It’s bikini weather outside! Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine - and even better when you are looking great. I am, by NO MEANS, a model and have never had the perfect body. Since I can remember, I’ve had body issues and have been slightly embarrassed to walk around on the beach in a bikini.
It also doesn’t help having two gorgeous sisters (whose bodies I’ve always perceived as absolutely perfect!) around walking next to you.
Thompson's Bay with my besties and beautiful sisters!
But over the years, these perceptions of perfect and the unnecessary inhibitions have started melting away and I think the last smidgens of that completely disappeared when we were on the beach last month while celebrating my sister’s bachelorette’s. An old wrinkly lady came up to us girls and said: “ You all look amazing! I would be walking around naked if I still looked like that…”
It was such a sweet gesture and such an eye opener. Then and there I decided that I would never again be self-conscious, walk tall and proud and show the world my perfectly imperfect body in the most amazing swimwear I can find! And so should all of you out there! I also have cellulite and stretch marks. I have a woman and we all share this. Make the best of it and love your body for what it can do for you and what it means to you. It is the only body that you have.
These are the things I do to take care of my body every day:
Working out: I am not the gym type and have never been. I find it a waste of time to drive to a gym, wait to use sweaty equipment and just kind of like going at things at my own pace and without anyone watching. I also don’t have a strict routine that I do (although I do aim to get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day) and alternate between different workouts. It looks something like this:
Monday: Kettlebell workout (there are some great ones on Youtube, e.g.. Body Fit by Amy). I read Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Body about a year ago and it is an amazing and life-changing read about fitness, eating (and kettle bell swings). Definitely recommended!
Tuesday: Yoga - I also do some Youtube routines (love the Boho Beautiful channel) and Budokon (on DVD, a fusion of martial arts and yoga)
Wednesday: 30min slow jog with intervals of faster running
Thursday: Jillian Michaels 20-30 min DVD workout (I love Jillian’s workouts and have been a fan for years. I have almost all of her workout DVD’s and still enjoy doing them.)
Friday: Weights and HIIT - I do my own routine of back squats, curls, crunches and whatever else I am in the mood for for 20-30 minutes
Saturday: Usually shooting a wedding so there is a lot of walking, bending and crouching involved.
Sunday: Rest
** An important note: Finding an eating plan and workout that works for YOU! When you express interest in a healthy lifestyle people are always quick to point out what works for them. And that is exactly where the problem comes in. It works for THEM and might not work for YOU.
The following Lifestyle habits are also a great "hack" to looking and feeling healthy:
Dry brushing: I use a natural-bristled brush (20 bucks at Dischem) to brush my body before getting in the shower. This might be a weird concept at first, but it becomes so natural and I can feel my skin begging me for a dry brush when I skip a day or two. Simply start from your feet to your neck in circular motions.
Green tea: I love the bitter taste of a good, strong cup of green tea and if you have digestion problems, like I do, this will really help to speed up that sluggish metabolism and help you feel revitalised!
Massages: Instead of a treat, I see full body massages as an absolute necessity! The relaxation benefits to having a massage are vast. Get on the phone and make an appointment today at your closest spa ;)
Relaxing with my sis after a spa at the beautiful Fairmont Zimbali resort...
Intermittent fasting: Skipping a meal or two every now and then has made me realise how little food a human being actually needs to function and how modern society has got us brainwashed into overeating and the "three meals a day" myth. Fasting has made me more mindful, my mind more alert and helps my body digest food properly.
So what are your personal health and fitness goals for 2018? Mine is definitely to keep improving my food, rest and workout quality.
My motto for 2018 is this: "Giving 100% and not expecting anything in return".
Happy New Year!
