2018 has to be by far one of the most challenging yet rewarding years in my life. I’ve grown in so many ways, I’ve learned a lot and have definitely faced some hardships whilst enjoying the endeavours of university. With 2019 just a few days away, I wanted to look at my year in review and reflect on the lessons i’ve learned.

I’m going to be honest with you, if you told me in Grade 12 that i’d be in university studying Sports Science I probably would have laughed at you, but life is full of surprises and here I am, 21 years old and I have just finished my first academic year. I’ve learned a great deal of lessons and allowed myself to be open to new ideas and opinions, 16 year old Jeanna would be proud. I low key wish that my younger self knew the things I know now, isn’t that always the case? It’s also partly the reason i’m writing this – for those people who feel lost, unsure and hopeful but also to look back at the successes of this year before celebrating the new year. Here are 12 things I’ve learned in 12 months.

You’re never too old to follow your dreams.

There are countless articles on how people followed their dreams and became successful in the late stages of their life. I know there is this stigma surrounding what age its deemed unacceptable to go to university but honestly, its a load of bull. You live and you learn, I didn’t know Sport Science was even a thing until last year and that’s what made me apply. Yes, I was frightened because I wasn’t fresh out of school but honestly – as soon as you meet people and start gaining some real friends, no one even looks at your age and more often then not people are more likely to be older than younger. If you want to do it, DO IT!

Not everyone has the same heart as you.

This was a tough pill to swallow but a necessary one. This year showed me that if people wanted to make an effort, they would and that no response is a response. Sometimes people don’t have the same morals or respect for you as you do for them but the way you react to them shows your character more than theirs. I have been heavily disappointed by people I thought i’d be friends with forever but it’s important to remember that those who really care, won’t do that to you!

Everything happens for a reason.

As cliche as this sounds, it really is a way of life. I’m a firm believer in things happening exactly the way they are supposed to even when they didn’t go the way you wanted them too. It’s taken me a long time to teach myself not to get upset over situations I cannot control and to make the most of the turn of events. Once you learn how to enjoy every moment, to the fullest as difficult as it may be sometimes – you’ll live a happier, healthier and richer life (figuratively and literally, I hope)

Celebrate the small victories.

Too often I see people frowning for not getting a better mark than what they had expected or for feeling bad for the things they have achieved, it shouldn’t be like that. It’s important to celebrate the small victories, it those that lead you to the big ones. If you got that job promotion or got that distinction, own it. Don’t feel bad because you’re worried of making others upset, you deserve good things just as much as they do. With that said, learn to give yourself and others credit when it is due!

Everything you need to know is inside your head.

This may not be a lesson I’ve learned but it’s a quote that my sister told me right before I wrote a test that I was extremely nervous for. I have passed it onto every friend, acquaintance and animal. I never thought of it then, and although it may be specifically uni related but when you are nervous for a test or even a big job presentation – whatever it may be and i’m talking moments before when the studying is done and you are waiting in line to go and write/present – this is a very true sentiment to go by. This quote is very simple in it’s manner but the meaning it holds is great. When you have spent so much time and effort on studying for a specific test it’s easy to doubt yourself and make yourself believe that you could have studied more or started studying earlier but in all honesty, there is no use worrying about what you can’t change in that moment. You just have to remind yourself that everything you need to know is inside your head and that you got this!

There are bigger things in life.

This is something that i’ve always known but haven’t practiced all too often. Recently life has shown me how quickly things can turn, how fast something unpleasant can happen and how it’s not worth letting the small things get to you. As cliche as it is, cherish every moment as if it were the last. We all experience things in life differently and no one ever experiences the exact same pain but we need to learn that sometimes it’s not worth getting upset over someone not putting the dishes in the dishwasher or packing the milk away once it’s been used. Life is a beautiful thing and we are so lucky with the fact that we have the opportunity to spend it with those who we love, we gotta make it count! Every single passing second!

Everything is temporary.

