UNPREDICTABLE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS FOR HER

It’s less than a week until Valentine’s Day, but don’t worry, I’ve got your back.  Keep reading for the lowdown on what a girl really wants.

Clockwise from top left: Adidas Bold Pink Gazelle, ASOS // Beats Solo 2 by Dr. Dre, Argos // Sports bra, Nike [sold out] // Calvin Klein bralette, ASOS [briefs sold out] // Leggings, Stella McCartney // Backpack, Whistles // Nike Flyknit Lunar Max Fuchsia Flash trainers, Size? // Nike Lunarglide 6 Pink trainers, ASOS //Adidas Dust Pink Superstar, Soletrader // Adidas Stan Smith, Very // Nike Essential Burgundy Air Max 90, ASOS // Polar FT4 Fitness watch, Argos // Nike Burgundy Huarache, Foot Locker // Pro Flow Training Gloves, Nike

Sneaky kicks

The 90s revival of late means trainers are steaming ahead as the go-to shoe of choice. Introducing the new ‘It’ shoe: The Superstar (Adidas.) Pharell just made ‘em big again. Go minimal in the understated Stan Smith (Adidas.) Got a wild side? They’re available in all-white with zebra pony-hair or all-black with leopard pony-hair. Gazelle’s are also topping the chic charts, whilst Air Max’s and Huaraches are the sporty choices to opt-for.

Sprint ahead and snap up some bangin’ sportswear or game-changing gym trainers for those training sessions. Splurge on the new Stella x Adidas range, go for classic Nike or save with H&M, Missguided and Boohoo.

Tech-savvy

Go techy and surprise her with a stylish fitness tracker watch or headphones. The watch reveals how many calories are burnt and when fitness is improved based on heart rate. If she likes cooking, get her the latest kitchen gadget. Tune her in, turn her on.

Lady luxe

Stick to traditions with some jewellery, flowers or underwear. Choose luxury over sleaze. For unexpected elegance, bypass intimates for soft or silky nightwear. A girl can never have too much and it’s always a treat, especially when they’re M&S.

Get insta-worthy brownie points with a Calvin Klein crop and brief set. 

Do you know her favourite flowers? Mine are white lilies (Classic, minimalist and they keep giving as they take a few days to open completely.) For the ultimate in unpredictability, join the Pinterest train and opt for an architectural cactus. Get creative with the message that accompanies this gnarly creature. The shape varieties are endless too. No prickly receptions 'round here. 

For jewellery, you can’t go wrong with plain and simple. Think small hoop earrings or an unfussy pendant.

Clockwise from top left: Pure Silk Wrap, Marks and Spencer // Sterling Silver Gold Plated Hoop Earrings, ASOS // Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Red Lizzard, John Lewis // Rosie for Autograph Silk Teddy in Raspberry, Marks and Spencer // Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, John Lewis // Lanson Rose NV Champagne, ASDA // Rosie for Autograph Fragrance, Marks and Spencer // Monthly Beauty Subscription Box, Birchbox // Fifty Shades of Grey Movie, Selected cinemas // Lindt Lindor Limited Edition Strawberries & Cream, ASDA

Oh snap!

Go sentimental with a photo book or tap into her organised side with a photo calendar. In a digital age when we’re used to looking at photos on a screen, printed photos are a rarity. Choose special moments and order them in chronological order. You’ll feel all warm and fuzzy afterwards too.

Accessorize

Cast your mind back to the 90s again and choose a fashion-forward backpack instead of the traditional oversized ‘It’ bag. If sporty isn’t her style, choose a chic cross-body bag.

Everyone’s looking forward to summer already so kick-start her preparation with some designer shades or sporty sliders.

Beautify

Has she been dropping hints or wanted something for ages? Maybe she’s got a favourite perfume and she’s running out. Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Jason Statham’s Missus) has just launched her own fragrance with Marks and Spencer. It’s described (in Stylist magazine) by the babe herself as sensual and musky with a really delicate, feminine quality to it.

Talking of beauty, give your girl a chance to switch off and chillax with a spa day, weekend away or pamper session at a luxurious country house or her favourite salon.

Clockwise from top left: Miu Miu sunglasses, Net-a-porter // Green & Black's Organic Dark Chocolate bar, ASDA // Vita Coco Coconut Water, ASDA // Deliciously Ella cookbook, Amazon // Nutribullet, Selfridges // Initial Mug, Anthropologie // Stella x Adidas trainers, selected Adidas stores [similar here] // Nike sliders, Very // The Chia Co. Chia Seeds, Maximum Sports Nutrition // Hemsley & Hemsley: The Art of Eating Well cookbook, Amazon // Gym bag, American Apparel

Health-conscious

Arrange a healthy hamper. Include health-conscious recipe books, superfoods and stylish storage and crockery.

