Burn 1 pound of fat

On Pinterest I found this image that contained the following text:
'1 pound of fat is 3,500 calories. If you want to loose 1 pound of fat in one week, you have to burn/ remove 500 calories a day.'

I'm not really a fan of the word "remove" as I believe that weight loss should be through only healthy measures, but I guess if that's 500 calories worth of sugar and rubbish then it supposedly wouldn't hurt! To me burning 500 calories a day sounds like a winning formula. I want to inspire people with this method and give everyone some pointers on quick exercises they can do to achieve this goal. Naturally, I want to suggest fun inexpensive workouts and exercise that can be completed at home. This is what I found, an idea for each day of the week:

Hula Hooping:
Hula hooping for an hour can burn up to 600 calories. They are so inexpensive to buy from Asda/Tesco or any high street toy shop. As an added bonus, a weighted hula hoop is ideal to tone your stomach as well. I find hula hooping very effective as you can completely forget your doing it, if you put a film on whilst you're exercising or watch the latest catch up telly, the time flies past.

Skipping:
Skipping for an hour can burn up to 660 calories a minute. Again they are very cheap to get hold of and widespread. Skipping is also incredibly beneficial for improving your coordination and alignment, so its an all round good activity. It's something that can be done inside in front of the telly (if you have the space) or outside where you can enjoy the fresh air.

Television:
I found this workout on shake-your-body.blogspot.com via Pinterest where somebody has constructed a completely genius plan. The idea is that doing this quick workout burns 100 calories: 40 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 squats and 10 push ups. But as pointed out by this clever person, there are 5 ad breaks in an hour long television program. This short workout should only take you a few minutes so its perfect to do in between. Then you will have burnt a collective of 500 calories.

Zumba class:
Every gym tends to hold a Zumba class, or if you're not a member google the nearest ones surrounding you (lots of village/town halls hold them). An hour long class burns 500 calories if you give it your all. It can feel a bit silly at first, particularly if you're similar to me and incredibly self conscious. But I just roped in one of my best friends who made it a lot easier, and to be honest you look far more stupid if you're not joining in. Its such a fun way to have a laugh with your friends but also shift those 500 calories.

Bike-riding:
This is particularly fabulous if you live in the countryside. An hour of moderate bike riding burns 500 calories. I cant really comment on anything too specific regarding the word 'moderate', but you could always invest in a pedometer if you wanted to be very thorough. Bike-riding is always really fun when you have company as well, time goes by a lot faster if you're able to chat whilst doing it! Just be sure to check the pace you're cycling at doesn't suffer as a result!

Running up stairs:
Slightly embarrassing, so I'd suggest doing it home alone. But 45 mins of running up and down stairs burns 500 calories. A completely free method that works very effectively.

Rollerblading:

Time to dig out the trainers!

I used to Rollerblade so much when I was younger, so of course I was to young to appreciate the exercise value. Rollerblading for 1 hour burns your last 500 calories. I think the best part of this is that so many sports halls and clubs hold roller-discos (google to find your closest), so like zumba, you can rope in all your friends as you have fun and exercise in a loud and party environment.


Above I've listed 7 options that you could choose, by completing all of them you will have burned 1 pound of fat in just one week. Personally, I think they are such fun and fantastic ways to stay fit and healthy but methods that also keep you captivated along the way. Hope everyone enjoys!

Lavender Oil

Results, work stress, money problems. Life can be so stressful and difficult sometimes. There are of course ways to fix things but the anxiety and pain can really be left behind. 

A few months ago I made a post about the Neal's yard bath salts. Since using them I've discovered the amazing benefits of lavender essential oil. It's really widespread and you can get a bottle at almost any health shop. But be cautious to make sure it's the 100% pure oil, it lasts longer and is far better for you. On average it costs round about the figure of £5 but it of course varies. 

The great thing about essential oil is that it has all the healing and relaxation properties. But it can be used in such a vast range of ways. You can add several drops to warm bath water for a full relaxation detox or massage it in to an aching body part. A few drops of oil can be added to a facial steamer to revive a blocked nose or again for the calming benefits. When I am really under pressure and unsettled I like to put a sprinkle of oil on my bed pillow before I'm about to go to sleep. It helps me really relax and fall a asleep despite whatever nerve-racking experiences are in store for me the next day. 

I've been doing some further research on more alternative benefits of lavender oil. Interestingly I found that it has some antiseptic and anti-inflamitory properties which can be used to relieve things like bug bites. Research also indicated that lavender has the ability to settle nausea, headaches and upset stomachs. Of course I can't take responsibility for any of these "claims" or however people choose to take this information. But for me lavender oil works incredibly well as a natural remedy! And I would urge anyone to pop down to boots and get their hands on bottle. 

For more information on health benefits of lavender. Head over to this website:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922.php

Moroccan Oil

I would say that my hair is probably one of the most noticeable features about me. I have really long curly/wavy blonde hair, which is incredibly thick and all natural. As it is such a prominent aspect of me. I really try to keep it looking its best!

The best way I know of to do this, is after washing/conditioning apply Moroccan oil hair treatment. Either by using it to scrunch for curls or brush it through for straighter effects, the results leave you with a luxuriously moisturised head of hair. The beautiful shine created makes any persons hair type look healthy, cared for and nourished. It executes a salon quality performance and really adds the finishing touches to any 'do'.


