The last two years I’ve probably felt more physically and mentally unwell than in the rest of my life. It’s been and still is a very difficult time. I’m trying with everything I have to beat this illness that I have and I know that one of the ways that can only help is to make my body as physically healthy as possible.
It’s very hard to explain but when you have depression it feels like everything hurts more. Your joints ache as though you have the flu and a little brush against the corner of a cupboard can make me howl. It’s as if my skin and bones are as sensitive right now as my mind is. This can make it hard to get some motivation to get up and be active but you do really have to force yourself. If not for you then for your family, your friends – but really do it FOR YOU.
I’ve just put together this guide on supplements, fitness tools and healthy foods that I’ve either sampled as blog gifts or that I’ve purchased myself over the past 6 months.
Starting with fitness tools:
I never really understood why people wore fitness monitors or pedometers. I didn’t want anything showing me just how lazy I was being. Until I started using one myself. I was sent one a little while ago which measures both your daytime activity levels and also your sleep patterns. The sleep measurements are what appealed to me as I have a big problem with sleep right now but then I idly started to use it during the day and now I use it every day. I set myself a target which roughly equates to 1.5miles of walking each day ( or running for 30 mins or swimming for 45 ) and I make sure I hit my target. As I’m hitting it every day I will probably increase it soon just slightly to challenge myself. I’m really impressed with it. This weekend I’m going to try using it while swimming as it’s also waterproof so it will be interesting to see the results from that. It’s called a Misfit Flash and retails for around £50.
Another monitor/watch you can use for running or walking is a TomTom Runner GPS sports watch – you can set distance, time or calorie goals then check your progress on a large screen set within the watch. It has about a million features and ways in which you can use it. I’m starting running next month so I’ll keep you posted on what I think. This retails for £99.99 and is perfect for fitness loving gadget fans.
Moving onto supplements, pills and powders :
Immulina (£18.95 stockist: www.vital-life.org.uk) is a completely natural health food supplement, containing the powerful plant protein and super food Spirulina. It is 100% natural and safe for the whole family, offering powerful support to give adults and children alike a boost to their body’s natural immune system and support for overall wellbeing. Immulina is scientifically proven to support the body’s immune system by maintaining the function of the immune system cells.
Bio-Kult is a unique probiotic supplement with 14 strains of beneficial probiotic bacteria, specifically formulated to help maintain a healthy digestive and immune system. Many people aren’t aware that up to 70% of our immune cells are located in the gut and that our gut bacteria play an essential role in supporting a strong immune system. This can be compromised during the winter months if busy fighting off bugs. Multi-strain probiotics such a Bio-Kult have been shown to significantly shortened common colds and reduce the severity of symptoms.
A unique and lifting all-in-one blend of organic baobab, guarana, maca, lucuma and acai.
Source of energy, high in fibre and vitamin C, source of calcium and other vitamins and minerals.
Nature’s finest top 5 energising superfoods
20p from the sale of every pouch is donated to Healthy Planet
Only the highest quality superfoods qualify for our range. Live Natural, Live Life.
Protein powders such as Deluxe Casein from Deluxe Nutrition
Deluxe 100% Protein is probably the most advanced protein formulation available. We only use the finest quality whey isolate and concentrate for faster increases in muscle size and strength.
Efamol Brain EnvirOmega Algal Oil Efamol EnvirOmega Fish Free Algal Oil contains a pure fish-free algal oil from a renewable, specially cultivated plant source. This product has a combination of Omega-3 fatty acids from marine micro algae which are an excellent vegetarian source of DHA. EnvirOmega provides 125mg DHA and 60mg EPA per capsule. It also contains Vitamin E which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. This is considered a high strength formula compared to Efamol Brain Formula and ideal if you wish to take a vegetarian fish free food supplement
MegaRed Extra Strength Omega 3 Krill Oil
Our most popular krill oil supplement. MegaRed® contains oil from 100% pure Antarctic krill, tiny crustaceans that thrive in the frigid waters of the Antarctic. Just one small MegaRed® softgel provides an optimal combination of Omega-3 fatty acids and the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin to support heart health.* Research has shown that omega-3s may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.†
Supplements which make you look good..
Merumaya Skin Brilliance:
RevitElix™Nutra (Echium Oil) is an Omega 3-6-9 rich plant source, exceptionally rich in Stearidonic Acid and helps maintain a youthful complexion. Clinical trial has shown RevitElix™Nutra to significantly increase collagen synthesis, improve skin elasticity, barrier integrity and moisture levels.
We Beautify Collagen Food Supplements from Wassen
Description
Collagen has been demonstrated scientifically to improve skin condition and appearance to achieve radiant looking skin. Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. This product contains a blend of key nutrients to support skin health. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Manganese plus Vitamins C and E contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Collagen helps promote beautiful smooth firm-looking skin, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can help promote younger looking skin.
Lotions and Potions..
Phytaoil is a blend of natural plant oils with the active ingredients of the whole rosehip extract and rosehip seed oil, which are used in the treatment of scarred and damaged tissue. The Phytaoil formula helps improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks, as well as moisturise and tone sun and weather damaged skin. The rosehip actives are helpful on regenerating and toning the skin, combined with vitamins A and E, and natural oils of apricot kernel, lavender, lime and geranium. Phytaoil is easily absorbed into the skin and contains no mineral oil, synthetic fragrances or colours.
Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3 in 1 cleansing fluid
This 3-in-1 cleansing water dissolves make-up, cleanses and tones the skin – no water needed!
Gentle enough to use on the delicate eye area, it leaves skin bee-autifully clean, toned and refreshed.
Foods you can feel good about..
So surely fresh is better than tinned right? Ummm wrong actually in the case of tomatoes anyway. Because of the speed of the picking and canning process, tinned tomatoes retain 5.3mg of Lycopene per 100g whereas fresh only have 3.3mg per 100g, which diminishes with time, transport and storage in the fridge. Therefore, in terms of Lycopene, tinned tomatoes are the proven healthier option compared to fresh tomatoes.
Cirio is a brand that is a firm favourite in our house. We use their passata all the time and their double concentrate purée is awesome on homemade pizza but the tinned tomatoes are what we use the most in curries, stews or to make soups. It’s good to know I’m feeding my family dishes which are good for them.
And lastly when you plan a last minute holiday and don’t have time to diet! The Boot Camp Body Wrap:
I was a bit pessimistic but after trying it I was pleasantly suprised, my skin felt softer and firmer and I did actually lose a few inches which helped my jeans sit a little more comfortably. I’m not exactly beach body confident and doubt I will be for some time but it definitely made me feel a bit happier in my clothes.
*Some of these products were gifted for the purpose of a review.