggravated skin hasn't broken out.
I've just purchased another tub of these, and might try upping the ante to using them twice a day to see if they show any faster improvements, but for under a tenner (as they're always on offer) I'm pretty impressed.
Nip + Fab's Glycolic Fix exfoliating facial pads cost £12.99 for 60 pads, but they're almost always on offer somewhere - currently Boots has them at a third off, and Superdrug has them at half price.
Ax
Tuesday 10 February 2015
Time for a change...
So going out with just a tiny smudge of khaki eyeshadow (one of a small Sephora palette I was given as a gift) is quite a change for me. And you know what? The world didn't stop turning.
Monday 9 February 2015
Nailcare review - Illamasqua nail varnish in Raindrops
I promise this will be my last Illamasqua review for a while - but when I was buying the nail varnish in Vice, I also spotted this little beauty in the sale.
I won't bore you with my love for Illamasqua yet again, but just wanted to show another of the finishes on their nail varnishes, this time the jelly finish.
Raindrops is a sheer, pale grey - but a lovely chic slightly blue grey, not an overcast sky grey - and it has some tiny, irregular slivers of grey glitter in the polish to give the namesake raindrop effect. Don't be alarmed - it's really not a glittery finish at all, more about a texture or an overall effect.
With a base and top coat, the polish lasts a good 4-5 days without chipping or peeling, and a further 2-3 days with only minor imperfections.
Illamasqua nail varnishes are £14.50 each and come in 58 colours, with a range of finishes.
Ax
I won't bore you with my love for Illamasqua yet again, but just wanted to show another of the finishes on their nail varnishes, this time the jelly finish.
Raindrops is a sheer, pale grey - but a lovely chic slightly blue grey, not an overcast sky grey - and it has some tiny, irregular slivers of grey glitter in the polish to give the namesake raindrop effect. Don't be alarmed - it's really not a glittery finish at all, more about a texture or an overall effect.
With a base and top coat, the polish lasts a good 4-5 days without chipping or peeling, and a further 2-3 days with only minor imperfections.
Illamasqua nail varnishes are £14.50 each and come in 58 colours, with a range of finishes.
Ax
Tuesday 3 February 2015
Nailcare review - Illamasqua nail varnish in Vice
Since my now fiancé proposed with the most stunning rhodolite and diamond engagement ring, I've had to do a serious overhaul of my nail polish collection - some colours simply don't go with my crimson rock. I've ditched some of my brights and have been stocking up on rich jewel tones, neutrals and autumnal shades, and I was delighted to find this little beauty from Illamasqua.
I've said before that Illamasqua do the most amazing colours, and this nail varnish in a deep cerise is no exception, but another thing they do really well is texture. Vice comes in a rubber finish, which is really hard to describe as anything other than, well, rubbery. It has a shine to it, but not so much as a gloss or gel finish, it feels more substantial and sophisticated than a normal matte finish. It kind of just feels a bit more expensive than a cheap polish - it has more to it than initially meets the eye, but is a much more subtle statement than a full blown matte. So it's hard to define, but I'm a fan!
I wore this last week (on a base coat, but no top coat as that would defeat the purpose of the rubber finish) and it lasted a good four days with only the slightest wear - I usually remove polish after two to three days as it never lasts well on my peeling brittle nails, so that's a really good result for me.
Another really nice touch is that the caps on Illamasquua nail varnish bottles match the varnish - so this one has a rubbery finish, while their gloss finishes have - you've guessed it - a shiny lid. And they do amazing product shots on the website - shots of the nail varnish in the packaging, in the bottle, on nails, and a few drops of colour on a white background. All of which are really helpful when shopping online and you can't see the product in the flesh. I just love the attention to detail you get from Illamasqua.
And it goes REALLY well with my ring.
Illamasqua nail varnishes are £14.50 each and come in 58 colours, with a range of finishes. Blimey.
Ax
I've said before that Illamasqua do the most amazing colours, and this nail varnish in a deep cerise is no exception, but another thing they do really well is texture. Vice comes in a rubber finish, which is really hard to describe as anything other than, well, rubbery. It has a shine to it, but not so much as a gloss or gel finish, it feels more substantial and sophisticated than a normal matte finish. It kind of just feels a bit more expensive than a cheap polish - it has more to it than initially meets the eye, but is a much more subtle statement than a full blown matte. So it's hard to define, but I'm a fan!
I wore this last week (on a base coat, but no top coat as that would defeat the purpose of the rubber finish) and it lasted a good four days with only the slightest wear - I usually remove polish after two to three days as it never lasts well on my peeling brittle nails, so that's a really good result for me.
Another really nice touch is that the caps on Illamasquua nail varnish bottles match the varnish - so this one has a rubbery finish, while their gloss finishes have - you've guessed it - a shiny lid. And they do amazing product shots on the website - shots of the nail varnish in the packaging, in the bottle, on nails, and a few drops of colour on a white background. All of which are really helpful when shopping online and you can't see the product in the flesh. I just love the attention to detail you get from Illamasqua.
And it goes REALLY well with my ring.
Illamasqua nail varnishes are £14.50 each and come in 58 colours, with a range of finishes. Blimey.
Ax
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