Saturday, 4 March 2023
10 TIPS ON HOW TO FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE GYM
Confidence issues in the gym is something that affects most people, especially beginners. Whether you're an experienced gym goer joining a new gym, or a beginner just venturing in to their fitness journey, here's my honest 10 tips on how to feel confident in the gym.
Wear a gym outfit that makes you feel confident AND comfortable
When it comes to picking an outfit for your first day in the gym, opt for something that you feel comfortable and fab in! There's nothing worse than feeling too comfortable that you feel a bit slobbish or equally choosing an outfit that looks amazing but digs into your skin or keeps falling down. When looking for gym outfits, I usually shop at Gymshark, Adanola, Women's Best or Lulu Lemon.
Have a plan and stick to it
It's always a good idea to go in with a plan of exercises that you'd like to do in your gym session. This will prevent you from wandering around feeling a bit lost as to what to do. If you're new to the gym and don't know what equipment they have or if you don't know any exercises, I'd recommend doing a bit of research prior to going so that you can have a few exercises in mind as options. You could try and remember 3-4 bodyweight exercises for the worst case scenario where you can't get on any equipment; a few basic equipment movements such as leg extensions or chest flies; and some compound exercises such as squats and deadlifts.
Watch tutorials and do your research
Don't forget to take your phone in with you, that way if you're not sure on what to do and there's no one to ask, you can quickly google or YouTube it for a tutorial. There's so much brilliant fitness content out there now. Alternatively, I'd always suggest speaking to the gym team for help, they're literally employed to help and support you on your journey to meet your fitness goals. They'll always be happy that you asked!
Don't worry about everyone else
When I first joined the gym, I remember thinking EVERYONE was looking at me but guess what? They weren't. They were too busy getting on with their own workouts to be staring at me the whole time. Remember this when you next go in!
If you do catch someone looking, take it as a compliment or remember that (if they're anything like me) they're probably zoned out in between sets thinking about what they're doing next.
Listen to music, always!
Don't rely on the gym's music - always have your headphones with you so that you can listen to your favourite songs. I always think what an absolute blessing having music on the go is. It really allows me to focus, zone out and get on with the task in hand (and enjoy it too!). There's nothing better than matching your music with your mood and enjoying your workout to the full.
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Comparison is the thief of joy
You don't know everybody's story or how hard they've had to work to get to where they are now, so don't judge your day 1 against somebody else's day 1,024. Investing in your health and fitness is for you and you only. Exercise isn't always about aesthetics. It's about how you feel, what it teaches you, and being able to surprise and challenge yourself so remember that next time you're feeling insecure.
Avoid peak times if you can
There's definitely times where the gym will be at its busiest and it's usually just outside of typical work hours (between 5-7pm in the evening and before 9am in the morning). If you're worried about the amount of people in the gym, then I'd suggest going outside of peak times to start with. If you're not too worried about anyone else, go for it! It's key to remember that YOU have every right to be there as much as anyone else. Don't use the gym being busy as an excuse not to go.
Go with a friend
If you and your friend are both new to gym and feeling nervous, why not go together? You can support each other and have fun with it too. After all, exercise should be fun and the gym can be such a sociable place to meet new and like-minded people.
Never be too shy to ask for help
One thing I've learned from all my years going to the gym is that 99% of people absolutely LOVE to help and support others on their fitness journey. Honestly, some of the most kind, down to earth, amazing people, I've met in the gym. Sure, some of us may look a little grumpy at times, usually from getting fired up before or after lifting heavy weights, but most people will be overjoyed that you asked them for help.
Invest in a personal trainer if you can
I'd always recommend investing in a good personal trainer that aligns with your fitness goals to help get you started and build your confidence for those first few weeks or months (depending on your budget). Speak to the gym manager about what you're hoping to get from the gym, what exercise style you'd like and respond to, and they should be able to match you up with the best personal trainer for you.
Not sure what to wear to your next gym session? Check out some of my favourite gym outfits below:
Thursday, 5 May 2022
Staycation Outfits for a Luxury English Hotel Break
A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful overnight stay at a stately Victorian mansion turned hotel in Wokingham, Berkshire. During our stay at Easthampstead Park, we indulged in a romantic dinner for two, a couples gym session at their on-site EastPark gym, a delightful afternoon tea and a traditional English breakfast. Scroll down to see my outfits from the weekend and find out where you can shop them for yourself.
