If you read my body image post here a few months back, you will be aware that I've struggled with my weight and the way I look for a long time now, and it is something that has been a constant up and down for me over the years.
Recently, I've began to notice myself feeling more and more unhappy with my skin, mainly due to my weight gain, skin issues and general feeling of being healthy. It's affected my self appearance, mood, energy and motivation, and I've decided enough is enough. I don't want to feel like that anymore. A couple of years back I was at a weight I was happy with, I had so much energy and motivation and my skin looked bright and clear. I want to be that girl again.
As much as I wish it was an instant fix, you know, one where you click your fingers or wave a magic wand and all is changed... however life doesn't work that way (as we all know), and to get something you really want, a great deal of hard work is required.
I think the biggest turning point in my mind has been my skin. I've always had pretty good skin; as a teenager I had the odd blemish, but I was pretty blessed in the fact that I never really had that 'bad teenage skin' phase. Well unfortunately, I think that stage has now come at the age of 21, constantly getting breakouts and reddness. It could be down to hormones, but I'm almost certain it has a lot to do with my current diet and lifestyle habits. For someone who spent the majority of last summer down the gym, I've become sloppy and lazy, indulging in unhealthy quantities of chocolate and takeaways. While, I'm not going to completely give these things up... hell, I don't think I could, I'm planning to try and eat a more balanced diet, feeding my body with mainly healthy nourishing foods accompanied with treats and indulgences. I think it's unhealthy to completely deprive oneself of everything we enjoy to eat - particularly if you're a food lover like me - however, I'm hoping that with some healthy diet changes and increase in activity, I can bring my skin back life... as well as my self.
I picked up Madeleine Shaw's book 'Get The Glow' last week and was wowed by the amount of delicious looking recipes it contained, as well as how simple most of them looked to make. I love how she explains her own journey at the beginning of the book, and continues to explain the benefits of certain foods as well as suggesting ways you can alter your diet in order to make it far more nutritious for your body. I find that particularly great as it gives you an understanding of why you should (or shouldn't) eat particular things, rather then just being left with the feeling that you're being preached to without any real understanding of why.
So, on Tuesday I whipped up my first recipe, which was her spicy salmon with cucumber and yogurt... and wow. Just wow. It was sooooo delicious and ridiculously quick and easy to make (so much so that I'm having it again tomorrow as I won't get back from work until about 19.15)! I'd definitely recommend picking her book up if you want some tasty and simple recipes with ingredients that are easily accessible and don't cost the world!
Here's to a healthier and happier Tanith!
xx
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