Wednesday a Week : #1 weight challenge - completion and success

Exactly a week ago I started the weight challenge, weighing 64kg on the dot. Today, I weigh 63.7kg. YAY!

Although it is only 0.3kg that I've lost, losing is better than gaining. If I lose 0.3 every week for a month, that's 1 kg a month, folks. So I'm on the right track.

This week was extremely hard because there was champagne all round for my best friend's birthday and matric dance, there was sushi, pizza, cake, more cake, more pizza... it was a hard week.

The problem is, life doesn't stop when you're dieting. Whether you're in routine or on holiday, you go out for tea and cake with friends, go for the burger special on a Monday, and bake cookies for fun. The unhealthy food doesn't just disappear. All you need to do is make the right choices.

Have half a slice of cake. When you're offered seconds, decline. Try not to eat within an hour before bed. Drink water. Exercise.

Here are some tips to motivate yourself to exercise:

1. phone a friend
Exercising is so much more fun when you do it with someone. You make jokes, talk, and before you know it, it's already over.

2. do something that doesn't feel like exercise
I have recently started playing action netball again. It definitely is a great work out because sprinting on a treadmill is so different to sprinting to outrun your opponent. 
Zumba is also a great way to work up a sweat but still enjoy yourself. The gyms have extra Zumba classes in the holidays, so check out the website for times. 

3. make a really good playlist
In my car, there are always fights about what music to play, depending on who's in the car. The bestie is addicted to the Great Gatsby soundtrack, whilst the boere boyfriend is addicted to Kurt Darren. When you work out, you can listen to music that YOU like and that gets you pumped up and ready to move.

4. do it for the after-effect
Exercise = endorphins. Nothing beats that amazing feeling you get after a good, hard work out.


I am happy with my result, and hope to keep up the 0.3kg per week. Off to Zumba now with my Mom - she's my friend and I don't even have to phone her! Haha that was lame. Peace out ya'll
Roxy X

PS check out Wendy's Wiked Cakes on Facebook - she made the stunning cake above. YUM

Wednesday a Week : #1 weight challenge - moderation is key (when you don't visit Granny for tea)

So we all know my dear Gran (bless her heart). And we all know that grannies love two things: tea and spoiling their grandchildren. 

This is not a good thing when you're trying to eat healthily! Yesterday, a simple hello pop-in turned into an array of chocolate, brownies, and cookies. F M L

What I've learned over the past year with cheat-sweets is that if you're gonna have a cheat, do it in moderation. Instead of eating the whole slab, have two or three blocks and share it with your family. Why not buy dark chocolate, it's better for you anyway.

Also, tonight I know I will be having cake for my best friend's birthday, so I'm not going to eat any carbs or have sugar in my tea during the day.

I woke up with that lovely mild stiff feeling in my legs after yesterday's efforts. We didn't feel like getting up early, so I'm gonna go to the gym later. I know that I have a busy weekend, so I won't have any time during the next two days to exercise. Even though I really don't feel like going today, I know it will be worth it.

In short, plan ahead with what you will be eating and when you will be able to exercise. Remember one carb a day and cheats in moderation.

Happy Friday!
Roxy X

Wednesday a Week : #1 weight challenge - morning jogs

My dearest boyfriend suggested yesterday, to my surprise, that we should go for a jog in the mornings. I almost cried from happiness and quickly agreed - and tried to act cool and not scare him out of it. 

So at 7 o'clock this morning, Rijk and I took a lovely jog along the beach. There really is no better way to start your day than to exercise. It wakes you up properly and gives you those all important endorphins to put you in a fabulous mood. It was roughly half an hour long, and it did the absolute world of good. We walked a bit, stretched, jogged, stretched, walked, jogged, sprinted and stretched. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow morning!

 

Because I got my first pay cheque yesterday, we decided to go out for breakfast. We went to Helgas in Somerset West and had our favourite R30 breakfast. I chose to have the chips and not the toast, so that's my carb for the day. They have the best bacon in the world, and we had a stunning morning. 

Hope you have a healthy day!

Roxy X

Wednesday a Week : #1 weight challenge - how I lost 6kg in 6 months

Last year for my matric dance, I decided that enough was enough, and that I needed to lose weight. By following the Tim Noakes eating plan and exercising regularly, I went from 66kg to 60kg in 6 months.

