I cannot believe that I'm already stepping into my fifth month of working out cleaning my diet – this is a very immodest thing to say but I'm bloody proud of myself! I never though of myself as strong-willed as far as food or physical activity go and this is tremendous progress for me. I can say that this indeed was one of the best decisions I've made in a long, long time and it's extremely liberating not thinking about silly little things like, erm, appearance. That's rather strange – I feel like I've thought more of how I look while having extra weight rather than now shedding all the extras off? I love warmer weather for so many reasons – I just put on the first thing that comes under my hand as I'm the biggest proponent of T-shirt, jeans and sneakers kinda look and I've shedded almost all of my make-up off (which is a shocker!). Mascara, some brow-filling stuff, maybe a creamy blush and/or highlighter and a lip product and I'm good to go! The same goes for clothes and I feel so liberated by all the lightness of things. I'm still going to the gym on a regular basis, have included weights on a equal measure as cardio and I'm seeing results already! As a woman, I felt intimidated by them but for no good reason – they do so much good. I'm starting to enjoy them and even look forward to leg day which, by no means, is a walk around the park. I can barely sit on a toilet (TMI?) but that goes away after a day or two. I've made an additional step in my fitness journey by introducing yoga into my life! I never thought I'd be that person but – I'm in love with yoga! It's such a great thing for body and mind and I think I'll soon write something about it in a separate post. Just to mention that it definitely extends flexibility and endurance of the body and – who would've thought breathing (such a'default’, natural thing) can become a center of things? As far as food goes, I think I'm doing fine apart from the occasional chocolate bar treat (I'm only human!). I've received many inquiries of recipes that aid in losing weight but I've mentioned it before – there are no particular recipes. Poultry, rice, fish, salads, veggies, fruit etc. The fresher, less processed the better – that's kinda it. No science behind eating clean. But I will make a few posts with this clean eats theme. I'll use Ella Woodward's (founder of Deliciously Ella) advice on desserts and she's already made me crave dates so you can expect lots of yummy things soon at the blog. I am having a Greek yoghurt phase so, in the meanwhile, I'll be poppin’ some pics at Instagram of Greek yoghurt mixed with fruit just to satisfy the aesthetic side of things.
U nevjerici sam – da li sam zaista usla u pet mjesec treniranja i ciste prehrane? Ovo je prilicno neskromna stvar za izjaviti ali sam zaista ponosna na sebe! Nikada se ranije ne bih opisala kao osobu koja je snazne volje i posvecena fizickoj aktivnosti i zdravoj prehrani, tako da je ovo ogroman uspjeh. Ova promjena u nacinu zivota je bila jedna od najboljih odluka koje sam donijela i oslobadjajuce je iskustvo posto se vise ne opterecujem blesavim stvarima poput, recimo, izgleda. Mozda zvuci kontradiktorno ali pod dojmom sam da sam mnogo vise razmisljala o tome kako izgledam dok sam imala koju kilicu viska nego sada kada sam se rijesila viskova? Volim toplije dane iz vise razloga – obucem prvu stvar koja mi padne pod ruku posto sam veliki ljubitelj najjednostavnijih kombinacija tipa majica kratkih rukava/dzins/tene. Takodjer sam taj minimalisticki pristup inkorporirala i sto se make-upa tice (maskara, minimalno popunjene obrve, kremasto rumenilo i/ili hajlajter i neka mazalica za usne). Nekada mi se cini da smo toliko optereceni postali nanosenjem toliko proizvoda i sminke da smo zaboravili na postulat – manje je vise. Po pitanju odlaska u teretanu, i dalje sam istrajna no zbog silne guzve (svi su poceli da vjezbaju zbog pomisli na ljeto i more, haha) razmisljam o promjeni teretane? Ono sto sam promjenila jeste omjer kardia i tegova. Sada je taj omjer 50/50 i vec osjetim razliku! Kao zena, na pocetku su me tegovi plasili ali zaista vidim da su sve inhibicije bile bezrazlozne. Pocinjem pronalaziti uzitak u vjezbama sa tegovima a cak se pocinjem radovati i ozloglasenim vjezbama za noge koje