Tips and Tricks To Get Back into Shape – Food Combining Part 2

Healthy Living Motivation + A Challenge with a Great Reward #LTADARESU

nike_trainers

Healthy Living Motivation + A Challenge with a Great Reward #LTADARESU

Hey you lovely,
A few days ago I tweeted a photo (okay, okay, a selfie) of me just at the beginning of my Zumba class. I received a couple of requests to share what my secret to staying fit was + my main motivation to continuously lead a healthy + physically fit lifestyle.

zumba_class
First I?d like to ask you something: ?Why have you considered even for a second leading a healthy lifestyle? Why have you wondered ?How does Antoinette do it??

Though in my recently launched ?Healthy Living Series? I’ve been sharing Tips & Tricks for staying fit through enjoying tasty food in a healthy way through properly combining it (1/2/3), I still haven?t had the chance to talk about one of the most important aspects of my life ? WORKING OUT. 

For those of you who are still convinced that minimising their food intake + skipping workouts is the way forward ? I?d hate to disappoint you but you?re anything but on the right track to attaining a positive state of mind + healthy & glowing skin and body.

To reach the latter conclusion, I had to lose a lot of weight when I was 15 to only then realise that all that I had managed to achieve was harm my body and my mental wellbeing. I clearly remember the day a classmate of mine mockingly remarked ?Ah! You have such wide hips? which somehow got stuck in my head, triggering me to immediately work in the direction of ?shrinking? them (here).
Yes, I was way too young to comprehend that I was on the road of becoming a woman, and that developing ?hips? was something that was inevitably going to happen. Well, at a certain point I got so skinny that today I can hardly even remember how my body looked (yes, my mind has repressed that scary image). The only thing I can vividly recall are my parents’ petrified faces when they first saw me after I’d come home from a 4-week long summer school in Bournemouth. And how not being alarmed? Their teenage daughter had been slowly disappearing in front of their loving eyes, and only after not seeing her for a while they could clearly notice the massive + destructive change that had taken place. Then, thanks to my dad, who had started maintaining a healthy living lifestyle I was introduced to dishes and foods that while healthy were also incredibly tasty; I was introduced to a regular exercise routine.

Rather than skipping meals I started jumping on a rope. Rather than saving calories to indulge in one petite meal a day, I started eating regularly and hitting the gym instead.

If your incentive to lead a healthy lifestyle is to lose weight/feel better/gain weight, for me it was to survive and enjoy life again. Over the years I?ve tried it all – going to the gym, attending most of the fitness classes that have ever been invented (zumba, aerobics, body combat, step aerobics, Pilates, yoga, spinning, circuit training, kangoo jumps,? etc, etc) to be able to finally unveil what my real ?workout passion? is, the one that works BEST for me (a post about my Zumba experience is also coming up soon).
So my first advice for you is: ?EXPERIMENT!?
There are millions of options for you out there to exercise and improve your body depending on the healthy living goals you set for yourself. However, there are probably only a few that will make you forget that you ?HAVE? to exercise, that you ?HAVE? to go to the gym. Yes, once you find your ?workout? you?ll notice how excuses such as ?I?m so tired, I should probably skip exercising today? are slowly melting away.
You?ll start being excited to attend the next class and learn the new steps that the instructor will be introducing you to. You?d be delighted that you have a tennis session booked for later on today.
But how would you be ever able to discover which is the perfect sport for you if you keep on repeating that you ?DON?T? have enough time.
And believe me YOU DO!
Rather than indulging in French fries during your lunch break ? GO TO A CLASS!
Rather than taking the elevator ? TAKE THE STAIRS!
Rather than taking the bus for only 2 stops ? WALK!
Rather than sleeping in until 10 ? wake up at 9:30, click on YouTube, find a HIIT (high intensity interval training) and do a workout at home!
I even invested in a few pairs of comfy everyday Nike trainers to be able to walk around the city rather than always take the subway.

When I have the chance to ?MOVE? I?d always embrace it.
When I have to choose between ?fried? and steamed? I?d always ALWAYS go for the latter.
And believe me, when you get into the habit of regularly exercising you?ll notice that eating ?junk? will no longer a legitimate option. When you see your body gradually toning you?ll simply KEEP ON GOING! And honestly, would you really have a burger after you have sweated your butt off during the cardio training you?ve just completed?
Life is too short to make excuses and POSTPONE LIVING BETTER!
Invest in a high-quality pair of trainers.
Download the tracks that will motivate you.
Check out the fitness classes/sports that exist and contact the closest gym to your home and work.
Find a friend who is willing to join you in this ‘healthy’ adventure.
Go on Pinterest/Instagram and find some photos for inspiration + motivation.

