Life Advice-Eat Clean > Get Lean

Hey Everybody! Now that all the festivities have died down and we've finally said 'No more' to the heaving snack cupboard, I think it's now time to embark on a 'Eat Clean, Get Lean' lifestyle. Notice I didn't use the word 'diet', this is because I am deadly serious guys, I'm so Pro Green it hurts!-Literally. I dropped my old gym membership, with its cheap benefits for my new local gym, more expensive and more hard work. But this new lifestyle means more effort, I have to cook my own meals (I still live with my ma!) and be sensible when it comes to portion control and timing. I'm getting the hang of it and it's so fun, making new meals, trying out different meal plans and working out which releases those endorphins! I'm a happy chap these days, I tell ya! 

However, about a week ago today when I decided to go all the way, I made a rather ill-advised decision. Scrolling on one of my new favourite apps 'Pinterest' I came across the Victoria Secret Model diet and got sucked into the dark side, where unfortunately, there are no cookies, or sweets, carbs and oh of course no meat. Zilch. I thought what could I do to improve my fitness and general health, I definitely cannot train twice a day like Adrianna Lima and carbs and meat make up most of my meals; overwhelmed I took the plunge and rose to the challenge, no meat for two weeks.I eat meat literally everyday. Now there's nothing wrong with not eating meat, there are many healthy pescatarians and vegetarians, the difference is, they have a healthy alternative which I didn't consider. Day 7 on my meat free diet I felt lighter and pretty keen to carry on, I lined (and I use this term loosely) my stomach with Special K honey nut clusters, with crushed walnuts and hazelnut soya milk (another substitute) and headed off to my local gym.

I met with a personal trainer and we worked out my short/long term goals and a six week workout plan. Everything was going well and he seemed pretty impressed with me if I say so myself, that is until I fainted in true East-end duff duff moment style towards the end of my workout. Typical. There could only be one explanation-fatigue. I was zapped with minimal energy! We finished up after I came round with crimson cheeks (obviously due to my cringing) and I walked out head down ashamed of myself. I felt guilty because I couldn't finish the workout, in true honesty the old me would have given up and succumb to the wet towel, Gatorade, pack of sensations and a pack of strawberry laces treatment; but the new me took it on the chin and learnt a good lesson. 

So guys and dolls once again I have some advice for you, when cutting foods out make sure you have an alternative which is just as good. For example, I made Thai Coconut Prawns, a meal without meat which instead consisted of really tasty prawns, lots of spicy peppers like scotch bonnet and finger chillies to boost metabolism and some fresh Sugarsnap peas. Obviously I need to find a way to incorporate protein into my diet if I'm not going to eat meat otherwise it's back to the drawing board. When feeling peckish, which is standard for me go I for some homemade Granola which is incredibly easy to make you'll kick yourself for not thinking of it sooner. I made a really simple one earlier, it contains, oats, maple syrup for all my sweet tooth sistahs! dried blueberries, chia seeds, walnuts, pecan nuts and banana. You can have it with yoghurt, milk (flavoured soy milk if you're fancy like moi) and add more fruits if you're feeling blue. 

Bottom line is kids, be safe when it comes to your health, I was scared as I had no control over my body, my brain was literally starved and parched, much like me now, where did I put that Granola? Oooh Acai Berry Juice! See ya xxx