read – Intent For Content

My take on the gym

24th Oct 2019A Personal Perspective, Travel, Places & Lifestyle, Uncategorised3 Comments

Okay, so…the dreaded gym. Well it’s not dreaded when you begin going and start enjoying yourself… I tell fibs.

However, recently when I have been in the gym I have been forming somewhat an opinion – or actually lets call it an observation on people.

For example…Makeup?! How on earth can some women wear a full face of makeup, full on contour, lipstick, eyeshadow and eyelashes to workout in? honestly do they not sweat like me? I look like a whale that has surfaced onto the pavement when I exercise. My face goes bright red and I sweat an excessive amount. If I was to wear makeup to the gym I could open a bakery from all of the cake coming off of my face. – I’m so envious that these women can wear that and look utterly perfect whilst working out, it’s not fair!

Another observation I found yesterday was the leg press. Now, we all have a little rest on the leg press machine because, erm its difficult! but this guy was full on sat on the leg press machine for 30 minutes on his phone – then there is me free willy trying to make eye contact so I can go on it and get what I needed to do done – you see I like to go to the gym as quickly as possible haha. But he literally did not move for the duration of his time on the leg press. There was not one leg extension or even so much of a movement, apart from his thumbs on his mobiles keyboard!

I love watching the men have testosterone wars though (I don’t observe from the leg press just to add). They all stand before the big gym mirrors, pumping there shoulders and chests as much as possible…maybe to assert authority to one another, i’m not sure. But I just find it interesting to watch because I myself would never flex in the gym mirror – I mean I only have cellulite to flex at the moment but it still counts!

My last observation would be getting side tracked by how some people look flawless whilst working out. They literally have the perfect form, perfect gym wear and know exactly what they’re doing. It shys me away from the weight area because I get worried i’m going to break my back or make myself look like a complete twat…I do my weight lifting when no one is around to avoid the embarrassment…I have also decided that I need to invest in some cool “gym goer” gym wear, just for the added affect…

Thank you for reading as always – I also am loving the communication on instagram – My follower count isn’t high but I like that you all interact with me on there! @intentforcontent

Intent For Content

Across the Ocean

29th Sep 201929th Sep 2019Travel, Places & Lifestyle2 Comments

In June my best friend and I decided to book a trip across the ocean. We wanted to relax by a pool with the sweltering but beautiful heat hitting our skin turning our milk bottle complexions into pretty olive skin. We wanted to eat and drink and visit the seaside and be happy and at peace from reality for the week. And we did. Turkey was the most incredible holiday ever. I am so glad we booked to go, I wish we had made the decision to stay longer because I could’ve been there for weeks let alone 7 days…which in reality is 5 days due to travelling across the ocean and onto roads whilst catching up on the time difference and tanning routine.

When we arrived in Alanya Turkey we instantly felt the heat hit our faces. Obviously English weather is a tad bit different because it is either raining, freezing cold or we have had a couple days of dry weather, so we were in tracksuits equipped to walk the English streets, not the Turkish ones haha. After the boring bits were completed like passport control (which for anyone wondering about Turkey, you have to purchase a visa to enter the country beforehand online), and our airport transfer. We arrived at side crown sunshine.

The hotel was amazing, it was beautifully lit and had a bar, water fountain and indoor and outdoor seating areas. It was dark when we got there so we looked out from the balcony and saw the pool lit up and the sun loungers just waiting for us. Dinner was being served in the all inclusive resorts resturant, we realised it was mostly German and Polish orientated food…apart from the baclava (my FAV dessert) which I filled up on immediatley.

***The resort at night time when standing by the pool***

We spent the rest of the week sunbathing, laughing, mucking around, watching the shows in the evenings, eating and sleeping. Much to the Germans delight, who didn’t take a shining to us as the only English people there. That was the only negative I would say about the holiday. The resort was dominated by those whom had come from Germany, they would stare at us both and judge our every move. One night a woman physically moved away from us in disgust. It was quite confusing as I always treat everybody the way I like to be treated; I always smile, hold doors open, say please and thank you and help when help is needed. So I was quite shocked to be judged in that kind of way.

However, we didn’t let it affect us to the point where it ruined our holiday. We still had the best time and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Side Crown Sunshine in Alanya served us well…me a little too well as I try to burn off the pancakes, ice cream, turkish rice and baclava now I am back in the U.K….

My favourite parts of the holiday were definitley watching the shows in the evening whilst drinking vodka lemon and when we went to the beach during the day. My mum always did call me a water baby and I have always loved the sea…especially when it is super choppy with waves as you can have more fun diving into them or trying to avoid them. I also loved the fact that I was stress free and completley confident for the week I was out there. Maybe it was because no one there knew me so it helped.

