Live a Healthier Life

May-06-2021

It’s been a long 13 months of lockdown comfort eating and gym restrictions, but for most of the UK and Ireland now we’re starting to see those restrictions ease, and we’re hearing that people are looking to get back into shape for the summer! 
While you may be raring to go on your fitness journey, it’s important to remember that slow and steady wins the race. Diving straight in at the deep-end could do more harm than good, not only for your body physically but also for your confidence – there’s nothing worse than trying to run a mile, getting halfway through, feeling that it’s too painful or difficult, and giving up before you’ve even really begun. 
That’s why our blog today is all about those small steps you can take to get started and fit your fitness in wherever you can! 

How much exercise do I need?

According to the NHS, you want to hit a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. This can be spread across the week in little pockets of time if you need to, although you’ll see more benefits if you can block out regular longer sessions (20-30 minutes at a time). The NHS also recommends that we do two strength training sessions per week – there’s no time requirement for this, though as a guide a strength training session may take around 20 minutes. 
The best part: any kind of activity you enjoy is good for you, so long as it elevates your heart rate and gets you a little out of breath. If you hate running, try dancing. If you hate yoga, try tennis. There’s so much to try!

Start small

If you’re just starting out (or starting back up after a long break) nobody’s expecting you to run a 10K straight off the mark! Fitness is a game of endurance and building stamina overtime, so it’s okay to start with what you can manage and work your way up. 
If you’re totally new to fitness, why not try walking before you can run? Getting out for half an hour’s brisk walk a day is so underestimated, but it can really ramp up your fitness, to the point where eventually even walking very quickly won’t leave you out of breath anymore. That’s how you know you can progress to jogging, running and so on.

Get lifting

People can sometimes forget that strength training forms an incredibly important part of fitness. Women in particular might avoid it for fear of ‘bulking up’, but that’s actually very difficult to achieve, so don’t worrying about  that unless it’s the look you’re striving for (in which case you’ll need a more detailed, intensive plan to follow). Instead, strength training and flexibility exercises will help you to build your muscles and result in a firmer, more toned appearance, as well as improving your balance and reducing joint pain. You don’t even need fancy equipment to get started – if you don’t want to pay out for a gym membership or your own dumbbells, you can use your own body weight for most exercises. We’ve even got some ideas for you on our video playlist here.  

Sort your schedule

We know that life can be hectic. Between work, side hustles, families to take care of, a social life to manage and the desire to sit down to binge the latest Netflix show, it can be difficult to figure out where to fit your exercise in.
The good news is this: you can fit your 150 minutes in any way that you choose.
There are more benefits to doing a longer session all at once (say 20-30 minutes per day), but if you have to squeeze in ten minutes between the school run and starting work, or even 5 minutes while the kettle boils, you’re still doing your body a world of good!
Try these hacks to bulk up your daily activity: 

• Go for a walk on your lunch break
• Walk to the supermarket instead of driving
• Use an exercise bike or do some squats while watching your favourite TV show
• Schedule in 15 minutes a day of active play with the kids
• Wake up 20 minutes earlier than your family to fit in a short yoga session
• If you have a job that requires you to be on the phone a lot, stand up and walk around while you’re chatting away!
• Got housework to do? Turn it into a workout! Blast the music and work up a sweat while you scrub away!

Fuel up properly

Exercise is only one part of the equation. We all know that nutrition plays a key role, too, not only in making you feel well generally, but also in helping to fuel you through your workouts. Ensure you’re eating a well-balanced diet which includes 50% fruit or veggies, 25% protein and 25% carbohydrates on each plate, and a roughly 80/20 split of healthy foods and your favourites (because allowing yourself to eat everything in moderation will keep you from going crazy!). 
You can also try Forever Lite Ultra, a nutritious protein shake, ideal for breakfast or as a workout snack. This versatile product can be used if you’re watching your calorie intake, or as a filling protein snack if you’re trying to gain weight, as it contains 24g protein per serving. You can even add different fruits or veggies to it to mix up the flavour and consume a full range of nutrients easily.
So those are some useful tips on how to get started on a fitness journey! Let us know in the comments how you plan to start yours!

April-30-2021

As spring has arrived and the summer months are fast approaching, it’s time for a little extra care for our skin. Forever Living offers two skincare ranges and an additional skincare line which sits between the ranges to complement them. The Sonya Daily Skincare System is geared toward those with oily skin, which can feel sticky and prone to be troubled, or for those with combination skin which can fluctuate between oily, dry and normal. Infinite by Forever Advanced Skincare System is for those with dry skin, which can feel tight, course or flaky, and/or maturing skin that may show signs of ageing, like fine lines and wrinkles. 
The Targeted line is strategically placed to sit in between Forever’s two skincare collections. Each Targeted product addresses different skin concerns and preferences, so you can find something that is suitable to your individual needs in your skincare routine.   
It’s encouraged to have a consistent skincare routine, and that could include either Infinite or Sonya, but for adding ‘a little extra’, include one or more of the Targeted products. Here’s how they all work. 