Yes, I do think what I put in my stomach.
Yes, I do fill most of my spare time with working out.
Yes, a huge part of leading a healthy lifestyle should be dedicated to exercising regularly (and/or walking) and making healthy food choices. Actually, E. loves to remark that I’m like ?a soldier? as I can never be lured by the smell of McDonald?s or KFC; as I?d never feel the urge to have a Coke. NEVER. Probably it doesn’t sound easy to you but, please, every time you attempt to have a packaged GMO Candy full of sugar and preservatives ask yourself ?If this is going to expire in more than a year from today, how is my BODY supposed to properly digest it NOW? To get vitamins from it?? Well, frankly, it’s not supposed to.
Try and eat more raw foods, try to drink freshly-squeezed juices. It won’t take too long until you start noticing the ?artificial? taste of all unhealthy ?soft? drinks and ‘snacks’ that exist out there.

And I get it – It’s damn hard to actually force yourself to START. Surely it’s much easier to close this tab and forget about this post, and precisely because I DO GET THIS, I DO UNDERSTAND I?ve decided TO DARE YOU myself. Yes, to dare YOU!

#LTADARESU CHALLENGE: 
Though I?ve gone through a lot of stages since I started regularly exercising, right now my body, though quite toned, lacks well-defined abdominal muscles. And, to be honest, I?ve always wanted to have a six-pack instead of a flat belly. For this reason I dare myself to get a Six-pack until August.

Until 1st of August.


I?ll be sharing with you the photos of my progress, hash-tagging them #LTADARESU.
Well, girls and boys…Pick your GOAL.
You want to lose some pounds?
You want to start eating more healthily?
You want to put on some weight?
You want to get more toned?
You want to become a vegetarian?
You want to stop drinking fizzy drinks?
You want to go on a 100% Raw Diet?

SET YOUR GOAL!
Share it via e-mail (antoinette.pepe@gmail.com) or in the comments bellow /+your contact details: name, age, country of origin, e-mail/.
Start sharing photos with your progress on twitter with #LTADARESU 
Share the healthy dishes you indulge in!
Share sweaty photos of you exercising.
Share ?before/after? photos.
Do it!
And remember ‘STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY’. 

PRIZE? 
And of course, with a great challenge comes a great reward for the most motivated and engaged ?darer?.
Need a hint? Do you like my NIKE TRAINERS

Of course the colour and size will be of your choice. 

nike_trainer_bright
P.S. A few hours are left until the end of LTA’s 500 Followers Jo Malone Giveaway here. What are you waiting for? Enter and win a scented Jo Malone Candle ‘Sweet Almond & Macaroon’. Good Luck!

Love,
A.

33 kommentarer

  • Simkelyte

    Definitely one of the cutest girl!! best wishes from Germany: kurzwaren großhandel

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Annicka

    Hi, as an ex-anorexic (in my early twenties) and a happy pregnant woman and a anorexia prevention activist in my late twenties, I suspect you, like many young women nowadays, have a slight weigh obsession (http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/eating-disorder/5-signs-of-weight-obsession.htm). I still remember well my anorexic habits masqued under “healthy living” too small portions, calorie counting, over-exercising and narcistic photos…No bad feelings, but just think about it and inform yourself about the disease as it is mostly in our heads.

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Hey Annicka! Thank you for that comment and your concern. The thing is – I’ve written before about my experience with the disease before – http://www.letterstoa.com/2014/03/your-worst-enemy.html
      I did exchange my destructive habits with a ‘healthy living’ lifestyle.. 🙂

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Annicka

      Thanks for your reply, but frankly you still look a bit underweight to me 🙂 It seems like the insecurity about your looks is still hidden somewhere deep inside …Anyway, the real love and acceptence of ourselves comes in a moment, and noone but you is capable of this realisation. Wish all the joy in the world and remember that beauty is in everyone who accepts and loves himself and the ego has nothing to do with this.

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • I completely agree – especially when these photos were taken! That’s why I’m currently doing pilates rather than cardio and I’m doing my best to build some muscles and shape my body so that it looks healthier than it used to! <3
      Sending you lots of love,
      A.

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • This is an amazing post- good for you for encouraging and helping other people to become healthier!

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Emma Computergirl Beauty Blogg

    What a great post. Positive and helpful- feeling motivated xx

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Eesha U

    I will be joining! I need to tone and I want a flat stomach! I am from West Midlands UK, 20 years old and my email is eeshablog@gmail.com

    http://www.eeshasglam.blogspot.com

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Cristina

    Love love love your post and I’m so getting involved!!!!

    Cristina, 21, Spain, akucita@gmail.com!

    http://www.definitelymycupoftea.com

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Great post… I really wish I was as healthy as you are! I go through periods of time when I am very healthy but I always lose my motivation. Think I will definitely try and get involved with #LTADARESU!

