Fit Girl Beauty Tips

So I know a lot of people like to go to the gym before they start their day or at the end of it, but I fit my workouts in around my lectures, so often end up going to the gym then heading straight to classes. Therefore I've picked up a few good tips to keep you looking fresh after going all out in the gym.

1. Clear mascara

Sounds kinda retro, but if you really cannot leave the house without make-up, even when going to the gym, clear mascara is a saviour. You can sweat as much as you like and not end up looking like a panda, whilst still maintaining a bit of volume on your lashes.

2. Avoid foundation

If you plan on going to the gym in the middle of your day, avoid heavy foundation in the morning. When you sweat, the pores on your face open up, if you have on a heavy layer of foundation, this will clog your pores and you will end up with spots. Not so nice. Instead, try a BB cream and light concelar.

3. Face wipes

If you don't have time for a proper shower, face wipes are a must. You can get rid of your sweaty look quickly and easily. I really like Johnson's face wipes because they are so moisturising: two in one!

4. Dry Shampoo

Bit of an obvious one, but it's an essential so it needs to be on the list. Sweaty looking hair equals greasy looking hair... Eww. Blast a bit of dry shampoo around fringes, partings and especially your hairline at the back of your neck, for a fresher look instantly. You could also give Dry Conditioner a try, its pretty much the same as dry shampo but it stops hair looking and feeling dry. Perfect partners!

5. Argan Oil

Argan oil is essential for frizzy post-workout hair. It's so nourishing and makes hair appear all shiny and soft. Just apply a penny sized amount through the lengths of your hair and brush through. Nobody will ever know you just came from the gym, you'll look like a shampoo ad!

6. Aussie Miracle Recharge Frizz Remedy

Another great product to combat frizz is this Aussie spray. Its lightweight so won't weigh your hair down but will smooth the cuticle immediately giving you fresher looking hair.

7. Bring snacks!!

I am always hungry after the gym, so I always carry rice cakes or an apple or just some nuts to snack on on my way back to lectures. Trust me, its mortifying when your stomach growls right in the middle of a silent lecture theatre!

I know a lot of these tips may seem obvious, but I see so many girls in the changing rooms trying to fix their mascara which has run down their cheeks or simply dabbing off sweat with toilet roll before heading out again. These few simple products and tips will keep you looking fresh all day without really compromising too much.

Fitness Myths Busted

It is a very real fact that many women who frequent the gym are Cardio Bunnies: they go to the gym and spend an hour on the treadmill or the elliptical. You can actually see this in gyms, the cardio equipment is dominated by females. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this as such, cardiovascular health and stamina are important parts of overall fitness, however many of these women are completely disregarding an essential strand of training: weight lifting. There are so many misconceptions surrounding women and lifting weights and I really do not know why. Hopefully by the end of this article I will have provided you all with some basic knowledge and a bit of confidence to try something new and better your body.

Myth 1: Lifting heavy weights makes women bulky.

I should probably clarify what I mean by 'weight lifting' before I begin. I see women lifting weights in the gym yes, but believe me those 2 kg weights they are using to bicep curl will not be doing very much. I fully appreciate we are all on different levels, but 2 kg is the weight of 2 bags of sugar... Most women can definitely lift heavier than that!

Everybody has to start off somewhere, you should ideally be lifting a weight that you are comfortable with, but you should struggle with it by the last two reps (lifts) of your set (group of reps).

.Many women do not attempt to lift any 'heavy' weights because they fear it will make them bulky and mannish. This is  definitely not the case! This is bar far the biggest fitness myth I can think of and it drives me crazy! Full body weight training will sculpt your body, giving you curves in all the right places. We come in all different shapes and sizes, so results will vary, but it is inescapable that weight training will provide your body with tone and shape far more than cardio alone. Lifting heavier weights will make your muscles stronger, not necessarily bigger. And as you get stronger, you can lift heavier. Eating right and lifting the weights will burn the fat that is hiding those muscles and make your body look toned. You will also be able to open that jar without male help, remember the princess doesn't always need saving!

Also, it is actually physically impossible for women to look 'bulky like men' as we do not naturally have enough testosterone in our bodies to achieve that. What about those female body builders I hear you ask? Well, those women eat, train and take supplements specifically so they can look like that. They have also probably been working towards that goal for years.

Myth 2: Weight training doesn't burn calories.

This is another common misconception of weight training. Many women believe that to lose weight or burn calories they need to do cardio. This is not true. There is no reason you can't be healthy and look great without constant cardio. If you aren't a big fan of cardio and just do it because you think its best, this is for you! If you never want to run on a treadmill again in your life, you don't have to. However, if you actually really enjoy cardio, great! Just incorporate some weight training in there too !

When you train with weights, your muscles are broken down and then rebuilt again over the next day or so. While this is going on, your body is using more calories to make this process happen. This essentially means that your metabolism operates faster after your workout, even if you are just sitting studying or watching TV.

I understand that the weights room at the gym looks pretty intimidating with all those boys lifting really heavy and grunting, but I promise you its not that bad! You have every right to be there just as much as they do, you are strong and confident and trying to improve your health. However, if you really don't want to venture in there just yet, you can train your muscles in much the same way with other strength exercises:

·         Kettlebells - technically weights but you don't necessarily need a gym for these

·         Yoga/pilates - Personally, I have been weight training for a year now and I find pilates really difficult! The moves are designed so that you are lifting your own body weight, therefore toning and strengthening your muscles.

There is absolutely no reason women shouldn't train like men! If you are seriously considering trying weight training, I recommend YouTube as a great tool to observe correct form of the lifts and examples of different exercises. Also, you should get a program drawn up by a trainer at the gym, who can correctly demonstrate the different lifts and help you with any specific problems.

Hope to see more ladies in the weights room, mainly because I need a gym buddy! Help me out!