Balancing Toner 

Adding Balancing Toner to your skincare routine helps to remove excess dirt and minimise the appearance of pores. Containing sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid), with added seaweed extract, these ingredients are a powerful combination that moisturise and hydrate the skin, revealing a youthful-looking complexion.     
It contains cucumber extract, which have lignans, that helps support the absorption of nutrients, as well as helping the appearance of puffiness and the skin’s texture as it soothes. The white tea extract works with the high concentration of aloe to assist your skin’s pH balance. Use this toner after you cleanse for added moisture and to assist removing unwanted dirt and oils. Paired with cotton wool, you don’t need to rinse after use. I use this especially after a day where I am wearing SPF.  

Awaking Eye Cream 

Awakening Eye Cream smooths and firms the delicate eye area so that the eyes appear rested, alert and rejuvenated. Patented ingredients with peptide technology encourage the production of healthy collagen, which helps to improve skin smoothness while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Awaking Eye Cream is dual function and targets the upper eyelid and the delicate skin around the eye to visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles. Use with your Forever moisturiser as part of your skincare routine or as needed. Personally, I love this in the summer months when my eyes are a little puffy. 

Smoothing Exfoliator 

Instead of using harsh chemicals or artificial micro beads that harm the environment or sharp fragments that harm the skin, the Smoothing Exfoliator uses natural Jojoba beads and sustainably sourced Korean bamboo powder. These ingredients improve the appearance of tone and texture by removing dead skin without stressing or scratching newer skin underneath. Bromelain extract (pineapple) helps lift dead skin while lemon essential oil is a fantastic moisturiser that hydrates to help the skin feel renewed. Remember, exfoliated skin can better absorb key ingredients when additional topical products are later applied. Regular exfoliation paves the way for other products to perform as it removes the barrier of dead skin cells but it’s recommended only 2-3 times a week in a skincare routine. With men, it can be used daily to help promote a closer shave. I also like to use this as a foot scrub or even before doing a fake tan.  

Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask 

The award-winning Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask is a super-hydrating formula which combines the power of aloe with seagrass, horse chestnut, green tea extract and coconut. Cooling and calming, it reduces the appearance of redness as it soothes the skin. 
The fibres in this mask are 1000x thinner than human hair and are moisture retentive, allowing the mask to fit tightly to the contours of your face and reach fine lines and wrinkles more effectively.  
Every part of the premium mask is 100% compostable, and it is compatible with all skin types. On a warm day, put it in the fridge prior to application for a refreshing effect. It’s a family favourite in our household: both my teenagers and my husband love to wear this during a movie night.  

Aloe Activator 

Aloe Activator is a unique moisturising liquid featuring over 98% aloe vera gel. The other added ingredient is allantoin, which is comfrey plant extract that helps to gently soften and smooth skin. The very high concentration of aloe makes Aloe Activator an ideal addition to any skincare routine that soothes troubled skin and gives an extra boost. Also, combined in a 50/50 ration with the mask powder, it makes an excellent hydrating yet cleansing facial mask. I have this as a ‘go to’ nourishing treat in my skincare routine.  

Hydrating Serum 

Forever’s award-winning Hydrating Serum boosts hydration with FOUR types of hyaluronic acid which help to seal moisture in and take hydration to deeper layers in the skin. It helps to shield against environmental stressors and absorbs quickly into the skin with plant fatty acids such as olive oil, shea butter and coconut. Amazing botanicals such as snow mushroom and tamarind assist in extra hydration and protection. Apply after cleansing but before your favourite Forever moisturiser to boost its efficacy. You can even use it prior to applying make-up or sun cream later in the day. I use this with the Infinite Firming Serum before adding Infinite Restoring Crème when my upper cheeks feel dry.  
Forever’s Targeted line provides those extra products suitable to your customers bespoke needs and preferences. They are also amazing stand-alone gifts that would introduce individuals to the Forever skincare line.  

April-29-2021

From Forever Aloe Vera Gels to Forever Bee Honey, you’re probably familiar by now with the range of consumable products that Forever stocks, each with their own individual health benefits. But have you ever stopped to consider all the possible ways to use them?
We’ve started to create monthly Flavours of Forever and Shake of the Month videos for you, so that you can experience the true power of aloe in a variety of different recipes. These recipes are perfect whether you want to enjoy a healthful snack for yourself or want to introduce others to products in the Forever line up! 
Watch Amelia talk you through our recipes for April, which feature a delicious chocolate protein snack and a fresh, green shake. 
Flavours of Forever: Chocolate Protein Balls

1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup natural peanut butter (100% peanuts, no additives)
¼ cup of Forever Bee Honey
2 scoops of Forever Lite Ultra Chocolate
2 tablespoons of chocolate chips
All you need to do it place the oats, peanut butter, Forever Bee Honey, Forever Lite Ultra and chocolate chips into a large bowl and stir to combine.
Once you’ve combined the mixture, use a spoon to scoop out similar sizes of the mixture. Use your hands to roll them into a nice ball shape and lay them into a container.
They’re fine to eat like this, or if you want them a little firmer you can pop them in the fridge before you eat them.
 Shake of the Month: Spring Greens

1 scoop Forever Lite Ultra
300ml almond milk
2 handfuls spinach
Handful chopped cucumber
½ banana
Handful chopped celery
Pinch of grated ginger
Dash of lime juice
Pop all the ingredients into a blender and blend until you reach the desired consistency. Cucumber and celery can take a little longer to blend if you want a smooth texture, so just bear that in mind!
Your Spring Greens shake is great to take with you on the go, or you can enjoy it as part of an easy morning at home!
Let us know in the comments if you’ll be giving these a go!