MONDAY MOTIVATION | WORKOUT CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment in my "monday motivation" series! For last weeks post i shared my go-to Spotify playlist, which was filled with a lot of the music that i listen to when it comes to working out. Which made me think for this weeks instalment i thought i would share selection of my favourite workout clothing/accessories, because as well as having music to listen to when working out you also need clothes to wear whilst doing just that (unless you are sometimes an at home in your underwear kind of person)...

When it comes to buying workout clothing/accessories just like normal shopping in general, you don't have to break the bank to do just that. So before i get into sharing some of my favourite pieces, i thought i would add a few tips for when it comes to shopping for workout pieces.

- always look for discount codes before ordering online

- when looking for a specific item shop around for the best price first

- a lot of high-street stores do great more affordable alternatives to larger brands

- shop sales

- only buy what you feel comfortable in

1. primark sports wear | click to view |

If you are looking for something super affordable yet still great quality, then Primark is your place to go for workout clothing this year. I have picked up a selection of things since last month and i am so surprised how great they are, as well as how many different cool patterns/styles they have. Personal favourites for me are the sports bras which start from just £4.

blush sports bra | blush crop top | black sports bra | stripe sports bra 

2. amazon limited edition fitbit versa fitness tracker | click to shop |

Next up for me a personal favourite for when it comes to actually tracking not just your steps and fitness but also your sleep/day-today activity. I have the white and rose gold FitBit Versa, which is an exclusive to Amazon edition. I love how sleek the watch it, as well as the fact it goes with anything i wear. My favourite features (which you can keep a track on via the app). FitBit's are a lot less expensive than investing in an Apple Watch, but you can also get cheaper alternatives to both brands.

3. adidas three stripe performance tights | click to buy |

When it comes down to actual clothing/leggings for workout, i am an Adidas fan as i just feel like the fit me perfectly more so than other bigger brands. You can shop Adidas and other larger brands like Puma and Nike also for less at places such as Sports Direct, where they have sales on regular as well as mix and match for so much offers and this is both online and in-stores.

4. hydrateM8 water tracker bottle | click to shop offer |

Working out or doing any form of exercise always makes you feel dehydrated, plus you should always drink a larger amount of water every single day if you want to stay on track health-wise and it has so many benefits. For me personally a HydrateM8 water tracker has helped me keep on top of how much i am drinking and i always drink three of these full per day. At the moment HydrateM8 have a special Valentine's Day off on, where you can pick them up on a buy one, get one free offer. Whether you want to pick up two for yourself, or go halves with someone you know, this is such a great deal not to pass up.

5.  adidas three stripe bra | click to buy |

Another Adidas piece i love is this particular sports bra, as i do love a good co-ord/matching set even when it comes to my workout clothes. You can also shop Adidas bra's/other pieces on Surfdome, which i mentioned in my previous post, where i shared my february must-buys.

6. puma core overhead hoodie | click to shop offer |

Finally we have a hoodie which i picked up last month, the reason being is it is so cold at the moment you need to layer up before and after workouts. I love this particular hoodie, although i would recommend sizing up one if you like things a little more oversized. It is currently on offer on the JD Sports website for just £30 instead of £45 and comes in black or grey. 

Catch up on my previous "monday motivation" post: here

xo.

MOTIVATION MONDAY #6 | MOTIVATION ROUNDUP

Hello everyone and welcome to the final instalment of Monday Motivation! Every single Monday in July i posted a bunch of different motivational focused posts and just in-case you missed them first time round, so for today's post i thought why not give you a little roundup/recap...

| monday motivation #1 | simple tips on how to stay motivated |

So first up was obviously post number one and this post i wanted to kick start the series, by sharing some simple tips on how to stay motivated. By knowing some simple tips on motivation just when you are starting/wanting to start living a healthier lifestyle, really helps you not only learn physically but also mentally.

| read the full post from July 2nd | here |

| monday motivation #2 | gym/workout makeup |

For post number two in the series, i really wanted to talk a little bit more about confidence when going to the gym/working out, especially when it comes to not feeling confident wearing no makeup. You honestly don't have to feel like that and i talked about some of the products i like to wear, that give you that confidence boost but doesn't appear like you are wearing a full face of makeup and of course comfortable for you to wear.

