My Slendertone Abs Journey: Week Four

Day 1 (left) of using the Slendertone System Abs Belt and Day 28 (right)

             Today, I have reached the one-month marker of using the Slendertone System Abs Belt! This will also be my last post charting my abs journey, but that does not now give me an excuse to start slacking. I plan to continue the good work that I have started and will see to it that I stay on track for the next two weeks. That will make for the recommended period of six weeks in total.

             Thank you all for joining me on my abs journey. If you missed weeks one to three, you can find all of those posts located on this page (or at their direct links: Week One, Week Two, Week Three). This past week, I continued to use the belt six days a week, with one rest day. I moved up from program four (Expert) to program five (Pro). The highest intensity level I reached while using program five was 99 (the maximum!) for the left side of my waist and 99 for the right side of my waist (compared to 90, 90 last week). Program six is undeniably a lot stronger than program five and the highest intensity level I have managed so far is 25 for the left side of my waist and 25 for the right side of my waist.

             I am very pleased with my results, especially considering the short duration I have been using the Slendertone System Abs Belt. I revel in pushing my body to its limits and gain immense pleasure from achieving those results. In all of the photos I have presented in my posts, I have not tampered with my stomach area through editing. What you see is what you get and I didn’t suck my stomach in (I promise!) either. Besides, that would be cheating anyway! Scattered throughout this post, I have included several photos to show you different angles of my abs, some with flash and some without. I have always had a love for crop tops, but now I have the perfect excuse to wear them!

             The Slendertone System Abs Belt is not a “miracle” product and nor does it claim to be, but it does add that extra “oomph” to your workout regime. When used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle involving regular exercise and good eating habits, the belt acts as a helping hand. While I was browsing fitness inspiration online, I stumbled across a mantra that particularly caught my eye: You Earn Your Body. Nothing that is worth having comes easily. Your body is a miraculous thing that can be trained, toned, and morphed, but it takes your dedication to get it there. Make something a daily occurrence and eventually it will become a habit. Today is just as good a day to start as any!

It all starts with you, photo courtesy of Pinterest

             You can browse and buy all Slendertone products from their official website here and additionally at Amazon, Argos, Boots, and Littlewoods. The lovely people at Slendertone are offering you a 10 percent discount when you enter the promo code GOLD10 online at the checkout, so get clicking and good luck on your Slendertone journey!

My Slendertone Abs Journey: Week Three

Day 1 (left) of using the Slendertone System Abs Belt and Day 21 (right)

             Three weeks down, one to go; I have almost achieved an entire month of using the Slendertone System Abs Belt! Chart my journey during week one here and week two here, or just scroll down this page! For today’s update, I thought I would inform you that I am still consistently using the belt six days a week, with one rest day. The highest intensity level I have achieved on the belt has bumped up to 90 for the left side of my waist and 90 for the right side of my waist (compared to 70, 70 last week), using program four (Expert).

             Based on the before and after photos above, I feel that I am now starting to gain some definition in my abs, which are steadily becoming more outlined. I have also noticed that my waist looks visually slimmer. Patience is a virtue (one that I do not possess) and following anything through until its completion has very rewarding results! It can be tempting to give up if you’re feeling despondent about a lack of glaringly obvious improvements, but even bodybuilders had to start somewhere!

             It’s important to keep in mind that three months is the minimum amount of time you should give yourself before you start witnessing results. Slendertone recommends four-to-six weeks of consistent use (five or six days a week) for the System Abs Belt. After that, you can drop your sessions down to two or three days a week.

             My trusty workout DVDs are still taking this journey with me and I am continuing to eat healthily, while walking as much as I can, whenever I can! Working out doesn’t have to be a chore. It can actually be enjoyable (Zumba, anyone?)! I’ve found that listening to music that pumps me up throughout the workout is really motivating. Find what works for you, whether that be buying workout gear that makes you feel good (neon colors are so fun!), setting aside a specific time to exercise each day, or even bringing your friends along for the ride.

