Arbonne

This week, I've been trying some new make up, cleansing products and nutrition. A friend from school has taken on a unique business, and asked me to trial some of his products out & let him know what I thought! So, when I arrived back on Saturday I got a little package delivered from Arbonne.

My goodie bag! 

Arbonne is a brand that's been around for about 35 years now, from a Swiss heritage! It focuses on creating a products, from make up & skincare, to sun lotions and nutrition. The USP for this brand is that it's all natural sourced ingredients, suitable for many people with intolerances such as dairy, gluten and wheat, but also is suitable for those who choose to go vegan with their diet - something that's becoming a lot more popular recently. 





There's a lot of bad press about cosmetic companies during their testing process - another amazing thing about Arbonne, aside from it's natural production, is it doesn't test on animals. 

In today's society, this has become a large factor in people's choice of brands, so there's another reason why you should give Arbonne a go!

So last Saturday, I met Chris (He works for Arbonne) who greeted me with a little pamper bag of my products. He gave me a range of make up, cleansers and nutrition to try for the past few days including; primer, foundation, daily cleanser, facial wash, eye soother, protein powder and energy boosters. 

I'll be the first to admit it, and I even said it to Chris when we met up to talk about the products, that I was very sceptical about trialling the products. You hear all the time about these 'clean & pure' new brands that will 'change your life'. So, when presented with my little bag of goodies, I thought "Hmm, how much of this is really going to make a difference?" 

On a day to day basis, I wear make up (No.7 is my preference), use cleansers & facial wash (Simple products - sensitive skin) and have recently began using more protein powders (Currently trying Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Whey mmmmm). 

However, to trial these I had to stop my day to day regimes and use Arbonne products instead. 

I kid you not, I have been IMPRESSED!! They've been absolutely fab! I'm very picky on my make-up, especially because I have sensitive skin, colours so important and value for money! But these products have been amazing & I was actually upset I had to give them back..

So my first day of being an Arbonne user was about to begin!

My Arbonne Diary:

Saturday - I'd already hit the gym, had my shower & was heading into Manchester, so I decided to use the Primer As I was heading out I wanted to wear my own foundation, so swapped my Clinique primer for Arbonne and then layered on my usual make-up. During the course of the night, my make-up did stay on longer but eventually it began to wear a little bit - this usually happens daily for me, as I have quite oily skin. Unfortunately, due to my alcohol consumption that evening I was in no fit state to cleanse my face before bed, so that was a job for Sunday morning!

Sunday - freshly hungover, I used my little tube of daily cleanser which you massage onto your face then rinse off. Oh my, my face felt like a baby's bum! It was lush! (I mean I know a baby's bum isn't lush, but the feel was like silk!) The rest of the day was recovering & just a chill day, so only minimal make up was used! One of my favourite things that I began to use on Sunday as well was the eye roller - it's meant to make your eyes seem brighter & with early work shifts coming up this week, I decided to give that a go as well! This evening I cleaned my face with the sensitive skin cleanser & a cotton bad & off to bed!

Monday - 5am is an early start as I'm back at work & for an 8 hour shift, I wanted to see if this make up could last the test of Tesco time! So both the Primer and Foundation were applied then I head into work..by the time I got home from work my make up was still in tact & I was very impressed. At this point I'd usually have to reapply or touch up certain areas of my face which are more oily, but not today! After work I head to the gym, before coming home for a shower & an early night. The foundation had lasted me through an eight hour shift, lunch and a hour and a half gym session which included my HIIT running! Never have I had such an easy day!

Monday Evening - After my first shift back at work & a gym session, I decided to fully cleanse my face this evening with my Arbonne products & in the morning I woke up feeling refreshed & revitalised!

Tuesday - Another chilled day really, as I took a shopping trip to Cheshire Oaks with my Mum! I did the same routine as Monday & once again, the results were astounding! All day shopping, trying things on, walking round in the sun! Did I mention that the products all contain SPF protection in them, so you're protected all day every day from those awful rays!

Wednesday - Unfortunately this was my last day of using the products! After a pretty slow start to the morning & definitely not being in the mood for the gym I decided to try one of the Nutrition Energy Shots. These are basically formed supplements that act in the same way as a shot of caffeine or a lucozade except they're made from organic products & not full of crappy sugars! Well, i was BUZZING! It was just what I needed to get me through a VERY hard HIIT session & arms! 

Wednesday Evening - My final evening cleansing my face with my products! Everything was used, daily cleanser, daily wash & the eye toucher! 

Thursday - Results Day! So Thursday morning I woke up feeling soft faced, clearer skin than the start of the week & generally felt much fresher all round! My eyes have a much better look to them, which is definitely needed with doing early, long(ish) shifts and I have to say I will definitely be investing in some of these products!

Friday - 5am start for me & I have to say, I was gutted I didn't have my Arbonne products to use today! However, my skin is feeling fresh, cleansed & revitalised after my weeks trial of the products! Keep reading for your chance to have a taste of Arbonne..literally if you like!

