Fitness Friday: Long Term Progress

Hi there! 

I've been a bit relaxed about writing my Fitness Friday posts recently, life has been so busy and with quitting my job, my mum being in hospital and really trying hard to train for Tough Mudder 

But my mum is doing really well, Tough Mudder is completed and I started my new job this week so fingers crossed things are all on the up!

I've debated showing comparison photos before; I'm not one for taking underwear photos in the mirror anyway as I just don't want to see myself but i have forced myself to do it just to see how progress is being made. My weight has stayed the same (roughly) for a long time but I know my body has changed composition and shape slightly so I needed to do it to see results.

I highly doubt anyone will see those pictures but I do have a comparison photo wearing a dress of mine that is a huge favourite! It's a crepe shift dress with leather waistband and bottom from M&S Limited Collection. I love the style of it being so simple and it has been brought up to date with the addition of a leather waistband which is so simple but chic and it goes for many occasions - apart from maybe an all you can eat buffet, it definitely doesn't stretch!

Here's a picture from my phone from when I wore it out in March when me and M went out with some uni friends. It was a really good night out and I loved wearing the dress with a new found confidence.

Here's a comparison photo from when I first bought the dress to now:

Apart from my hair being longer I think there's such a big difference between the photos.

My waist is definitely smaller, my arms are smaller (might not show up as much but I know for sure they are!) and my lower stomach and hips are also smaller. most of this can be seen by looking at the latest picture and seeing that the dress actually fits me rather than being too tight in the first picture.

There's also much less of a double chin in the latest picture!

After all the recent set backs I've had in my fitness plans it has been really important to look back and see how far I've come. Whilst these changes have happened over the last 3 years and aren't that drastic, I know I haven't lost 5 stone or anything, but progress is progress and it has been such a lifestyle change.

I was a bit disheartened with my exercise leading up to Tough Mudder even though I'd been working so hard in the 8 months leading up to it, on the day I found it hard as some of my fitness had gone where I was so exhausted from all the mental and physical stress going on in my life.

But moving forward I KNOW that I can complete it again because I've already done it once.

I've also had a meet up with my trainer from my gym and after getting all my latest stats, I've put on 1lb since last time but have lost fat and gained muscle so it has actually, in the end, all worked in my favour and my composition has improved.

I've enjoyed a week or two break from exercise, only doing dog walking and some easy stuff in the gym but now my trainer has given me a new program to follow which involves so many squats, burpees, press ups and oblique crunches that I'm hoping it will boost my metabolism into burning more fat.

In a few weeks I will write an update on my progress with the new program, and how it feels getting back to classes now that my new job will allow me to make it there much more easily. I'm hoping the decreased stress levels and ease of getting to and from the gym around work will make me much happier!

Do you have a new fitness program to follow? Have you completed any Tough Mudder type courses?

I'd love to read more fitness blogs so if you have any links of your favourites or you write one yourself leave the link in the comments below!


L xxx

FOTD: Neutrals and Coral

Morning lovelies!

I've got a Face of the Day post today as I've had a bit of time to fuss around and take pictures in the morning recently. i always think it's nice to know what people REALLY use on their face despite reviews they've produced.

Here's my FOTD before I had my hair dyed back to its natural colour:

It's quite a simple every day look, there was minimal fuss and I kept with my neutral eye colours and used a few summery coral colours to keep in the with sun that had actually arrived in the sky!

The Benefit Groovy Kind of Love set was bought last Christmas in their seasonal collection. It had a bit of everything that I couldn't resist and contained a few neutral eyeshadows that I needed to test out! Plus it's a great travel kit as it has almost everything you need.

Everything else used is shown below; Beauty blender, Vichy Dermablend in Opal, Lasting Perfection concealer in 1, Bourjois Chocolate bronzer, Inika Mineral Blush in 04 Peachy Keen, MAC Studio Fix powder, UD 24/7 Liner in Smoke, They're Real mascara and Gimme Brow styling gel.

I've been using my beauty blender a lot recently, it's a new addition to my stash and it took some getting used to but now I'm hooked!
It gives such a perfect finish (after a bit of work) and I love how natural and even the coverage is from it. You can see below in the super close picture of my forehead how even and flawless this is.

After using the blender to apply Dermablend and the concealer i dusted on the Studio Fix. It's quite a heavy powder but I've been using it recently to use it up; it's looking a bit tired and I want to get my next Back to Mac lipstick asap!