#AD Some items in this post were gifted as PR products. Through every purchase made via this post, I earn a few pennies back. This doesn't cost you any extra but allows me to put some funds back into improving my website.
An Elegant Gown for A Romantic Dinner for Two
This stunning organza floral dress in sage green is part of the Oasis x Laura Whitmore collection at Oasis. Its intricate detail and elegant look makes it the ideal dress for a special dining experience. It would also be the perfect wedding guest outfit for a Summer wedding.
Shop the look:
A Cosy Argyle Look For A Traditional English Breakfast
Opting for comfort and practicality at breakfast time, I handpicked a cosy argyle jumper in pastel tones. Partnered with black skinny jeans and comfortable footwear, this outfit was ideal for breakfast and a stroll in the countryside after we'd eaten.
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A Pretty Floral Dress for A Delightful Afternoon Tea
No matter how much I resist (which isn't much by the way), I can never not sport florals in the warmer seasons. This beautiful dainty floral print made me feel feminine, elegant and full of confidence. A dress like this deserves to be seen and worn with love.
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Friday, 15 April 2022
Pastel Outfit Favourites for Spring 2022
Just like that, Spring is back in business and I must admit that it's always a relief to see the lighter days come back in, with the sun shining and blossoms blooming.
One of my favourite colours to wear during the Spring months is this delicate powder blue tone. I've always been a fan of softer colours and this is no exception. From pastel pinks to baby blues, I've rounded up some of my top high street styles to kick off the season.
Best of Blue
Swipe through to find my top pastel blue picks this month.
Through every purchase made via this post, I earn a few pennies back. This doesn't cost you any extra but allows me to put some funds back into improving my website.
Pastel Perfection
Swipe through for my favourite pastel picks this month, including pretty pinks and lovely yellow hues.
Monday, 18 October 2021
How to Create a Pumpkin Flower Arrangement for Halloween
If like me, you'd prefer to opt for a prettier take on pumpkins at Halloween rather than frightening ghosts and ghouls, you've come to the right place. In this post I'll guide you through how to create a pumpkin flower arrangement like the one I've made below.
What you'll need
- A large pumpkin
- A knife for carving
- A pencil
- A bowl
- Autumnal flowers
- Floristry scissors
- Floristry oasis
How to create your floral pumpkin arrangement
- First you'll need to prep your pumpkin. Ensure your flowers are kept in cool water while you're doing this so that they stay hydrated. You'll need to carve the top off of your pumpkin, you could choose to do this in a curved line or in a zig-zag fashion. I've chosen a curved line for this particular pumpkin. To get a precise line, turn a bowl upside down over the top end of your pumpkin, draw around the edge of the bowl with a pencil, then remove the bowl. Now you have a nice neat line to use as a guide. Stick your knife in and out of the pumpkin to make the first cut, and repeat this process until you've cut all the way around. You should now be able to pull the top off so it becomes the lid.
- Using your hands or a utensil, empty out the contents of the pumpkin as best you can. Put the seeds and flesh to one side in a bowl so that you can make the most out of them later in recipes. Meanwhile, measure out the size of your floristry oasis. This will be sitting inside your pumpkin, so it needs to be able to fit comfortably. Soak your floristry oasis in cool water in the sink so that it absorbs all the moisture.
- Once it's fully absorbed, put your oasis block into the inside of your pumpkin. This will be holding your flowers in place and providing them with the water they'll need to keep them looking good.
- Prepare your flowers by splitting them into types. For example, put all your red roses into one section, pink in another, and foliage in another. Strip off any leaves that will not be visible or will get in the way of your arrangement. I like to keep a few of the top leaves to bulk out the arrangement and keep it more natural but this is entirely up to you.
- Measure your first flower stem down to size by carefully snipping at the bottom of the stem a few cm at a time. Gently insert the stem into the oasis until it stands alone, is secure and sits at the desired height above your pumpkin.
- Build out your arrangement around the first stem by considering colours, textures and varying heights. You can also try inserting the stems at a diagonal angle so that some of the flowers elegantly hang over the edge of the pumpkin, disguising the raw edge from sight.
- Once you're happy with how it looks, pop it on display on your side table or even as a centre piece at the dinner table while you enjoy a comforting autumnal feast.
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