Time to say GOODBYE…
That’s me done.
Okay so not forever but this is officially my last blog before I sign off and take some time out (if that is such a thing with a toddler!) before our little man arrives.
I’d like to say that the last 7 to 8 months have whizzed by – and I guess they have but there have been plenty of challenges along the way (lots of exhaustion and nausea!), which I have almost forgotten about now (thankfully!) and i’m excited to meet our baby boy for the first time!
I love this belly support band from Baobei Maternity
So before I love you and leave you, I would like to give you FIVE of my Tops Tips for staying on track during this busy, and sociable, time of year.
I will be back next year (once I have gotten into the swing of being Mama to two and not just the one!) but until then let’s keep you on the straight and narrow.
There’s absolutely NO reason for you to pile on any unwanted pounds over the festive period if you continue to maintain a good balance. So here’s how….
- Find a good balance:
Try not to go overboard with the treats. Yes it’s Xmas and yes it’s a fun time to indulge and have lots of socials with family and friends, but you don’t want to get to the New Year and have to spend the first few months trying to shift the unwanted fat gain. Do you? Plus my 8 Week Fitness Challenges won’t kick off again until Summer 2018 so for now, opt for an 80/20 balance of good to naughty and you’ll be more likely to “maintain” over the holiday season. Add exercise to this and it will surely help offset any extra calories!
- Stay hydrated:
Drinking plenty of water can help your body flush out any Xmas toxins, plus maintaining a good level of hydration in your body helps with your general feeling of well-being, sleep and appetite. Get a little extra help from this Electrolyte Blend from NutriStrength. I love it in the mornings – pop 1tsp in some hot water with fresh lemon and feel yourself zing to life!
- Sleep:
Sleep is the magic formula over the party season. Too little sleep combined with an overload of junk and toxins will leave you feeling dreadful. So try to get some early nights in, or an afternoon nap on the sofa.
- Hit the gym:
It may be the last thing you feel like doing but staying active is going to be your saviour for staying on track. A good boost of endorphins now and again is going to help with your nutrition, sleep and hydration and if you can hit the weights then even better! An hour of weights will give you more “bang for your buck” than an hour of cardio – and the after-effects of a good weights session will leave you in a higher metabolic state (i.e. burning more calories) than any length of cardio. Add in some big compound lifts such as deadlifts or squats and if you don’t have much time, you can always try a quick full body blast in a HIIT-style workout at home, which will be intense and effective! You can find some of my fav workouts on my IG and YouTube channel…
Get this awesome and supportive #pregnantnotpowerless vest from Fittamamma
Here are some I’ve picked out for you to try:
- Most importantly, take some time off!
Enjoy some treats, enjoy some downtime and enjoy doing just nothing!
Your body and your mind will thank you for it.
As for supplements I recommend that you stock up on a good multi-vitamin. Late nights and alcohol can deplete your body of vital nutrients so this can keep you on track. Magnesium can also help improve the quality of your sleep and Vitamin D is important in winter, especially if you’re not getting regular sunshine and not spending much time outdoors either. Vitamin D can also help with increased cognition (a must for the day after the office Xmas party!) immune health and general well-being. I also love a daily dose of Acetyl L-Carnitine at this time of year, which is a good brain booster (yes!) and can help provide energy and boost your body’s fat burning potential.
And Last but not least PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t allow one bad meal or one bad day to sabotage the rest of your holidays. It’s true what they say, you’re only one workout away from a good mood. So start your day with a good power walk or trip to the gym, followed by healthy protein smoothie – my absolute fave is NutriStrength’s New Coffee Pea Protein, which I loved blended with coconut water, dates, banana & Meridian’s coconut & peanut butter. Or opt for nutritious breakfast of say eggs & smoked salmon and you’ll be back on track in no time. Don’t fall into the trap of ‘I’ve blown it so I may as well eat more crap and skip my workout’ – if you had a puncture in one of the wheels on your car – you would try to fix it – not go slashing the other three tyres. It’s the same with your body. Just get straight back on track!
Have you tried NutriStrength’s new Coffee Pea Protein yet? Get 15% off with my code MIRELLA 15
I hope this blog helps you! I’m going to miss you guys so please do keep in touch via my Instagram, be good and enjoy the next few months. I’m going to enjoy resting up as much as possible and spending time with Atari before my baby boy makes an appearance very soon! I can’t wait for you all to meet him!
Lots of Love!
Mirella xx
Ready & waiting!
