THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GETTING FIT AT HOME.

Sunday 23 June 2019

Now the summer holidays are approaching, there seems to be a sense of panic in the air, as everyone attempts to get summer ready. You may feel like you have left it too late to get a gym membership or a personal trainer, which makes most people lose hope, however, there are actually plenty of ways you can get fit without having to leave the comfort of your own home.




Many people are under the impression that the only way to get fit fast is by sweating it out in the gym, although exercising at home can be much more beneficial. It not only saves money but can also help you reduce the amount of time wasted travelling to the gym, where there may not even be enough machines to go around. 

Take a look at this home fitness guide, which will help you on your way to achieving your dream body. 


Set yourself a goal 


The very first thing you need to do before exercising is set yourself an achievable goal. On your journey to becoming fit, it is essential to focus on realistic results which are unique to your own body and fitness levels. For example, if you're not an avid gym goer, you should start small and work your way up, because if you dive straight into activities of high intensity, you will struggle and may even cause injury, setting you back significantly. You should also make sure to establish your height to weight ratio and whether you are at a healthy size. This will allow you to determine your goals, although try not to focus too much on your weight because how you feel is much more important than numbers on a scale. To monitor your achievements, you should download an app like MyFitnessPal, which will allow you to record your daily eating and exercise habits, helping you to establish your progression. 

Find the time 


Many people use the excuse of having no time to exercise, as they may work long hours or they have kids to look after, but despite having a busy schedule, there is always time to fit in a quick workout. According to the NHS, adults between the age of 19 and 64 should try to exercise at an average of 30 minutes each day. This could involve anything from a quick yoga or body weights sessions, which you can follow on YouTube, or one of the many fitness apps, where you can follow an expert's every move. You could even split this up by doing 15 minutes in the morning (before your children wake up), and a different 15-minute exercise at night (when they go to bed), focusing on different parts of the body.

Invest in gym equipment 


If you want to get fit fast, you need to start introducing some equipment such as barbells and kettlebells, which are perfect for working the arms, legs and glutes. You could even take it up a notch and invest in a treadmill which will help you work on your cardio. Property companies like RW Invest have recognised the benefits of working from home, which is why the majority of their properties feature an in-house gym, containing all the equipment you need to reach your fitness goals without having to step out your front door.

Don’t forget to meal prep


Last but certainly not least is meal prepping, which is actually one of the most important things you need to do to see a change in your body. As the saying goes, abs are made in the kitchen, so if you want to get close to achieving those sought-after lines, prep is the way to do it. Fitness experts like the Body Coach Joe Wicks push the importance of “prepping like a boss” to help you avoid junk avoid throughout the day, which will help you burn fat more quickly when exercising.


G


* This is a guest post but all content published on Tea With Gi is relevant to the blog niche and audience!

6 DAILY HABITS I'VE INCORPORATED INTO MY ROUTINE.

Friday 21 June 2019

Hello! Lately my motivation has been all over the place. I was doing so well with sticking to a healthy routine and then yesterday I ate everything in the snack cupboard, and then some. After taking a stern look in the mirror this morning, I told myself I was going to get back on track and actually stick to the these habits that were working well for me in the past. So here are 6 healthy habits to add to your daily routine! 

healthy habits


1. Start with a 2 minute stretch in bed. 


I don't mean like they do in all the cartoons when someone wakes up, yawns loudly and stretches their arms over their head (but that might work for you). I tried to dedicate 10 minutes in the morning to do yoga but honestly, I wasn't sticking to it. Instead I just sit up, touch my toes for 10 seconds, twist my body one way and the other, and rotate my neck in both ways. If you pick a few stretches you think are the most beneficial for you, you'll be more likely to stick to them. 

2. Take the vitamins (you need). 


Even though there are some vitamins that are good to take generally such as a multivitamin and probiotic, there may be others that you may need depending on your lifestyle, diet and hormones. The best thing to do is take a quiz to see what vitamins you actually need to be taking. The lovely people over at MyVitaminPacks kindly sent me a months supply of the vitamins that were recommended for me. Including iron, digest-zyme, primrose oil and fish oil.

They come in a handy dispenser and packaged daily so you can just rip a packet and take it with you to work or wherever you need to go. I've definitely noticed my energy levels have been more consistent and my skin has been more glowy. I also like that two of my vitamins are pink hehe.

vitamins


3. Have your first drink with apple cider vinegar.


I've been doing this on and off for two years, and you can find a list with heaps of benefits here. At first I used to mix one teaspoon with water, lemon and honey but I've got so used to the taste that I simply add two tablespoons to a glass of water. I'm currently using one that also has manuka honey added so it tastes even better. (Remember to grab one that has 'the mother' included!) If you still find you can't drink it, then it's a good dressing for salads too. 

