The Daily Struggles of a Gym Girl

Life as a gym bunny can be tough! As a female in the gym we face many problems in our everyday life that we choose to put ourselves through just to get our daily fix! If you attack the gym most days like me I'm sure you will feel my pain...

1. Bag Lady

You need to accept that the days of leaving the house with just one bag are gone. If you're like me and fit the gym in around work or studying (or both) then get used to feeling like a bag lady. Practicality is key too, forget the fashionable handbags... You need a sturdy back pack with compartments and everything. The bigger the better and great for moving people out of your way on the tube. 

2. No More Nice Nails

I used to feel naked without my nails painted. They would ALWAYS be done nicely and sometimes I would even pay to have a fancy manicure. Well save your money because guaranteed 20 minutes into your work out they will be chipped. This is only the beginning of waving goodbye to your girly ways, but clean and press just has no mercy on your manicure.

3. Padlock Problems

The amount of problems my padlock has caused me is ridiculous. As most gyms don't allow belongings on the gym floor (rightly so) if you forget it your screwed. That's not the worst of it... Ever had to go and ask reception to cut your padlock off your locker because you lost the key or the code isn't working. Yes? Try that twice in one week. I got some funny looks. 

4. Men 

This is not all men so don't jump on a high horse but as a woman in the gym it's noticeable that SOME men think it's acceptable to sit on their bench and watch. I've had a few occasions when guys have actually come over... No, no, back the hell off! Plus there is also the guys that see what weight you're planning to lift and shake their head as if 'you will never lift that'. I may be a 5.4" Blondie but I will use your head shake as motivation to lift my heavy weight.

5. Women

There are two types of women in the gym (this applies to life too I think) the kind who champion others. They aren't afraid of sparking a conversation and giving each other compliments. This is what I love about the gym and I've made some amazing female friends from bonding over how hard it is to walk after a workout. Then there is a small amount who give you the head to toe stare down and when you smile you flick their hair and walk on by.

6. Your New Best Friend
Two words... dry shampoo. Like me, if you have thick hair that takes a year to blow dry (try that after an arm or shoulder session, its hell) you will soon learn the shortcuts. Getting sweaty doesn't make your hair greasy straight away so thankfully there is a way to avoid washing it after every single session, especially if you are tight for time. Dry shampoo is the best invention for us gym girls. nobody at work will ever know that just an hour ago we had sweat dripping off our nose/chin. Sexy!

7. A Wardrobe War

This is so apparent for me, I study fashion journalism and live in the gym. I have a very large wardrobe section dedicated to gym wear and I've noticed its now a mind game when trying to decided whether to treat myself to a new dress or jeans or whether to get a new sports bra or cute gym leggings. Its tough as I love fashion and don't spend my time writing about trends for fun but in terms of ratio I probably spend more time in my trainers than anything else. I recently went to Rome and ended up spending all of my treat money in Adidas. Oh and don't get me started on when you actually have to wear high heels. Your feet get a rude awakening. Lucky for us, sports wear is actually hot on trend at the moment so sneak out in your Nike leggings and people will think you're on it.

8. Underwear? What's That?
The shower after a great work out is one of the best experiences. You feel clean and fresh and not to mention a little bit sexier than when you arrived, you're floating on your post-exercise cloud when BOOM you've forgotten your bra. Also a common mistake if you go swimming. Packing your outfit for afterwards is a memory task. The amount of times I forget something is unbelievable. From underwear to shoes to make-up, there is always something. Everybody does it as I was bonding with a work colleague over this exact situation, get used to having to leave with no bra on, trainers with your dress and sometimes, in extreme cases... no pants (still always better than putting the others back on). If you have never experienced this I take my hat off to you.

9. Stairs Become a Problem
As I go to the gym in London, the majority are underground and my main club doesn't even have a lift. This means climbing three flights AFTER training. Although I love the fact the gyms are underground which means no phone signal so people don't sit and text/ Snapchat/ update Facebook on the gym floor I just wish they had a rest area half way up the stairs (half joking). The worst is when people are behind you so there is added pressure to get up to the top as quick as possible without getting out of breath. In fact, the stairs for the rest of the day in general are going to hurt you, but its ok because you get used to it and eventually wonder what went wrong if you don't live your life in pain.

