Freestate Instant Energy Gummies - Review*

I recently received some Instant Energy Gummies from the brand Freestate and thought I would try them out. I have previously used dissolvable tablets when working out but didn't like the taste and the fact you have to drink quite a volume of fluid so these sounded like the ideal alternative.

I received the classic box which contained 20 energy gummies. This retails on their website at £15 plus P&P (which is free with £20 of orders in the UK). Put it this way, that's cheaper than a coffee! Each little packet contains 2 gummies. Each gummy contains a unique formulation of caffeine, vitamins, sugars and flavourings to create an easy, pleasant stimulant for brain and body.

Freestate is energy enhancing experience; providing an instant dose of caffeine (30mg per gummy) and a range of Vitamin Bs. I have seen people use these for cycling and the like. My choice of exercise is running so I decided to take one before and one during a run. The taste can be likened to blue raspberry and was much easier on the palette than a dissolvable tablet. Freestate contains a range of Vitamin Bs: Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12. These are all intended to support the energy functions of the brain and body.

They are really convenient if you want an energy boost and another benefit is that they are easy to carry. I simply popped the sachet in my waste belt when I was running. They really did give me a kick of energy. I've used energy gels during races in the past that have left me with an upset stomach and these didn't give me any adverse side effects. I think they are also a great, healthier alternative to energy drinks.

If you'd like to try these for yourself, head over to the Freestate Gummies website and see what they have to offer. It isn't just exercise, you could use them at work, travel and everything in-between.

*I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more details.

Myprotein - New PhaseTech Range Review*

I am one for trying to keep active but sometimes my energy resources run low and I just need something to give me a little bit of a boost. Since training for a half marathon, my runs have been more frequent and longer meaning I struggle to recover between them. I didn’t want to injure myself but I was at a bit of a loss for what to do. I was then contacted by Myprotein to try out their new PhaseTech Range, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Head over to the myprotein website to discover more about PhaseTech.

Myprotein is one of Europe’s biggest online sports nutrition companies, and one that I was familiar with even before this collaboration. The new PhaseTech products include phased-release breakthrough technology created to enhance performance. They have been incorporated into three enhanced exclusive blends, THE Whey+, THE Pre-Workout+ and THE Amino+. I was lucky enough to receive two of these brand new products and have been trying them out for the past few weeks now in order to bring you a proper review.

The first product I received was THE Whey+  in Vanilla Ice Cream flavour, which costs £26.99 for a 900g 30 serving tub. I think that is excellent value at less than £1 a serving. This product has a unique protein formula designed to provide your body with the right building blocks it needs to help your muscles grow and recover, perfect for me after a long 10 mile run. It contains BCAA, leucine and glutamine which help to build and repair muscles after exercising and less than 2g carbs and 1g fat. It is best consumed in the form of a protein shake, however I have seen people use this in pancake recipes if you prefer your protein in a food form!  To me, it tasted great just mixed with water and in a protein shaker it mixed well. I often added extra things into my shake with the powder and stuck it all in my blender and it was smooth and delicious. The aim of this was to help me repair my muscles and I definitely found that my recovery time between training sessions was reduced. Usually after an efforts training session my legs would ache for 3-4 days, but after incorporating THE Whey+ into my life I’d only ache for one day and be ready to go again.

The second product I received was THE Amino+, a powerful amino acid drink designed to give you energy as well as vitamins and minerals to help aid in muscle recovery. It contains 14g of amino acids, BCAAs, L-leucine, and L-glutamine which all help tone muscles. This product can be added to water or juice before a workout or to give you energy throughout the day. I usually run on a Thursday lunch time with work, and I found that drinking one of these in the morning gave me a good boost before my afternoon run. It comes in three flavours, Berry, Tropical and Blue Raspberry Lime. I received Berry and thought it tasted pretty good so I would imagine the other fruity flavours are equally as nice. The texture was strange at first, a bit like having sprinkles in your drink but I got used to it pretty quickly.

Overall, I am pleased I introduced these products into my workout routine and recovery process. They have really enabled me to up my training plan and would be great for anyone who is into their exercise whether that be running like me or lifting.

If you are interested in trying these products, Myprotein also sell sample packs before committing to a large tub. Are you into your fitness? Would you be willing to give these products a go?