There were many times throughout the year where I felt as though the whole universe and everyone inside it was against me, where everything seemed to be going wrong all at once and no one was there besides myself to put it all back together but sitting here, at my desk with a hot cuppa and my cuddle bug of a cat next to me, makes me thankful for those difficult times. It taught me how to be patient, how to be kind to myself and I realised how those feelings, that I thought were never going to go away were only temporary and better things did come from it. It’s important to persevere during those difficult times and have faith that something better is around the corner, because it is you just have to remember to push yourself to get there.

There is so much to be thankful for.

An important thing for me that has helped me get through a lot over the past few weeks is that there is strength in family. I am ever so grateful for my family, if it weren’t for each and every one of them I have no idea where I would be now. When they offer their advice even when I really don’t want to hear it, i’ve learned to listen and absorb what they’re saying and i’m so thankful for that. Life is really a wonderful thing and I have so much to be thankful for besides my family. My friends, my boyfriend that offer me so much support and love, a safe place to live and definitely my animals. I really am a lucky girl.

I am not indestructible.

As much as i’d like to make myself believe I am, i’m not and that’s okay. This is something I often struggle with, I give myself so much to do in a short space of time and when I can’t accomplish it all within a ridiculous amount of hours, I become disappointed with myself. This is something that i’ve started coming to terms with, that i’m not invincible and that I do need 8 hours of sleep and to look after myself frequently. Although it’s something i’ve already started working on, it’s definitely one of my new year resolutions.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New year! x

Buying gifts for a fitness enthusiast can be quite a daunting task, especially because when someone that is into being fit and healthy wants something, they usually know exactly what they want. However, I have put together an array of 2018’s most favourable and popular fitness items for a fit girl (and maybe also hinting ;)) 

Accessories:

Resistance loops – Sportsmans Warehouse

R389.90

These have to be the biggest ‘craze’ in the fitness industry at the moment, every second fitness video has them in it but theres a reason for that, because they WORK! I know they seem a bit pricey, but honestly any resistance loop set you purchase is going to be but its worth the buck. I own a set from this brand and I absolutely love incorporating the bands into my workouts, whether it be for some activation exercises or throughout the entire workout 

Fitbit Versa – TakeAlot

R3489.00

This is an ultimate spoil but a great investment too. I don’t personally have one of these myself (although it is on my Christmas list!) but I know many people who do and I have only heard great things. It is both android and apple compatible, it does the whole shebang from fitness tracking, monitoring your heart rate, counting your steps to telling you how many hours a night you are in a deep sleep, from the reviews I’ve heard – I definitely want one! 

Foam Roller – TakeAlot

R250.00

Any extreme fitness enthusiast will know the importance of foam rolling, there are endless benefits and it can help relieve muscle pain. Definitely can’t go wrong with one of these! 

Skull Candy wireless earphones – TakeAlot

R499.00

These are a game changer! I didn’t know I needed a pair of these until I got a pair one year. They’re just so effortless, you don’t have to get tangled in chords or figure out how you’re going to listen to music while doing certain exercises and the quality is so great! 

Yoga mat – Superbalist

R239.00

This is a gym bag essential! I know some gyms have these but I always prefer taking my own and I also use it when I stretch at home or do workouts elsewhere. This one is great because its eco-friendly and does the job!

Clothes:

Sports Bra – Cotton On

R150.00

Who doesn’t love a open back sports bra? The colours of this can go with almost anything and will pair so well with a cute top!

Jersey/Top – Cotton On

R150.00

I’m definitely the type of girl who loves open backs and textured fabrics, this will go so effortlessly with many different workout outfits and seems perfect to warm up in!

Active core tights – Cotton On

R349.00

I personally own a pair of these myself and honestly, they’re my favourite pair of workout pants. They pass the pants test and are super comfortable. Black is a colour that can be dressed with all colours and are perfect for indoor and outdoor workouts (you won’t see the dirt). 10/10 recommend! 

Reebok Prime runner sneakers – Superbalist

R849.00

Im a firm believer in spending a bit more money on items that will last a lot longer and will protect your feet whether it be during running or a workout. These are the perfect dusty rose colour and really will go well with many colours. Definitely putting these on my Christmas list. LOVE! Also, whats great about Superbalist is that any order over R350.00 gets free delivery and if its your first purchase on their website, you get a whopping R250.00 off on orders over R600.00, bonus!

