EVENT // Trying barrecore for the first time with Farfetch

A few weeks ago I was invited for a barrecore class with eight other bloggers by the lovely Farfetch team. They were spreading awareness of their new activewear line, but also wanted a chance to get to know us all, which was really refreshing and not something I have experienced from a brand before. We met at Barrecore in Mayfair which was only a stones throw away from Oxford Circus station.

Barrecore is a high-intensity workout that mixes low-impact fat-burning moves and static stretches whilst incorporating a bar. The benefits of such a workout include; firmer muscles, reduced body fat, toning and better muscle definition, a flatter abdomen and lifted glutes. As with yoga and pilates, the benefits are not just physical, exercise like this is also proven to be great for mental health. 

Having always wanted to try barre, I had a vague idea of what it involved, and knew that lots of models like the Victoria's Secret models incorporate barre into their workouts in order to tone and strengthen their bodies. I naively assumed that it would be a fairly easy workout, but boy was I wrong! We worked on our legs, abs, and arms, and I used muscles I never knew resided in me. The ache was real. Particularly after the squats and legwork. Climbing the stairs to leave the studio (located on basement level), my legs felt punished.

 Red arms much?!

Tired and ravenous, we all went for food together at NAC London - the cutest little French inspired bistro located just off of Oxford Street. The majority of us went for avocado toast and it was as pretty a picture as it was generous a portion size.

Tina had the honey chocolate French toast and bananas which looked all kinds of epic!

After such an intense workout, I wanted something healthy and invigorating to drink, so opted for their pineapple, wheat grass and coconut water juice which was really refreshing. With that and the avocado toast, I couldn't have had a greener meal!

In-between vlogging, Instagramming and taking pictures of our picture perfect food and table, it was really nice to get to know everyone a little more. It can be a little awkward entering room full of people you haven't met before, but I can honestly say, I couldn't have been grouped with a nicer group of people. There were no cliques, nor was there anyone with superiority complexes refusing to talk to certain people. Despite us all having blogs / vlogs of various ages / sizes, everyone was treated as equals. Never have I felt so relaxed or made to feel so welcome at an event before.

I would just like to take the time to say thank you to the lovely Farfetch team for organising one of the nicest blogger events I have ever been to in all my years of blogging. It felt really natural and you felt like they wanted to get to know you as a person, rather than being purely business like so many other events I have been to before. I also received a very generous goodie bag from the team and seeing as Farfetch is a global agglomeration of over 400 fashion boutiques with over 1000 labels online in one place, I felt well and truly spoilt in the best of ways!

Why you don't need to go to the gym to be healthy

With holiday season upon us, many of us will be striving for the perfect beach body. However gyms are costly affairs and not all of us can afford it. L&G recently conducted a survey and found that when faced with financial difficulty, one of the first cuts that people make is their gym membership. However there are other ways to have a glowing complexion, stay in shape and generally be healthy. And it doesn't have to cost the earth. Here's my guide to living a healthy lifestyle on the cheap: 

1) Go for a walk - walks are not only good for the body, but they're also great for the mind. I find that if I visit a picturesque place, this will keep me distracted for hours and I'm more likely to walk a farther distance.

2) Get that vacuum cleaner going - studies show that with regular housework you can burn 50,000 calories a year!

3) Sex - exercises every muscle in the body and keeps your heart rate up. As if we needed an excuse(!)

4) Buy less takeaways - make your own! Takeaways can be packed with salt, so by making your own you can control what goes into it. Whilst I do still indulge in takeaway pizza every so often, there's nothing better than creating your own pizza dough:

5) Cut back on booze - drink in moderation. I only drink occasionally now and my complexion is so much better for it.

6) Find out about free clubs / groups in your area - look for ads in the local paper or enquire around at work. My company offers free activities like football, tennis and yoga. I attend the yoga classes and it's had such a positive impact on my physical and mental health.

7) Don't deprive yourself - if want that doughnut, have that doughnut. If you deem something is "forbidden" you'll keep snacking on rubbish - and lots of it - to satisfy that sugar craving. Save yourself a lot of time and torture, and just have the doughnut. Having one once in a while doesn't hurt anyone.

8) Borrow fitness DVDs from family and friends - rather than going out and spending money, I've had a night in before with friends and we've done one of those dance-yourself-fit DVDs. It's a great laugh. Remember, laughter releases endorphins - "feel good" hormones.

9) Get an early night - studies have shown that staying up late can affect the way your body burns fat. It's important to get a good night's sleep as this is the time when your body repairs core muscles. An article I read the other day suggested that staying up late with a" blue screen devise" such as a smartphone or laptop, could induce hunger pangs making you prone to late night snacking. Allocate time before bed to "wind down". Switch off the electronics, treat yourself to a relaxing bath, light some candles and read before bed. This is as change I've made lately and I feel better for it.

10) Make simple changes to your diet - reduce the number of sugars you have in your tea. Order hot chocolate without cream. Go for tomato based pasta sauces rather than creamy cheese based ones. But as I pointed out in bullet point number 7, remember not to deprive yourself. You can still eat these things, just in moderation. I still eat biscuits like no one's business however I make sure I have fruit and unsalted cashews with me at work to snack on when I hit my afternoon slump.

11) Take the stairs - I rarely take the stairs at work, but it's the best way of toning those glutes!

12) Never skip meals - especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It establishes your energy and blood sugar levels for the day. Porridge is great as it will slowly release its energy across the morning, keeping you fuller for longer, so that you're less likely to indulge in as many snacks before lunch.

13) Bring a packed lunch rather than buying on the day - that way you can control what goes into your food. Lots of people mean well when they go for a salad - however most shop salads / restaurant salads aren't that low fat because of the high sugar levels in the dressing they use. I prefer to create my own salads and wraps, using a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice for flavour.

How do you keep fit?