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Seven Little Tips for a Healthier Body and Mind

1. Ditch the sugar - I am a sugar addict, and that's not me just being dramatic. I have now gone a whole week sans the white stuff, and after a pretty horrendous few days of withdrawals I'm now feeling pretty darn good. Ditching the sugar will instantly help assist in the lowering of body fat percentage, will stop those horrible afternoon sugar slump periods and stabilise your mood.


2. Get more sleep - Not only will you feel happier and more refreshed, studies have shown that lack of sleep can actually stifle weight loss by slowing your metabolism down. The more sleep you manage, the more energy you will have to face the day ahead and your mind will be clear to make better informed decisions.

3. Remove negativity - Whether it comes from negative people in your life or from your own mind, negativity is not an ingredient for a healthy and mentally fulfilling life. The less you respond to negative people and situations the more peaceful your life will become. Surround yourself with people that are only going to lift you higher- a negative mind will never lead to a positive life.

4. Don't give up - 'Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying "I will try again tomorrow"'. I know all too well that the journey to both mental and physical health is a hard one, and there are times of plateau where the struggle and effort you are putting in doesn't seem to equate to the results coming out. If you ever find yourself close to giving up, take a moment to remind yourself why you started the journey in the first place.

5. Plan meals - When you're busy this is so vitally important. This is something that I have only recently started doing, but the difference it has made in my diet is amazing. When I had a day jam packed full of lectures and meetings I had a bad habit of skipping lunch and instead would reach for a suggary pick me up (or twelve). Now I always know everything that I am going to eat that day, and by removing the temptation it is much easier to stay on track.

6. Be honest - Remember that you're only cheating yourself. You are doing this for yourself and no one else so denying failure and slip ups will only hinder your progress. We all have blips, the best thing to do when these happen is to face it and move forwards learning from your mistakes. 

7. Ditch social media - Social media sites are full of people projecting the most 'perfect' version of themselves they can be. The negativity starts because you are constantly comparing yourself to other people without being aware of their full story. I read a quotation recently that really stuck in my mind; 'The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our 'behind-the-scenes' with everyone else's highlight reel'. The only person you should ever compare yourself to is the person you used to be.  
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62 comments

  1. I love this! It'll definitely help me!

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  2. I loved reading this, so insightful. Im a sugar and caffeine monster; both together = not a good mood if i can thave them so this one will have to stick the same.

    Planning your meals is important as you say, it also takes away the stress of thinking what to eat and it saves money and time :)

    http://leannewinters.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. thank you! i found it so so hard to give up sugar but it was definitely worth it!xx

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  3. Planning meals has changed my life !! my skin is looking better. I will never eat another packet of noodles. And I agree with you on social media

    http://www.cocotulips.com/

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  4. Love this!! :)
    www.roxancolex.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. Great post. Love your tips, they are so helpful! I am a sugar addict too, it is so hard to give up sweets - I am trying though! :)

    Jana
    Life of Jana

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  6. This was such a lovely post, really enjoyed reading it. I don't know how you survive without sugar! I guess it'll be good for me...

    Karis Xx
    karisatkinson.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. Good job on cutting sugar out of you diet! I used to be a huge sugar addict and quitting made such a big difference - both mentally and physically!

    COOCOO FOR COCO

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    1. thank you! it was so hard but so worth it! xx

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  8. Your posts keep on getting better and better. Love them , i would love if you could comment back :* thank you so much and have a lovely day x

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  9. I totally agree with your social media point! Love this post, such a great idea!

    Abbey x | www.absie.co.uk

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  10. Water and Peppermint Tea has been my saviour :)
    Anjna Harish

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  11. I am soo trying to stay healthy but is just impossible with the lifestyle I have! I am slowly getting there! Thank you for the post I will definitely use the tips!
    all best,
    www.yayinteriors.co.uk

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    1. It was the same for me, i realised making small changes just wasn't working and id have to do all or nothing and completely change my lifestyle xx

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  12. the first point is the most important to me now, i'm literally struggling with myself & my sugar addiction. important & helpful tips! x
    marinasirmais

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    1. aww i really hope you manage to crack it xx

