Get Fit, Feel Epic! Competition & Progress Pictures

As it is January a lot of people are taking on the challenge of becoming fit and healthy. Now, as you all know I am a huge health and fitness fan and dedicated Tone It Up Girl! I saw that Sandra from The Black Pearl Blog was hosting a giveaway along with moneysupermarket.com to write up a blog post about how you have or how you are planning to 'Get Fit, Feel Epic'. I thought it was a great opportunity to share my fitness and healthy lifestyle story and some of my tips and how they can help you 'Get Fit, Feel Epic'! 

Firstly I want to tell you a bit about me and my fitness journey ~ I've always been interested in health and fitness from a young age. I was active in school sports and my love of horses developed into a love for running through the Pony Club sport of tetrathlon. However during my late twenties my fitness levels dropped. Although I was still slim I wasn't running and exercising as much as I would have liked. When I hit my 30th birthday in 2011 I decided enough was enough and it was time to get back onto the fitness train! So with renewed determination I signed myself up for the Bath Half Marathon and trained by myself in all weathers. I was on an absolute high when I completed the half marathon in March 2012, I had raised over £400 for the World Wildlife Fund and I had gained a new confidence in myself. If you set your mind to it you CAN achieve anything! I kept up with my running throughout the summer and mixed in my Bar Method DVD. 

At the end of August last year I decided to join in on the Tone It Up Beach Week challenge and honestly after two days I was hooked! I love the positive attitudes of Karena and Katrina and their emphasis on a healthy LIFESTYLE, not a diet. So yes, the rest (as they say) is history and you can see my Tone It Up journey on this blog under Fitness. I honestly feel not only fitter and stronger but confident in myself and who I am. I update my instagram with pictures of my workouts and healthy foods on a daily basis so you can follow me there if you are in need of motivation and inspiration. Just to give you some further motivation I decided to finally post some progress pictures. Now I know I was by no means overweight to start with but I have toned up a lot!

Here are a few of my favourite tips towards a healthier lifestyle. Remember you won't get fit overnight ~ the fitness and healthy eating lifestyle journey is a long one but it is one which is worth taking. 

• Get Moving in the Morning | This is what I would call a BootyCall! No it isn't what you are thinking ;) A BootyCall is the term we use in the Tone It Up community for our morning workout, before breakfast. An early morning sweaty workout gets your metabolism moving and therefore burning more calories for the rest of the day! I found this difficult when I first started getting up early to fit in a workout before work but once you get into the routine it is second nature. 
• Eat Breakfast | I know that you know you should eat breakfast everyday but do you do it? They don't call it the most important meal of the day for nothing! Breakfast will kick-start your metabolism so you burn more calories throughout the day. One of my favourite quick breakfasts is Greek yoghurt and fruit. The protein in the yoghurt keeps me full and the fruit gives me a natural sugar boost!
• Drink Water | Water is so important to our bodies as not only does it keep us alert and hydrated but it helps your body to metabolise your food efficiently.
• Eat More | By eating smaller more frequent meals your metabolism doesn't have time to take a break. This doesn't mean you can stuff your face all day! Instead try breaking down your meals into five a day, this will keep your metabolism moving throughout the day and therefore burning more calories. 
• Friends & Support | You know the feeling when it is cold outside and all you want to do is stay indoors and curl up on the sofa? When you are on the edge with that family size bar of chocolate and you need someone to stop you falling? This is where you need your friends! If you have someone to check in with and keep you accountable you are less likely to skip a workout. Through Tone It Up I have got to know so many amazing and inspirational girls, by chatting and checking in with them I have my own worldwide support system. I also love browsing Instagram photos and Pinterest for motivation. 
• Green Tea | Green tea is an excellent source of anti-oxidants and it boosts your metabolism. It also helps to aid digestion, sometimes I suffer from IBS but I find that green tea helps to keep it under control. Green tea is very hydrating ~ we all know that we need to drink plenty of water but when it is cold outside it is sometimes difficult to drink enough. That's where green tea comes in, it warms you up and hydrates you ~ perfect! 

In making small changes to your lifestyle you can make huge changes to your health and fitness. Above all have fun! Fitness should be fun, so mix it up ~ join a new class, make friends. Get outside and enjoy the world. Go for long walks with your family. Don't forget you are allowed a treat every now and then so don't beat yourself up about it. Laugh and be happy. Be yourself :) 

What are you doing this year to Get Fit & Feel Epic? Let me know!