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Enertor Insoles - Banish Foot Pain This Christmas*

 I often do long shifts on my feet (I covered nearly 15 miles a couple of weeks ago!) and could barely walk the next day. Having tried different shoes, padded socks and plenty of plasters I just could not find something that really cushioned my feet so that they didn’t hurt. When I was contacted by Enertor to try some of their insoles I jumped at the chance. Endorsed by Usain Bolt – I thought “these must be good right?” and wanted to put them to the ultimate test.

The information I received about Enertor was as follows, "Enertor is an innovative new insole that is scientifically proven to reduce injuries. Designed by leading UK Podiatrists, the insoles are enhanced with D3O® smart material to provide more shock absorption than any other insole. The advanced technology Enertor insoles provide pain relief, improve comfort and decrease the risk of foot and lower limb related injuries."

Did you know that the average Briton is on their feet for over 5 hours a day and almost two-thirds of the population suffer from foot pain. This is where the Enertor insoles come in - they have evidence which says people who wear their insoles in their shoes have less foot pain. Simple right? When you think almost 50% of women say they have sore feet at least once a week and a quarter of the population say they have sore feet more than three times a week you’d think it was too good to be true that an insole could change that. I received a pair of the 3/4 insoles which fit any shoe due to their shortened length.

 I also received a demo impact kit with my insoles so I could really test them out for you. The D30 patented technology is used to make soft and flexible material. I received some D30 raw material, which when stretched slowly it is flexible and almost fluid like but when pulled apart quickly at force the molecules lock. I also tried dropping a solid ball onto standard foam and the ball bounced off. When I then dropped it onto the D30 foam disk, the shock was absorbed and the ball did not bounce.

When wearing the insoles it really did feel like I was wearing a new pair of shoes. At first I'll be honest, I thought they weren't making a difference but the second I removed them, my shoes felt so uncomfortable and flat.

The Enertor insoles are made from a flexible patented material called D3O®. It starts off soft and becomes hard on impact to absorb and disperse energy before returning to its original state. The insoles are lightweight and are suitable for all ages and body weights. They are also suitable for all types of footwear. I really would recommend a pair of these insoles, especially during the Christmas period when all that shopping can take its toll on our feet.

If you’d like to purchase your own insoles or find out more, head over to the Enertor website.

*I received these insoles free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

'For Goodness Shakes' Protein Coconut Water*

Being on a diet, specifically Slimming World, means that when I want to refuel during or after a workout I have to waste a lot of calories (or syns) on a powdery protein shake. Often these protein drinks aren’t refreshing and I find myself trying to drink them as soon as possible. It seems such a waste! When I heard about the For Goodness Shakes Protein Coconut Water range I knew that I needed to try them as soon as possible and share them with you all. I have already had a great response on Instagram of fellow Slimmers wanting a similar product!

For Goodness Shakes Protein Coconut Water is a new range of deliciously-flavoured soft drinks which give you a protein boost, zero fat and no added sugar. The refreshing blend of coconut water and spring water, boosted with 10g Whey Protein Isolate is just what I crave when I’ve been in the gym. It comes in two refreshing flavours, Tropical and Orange & Mango. I received the Tropical and Mango & Orange flavours. These shakes are available exclusively in ASDA for just £1.99. My Gym just happens to be right next to an Asda which is an added bonus meaning I can pop in and pick up one of these before I start my workout.

I thought both flavours were fruity and refreshing but my favourite was the Mango & Orange flavour. Adding the extra protein into my workout pushes me to go for longer and I find myself doing more reps at a higher weight. The bonus is this is essentially water; you can drink this during your workout and it won’t sit heavy in your stomach. You can also drink this alongside a meal or keep it for on the go. Not only does it hydrate you, the protein will help you to grow and maintain your lean functional muscles when used as part of a balanced diet and exercise plan.

The fact that these are just 52 calories is mind blowing compared to some of the high calorie protein drinks I have had in the past especially as they taste so nice. There is no harm in adding in extra protein around your training and many people don’t wish to take this in the form of a supplement. This drink is refreshing and you’d never even know you were getting a 10g protein hit as an added extra. I love that this low calorie drink can be incorporated into my diet and I have been looking for a low calorie protein drink for what seems like forever!

Overall, I was really impressed with these drinks and they give my work outs that extra boost that I sometimes need and I don’t have to ‘waste’ 100’s of calories drinking a powdery bland protein shake. Find out more information about the For Goodness Shakes range over on their website. Have you seen these around? Will you be trying them out?