10.  The Addiction
Don't get me wrong, as far as addictions go its probably one of the best. I love going to the gym and I'm not afraid to admit it even though some people don't get it. When you see results you cant help but get hooked. The struggle though is actually resting. It becomes a struggle to stop yourself going, will power is harder to find on rest day than the days of actually going to the gym. Its mentally hard as I genuinely feel guilty when I cant go, I'm completely aware I'm being really ridiculous but I cant help it and I know many of my gym friends face the same problem each week. We just need to remind ourselves how hard we work and we totally deserve a rest.

Being a dedicated gym goer has its cons and daily struggles but its so worth it. Its outweighed by the amazing sense of achievement when you reach your goals and the amazing friends you make along the way. I used to worry that my non-gym friends would judge me for admitting my love for the gym but I no longer care because I've met so many amazing, interesting people through fitness and its by far the best stress relief I've ever known. Looking back at old pictures compared to new isn't a bad feeling either.

So we have our struggles but isn't it worth it girls?!

Sarah Victoria

Because One Cocktail is not Enough

Last week was rather manic. Juggling university with almost full time hours at work and also working out in the gym I barely had time to think. Of course I made time for a few little fun things so I cant complain too much.

As placement module is edging closer the girls on my course and I have started looking for internships. My best friend Alice had an interview at InStyle which makes me so jealous as I loved it so much there I just want to go back as well. Unfortunately that wont be beneficial for me so I will be finding somewhere else and I have a few things in the pipeline. Before he interview we decided a lunch date was necessary and when I was working for four weeks at the Blue Finn Building I saw so many places I wanted to try so this was the perfect opportunity. As we both have a love of breakfast food there really was only one option... The Breakfast Club. AMAZING!

 The best eggs I have ever had was at Raoul's in Notting Hill but I think its now equal. I chose scrambled eggs on brown toast with a side of salad and tomato and chilli chutney and it was incredible. It was so fresh and all of the different flavours really complimented each other and I came out feeling satisfied but not bloated... The dream!


Its been freezing this week so I wrapped up with my super skinny Topshop jeans, my white roll neck top with my big Zara coat and faux fur scarf. I wore my new Kurt Geiger trainers that my mum got me for Christmas too and to my delight they were as comfy as my slippers.


At the weekend my favourite person came to stay, my Mum. We always have so much fun and pack the weekend full of treats and experiences. We spent Saturday in the pool and spa at Virgin Active, Canary Riverside with amazing views of the river and the city (a perk of the job). We then went for lunch at All Bar One and had a little browse (and spend) in the shopping centre. On Saturday night we went for cocktails at GiGi's in Mayfair. I booked the drinks through an offer on TimeOut London where we got 4 cocktails for £16 which is an amazing price for cocktails in central London. We had four cocktails lines up in front of us and I have to admit we did feel like we looked like alcoholics but the feeling soon left us after tasting them. A Bellini is my favourite cocktail and its the best one I've ever had. If you can get there, you must try GiGi's as the service and décor are so special.

 

We then went to see Cats the musical at the London Palladium. Cats is the reason I started dancing as when I was little I used to watch the video with my dad and my grandparents on repeat. Through my life I stand my the fact its my favourite show and every time I see it I am desperate to be in it. Ive seen it so many times I practically know the choreography. Elaine Paige as Grizabella is something I didn't think anybody could come close too, especially Nicole Scherzinger as a pop singer but I cant credit her enough. All though it was different to Elaine Paige she was absolutely incredible, she silenced the whole theatre and I have never heard a voice as powerful as hers. Its a shame she is finishing at the start of next month however im sure Kerry Ellis is going to do it justice and I plan to go and see her too.

We then had an amazing meal at Masala Zone in Soho, if you like Indian food I cant recommend it enough. Im always nervous when trying a new Indian restaurant just in case I don't understand the menu or of course the food is dodgy. The staff were great and explained everything before we even asked. The restaurant is famous for its Thali, traditional Indian cuisine so we ordered a Thali each. Its basically a bowl and curry with rice and a popadom and then three dishes of other Indian food which changes everyday and it was all so good, we have vowed to return.