Date night

If you fancy going out and you haven’t got any plans yet, book some cinema tickets in advance. The long-awaited Fifty Shades of Grey is being released on Valentine's weekend so book your tickets early. It’ll be a popular one.

You should be expressing your love for your boo every day of the year, and although Valentines is full of gimmicks, it’s a little reminder to show them how much they mean to you (soppy, I know). Make it personal and put your own spin on it.

Don't get me wrong, most women would love something from Ann Summer’s, some Thornton’s choccies or a Pandora charm but they’re a bit predictable, aren’t they? Be Mr Original 2k15 this Valentine’s Day.

What are up to for Valentines? Has this helped?

Ladies, leave this feature open for him to find. 

Guys, if you're reading this, HINT HINT.

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9 TIPS TO MOTIVATE YOU DURING YOUR WORKOUT

One month into all those ‘get fit’ New Year resolutions, I thought I’d share the techniques that I use to keep myself motivated during a workout. No more fading away, girls! Make your fitness fierce this February.

Image source Sport England: This Girl Can

1. Small goals

Have small goals within your workout. Work on timings instead of reps. Set yourself a certain number of seconds and complete as many reps as you can in that time. The next time you do the same exercise, aim to beat the number of reps you did last time. It’s worth keeping a little training diary to keep an eye on your progress (find some great ones here.)

Tabata is a great way to work on this. It consists of 20 seconds work, then 10 seconds rest, eight times (that's one set.) You’ve got to give it everything you’ve got in those 20 seconds ‘on’ though. The 10 seconds rest is really to get in position for your next movement.

For example, in my 20 seconds ‘on’ period, I’ll do as many press-ups as I can, then when I get round to press-ups again, I’ll aim to increase the number of press-ups I do by 1 or 2. Just ensure your form and posture isn’t compromised.

Tip: There’s a free app that I use for Tabata timings, funnily enough named ‘Tabata Timer’. It’s my go-to workout for when I haven’t pre-planned my session.

2. Move to the rhythm

This might be using the music you’re listening to or the rhythm in your head. Be consistent and keep it up.

3. Focus on breathing

This is a technique I learnt in yoga, and have since applied to other forms of exercise. Rather than focusing on the movement you’re doing, focus on your breathing and visualise your body moving with each breath. If it’s possible, take long, deep breaths innnnn aaaand ouuuuut. I’ve found this particularly effective when I’m sprinting in spin.  Once I've started sprinting my attention is diverted onto my breathing whilst my legs continue moving at the same sprinting pace.

4. Visualise your muscles

Construct an image in your mind of the individual muscles contracting and focus on them. You might imagine what they look like inside your body, or focus on what they look like as they tense on the outside. Slowing reps down or closing your eyes to do this may help visualisation at first. Body builders call it mind-muscle connection. 

5. Embrace a positive attitude

A positive mindset is empowering. If you imagine yourself doing it, you will do it. Failure is not an option. Our bodies will push to limits we didn’t know were possible. Treat yourself with respect and celebrate your triumphs. You can do anything you put your mind to if you work hard enough. It starts with saying ‘I can’. Restrict yourself from radiating any negative energy. No moaning, just doing (sorry Nike).

6. Have positive forces around you

Surround yourself with positive people and people who’ll push you, just like you’ll do for them. Belief is all you need. On a personal note, I’m lucky that my boyfriend wants to train with me. When he’s there, it pushes me harder as I want to prove to him, as well as myself, that I can do it. 

Image source Sport England: This Girl Can

7. Count down

Give it everything humanly possible in the last 10 or 20 seconds of an exercise. Make sure you’ve earned your rest. The period where you feel like you can’t go on anymore is usually the bit that counts. When the final 10 second countdown begins, I find myself working harder, faster and stronger. The countdown is often the last boost I need to dig deeper.

8. Focus on yourself

Don't compare yourself to others. Every single person is different, no matter how much, little, or no experience they’ve had. Don’t feel disheartened when you can't keep up with others. Push yourself to exceed your limits. Despite that, a little competition can go a long way. If someone’s pushing you to go harder than you would normally and you can handle it, go for it!

9. Finally, own your game face!

Check out your sweaty self in the mirror. Weirdly satisfying, right? Seeing yourself working hard actually increases productivity. Plus, you can keep a check on your form and posture.

No-one’s game-face is attractive, but hard work, positivity and a hot bod at the end of it all, is. Own the gritted teeth, red face and sweat and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals.

The majority of these tips are about focusing. Although it’s physical, exercise has a lot to do with a positive mindset. So, on your next workout, try connecting your mind and body to achieve results. Sounds hippyish, but it works.

Have you got any motivational workout tips that you use? If you do, share them in the comment box below, or try some of these and let me know how you get on.

I’m not an expert in fitness or health. This is just what I’ve learnt in the time I’ve been training. Not all of these can be applied to every type of exercise all of the time, but they might help to push you that little bit harder. Good luck in your fitness journeys and have fun with those endorphins! 

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