5 Ways to Help Someone this Christmas | For as Little as £1!

Christmas is the time for love & joy, to be celebrated amongst family & friends. But for some, Christmas is just another day; another day of loneliness, another day of surviving. So this Christmas, I ask you to look past the commercialisation that Christmas has become & embrace the side of caring for one another. Whether it is a little gesture, close to home or a huge one, just help somebody in need this holiday! Share the love!

Victoria's Secret Angles | The Women & Fitness Behind the Wings

There's a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to models & health, due to the out dated idea of starving yourself to be skinny! This has led to generations of self conscious women (and men) all blindly fighting for that perfect body. Sometimes at any cost. But I feel that recently, things have changed. And the rise of fitness has played a big part of that! Fitness influencers are now becoming the new role models, encouraging people to live a healthier lifestyle & reap the rewards both inside & out. It's a great change!

Overwhelmed? | 5 Things that Help to Calm My Anxiety

More & more people are struggling with anxiety in this day & age. When you think, the pressure to always be your best starts as early as primary school, is there any wonder? And with emails, internet & social media so accessible on our phones - which don't get me wrong, is great - but we're now feeling the pressure to be working all hours of everyday. It's a fast paced world & it's only getting faster. So no wonder more people are suffering from anxiety, self doubt & extreme stress, which can later result in a serious health problem. It's a sad reality!

The Women That Inspire Me | My 8 Favourite Instagrammers

I speak a lot about how I find my focus from other's dedication! But with so many fitness accounts out there, it can be hard to find one that you truly connect with & one that is really honest about their diet & workouts. So today, I have decided to share with you the 8 women (& 1 man) that inspire me to always push on & stay strong. And I hope you can find one to inspire you too!

What I Eat in a Day | Starting my Lean Bulk

A quick but insightful post this week - I wanted to share with you exactly what my current day of eating looks like, as I begin my lean bulk. But not just to give meal ideas, mainly to show just how much good food you can eat in a day & still be healthy & still love the food you're eating! I'm currently building up to a calorie surplus, so all this food you see here, is only about 50 cals over my daily allowance! I want you all to feel comfortable around food & embrace eating carbs, snacking 4 times a day & not giving a toss what people think, because you know how to be healthy for your body & your goals!

Winter Warmers | My Favourite Healthy Recipes for the Colder Months

Ok, so it's not winter quite yet!!! But this sudden chill has me already craving hot chocolates & mince pies. So to help you up & forget all about those winter cravings, here are my 3 favourite recipes for this time of year - all healthy, natural & delicious!

Winter Is Coming | New Fitness Goals, Diet & Workout & Growing the Booty

So a bit of a chatty one today! I wanted to talk a little about my new fitness goals & why it's so important to keep refresh your goals! I've been weight training for over 2 years now & like anyone, I have my lows & highs when it comes to motivation. But what I find helps me focus the most is setting myself new goals & trying new things - constantly changing things up & keeping it exciting! And since the big summer motivator is now behind us, I needed to look for something new, to keep me committed.

Sugar: The Hidden Obstacle | How to Conquer A Sweet Tooth

We've heard it all - fat is bad for you, carbs are bad for you, next thing will be protein is bad for you! Well the truth is anything can be bad for you, when eaten in excess. Instead, I think we should be worrying about a different source of energy, a more silent offender - sugar.

Now the Summer is Over, Why Should I Continue to Workout? | Because!

Every year, the New Year & summer motivates us to get our butts in gear! We are energised with new goals & new plans of how to achieve them. But, after a few months, it can be hard to continue fighting for the same goals. This time of year can be especially hard. We've worked for months to feel great over the summer, but now winter is closing in, the temptation to take a elongated break, can be all too much. Well don't!

7 Motivational Quotes I Live By | How They've Changed My Life & Fitness Journey

This article doesn't really need an introduction - it is what it's titled. Since starting my fitness journey, I have picked up a few quotes that have really changed my life for the better. So I thought I would share them, in the hope they could do the same for you!

Enthusiasm | We Can't Have it All the Time!

I have been struggling with my enthusiasm recently - I'm not going to lie to you! I love the gym when I go & still work hard for my goals, but I'm so tired, that it's taking its toll.