People get mad at me when I talk about my weight and how I'm uncomfortable with the way I look. But the thing is, is ANYONE really happy with their body? The skinniest, prettiest girls also have issues with their bodies, be it their weight, hair, teeth, skin - the list goes on and on. "You're so thin Roxy, what do you wanna lose weight for" is becoming common. So to all of you wondering, here's why I want to lose weight:

I want to be confident in myself and my body. I want to be able to tan on the beach and not have to lie down when I take off my top so my tummy doesn't make rolls. I want to be able to find clothes that fit me, and look good on me. I want to not have to wear shloep tops and pull my jeans up over my love handles. I want to be happy and healthy.

After the dance, exams happened. Then Christmas, my birthday, valentines day happened... Life really is inconsiderate when you're trying to lose weight! 

I weighed myself a few minutes ago. 64kg on the dot. Talk about 'first year spead' huh? Sies. 

Noakes is a professor, as well as a respected sports scientist, whose father and uncle both died of diabetes. The Tim Noakes eating plan interested my family because my dad is diabetic. 

You know the food pyramid we learned about in LO since grade 8? Forget everything you know about it. According to Noakes, nothing could be more false.

"I submitted myself to an experiment of rigorously avoiding all bread, cereals, rice, pasta and refined carbohydrates and replacing that nutritional deficit with healthy meats, fish, fruit, vegetables and fats, including nuts," said Noakes on www.discovery.co.za. "Five months later, I am at my lightest weight in 20 years and I am running faster than I have in 20 years. Even my friends are impressed. They agree that not even the most expensive cosmetic surgery could have produced such a remarkable change."

He also said on www.total-fitness-health.com that "many people, if not most people, have difficulty clearing the breakdown of the carbohydrates and glucose from the bloodstream resulting in the pancreas being forced to over-produce insulin which is normally used to clear the glucose from the bloodstream into the liver & muscles. However in this case the glucose, instead of being moved into the muscles, ends up getting dumped into the fat cells where it not only promotes pancreatic failure and the onset of diabetes, but also causes significant weight gain, poor health & lethargy."

Basically, carbohydrates in our bodies are broken down into sugars (glucose). The pancreas secretes insulin to break down sugars - it needs to secrete even more to break down carbs into sugars first so that they can then be broken down. Noakes is saying that because there is too much glucose in the bloodstream  from the carbs, the excess is stored in the fat cells.


We have been told time and time again that 'eating fat makes you fat'. This is not true. The body is intricately designed to be able to eat and break down animal products successfully (did Adam and Eve have Sasko white bread with their leg of lamb? Were Adam and Eve obese?). It is not the oil, butter, or animal fat that makes us fat - it is the stored glucose in our fat cells.

Foods to avoid when following the Tim Noakes eating plan:
SUGAR - in the form of cake, chocolate, or in your tea (try honey instead)

Artificial sweeteners - sugar pills, Coke Zero, sugar free drinks and yoghurts etc.

Fruit juices and fizzy drinks - it takes 4 oranges to squeeze one cup of orange juice. That's a lot of natural sugar in one go! Water is a much cheaper and healthier way to quench your thirst.

Carbohydrates - bread, pasta, pizza, rice (sushi as well... I know), potatoes, cereal, porridge

Fast foods - we all know they're death on a plate

It seems super difficult at first, but you get used to it and it becomes easier. Start off with LOW carb rather than NO carb. Choose one carb you can't live without, and make it the only carb you eat for the day. Try and be practical - for me, I prefer to have my yoghurt and cereal for breakfast and then have salad or soup for lunch. Some people might find it easier to have fruit or a smoothie for breakfast, and a sandwich for lunch.

Find replacements for things. Instead of having two slices of bread for lunch, have 3 Provitas with cheese, ham, salami, cream cheese, tomato, rocket, tuna mayo - all the yummy things you can think of. If your mom is making pasta for supper, ask her to take a portion out for you before she adds the pasta. Replace chips with a salad. At Spur, if you order a burger, choose vegetables instead of chips and only eat one (or neither) side of the roll. You'll be surprised how yummy and filling it is. Have fish and veg instead of fish and chips.