Small Metal water bottle – Cotton On

R199.99

This is just cute. It goes perfectly with the theme of summer and fits well into a gym bag, definitely not an item that will get shoved into the back of the kitchen cupboard!

I hope some of these ideas have helped relieve some stress. If you are interested in purchasing any one of these, I have linked them. These are not affiliate links and I have not been asked to do this, with Christmas around the corner I thought it would be nice to give some ideas that can motivate someone for the new year ahead!

2018 has been a year full of growing, learning and helping. We are becoming more aware of our environment and the need to protect it, with the festive season just around the corner and christmas literally almost a month away (where has this year gone?) I thought it’d be a great idea to give some environmentally friendly wrapping ideas.

As we all know, christmas paper isn’t recyclable, and hundreds of thousands land up in our bins and in the landfills every single year. I think it’s important for us to make a conscious effort this year, even if it’s a small one to try and reduce that!

Brown paper bags

I don’t know about you but I have always been one for the more natural, rustic look – depending on the occasion of course but I think this is a perfect idea for those gifts that are a little too big or a little too small to wrap. They are inexpensive and can be dressed up or down for the look you are going for!

Cloth

Is this not so beautiful? This is one I don’t believe many people will think of but I absolutely love the idea of wrapping a gift in a gorgeous type of cloth! This would also be more convenient for those oddly shaped type gifts that are a nightmare to wrap with paper. What is also lovely about this idea is that the cloth can be reused, whether it be to wrap another gift or to be used as something around the house. Definitely a unique way of wrapping a gift. There are many ways to wrap a gift in cloth, you can find tutorials on Youtube and Pinterest.

Brown wrapping paper

This one pretty much speaks for itself! I think this would be a more obvious route for a more environmentally friendly approach to wrapping Christmas gifts. There is just something so pure about wrapping a gift in brown paper and adding some ribbons with leaves from your garden.

Newspaper

Does anyone else’s mom have a cupboard where she stacks newspaper? I swear, we have newspapers sitting there from before I was born! This is the perfect time to make use of all of that newspaper and if you’re like me and have an abundance of newspaper sitting around, its also the most adorable and inexpensive route to go. 

Printable Christmas tags

If you haven’t noticed already, I get all my inspiration from Pinterest. It honestly is the best platform for any and all ideas you have. They also have a huge variety of free printable Christmas cards, you can get them printed and its another way to save money and the environment or you could even make your own, I like to use canva.com when designing my own little things!

I know that having such a minimal look when wrapping gifts isn’t usually tradition but they can be personalised and spruced up in so many ways, from gift tags to ribbon, drawings, leaves, acorns. It really can be so beautiful and just as much fun to do. I hope you are now inspired, like me to be a bit more cautious when deciding on buying wrapping paper. Our environment can’t protect itself, thats why it’s up to us. Tag me on instagram if you decide to try any of these out! 

Have a safe and merry season! 

Disclaimer: The images that have been used in this blog post have been sourced from Pinterest.

If you have been following my blog for a while now you’ll know that I am definitely a routine type of gal, whether it be workout regimes or makeup looks – once I find something I love and it works for me, I stick to it.  

I’ve recently come to love this light everyday combo/look. I didn’t have the best skim growing up as a kid so I love my full coverage foundations and concealers, however if I am just popping out of the house to go for breakfast or going to be out the whole day I don’t necessarily want a heavy face of makeup.

In Cape Town the weather is extremely indecisive if it’s not howling with wind or scorching hot, it’s raining with blue skies (makes no sense right) sometimes we get all four seasons in one day. However, when it’s hot, it is HOT! That’s why I find it so important to find a makeup look that doesn’t make you feel as though your face is melting off!

In this summer makeup look, there is definitely a wide array of products but honestly, it takes minimal effort to whip this look up.

the face

Being on roaccutane for just under a month meant that I wasn’t allowed to spend copious amounts of time in the sun and SPF all day, every day hence for my pasty complexion and the lightest foundation colours ever but i’m embracing it, it’s better for my skin anyway! For foundation i’m using two – Rimmel Match Perfection in the shade 100 ivory (SPF 20) and Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Makeup (SPF 10). This combination is the perfect mix between light and medium coverage. You can build on it if you want too but with it being summer and all, you don’t need to! These foundations not easy to blend and not ‘cakey’ if you will and a subtle yet lovely natural finish.