Although I've talked a lot about the make up side & cleansing range there's so much more to Arbonne than just those small things! It ranges from Skincare for all types of skin types, all ages and all conditions (soft, dry, sensitive) to nutrition for supplements, a men's health range, well being, make up and so much more! (Even an anti-ageing range for those of you who think you're having a mid-life crisis & need a helping hand!!)

One thing I think would be fab to do, especially for the girls, is a pamper day! You hear about these things all the time when new companies are promoting products - so I suggested to Chris that he set up a "Sunday Spa Day" - you can bring along your friends, family, anyone you like & try out the products for yourself to see just how fab they are! 

You won't be pressured to buy something, it will just be a fun day for you & your friends/fam, treat yourselves & learn a little bit more about Arbonne and what it's all about. 

If you'd be interested in joining him & his team at something like that either get in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter (@aprilalexandra1), Instagram (@aprilalexandrax) or email myself (aprilaslattery@yahoo.co.uk) or Chris (cjevo@live.co.uk) for more information! 

For any more information, head over to their website!

Compared to your high street brands like No.7, Maybelline, MaxFactor, Clinique and Benefit, Arbonne is similar in price in some areas, such as the nutrition range, some of their make up products - but don't forget, you're paying a little extra for a long way & a great movement in the production of cosmetics that will one day be the norm, so take a change & check out Arbonne - I promise you won't be disappointed!

Thanks for reading! X

Follow me on Instagram - @aprilalexandrax and Twitter - @aprilalexandra1

Progress, Summer & FOOD!

I can't believe we're in the last full week of May!! Where has time gone? I'm back home for the summer now, finished uni until October!! I'll then be starting my third and final year of University - that is a scary prospect! However, I'm soooo excited for Summer! Got lots of fun things planned & with my holiday coming up in just two weeks time, heading back to the home comfort of my gym here was a must! 

Don't get me wrong, I love my gym at uni - it's part of The Gym Group and is open 24/7, really good price for your membership & has great facilities etc! However, my gym at home is always quieter at the times I go, which is always nice because it means you have the equipment to experiment with and for me, it means I can go in the 'heavy weights' area without being scared! (Deadly serious..)

As a "training journalist" it sounds silly to say I feel intimidated crossing the barbell boarder at The Gym in Nottingham, but it is intimidating when there's groups of lads buffing up their summer bods, then little old me popping in in the background..no thank you!

Any who, I'm back & raring to go! I hit the gym pretty much every day this week except Tuesday (day off - always needed!) I know sometimes, because I've been there myself, that you can get disheartened when you don't start seeing the results you want straight away, whether that be your image, your weight but I want to encourage you from my own experience the ways you can see you've improved from when you first started!

Everyone's obsessed with social media these days - myself included, I've got instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc etc..and image has become such an obsession, with both boys & girls - lads want a ripped six pack like Zac Efron or Joel Corry, and girls want a Victoria's Secret model's abs, but it's about more than that!

Summer 2015

May 2016

It was around this time last year, that I began focusing more on my body, doing more fitness and trying to lead a more healthy lifestyle..well, 80% of the time! Being fit is about more than just looking good, but feeling good as well!





I'll be the first to admit that, yes, I do look at old photos & compare myself but it's about so much more than that! I didn't get from left to right without transforming my life as well as exercising & I certainly didn't get there measuring everything out to the tee. 

Although I'm still not where I want to be, the progress I've made so far is incredible and I want to remind you that although I think it's a good thing to physically see how you've improved, image is the only way! 

Over the last year I've began to improve because my lifestyle and way of living has. Living a healthy lifestyle has been the transformation, which is something I've realised over the last few months more so as I've began properly putting my heart into training. 

One of the most important things to remember when wanting to improve yourself, is track your progress. Otherwise you can get lost in the scheme of things & sometimes be disheartened if you're not seeing the results you want. 

So many people, myself included at one point, check their progress on the scales. A lot of dieting companies such as Slimming World and WeightWatchers track your progress this way, however from personal experience when 'dieting' (which should become a lifestyle not a restriction) AND training, the scales are probably the worst tracking method you could use - like I said, from personal experience. 

Personally, I now think it's a bad way of tracking yourself because muscle and fat are two completely different substances and you may work hard at the gym & eat well but see no difference in the number - you're wrong! You've probably lost the fat, and gained muscle in it's place - a good thing! Here's a gentle reminder next time you feel disheartened & hopefully will encourage you to measure yourself in a different way..

Therefore, I changed my ways and tracked my progress in other ways because weight isn't what it's all about. More recently, I began changing the way that I ate, you need to transform your lifestyle in order to transform your body - inside and out! 

Mix it up! Scrambled eggs, parma ham & asparagus!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - it kickstarts your body for the rest of the day ahead of you, so if you make sure that you fuel yourself correctly first thing, the rest should come naturally!