Amazon sells Moroccan oil for the cheapest I've seen it. At £30.45 it seems alarmingly expensive, but a 100ml bottle lasts me on average 3/4 of a year (if not more). You only need a pea-sized amount of the oil each time you use it (for me I use two pumps of the nozzle). So although it is quite pricey, you do get your money worth in the time this product lasts for and the results of it are outstanding.

I couldn't express enough how incredible this product makes your hair look and feel. As I mentioned you can buy it at Amazon for the cheapest (or the cheapest I've found so far). The website link is just below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MoroccanOil-Treatment-Hair-Types-100ml/dp/B001AO0WCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405881906&sr=8-1&keywords=moroccan+oil

Neal's Yard Remedies bath salts

Exam period has just finished so I've been in desperate need of ways to relax. At the end of the day I like to take time to have a bath, particularly with Neal's Yard lavender bath salts to really relax. 

The bath salts are made from all natural products and are not tested on animals which is an added bonus.  A handful of these beautifully scented bath salts can really create the perfect chilled environment to wind down in. Your skin is also left feeling really moisturised and hydrated. 

As well as relieving stress lavender also posses a variety of other health benefits. These include antiseptic properties and the ability to relieve headaches to name a few. 

Waitrose price this at £15.50 which may seem relatively expensive. Considering the size of the pot and the amount you use each go it's well worth the money. It's an absolutely incredible buy!

Soap and Glory Body Scrub

Soap and Glory's 'Scrub 'em and leave 'em body buff' is possibly one of the best bath products any girl or woman can own. Soap and Glory have combined their 'mist you madly's' fragrance with the most appealing and beautiful pink scrub thats very gritty but filled with moisturiser that leaves your skin feeling beautiful and polished.

Ive been using this as a means to get rid of stretch marks on my legs, so as i've only started using it I cant really comment on the effectiveness. But after using it my skin feels so soft and hydrated, and thats before using any bio oil. The fragrance includes scents of bergamot, blackcurrant, Magnolia, Fressia, Vanilla and Musk which make a really lovely summery combination. Priced at £8 its definitely worth the investment. I also bought some of boots exfoliating gloves for a couple of pounds. They are very coarse and really ensure the exfoliator is being used to its full potential.

I would highly recommend anyone to visit Boots and purchase this luxuriously creamy exfoliator.
http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory-Scrub-Em-and-Leave-Em%C2%99-Body-Buff-300ml_999405/

Fake Bake Beyond Bronze

I'm not a person that goes for regular spray-on-tans or anything, but I do think in the summer months a little fake tan on the legs goes a long way to complete an outfit.

I've used Fake Bake before but I've only received it as a present. Its fairly expensive (but well worth it) so this time I had to opt for the cheapest type. I chose 'Beyond Bronze self tan lotion' as I didn't want something that was wash off. I like building up a more natural tan rather than having to go through the process of putting it on each time I go out.

'Beyond Bronze' is more expensively priced at £18.50 but it's really worth spending a little more. Its not tinted orange like the typical high street brands of self-tan, its actually a normal brown colour. It comes out quite thickly which I feel is a bit of a heavy colour for my skin. Therefore I tend to dampen my mitt before applying to make it thinner and spread easier.

You need to apply a coat everyday (preferably at night time so your skin is most absorbent) and then once a week when you've reached the desired shade. When you shower for the first time it does look like a lot comes off but if anything I think it makes the brown colour intensify.

I would highly recommend Fake Bake 'Beyond Bronze' to anybody. Follow the link to buy some:
http://www.boots.com/en/Beyond-Bronze-Self-Tan-Lotion-148ml_1039804/

No7 foundation

Its no secret that in the past I've had to deal with bad spot/acne problems. So when I was younger I would desperately cover myself in thick foundation in an attempt to hide it which in turn, made things a lot worse. When my treatment started working I completely stopped wearing foundation as I really didn't want any dirt or impurities touching it. I took a really long break from it.

However, recently I began to really miss the idea of flawless skin for those special occasions. With this in mind and no idea which brand to buy I headed on down to Boots. I really love all No7 make up, so this was my first choice. They have also developed a machine which resembles a photographers light meter to match the colour of your skin with their foundation. It makes it so much easier than rubbing lots of different patch tests on your forearm and getting the wrong result. Being very fair I was matched with one of the lightest shades. There are so many variations to opt for regarding style of foundation but I chose the Stay Perfect type, this happened to be the cheapest at £14.50 as well.

The Foundation is lovely, it's is incredibly light and refreshing to wear which makes a change from the usual brands. Its thick enough to cover any imperfections of the face but not so much that it wont blend or become obvious. Personally, I only wear it across my T-zone and then across my cheeks but you can really get away with it as the colour is so evenly matched to your skin when you buy it. Another desirable factor is the SPF15. I hate going out and wearing sun tan lotion on my face as it gives it the odd shiny quality. But when I wear this I know i will have some form of protection. The foundation claims to last 24 hours, it does do this but you might need a couple of top ups throughout the day.

No7 Stay Perfect foundation is really brilliant. Its been so perfect in showing me that all foundation isn't bad, particularly as I've been using it for a while and there's been no obvious effect on my skin. I would highly recommend this to anybody.