A fitness update shoot, as promised! We’d hoped to get outside but of course, the weather was against us, so yes I am getting my gym on in the living room. Can handle the cold, but throw wind and rain into the mix and everything is just ewwww. Almost all of my workouts are at home anyway, so in the spirit of authenticity!
Oh and the above photo ^^: I know my biceps are near enough invisible relative to some, but as a girl who’s always had natural sticks for arms, I’m pretty proud to have achieved some tone and shape, and gotten stronger too! My shoulders in particular are naturally small, so I’m happy to be getting there. Small accomplishments, yeah? No major transformations, but compared to last year I think I’m a little visibly stronger, woo!
One week of watching my food a little more carefully and going beast mode (lol) every morning, and I can actually notice a difference! All about that fine tuning. ;D Just changing your mindset to make sure you do think of treats as exactly that, treats, is the best way, I’ve found. Being in college surrounded by chocolate bars, cookies, sweets and all sorts for sale (bye bye ‘Healthy Schools’ policies!) can be pretty testing when you’re hungry, but surprisingly it really doesn’t take long to make a habit of ignoring them all. Just because it’s available, doesn’t mean you’re obliged to put it in your belly. I’m definitely guilty of this sometimes, eating for the sake of it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a gal with a big appetite, and that ain’t changing. Being more mindful of what you’re putting in your body is all it takes. Switching your brain into ‘shred mode’ (short term) actually makes such a difference psychologically too, more so than going for moderation. Play tricks on your brain, it’ll be fooled. 😀
Now I really was just playing around here! My back is ridiculously inflexible and just doesn’t bend backwards properly at all, as you can probably tell haha. Hardly one of those Pinterest babes that doubles over backwards balanced on a surfboard. ;) Been working on it though! In some directions I’m freakishly flexible, others not in the slightest.
Anybody know of a good sports bra that does the job (basically hold ’em in place), yet doesn’t completely strap you down? The flattened, pinned to your chest feeling isn’t exactly comfortable, but neither is that feeling when you do jumping jacks without a sports bra on either. One for us middle of the road girls would be nice! Give me ideas to put on my Christmas list. 😀
My first pair of Nike Pro leggings and they’re officially the comfiest pants to ever grace my lower half. Flattering, comfy, everything you want in workout pants. Thumbs up from Lily anyway.
Oh and Matty and I spent a few hours today setting up his very own blog, so I’m gonna be completely shameless in saying go look! Not-so-baby biceps. 😛
lily kate x
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24 Comments
Max
8th December 2014 at 3:49 amSmall(ish) biceps, but are those abs well defined or what! Whee! You long torso shows them off more spectacularly too.
I can brag a little and say my arms look muscly like you, can’t I? Carrying children and groceries constitute weight lifting right? I have no car. As for my middle, It could use some extra attention. But I wonder if it would be unseemly to be totally ripped at my age. Some extra work will help my skating though.
I did check out your new man’s blog too. Wow! He is fit. Was that just the understatement of 2014? Er… maybe I am getting into unseemly at my age territory again so I’ll shut up. I hope his blog is an interesting and fun vehicle for self-expression for him.
lily kate
8th December 2014 at 5:38 pmThanks Max! I do lots and lots of core work so I’m glad it’s paying off!
They definitely constitute weight lifting! I’d add ‘carrying bags full of books and folders’ to my exercise list too, really is hard work. I’m sure you’d rock any middle 😀
Haha I’ll pass on the compliment! He’s only 16 would you believe? Basically a male version of me, personality wise!
Sarah C
8th December 2014 at 3:51 amFinding the perfect sports bra can be a real pain. My absolute favorite is . It can be a bit difficult to get off when sweaty, but for me, it has the ideal combination of encapsulation without being totally smushed.
I also have . I don’t like it quite as well, but it’s convertible (regular/x-back) and easier to get into/out of than the Juno.
lily kate
8th December 2014 at 5:40 pmThanks so much for the recommendations! Peeling a sports bra off isn’t the nicest feeling, is it?
Hannah
8th December 2014 at 8:27 amWow I think your biceps are pretty impressive! I’m also working on mine at the moment because I’m an absolute weakling, got a long way to go though…I enjoyed this post, I’d be interested to know what sorts of exercises you do 🙂
Hannah x
Hanniemc.co.uk
lily kate
8th December 2014 at 5:46 pmWell thank you very much Hannah! I’m still pretty much a weakling too in my upper body, just an improvement on where I was :p
Really glad you liked it! I might do a post with more specifically about my favourite exercises?
