Staying fit and well is essential for both body and mind- we all know the importance of getting enough activity each week. However it’s so easy to put off, not because we’re too busy like so many of us claim but because exercise isn’t always fun. It can be strenuous and hard work and can sometimes feel like torture! However if this is the case for you, it’s just a sign that you’re doing the wrong activity. There are lots of ways you can move your body, tone your muscles and burn calories while having a good time in the process. Here are some ideas!

Take a class

When you think about the gym, chances are you picture yourself slogging away running on a treadmill, cross trainer or weights machine. Maybe this kind of exercise isn’t for you, or perhaps you already do but want to mix up your routine a little. If so, check out your gyms classes schedule. Most offer everything from body pump to yoga to spinning to dance classes. You could bring a friend with you and motivate each other while having fun. It’s only an hour or so a week and can massively boost your fitness and help you to work out muscles that you’d struggle to use any other way.

Get a dog

If you’re serious about getting fit, and know that you have the time, money and energy to look after a dog then why not adopt one? There are millions of dogs across the globe in shelters in need of a home, there are probably thousands in your hometown alone. If you can make just one of their lives better then you’ve done a wonderful thing, and they can benefit your life as much as you can benefit theirs. Choose a breed that suits the level of activity you do, if you like to go on frequent laid back strolls then a smaller or lower energy breed will be fine. If you want to go running, hiking or on long walks then a younger or more energetic dog will be for you. You can find out lots of information about breeds and more on sites like Dogs by Nina. If you’re not in a position to have your own dog, how about walking one for a friend or family member? Often older people struggle to walk their dog for long or far enough so you could help them out as well as making their dog happy. Walking with a dog is so much more fun that walking by yourself too, you’ll usually walk further when you know it’s for them rather than just yourself.

From this site

Try trampolining

The best exercises are those that don’t even seem like exercise. When you go trampolining, you’ll be having so much fun you won’t even be thinking about the huge number of calories you’re burning! There are trampoline parks up and down the country and there are also lessons offered at sports centres and some gyms. Bounce your way to a better physique!

Sarah x

Here she goes again, banging on about vegan snacks haha. I actually think I am on some sort of quest to try every new vegan snack I come across!

www.nutreelife.co.uk sell a great range of protein bars, snacks and powders depending on your preference. It is a worry when eating a vegan diet that you are not consuming enough protein that you used to get from meat but in fact if you eat a balanced diet you can easily get the correct amount but there are a lot of protein based products to help you, especially if you work out.

I have used powders before but something that caught my eye was the snack bites. Sometimes i don’t always want a whole protein bar but I want something small to have. I got the Chocolate brownie protein snack bites. they do a lot of other flavours too.

“Just like an ordinary snack that you are accustomed to eating, such as a chocolate biscuit or a packet of crisps, a protein snack is a small item of food that you may eat between meals. However, the benefits of a protein filled snack are so much better than a biscuit or cake. Protein helps you to feel fuller for much longer than a carb-based snack alone. Plus our vegan snack bites, cubes and flapjacks contain fibre so you won’t feel hunger until your next meal. Not only that they contain all-natural ingredients, and natural sugars from fruit to provide all the energy you’ll need to get you through the day.” – www.nutreelife.co.uk

Do any of you have protein based snacks?

Sarah x

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know a few months ago I decided to adopt a dairy free diet and then transitioned to eating a vegan diet. The easiest way to go vegan for me was to eat “meat alternatives” whilst I made the change. I am slowing eating more fruit and veg and trying lots of foods I had never heard of before. It is important when making a drastic diet change that you ensure you are doing it the correct way for your body and that your body is getting the nutrients it needed.

I had spent months researching online about the vegan diet and something that took my interest was the vegan tests that HealthLabs.com offers. They are a company based in the USA that can offer two different types of tests, one for vegans and one for non-vegans. The test for vegans will check for any nutrient deficiencies that those with a plant-based diet are more susceptible to. The test for non-vegans will look for any allergies to animal-derived products, which may encourage a diet change. I really wish they offered these in the UK and it is such a shame they don’t. I think it is still a good idea for me to maybe go to the doctors to discuss my diet and see if they can do any tests similar to this?!

I do believe that dairy was affecting my body in a negative way but at the same time, my family are concerned that I am not getting the correct vitamins and nutrients. I do plan to not be so much a junk food vegan as some may say and try to eat a lot more fruit a veg.

I did contact the company to try to find out more information and they very kindly offered a discount code, so if you are based in the USA and want go ahead you can quote “SARAHTRADEMARK” for 25% off. If you want to find out more about there is a really interesting article here.

Are any of you vegan? Have you had any allergy or deficiency tests?

Sarah x

If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know that recently I have been trying to eat a lot healthy and really trying to have healthier snacks throughout the day. I came across Boka so decided to give them a try.

They have four varieties of bars: Apple & Cinnamon, Caramel, Choco Mallow and Strawberry.

They are all 100% green traffic lights which is really important if you are sticking to a strict diet or trying to cut out bad food.

They all taste yummy but my favourite is the caramel flavour. Often health bars are only fruit flavoured so it is really nice they have this and the choco mallow ones if you fancy something a bit different.

Sarah x

I am trying to share a few more foodie posts with you recently. I wanted to tell you a bit about a brand I hadn’t tried before called Dr Zaks. They make tasty snacks that are high in protein so really good for you if you are a gym buff or trying to eat healthier.

The past few weeks I have really tried to cut out fatty snacks and work out more to try and improve my fitness and become a bit more toned. it is so hard to give up snacks though. This is where Dr Zaks snacks come in handy!

The cookies taste amazing and are high in protein but low in sugar and fat. They are really filling and are great as a snack after exercising(instead of a protein shake) or to just snack on during the day. My favourite is the triple chocolate, it tastes naughty like it is meant to be bad for you haha. The protein helps keep you fuller for longer 🙂

They also have a great range of protein clusters. The fruit and yogurt ones are my favourite The bag is only 128 calories and is such a handy snack to keep in your bag or desk draw. I have really noticed that by having high protein snacks I am not snacking as often as I am fuller for longer and bu limiting my snacks as well as exercising regularly I have really noticed a difference.

You can buy their products at a ton of online stores. 

Sarah x