I've learnt from PT's I know, online coaches, Instagram accounts & famous faces that it's important to incorporate plenty of protein, good fats& carbs every so often in your diet! 

In the past, I'd have porridge every day! Which does get really boring, so mix up your breaks & you'll see a difference!

Salmon Fishcakes, Smashed Avocado & Carrot Chips

One of my fitness inspirations, as you know, is Alice Liveing. She's just released her new book The Body Bible - which I bought. Her food and fitness is incredible & I think she's amazing. But she is a great example of why you shouldn't base transformation looks on the scales - in my opinion she looks amazing & I'd love to have her body! (body envy coming up!!!) Her new book is full of foodies, exercise & her story of how she got to where she is now, which is one of the reasons I've changed my clean eating using her inspiration!




One of other the ways I track my progress is simply through my training - when you can do more reps at the same weight, you're improving, when you can run that little bit further, you're improving and when you're finding it tough - remember it's a challenge and if you're anything like me, you keep going until you can say you've done it.

A personal example from my training is during my workouts, I've strengthened myself so much over the last year. When I began with my PT a workout to do with a 4kg med ball, I now do with a 7kg med ball. I never thought that I'd be able to do that, because I couldn't even do it with a 4kg this time last year! 



Another thing to manage your progress and achieve your goals is change. Being back at my quieter gym at home has the benefit of utilising and experimenting with different pieces of equipment and I've found so many other things that enhance my workouts and target different areas and I'm really seeing a difference in my training and my strength. 


A favourite of mine at the moment (and i'm not sure why I've not used it before..) is a swiss ball! At the risk of sounding like a saddo, knee tucks are actually really fun once you get the gist of it! 





So, although you want to look good, start measuring your transformation in positive ways of progress - you're stamina, strength, amount of reps, there's so many ways but don't dishearten yourself with weight because it's not a maintainable if you want to look and feel good! X

Follow me on Instagram - @aprilalexandrax and Twitter - @aprilalexandra1 

Mix It Up

To say I've been slacking with writing posts recently is a bit of an understatement. However, being the busy student I am I've had a few deadlines this week! But, I'm back & one thing I've been focusing my workouts & eating on this week is mixing it up & changing things around. 

When I first began training more intensely, than I had done before, I began with three workout plans. I learnt that this was an important thing to swap between when training and wanting to see results. 

Obviously, working out - whatever you do - is going to be beneficial, but from my own experience I've learnt that sticking to the same thing isn't going to achieve your goals long term & you need to mix it up from time to time. Whether that be your workout plan, your target areas or even sessions throughout the week, it's important to surprise your body then it will react in a more positive way!

This week my gym was shut for a couple of days, so factors like that forced me to change my workout plan a little this week as I had to do some stuff at home & with no equipment like I have at the gym, looking for new ways to workout is always fun (sad, I know, but I enjoy looking and learning new things!). 

I find a lot of new methods of training on social media, for example Instagram. There are enough fitness accounts and online things that you can find to enhance your training & expand your knowledge. 

One of the things I have changed in my home workouts is utilising what you've got. So yeah, you may not have a bench to do any tricep dips on but my bed certainly worked out just as well in my uni room! Always utilise your floor & your body itself because there's so much you can do without equipment, from leg raises, to squat jumps - add a few simple exercises together, set your correct reps and sets and you're off! 

When I got back into the gym however, I decided to change up my routine from my usual HIIT treadmill session & ab workout. 

This week I've been focusing on strengthening myself. I've gone back to how I started on the rower - this is the perfect way to warm up (in my opinion) as it's a whole body warm up, targeting each part and muscle that you're probably going to be using through your training session & it's also a good way of getting some HIIT in as well. 

Beginning with a minute at a steady pace then 30 seconds sprints, over three days I've been beating my personal bests which is always a good feeling! 

Another way I've changed things around this week, is my weights. By increasing the weight you're lifting (or whatever exercise you're doing) it will enhance your muscle growth & also the amount of calories you burn - so up the weight & feel the burn! 

My friend told me this weekend that it's not always about having fancy equipment to achieve your goals - you've got to find new ways to use simple equipment in the gym to target the areas you want. 

I've never really been one to venture to the heavy weights section in the gym (it's always full of muscly men & for a small person, I do find this quite intimidating!!!) but my gym's been pretty dead each time I've been so I've had the area to myself, yay! 

Using the benches and weights I've found a new favourite - bent over row. Without realising it you're targeting more than just your arms, but by being in the bent over position it targets your abs as well (definitely felt that one the next day!)

Recently, I've been targeting singular areas when I've been training but this week I've focused on more whole body workouts, such as squat and press - bum, abs and arms - and another one I've enjoyed is single leg deadlifts with a kettle bell. 

Mixing up and utilising your equipment is always a good way to develop your routines. This week I've been using kettle bells in my workouts because they're one of the most diverse things you can use in the gym! 