    Lauren | laurenthedaydreamer.blogspot.co.uk

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • If you want to get involved – do it! I’m preparing a post about the challenge and will tweet you a link so that I motivate you a bit more to pursue a healthy living lifestyle 😉
      You ready for some positive changes?
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • I definitely want to get involved! Looking forward to reading your post. Just need to think of a goal now 🙂

      Lauren | laurenthedaydreamer.co.uk

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • This is a brilliant post, so motivational! I’m determined to do more exercise, this post was a good kick up the ass haha! x

    http://www.josies-journal.com

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Yey! Thank you so much Josie! Let me know if you want to participate in the challenge. I will tweet you a link to the next post in which I’ll talk a bit more about it!
      Love,
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • You are such an amazingly motivational writer! I’m totally with you on making fitness a big part of my life – unfortunately millions of exams mean it’s taking a slight back seat at the minute but I’m still trying my best. Sounds like you had quite some struggles earlier in life and have come out of it a strong and amazing person. I’ve never liked coke or fizzy drinks either – they taste like something that shouldn’t really be for humans to consume haha!
    lily x
    http://www.jolihouse.com

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Thank you so much for this comment lovely girl!!! I’m so happy to hear that you’ve decided to make fitness a big part of your life and to be honest I’ve seen some of your ‘workout photos’ :)))))
      I’d be very very happy if you decide to participate in the challenge 🙂 I’m currently preparing a post about it so let me know if you do! <3
      Good luck with all your exams!!
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • gina
    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • My lovely friend!! your posts are truly amazing, I was so excited about this post I couldn’t wait until I got home. You at the moment are my biggest inspiration and you are helping me so much. Thank you for everything, I’m truly glad I met you 🙂
    Laura x x x
    @lollylovesx

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • <3 And you are truly amazing too sweetie!! If you want to participate in the challenge, I'm currently preparing a post in which I'll explain more about it :)) And give you some additional motivation!
      It's time for some positive changes!
      A.
      xxxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Anu Mohan

    Totally true even I had issues when I first stopped eating in McD and KFC .. It has been almost a year since I had it 😀 and great thing is I don’t miss them too 😀 Love yous post and found u on twitter 😀 you can visit here I guess you would recognise me coz i just started following you 🙂

    http://anuradhamohan92.wordpress.com/

    https://twitter.com/anuradha_mohan

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Thank you so much for this lovely comment sweetie! I’m happy to hear that you’ve stopped eating junk food as this is indeed the first and foremost step towards changing your lifestyle for the better. Keep up okay?
      All my love,
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Thankyou for such an inspiring post, I love how you have such a healthy approach to living! I am definitely in I want to keep increasing my fitness! xx

    http://www.lulabelloves.com

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • So happy to hear that lovely girl!!!
      I’m preparing a new post in which I will talk more about the challenge if you want to participate :))))
      Sending u all my love,
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Such an overwhelmingly great post – I love the mix of thoughtfulness and practical tips you have given us. I feel very strongly that my problem is food, because I am active and exercise but I don’t watch what I eat at all. So I’m going to go for your final point about being more mindful about what we put into our bodies. That will be my #LTADARESU challenge!

    Thank you lovely lady for the wonderful post xxx

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Ah!!!! Thank you for this amazing comment S.!! I’m preparing a new post in which I will talk more about the challenge if you want to participate 🙂
      Unfortunately food is essential if you want to get back into shape and create the dream body! And I’m sure you’ll succeed in bringing some positive healthy living changes in your life.
      Sending you all my love,
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Gareth Mailer

    I’m in! Great idea.

    I’m going to opt for ‘gain weight’ and more lean muscle. This should be a good way to get the exercise/nutrition bug again and as you’re going to aim for an August date, I will too (I will set a couple of goals this evening << want them to be SMART so will have a think, and aim for the 15th!).

    Will also make sure and use the #LTADARESU hashtag 😉

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • :))) Great to hear that! In my next post I’ll give some more info about the challenge and no excuses – you’re in!
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
  • Love this challenge! I put myself on my own little challenge from yesterday anyways so using your hashtag is a great way to stay accountable!!!

    Goal: Lose a few inches and become more toned
    Name: Chrissy
    Age: 23
    Country: Ireland
    Email: ChrissyLillyx@gmail.com

    xx

    Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar
    • Thank you so much Chrissy! I saw your photos on Instagram!!! :))) So happy to see how motivated you are!!!
      Keep up sweetie !!
      A.
      xxx

      Siden  ·  Svar på kommentar

LEAVE A COMMENT

Skriv et svar

Din e-mailadresse vil ikke blive publiceret. Krævede felter er markeret med *

 

Next post

Tips and Tricks To Get Back into Shape – Food Combining Part 2