Holiday HIIT | The Ultimate Anytime Any Place Workout

You're on holiday, enjoy the sun, enjoying the break from reality & most importantly enjoying the food!!! But in the back of your mind, the time away from your usual fitness routine or diet is niggling. Well instead of stressing about it, take action! You don't need a gym for a good workout, nor do you need an hour long session to get the endorphins flooding back. Even a quick workout, will make you feel tones better.

Courgetti Bolognese | High Protein, High Fibre & Low Carb Recipe!

Some weeks the enthusiasm to eat healthy is just no there. Well here is my solution to those times, created because I wanted something rich in flavour, to get me out of those post holiday blues. So without further a do, here's my high protein, high fibre, low carb courgetti bolognese recipe - it's so delicious, you don't even realise how healthy it is!

A Beginners Guide to a Plant Based Diet | How & Why?

There's nothing better than that feeling of having your macros on point! You feel great, you look healthy & you have more energy. But since I've upped my protein intake to help me build a little muscle, I have subsequently upped my meat intake, which is something I am not comfortable with on a long term basis. I love animals, but I also really enjoy my food - it is a real internal fight I have with myself. I have to mentally separate the two, otherwise I would just not be able to eat meat again.

The Perfect Split | Never Miss a Workout

You have your workouts perfectly planned for the week, but mid week comes, your tired & you decide to miss a day. It can be one of the most frustrating things about working out & one of the most detrimental, if you're the type to feel guilty about missing a workout. It can really effect your motivation for the rest of the week! Not only that, but if you keep missing a certain day - for example leg day or back day - then you're strength & results will be a lot weaker in those areas.

Real Talk | How Fitness Has Strengthened My Mental Health

So this blog post is a little different to my usual ones. Instead of advice & motivation, it's more of a personal chat - one that I hope will help others going through something similar & will also explain why I love working out so much!

The Secret of Abs | 8 Habits to Kick for Real Results

Visible abdominals have always been craved, but recently their popularity has hit the roof. Maybe this popularity is down to how hard it actually is to get them showing! Loosing weight, eating well & going to them gym can do wonders for you body, but sometimes it can seem impossible to find those abs! That's because tummy is one of the hardest areas to lean out. In order to have visible abs, not only must you be committed to a healthy diet & frequent exercise, but you need to concentrate on lowering your body fat percent. If abs are your goal, here are a few things to avoid...

Hit A Plateau? | How to Get Back On It & Stay On It

One of the biggest reasons we hit a plateau is because we stick to the same routine. Either our bodies will get used to it & progress will slow down, or we'll get bored of the routine & stop giving it our all. Either way, change is good.

Spice Up Your Protein | 5 Tricks to Increase Your Intake + High Protein Salad Recipe

Get Lean This Summer | 8 Tips That Actually Work!

The countdown has begun & I have only a couple of months before my holiday! We've all been there & all tried quick fix diets, drinks & summer body plans, but how many have actually worked? I've definitely been fooled once too often. But in fact there's no secret to it, hard work & commitment is what achieves the most results. And the best results are achieved with time - some of the Instagram fitness stars we see have spent years building their physiques - I particularly like Sophie Guidolin, who's very honest about how long her progress has taken. I admire that honesty.

Master Your Macros | 7 Things That Have Changed Since Tracking My Macros

I personally find tracking my macros to be a huge help towards eating a balanced diet & progressing with my fitness, even though I only track my macros once a week, when writing my meal plan & shopping list! Since it is such a large part in my fitness journey, I wanted to share with all of you my experience. So to follow last week's post, The Ultimate Stress Free Guide to Counting Your Macros, on how to, this week I wanted to share with you why I track my macros & the real benefits I have noticed since doing so.

Master Your Macros | The Ultimate Stress Free Guide to Counting Your Macros

Now please don't panic! Before I begin, I promise you it is a lot easier than you think & is something I swear by for helping me really push for my goals. It is much like meal prep, a concept that may seem daunting & mystifying at first, but since reading my Ultimate Guide to Meal Prep, you now see how easy & attainable it can be. Well this is the goal for today - Master Your Macros Part One aims to clear up any confusing surrounding macro counting & show you just how easy it can be. Plus next week, in Part Two, I will be sharing with you the benefits I've seen since counting macros.

