INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION

A challenge isn't just the physical battle your body goes through, but the mental battle you face as well.

With a number of events and challenges coming up for me in 2015 I've been looking for sources of motivation and inspiration that'll help push me in the right direction. I would say I'm pretty good at motivating myself 8 times out of 10, but there are a number of occasions when I can feel slightly down or lackluster about working out. When you've got big challenges coming up and sometimes things aren't going the way you planned, it can be incredibly hard to keep going and not lose that motivation you had when you started. I've already touched on how to keep training and exercising through the winter, but the mental battle you face to keep going is a whole other story.

Magazines and books
Magazines and books can be a huge source of information and can offer up inspiring stories from both athletes and "ordinary people".
I've recently finished reading Swim Bike Run by Alistair and Jonathon Brownlee. I really enjoyed this book and I'm planning on rereading it again soon. It switches between the two brothers telling their story of how they developed over the years and how their journey led up to them competing in the Summer Olympics in London 2012. I found it really interesting reading about the two different styles of training the brothers have and the changes in their relationships that happened as they dominated the World triathlon scene. As well as the brothers story it also includes tips on all three disciplines and a coaches workouts. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in triathlons or in learning about the Brownlee brothers journey to becoming World and Olympic Champions. Whilst reading this book I just wanted to get on bike and go for a ride. It really made me look at my training and WANT to go for it. In times of doubt I think I'll pick up this book and read the struggles they faced, to help me get through any tough times I may have.

As well as the Brownlee brother's book I've also been reading a number of magazines. Magazines offer some great training tips, stories and pages of fantastic content. They're also great for finding your next race to enter. Training for a specific race can be a huge motivating factor and so it's incredibly useful to have somewhere that details upcoming events. They're filled with articles on a whole range of topics and sports specific magazines are a great place to learn more about sports you're specifically interested in. I find the tips and workouts really useful for both trying out at the gym, outside and mixing up what I do in my current routine. They also offer a host of recipes to try out which are not only great to try out but also offer a bunch of inspiration to be more creative and experimental in the kitchen.

Blogs and the online community
The amount of blogs that are online now is incredible. There are thousands and thousands of pages filled with personal stories, tips, tricks and motivation available - all at the click of a button. Reading another persons journey to a big event can be hugely motivating. Reading about any troubles they've had and how they've overcome them can really push you to keep going. I follow a number of fitness bloggers (I've posted about some of my favourites here and here) but a couple I regularly check back on include Sophie, Charlie and Leah. I love reading all about a persons journey from having that initial idea to enter an event, all the way through the completion and their thoughts and feelings when they've accomplished it. Blogs and videos are a great way to live vicariously through others and it gives you an opportunity to discover a whole variety of events and challenges across the globe. The community, especially on Twitter, is hugely inspiring, supporting and a pretty special place. You can share your journey and people can interact with you sharing ideas, workouts and giving you that extra push.

So that's just a little bit about where the places I'm looking for inspiration and motivation at the moment. Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay motivated? Let me know @afloralcrown.

I'm posting everyday as part of my 24 days of Christmas Fitness. Make sure to check back each day for a new post all the way up until Christmas Day !

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SNOWMAN PROTEIN TRUFFLE - SAM HADADI

Today I bring you another awesome recipe by the lovely Sam Hadadi. If you haven't already make sure to check out Sam's other recipe post as she was kind enough to do not one but two recipe posts for my 24 Days of Christmas! So HUGE thank you again to Sam!

What you'll need:
2 tbsp vitafiber
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1.5 tsp ground almonds
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
Gently hear the vitafiber in a saucepan. Once it starts bubbling, remove it from the heat and immediately stir in the rest of your ingredients. It needed, mix the 'dough' together with your hands until well combined, then shape into three small balls and stack your snowman. Leave to cool before decorating however you fancy, then devouring!

Another big thanks to Sam for creating not one, but two posts for me this month! If you haven't already, make sure to head over to her blog - I Am Into This - for some brilliant recipe ideas! Also check her out on Twitter and Instagram.

I'm posting everyday as part of my 24 Days of Christmas Fitness. Make sure to check back each day for a new post all the way up until Christmas Day! 

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MEETING (& DANCING WITH) DARCEY BUSSELL!

Last Wednesday evening I had a pretty incredible experience. I got to not only meet Darcey Bussell, but I also had the chance to dance with her. There were just six of us and Darcey, together in a studio just off Oxford Street in London. Before I go any further and talk about the experience itself, let me quickly tell you how this all began.

Back in November Charlie tweeted a photo of few of us had finished a Barrecrore class using the Boots #SpecialBecause hastag. The #SpecialBecause campaign runs across social media networks allowing you to share who is special to you and why. We didn't really think anything would come from the tweet but a few weeks later I received a text from Charlie. She asked if I was free to travel to London to attend a special class and that it was in relation to the Special Because campaign and the Barrecore tweet she had sent. At first I was fairly sure I wouldn't have been able to make it due to working on the Thursday, but Charlie said I HAD to be there and that it would definitely be worth it. Luckily, I was able to change my day at work and head up to London on the Wednesday, ready to take part in the class that evening!

I turned up to Danceworks, which is HUGE, and made my way to the studio that we would be dancing in and was met with a cameraman and Christmas tree. I was greeted by a member of the team and waited for the rest of the group. Natasha was next to show and we had a really nice chat before the others arrived. Once everyone was together we began a warm up, led by Natasha. We were told, that our teacher for the class would be arriving shortly. Little did we know Darcey Bussell would be our dance teacher for the evening! I was very shocked to see the former ballerina of the English National Ballet and Strictly judge standing right in front of me. She was incredibly warming and introduced herself to us all whilst talked us through what the class would be like and the sorts of things we could expect from it.