**Trying to master balancing and breathing in on the wall outside our room – a talent for the CV in my opinion haha.**

I was truly content in Turkey. It was the perfect way to book end the summer season before I began at university…and make some memories I will always remember.

Intent For Content

Contentment

31st Aug 2019A Personal PerspectiveLeave a Comment

My views on contentment have completley changed these past few months. I feel like without realising I was searching for someone to feel whole. However , I have learnt that you don’t need somebody to feel whole or content…

I hadn’t really taken a step back to look at how my life was because I was engulfed in a routine of not being alone, spending time alone or thinking alone. That was the routine I thought I liked or the one I was forced into. But life for me isn’t like that now.

I have fallen in love with my own routine and my own life all over again. I love snuggling up at night by myself and watching tv before I go to bed in my own bedroom, with my own thoughts. I love going to the gym alone and swimming or sitting in the steam room alone. I love the fact that I have my independance back as it was stolen from me and replaced was a shell of the woman I am now. I was being supressed which in exchange made me depressed . I had no plans for my future however now I know I have a future. I am strong and resilient and kind to others and myself…I am so glad that I am back…

Extracting the bad out of your life is a huge step towards contentment and learning that contentment is found within yourself is another point to remember. Don’t get me wrong I love the people I have surrounding me, because they are the right people, they can make me laugh and smile and take any pressure I might be feeling away. They are kind and helpful and provide me with a metaphorical place I can call home. They contribute to my contentment inside and out and I am grateful they exist.

When it boils down to it…at the end of the day, you are you and always will be so it is important to find contentment your own way…

Lots of love

Intent for content x

Weightloss

7th Aug 201930th Aug 2019Travel, Places & Lifestyle3 Comments

Have you ever felt pressured to lose weight? Ever been on a massive 7 day binge, eating anything and everything that falls on your pathway…or maybe felt like you need to lose 5 pounds before you agree to a date with that girl or guy? Whatever it is I understand. I have been there and still go back there. Sometimes the easier option is to swing into mcdonalds or eat copious amounts of french stick with butter…yum!

Now, a bit about me and how my journey became my journey!…

I have always struggled with my size from a young age, I never really knew when to say no to food or what was good for me and what wasn’t. However, I was active and did things such as bike riding, horse riding, swimming and always got dragged on bloody 10 mile dog walks with my mum…much to a younger girls delight!

My severe weight gain came when I was diagnosed with glandular fever. I had it very badly and couldn’t even find the energy to get out of bed some days because my body felt so weak that it was a challenging task. The tonsilitis was probably the worst part…as well as catching any germ that surfaced itself, as it would completely wipe my body out to unbearable extents. This is where the weight began to pile on badly. Where I wasn’t exercising and was constantly cooped up in doors…like a chicken in its hutch at night time, I filled a void with food. I didn’t have many friends during my time with glandular fever as they were all at school socialising, so I felt very much alone… which was also a contributing factor to gaining weight, as cheesy pasta became my best friend. The photo to the left of this paragraphs shows me at a whopping 17 stone which converted is 107 kg and 238 pounds. I was only 15 years old. This was an extremely bad weight to be at, especially at such a young age.

When it was time for me to ease back into school as my glandular fever was becoming weaker and my immune system was becoming stronger, I clung to food. It was my soul comfort when dealing with the anxieties of seeing everyone in my classes and wondering what everyone was thinking about when they saw I had grown a double chin and had a metaphorical tyre hanging off my stomach. I ate and ate and ate…junk food, pots of nutella, kinder bueno bars, crisps, burgers…everything. The worst part was I couldn’t stop and was using the now residing glandular fever as an excuse.

However, one day it clicked for me. I remember that day clearly at school. I could see my cellulite covered legs moving as I walked, showing clearly through my opaque school tights. I felt aware of the fat roll on my stomach as I sat down on my chair in citizenship studies…I grabbed my scarf and tried to hide my tummy with it…like that was going to make me 4 stone lighter. When I got home from school that day and walked up my stairs, I got out of breath, the feeling of breathlessness after walking up 12 steps was the tip of the iceburg for me. I knew then and there that I could not under any circumstances live my life like this. From that day then it all changed…

I put myself in an immediate calorie defecit. I went from consuming roughly 10,000 calories in fat and sugar to consuming 1500 calories in protein. I signed up for a gym membership and got myself down the gym 5 times a week after my school day had finished. I aimed to burn 300-500 calories a day whether that was on the cross trainer, bike or rowing machine. That was my goal. I achieved that goal and since then I haven’t gone back to my past.

