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Category: #HealthySelves

  • Spa Fit Range from The Body Shop | QueenBeady

    Spa Fit Range from The Body Shop | QueenBeady

    body shop spa fit range

    Spa Fit Toning Massage Oil C/O The Body Shop | Spa Fit Body Massager C/O The Body Shop

    Okay, okay. I’ll hold my hands up, I’m not the biggest advocate of beauty. You most likely didn’t click through to my blog & expect anything beauty related either. But when I was sent some Body Shop goodie I found it hard not to resist. And if there is one thing I know about it’s a pamper session. I’d psyched myself up for a big night, face mask on, moisturised, nails done. I was in total pamper heaven. A whole day to myself meant that I could just indulge in doing whatever the hell I liked. As most of you know I am on a bit of a ”get fit & healthy” campaign at the moment where I’m trying to really tone up. I’m doing pretty well. Most weeks I go to the gym twice a week and also I’m eating much healthier (bar the odd treat here and there!) I’m not going to lie though, I’m a sucker for a ”quick fix.” When The Body Shop sent a little package of massage oil (Mr C probably thought he was in for a good time this VDAY!) along with a toning massager I knew I wanted to give them a go. After applying a generous amount of massage oil to my skin I whirred the massager around my body. It is a great way to combat cellulite, some of which I desperately need to shift! After a vigorous few minutes on each section of my body my skin did turn red. Probably because I was a little too rough with it. Now, now I can hear what you are thinking, I’m going all ”50 shades” on you, but I can assure you my wobbly bits in the tiniest bathroom going does not scream glamour, nor sex appeal I will have you know. The moisturising massage oil contains 100% natural-origin citrus ingredients. It will leave skin looking smoother and more toned and me smelling like an Italian Fruit Farm. I could pretty much chomp on my own leg had I had the desire. Marks out of ten, I’d give it a great eight. Whilst it gave the effects I ideally wanted a little bit of pain does have to be endured! The two products from the Spa Fit range are available online and instore. Have you bought anything from The Body Shop lately? I’m a sucker for products that smell amazing!

    Rebecca xxx

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  • Life’s Biggest (Non) Secret | QueenBeady

     

    Guys, I’m going to let you in to a little secret here. It appears not many people know it. The truth of the matter is; you are in control of your happiness. There I said it. You’ll see on my blog recently that I (preach) talk about how I have finally taken control of my lifestyle which ultimately is making me a much happier person. I’ve conquered my wallowing in self-pity post-wedding & I’m doing things that I have meant to do for the last, eight years. Eight whole years. That is a long time. A long, long time to finally take charge. I don’t know if it’s blogging/connecting with some really inspiring minds that has given me a view to just seize the day. If it’s the fact that my pay packet is allowing me to do some of the things I regrettably wouldn’t have been able to do in my past employment or the fact that I’m really secure in my marriage. But what I do know is that a whole host of things have culminated in me going in to 2015 with a much more open mind. I think once you start rooting around you’ll realise that you can be the maker of whatever you want & that is a fabulous feeling.

    So, what does make me happy?

    1.) Blogging. It is corny & it is cheesy but blogging has really pushed me to do something I have always loved and that is to write. It might be absolute tosh, but all the same, it makes my day that I have possibly connected with someone just from my thoughts and words!

    2.) My husband. Again, it’s the biggest ”cheese on toast” statement of them all. But, he is my rock, my everything really. He’s not the most romantic guy in the world (if you ever marry a Farmers Son don’t expect roses!) but when he has those moments I know he truly means it.

    3.) Spring. I love it when the nights start to get lighter, its lambing time down on the farm, the daffodils are starting to sprout. Everything is coming back to life after a bleak few months of winter.

    4.) Shopping. My online shopping addiction is fast becoming one of my favourite things. It gives you that chance to mmm & ahhh over what to buy without all the frantic shoppers pushing you around.

    5.) Alone time. Sometimes it is just nice to have day at home chilling out on your own. PJ’s, DVD on & a cup of tea. Spending time alone is seriously undervalued. No make up, no effort. It’s one of life’s little guilty pleasures.

    6.) Travel. I love holidays and heading abroad. Who doesn’t like to seek sunnier climates (oh, unless you’re my father in law) I want to travel the world & I want to do it with the people I love. I really need to start saving once I have passed my driving test so I can finally visit those places on my to-do list.

    7.) My beautiful family. After my granddad’s health scare last year, I will never ever take my family for granted. A dear friend of mine has just lost her granddad & it breaks my heart because we were so close and teetering on that tight rope last year. Always make time for your family.