Once we'd taken our positions, me at the back, we began the class. Darcey led us through a series of routines from all different eras and styles of dance. It included 70s, 90s, Egyptian, hand jive, Bollywood and many others, including a Rocky style boxing routine. A couple of us looked nervous before we began, worrying if we would be able to keep up with the dance moves. Darcey was very reassuring to us that it was all about having fun and not take yourself too seriously, if you messed up a move it really didn't matter. The class was SO much fun and I also felt like I was having a good workout without even realising it. Some of the moves I got fairly easily but others really reinforced my thoughts that I am lacking a fair bit with my coordination. The moves in the routine were kept fairly simple but were often repeated a couple of times throughout. The repetition helped a lot with learning the moves and also with what move followed.

Once we'd had a great workout, we got the chance to chat with Darcey before she headed off. She is incredibly approachable and such a pleasure to have a chance to talk to. I couldn't get my head around the fact that I was actually talking to her. We were then treated to a foot massage and a little pamper session after the workout. I had to do a teeny interview to camera, whilst still very red faced and I couldn't quite get into words just how amazing the evening had been. I spoke a little (albeit slightly stuttered and very nervous) about the experience and just how special it had all was. We were very kindly given a couple of gifts by Boots, which was just another very kind gesture that just made this evening even more special.

I headed home on the tube not quite believing what had just happened.

Thank you so much to Boots and everyone who made this evening happen. It was an incredible experience and one I won't be forgetting anytime soon. A big thank you to Darcey for teaching us and making me feel completely at ease, even struggling through moves. I also want to say an extra special thank you to Charlie who is amazing and without her I wouldn't have been able to attend this incredible evening.

You can share who's special to you this Christmas using the #SpecialBecause hastag across social media.

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COOKIE DOUGH STUFFED CHOCOLATE CUPS BY SAM HADADI

Today's post is a recipe by the lovely Sam Hadadi from I Am Into This. I contacted Sam back when I was coming up with the ideas for this series and knew I had to include one of her amazing recipes. If you follow her Instagram (beware: everything looks delicious!) you know that Sam creates some super tasty looking dishes. I was very happy when she said yes to creating something for my blog! Like with all her bakes (and her recipes in general) this one does not disappoint. They look seriously awesome and I think I have finally found what to make to use that tin of chickpeas in my cupboard!
So, read on to find out how to make these delicious looking treats created by Sam.

What you'll need:
(Serves 6)
For the 'cookie dough':
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 cup nut butter of choice
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Handful dark chocolate chips

For the cups:
- 100g dark chocolate, 85% or higher
- 1 tsp coconut oil, melted

Method:
1) Line a muffin tin with silicone cases, then start by making the chocolate cups. Gently melt together the dark chocolate with the coconut oil until smooth, Spoon the chocolate mix into the case, ensure the chocolate goes up the sides. Place in the fridge to set.

2) In the meantime, blitz together the cookie dough ingredients - apart from the chocolate chips - in a high powered blender until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips, then spoon into the set chocolate cases. Eat and devour!

These are SO simple that you seriously need to give these a go! If you do, tweet me @afloralcrown and Sam @samantha_hadadi showing us how they went! Make sure to check out Sam's Instagram, blog and Twitter and a big thank you to Sam for creating this recipe for me!

I'm posting everyday as part of my 24 days of Christmas Fitness. Make sure to check back each day for a new post all the way up until Christmas Day!

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HAZEL WALLACE AKA THE FOOD MEDIC

Say hello to Hazel Wallace or as you may know her, The Food Medic. She is currently studying Medicine MBBcH, having already achieved a degree in Medicine Sciences Bsc. She currently has a Clean eats & Healthy Treats eBook available filled with a ton of super tasty looking treats.

I first discovered Hazel via her Instagram, it's pretty awesome you should check it out, where she posts some incredible looking, super tasty and healthy food ideas. She also has a website where you shares her awesome #SundayService workouts, recipes and soon to be nutrition advice.

If you're looking for health and fitness inspiration, some great home and gym workouts as well as some healthy recipe ideas then check her out!

Her links are - Instagram, Website, Twitter and also her eBook.

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FITNESS BLOGGERS #2

Carrying on from last weeks post I thought I'd share some more fitness bloggers whose blogs I've been loving lately!

Lucy @ Lucy Lunges
Jen Slater @ Eclectic Cake
Melissa Webb @ Lissy Runs
Charlie Brown @ Run Around Town
Laura Stewart @ Life Laura London
Zoe @ London and Me

Again, make sure to check out all those mentioned and let me know who you're favourites are @afloralcrown.

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FITNESS BLOGGERS #1

I've been into fitness from a young age and as it always has, and still is, such a bit part of my life I don't know why I haven't really been sharing it as much on here. I follow a lot of fitness and health bloggers each of which offer me inspiration and motivation so I thought I'd share a couple of just some bloggers I love to keep up with!

Charlie Watson @ The Runner Beans
Leah Naturally @ Naturally Leah
Sophie Radcliffe @ Challenge Sophie
Stephanie @ A Magpie in the Sky

Who are your favourite fitness bloggers or people who inspire you to get moving and motivated? Let me know @afloralcrown on Twitter. Make sure to check out those mentioned, as they have some seriously great blogs and are definitely worth following! Also make sure to check back next week for more blogs to check out!

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