So for this Wednesday a Week, I will be strictly following the Tim Noakes eating plan. I lost weight before doing it, and I can do it again! My dear high school choir conductor once told us that to cement a habit, you have to do somethings 7 times. 

Here's to 7 days of healthy eating!

Roxy X

Quickie #2

Last week I went to the mall and got all the sale details and took photos, and BOOM it's a week later and I haven't posted jack. I don't even know if the sales are still on anymore... woops. But here's a quick rundown anyway, just in case! 

If it's still on, I definitely recommend checking out Edgars' cosmetics sale! Lovely dark winter nail polish colours for R15, lipstick for R10 and base, powder, blush and bronzer all for under R40 each.

Edgars is also having a mid season clothing sale, but even on sale their clothes are like R200.

If you're one of them rich bitches (jokes) this will interest you: Edgars has started stocking Forever New items, as well as Aldo shoes. To us studente sonder sente though, this means absolutely nothing. I refuse to buy a scarf for R300 - or more! The jewelry is about the same price as Diva's stuff though, maybe a bit more.

While I was strolling through the mall, I noticed that a lot of shops have sales on their summer shoes, like peep-toe heels and wedges. Now is the best time to buy, because they're up to 50% off. 

Jet seems to have new jewelry stock, and it's really cute things for cheap. If you're looking for inexpensive jewelry, I definitely recommend places like Jet, Ackermans, Legit and Fashion Express.

From tomorrow, I will be starting 'Wednesday a week'. This will be a weekly challenge that I will do, that you are welcome to do with me. Every day I will post how it's going, as well as motivation and tips. Looking forward to that! 

Have a great Tuesday
Roxy X

Quickie

Hey everyone, as of Monday night, I am finally finished with exams! Great way to end them too... 

With being drugged up on medlemon and therefore driving at like 10km/hour, I arrived late to the exam venue (on the top floor - of course). I quickly sat down, but realized I was in the 'skip-one' seat. Everyone around me snickered knowingly, so I had to shuffle around the whole (humongous) room to find a seat (second row from the front, right hand block, when I entered from back left - of course). 

As if I hadn't already provided enough amusement for one night, I then proceeded to protest (loudly) with the lady that I'm a 178 student when I'm in fact a 188. She refused to give me a 178 question paper because she 'didn't recognise me' - what discrimination was this?! I didn't recognise her either, what's her point?! Then suddenly I saw (and recognised) my lecturer running down the isle to shut us up and give me a 188 question paper. Eventually when everyone had wiped the tears from their eyes after the (apparently) hilarious scene I'd caused, and we were told to begin, I reluctantly had to put my hand up. Of course, I didn't yet have an answer booklet (cue the giggles). 

The poor people around me gave up on saying 'bless you' after about ten minutes. Coughing, spluttering, sneezing, snorting - and worst of all: sniffing. I had four tissues. I used three in the first hour of my exam... I'm just gonna stop there. I noticed that the girl on my right had pulled her scarf up over her nose and mouth until just her eyes peeped out, as if I was some contaminated freak! ...Well.

That being said, I am finished with exams and will now have more time to post new blogs! (and recover from my apparent pneumonia) I'll also be going out more: no more staying in PJs all day to study, so there will be loads more regular lookbook posts! 


What you can expect for the holidays: 

-I'm going to the mall today, so will post about that tomorrow.

-At the end of the month (after I get paid haha) Zina from the Inspiration Archive and I are going for a day in Long Street! Really looking forward to that.

-I have a competition planned for next month, really excited! Deets sooooooon...

-On the 13th of July, me and Rijk are off to Huisgenoot Skouspel at Grand West! Boeremusiek for the win haha.

-On the 27th of July Reza from Razeastro is hosting a fashion launch where international brands will be sold for radically reduced prices. Everyone's invited, more info at https://www.facebook.com/events/201565566633839/

Can't wait to get started! Happy holidays everyone 
Roxy X

Less is more with LEATHER

Leather is in BIG TIME this autumn / winter season! Browsing through shops these past few weeks made me realize how much leather seems to be on the racks. I decided to do some research on this topic before doing a post, just to make sure I'm not talking nonsense.