| read the full post from July 9th | here |

 | monday motivation #3 | my ten go-to healthy breakfasts |

For post/week number three i really wanted to touch of the subject of how true it is what they say and breakfast is in fact the most important meal of the day, as well as you don't have to spend a bunch of time preparing something healthy/yet delicious when you are in a rush. I get a lot of meal/breakfast recipe inspiration from Pinterest, so if you are ever stuck just have a browse as there is literally a recipe for everything.

| read the full post from July 16th | here |

| monday motivation #4 | workout/gym music |

Another gym/workout related post for instalment number four and a topic of my personal biggest motivation, especially when it comes to working out. In this post i decided to share a lot of the music on Spotify that are on my workout playlist, a lot of them are super up-beat and definitely spur you on during a tough session. 

| read the full post from July 23rd | here |

| motivation monday #5 | what i ate in a day |

So for the final instalment of Monday Motivation, i decided to share my first "what i ate in a day" post ever since switching up my food/lifestyle choices. In this post i really wanted to go into a little more detail about counting calories and limiting the amount of snacking, as well as how to keep things interesting so you are less likely to "fall off the wagon" so to speak.

| read the full post from July 30th | here |

I hope that you have enjoyed this monthly series focusing on Motivation and a more healthier lifestyle, i would love to know if there is anything else you would like me to cover in a future monthly series. You can either tweet me @iamkatiee_ or message me on Instagram @katiebeautyshake

xo.

MONDAY MOTIVATION #2 | GYM/WORKOUT MAKEUP

Hello everyone and welcome back to my "Monday Motivation" series this July on my blog! I know so many of us don't always feel super confident when it comes to leaving the house without wearing makeup, including when working out/going to the gym. If you are working out then you obviously aren't going to want to be wearing a full face of makeup that you are just going to sweat off, but you still might want a little something. With that in mind for today's instalment i thought i would share with you, the perfect workout makeup combination...

1. mario badescu facial spray

First up is a product that you could use simply on its own before heading for a workout, or as a prep and set in-between makeup application. The Mario Badescu facial spray is super hydrating, refreshing and fast absorbing on the skin. My favourite way to apply is after my skincare, before applying any makeup and then setting everything into place with a few more spritz.

 | similar options | 

| too cool for school coconut milky mist | vitamin e hydrating mist | 

2. estée lauder double wear bb brush on glow concealer

Fun fact i have actually used this concealer pen for years now, as it is one of the most perfect light weight products for those no makeup, makeup times. My favourite way to apply/wear this is to simply pop some under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, chin and centre of my forehead before blending out with a damp beauty blender. The coverage is medium/build-able, long wearing, sweat proof and not to mention brightening.

| similar options |

| mac prep+prime highlighter | l'Oréal touche magique concealer |

3. primark ps pro hd mascara

Personally if i was only able to wear one product out of everything then i would definitely choose mascara, as by simply applying a little mascara it can open your eyes making you appear more awake/stand out more. In an ideal world you are probably going to want to opt for a waterpoof mascara, to stop transferring onto your eye lids or under eye area caused by sweating. Personally this mascara even though it isn't a waterpoof formula, i still feel like it doesn't transfer as much as some other regular formulas are.

| similar options |

| mac extended play lash mascara | maybelline lash sensation mascara | 

4. mac pro longwear waterproof brow set

So i am pretty lucky where i can get away with just applying a little brow gel to my brows for working out, rather than having to fill them in as 9 times out of 10 i have my brow tint on my Revolution which lasts for up to 5 days. That being said simply by setting your brows in place, can add some shape and definition to them.

| similar options |

| barry m "take a brow" brow gel | too faced "brow quickie" brow gel |

5. urban decay 24/7 glide-on lip pencil

Finally this step is completely optional, it just comes down to personal preference but personally i simply like to apply a super natural lip liner just to add some shape/definition to the lips. I simply line my lips as i usually would, then applying a little more in the centre and blending it in with my finger for a natural look. If lip liner isn't for you, you could either leave them bare or simply apply a little of your favourite lip balm for a natural shine.

| similar options |

|rimmel exaggerate lip liner | kiko hd lip liner pencil |

Catch up on the first instalment of "Motivation Monday" HERE...

xo.