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  13. Such a nice post I need to try ditching the sugar!xx

    https://thenewbieof94.wordpress.com

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  14. Would love to hear more about how you managed to ditch the sugar Amy. At the moment I can't go a day without a sugary treat and most days ill have 3/4 bags of chocolate/sweets! I've been trying to stop this for longer than I want to admit but find it such a struggle. It's really started to affect both my physical and mental health and most days I lack the energy and motivation to get things done. Congrats on going a whole week without, that's a great achievement! x

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    1. im thinking of writing a whole blog post on it since so many people have asked so keep checking back and i will publish it soon! i was the exact same, i would completely replace meals with sugar and was 100% dependent on it. i really hope you can crack it too xxx

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  15. I really needed to read this today, I'm going through a weird stage in my life the last two months and any healthy eating resolution has gone out of the window. Coupled with hormones as well I'm eating a ridiculous amount of chocolate and cake and I'm so miserable with the changes this has made to my body but I struggle so much with the motivation to make changes and get back in the gym etc. This has helped me loads though <3 xo

    LJLV | UK Personal Style

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    1. I know that feeling all too well! it can be so hard to dig deep and find that motivation we need sometimes! xxx

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  16. Wonderful post, some really great tips here :-)

    Kate x
    www.theoriestosuitfacts.blogspot.co.uk

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  17. Removing negative thinking is a massive one. So hard to do too. Realising that we don't have to interact with these thoughts and just letting them pass on by helps.

    I really need to meal plan too!

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    1. it is really hard but it can lead to so much more happiness xx

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  18. I loved the post and couldn't agree more with you! Think I need to try and ditch the sugar for a week, will be hard but I want to try!

    http://lux-rose.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. you should give it a go! it really was hard but im still going strong! xx

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  19. I love the 'ditching social media' that definitely lowers your self esteem! Drinking water also fuels your body and its a detox in itself! xxx

    http://lilliemysel.blogspot.com

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    1. drinking more water is definitely something that i need to do! xx

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  20. Love this! I'm already semi-meal planning and trying to be more positive with a gratitude journal. I definitely need to work on the sugar though.
    Lovely post :)
    Blue Valentine Vintage 

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    1. thanks lovely! aw a gratitude journal sounds amazing xx

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  21. I love the photos! Social media is a good point to make, its literally just setting yourself up to fail, as unless you use those 'perfect' figures as inspiration then you just start comparing yourself. Great post!
    Paige x

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  22. I've just read this after eating about ten million biscuits, but I love this post :) I want to try and get healthier and I went through a phase where I was on a roll with my exercising and eating healthy then it just kind of stopped, but this has made me feel motivated again. I am the same with sugar though, I really need to cut down!x
    Libby-Jade

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    1. haha oh we all have those days! i hope you refind your motivation xx

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  23. I need to take this advice on so badly! I'm definitely a sugar addict... I can't go one day without it!!! Great post. Will add to my favourites on bloglovin' as some motivation!
    Paige x
    www.herandthehighstreet.com

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    1. thanks lovely, i really hope it helps you xx

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  24. Hi Amy,
    I love your blog, it is so inspiring and just brings me joy to read! I nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! I hope to see your repsonse, the rules and such are here:
    http://growingtoindependence.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/sisterhood-of-world-bloggers-award.html
    Thank you!
    Tikiah
    Xx

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  25. Letting go of the negative people in your life is an instant mood booster! ^ ^

    www.thedailydollyblog.com

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  26. This post is beautiful! I always enjoy reading your posts. I don't know if I can give up chocolate just yet though - I'm addicted.

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  27. Such great tips. I ditched sugary snacks and unhealthy food (although I had sugary cereal in the morning) and I feel so amazing now. I feel so much less sluggish! I need to try ditch social media for a few days though. It's so nice being on holiday with no wifi and not using a phone! xx

    Jessie ♥ allthingsbeautiful-x

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  28. Very good advice to share with others, Amy. Being true to yourself and having confidence are the best things for happiness.

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  29. Love this! Sugar really is the root of all evil - I love it so much but my skin couldn't hate it more! Beaut photos too :) x

    http://www.kirstiepickering.com/

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  30. Lovely post! Some great tips, ditching the sugar is definitely my downfall but I'm getting there :)

    www.lifeaslissy.com

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