Try doing some single leg deadlifts (I use an 8kg kettle bell, doing 12 reps for 3 sets) kettle bell swings are always a good overall workout (8kg kettle bell, soft knees, swing the bell to shoulder height then back through your legs, 12 reps, 3 sets.) goblet squats are always a favourite of mine! (booty burners, I use a 12kg kettle bell for these, holding the kettle bell tight in your chest, take a deep squat and back up, 12 reps, sets of 3) another overall one is kettle bell crunches (lying on your back, legs straight reach up to your toes with the kettle bell for 20 reps, for 3 sets).

Another newbie I've tried is 15kg barbell dead-lifts. Bending at your hips and knees, overhead grip on the barbell, slowly drop the bar towards the floor then stand up and push your hips forward, squeezing your gluten & not allowing you back to round. (very bad explanation - you might be best watching this video.) 

These are just a few of the things I've done exercise wise to mix up my routines this week! But next time you're in the gym, have a look at the different equipment that's on offer & try some new things! Don't forget, mixing up your routines will shock your system & that's what will benefit your progress - but changing your routine could even just mean changing your weights, amount of sets/reps or intervals. Each change will benefit your progress!

Remember, exercising is only part of the transformation. Your food consumption holds more succession to your goals. 

Change what you're eating as well as your exercises. Incorporate lots of good fats, protein & leafy greens in all your meals but keep things interesting! Change your breakie from your oats, to some eggs. Add new things to your meals such as avocado or other veggies in your breakfast. Don't be a basic bitch, mix it up & make it interesting! 

It's so easy, so there's no excuse! How long does it take to scramble some eggs, pop them in a pan & add some tomatoes & asparagus on your plate?! 5 minutes! 

Introduce new foods, such as turkey instead of chicken, or some mackerel instead of salmon. Surprise your body & it will begin to react. I've been trying some new things in the kitchen this week as well, but simple changes..instead of my daily boiled eggs & asparagus, I went for an omelette with tomato, ham & feta this morning which was deeeeelish! 

Sourdough with smashed avocado & prawns for lunch today is definitely now a favourite of mine & full of goodness! Don't forget to keep your carbs in there because they're just as important to refuelling your body as protein & greens. Sweet potato goes with pretty much everything & it's so good for you, make sure you eat the skin because that's the best part! 

Another thing I've tried out this week (not something I've always believed in) is protein powder. I've tried a few different brands, but instead of using it in a shake I've made some chocolate 'proats' topped with raspberries and I'm quite surprised how nice they actually were!

Social media hypes at the start of the week are 'Motivation Monday' - so I hope I may have motivated you to try something different this week, swap your run for a row, oats for eggs & serve up some sweet potatoes in your dinners this week! 

Don't forget - it won't happen overnight, persistence is key & motivation is what keeps you going. Set your goals for the week & have a good one! 

Thanks for reading! X

Follow me on instagram - @aprilalexandrax & Twitter - @aprilalexandra1

Friday Feeling!

Goodbye Nottingham!

Finally, it's my favourite time of the week! Friday! Happy Friday everyone! I'm sure you've all got that '#FridayFeeling' and loooooads of plans for the weekend! With the British weather picking up, you can't complain! However, this weekend I'm sunning it up in Spain! (little less than sun than expected, but with a sangria in hand I'm not complaining!)


After working hard at the gym & eating mega healthy (the majority of the time) I'm ready to enjoy some Spanish cuisine & cocktails over the next few days! 

My last post was all about my top tips to have a realistic transformation, fitting in with your every day life, with some simple workouts for at home or the gym - anytime, anywhere! One thing a lot of people find difficult, myself included, is keeping as healthy as possible on holiday. 

Don't get me wrong, I love going away & indulging, enjoying myself. But there's no worse feeling coming back to see all your hard work has gone to pot over the space of a week! But there's no problem in putting back on a few pounds, just kick yourself back into gear when you get home to reality & you'll be fine! 

However, if you do want to take the healthier route on holiday there's always so many ways & eating out - whether you're at home or abroad - isn't always the bad option. 

Obviously, your alcohol consumption is going to increase on holiday but it's more than allowed! Food wise, it's so easy to eat out! Especially when there's so many restaurtants to choose from, which are sticked with the freshest foods straight from the sea or sourced from local villages - if anything, you're probably eating better! 

This morning, I woke up, bottle of water down me to kick start my system then a quick 10 minute workout! That consisted of; side mountain climbers, plank, press ups & toe touches. I definitely felt ready for the day ahead! 

Breakfast is by far my favourite meal of the day & the most important when trying to lead any kind of healthy lifestyle or diet. This mornings definitely didn't disappoint! 

Our Apartment in Calahonda

Can't complain - Sea View!

We're currently visiting the City of Calahonda for the weekend, where our apartment is located & there's so many beautiful little authentic cafés & restaurants to choose from! This morning we took a trip to 'The Jammy Olive Café' - supposedly the Spanish version of Jamie Oliver's restaurant (or a gimmick at least!) I kid you not - Chef Oliver, you better watch this space because it was deeeeelicious!

