Is social media bad your health?

 As an active social media user I've followed the posts with interest and do sometimes wonder if social media is a good or bad influence on my life.

I use social media on a daily basis to learn new information, to find out about events and products and to keep up with friends. (I look at millions of baby photos) My boyfriend has no interest in any kind of social media, he doesn't understand why I spend so long glued to my phone but he respects that I enjoy it. If I go on holiday I am happy to go days without checking my newsfeed and I am far from addicted. If I'm busy at work social media is the last thing from my mind, its just something I choose to check in my spare time.

But with recent famous instagrammers talking about the 'fakeness' of what is online. I'm not naive, I know people get paid to post pictures and wear products. At 29 I'm balanced enough to know people only post positive pictures online. No one shows them chilling out in their pjs on a Saturday night-but I'm not the impressional young girls maketing teams are trying to get through too. I can't justify spending £40 on a sports bra and I doubt many females my age have that disposable funds. 

Recently I've been having doubts about myself and the world of instagram. While going through my digestive issues I got really down about the state of my stomach. I made myself worst by looking through instagram and seeing lots of people eating burgers and having abs. I'm not one to comment if people are photoshopping instagram photos or if people are being truthful online but I couldn't look at those feeds. I went through my instagram and I deleted any account that I felt didn't show a balanced healthy lifestyle. I also deleted any accounts that just put up body shots and didn't educate me, inspire me or make me think. I also added more balanced accounts such as some inspriring yoga and mindfullness accounts so my feed is no longer full of abs & people eating green juices thankfully. 

I love social media and I will continue to use is everyday. But if it doesn't add to my life or make me happy then I will delete it, there is more to life outside a phone. Also I strongly believe every workout completeyl counts even if you don't publish it on social media.

Ealing Half 2015 - The Hangover Race

I've lived and worked in Ealing for over 6 months now and I've become very fond of this little Borough. When the local half marathon was advertised it wasn't perfect timing for my Royal Parks plans but I didn't want to miss the opportunity of running a local race.

But after a weekend of drinking and lots of beer I didn't feel like I was going to make it round the course, let alone be able to run. I regretted the (very tasty) beer, I regretted the (also tasty) burger and I hated my stomach for what it was going to go through for that morning.

But I did enjoy the relative snooze, not having to wake up until 7am to stroll down to the start line. I was very shocked about the amount of people who were running. I wasn't expecting the large crowd-it was double the amount of people who had run the Hackney half. So understandably waiting for the start was very slow. I put my self at the back towards the end of the 2:30 marker as I was aiming for 2:45 to save my legs for my next half in 2 weeks.

My plan had always been to take it slow and walk the hills. As I'd forgotten my Garmin I didn't really have a choice but to go with what felt natural and see how my body holds up. As I started to run I felt good, my stomach was a bit tricky in bits but the fresh air and exercise surely sorted it out. I was towards the back of the crowds (as you can see in my un-busy pictures) and got very happy in my own pace. I have no idea of my pace or my splits which is completely new to me for a race and I really enjoyed not having the pressure to either slow down or speed up. Somewhere after the 10 miles I knew I could finish and looked forward to the eating afterwards. I crossed the finish line with a finish time of 2:34 and I was mighty proud-I did walk the hills and run comfortably and got 10 minutes faster then my desired time.

I loved the race, I didn't think I would but it was great and I loved the atmosphere and running. If this was a test to see if I can run on too much booze then I can! As long as I get the training runs in and build up the strength in my legs.

For anyone wanting a Autumn race I would recommend Ealing-the hills aren't as bad as reviews make it out to be and has been voted best UK half marathon for the last two years at the UK running awards so they are clearly doing something right. It happens every year in the last Sunday in September.

Review: INNER ME 28 day Gut Cleanse

So after having stomach problems for such a long time with little improvement I started researching what I can do, after coming across the inner me page I decided that the gut cleanse would be worthwhile for me trying. If you want more information is this is the right step for you click here

The cleanse consists of 4 weeks of cutting out and reintroducing food that are problematic such as gluten and dairy. There are also limits on different foods such as one portion of brown rice of quinoa a day and only one portion of greek yoghurt. Oddly there is also limits of fruits and you can only have berries and citrus fruits, but that didn't feel limited to me. You also take a digestive enzymes and probiotic with breakfast a fish oil supplement with lunch and a vitamin D supplement with dinner. Although I forgot a lot of the vitamin D supplements, I didn't struggle going from none to that many supplements. I also didn't find the meals too restrictive but I did have to include snacks as well as if I don't eat reguarly I am a massive grump. The other part of the detox which was really easy to include was having a peppermint tea within 30 minutes of a meal, this was great for whenever I eat out and really helps settle my stomach after a meal.

But there have been marked improvement in some areas from doing the detox which I want to go into more detail about:

Skin

Here is a benefit that I completely didn't expect, my skin massively improved. Apart from a few hormonal stress spots to my face I have a big improvement to the usual spots that I get on my chest and across my back. I'm not sure if its down to a reduction of dairy products or cutting down on sugar by no longer having processed food. I am going to try and continue with both and see if I can work out which is causing the spots because I will happily avoid if it gives me the confidence I have from having clearer skin.

Bloat

I've included this photo about how my stomach has shrunk, although I clearly do still have my beloved belly. The first photo was a morning shot and the second at the end was taken at the end of the day. Before I tried this detox I was spending my afternoon unbuttoning my top button of trousers and generally feeling uncomfortable around my stomach. I don't feel uncomfortable anymore and I can wear the same pair of jeans all day long without having to unbutton trousers. I also haven't had any stomach cramps after eating which have been plaguing me for months.