*I received these drinks free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way,

Race For Life 2016 *

As you may have seen from my Active Norfolk post, I was training to run the race for life 5km in Norwich. I started off with a time of nearly 43 minutes and with my weekly training sessions I brought this down. The week before the race I did the 5km in around 37 minutes so I wanted to beat this on the day. I received my pack about a week before the race so dressed myself in pink and added some temporary tattoos.

I arrived at the Norfolk Showground alone but then saw my friend Kim’s mum who was running the 10km race so it was good to have someone I knew there. James, my boyfriend and photographer for the day, drove me down there to stand by me. I did the race alone as I was asked to attend by Cancer Research UK to provide me with some blog content. The atmosphere was amazing and there were so many ladies lined up to race. We had some motivational speeches before the race and got to hear from some real survivors – people who have beat cancer. The Norfolk Showground was a sea of pink and I felt proud to be taking part. Even the dogs had dressed up for the occasion! I headed for the joggers section. I have never ran 5km before without stopping so I was determined to try and jog for the whole race.

There was also a 10km race on this day, something I would love to build up my fitness levels into doing. I had to make sure I went the right way! The first 1km was nice and easy as it did take a few minutes to get past the start line. The 2nd km was slightly harder. I kept thinking I must have missed the sign and I’d soon be seeing the 3km sign.. but that wasn’t the case. I kept going, refusing to stop. I thought about how strong all the ladies that have been through cancer treatment are and what they would probably give to run a measly 5km instead of going through all that pain. It kept me going. There was a point in the race where I had to just have a break and walk about 4.5km in. I then went around the corner and saw the finishing line so did a sprint finish to the end. It was great to have everyone cheering me on as I ran through the finish line!

On the day I completed the race in 35 minutes and 4 seconds. For me this was a huge achievement as it was my personal best time and the furthest I have ever ran outside as my previous 5km training was done on a treadmill which to me is easier. I was given my ‘medal’, a packed of Kettle’s crisps, a chocolate chip brioche bun and a bottle of water. I then sat down on the grass to catch my breath.

I had such a great sense of achievement afterwards. My first 5km done! I urge anyone who is thinking about taking part in Race for Life to do so. This was my first one and I did it alone but I think it would be great to get a group of ladies together and do it as a team to raise lots of money.

I raised £150 for Cancer Research UK so thank you so much to Dad, Carol, Chloe, Sabrina, Ruth, Anna, Bethany, Yvonne, Mum, James, James, Nanny, Kelly, Karen and Karen. Together we will beat cancer sooner. Thank you to my boyfriend James who took these photos and stood by me and supported me along the way during the race.

*I was provided free entry to the race for life in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

My Running Essentials

Since I have been training for the Race for Life I have been slowly progressing and my 5k time has come down bit by bit. For someone who was a complete beginner I am really pleased with myself and hope to beat my latest time on Sunday! I thought I would share with you my running essentials. These are the things I cannot be without when I’m training!

Music/iPod

I have been doing some last minute interval training sessions to get myself ready for the race! I find interval training very boring but it’s the best way for me to increase my heart rate. When I was contacted by a company that provides running songs that incorporate interval training I really wanted to try them out. As a beginner I went for the 3 minute interval training and the whole album sets you up to include warmups and cooldowns. The songs are upbeat and narrated with a friendly voice which tells you when it’s time for a walk or a jog. I felt motivated listening to these songs and they’re interesting enough to make you want to keep going faster and not stop. I listening to them through my phone with my beats headphones but these songs can also be added to your iPod if you buy the album on iTunes.

If you have Spotify you can listen to the 3 minute interval training here, or the 4 minute here or pyramid interval training here. Unless you have premium membership you can only listen to these on ‘shuffle’ which means they are in the wrong order so I’d recommend only listening in if you have a premium Spotify account.

These songs are also available to download on Google Play, or Amazon.  Check them out on Twitter.

Workout Clothes
I cannot workout without the correct attire. Getting a new gym outfit motivates me to want to go out! I wear a variation of tshirts and leggings but my essentials stay the same. I always wear a sports bra and mine came from H&M and is really comfy. I also always wear my Nike trainers, although they have seen better days and I am in need of a new pair. I usually have a towel to hand too for those hot and sweaty runs.

Water and Snacks
I always bring snacks with me for after my run. I have usually eaten before but after I need to replenish my energy stores so usually go for something like a banana. I recently tried this popcorn too and it's delicious! It is important to stay hydrated when running and I feel a lot more comfortable knowing I have a drink nearby. I always have water with me when I am running and can easily get through a whole bottle during a 5k! This may seem extreme to some but starting out I got a very dry mouth and it helped to have a bottle to hand!