Leah Melby from Elle said, "As fashion-lovers turn toward fall trends, the spring 2013 collections have good news in store. Leather, big for autumn, won't be leaving the scene any time soon."

The interesting thing though, is that the leather pieces aren't necessarily the statement pieces of an outfit. Serisha Singh from all4woman.co.za said, "Think leather details on dresses, skirts and shirts, leather-look leggings and pants, cute gloves and of course jackets, boots, bags and belts. The leather look is all the rage for winter 2013. The trick to wearing it is to blend with other pieces and colours that soften the hard look of leather." Minimalism is key!

While at Edgars a few days ago, I snapped these pics on my phone quickly that caught my eye - baring in mind, this is only at Edgars!

As you can see in these two pieces, the leather forms the detail; without it the pieces would be average, even boring. 

I really love this jacket. It's like a combination of a blazer and a biker jacket. If you look quickly it looks like your average leather jacket, but in fact the only part of the jacket that is actually leather is the sleeves. The rest is that thick, blazer material. 

I also especially love these leggings. I can't stand those leggings that are that gross leathery shiny material all over, my mom says they make your legs look like sausages... Siesaaaaa. These are perfect because the leather detail is in one stripe down the side.

These shoes are, as well, a good example of how a touch of leather can spice up an item. The booty ones are R200 at Jet, can't WAIT to get my hands (and feet! haha) on a pair of them.

 Here are two examples of my favourite fashion bloggers rocking the minimalistic leather look:

Aisha, from Baked the Blog / Tgether, is wearing a blazer similar to the one above. Only the sleeves are leather and the rest is like a normal blazer.

Kavita, from She Wears Fashion, is wearing a dress with a leather skirt and shoulder pads. Again, minimalistic and not overpowering. 

So there you have it! Go crazy with leather this autumn / winter, but remember less is more.

Roxy X

The bird who shops around catches the cheapest worm

I've been to Somerset Mall quite a few times the past few weeks, and I have noticed a few things that I'd love to share. These tips will help you to buy the best possible item for the cheapest possible price. Studente sonder sente...

1. take a stroll
This is probably the most important tip. Take a stroll around the mall before you buy anything! Go in all the shops you would go into, as well as the ones you wouldn't. Take a look around, see what you like, and remember the prices. By doing this, you will be able to apply the next steps. Start on one side of the mall, then work your way backwards.

2. look for good deals
When I go to Somerset Mall, I always park at the 'New Entrance' side. Yesterday as I was coming in, I saw a sale at Diva and immediately dragged Rijk over to go and have a look (haha, sorry Rijk). I normally can't afford Diva, but the sales are(sometimes) more realistic. This can be said for most expensive shops, no matter what they sell. If you see a sale sign, no matter what shop it is, get in there! Rather be safe than sorry!
Shops like Poetry and Old Khaki I don't even bother going in to because I know I can't afford ANYTHING. Here's something I learnt: go in anyway. You might just find something you love that's not over-priced. Also, it's bound to be better quality than the cheapie at Mr Price. And there's of course the bonus that you wont see 17 people in one trip to the mall wearing the same thing as you. 

Here's an example of a scarf that I found on Old Khaki's site. It's only R75, and considering that the infinity scarves at Cotton On are back to their normal price of R60, I think that's pretty affordable. All the scarves at both of the above mentioned shops are beautiful colours and really nice and soft. Of course there are the more expensive ones, but if you want to pay less, be prepared to go the extra mile and check every single scarf's price tag. In the end it's totally worth it anyway.

3. know the average price
Staying on the topic of scarves, on the surface R75 for a scarf seems like a LOT! But by shopping around, I've come to realize that you don't get scarves for under R50. It makes no sense really - all it is, is a rectangular piece of material... Anyway. If I only went to Old Khaki and saw R75 for a scarf I'd say hells nah and not even consider buying it. By shopping around, you get an idea of what different items cost. This allows you to know a good deal when you see one. An item on sale at Diva could be R80 (half price from R160) and you will probably think YES great deal, SOLD. But if you take the 15minute walk to Womans' Street, you could find a very similar piece for even less than Diva's reduced price.