jesu teske, necu vas lagati. Otprilike par dana bude tesko sjesti na toalet solju (previse informacija, znam) ali ni to ne traje zauvijek. Ono sto je potpuno novo u mom fitness rezimu je joga. Nikada se ne bih ranije zamislila kako praktikujem jogu ali sada ne mogu bez nje! Mislim da je sjajna stvar, kako za tijelo tako i za um. Mislim da cu uskoro napisati nesto vise o svojim iskustvima sa jogom na blogu. U svakom slucaju, pomaze pri izgradnji izdrzljivosti, ekstremiteti postaju elasticniji i – ko bi rekao da disanje (tako obican proces o kojem i ne razmisljamo) moze postati centar svega? Sto se prehrane tice, mislim da mi dobro ide – eventualno se ponekad pocastim cokoladicom (nisam od kamena). Dobila sam dosta upita o receptima koji pomazu pri gubitku tezine i ponoviti cu – ne postoji nista novo ni revolucionarno. Piletina, puretina, riza, riba, salate, povrce, voce itd. Sto je sve svjezije i manje tretirano, tim bolje. Svi mi u umu komplikujemo stvari oko ciste prehrane no ne moze biti jednostavnija. Ipak, nije mi problem (daleko od toga) da pisem i o tome tako da cim ugrabim vremena citati cete i te postove. Koristiti cu se savjetima Elle Woodward (osnivac Deliciously Ella) sto se tice dezerta a vec mi je pobudila zelju za datulama koje jesu slasne i zdrave. Trenutno prolazim kroz fazu uzitka u grckom jogurtu pa cu u medjuvremenu vjerovatno okaciti koju fotku u kombinaciji sa vocem – barem da zadovoljnim estetsku stranu stvari.
Regrading my workout gear – I'll be getting a yoga mat soon and some dumbbells so I can extend working out at home too. I think yoga and some basic exercises such as squats, crunches, leg raises, planks, jack-knife sit-ups etc. have helped me maintain endurance during times when my split shins were killing me. Yup, still having problems with those and it pains me as I love running so much. Sigh. On a more positive note, Avon has cleverly treated me with some of their Active gear. I remember wishing for their clothes, workout gear and home cutesy stuff being available in Bosnia – that was years and years ago. Finally we have at least some of those nice things available and I'm pretty happy with what I've tried so far. What I like the most is the Avon Active double-layered tank (approx $21). I'm not big on pink or leopard print but this tank is gorgeous! I love to pair it with an all-black rest of outfit so I feel girly but not too much. It's made out of cotton/polyester blend and it's extremely lightweight on the skin. I feel this is very important as it doesn't feel clingy on the skin and doesn't make me uncomfortable. It's very forgiving in the sense that two layers mask any muffin tops – it's perfect for days when I don't feel on top of my game, maybe I'm a bit bloated or for when I'm doing some light exercise during ‘those days’. This tank is very easy to wash and maintain and lets skin breathe. I'm wearing a size 38-40 here and I'm usually an S (approx 34-36 depending on the model of clothes). So have this in mind and I'd advise going a size up because I feel this tank looks more flattering that way. I am also wearing a hell out of my Avon Active fitness shorts (approx $13). I'm wearing a size 42-44 which is too big for me and I guess 38-40 would fit me because these seem to be perfect for running rather than anything else. They have slits on both sides which are modest, they don't open up too far and since they are made out of polyester, having some extra room is good. The neon pink accentuates my lightly emerging tan which I love (Afrodita Cosmetics fast-tanning marmalade is certainly kickin’ in!). To sum things up, I'm positively surprised with Avon Active workout gear – they're very well made, easy to wash, don't change their shape after washing/wearing, let skin breathe and they add a touch of femininity with all the pink everywhere. I've also received an Avon Active running belt (approx $12) but this one I want to give to you guys. I think it's clever – it has enough compartments to fit necessities, feels snug, has an adjustable belt clasp, a light (useful for running during night) and even a headphones opening (genius!). And , of course – it's pink. Due to high shipping rates I'll have to narrow this giveaway to my readers from Bosnia and Herzegovina only.
