Hello Folks 

I’m back with a post today that might help some of You. I often get messages from Ladies asking for help after a big blowout. I thought this was appropriate for today. I’m just back from a fantastic hen weekend in Bristol. Three days and nights of drinking, eating, laughing etc etc. We had a fantastic time and that’s what life is all about. Making memories with good friends and having fun. I don’t feel one bit guilty for a second of it. I enjoyed every bite of food and every drink. We all have hens, weddings , parties etc that’s life and it’s there to be enjoyed.

However, it’s Monday now and time to refocus and get back to my healthy habits. Exhaustion and dehydration are making me feel sluggish and demotivated. Tackling these issues one at a time and ticking them off the list helps me. I don’t jump straight back into it the first day. I ease myself in with a “transition day ” first. This usually works for me. I think it’s important to get the body and the mind in sync first. Getting into the right headspace is just as important as food prep, workouts etc etc. If the mind is not right, the body won’t perform. 

I’ve put togeather a few of my top tips and tricks that I use to steer myself back to normality. I hope You enjoy them and find them helpful. Please share the link with anyone who might like this post. 

Thank You for reading 

Love 

Maria xxx

• Let go of the guilt, You had fun with Your besties. Move on enjoy looking at the photos and don’t worry about the indulgence. Life is for living. 
• Do a healthy food shop, Your body needs good nutrition ASAP to help recuperate. Plan a family meal like a roast chicken dinner or a beef casserole. Something hearty and warming is the kind of comfort food that will help bring You round. I know it’s tempting but junk food won’t help You at this stage. 

• Make enough food for tomorrow as well. Food prep sorted. Being organised will make You feel calm and in control. 
• Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate if You find it hard to drink water, try herbal teas or sparkling water with lime is very refreshing. 
• Get some fresh air, go for a walk If You are feeling too delicate for the gym. Put on those headphones and listen to some good music. A good blast of fresh air will clear Your head and help You to sleep. 
• Chill for the evening, watch a movie or read a book for the evening. There’s no point pushing Yourself too much on the first day. You will be much better at handling tomorrow if You get enough rest today. 
• Relax. A hot bath always helps me to destress after all the running and racing. Light a few candles and add some Epsom salts to the bath. A long soak before bed will send you off to a deep sleep. 
• Go back to Your plan tomorrow. You will feel calm and ready. Don’t deprive Yourself to make up for the weekend. Just carry on as normal with good nutrition and training. Eat well to fuel those workouts and You will be back on track in no time. 

Hi folks 

Hope You are all well. I’ve been meaning to write this post for ages. I get so many questions over on Snapchat (mrspdilly2b) on how to get started in the gym etc. I said it was about time I told You all how I got started. Of course there’s plenty ways to get Your fitness journey going but this is how it all unfolded for me. 

I had always been into walking, I loved the fresh air and the de-stress factor of a good walk. However it just wasn’t challenging me anymore. I think I was just bored and needed a change. I had started to follow a few fitness accounts on Instagram and I was intrigued by the #fitfam #iifym I didn’t understand the Macro counting system but I was very interested in finding out how it worked. I of course wanted to look better, gain control over my eating, have toned arms and a smaller waist etc etc We’ve all looked on in envy of those #gymbunnies photos and wondered what exactly #legday involved. Well I wondered but didn’t really know Who to ask at that time. 

At the start of 2016 I was not feeling the best mentally. Regular readers will know that my Mum died over a year ago. To say it was the most difficult time in my life to date is an understatement. I was in a very dark place in those first few months of this year. I felt so desperate and sad I was willing to do anything to make myself feel better. I ended up falling into the fitness craze by accident really. I never imagined at the time how much I would grow to love fitness. During those dark times it was the only thing that made my days more tolerable. Once I had done my workout I knew I would feel OK for that day. It was a tool I used to help claw my way back to feeling normal again. It took time, it was one day at a time but thank god it worked. I feel pretty good most days now. 