4. find something similar for way cheaper
Like I said in no.3, what's in fashion is not just sold at one shop. I have the most absolutely perfect example of this. I saw a pair of boots that I loved at Edgars. Less than 10 minutes later, I saw THE EXACT SAME BOOTS at Fashion Express! I'm not even exaggerating. I found this picture of the boots I'm talking about on the Edgars site, except they were black with black glitter. I'm sure I don't have to mention that the ones from Edgars were more expensive.

5. sometimes expensive doesn't mean quality
We often think 'ag, I'll buy the more expensive tights from Woolies because they'll be better quality and last longer'. Yes, this is often the case, but not always! For my 18th birthday, my Mom bought me a stunning silvery ring from Diva that I love. Anything from Diva is expensive, so you expect it to be good quality, right? WRONG! The ring is still perfect at the front, but the back has gone this horrible rusted copper colour! I bought silver beaded bracelets at Diva for my matric dance, and the colour has rubbed off and left this black smudge through the beads. I can't wear either of these anymore. What a waste!

I bought a cute ring on sale at Cotton On last week. 
It literally only cost R20. 
I love it almost as much as I love the ring from Diva, but the difference is that I won't be so upset if the colour rubs off because I only paid R20 for it. 
Same thing with the Essence nail polish. You don't mind as much if your nails chip within two days because you only paid R20 for the nailpolish. 
My Mom bought a packet of silver beads for under R10 at the PNA and made me a new bracelet exactly the same as the one from Diva.
Very often, shops that many people nowadays see as 'cheap' or 'lower-class' such as Jet and Ackermans actually have really great stuff! I recommend Jet for heels and Ackermans for boots, and Pep has cheap, colourful jewelry. On the plus side, because people think they're too cool to shop there, you won't find 5 girls in your tut of 20 people wearing the same pumps as you.

6. buy ASAP
This is a difficult one, but it's also worth it. Sometimes I see something cheap that I love and I have to use my savings and promise to replace the amount at the end of the month with my pocket money. You can also borrow money from your parents, grandparents, older cousins or friends. In our family, I can also wash the car or the dishes to get money from my parents. 
The reasons why you need to try and buy asap is because sales don't last forever, and things get sold out. While I was in Cotton On yesterday, I wanted to buy another colour infinity scarf, but the sale had ended and they were no longer R40 but rather R60. Booooooooo

So those are my tips! You can even apply them in that order: take a stroll around, look for good deals, know the average price to compare things to, find something similar for cheaper, remember that expensive doesn't mean quality, and try and buy as soon as possible.

From my quick look around Somerset Mall yesterday, here are some of the places having sales at the moment:
DIVA : up to 50% off selected jewelry
COTTON ON : mens' and ladies' accessories
EDGARS : mens' and ladies' blazers (and lots of other things too)

Happy saving, and happy shopping!
Roxy X

Fashion Lookbook : Day 4 - Champagne Showers

Today we went to the One & Only Hotel for high tea for a late Mothers' Day outing. Good excuse to dress up! Yippeeeeeee

I wore black leggings, a turquoise short sleeved sheer shirt, and a black long sleeved, long top jacket thingy. I got the jacket thingy from Cotton On - it was on a 'buy 3 for R250' sale. I love it because it's long so it's great to wear with leggings. The only thing is, it's very thin, so not good for days like today. Will be great for summer though! The scarf I borrowed from my Mom. That's what moms are for! I think she bought it from Woolies, and it's really cute because you can wear it with blues or purples, or neutrals.

I found this coat in my Mom's cupboard. My Gran had given it to us ages ago and we'd both forgotten about it for a good few years. I've grown into it, and I've grown to love it, too! It's still a bit big, but the belt cinches it in at the waist nicely. 

These photos were taken very hurriedly in the bathroom though, and my mother dearest is not the most flattering photographer. Let's just blame it on that! *winks

We ordered the buffet high tea, but ordered extra champagne to celebrate. Can you believe it cost R350 for five glasses? My word we almost died when we got the bill! At least it was good though, but still!

Being in this fancy place, my Mom was saying that it makes you appreciate what you have, and be content with it. My cousin, Candice, and I completely disagreed. It just motivated us to work harder so that we wouldn't even have to blink at a trillion rand's worth of champagne! 

Well, that said, I'm off to study... Tomorrow!

Roxy X