4. Intermittent fasting. 


I did a blog post last year on my experience with intermittent fasting where you basically fast for a period of the day and eat for another (typically eat between 12pm - 8pm). What I like about it is it stops me from mindlessly eating late at night and I actually look forward to being hungry come 12pm, instead of just eating breakfast when I wake up because I 'should'. Since you're eating in a smaller timeframe you're also less likely to overeat, so it does help with weight loss or maintaining your weight. It also works by regulating your insulin levels, and causes your body to burn fat since there is no food available in your stomach. I thought I would pass out if I tried fasted cardio, but turns out I did a lot better. Just make sure you're drinking plenty of water! 


5. Watch a motivating video or podcast. 


I've been trying to make it to the gym before midday, and when it comes to my 'cool down' at the end of my workout I simply choose a Ted Talk or other motivational video on Youtube and watch that. If I feel like I need some motivation to write a blog post, then I'll watch something centred around that.  Other times I just power walk and watch all of Bieber's old music videos. 

6. Learning something new everyday. 


As an adult this can be pretty difficult since most of us are working in jobs we're used to doing. Luckily I wrote a blog post all about learning something new everyday to give you some ways to do this. What I've got into the habit of doing is picking an article on the Curiosity app (or website) and reading that before bed. There's stuff on psychology, science, health, personal growth and some weird and wonderful things. Today I came across an article on the homepage titled 'why coffee makes you poop', so yeah, go learn something new and impress your friends at your next coffee date.


So these are some healthy habits I've been doing to make me feel like I've got my sh*t together. What are some of yours?

G


10 THINGS TO EXPECT IN BALI.

Friday 14 June 2019

From being savvy about moneys to navigating hefty crowds, there are a few tricks you can learn to really get the best out of your next visit to Bali. Here’s our top list!

1. Be prepared for crowds.

Golden Hour
Image Source: Pexels
Bali is one of the most touristed islands on our planet! While it is difficult to escape the heaving crowds, if you’re determined to find solitude, you will succeed. There are still plenty of secluded corners beyond big tourist areas like Ubud. Our top tip is to head to the central mountains, or even the west or north coasts.

2. Carefully consider your base.

Put some thought into where you plan on basing yourself. You’re in for hot weather and bustling traffic, so you might want to stick close to your accommodation so you can wander around on foot easily enough. Consider Bali villas by Cantik as the perfect base from which to explore the islands.

3. Expect a bout of Bali belly.


It used to be that things like meat, ice cubes and salads would bring on bouts of Bali belly. Expect it, but here’s some good news. Hygiene standards have improved significantly across the island and you can now get good quality organic produce. Just remember to stay hydrated, possibly stay away from street food and, at all costs, avoid the local liquor called arak.

4. Get dressed up.


Beachwear isn’t the norm in every spot in Bali. Some of the high-end restaurants, clubs and bars actually do enforce a dress code. If you’re not sure, you can always phone the place you plan to visit and find out ahead of time.

5. Respect the customs.


Religion is a very big deal in Bali. Don’t get worked up when you come across a blocked-off street where a ceremony’s being held, or your taxi driver pulls over to make a quick blessing. It’s all part of Bali life. Look up the main events before deciding when to visit. Nyepi, for example, sees everything in Bali, even the airport, completely closing down for the day. Remember to dress modestly, too, especially when visiting holy sites and temples.



Image Source: Unsplash


6. Prepare for varied prices.


You definitely can visit Bali on a tight budget, but you can just as easily spend big on spa treatments and delicious meals. The best tip is to look out for online discounts, coupons and happy hour specials.

7. Watch out for the wildlife.


Give way to wild and stray animals. Sure, they’re cute, but they could have rabies and other diseases, and those Bali monkeys are notorious thieves!


8. Stay away from plastic bottles.


Bali is hot and humid, which means you need to stay hydrated. Just consider the environment before you buy another plastic bottle. Instead, help reduce litter on Bali beaches and in towns and get yourself a stainless-steel, refillable bottle that’ll keep your water cold, too.

9. Learn a few words.


A few basic words of Indonesian will go a long way during your travels.

10. You’re expected to bargain.


There are plenty of services and items you’re expected to Bargain for in Bali. Just be respectful about it. Figure out when a vendor has reached their limit with bargaining and stop right there. If you’re in any doubt, rather walk away. If the vendor doesn’t run after you, just know they’re not going to drop their price more.



Image Source: Pixabay


With these 10 tips, you’re sure to get more out of your Bali visits.
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