Around this sunny time of year when the flowers bloom and the air is fragranced with honeyed pollen, I always want to detox and clear my system. I’m a firm believer in eating the highest-quality organic produce available, and am convinced that how you treat your body will show from the inside out. The condition of your skin depends on a number of factors; age, genetics, levels of UV exposure, amount of alcohol consumed, nicotine, diet, hydration, general health, environment etc. However, I think that the skin is a great indicator into your overall health; throughout my teens I struggled with my skin – like many teenagers, I’d get breakouts of acne which really got me down, and I still get the odd spots here and there. The interesting pattern I’ve noticed is that they tend to appear when I’m stressed, or when I’ve eaten a surplus of sugar (natural or otherwise), so I think it’s very much a hormonal consequence of those triggers. Through my struggles with my skin, I found early on how I could help to improve it through diet and behaviours that help my complexion. Click MORE to get the full insights into the 10 factors I consider critical to maintain healthy skin…
Posts tagged 'freshly pressed'
QUITE INTER STELLA !!!
Whilst the Henley Royal Regatta isn’t until the 1st of July, and on the off chance you’re not Sir Steve Redgrave, anyone can try this superb form of exercise at the local gym! The humble rowing machine mimics the real thing, and provides some exceptional hidden health benefits which will see you using almost every major muscle group in your body. I think it’s one of the best low impact, high intensity ways to push through the anaerobic threshold, and chomp through calories! We shot this outfit in the fabulous gym of Coworth Park during a recent blog trip, and in collaboration with my friends at Zalando. I styled this look because I really wanted to showcase that sublime British talent, Stella McCartney, who’s done so much to push the boundaries of fitness fashion into something really special! (more…)
NEW YEAR, SAME YOU ???
I reject the idea that with the advent of January, we need to reinvent ourselves to pursue a monk-like existence of restraint. It’s totally unrealistic, unsustainable, not very much fun, and all a bit of a tired 90s cliché! Sure we might have predictably lost track a bit in December – not a crime, just human – but we can get right back on course without going to extremes. To me, there’s so much more sense in pursuing a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable ethos for as much of the year as possible – and that includes treating yourself. This is the entire ethos of my blog, and I’m finally putting it into a guide so that you can benefit from the discoveries it’s taken me years to make.
I’ve spent about 12 months putting this guide together with Dr Michelle Storfer, one of London’s leading Nutritionists who shares my ethos. Health & fitness is a choice that’s open to everyone, all the time. Even if you just dip in a little more than you used to, that’s progress too! Click HERE (or on the picture above) to download the guide & start your year as you mean to go on! Good luck 😀 x
MINCE PIES OUT; EXOTIC FRUIT SALAD IN !!!
Time to come clean; I’m a typical ‘December human-being’, and whilst I’ve stuck to my healthy eating as well as maintained my training, the portion sizes have been way too big and there have been a few too many Christmas treats; “I’m craving sugar right now, far more than I did before Christmas“. If that sounds familiar, here’s an exotic fruit salad to help ween you (and some friends – its pretty, so why not entertain with it!) off the festive sugar. Banished are the leftover mince pies, and taking their place is something altogether more natural and nourishing. Whilst a large amount of the 200 calories (per quarter of a portion of fruit this salad) are from sugar, they’re natural, fibrous, hydrating and packed with minerals and vitamins. “Which”, you say? (more…)
A TOAST TO FITNESS !!!
I’ve been writing Fitness On Toast for a year now – it’s been huge fun, the response has surprised me enormously, and has taken me on some fabulous adventures! A big thank you to everyone who has supported the blog, for reading, for browsing aimlessly, for your lovely emails and heartening comments… I’d like to propose a toast to fitness; let’s make 2014 the healthiest year yet! Now I don’t want to sound like a spoil sport, and a bit of a tipple is called for around this time of year, but to help you along, I’m reposting this “Alcohol vs Fitness” article I wrote at the start of 2013, as it’s totally relevant for this evening :D! HAPPY NEW YEAR xx (more…)
SPORT RELIEF ON TOAST: OPTIMISING FOR THE SWIMATHON!!!
I’m still splashing away in the pool, learning to swim the front crawl for the fabulous cause that is Sainsbury’s Sport Relief, kicking off on March the 23rd 2014 at the epic Olympic pool. Anyone can take part and if swimming isn’t your cup of tea there’s also the cycle / marathon . You’ll be getting fit for 2014 (the classic resolution) whilst raising money for some of the poorest in the world. Why not sign up?! Check it out HERE!
You might notice that whilst I’m rattling on about swimming, I’m not in a pool in these pictures (shot outside the newly re-opened Kenwood House, just at the top of London’s Bishops Avenue, aka Billionaires Row). Yes, it’s hard to swim through air, but this post is actually about training the small stabiliser muscles that comprise the shoulder; it’s usually these smaller ones that are susceptible to strains in the pool, and are often neglected when you train in the gym. To build them up and prevent injury, there are a few simple exercises you can do with just a trusty resistance band…
FEELING SPORTY, LOOKING SLOUCHY !!!
So the 25th has come and gone, but the Christmas break isn’t quite over yet! I’m still enjoying the festive holidays, lounging around with friends and family, so I like to wear something comfortable for the occasion. The way I feel right now has inspired (more…)
MY HEALTHY CHRISTMAS DINNER !!!
Christmas is infamous for overeating indulgent sugary, fattening foods. This post is my attempt at a healthier alternative – it’s a tour-de-force of the same foods but with a bit of a lighter twist. Perhaps you can just pick and choose a few ideas from it, and as you can see from the picture above, ‘healthier’ needn’t look any less inviting and ‘Christmassy’ 🙂 ! Click MORE to see lovely pictures of the rest of my meal & get the ‘how to’ 🙂 Faya
GRUELLING WORKOUT WITH UNDER ARMOUR !!!
This week, I was invited to train with the US sportswear brand Under Armour in one of their ‘Urban Gym’ sessions; I was warned to expect a host of brutal, gritty training stations to tackle whilst using some innovative training kit. The event took place underneath Southbank’s iconic Golden Jubilee Bridge in the heart of London – an amazing location! So this post breaks down into 3 neat sections; 1 – ‘the workout’, 2 – ‘the gear’ and 3 – ‘the philosophy bit!!!’. click MORE to get the lowdown… (more…)
WHEN SANTA HITS THE GYM! (MY XMAS ‘FITNESS GIFT’ WISHLIST)
Dear Santa, I’ve been really healthy (almost) all year and I intend to be next year as well; after a festive wander through Harrods, here are my 18 top fitness gift ideas that’ll certainly help keep me on track through 2014; including some clothes, trainers, workout equipment, healthy food & drink and other gym knick-knacks. The sort of thing any fitness freak like me would love to open in just a fortnight’s time! 😉 Faya x (more…)