Sunday we had a lazy morning and breakfast in bed before braving the cold and having a walk. We walked from Covent Garden to a place near Somerset House where we had lunch booked from a birthday gift I bought my mum months ago. It was a three course lunch with a glass of wine each. Three courses at lunch time seems crazy to me so we tried not to choose things that were going to make use feel like sloths for the rest of the day. I had celery soup, steak and mango sorbet and as the portions were a lunch size I actually felt good afterwards. As I suffer quite badly with bloating its something I have to really think about which is annoying but I thank myself for it when I don't look pregnant for the rest of the day. We then walked it off by walking through Trafalgar Square up to Oxford Street where we hopped back on the tube and had an hour of rest before mum had to leave for her train from Euston.

Its been an amazing weekend as always and this weekend is looking to be just as eventful as its my Brothers birthday. He is coming to London for a night with his friend before im going home for a few days to celebrate his birthday with my family. Every few weeks its nice to go home and get out of this city for a few days.

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

No Pain No Gain

Happy New Year to all of my readers. Luckily I am coming out of my post-festive period depression. Most people struggle with the few weeks after Christmas as its so hard to get back to normal. Its been a few weeks of fun and down time with family and friends with lots of food and drink. Then all of a sudden you have to go back to work... what's that about? Why cant the holidays last forever? No, I don't mean that. I actually love January after I've shaken off my bad mood. I write myself a list of goals I aim to achieve by the end of the year as I find this way more productive than making resolutions that I will give up on within a few weeks. Its also really good to sit down and actually look at what I've achieved and what goals I have for the new year.

One thing on my list was to make more of an effort to keep a good diet. Its never been bad but I know it needed to be higher in protein with as much exercise as I do in a day. For my fitness goals a healthy diet is essential and I don't think people realise how important it is. I am not cutting carbs or anything like that, I don't eat bread, pasta or potato anyway so I'm sticking with rice, sweet potato and quinoa as cutting out carbs isn't an option for the intense work outs I do, I would pass out. I believe the secret to a good diet is food prep, food prep and more food prep. I live my life in Tupperware and I love it. I prepare my meals for the week and store it all in the fridge ready to just pop in my bag with some healthy snacks of nuts and two pieces of fruit. I also have a protein bar to have before the gym but then I'm never tempted to snack on rubbish to get my fix of sugar. I do have a soft spot for chocolate but don't we all? I just eat it as a real treat now.

I've been back in the gym as soon as I got over my Christmas illness (the flu which I got on Boxing Day). It feels so good to be back in routine but another thing on my list was to mix it up more and try new things. On Saturday morning I headed down to Virgin Active Canary Riverside to train with my friend and fellow Virgin Active employee, Nick. He's got a lot of knowledge in fitness and nutrition so although it was nice to catch up I also used him to fire my questions at to get some good advise.

He had put together our workout for the day and after some foam rolling and stretching to warm up we hit the squat rack. We started with front squats (amazing for quads and core) which is great for me as I squat a lot but practically never front squat so it hit all new muscles in my legs. We did 5 heavy reps then did one leg squats into a box jump on the same leg, 4 reps on each leg and that really tests your strength and balance. After 3 rounds of that my legs certainly needed a rest.

We then moved to pull ups... my worst nightmare! I hate pull ups, mainly because I find them really hard. We did 6 pull ups straight into 6 dips and rest while the other had a go, again we did 3 sets. Its the perfect example of why I need to mix it up a bit. I know I have a strong back and can deadlift and clean and press a very good weight but pull ups just kill me. Its a goal of mine to be able to complete those sets without any help and I know I will do it.

After some work on chest and core we called it a day and decided the Jacuzzi and steam room were needed. Gradually throughout the day on Sunday I found it harder and harder to walk which everybody knows is a good sign. I'm going to commit to training in different ways and since I work at a gym with so many people to help me out I really have no excuse.

My fitness world is moving forwards and I have a few exciting things lined up but you will hear about them in my blog posts in the near future. I cant wait though.

I would love to hear about everybody else's goals for 2015, hopefully you find the motivation to complete everything on your list. Here's to a great year!

Sarah Victoria