Next I applied the bronzer and blush to my cheeks to attempt some mild sculpting of my face and then ran Gimme Brow through my unruly brows. I've found mine have got a lot more temperamental recently!

Then I used all 4 of the colours in the Benefit palette building up from the lightest all over the lid, the middle two colours blended into the crease with the gold shimmer in the centre of the lid. Then I used the darkest colour to line underneath the eye and the outer corner of the upper lid.

I love using the 24/7 liner in Smoke on my lower waterline as it is a perfect alternative to black for every day wear; I find it can be too heavy sometimes and I like to change it up. I bought Smoke as part of a set but I can honestly say I use it a lot more than I thought I would and I really love it.

Here I also applied two coats of They're Real mascara, I think it's one of the best out there but i do begrudge paying the £19.50 for it as I'm a mascara germ phobe and throw them out after 6-10 weeks. However you can often get them in deals or minis in magazines which I always pick up!

One thing that i seem to have completely forgotten to take a photo of is Cha Cha tint from Benefit. I used this on my lips for a natural looking stain which lasts a few hours. I never use these as much as I should and need to get into using the minis i have of them as the colours are lovely and can be built up from a wash to a strong coloured stain.

What do you think of my FOTD? 

It's a general every day look for me and I love switching between neutral palettes to mix things up. Which is your favourite palette of the moment? Do you use the stains from Benefit?

L xxx

Rimmel Wonderfull Mascara

Morning lovelies!

I've got a mascara review for you today. This was an impromptu purchase as I had no idea that Rimmel had a new mascara out a few weeks ago which deserves a slap on the hand don't you agree??

This beautiful bronze coloured mascara caught my eye though and I knew it was destined to be mine.

Rimmel are one of my favourite mascara producers mainly because they work perfectly at separating and coating my long lashes and do so for a very reasonable price, even more so when they're a new launch and have money off or come in a deal and I just can't resist.

I have loved other high end mascaras such as Lancome and Benefit's They're Real but because I have a bit of a phobia of eye germs I am OCD about throwing out my mascaras after 3 months MAX, sometimes its 6 weeks if I feel it's getting a bit horrible. Weird I know, but spending £20-30 on a mascara just isn't feasible for me however much I'd love to do it!

I love that Rimmel always get their crown in on a product, it's so typically them and you don't need to see any part to know that it's Rimmel.

This Wonderfull mascara contains Argan Oil. I assume this is to help the condition of your lashes and also keep the mascara formula free from drying and clumping for longer, which would be a good idea. The ultra-Flex brush hugs lashes from root to tip to ensure even coverage of the product.

To me the brush is very similar to They're Real, its a plastic comb like brush and is quite common nowadays as it seems to be the best for separating lashes and giving an even coverage without clumping. 

I really like this type and although it's not a fluffy volumising brush I think it does a really good job:

My lashes are pretty well separated and lengthened and don't seem to be clumpy or stuck together at all. Even my lower lashes being a lot shorter have an even coverage and my upper lashes have been lengthened quite a bit!

As always, another great mascara from Rimmel. I don't think I've ever had a bad one from there and although the formula does seem to be less clumpy I'm yet to see if the argan oil has an effect on how quick it dries out or if it has conditioned my lashes. I will have to report back on that one when it's empty! I'm never sure if adding any type of oil is worth it or just a gimmick though seeing as they have moisturising properties you can't really go wrong can you.

Have you tried Rimmel's Wonderfull Mascara? What do you think of the addition of Argan oil?

L xxx

NOTD Ciate Fade to Griege and Cheeky Chat Me Up Nail Paint Tongue and Cheek

Hey All

I love painting my nails and when they are painted I tend to bite them less. I've got a massive collection and seem to easily forget what colours I have in there. I usually end up with a feature nail when I paint them usually involving glitter but when my housemate gave me this nail polish I couldn't resist pairing it with a neutral colour to brighten it up.

I love the coral tone against the purple grey. Both polishes apply easily in two coats giving a smooth opaque finish. I always use a top coat as I find my nails don't dry very well otherwise.

Cheeky Chat Me UP Nail Paints isn't a brand I've heard of but it's from Superdrug. I was surprised at the price of it. At £7 I do think the nail seems quite cheap. I had expected it to be a few pounds. Having said that the quality of the polish is good and the colour is amazing.

Have you tried Cheeky polishes? Do you do a feature nail manicure?

Love M

xxx