No Regrets...

An important life lesson I have only recently learnt...

Let go of your regrets.

For a while I was hard on myself about the decisions I have made in the past. But then one recent day I stopped and I thought, "Why on earth am I getting upset about the choices I have made? How much of a better person have those very decisions made me?"

I've made bad choices. I've made the wrong decisions. Hey, I'm human. Everybody does it. What's important is what you take from those experiences.

I didn't work very had in school. 

I couldn't be bothered. I got very frustrated because I couldn't adapt to the teaching methods used in school. But now I've learnt that it's ok not to be good at everything. Your teachers in school tell you that you need good grades to succeed. What if you aren't very good at essays or taking exams? But you can bake a killer cake in the kitchen? You spend all day using your camera snapping great shots? 

You do not need to be getting A's in school to be successful. Sure that's great if you want to be a teacher or a doctor. Or anything you need to go to University for. If that's what you want, that's awesome! 

But for anyone else, 

University degrees and getting top grades aren't always everything. You don't need them to become successful. 

Instead, focus on the things you love, the things that bring you more happiness than anything else, and work your butt off for them. 

I found that choosing to learn about the things I wanted to learn about gave me a crazy good experience. And actually I was pretty good at them. And it's ok that I have only just discovered them now. You don't have to have everything figured out in high school. (Or University/Post Grad for that matter)

I didn't get the concept of money when I was younger. 

Not properly anyway. And I know this may be a little tough on myself because we don't really get it when we're younger. It's something we have to grow up and get accustomed to. I spent a lot of my student loan on superficial, silly things like make up and clothes. 

But none of it matters now, it can be forgotten. It's done and I can't go back.

I spent time when I was younger chasing boys and ended up in a very unhealthy relationship for a long time. And because I was so young and naive, I knew no better. 

I didn't know how badly I was being treated. When I look back now, yes I should have realised and left sooner. 

But it's only made me even more certain of the kind of relationship I should be in, and the kind of person I want to be with. 

If I even saw the tiniest characteristic that resembled anything like a bad/abusive relationship, it would over. Just like that. Boom. Done. Bye.

I have become stronger, independent, and I learn more about myself and grow as a person every day. 

(sorry for the cheesiness)

I'm a big believer in "everything happens for a reason". I believe that each moment of your life is meant to be, and whichever situation you're in, it's exactly where you're supposed to be at that very moment in time. 

And actually I don't believe in 'bad decisions'. 

They were the choices I made at that time of my life. 

And I was supposed to make those choices, 

in order to be in the place that I'm in now.

If you're ever feeling rubbish or anxious about things that have happened, 

even if they have just happened, stop worrying now. 

I know this is easier said than done. I have to talk myself down from worrying because I worry WAY too much.

Regrets? Stop. Take a breath. Remind yourself that it is ok. Can you change anything about the past? No. Can you reflect and make new decisions for the better? 

Hell yes.

And live every day to the fullest.

Woop!

Lotsa love,

Franki 

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Get Fit Without the Gym!

Sometimes for a lot of us, a gym membership isn't feasible. The gym may be a real pain to get to from where you live, you may have to pick up the kids from school, you may just be really bored with the gym! Hey, you may just be a tiny bit lazy. We've all been there! If you're not keen on exercise but want to get fit, maybe you need some fun alternatives?!

Whatever the reason, everyone's circumstances are different. There's no point in joining a gym if you know you'll hardly go.

So I have a few alternative options for ways to get fit without a gym. You can work each of these into your schedule at a time that suits you and completely tailor your fitness regime around your lifestyle, however hectic it may be!

Climbing - This is probably my favourite alternative way to get fit. I used to climb loads when I was younger (and like a little monkey) but it's something I have only just gotten back into. This is so much fun and there are different levels of difficulty to surpass and new techniques to learn to perfect your skills. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need huge biceps and incredible upper body strength to be a good climber. Although this is useful, it is mainly about good technique! And you won't believe the new strength you'll gain!

Trampolining/Gymnastics - This is a fantastic option if you get bored easily by exercise. Wherever you are, you will normally find adult classes on offer at your local club. It is so much fun to try something new and jump out of your comfort zone! You'll discover muscles you never knew you had and the best bit... you'll hardly even realise you're doing any exercise at all! Trampoline Parks are also on the rise and seem to be popping up everywhere. So go along with your friends and have a bounce! The parks usually offer workout classes too!

Hiking/Walking - When I say walking, I'm not talking about a lazy afternoon stroll to walk off your Sunday lunch. I'm talking a fast paced walk/hike. There are some great trails/reservoirs near me that I just love to walk around. And if you do a little research I'm sure there will be loads near you too. If you live in the city, it's a great way to get out into the peace and fresh air. It's even better if you can find some steep climbs - maybe even sprint up them?! You get a good workout and some pretty awesome views to snap for Instagram too!  

Swimming - This is an awesome way to get fit and it can be as intense as you like. You can really go for it and sprint up and down the lanes or just take it easy! It's up to you.

Yoga - There are lots of different types of Yoga, so one of them is bound to suit you. You can go to a class just for relaxation/breathing techniques, to work on your flexibility or your fitness. Regardless of which type of class you go to, Yoga is a great way to unwind. If you really want to go crazy, have a look for 'Ariel Yoga' in your local area. It definitely fits trying something completely new!
If you're a Sweaty Betty member, you're entitled to free Yoga sessions, as well as Ballet, Running and Pilates, depending on what your local boutique offers. Plus you get early notification of VIP Discounts - Result!

Home Workouts - There are so many ways to get a home workout done, and it doesn't mean you have to be doing the same old thing repeatedly. Instagram shows hundreds of different accounts that are great for home exercises. Here are some of the accounts that I follow:

'home.exercises'

'workoutprograms'

'home.abs'

'exerciseroutines'

'homesquat'

 There are loads more accounts like this and it's just a case of exploring and finding a couple of accounts you really like. But each of these have a ton of different exercises and ideas, that you can throw together and mix up to create your own personal workouts! Most of their posts are videos so you can follow them completely step by step. They also upload new content daily, meaning you can always switch things up and try something new.

As well as Instagram, there's also a load of great apps giving you workouts to do at home. You can tailor most of them and have a timer set up, order of exercises to complete and you can even have a 'virtual personal trainer' talking you through the exercises and letting you know how many reps/seconds you have left to go. (Don't worry, you can turn the voice feature off too!) Here are some of the free apps that I use:

'Sworkit'

'Seven Minute Workout'

'Headspace' (Meditation)

'Change4Like Couch to 5K'

'Daily Workouts'

'Workout Timer' - If you already have some workouts planned, this is a great app to time yourself for interval training.

Not going to include Running here, as it is an obvious one. Also, if you're not keen on the gym, you probably don't want to run either!

Hope you found this useful and you're inspired to get moving! Go Go Go!

Lotsa love,
Franki
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