Don’t get me wrong I do fall off the healthy band wagon, but that’s because i’m human and I am allowed to have good days and bad days. But my behaviour changes when I don’t eat properly or drink enough water or exercise. I feel lethargic and down and get bad headaches from consuming the junk food. So when I fall off, I always remember to get back on….

I hope you enjoyed reading

Intent For Content

Beauty

30th Jan 201930th Aug 2019A Personal PerspectiveLeave a Comment

How do you describe something that is beautiful? What would you say beauty is?

Is it a smile a heartbeat, laughter, food, alcohol, objects or animals…or is it everything?

Googles definition of beauty is “a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.”

I have been pondering the definition of beauty for a while now. Especially others opinions and descriptions of it. There is so much stigma around the persona of beauty, which is enhanced by social media. It makes me wonder about the younger generation and what they are growing up amongst. As an almost nineteen year old I have seen what the word beauty can do and trying to live up to someone else’s vision of beauty…no wonder the percentage of cosmetic procedures have gone up these past couple years with breast augumentation surgey rising upwards by 12%. Sometimes I think it is sad that people want to change what they were blessed with.

I spose when I am asked what beauty is I would of suggested another woman because of what I have processed from the use of social media. However, I now believe beauty can be seen in everything and everyone. If I could people at age sixteen to eighteen I would tell them to love themself and everything…

Intent For Content

I want to be more interactive on social media and post more about self confidence…

Instagram: @intentforcontent

Twitter: @intent4content

Lanzarote Living

26th Jan 201930th Aug 2019Travel, Places & Lifestyle3 Comments

Playa blanca beach was where you would find me if you lost me whilst on holdiay. I loved it there. We loved it there.

It delivered a feeling of home comfort whilst abroad, because everything was rather English orientated, however, you knew you were away because the glorious sun would be bouncing off of your white, suncream coated forehead…Because us brits are always petrified of burning when abroad.

The best feeling was waking up in a cool, air conditioned villa and sliding the doors to a gush of warm air…ahh I miss that in these igloo temperatures. I would get a bowl of watermelon (because watermelon is one billion times nicer in a foreign country) and lie on a sunlounger until it got so hot that I would need to pad quickly to the swimming pool, or if I was at the beach the sea, to prevent severe non womanly sweating from extreme heat.

Minutes would turn to hours of relaxation whilst the sun rotated around us, changing colour or disappearing for a second as clouds covered it like a big blanket made out of water vapour. As the glowing ball of happiness calmed down in the sky, we would change out of our soggy swimsuits and head for dinner. There was only ever one thing had on the menu. A massive bullchop steak. You would pay so little for so much meat and love it every time…definitley worth the euros. After filling up on half a cow and creamy mashed potatoes with a tiny serving of vegetables, we would plod to the market stools…

I loved doing this merely because as a girl I love to be nosey and to shop…both qualities go hand in hand with eachother when away on holiday. Something even better than that was seeing the sun tucking itself away for the night and leaving the most beautiful deep orange and purple glow behind, as the town would be lit from lanterns, street lights and candles. It would mesmerise me everytime just because you don’t get to witness such scenery back in England. Something quite special really. After a browse around the quirky stools and a quick aloe vera drink – these are the best if you ever go away and see them! – we would head back to the villa to sit in the hot tub and chat about life until our beds were all we wanted.

As the sunshine tucked itself away in the mountains…we walked. x

I padded to the pools edge with my massive bowl of watermelon, refusing to budge an inch. x

Ahhh the gorgeous playa blanca seafront…where all means of tanning, burning and eating would take place. x

The bullchop steak/cow…im full just looking at this photo. x

Hope you enjoyed reading… would you like to see more stories, memories or maybe me mixing it up a bit with photos and products? let me know.

Intent For Content

Chained Pathways

25th Jan 201930th Aug 2019A Personal Perspective4 Comments

Now. I know it has been a while. I suppose I became uninspired for a while…which is completley normal when you are going through some difficulty on the interior and exterior of your life. You morphe into a completley different person when times get difficult. It is almost as if your soul has left your body and is waiting to come back when you feel like smiling again. As long as we remember that our soul is going to come back, everything will be okay.

I reached a halt at multiple pathways. I was confused about the pathway I was walking down, where I was headed, who I was headed with and what I was doing in life. I still do get confused, however, I somewhat feel as if I am healing…I am making decisions to create a better me, I am following my heart, what makes me excited, what brings out my big beautiful grin that got lost in these pathways last year.

I am unchaining the lines in my palms and the nail which was placed in my heart. I feel content, happy, relieved…

As I type I remember how happy this blog makes me. It was something I lost direction of.

Hope you are all well

Thank you for reading…I am back

Intent For Content