Fitness Accessories 
I always take the essential accessories when going for a run. My apple watch has a running app and is also linked with Strava so I like to use either of those apps to track my run as well as my heart rate. I also own a Fitbit Flex (I bought the floral band from eBay) and this counts my steps for me. I am often challenging work colleagues so going out without this on would be a waste of time with regards to a competition!

I hope you enjoyed this post, what are your running essentials?

*I received no financial reward or incentives for this blog post.

Race for Life Training With Active Norfolk

I go to the gym a few times a week but my fitness levels are not great. I tend to warm up on the treadmill with a walk, head over to the weights or go on the spinning bikes. When I was contacted by Cancer Research UK to take part in the Race For Life, I knew it would be a challenge but I couldn’t turn down such a great cause. I decided that I would run the 5k race which takes place in Norwich on Sunday 15th May. Before accepting this, I had never even ran 1k let alone 5 and I had no idea where to even begin with my training.

Race for life Norwich have teamed up with Active Norfolk who carry out work on encouraging women to get into sport and fitness and tailor sessions for complete beginners. I was invited along to a beginners running programme which was free of charge and the sessions are run by Paul Evans, former Olympian alongside Steve who is great at motivating the group. So with less than a month to go until the race I thought I would share with you how the sessions have been going and how I have progressed.

I have been using my Apple Watch and Strava to track my own personal training sessions and I have been running on the treadmill in the gym and trying to recreate what we do in the sessions. The first week I decided to use the treadmill and try and hit 5k, mostly walking. I did this in 42 minutes and 50 seconds which was my starting point, and something to improve on.

The difference between doing this alone and doing the training alongside Paul and the rest of the group was very noticeable. I felt more motivated in the Active Norfolk training sessions and more determined to succeed. I turned up alone and met some lovely friendly ladies all in the same position as me. The first week we did 1 minute of running followed by 1 minute of walking, 10 times. We then did some fun relay games to get our heart rate going. We were then given homework to jog for 5 minutes without stopping, walk for 2, then jog for 5 again. I liked getting these little tasks and tried to do them a couple of times between sessions.

Week 2 was slightly harder but I was so excited for my session. Our overall running time increased to 12 minutes and it was great fun. I really pushed myself this week and could tell. There were less people at this session and I would say I was in the top 5 this week! I was really impressed with my progression even so early on. That week in the gym I then tried doing a 5k walk/run again and noticed already I had shaved nearly 3 minutes off my time hitting that 5k at 39 minutes and 1 second. My homework was to jog for 7.5 minutes, walk for 2 then jog for another 7.5 which I did on the treadmill.

The following weeks intensity increased and I have only a couple of sessions left before the race. I can't wait to try the 5k again a few times before I go to see if I have improved further.

I originally was only going to go to a couple of the sessions but I enjoyed them so much I am continuing to go! I have 3 more sessions until the race and my confidence is already increasing which is fantastic. I have created a JustGiving page and I would really appreciate if anyone wants to sponsor  me for such a worthy cause, just click here. All money raised goes to Cancer Research UK. We will beat cancer sooner.

I look forward to updating you all with the results from the race day and if you have any running tips feel free to share them with me in the comments.

Working out in my Skechers - Feat. Cloggs*

I don’t know about you but whenever I get new gym clothes I am instantly motivated to start working out again. I’m more excited to wear the new outfit than I am to exercise but it definitely gets me in the mood. When I received these gorgeous Skechers from Cloggs, available at £49, I couldn’t wait to test them out and add them to my gym bag.

Cloggs is predominantly an online shoe shop with a massive range at fantastic prices. From boots to trainers there is something for everyone, even the kids! Cloggs believe that everything starts with a good pair of shoes and have almost 40 years of experience selling footwear. Cloggs stock an ever-growing list of specialist brands such as UGG Australia, Converse, Dr Martens and many more.

I received the Synergy Moonlight Skechers in navy with a touch of aqua. They’re such a lovely colour, I want to buy a whole outfit to match now! Skechers is one of the world’s leading sports footwear brands and boast a great range of technologies at work in their shoes to enable you to reach your full potential. The first thing I noticed when I put these Skechers on was the memory foam cushioning inside. It was like a dream. These trainers also have a shock absorbing FlexSole which soaks up any impact from the ground below. These are light as a feather and an absolute treat to wear and run in. The upper portion of the shoe offers an engineered mesh providing maximum breathability.