Jammy Olive's Café!

I had a slice of wholemeal toast, with two poached eggs, spinach & grilled tomato with a cup of Spanish Green Tea. Mmmmm. Delicious is an understatement! 

Despite having a 10 hour sleep, the usual coffee fix was in order & again, one of the best coffees I've had for a while! Although the weather's a bit drab, the food & drink definitely isn't! 

Although, I can't complain as I"m currently lay by the pool writing this in my bikini and shades. The student life eh?



After breakfast we went for a lovely walk along the beach for a good hour or so, before perching on our sunbed for what I hope will be the majority of the day! (weather permitting!) 

It is difficult to stay on track when you're on holiday, and over the next few days I'll be posting all my foodies! But simple things like fresh prawn & avocado salads over a burger will keep you in check & allow for your extra enjoyment in the evening of a bottle of wine or a couple of cocktails! 

Top Holiday Tips:

- Start the day positively! Drink at least half a bottle of water when you wake up, it will rehydrate you which is so important, especially in the sun! Not only that, but it will kickstart your system & make you feel refreshed!

- If you want to keep some sort of workout going, just do simple things. A walk down the beach, a quick abs blast (see my last posts for some ideas) or even a morning or afternoon swim - or both! (Swimming is probably one of the best overall workouts you can do, so no better excuse than being on holiday - it's literally at your feet whenever you fancy a dip! Even just 20 lengths, keep your heart rate working & fat burning! 

- Choose the SUMMER option! Salads & smoothies are my go to food consumptions on holiday & not only do they make you feel good, but they're full of get nutrients that are great for your body! BIt of salad, prawns/tuna/chicken & some fruit you've got your greens, protein & five a day! Even if you opt for a burger, carbs are GOOD for you, the steak burgers abroad are much nicer than at home & have a salad over chips!

- Cocktails - not only are drinks cheaper abroad, but they're also higher in alcohol content so it doesn't take you half as much to get just as tipsy! Best thing for me! Two or three cocktails  & i'm gone! Even though no alcohol is healthy, let your hair down in the evenings & do the all important thing It told you - REWARD yourself! A piña colada, mojito, sangria, whatever takes your fancy - evenings are your more enjoyment time, so let your hair down then rejuvenate the next day!

- A final top tip for holiday! Don't worry! Enjoy yourself & think about getting properly back on track when you get home! 

The one thing I love about summer and summer weather is, it almost makes you want to be healthy! Salads, smoothies, shakes & even BBQ's! So don't go away & feel guilty for having your Sex on The Beach cocktail with a couple of ice creams. It's everyday life & you really need to enjoy it. 

But, I'm definitely looking forward to some authentic Spanish tapas, paella & the beautiful steaks that they serve out here! With a quick workout in the morn & a swim, I'm definitely enjoying the healthy & fun parts of the holiday! 

What better way to relax on holiday, than a dip in the pool, walk along the beach & some fresh fruit? Simple things, go a long way & you'll be healthier than you think without even realising it! 

Saying all this, like I mentioned before - i'm not going to skimp on anything whilst I'm out here because holidays aren't an everyday occurrence. But for those of you that do want to keep a little healthier on holiday I hope these simple, but effective tips help you to stay on track (as best you can) when you go on your jollies this summer!

Follow me on Instagram - @aprilalexandrax for all my holiday antics & food advice!

For now, I'm going to love you & leave you to enjoy the beautiful British weather I hear is still with you back in the UK! 

I'm off for a dip in the pool & catching some rays, before getting ready & hitting the Trafalgar Bar this evening (Cocktials & 80s music..what more could you ask for?!) 

Thanks for reading! X

Follow me on Twitter @aprilalexandra1 & Instagram @aprilalexandrax 

Top Transformation Tips

This is the real world & I'm no comparison to a personal trainer - but I've made lifestyle changes over the past nine months, to feel fitter, stronger and more positive! It's easy looking on Instagram etc and see all those fitness models and personal trainers, but look a little deeper & you realise it's not necessarily easier for them to look that way, just they look that way as their full time job. For an average person like myself, keeping in shape 'like them' is a lot trickier than they make out. So here's my top tips..

1. Eat Well

There's absolutely no point spending hours in the gym if you're not going to adapt outside of it. Working out is only half the job, if you don't fuel & feed your body correctly you'll never see the results you want. 

Take it from me. At the start of my fitness 'regime' I thought I could burn 200 calories at the gym & that earned me a reward..not if you want results. Go to the gym, burn those calories then fuel your body with good fats & plenty of protein to repair itself & react the way you want.

It's so simple! Adapt the way you cook your foods, what you accompany them with & how much you have. Have poached eggs instead of fried, oven-baked chicken instead of grilled, poach fish instead of fry..these simple changes go a long way. 

