Thursday 29 August 2013

Getting healthy to feel happy....

I haven't posted for a while, for which I apologise. I've been going through the wars with depression which three weeks ago really came to a head when all I could do was stay in bed all day, eating nothing but a rather unhealthy mix of Jammie dodgers and chilli Doritos (and yes both of those are vegan..!) but I felt awful for it. I had no energy, I was severely depressed, and I just felt terrible.
Two weeks ago after some long talks and planning with my other half we pushed to make a big change, we joined a gym. 

We started to go along together but then he had to be away and work for a week which would usually lead to me not leaving the house, staying at home alone but instead I got up, made a smoothie and went to the gym for 1-2 hours nearly every day. Already I started to feel more energetic, after only a few days my stomach started to tone, my boobs became more pert and to my delight after worrying about recent butt sagginess, my butt actually lifted...! 

But the change that really were the results I wanted? I felt more positive, I felt active and like I was actually taking care of myself properly for the first time in a long time. 
As well as exercising which I'm now doing between 4-5 times a week at the gym, on those days my energy has been sapped too much or my body needs a gym break I still exercise at home by doing squats, lunges, push ups, crunches, and so on, I'm also making sure that I'm eating and drinking right.


Before I head out to the gym I'll make a super healthy smoothie and drink before and during my work outs. I invested all of £20 in a blender and headed to my local green grocers for fruit and veg. It's been fun trying out different variations, my SO always wants some too if he's coming with me or not, and they make amazing hangover cures...!
I've made so many different types but this one is my favourite and I tweak it every now and then so I shall do a first on here, I shall give you a recipe.

This smoothie contains a handful of blueberries, great for antioxidant properties, 6 frozen strawberries which cools down the smoothie as well as add some amazing flavour (and on a side note, strawberries whiten teeth, after two weeks or having them nearly every day I'm surprised to say it actually works!), blackberries, raspberries, frozen grapes, kale which may sound gross but in smoothie form you can't taste it at all so I use a handful in every batch. It's basically spinach plus and gives so much energy, and now most supermarkets sell it in bags for only £1! As well as the fruit and veg I add a teaspoon full of a flaxseed, sunflower seed, goji bean and more powder which is full of protein and can be added to a lot, I even throw it on top of salads and potatoes. 
For extra refreshment sometimes I will add some mint leaves too, between the mint and the frozen fruit it is extremely refreshing and really helps to keep the stamina going while working out. 

So as well as smoothies I seem to have a habit of eating a giant salad followed by boiled new potatoes with plenty of butter straight after the gym, the mix of healthy salad leaves followed by a plate of tasty carbs seems to be what my body cries out for after a workout, thank god it's just so delicious anyway! 


After only two weeks there's the health benefits, the visible toning in places, the renewed energy but the main outcome is that I feel happier, people have mentioned lately that I seem happier, I talk more in a positive spin rather than focus on the negative and although my conversations may be in more of a gym geeking out I feel better in conversations as I have something nice to say rather than trying to hide any depression I may be suffering. 

For me this wasn't about losing weight, I'm actually hoping it will help me to gain some as I've previously been underweight in recent years which lead to scary chest pains and a worse mental state. I'm happy to have toned up and hope that I can some more over time but to feel positive again, to feel like I'm achieving on my days off rather than hiding away, and so many many other benefits I'm already feeling it has been completely worth every second. 


That is after only two weeks of working out, I haven't lost any weight from it but my stomach has started to sculpt, but still I won't show my makeup-less face..! 


My secret to hitting the machines longer without counting down the timer has been to add a lot of books onto my ipad to read on some of the machines, so it's lead to me actually reading more too. 


So there you have it, being healthier and actually looking after myself has the most benefit on my mind than anything else. I shall keep it up and update at some point along the line, but now I only have one more thing I need to do health wise...
I need to quit smoking. 

3 comments:

  1. Millie, this is fab. I'm so pleased you are feeling healthier and more positive. I am suffering with depression too, and joined a gym about two weeks ago... strangley parallel situation! I too am testiment that it works wonders.. onwards and upwards for both of us! xx

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  2. Wow, sounds like you've some wonderful ideas and plans, sounds like the end result will look very nice! Best of luck with the changes
    being healthy

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