For concealer I used the photofocus in the shade light ivory, I feel as though this brings the whole face together. I make an upside triangle just under my eyes and then buff it out with the Real Techniques contour brush for a smooth finish and a great coverage! Once that is all buffed out, I pair the concealer with a loose setting powder from Estee Lauder, Lucidity in the shade 01-Transparent. I don’t bake under my eyes but I do like to put it on a little thicker when i’m still busy with the rest.

To add definition to my face I use both a bronzer and a blush. Now I never used to be a blush girl but once you go there I can almost guarantee you’ll never go back! For bronzer I use the Benefit Hoola Bronzer, I absolutely love this colour and the bronzer. It buffs out so gracefully and gives a distinct yet subtle definition to the face depending on how much of a cheek bone you’re going for! Teamed with that I use the Estee Lauder blush in the shade 320 Lover’s Blush. This colour is absolutely gorgeous, I just lightly brush it just above the bronzer and on the apples of the cheek to give it that warm natural look. I’m not the biggest fan of adding a lot of highlight to my looks but a subtle glow is definitely something i’m here for! To finish off the cheeks I used the MAC highlighter lightscapade.

the eyes

This part is pretty straight forward, if i’m doing a completely natural summer look then I go for the light brown Inglot Eyeshadow 337 just in the crease to add some dimension to my eye after I have concealed it like I have done here, but sometimes I do like to warm it up with a burnt orange which is what I put just below the waterline of my eye, this gives it more of a smokey effect without smoking out the full eye. I can’t do my makeup without doing this, I feel as though it finishes the eye look altogether. I love a subtle highlight in the corners of my eye, it adds brightness to the look and the face that’s why I love using this gorgeous rose gold colour from Inglot number 397 and of course, no eye look is completed without mascara, here I used essence get Big! Lashes volume boost. This mascara has to be the best drugstore mascara I have ever used, highly recommend!

the brows

I’m such a fuss pot when I do my brows. They’re so dark and full already that I don’t like to over do it but I have to do something to finish off the face. So I like to just outline my brown and briefly fill then in with the L’oreal Paris Brow Artist Genius.

the lips

I’m a bit fussy when it comes to lips, not sure why I just don’t think there are many great nudes that I like on myself – however, this lip combination is something I’ve been using for ages and love! For liner I use the NYX lip liner SPL 810 and for the gloss I use NYX in the shade Natural.

Just because this look is said to be an everyday makeup look it can easily be transformed into an evening look just by adding some shimmer onto the lid of the eye and some false eyelashes and a darker lip! 

I know this post is something a little different but I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it and taking the photos! 

The last month of the year is here! I don’t know about you but this year has felt like its been three years in one. Its had the most incredible and most difficult moments I have ever endured!

This post is hopefully to inspire those who are trying to make progress, become more fit and healthy whilst also having a good time during the holidays, like myself! I’ve recently been a little out of whack with my fitness regime because I have been busy writing exams. Exam time is a time where I don’t put pressure on myself to exercise daily or to be picky about my eating habits, I eat pasta if I feel like pasta and I workout when I can fit it into my studying schedule. So although I have been working out and eating well majority of the time, it’s time to get myself back into gear and time for a change!

Anyone that knows me knows that I take my health and fitness lifestyle seriously but not to the point where I allow it to dominate and control my life, that’s just not fun. December is a time for giving, indulging and spending time with family and friends.

My goals for the rest of the year are fairly simple; to enjoy myself whilst looking after myself.

I really want to get back into gym, 5 days a week 4 at least and to just be conscious about the food that I am putting in my body with that said, it’s December I don’t believe it’s necessary for you to be overly concerned with the amount of calories that are in certain meals or how long your workouts are. One unhealthy meal really isn’t going to set you down the wrong path, it’s important to enjoy your time with those whose company you enjoy without having to worry about the logistics of every meal or every activity. The new year is coming, it’s okay!