             There is an actual science behind working out. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, keep feelings of anxiety and depression at bay, boost self-esteem, and improve sleep. It also increases energy levels, which leads to a more productive you! A Nike attitude is essential and one that personally really helps me. If you work out as soon as you get home or as soon as is convenient for you, you’ll feel much better knowing you didn’t put it off. The likelihood of not wanting to rally yourself around later is extremely high, so “just do it!”

 Photo courtesy of Nike

             That’s what’s so good about the Slendertone System Abs Belt as well. You feel like you’ve achieved something after each session, which has a domino effect. You use the belt, which spurs you on to exercise, which makes you want to eat better - all of which aids the toning process. Now, go release some endorphins!

             Join me next week as I mark one month of using the belt in my final progress post. Let’s make it a good one! You can browse and buy all Slendertone products from their official website here and additionally at Amazon, Argos, Boots, and Littlewoods.

My Slendertone Abs Journey: Week Two

Day 1 (left) of using the Slendertone System Abs Belt and Day 14 (right)

             Things are getting pretty serious between my Slendertone System Abs Belt and me. I’m hoping that we’ll make things official in a couple of weeks. Let me not get ahead of myself here though. We’re still in our honeymoon period and today marks our second week anniversary. We have both stuck it out thus far and I have to say that it has been a very healthy and conducive relationship! If you’d like to chart my journey during week one, simply view the post below or find it here.

             I am continuing to use the belt six days a week, with one rest day to allow my muscles to recuperate. I definitely think that my abs are starting to take shape and that my stomach area is becoming leaner. In the before and after photos above, you will see that I am beginning to slowly but surely arrive at visible results. The highest intensity level I have achieved on the belt has bumped up to 70 for the left side of my waist and 70 for the right side of my waist (compared to 50, 50 last week). I have also moved up to program four (Expert) from program three (Advanced), which increases the toning power. Bring it on! 

             Using the belt has slotted into my daily routine nicely and knowing I’ve completed a session for the day also helps me to make healthier eating and lifestyle choices. I walk to and from my university campus (weather permitting) and I am continuing to use the cardio and body sculpting DVDs. I tried out the abs and hips, thighs, & buns workouts for the first time this week, so my yoga mat has been receiving its fair share of attention as well! Pairing the belt with an additional abs workout left me with some muscle soreness the following day, but it was certainly thorough! As I said last week, nothing substitutes good old-fashioned exercise. Remember: don’t just focus on toning one part of your body, or else you’ll end up violating the general principle of a major workout code…

Avoid making a workout no-no and apply this philosophy to all of your body, not just your legs! Photo courtesy of Pinterest

             Well, I’ve reached the halfway point on my abs journey and I look forward to sharing the next two weeks with you! Make sure to check back next Wednesday as I chart week three with the Slendertone System Abs Belt. In terms of progress, there’s only one way to go and that’s up! You can browse and buy all Slendertone products from their official website here and additionally at Amazon, Argos, Boots, and Littlewoods.

A Glowing Review: Vita Liberata’s NKD SKN Medium Tinted Tan Mousse

             Yesterday, January 8, 2015, will forever go down in history as the day that I tried self-tanner for the first time. I gathered all of my materials together, which consisted of the Vita Liberata NKD SKN Medium Tinted Tan Mousse (100ml) and Tanning Mitt. I must admit, I was terrified. I am not naturally tan by any stretch of the imagination. I have a rather fair skin complexion and I was worried that the product’s easy four-step claim to perfect NKD SKN was just another typical marketing ploy. In my mind, I fast-forwarded to a few hours later where I could just imagine myself looking unnaturally bronzed, with the streaks to prove it.

