A [Realistic] Day in my Diet and Exercise Routine [Covid Edition]

Since I've been eating clean again, training (at home, sadly, I'll be delighted when the gyms reopen) and getting back on a decent routine, I thought it might be fun to share an average day with you.

Before we get into it, I just want to note that my mentality is to favour a morning workout over an evening workout, but if that works for you, go for it. We are all doing our best, and that's what matters. While I'm here, I want to say that just becuase this is how I'm chosing to spend my time during this awful moment in history, I am not trying to shame anyone for coping in whatever way they see fit. This is my outlet and my distraction. 

Every day starts the night before, when I lay out a bottle of water, my workout clothes for the day (if it's a workout day, that is) and put my tech on charge. That means my phone, my watch and my headphones! If they're ready to roll, then I will be much more likely to just get up and at it. 

I've had an alarm set for every day since lockdown began, for 8am. Now, I don't always get up when that alarm chimes, but I try to. 

Once I'm up, I put on that workout gear I've laid out, lace my trusty Asics, put my hair up tightly, and get to it. I try to get an hour of Chloe Ting workouts in, and the days rotate based on the challenge day. Once that is done, a big glass of water and then I try to get out for a run or a cycle. If I go out cycling it's usually because I have errands to run in the village, and usually that entails groceries of some kind. I switch up the running routes I take once I get to the top of my road, and from there I just run. As for what I'm listening to on my runs, I've a running playlist that I am always adding and removing songs from on Spotify, or a good true crime podcast, like True Crime All The Time. 

Because I'm doing intermittent fasting, when I get home, I just have a pint of water, and get ready for my day as normal. I use Fushi Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash that I get in my local zero-waste shop. As soon as I'm dressed, I make a coffee with almond milk and get to preparing my breakfast. For me, with I.F, breakfast is at 12pm. If I'm ahead of myself time-wise, I'll eat at 11am, it's not a big deal really. 

Breakfast:

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100g Glenisk Natural Strained Protein Yogurt, 6 sliced strawberries, a sliced banana and a tablespoon of honey. Coffee with almond milk. 

Lunch: 

Egg-white omelette filled with 2 slices of turkey breast, two tablespoons of mature cheddar cheese with steamed vegetables and a coffee. I try to get a bottle of water into me also. 

Dinner: 

Chicken breast (usually rubbed with some kind of spice, like garam masala and garlic) a half a stuffed pepper from Supervalu (the stuffing is pictured, but the pepper disintegrated), and some veg. 

This is usually a one tray dish. I like things to be easy to clean up and as efficient as possible. Sometimes, I make a second chicken breast and use it in place of turkey in the next days omelette, and other days I will have fillet steak instead of chicken. 

Snacks:

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love snacks. I still snack, just a bit better than I used to. Usually in the evening, just before 8pm (which is when I start fasting again, I'm doing the 16:8 routine) I will have a bowl of cereal, either All Bran for a kick of fibre, or Special K for something a touch sweeter. I use unsweetened Alpro Almond Milk either way. Honestly, it's actually not as boring as it sounds, and it leaves me feeling full for the evening, which means I'm less likely to dip into a bag of Haribo until it's cheat day time! 

I try to get a walk in during the evenings, just a slow, leisurely walk with my friend or my niece and her dog, sometimes I'll just go alone and get some breathing space if it's been a day, but I think, like most of us, the new normal is Skype, Zoom, Google Meet and so forth. So I do try to get a video call in with various pals, ideally every other evening. Either way I try to drink another bottle of water and put myself to bed around 11pm. 

That's my average day of diet and fitness, pandemic edition. 

I hope it's been even vaguely interesting, and if you want to share your thoughts, tips or what you've been doing to keep sane during covid, please comment and let me know! <3 

If you want to follow my progress thus far and in the future, follow my instagram, @red_lips_red_hair 

xoxo

Amy

Thoughts from... The Squat Deck [Thoughts From... #1]

Image: Pinterest

Do you ever have random thoughts for blog ideas in random places? Yeah? Good, I thought it was just me!

Today, while in the squat deck, staring at my reflection as I slowly worked through my 3 sets, I got to thinking about how strange a concept body confidence is. All the time in the gym I'm surrounded by people looking to lose weight, tone up, get "dat ass", strengthen their body and mind, and it occurs so me how strange body confidence is, at least for myself.

Body confidence has two veins for me, There is the confidence I feel within my own skin in what can best be described as a "look at me and my lovely figure, don't you envy me?" sort of way. Though I don't feel like that 90% of the time. As far as aesthetics go, I dislike my body greatly. I dont have a toned tummy, I dont have thighs that will crack walnuts, and my back isnt defined. I am never happy with what I see in the mirror. Never.

On the other hand, I am confident in my body in the sense that I adore being able to run long distances, lift weights and know I am strong -and getting stronger. I like knowing my calves are defined and capable of propelling me up a steep hill at a hard paced run. I love knowing that I will be ready and fit for the line when the time comes to get back to shooting, because I can lift heavy weights. It makes me deliriously happy to know that I am fit and strong.

Just because society says you have to look a certain way doesn't mean you can't feel it inside instead.

Personally, I would rather feel good inside than be guilted into never looking "good enough" on the outside.

The fact is, I may never look like a fitness model and thats okay, because the ability to run, to life weights, to feel good is worth so much more.


Sorry if this wasn't the most coherent piece.

Looooove!!

Amy

xo

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