Beauty & the Gym | How I Keep My Skin Healthy When I Workout

Now let me clear up one thing, I am no beauty guru! My beauty regime is quite simple compared to others, but I do what works for me. Since going to the gym quite frequently, I have found my skin has developed different requirements. I am now more aware of keeping my skin fresh & pores clean, especially when I sweat, my nails are naturally being put through their paces & my hair is in a ponytail a lot more these days. So I have decided to compile a list of my favourite products & tips that help keep my hair, skin & nails in top condition, even after my hardest of workouts.

9 Surprisingly Unhealthy Snacks | And Their Healthier Alternatives

I don't know about you, but I am tired of trying to navigate through a minefield of 'low fat', 'low cal', '0 sugar' labels on what is supposed to be 'healthy' food products. Even down to the high protein cereal, that only has 1g of protein more than the original, yet charges twice the price... I am tired of being sold a load of over hyper, over priced so called health food, that is actually less beneficial than the natural, cheaper, raw ingredients. So I have decided to bring you a list of my top 9 unhealthy 'healthy' snacks & some great alternatives to try to help you navigate through the minefield of labels & discover why certain foods are not all they claim to be.

Before I begin, here are a couple of big warning signs to look out for...

I Gave Up Cheat Meals for 40 Days | Here's What I Learnt

THE DECISION TO EAT CLEAN

We all have peaks & troughs in our fitness journeys, but recently my weekend cheat meal had evolved into a cheat weekend... And although I hate those sayings - 'Don't let the weekend undo the progress of the week' - it couldn't be more true for me. Now when I say cheat weekend, I wasn't eating junk food all day every day, I was still eating quite healthy, but I would be having a lot of little treats, trying to sample a bit of everything before the weekend was over. A little here & there can quickly mount up to surpassing your calories for the day. So I decided - since I liked a challenge - to go cold turkey for lent. This would mean 40 days without any cheat meals & on top of that I wanted to eat within my macros - IIFYM - & eat cleaner in general. So instead of my weekend cheat meal, I might treat myself to honey on my porridge & make a healthy, clean version of my favourite meals - such as sausage & mash or burritos, cooked from scratch.

My 5 Go To Meal Preps | Easy, Healthy & Budget!

I don't know about you, but meal prep has definitely changed my life for the better! In just 2-3hrs a week, I am able to prepare all my main meals for the week ahead, so they're just ready to reheat when I get in late from the gym! It saves me time, prevents me from reaching for something easy yet unhealthy & saves me a heap of money. By planning what I will eat each week, my food bill has dropped dramatically & I rarely waste any food. If you're a beginner to meal prepping, or just wondering where to begin with it - check out my Ultimate Guide to Meal Prepping first.

Exhaustion | 5 Ways I Conquer it & Get Motivated for the Gym

I think one of the most used excuses for not working out is tiredness - and yes sometimes it is a very valid reason, but most of the time it is a lack of motivation that is causing us to use tiredness as an excuse. So if this is what is holding you back from achieving your fitness goals, then I thought I'd share with you my 5 quick fix tips of how I get energised & motivated for the gym, even after a long day!

Should Women Lift? | I Say Hell YES! Here's Why...

There is such a stigma around women who weight train & a genuine fear that surrounds it, which prevents many women from even giving it a try. Well in honour of International Women's Day yesterday, I want to discuss why we should abolish these ridiculous thoughts & why it is such a great method of training for women & men alike!

Pantone Colour of 2017 | What it Means for Fashion, Food & Interiors

With fashion weeks soon coming to an end, I thought it was only fitting to talk about one of the biggest trends in design for 2017 - Pantone's Colour of the Year - a decision that not only inspires the design world around us, but also reflects the current climate of humanity. And with that, I am excited to announce that the Pantone Colour of the Year 2017 is Greenery. Colour 15 - 0343.

Join Me on my LEAN for LENT Challenge!

This lent I will be giving up something that I absolutely love - my cheat meals! Although I can be really good all week, sometimes I can be quite over indulgent when it comes to my cheats. So I have decided to challenge myself, by giving up one of my biggest indulgences, in order to pick up some new healthy habits over lent. And I want YOU to join me!

I'm not asking you to be as extreme as me, but I would love you to join me in making a positive step towards living healthier & getting fitter. And I think lent is the perfect time to challenge ourselves & prove just how strong willed we can be!