             I have heard some self-tanning horror stories and certainly witnessed enough “orange” skin tones to be warded off trying self-tanner before. However, I am very happy to report that Vita Liberata was the perfect companion on my first self-tanning trial run. It really is as simple as following four steps, which I will show you below. I made a few rookie mistakes, but overall, I emerged from the painless experience pleased with the results and definitely not orange! I used the self-tanner all over my body, except for my face. I wanted to ensure that my foundation still matched my skin tone, but I have no doubt that the end result would have been a radiant touch of color. I chose a jeweled dress with vibrant white, emerald, aquamarine, and teal hues to emphasize the tan. To top it all off, I wore a fluorescent bubblegum pink lipstick, because neon colors complement a golden skin tone. Have a look for yourself…

Before

After

             In the dreary winter weather, our skin could use a pick-me-up. As I was applying the tan mousse, all I could think was how natural and glowing it looked. I would say that this Vita Liberata product is foolproof, because it’s impossible to end up with an undesirable result! I was left with some patchiness, especially in the crease of my elbow and on my feet, but I blame that on my first time self-tanning. Streaks were kept to a minimum however and were relatively easy to fix if I noticed them in time. The medium tint worked wonders on my skin, because it didn’t look fake. It gave the illusion that I had just returned from some hot island destination when, in all honesty, I was in Manchester over the Christmas period. When I say Manchester, I am referring to the northern city that tends to hold a permanent spot on Britain’s Top 10 Wettest Cities List...

Step 1. "Scrub Up! Exfoliate all over, especially around elbows, knees, and ankles." I really like the Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub. The maple scent is heavenly and leaves you with soft, touchable skin. Do not moisturize prior to applying self-tanner.

Step 2. "Mitt Up! It's simple...protect your hands by always using a tanning mitt!" Pump Vita Liberata's  foamy NKD SKN mousse on to the tanning mitt, spread the product evenly on the mitt, and then apply it to your skin in circular motions. Use less product on hands, feet, knees, and elbows, wiping these areas with a damp cloth after application.

Step 3. "Tan Up! Always tan bottom to top - a simple rule so you don't smudge your tan by mistake!"

Step 4. "You've got perfect NKD SKN!" Before using Vita Liberata's NKD SKN Medium Tinted Tan Mousse (left) and After (right)

             Vita Liberata’s philosophy is to provide self-tanning products that are easy to apply, dry instantly, and fade naturally (with a tan that lasts up to seven days). All of the products are odorless and made with natural extracts. I was slightly concerned about whether the self-tanner would stain my clothes, so I aired myself out for 10 minutes, waiting just as impatiently as when I apply nail polish. You saw the white dress that I chose above, but it was left completely stain free, as the mousse does dry instantly on application! That’s a definite benefit to this product, especially if you are in a hurry or need to start getting ready for a night out. That does mean that you need to be quick during the application process however!

             In order to reach the trickier areas of my body, such as my back, and to check the evenness of the color, I enlisted the help of my flatmate. An extra pair of hands should probably be added to the materials list as an essential! All in all, my first self-tanning experience took under an hour to complete and I will definitely be using the Vita Liberata NKD SKN Tinted Tan Mousse again. I've since been reaching in my wardrobe for skirts, dresses, and sleeveless tops. As my flatmate jokingly asked me this morning, "Have you been on a tropical vacation lately, Laura?" In the midst of winter, a tan (even a fake one) is enough to help get you through to the warmer months, where you can start planning your summer holidays and replace the bottle with rays of sunshine. 

Vita Liberata's NKD SKN collection, photo courtesy of Vita Liberata

             I am still very much a self-tanning novice of course. I sit here and Google random and probably pointless things such as, "Can I shower when I have self-tanner on?" and "Can I wear perfume with self-tanner?" The answers are of course yes and yes after you've allowed the product to settle for a day. After that, it's up to you what you do with your tantalizing self and your NKD SKN! 

           
             Get ready for the weekend with luxury tanning brand, Vita Liberata. NKD SKN is their newest collection and includes five products which promise the most natural tan. The products are available exclusively at Superdrug stores and on the NKD SKN website here. Vita Liberata has very kindly offered a 45 percent discount on NKD SKN products if you enter the promo code DREAM45 online at the checkout. The offer expires on February 2nd, so hurry and click your way to skin that looks naturally sun-kissed. We won't tell if you won't! Browse more of Vita Liberata's products here.