What I do believe isn’t the best idea if you are wanting to change your fitness and health lifestyle this holiday is don’t go overboard in one day. If you know you’re going to go out for dinner and have a good old pasta then try and eat well throughout the day, don’t have pizza for lunch as well. Enjoy everything in moderation, you’ll appreciate it more that way too!

Cape Town is a beautiful place and seeing as though i’m not going away these holidays, I definitely want to become a tourist in my own city. I can’t tell you how many times one of my friends from JHB or Durban tell me they went somewhere in Cape Town and i’m like “oh that sounds so cool, i’ve never been there” meanwhile they’ve been here 11 months and me 21 years, it’s sad really!

Being active is an important part of who I am and my lifestyle, when i’m stuck inside all day I go a little insane so if I don’t get to the gym one day, i’ll go for a walk on the beach or a hike up the mountain.

I feel like most of the posts or things I see on social media around this time puts a lot of pressure on people to live up to certain expectations and to live according to what they see on certain platforms but I want to tell you that it doesn’t have to be like that, you can enjoy yourself this season while making progress in your fitness and health journey just don’t allow yourself to have certain expectations or to make yourself feel bad when you don’t eat as well as you’d hoped one day. Always remember that the sun will rise and you can try again!

Recap of goals for December:

Enjoy yourself

Look after yourself

Eat well

Spend time with those who matter!

Be active

I’ve never done a post like this, I thought it would be interesting for someone who is just starting out their fitness journey and isn’t sure how to plan their workout days.

Essentially it is up to you and your body. I usually go by how my body is feeling, if my legs are still sore from the previous leg workout then I wouldn’t necessarily train them again even if it is my next leg day. Listening to your body is crucial when wanting results.

Before my workouts I always like to do a 5-10 minutes slow warm up, whether it be cycling or an incline on the treadmill just to make sure that my body isn’t cold when I start my workout, then once my workout is finished I do a 10 minute cool down stretch. Stretching is so important when workout out so make sure to always integrate it into your sessions (even though it can be a little tedious sometimes)!

On Monday’s I like to focus on my legs. It’s one of my less favoured areas of my body so I usually put more time and effort into planning and doing those then I would my other days. I train legs twice a week and then usually a full body session at the end of the week depending on how my body is feeling, however Ive recently been enjoying taking Saturday’s and Sunday’s off and using them as rest days.

My workout split at the moment looks a little like this:

Monday – Legs

Tuesday – Back and bis

Wednesday – Chest and tris

Thursday – Shoulders

Friday – Legs

Saturday & Sunday -Rest or Full body

I like integrating back and bis together because you’re essentially using your biceps when you are training back. It just so happens to work out that way depending on the exercises being done but I always do exercises during the workout that focuses mainly the specific areas and then I enjoy integrating supersets for both, back and biceps.

Chest and tris are definitely my least favourite thing to train, but I think it’s important to train weekly especially when trying to keep your body in proportion. A lot of girls think that only boys can train chest because they will get “man boobs” but that’s not the case at all. There are actually a few benefits from training chest, such as improving your posture, making your breasts perkier etc. So don’t neglect your pecs, your future self will thank you for it!

I definitely enjoy getting a little shoulder pump in the gym, it’s not my strongest point but it’s something I enjoy working on and challenging myself so I like to focus mainly on shoulders on a thursday.

As for full body, because it’s weekend and usually getting to the gym is a struggle I like to keep it short and simple and high intensity. If I don’t end up getting to the gym, i’ll opt for a run or a walk on the beach.

I’ll do abs at the end of every workout day that isn’t leg day, just because you need to activate you core a lot of the time when you are doing legs and it’s usually a hardcore session I personally don’t see the need for me to do abs as well but I do love doing 10 minute challenges as a burnout!

Depending on the day and time I go to gym, if it’s too busy for me and there aren’t many machines open for a specific workout I want to do – I would just swop days around to make my life a little easier (TIP: This also helps prevent a little bit of gym anxiety!) This workout split has been working for me and my schedule for the past few months, so hopefully it will inspire you to create a schedule that works well for you and your lifestyle.

If you would be curious to see some of my workouts, please let me know in the comments below or send me a dm on instagram – I would be happy to film some clips!