I have never owned a pair of trainers as comfortable as this and they are fantastic value. They also came with a spare pair of navy laces so you can choose which colour you’d prefer.

My order arrived very quickly and it is worth noting that it is free delivery in the UK on all orders over £40, and also free returns if needed. They were packaged in a Skechers box and then inside an outer packaging bag and arrived with no problems at all.

Head over to Cloggs to check out the amazing range available. Treat yourself!

*I received these Skechers free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

Blend Bros Savoury Protein Powder*

I’m not one for protein shakes, I can’t seem to find a flavour that I like and they always seem powdery for me so I am forever trying to find other ways to up my protein sources, especially on days that I have had a good work out at the gym. When I heard about Blend Bro’s Savoury Blend high protein sauce range, I couldn’t wait to try these. 

Blend Bros kindly sent me a couple of samples and a large tub of their Mexican Pibil Stew mix which costs just £19.99. Such a cost effective way of getting that extra protein in your diet without breaking the bank on tubs of bland whey powder. The flavours are varied and also come in Thai Jungle Curry and Spanish Tomato and Chorizo.

Firstly can I just mention the packaging? I love the design of the tins and they come complete with a scoop inside so you can easily measure your portions.

My boyfriend is trying to up his intake at the moment and these protein rich sauces are the perfect addition to each meal packing in a whopping 20g of protein per serving. They are so easy to prepare, you simply mix the powder with water and stir and heat – really straight forward! 

 

 

The range of sauces go with meat fish and vegetables to create that perfect meal. I tried the Thai Jungle Curry with some chicken to create a delicious curry meal. Serve with brown rice and vegetables for a healthy balanced meal, and perfect for that post gym protein hit. 

I mixed the powder with water and then poured it over cooked chicken on the hob. I let this simmer to thicken the sauce and it came out perfect. At first I thought it was going to be too watery but it turned out fine in the end.

No corners have been cut with the flavouring, this meal really was delicious. You wouldn't have any idea that this was high in protein, to me it tasted really flavoursome.

I can't wait to experiment with the other flavours I received and think these savoury blends are a fantastic idea.

What flavour would you like to try?

*I was provided with these Blend Bros Savoury Protein Powders free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

My 5 Favourite Healthy Recipe Books

I love recipe books. I almost have an obsession with them. I'm a sucker for a book with a nice spine and have already filled a shelf in my bedroom with all different types of recipe books. Most of my books were cake related and if this post goes down well perhaps I will list my top 5 cake recipe books! These are in no particular order.

The first recipe book with a healthy theme to it that I bought was the Deliciously Ella book. After being a huge fan of her blog and the healthy recipes on there, I had to get the book. It's written similarly to her blog and the photo's are laid out really nicely. The recipes are all plant based which I am happy with but I can't imagine serving a meat free meal up to my carnivorous family. I've tried the baked beans and the energy balls so far. I would love to try more but it's quite expensive to get all of the ingredients. I'm looking forward to book two!

My most recent purchase was the I Quit Sugar: Your Complete 8-Week Detox Program and Cookbook by Sarah Wilson. I flicked through this in a book shop and thought the recipes looked really good and a great way of reducing sugar in my meals. The bacon and egg muffins are amazing. I haven't tried much else but I am hoping to start cutting down on sugar so this will come in handy.

I also recently got Get The Glow by Madeleine Shaw. I was also a fan of her blog before I got this book and although these recipes are also really healthy, the ingredients are a bit more readily available and there are plenty of meat dishes to please everyone. There is so much I want to try, I have practically put tabs in half of the book. This fish recipe looks really delicious and simple to do and I think this will be my first experiment!

My boyfriend bought me this book for my birthday and it's the Sainsbury's Healthy Recipe Collection. This is great because I know all of the ingredients are readily available at Sainsbury's right around the corner. I can also adapt these recipes to my Slimming World plan and the majority of them are meals that everyone in the family will enjoy. I've made the Turkey Koftas with rice so far!

The final healthy recipe book I love is the Thug Kitchen cook book. This is filled with plenty of vegan recipes and although American, it is simple enough to find the British equivalent of the ingredients in my local supermarkets. This book is not for the innocent, it is filled with swear words which I personally find hilarious and fitting. I haven't tried anything from this book yet but the pancake recipe looks amazing and I can't wait to get some ingredients to create some of these delicious mouth watering recipes.

What are your favourite cook books?