There's a myth to not have carbs..that's all it is - a myth. You need carbs to refuel & repair your muscles just as much as you need protein. If you remove such an important nutrient from your diet when you introduce it again your body will react worse than if you'd just kept eating your spuds & put on the pounds. Again, simple solutions: wholegrain over white rice or white pasta, sweet potatoes instead of jackets. 

One thing to remember, eating well doesn't have to be expensive. Eggs are a great source of protein & will keep you full for a lot longer than a slice of toast or cereal & a box of large eggs costs you 80p..no excuses. 

Remember what advice I was given.."abs are made in the kitchen."

2. Keep a Diary

Preparation I find is a great way to keep yourself on the right path. I try to plan my meals as much as I can, especially as I'm on my own at uni and it makes my food shop a lot easier if I know what I'm going to be cooking each day. Not only will it save you pennies, but if you write down what you plan on eating you're less likely to eat something you've not 'allowed' for. 

Not only should you plan meals, but plan your workouts. There's nothing worse than getting to the gym and spending the best part of 20 minutes figuring out whether to run or do squats. Decide before you get there & stick with it, even if you're absolutely knackered & want to go home to your comfy bed, keep going! You'll feel so much better for it I promise!!

3. Train with a friend

Struggle to motivate yourself? No problem! Train with a friend! This doesn't always mean do the same workouts at the same time, you could just make the journey to the gym together (my worst part of actually going - guilty!) then you're there & you can get your workout on! 

Why not try some partner exercises? Use medicine balls to do joint crunches, passing the ball to one another, or even toe touches against each others legs - simple, but effective & you've done your deed for the day!

I love hitting the gym with my housemates, there's something about training with a friend that's so fulfilling & it motivates me to carry on, especially if I feel like giving up! 

4. Motivation

Whether it's your fitness, revision, hobbies..anything! It requires motivation to want to do something and want to achieve something. 

Find your motivation for 'transformation'. To fit in a new dress you've bought? To eat more of a certain food? To achieve a certain amount of reps, or increase your weights for the week? Beating a personal best is always motivating for me & I've done that a lot recently, whether it's running the extra mile - like myself & my cousin, we wanted to hit the 5km mark & we beat it, reaching 5.5km - next time it will be 6km!

Whatever you want to achieve, set that as your goal & motivate yourself around that! It can be the simplest or intricate goal, but it's individual to you & will spur you to do well!

5. Rest

Training is important, but so is resting. If you don't give your body a break you'll over work yourself & could end up feeling worse. I try to get to the gym as much as possible, but sometimes a day off is what you need & next time you get to the gym you'll feel the benefits & also how you're improving. 

Sleep is also really important! I love a good 12 hours sleep (if I can - busy student timetable and all that..) but really, the more sleep you have you'll be fuelled for a big workout & be much more productive than sleeping for 6 hours, waking up at ridiculous o'clock and trying to work out..common sense! Unless you can work on 6 hours, then fair! 

6. Keep it Simple

You don't need a fancy gym membership, or fancy equipment to get lean. Try some equipment free workouts at home. Squats, press ups, crunches, lunges or even a jog outside! There's no excuse these days, and with Summer weather just around the corner what better excuse than workout outside?!

Don't think you have to train for hours either! If it's too easy you're either not working hard enough, or pushing yourself enough! Increase your weights, reps or sets and feel the burn - it's a good thing I promise! Progress is simple if you know the right way to go about it! 

7. Diet VS Lifestyle

Adapt your lifestyle, not a crash diet. A crash diet is just a short term fix, which yes you'll see results from, but it's not sustainable & you'll relapse at some point..sorry, but it's true. 

Been there, done that. 

One thing I'll agree with from social media is that transformation is a long process, there's no short cuts and if you want to see a difference for the long term you've got to make changes & adaptations beyond the gym.

8. Reward

A final tip I think is really important is to reward yourself. I'll be the first to admit that I love a bloody fat dessert or a cocktail or ten on a night out, but everything in moderation is okay! (another I'm still learning!) 

Don't restrict yourself so much that you're unhappy. Reward yourself every now & then, if that's food or drink, a day off from the gym, whatever tickles your pickle. If you want a chocolate bar - HAVE ONE! It's known to help your memory incase that convinces you it's a good thing..so does red wine! So, bottoms up my friends!

Workout Time

After a great bank holiday weekend of cocktailing it up Saturday, Sunday I decided it was back on it Monday & I hit the gym beating my personal best's on my run, abs and leg reps! Very proud of myself. (not blowing my own trumpet or anything!!) 

One thing people think is you've got to go to the gym to have an effective workout - wrong! There's so many thing you can do at home without equipment & that are just as effective. 