So join me for my Lean for Lent 40 Day Challenge. Subscribe now to receive your Lean for Lent plan, to discover different challenges, inspirational figures, tips on how to stay motivated & to be in with a chance of winning some great fitness prizes! If we work together, we can achieve great things.

Subscribe here & receive your FREE Lean for Lent Plan!

7 Healthy Pancakes | For Every Type of Diet

Pancake day is one of my favourite times of year - it's a great, guilt free excuse to sit around with family & eat tones of pancakes with all types of toppings! But this year, I am feeling creative & have decided to explore further than my favourite lemon & sugar topped pancakes. So here are my 7 favourite pancake recipes, for every type of diet...

Let's Talk Body Image | And Lady Gaga's Kick Ass Body!

In case you were living with your head in the clouds, last weekend was one of the biggest events of American sport - Super Bowl Sunday. And in case you hadn't heard, Lady Gaga was the half time performer. And according to Forbes, she was the most tweeted about half time act they've ever had, with in excess of 5.1 million tweets during the show - you go girl! But despite her insane performance, you can always rely on some to be critical. I hate that this is even an issue to be discusses, but unfortunately Lady Gaga was body shamed for a tiny 'belly' during that performance.

How to Fuel & Re-Fuel Your Workouts | Fuel 10K

I hear so often people at the gym complaining about a lack of energy; when questioned what they've eaten all day, their response is something like a salad or a soup for lunch. And there lays the problem. So often we are told what foods to stay away from & what to eat in order to loose weight & stay trim, but not enough people talk about the fuel our bodies need to complete a workout. In particular, carbohydrates are given such a bad name - they make you bloat, make you put on loads of weight & make your skin really bad. Well what a load of ****! Certain sugary, processed carbs might, but don't lump all carbs under the same category. We'll talk more about this later.

Meal Prep 101 | The Ultimate Beginner's Guide

Meal prepping - to some a way of life, to others a mystery as to where to even begin! Well hopefully I can clear up all your questions, with my simple guide on how to meal prep. So what is meal prep? It is where you prepare whole meals or aspects of your meals in advance, to save time. This could include anything from chopping your week's vegetables all at once, or measuring out portion sizes ready for the week ahead, or even cooking a full batch of meals in advance. Even the smallest amount of prep can be so helpful.

10 Exercises to Try if You're an Exercise Newbie | Win a Workout

Confidence can be one of the biggest things holding you back when you first begin to exercise & that's completely understandable - you're in a new surrounding & are unsure of what to do. Well guess what, we've all been there! But now we are happy & confident in what we do & that will become you too. One of the best ways to find that confidence is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy! Don't feel pressured to exercise in a specific way because that is the 'only' way - that's rubbish. The more you enjoy exercise, the more you will want to continue with it & you'll start seeing results, inside & out.

My Top Health & Fitness Essentials | Food, Drink & Supplements

1. Water  In any shape or form! Not only does it hydrate you & makes your skin look great, but drink it with the right ingredients & it's a miracle worker! Try adding lemon to your water or drink water in the form of green tea - both are fantastic for your health, they remove toxins from the system & relieves bloating. I started drinking green tea about a year ago & haven't looked back since. Goodbye bloating, hello flat tummy!

Well being & Fitness Goals | How to Reassess for 2017

Christmas has passed, as have all the good excuses for eating a whole box of chocolates in one sitting... And the new year is now in full swing, along with all our fresh new resolutions! But how many of those resolutions actually stick? And is it because we are setting too many challenging goals for ourselves at once? Well this year I have chosen to make NO New Years Resolutions. Why? I can't think of any, nor do I feel I need any. Instead I'm focusing my mind on progression & being more constructive overall.

So if you're like me & can't think of or want a New Years resolution, then maybe it's the perfect time to reassess some old goals, to make this a productive & positive year for us all! These goals don't have to be just fitness, you can reassess any in a similar way, but today we are focusing on those fitness goals.

New Year. New Blog. New Me.

Hello & welcome to the first official blog post for Pin & Trim!

The new year is always thought of as a chance to change, for self improvement; hence why I have decided to officially launch this blog today. The beginning of a new year & a start of a new, more exciting blog. If you have followed me from my previous blog - Dress Me, I'm Your Mannequin - then welcome back. Or if you're new, I hope you enjoy what you see. But make sure to subscribe, so you never miss any exciting new content!