    8.) Learning new things. It’s so great to open your mind to things you might never have really thought about, decided to do or better yet learn from someone else. Every day you discover more & more about yourself and the world. Don’t be afraid to open your mind up to those things!

    9.) Music. Music makes the world go round (is that the saying?) I love going to gigs & festivals, my dream would be to be part of corporation that puts together big festivals like Glastonbury & Leeds Festival. Music can trigger a whole range of emotions.

    10.) Life itself. We were put on this earth to make babies and keep civilisation on a constant repeat. Lap it up. Enjoy your however many years you are here, by laughing, loving, enjoying, playing, partying, indulging and being all round awesome. I am starting to say YES to so much more now and I’m not looking back!

    There is no key to it, there are no set rules it’s just all about the simple pleasures in life that can invigorate the body & mind. What one person might find enjoyable, another may detest! My monthly #HappySelves chat took place on Monday & it was so invigorating to see people join in & spread positivity. Everyone instilled it in themselves and they did that without tearing one another down. Isn’t that just a wonderful thing? There are days that you wish you could be someone else, or do things that someone else has the privilege to do. But do you know what I would not change my life for all the tea in china.

    Have you felt inspired recently?  Or had one of those long-awaited epiphany’s?

    Rebecca xxx

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  • My Top 5 Essential Work Out Songs | QueenBeady

    My Top 5 Essential Work Out Songs | QueenBeady

    Most of you know that I am now in the midst of a ”get fit” campaign to fight the mounting excess bulge that has appeared over the last six months. I’ve always found it really hard to motivate myself at the gym. Mainly because I dread the post-gym sweat. But, I’ve been working on ways to get myself pumped & ready to go hard and faster and I’ve worked out what it is that helps me get through my work out. Music. It’s no evolutionary matter but for me it really is. As soon as I put my earphones in I am ready to go for it for the next hour. So what are my top 5 essential songs?

    y

    1. Years & Years – Real

    I adore this electro-indie trio that just seems to be making waves in the music industry. After winning the BBC Sound of Music 2015 award I have really kept my eye on these guys. It’s just a really, feel good tune that makes me sing along, great for your first work out!

    ella

    1. Ella Eyre – Comeback

    Ever since I saw ”The Lioness” at a gig in Leeds last year I have been totally mesmerised by her! Her voice is top $$ – those pipes are enviable. This song is a real angry song that makes your heart beat faster and work harder. I tend to listen to this one when I’m on the exercise bike!

    neon

    1. Neon Jungle – Braveheart

    This is about the only song that I have heard by these women but the dirty baseline is a real get up & go song too. This is what I put on when I want to push myself on the Stepper/Crosstrainer, I seem to burn so many more calories when I listen to this so it’s a definite must. Albeit I am shattered once I come off.

    clean

    1. Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne – Real Love

    After we saw Clean Bandit at Leeds Fest last year I just love them  I listen, especially when the collab with the fabulous, raven haired Jess Glynne! This one is great for the Rowing Machine. The beat is great to keep the momentum going.

    flf

    5. Flight Facilities – Down to Earth

    This one is for the cool-down. It’s a really good tune that I downloaded for free on iTunes and have it on repeat. I tend to listen to this one when I’m doing a steady, inclined pace on the Running Machine. If it’s free download it, even if it isn’t, download it.

    It’d be great to hear some song suggestions from you guys too! Let me know what keeps you motivated at the gym.

    Rebecca xxx

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  • Be the Boss | QueenBeady

    Be the Boss | QueenBeady

    Be the boss

    Do you ever have those moments where you just sit there & think “boy, I love my life” kinda times? I seem to going through one of those phases & I so desperately hope that it doesn’t end any time soon.

    I spent a lot of time wallowing in self-pity after the wedding last year. I comfort ate, I never exercised so I just ballooned in weight. All that hard work for the wedding was in tatters. Sadly, I’m one of those types of people who never stick anything out. You know the type, the ones who jump on a bandwagon do it twice, maybe three times & then become bored so just give up. Whatever it was becomes a distant memory. 

    I’ve been determined to keep being positive in 2015. It was one of those so-called “resolutions” that we all make on New Years. So far, so good. Okay, I’m not immune to an odd moan from time to time but generally I feel it am a happier person. 

    So, what’s making you keep to your promise I hear you all ask? Well I will tell you if you really are keen to know.