MONDAY MOTIVATION #1 | SIMPLE TIPS ON HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED

Hello everyone and Happy July! So over the past 4-5 months i have actually completely changed my lifestyle and i have become a lot more motivated/healthy by changing my diet and exercising a lot more. With that in mind and seeing as i haven't really spoken much about it, i thought why not share with you some of the simple tips i have found work well for me when it comes to staying motivated. I thought i would combine this post into a series of Motivation Monday posts, for the whole of July...

1. do NOT say you are on a diet.

Maybe you do want to shift a few pounds but do NOT ever call it a diet, because diets are always associated as a temporary fix/solution. By calling it a lifestyle choice, it becomes the way you live every single day and your brain is more likely to allow you to stick to staying motivated.

2. you have to do this for YOU and nobody else.

Another number one rule is always do/make your own lifestyle choices for YOU and nobody else, never let anyone else dictate to you what to do and when to do it. You are your own person, you do you boo (one of my favourite sayings right now) because at the end of the day it is your life so it is your right to choose to do and be who you want to be. Only let someone be in your corner to keep you motivated, rather than someone put you down!

3. watch what you are eating.

Some people might not agree with calorie counting but for me personally this has helped me stay on track without any slip-ups, as i have been within my daily calorie budget every single day for well over 100+ days now. I use the app on my phone called Lose it!, it is free, easy to use and has official nutritional of pretty much any food item/product (as well as restaurant nutritional values). The thing i also love about this app is that you can add your own food/meals to the app, say if you have cooked a recipe from a website or book that has all the nutritional values you can simply add them in. The app is set to the calorie budget according to your height, weight and how much you want to lose per week or you can choose to stay the same.

4. cut down on snacking and never skip a meal.

The way those extra calories add up is when you snack a lot in-between meals, which was a slight downfall of mine and quickly got that under control. Now i only have one small healthier snack either in the mid-afternoon or the evening, but never both like i would before. Another huge tip to stay on track/motivated is to NEVER skip a meal, especially breakfast. It is true what they say breakfast is the most important meal of the way, as it increases your energy levels allowing you to stay motivated through-out the day. (stay tuned for a what i ate in a day during this month's motivation monday series).

5. exercise/workout first thing in the morning.

What i have found as worked for me, is doing a workout first thing in the morning, this way i am not only starting my day off right and it is simply out of the way. A lot of people make the excuse by saying "i don't have time" when you do have time if you make time, get up 20-30 minutes sooner than you usually would and even if you only do a quick 10 minute workout you have still done something. 

6. walking.

It is super easy to just jump in the car to go five minutes down the road, but it is just as easy to get your steps in by walking down the road also and this way you are not only fitting more exercise, you are also getting fresh air (this will help improve your mood). If you are lucky like i am to live not too far from a park, just take 30 minutes out of your day to go for a walk which can burn up to 190 calories. 

7. constantly set yourself new goals.

Always set yourself new goals, whether that be week by week or monthly just set yourself a goal to reach and work towards. Then once you have ticked that goal off, create another one and challenge yourself. When it comes to working on achieving goals (not just fitness or diet) the number one rule is to remember to believe in yourself and believe you can push through and do it, as long as you reach your goal eventually at least you have reached it and you can then move onto the next goal.

8. stay hydrated.

Whatever you are doing or whatever lifestyle you live, one that is the most important for your well being is to stay hydrated and drink as much water as you can every single day. Especially now it is summer, it is important to stay hydrated even more in the heat. Drinking lots can help detox your body constantly by flushing out any toxins etc. Talking of liquids, something else that i have been doing pretty much all year is not drinking alcohol. I'm not saying i haven't had a drink here and there because i have, but i haven't been drinking every weekend as i was before. I tend to stick to something like a gin and slimline tonic, which has less calories. 

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.