My favourite home workouts:

- Side mountain climbers: Simply take a plank position, bring your knee to your opposite hand then back to the starting position. Repeat on the other side & do this for a set of 30 reps. 
- Pommel jumps: taking a plank position again, start with your feet shoulder width apart, jump in brining your feet together then back out for 20 sets. Challenge yourself and as you bring your feet in, jump in again tucking your knees towards your chest, then back and out..feel the burn! 
- Bicycles: lying on your back bend your knees and crunch up bringing your elbow and opposite arm to meet, do it really slow & you'll feel the burn! 
- Leg Pulse: lying on your back, again, keep your legs straight & reach towards your toes for 20 reps (more if you can!) if that's too easy, try it with a weight - starting at whatever's comfortable for you, but effective! 
- Press ups: not everyone's favourite by far! But a whole body workout & so simple! Need I explain these really??

There's so many other great home workouts to do - not just for your abs, but lunges (static or walking), squats, timed mountain climbers, grasshoppers, burpees, the list is endless you just need to know what areas you want to target & go from there!

Gym workouts:

Grab some equipment & go!

Tonight, I hit the gym after debating on going for around two hours..I've gotten good at procrastinating since starting uni!

After finally making it, I began with 7kg dumbbells, 12kg kettle bell & 6kg medicine ball. (change to suit yourself, of course!) 

Tonights circuit was as follows...

Bicep curls X 16 
Static lunges with dumbbells X 16
Goblet squats X 16

Repeated four times

Toe touches X 20
Roll up russian twists with medicine ball X 15
Bicycles X 30 
Diagonal reaches (hand to opposite knee) X 20 - 10 each side
V-sits X 30

Repeated four times

Then PLANK IT OUT! 2 minutes - intervals of 15 seconds plank, 15 seconds side steps..

This sounds like such a simple workout but I've increased my weights this week & really am feeling the aftermath now! Especially walking up three flights of stairs just to make it to my bed! 

I felt so much better after going though & that's my favourite part about working out - whether that be a home workout, a gym workout or my Saturday morning run with Lauren - I always feel so positive afterwards, and if that can't convince you to transform your life & your body I don't know what will!

I've hit the gym hard this week after a bit of a heavy weekend, but also as I'm heading to Spain for a few days to catch some rays & can't wait to debut my new bikini! Again, motivation for yourself!

It's so easy for me to write all this, especially as I'm not expert, but I don't want to bring you into false hope that I'm living by these rules every single day because I honestly relapse a lot more than I'd like to. But I'm also 20 years old, at Uni and want to enjoy myself whilst I'm young. 

A good friend of mine told me to live a little & not obsessively worry about always being on top form eating or drinking - it's honestly hit me & I'm grateful to have friends who can be honest with me & make me see sense sometimes!

Thankfully, I have brilliant friends who always remind me of the important things in life. Priorities as well, I love my gym going but it's okay to have a 'bad day' cos what's a glass of wine, or a voddy or even a REESES (I used to be OBSESSED with these!) every now and then!

Wow, I sound so therapeutic! But seriously, it is really easy to get carried away, especially with social media always having it out there to have 'THE bikini body' or to look like a Victoria's Secret model & it's that time of year where everyone's striving for the holiday season!

At the end of the day, I want to show you that it's not as realistic as they make out. 'Normal' people like you or I have a different life, that we can't centre around looking that way, but I want to be able to inspire (if that's a word I can use) that you don't have to be a personal trainer, or a model to look & feel good & there's so many ways you can transform to something you want to be without it being a chore or something you don't enjoy or expensive!

On that note, I'll leave you with a saying I'll always remember a friend telling me,

"You're here for a good time, not a long time."

Follow me on Twitter - @aprilalexandra1 & Instagram - @aprilalexandrax

Summer Season-Ish!

I'm no weather expert, but it sums it up for me that the majority of Bank Holiday weekend I've spent wearing UGGs, a winter coat accompanied with sunglasses. Just because British weather is so indecisive. Typical.

Just last week, myself and my housemate Charley were sat sunning it up in Market Square with a Pimms in hand, sunglasses and flip flops on...now I'm hearing reports it's going to snow whilst sat writing this post wearing a scarf. Inside. Not okay. 

I do love the Brits though. As soon as a bit of sun is seen they're practically naked. Shorts on, sunglasses and fake tan sales start going sky high as people look for that 'Sun kissed tan'. Really they just smell like biscuits and look a bit of a funny shade..each to their own! However, the 'Ready for Summer' look is coming to a town near you.

Saying that, although it's been a chilly week the mornings have been so fresh, which certainly puts me in a good mood! Sun shining, walking to uni, being productive (kind of) makes you feel great! Even better, when I came back to Notts this week I'd also packed all my holiday gear ready for a cheeky weekend trip to Spain on Thursday! 

Summer season is just around the corner and it's the time everyone starts to 'eat clean' hit the gym, teatox, tan up, whatever your regime is..now is when it begins! 

With my holidays booked for Summer I'm definitely shaping up for a good one this year! So this week, I've started my Summer 'cleanse' if you like. Eating & drinking well, working out & feeling good to be honest! 

One of my favourite things about Summer (apart from the Sun) is food! Summer brings so many delicious foods that you can add to your meals & make you feel great! Add some strawberries & pomegranates to make a summery salad, or even infuse some green tea like I did this week with fresh berries - it was delish! 