    At 25 I still haven’t passed my driving test. I am a sad, sorry state of affairs that relies on public transport (sob!) or the taxi of Mr C. Whilst it’s great to be driven around like a lady of leisure I most certainly don’t feel like one. So, after the kind donation of my Nana’s salmon pink corsa (she’s called Mavis don’t you know, so for the purposes of this post you will know who, sorry, what I am referring to!) So, on Sunday Mavis got her first test drive on the open road. No, not just on private land, an actual road with other passing cars tooting along next to me. I can’t tell you how wonderfully frightening it was but I got the taste of freedom (albeit Mr C was in the passenger seat keeping a mindful eye on matters.) I can’t believe, in fact, I hate to believe that I have gone so many years without driving. So, it is now my duty to make sure I pass my test this year & be my person without having to to rely on terrible timetables or my husbands schedule. 

    Secondly, we
    have finally joined a gym. For a mere £25 a month I can swim and gym to my heart’s content. And it’s not just me doing it, Mr C is coming along for the ride too (hey, you see what I did there right?) After being told by the doctors that in order for his back to get better he must swim & gym up to three times a week. Whilst he drives me nuts with his “Come on get a jog on” comments and the “you go first & I will follow” orders, secretly I am super happy that he’s joining me. It means we can both get fit together & it gets us out of the house too. In the meantime I am dropping the lbs (or at least I hope I am!) to a newer, slimmer & more toned me. I can’t wait to see my results in the next few weeks! 


    Thirdly, I’m just enjoying life. The things I previously disliked would not have even been sniffed at, but now I am learning to just accept things. Those who know me or know of my rambling “about me” I proclaim to dislike cats. Well, for Xmas the father in law bought mother in law a kitty cat much to her delight (& to my horror!) after weeks of squirming when it came near me or tried to touch me I decided to finally pluck up the courage to stroke her. And in return I got a nice little lick on my finger and then a playful claw to it. I exclaimed “You little shit!” I smiled and it actually hugged my arm. According to my mother in law I’m the only person she comes to. So maybe this cat-hating devil lady (yes, that is me) may have thawed over & decided that she may have a little hole in her life that can be filled with some kitty love….

    Life is kinda funny right? I have read some truly beautiful posts recently from Megan at Wonderful–You and it made my heart bleed, but all the same empowering. Accepting things in life sounds like a cowards way out but in truth, it’s accepting it & how we deal with circumstances that slowly makes us a better person. I’ve finally come to realise that. I’m a twenty-five year old woman (yes, a woman) and try as I might I have carved my own little life for myself, there is no point trying to change things drastically. Just be a better person, doing things that make you happy with you & who you actually are! I’m finally taking back some of my self-worth & I’m on that path to ”Be the Boss” of my happiness. 

    Rebecca xxx

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  • Breaking a Habit of a Lifetime | QueenBeady

    Breaking a Habit of a Lifetime | QueenBeady

    Resolutions

    ”I’m too cold.”

    ”My head hurts.”

    ”God, this house is such a mess.”

    I probably utter these words a thousand times a day. I’m a complainer. I have to face facts & accept it. Or should I? I’m never one for making New Years resolutions, simply because I know that I will break them. I’m not much of a rule breaker. I’m terribly boring. But I saw a little anecdote on Pinterest about complaining. It said, ”Go a full 24 hours without complaining and you’ll be amazed at how your life will improve.” I sighed when I read it because I knew this was me. I need to have a complaining ban. I need to be more positive. So no, I won’t just accept it, I’m going to make myself a better person by being more positive. When my head hurts I will go take a paracetomol and ride it out & no-one will ever know. When it’s cold I will put a heater on & warm myself up, no-one will ever know. When the house is a mess, I will get up (off my fat arse! That’s another NY resolution that needs work!) and do a bit of tidying, no-one will ever know I’m miffed.

    You see a theme here? It’s all about doing & making those positive, tiny steps to get you out of that ”Negative Nelly” rut. I’ve gone in to 2015 knowing we had a fabulous year and it’s very hard to beat a year where you married the love of your life/soulmate but why can’t 2015 be even better.

    This year is all about creating memories, being whimsical and spontaneous. Laughing till my sides hurts, sharing amazing days outs & travelling the world with the man I love. It’s all terribly soppy but I feel I’ve been terribly guarded this last year or so. It’s time to start living & enjoying the now.

    I hope wherever you were saying goodbye to 2014 you were happy & that is all that will ever matter.

    Rebecca xxx