I paid for this cleanse out of my own money and would happily do so again if I needed it. I would encourage everyone to visit a doctor and make sure your digestion troubles are not linked to a more serious medical condition.

High End Workout Buys

High end workout buys by susie-miller featuring a green cami

Well as my budget workout was so popular that I thought I would do a bit more imaginary workout shopping. Trying to save for the future makes my desire to blow all my money on an really awesome workout wardrobe!

How amazing are these trainers? I absolutely love the Mary Katrantzou/Adidas line and I love these turquoise palm and tropical print.
I'm also loving this vintage style nike jumper-perfect to throw on over my gym kit on my way home from a workout-although not technically high end this jumper is still currently out of my budget.
The leopard print rucksack is another adidas delight-this time design by Stella McCartney. I think the monochrome would work well with most outfits.
The sports bra is from Lorna Jane- I've been told that their sports bras are supportive and give ladies a nice little bit of padding to give a more feminine figure.
Below I've selected this yoga top from Sweaty Betty-I love their quality of sportswear and this colour is lovely.
Finally these Lucas Hugh tights have the most amazing print-at £270 they are most definitely high end and only in my wardrobe if I win the lottery but really a girl can dream.

What would be in your dream wardrobe? Do you prefer high end of budget to update your outfits?

I think I found my mojo...for the time being!

Hello, fortnightly updates were not working for me so I've decided to update you weekly on my training. As usual my blog post is later then intended, but one day soon I will improve my scheduling.

Well, I think I found my mojo-by that I mean I had 2 runs this week where I didn't feel like a failure and that was great for me! So here's how I got on this week...

Tuesday-upper body kettlebell workout. As I enjoy my kettlebells so much I've decided to be more structured and split my workout into upper & lower body. This 30 minute session included plank pull ups, floor to shoulder pulls and a kettlebell hold. Sweaty but satisfying. 

Wednesday- I did my first ever 'runch' as in running in my lunch time. As I only have 30minutes I was worried for time but I came in early to give me longer and managed a good run round my local park. 

Thursday lower body kettlebell session-this included goblet squats, weighted lunges and wall sits. I felt this the next day  when going to the toilet. 

Saturday- I ran 9 miles! No tears, no complaints! I had an audiobook and my water pack, got it done and felt proud. My double marathon at the end of September is seeming more achievable after a successful long run, but we will wait and see

How is your training going? Are you training for an autum race or just working out?

Budget Workout Wardrobe Update

Have you heard the well used phrase of to find your motivation you should treat yourself to new workout gear? Well I think this is constantly on my mind as I am constantly looking at workout clothes and as I am trying to be better with money I thought I would show you my picks of the best budget clothes. With fitness being so fashionable the high street has some amazing pieces around. Here what I would choose if my wardrobe wasn't bursting: (L-R)

1. This misguided vest looks so cute. I love the detailing on the back and think it would look amazing through a heavy weight session. I love the fit and the colour-a great top I think.

2. I love this purple new look top, it reminds me of a dupe for the lovely Lorna Jane vests that I see all over instagram. Who doesn't want motivation on their chest in the gym?

3. I think this H&M bag would be the perfect size to fit all my gym essentials and has a nice neutral shade to go with all the bright workout outfit I have.

4. I have these leggings in two different prints and they are simply the best fit, no elastic needed but a nice snug fit so I can run in. I can also vouch that after quite a few washes they still pass the squat test which is crucial for leggings.

5. Another well used part of my workout wardrobe. I adore this bra-I generally use it for HIIT workouts where I need a lot of support and like how comfortable and well supported my chest is in this bra.

Budget Workout Wardrobe Update by susie-miller featuring a Missguided activewear

Missguided activewear
£13 - missguidedus.com

H&M Sports bag
hm.com

Purple Believe Achieve Sports Vest
newlook.com




What are you workout recommendations? Are you a budget or high end clothes shopper?

Getting back on the horse! Training update

Okay confession time- I stayed lazy and continued to not run last week when I probably should have done. I could have forced myself but my heart is not in running at the moment. I enjoy running when I do it...but getting out of the door seems to be very difficult.

• Last weeks exercise consisted of 1 x 20 minute HIIT kettlebell session - I'm having the right motivation to do HIIT at the moment- maybe dreams of bikini bodies.
• Unfortunately no running until the weekend- Saturday morning I managed to attend Lululemon's Hyde Park outdoor yoga. It was lovely and warm and although I struggled with the downward facing dog I enjoyed the class and having a good stretch. I then went to an amazing talk about nutrition with a complimentary green juice and goody bag. This was my first special Lululemon's events and it won't be my last-its amazing.
• Then in the afternoon I ran a very slow 7 miles along the canal path-it seemed a lot of hard work. 

This week much of the same story-my diet has been generally good, better then it has been in weeks and my skin is a lot clearer (but more on that in another post) On the Saturday night i feel over and drunkenly hurt my wrist which meant no kettlebells and push ups (boo hiss)

• On Wednesday my boyfriend got enough of me feeling sorry for myself and forced me to run. Running 3.5 miles to his pace gave me a 10.52 minute per mile average pace. Yey! Go someone else's pace
• On Saturday I tried to run 8 miles. It was hot & my stomach was playing up. I couldn't find my running mojo and cut the run short at 5 miles. 

How has your training been? Any advice to kick me out of the front door and actually to run?