Summer is full of flavour with salads especially, get those sweet spices out of the cupboard & into your meals - trust me, what you eat makes such a difference to how you feel! As I discovered more this week..

One of my friends is a PT and told me "Abs are made in the kitchen April" - for some reason, this has really stuck with me this week & after making a few changes to my diet & making a plan I've seen a good difference this week! (Saying that, Bank Holiday binge has taken me back to square one..oh well, need a little fun in your life!)

The changes I made this week were so simple, yet so effective & I've educated myself and my body to react the way I want! Simple things like including leafy greens (Spinach, asparagus, green beans, pak choi) into the majority of your meals give you such good anti-oxidants leaving you feeling refreshed, but satisfied. 

Salmon with courgette spaghetti!

I've also increased my fish intake this week (I always do meat-free Monday) but I tried some new things this week, including mackerel, which is an especially good fish to eat! It's full of good fats, omega 3 and plenty of protein to help keep you lean! However, salmon is always my fave & my new favourite is courgette noodles! Literally obsessed with these, stir fry for 2 mins with a little coconut oil & you're good to go!

Curious Manor Avocado Salso Eggs

Before a visit to one of my now favourite places in Notts, Curious Manor, I never really associated avocado with breakfast. Now, I've been having it at least twice a week! It's full of good fats & keeps you fuller for longer. Accompany it with two poached eggs, some grilled tomatoes, you're onto a winner! 




Mixing up your food's also a really good way to get your body into shape (I've discovered this week) if your body always knows what to expect it will just get bored of digesting foods & not give it anything to think about. The same with workouts. So mix up your breakfasts! 

Eggs galore! Scrambled with asparagus.

I'm going a bit overboard with my eggs but mix up all different types of eggs, scrambled, poached, semi-boiled (6mins boiling), then accompany them with asparagus, avocado and grilled tomatoes are always a winner! Packed with good fats & protein is a fab way to start the day! 





Experiment at the gym. Don't make it easy for yourself, where's the fun in that? Mix up your workouts, try new things! My friend James showed me some new exercises this week, I'm aching after trying them but no pain, no gain! 

Spend it up!

Summer is my favourite season by far & I don't think you have to go overboard to get that Summer look anymore! Don't get me wrong, Topshop, River Island & Zara are definitely some of my fave shops, but Primark is the one for me this week! 

After a trip to Sheffield with my lovely Mother, we enjoyed a lovely summery salad at Giraffe before hitting the shops & grabbing some bargains! Primary has such a good range of Summer clothes at the moment & you'd be a fool not to have a look! 90p for a pair of flip flops!!!! Winner! I paid, just £6 in total for my new bikini, alongside a cute new beach bag, sunglasses & a lovely kaftan! Totally £28, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Not only do Primark have a great Summer range, their fitness range is also a favourite of mine! Don't get me wrong, I love my Nike running shoes & their sports bras are second to none, but when it comes to pants & tops - Primarny is a good place to go! Just £6 for a pair of dry-fit gym pants with a zip at the back to store your phone whilst you squat is my idea of perfect! (sad I know, but gym gear is another guilty pleasure of mine..)

If you look good, you feel good & you feel ready! So now you're geared up for the weather & the workout, time to begin!

Motivation is key for me. Find something that you're working towards, whether that's more reps, a certain image, distance. Whatever it is, set a goal and strive for that. 

Spending Bank Holiday in Notts, I missed my weekly Saturday morning run with my cousin Lauren *sad face* but we motivated each other to get up & do something, and although I'm sad I missed out she smashed a good 3km run with her sister Rach! Proud of you cuz! (to both of you - I'm looking forward to a good 5km when I'm home for Summer!) 

I also haven't hit the gym as much this week as I've been quite busy with work, uni etc. (student life and all, you know..) but don't forget in my last post, there's so much you can still do at home! So a quick abs blast before breakie Saturday & Sunday morn really set me up for the day & I can feel the burn! (Different workouts again - more effective than the same old same old..) Remember! You don't have to spend hours training, increase intensity like HIIT training can be much more effective - physically & time wise!

Allow for fun! 

Bank Holiday is everyone's excuse to get drunk, have a good time & enjoy time away from work! This weekend I've tried loads of different cocktail bars (so many good ones in Notts - see my previous blog post!) and really indulged - I have no will power (sometimes) and mini cakes at Forest on Saturday were definitely getting a yes from me! 

If your Bank Holiday has been as food & booze filled as mine, don't worry! Begin again tomorrow, and you don't even have that Monday morning feeling! Motivate yourself, plan your meals, change your workouts & set your goals. 

I'm going to try & put up some of my top tips for food & workouts tomorrow, so watch out for some health & fitness tips that I've picked up along the way from training, friends & online inspo!

Enjoy the rest of your Bank Hol! Thanks for reading! X

Follow me on Twitter - @aprilalexandra1 & Instagram - @aprilalexandrax