Jade
8th December 2014 at 10:16 amAwh, I love this- I’m so proud of my baby biceps and everyone just shakes their head at me! Keep it up 🙂 xx
lily kate
8th December 2014 at 5:47 pmLet us be proud of our baby biceps, wooo! Thanks! 😀
Corinne
8th December 2014 at 11:29 amI think your arms are fantastic! That’s exactly the type of tone I want in mine and you can see a real difference compared to the post last year!
Your more flexible than me, I wouldn’t be able to crab back like that! I’ve been trying to get some yoga in too to help with my strength and flexibility. I’ve been working out 1-2 times a day (the second work out usually being yoga) and I’m noticing small differences. You look amazing! And long. How tall are you?
Wishing your boyfriend look with his blog 🙂
Corinne x
lily kate
8th December 2014 at 5:51 pmThanks Corinne! It’s much better to compare to your previous self rather than others, isn’t it!
Oh trust me I’m not great at it 😉 Twice a day, go you!
And yes I am veryyyy long, especially in my torso. 5’11 with a long body!
I’ll pass on the message 😀
christina
8th December 2014 at 5:41 pmThis is so inspiring. you can see a clearly see a difference from your past post. I’m awful for eating crap, i’ve been eating seeds and nuts – i have such a sweet tooth. you should be so proud, you look incredible! I need to get my butt moving…
lily kate
8th December 2014 at 5:53 pmI’m really glad you think so Christina! I have a total sweet tooth too, which is why I find it so difficult to just have one!
Thank you so so much!
cinzia and sophia
8th December 2014 at 7:28 pmyou are seriously beautiful! lovely post!xox
Rinica
10th December 2014 at 6:34 pmGreat post, I feel so inspired I’ve struggled with what some may call weeny arm syndrome for the longest time. Towards the beginning of the year I incorporated tons of arm weight exercises into my routine at the gym and still didn’t notice much of a difference it’s so hard to get definition when you have quite a small frame but you look incredible.
They aren’t the best for high impact as there is the slightest bit of movement but M&S surprisingly have a wide range of quality sports bras, they have ones that offer support but are also made to enhance the boob area *ahem* basically not flattening like other sports bras I have owned! 🙂 xx
http://www.rinicawrites.com
lily kate
14th December 2014 at 9:21 pmThank you Rinica!
I’ve been working on my arms for agessss and have only just started noticing some definition – I have weeny arm syndrome too!
I’ll check them out! Thanks for the recommendation 😀
Somdyuti Datta Ray
11th December 2014 at 4:29 amI’m going to cringe a little because of my little flabby tummy. I so need to work on that. Your abs, me likey. Umm so I really need to ask this. What exercise would you recommend for a fitter toner abs? I really need to start doing some exercise at home.
onetinywish.blogspot.in
lily kate
14th December 2014 at 9:29 pmDon’t be silly! I’m only 17 so I’m sure my tummy won’t last haha. I’ll get together a list of my favourites soon and send them your way! Fitnessblender are my favourite channel for home workouts though – I swear by them.
achievable new years resolutions, reflections & goals for 2015 - Joli House
30th December 2014 at 12:58 pm[…] ok. Doesn’t mean I haven’t any healthy goals though! Strangely, I enjoyed my ‘shred week‘ earlier in December and want to make sure I have quite a few weeks eating as clean as […]
ananonymousceleb
9th March 2015 at 3:30 amYou were once a cute little baby. Now you’re a fully grown, beautiful woman. Your baby biceps are just taking their first steps to being fully fledged guns of steel!
Keep up the great work and keep those progress pics coming; you’re doing amazingly. 🙂 x
lily kate
10th March 2015 at 8:44 pmHaha thank you very much! Bring on the big guns 😀
Maddy
3rd October 2015 at 2:56 amThose leggings look awesome on you! They really make your legs look super nice. I’ve been looking for a pair of red leggings, what kind are they and where did you get them??!??!
Thanks a bunch! 🙂
MADDY
Maddy
3rd October 2015 at 2:59 amBTW you have a beautiful smile 🙂
lily kate
10th October 2015 at 11:44 amThank youuu again!
lily kate
10th October 2015 at 11:40 amThank you Maddy! They’re from Sports Direct about a year ago, but they’re Nike Pros which are available in lots of places, in lots of patterns and colours 🙂