My gym routine

Hello,

So after buying a new gym outfit last week I decided to take some pictures in it while the weather was nice! Underneath these pictures I'm going to talk a little bit about my gym routine, which has really helped me loose weight and become more fit.

On a typical week I go to the gym on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Occassionally I manage to go on a Saturday as well, but it depends on what I'm doing that weekend. I try to vary my gym routine as sticking to the same exercises doesn't help your body - you become used to them and they become less effective. However, I do have some machines I prefer over others, and tend to use these more often. 

The first machine I always try and use is the adaptive stepper. It is like a cross trainer but I find it works my arms much more. The only problem is, there are only 2 of these in my gym (one of which is incredibly squeaky) so I can't always get on it. I always try to do between 200-300 calories on here which takes between 20-30 minutes. I probably shouldn't count the exercise I have done in calories but that's how I started doing it when I wanted to loose weight and now I can't help it! I then go on either the rowing machine, treadmill or cross trainer and do another 100 calories. I used to do 500 calories in an hour, but that was simply doing cardio. These days I manage between 300-400 because I now do weights and stretches too. So after 45 mins of cardio, I do weights on my arms and sometimes legs. I have developed very tiny arm muscles! I finish by doing crunches and stretches, but I am usually knackered by this point, especially if I have run on the treadmill.

Sometimes I leave the gym feeling like I've had a good workout, and other times I feel like I could have done more. I do get quite bored at the gym and rely on listening to music to pass the time. I also spend a lot of time thinking about life and work. I am going to continue with my gym routine for as long as I am able/willing to! I was never the most active person and I don't always enjoy exercise, but I am glad I go to the gym and feel overall more healthy than I did 2 years ago.

Greta xx

P.S. I've decided to change my blog font to something my eyes prefer to read! I hope other agree :)

The adaptive stepper, my favourite machine!

Sports Direct / Adidas gym haul

Hello,

For about a year and a half I have been trying to go to the gym 3 times a week. Some weeks I only make it 2 times, and about once every few months I manage to go 4 times a week! I also do a zumba class at school each week. So I consider myself to do a lot of exercise! I always wear the same old clothes, so today I decided to treat myself to some new bits. at first I wanted to get some Nike trainers, but I saw these Adidas ones and really liked the contrast of the purple and lime green, so I picked these up. They were £39.99 from Sports Direct.

To go with my new trainers I got an Adidas vest top. I normally wear t-shirts to the gym but I thought I'd give this a go an was surprised by how flattering it was. I was worried it was a bit too transparent but when I put it on it was fine. It was only £12.99 as well. 

 

Finally I bought some gym leggings by Adidas. I normally wear 3/4 length trousers but these looked flattering on, especially with the top above. These cost £22 from Sports Direct.

I will be wearing these items to the gym in the next week or so. I'm pleased with these items and hope I don't have to return any. I've had a lot of issues with Sports Direct in the past as they don't do refunds! I was going to buy another pair of Adidas trousers but didn't want to risk not being able to return them.

Greta xx

Weekly write up no. 7

Hello!

I may have missed a few weeks! To be honest I doubt I will keep up the weekly write ups. So this may be my last one. I would much rather put my time and energy into making outfit posts!

I will just do a quick round up of the week. Half term has been lovely. It was nice to have a lie in each day, and even better that I got to spend time with my mum and brother, which is very rare.

Monday - Me and Paul went into school to start sorting out my new classroom. I like things set out in a certain way, so I wanted to get started on it. We were there for a few hours and had dominos with the SLT! 

Tuesday - Travelled to Bath which took ages (the M4 was closed so we had to take a detour through lots of random villages) but when we finally got there I got to have lunch with my mum and brother. We looked around for a bit, then my mum had to leave, so me Paul and Karl (my brother) spent at least 6 hours sat in his living room watching random films and tv shows. At about 10:30pm we ordered another dominos!

Wednesday - Me and Paul went to Bristol and had to wait ages for a park and ride bus. When we got into town we had a lovely Nandos then looked around the shops. I bought a few things and spent far too much money in Primark! In the evening, me, Paul and Karl dressed up and went to a rock club in Bath called Discord for a fun night of drinking and dancing. Some mosh pit action included!!

Thursday - We travelled back home and in the evening me and my friend Becky went to London for the Company bloggers style the highstreet event. It was great! We had a few drinks, ate snacks, watched the fashion show and left with a goodie bag! I'm going to do a separate blog post on it very soon. 

Friday - Me and Paul went into school again, and I spent about 5 hours sorting out my classroom. It's still not done! I would have liked to stay longer but school shut at 4. I have a few more display bits to put up, but I'm feeling much happier with how it looks now.

Saturday - We went to Bromley for a small shopping trip. I wanted some trainers in Primark, but no luck. I did buy a few pieces which I will blog about today. I spent the evening doing some work, so at least I feel a bit more organised about the week ahead.

Sunday - I placed a huge New Look order on Friday and it was delivered today. Sadly I decided to return most of it, so we went to Bluewater to do that. I also went to the gym on the way home. I should be going 3 times a week, but I never manage it when I lack a work schedule. Hopefully I will get back on track soon!

So that's a round up of my week. Like I said, I may not do any more of these posts but we'll see!

Greta xx

Stuck in stand still traffic on the M4.

Entering one of my favourite cities!

Karl and me ready for Halloween!

 

The zombie butcher

My new New Look cape and fur scarf

Weekly write up no.1

Hello!

So I've decided that on my blog I am going to write a weekly round up each Sunday to talk about how my week has gone. I already keep a personal daily diary, but since I have a blog now I thought it might be nice to reflect on here as well. For the past 4 years my Sundays have been a working day, where I would normally spend at least 4 hours glued to my laptop planning. I potentially have Sundays to myself again for a while, so what better time to post a review of my week!

Here goes -

1. It has been a very quiet week. It's been quite unsettling knowing that all my old colleagues have returned back to work and I'm sat at home doing nothing. Primarily, I'm worried about money. Not having a job is very un-nerving and although I've been told by many people that I'll get supply work soon enough, I still worry. I do have one afternoon of work booked for next week, so hopefully I will get some more booked in and this time next month I'll be wondering why I was worrying! (fingers crossed!)

2. I am still getting over a cold I've had ever since my birthday. Stupid immune system! Luckily I have been able to stay in bed this week whenever I've needed to. I guess in that respect it's good that I haven't gone back to work this week.

Here is an obligatory after gym selfie!

3. For the past 10 months I have been a regular gym bunny. However this summer I have been down to Cornwall and on holiday to Mexico which has meant I haven't been to the gym as often as I normally would. Plus with this cold, I haven't got back into the swing of it yet. I went on Thursday and today, and it sure is difficult getting back into it when you have taken a break. I'm hoping I won't loose motivation as I don't have a holiday to look forward to anymore. 

4. Even though I'm worried about money, it's been lovely this week just to wonder around the shops in Bromley or at Bluewater. I need to cut back on the amount of clothes I buy, but last autumn/winter I dropped at least 2 dress sizes so I am still trying to replace my wardrobe. I'm loving the autumn/winter fashion that's coming out at the minute, especially in the berry and green colours that seem to be in lots of shops.

5. Finally, I have recently discovered how amazing the vanilla sugar pretzels are from Mr.Pretzel. I always used to buy them from Aunty Anne's in Bromley, but I decided to try one from Mr.Pretzel's and it was delicious!! I think I have eaten about 4 of them in the last 3 weeks which is a ridiculous amount of dough and sugar to eat! I will have to try and limit myself to one a month - good luck Greta!

Greta xx