Sto se tice opreme za treniranje – uskoro cu sebi nabaviti prostirku za jogu i par bucica kako bih mogla vremenski prosiriti trajanje fizicke aktivnosti. Mislim da su joga i neke osnovne vjezbe (poput cucnjeva, trbusnjaka/kranceva, vjezba ‘daska’, iskorak, vjezbe na boku itd.) pomogli mi odrzati kondiciju i spremu dok sam odmarala zbog bolnih cjevanica/pokosnica. Da, jos uvijek se borim sa tim problemom sto mi tesko pada posto jako volim trcanje. Nesto pozitivno je sto me Avon ugodno iznenadio njihovom Active linijom opreme za vjezbanje. Sjecam se koliko sam vremena provodila po stranim Avon sajtovima, listajuci njihove brosure i nadajuci se da ce sva divna odjeca, oprema za fitness, kuhanje itd. biti dostupna i nama u BiH. Sada je barem dio te ponude moguce nabaviti u sklopu zasebnih brosura i prilicno sam zadovoljna onim sto sam do sada imala priliku za isprobati. Ono sto me najvise dojmilo je Avon Active dvoslojna majica (36,90KM). Nisam veliki ljubitelj ruzicaste boje niti leopard uzorka ali moram priznati da je ova majica prekrasna! Volim je kombinovati sa crnim helankama i tenama. Majica je napravljena od kombinacije pamuka i poliestera a ono sto je najbolje kod nje je sto je nevjerovatno lagana. Smatram da je bitno da odjeca za trening bude od odgovarajuceg, prilagodjenog materijala ali i kroja koji se nece lijepiti uz kozu stvarajuci nelagodu. Ono sto je specificno za ovu majicu jeste sto uspjesno maskira viskove na silueti poput dobrog, starog (ne)prijatelja zenske figure – muffin topa (tj. visak na kukovima ali i stomaku). Savrsena je za dane kada nisam posebno raspolozena za isticanje figure, kada sam natecena (znate vec, zenski problemi) ili uopsteno tokom ‘onih dana’. Majicu je lako odrzavati i prati u masini za ves i zbog prozracnosti pusta kozi da dise. Na fotkama nosim velicinu 38-40 no obicno nosim ‘S’ majice (otprilike 34-36, ovisno o kroju) tako da imajte ovaj omjer na umu. Licno bih preporucila broj vise u odnosu na velicinu koju inace nosite jer ova najica ljepse izgleda ako nije skroz priljubljena uz kozu. Takodjer nosim i Avon Active fitness sorc (22,90KM) koji je na meni u velicini 42-44. Mislim da bi mi vise odgovarao mozda broj 38-40. I ovdje bih se odlucila na broj vise nego obicno jer ovaj sorc je stvoren ponajvise za trcanje a tada je bolje imati malo ‘lufta’. Sa strane sorc ima prorez tj. prednja i zadnja strana se preklapaju i blago otvaraju kada trcite no prorez nije vulgarno visok, nemojte brinuti da ce otkriti previse. Napravljen je od poliestera i neon ruzicaste je boje koja istice blago osuncan ten (izgleda da Kozmetika Afrodita marmelada pocinje djelovati!). Da sve sumiram, Avon Active oprema je prijatno iznenadjenje – kvalitetno je izradjena, jednostavna za pranje i odrzavanje, ne mijenja oblik, ne razvlaci se, pusta kozi da dise i uz dasak ruzicaste boje ne gubi na zenstvenosti. Takodjer sam dobila i Avon Active svjetleci pojas za trcanje (19,90KM) koji zelim pokloniti nekoj od vas. Mislim da je zgodan dodatak – ima dovoljno pregrada za osnovne sitnice, lijepo prijanja uz struk, pozada ima kopcu kojom se namjesta sirina, maleno svjetlo (korisno ako trcite nocu) pa cak i otvor za slusalice (sto mi je licno genijalno!). I naravno – ruzicaste je boje. Zbog neprijateljski raspolozenih iznosa dostave u zemlje regiona, primorana sam da darivanje ogranicim i da bude otvoreno samo za citateljice iz BiH.
PRAVILA AVON ACTIVE DARIVANJA
*Pratite Meteo Beauty blog preko Facebooka (link)
*Pratite Avon BiH preko Facebooka (link)
*U komentarima napisite koji oblik fizicke aktivnosti preferirate
Darivanje traje od 15.05.2015. do 20.05.2015.
Darivanje je otvoreno za citateljice iz BiH.
*Some of these products may have been sent to me for review. For more information, see my disclaimer.