So around early March I started a beginners weight lifting group plan online with Georgiasfitlife.com I was following Georgia on Snapchat (georgiasfitlife?) and when She advertised the beginners plan I jumped at the chance to learn how to lift weights. All the workouts could be done from home with a set of Dumbbells. It’s quite a scary thing taking up a new hobby. Being part of a group online made it a lot easier as We were all new and I felt more comfortable than going to a gym. That seems crazy now but at that point I wasn’t mentally able to go to gym and get advice on starting a plan. I’m sure loads of others have felt this way too for their own reasons. Georgia gave us loads of tips and advice for starting off. Throughout the six weeks my confidence grew and I was even able to join the gym. 

I continued the workouts long after the six weeks were up. I loved it and really caught the lifting bug. I’ve been on a personalised one to one coaching plan with Georgia since the start of July. I’ve learned loads about nutrition and it has totally changed the way I eat. I plan my meals around training now and use food as fuel. I’m kinda sad it’s coming to an end but I’m confident about going it alone I’ve never felt so in control. 

Over the months my shape has really changed. I got smaller , loads of people comment on how much I have toned up. Lifting weights has really given me definition. I’m delighted with my results. Apart from the physical changes, I have improved mentally too. The confidence and mental clarity that regular exercise gives me is phenomenal. It must be the endorphins that help to stamp out negative feelings and self doubt. Since I’ve been regularly training in the gym 4/5 days a week I’ve never felt better inside and out. 

Anyway that’s how I got started, I hope this post helps someone. If Your thinking of getting started do it today. Trust me You won’t regret investing in Your health. It’s been the best time and money I’ve ever spent. The Breaffy Club where I train are having an open day tomorrow. It’s the perfect time to call and have a look around. There will be loads of new people there so it might not be as daunting. 

I get loads of lovely snaps from people to tell me I inspired them to join a gym. I’m glad my #gymselfies are helping to motivate people. Thanks for reading and please share this with someone who might enjoy it. 

Love Maria 

Xx

Hi Everyone,

I just thought Id share, my little piece of heaven with You today. For the locals  You are all very familiar with Lough Lannagh. For all my other readers, Lough Lannagh is our little urban retreat here in Castlebar. Lough Lannagh consists of a great little walking trail around the town lake, basically. Its been kept really well and in fairness We are really lucky to have it. Its about 2k to loop around I usually do 2-3 laps as my workout. The thing is the place is absolutely beautiful. You are walking along by trees, water and a fabulous view of Crogh Patrick. There is a bridge crossing the lake and You can walk around by the playground if You wish. Even on a wet day there is still something lovely  about the place. The photo above was taken last March just before our wedding. The one below I took this morning.

 I mean seriously, isn’t it just beautiful, I’m really lucky because I get to walk here a few times a week. It takes me about five minutes  to walk from my salon to here. I try and go on my lunch hour if I can, well the days I get a lunch (hairdresser problems eh?) This place is my “chill out time” after a few laps of “the lake” as we call it locally I just feel all my stress melts away. Its such a lovely calming place, even when my mind is in turmoil over something I can always see things more clearly after a good brisk walk here.

There’ s the Greenway Café for anyone who wants to stop for a bite of lunch. I always think its a bit cruel to be advertising delicious desserts and us poor souls out in all weather trying to fight the flab. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the Greenway café just yet but I have heard fantastic reports on it and I will try it out soon.

 So You can see from the photos why us folk of Castlebar love the place so much. I genuinely think it has brought such contentment to the locals. I think it just brilliant and it has really helped me to de-stress and look after my mental health, as well as helping with weight-loss and fitness.

So there You have it, one of the many little gems here in the West . I often think visitors to the town probably miss out on it. Its only minutes away from the main shopping area. Next time Your in Castlebar pop down and see for Yourself. Trust me the place is so calming You will fall in love with it, and stop at the Greenway Café, if they can tempt you in.

As always, thank You for reading and please hit that share button.

Love Maria xx