Category: Exante Diet

New Year’s Resolution Diet

It’s That Time Again

Here we go again; that time of year where we tell ourselves this time I’ll stick to it.    If you don’t know what I’m talking about it’s the dreaded New Year’s resolution diet!  We all do it…. we have all been there and yes I’m saying it again too.  You will find my exclusive Exante discount code at the bottom of this blog post.

My Reason For This New Year’s Resolution Diet

It’s not really for blood sugar for me but it always helps that but it’s about some other health problems I have which I will be writing about in more detail soon.  I’m currently undergoing lots of tests because of Barret’s Oesophagus which is a pre-cancerous condition.

My Reason For Losing Weight

At the moment I have Level D oesophagitis, a hiatus hernia, gastritis and Barret’s Oesophagus and am on high strength PPI’s.  Weight loss and diet will help to some degree so to lose some weight at the same time will be great.  For this, I am going to be using Exante products again as I trust in them 100% and I know they are great products and they work.   I will also be using them for at least 12 weeks so if you want to accompany me on this journey please do.

Because of this, I am getting all my products together so I can start on 1st January with no excuses.   This time I have new products to try and also to review for you guys.  So let us look at some of Exante’s new products that will be included in my diet.

New Year’s Resolution Diet

From 1st January 2022, my diet will consist of 4 Exante meal replacements a day; broken down as below:

Exante Meal Replacement Bars – These I will be having for breakfast.  TIP – What I tend to do is cut them in half and have one half with a cup of black tea for breakfast and the other half mid-morning.  My favourites are the lemon yoghurt, strawberry jam, chocolate and orange, and the toffee nut.

Exante Meal Replacement Shakes – These I have at lunchtime/midday. I tend to stick to Cherries and Berries, Almond, or Vanilla.  Sometimes I will also have a shake for my evening meal too. TIP – When making the shakes please make sure you use very cold water from the fridge they taste so much better for it.  Also, don’t make them up in advance they have to be drunk as soon as you have made them taste the best.

Exante Meal Replacement Meals – This is my hot meal of the day and I tend to go for the spaghetti bolognese pots and the shepherd’s pie, apple crumble.  TIP – With the bolognese, I add dried oregano and a splash of tabasco.  Add any herbs you like.  With the shepherd’s pie, I add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and pepper.

I have talked about the above products already as you know.  However, this time I will be adding the following to my diet too.

Exante Burst – This is a fruity and refreshing low-calorie multivitamin energy drink with added collagen, caffeine and green tea extract. Available in three flavours: Strawberry Lime, Tropical and Mixed Berry.

Exante Slender Sip – This is a Cherry drink containing glucomannan which contributes to weight loss.  Once consumed, glucomannan aids weight loss by absorbing water and gently expanding in your stomach.

The  7-day pack provides you with 21 sachets, each containing real cherry juice and 1g of glucomannan.  Glucomannan is recognised and approved by the EU Commission to contribute to weight loss.  It is a water-soluble dietary fibre that expands in your stomach.  It is advised to take SlenderSip before a meal on a calorie-restricted diet, 3 times a day.

Exante Juiced -Juiced is a new product for Exante.  It comes in a tub that contains 10 servings.  It is the worlds first juicy meal replacement shake collection.  The flavour I am using is dark cherry which is made with real cherry juices this fruity shake is made with the revolutionary clear whey protein to create the ultimate juicy refresher!  Packed with 27 vitamins and minerals.  It is perfect for when you are craving that fruity fix.  Shake with 500 ml of cold water for the perfect juicy drink at only 202 calories.  Juiced also comes in Peach and Mango, Grapefruit, and Apple and Pear.

Exante Snack Shots -These are the perfect low-calorie taste sensation for busy lifestyles! Pick between Sweet Chilli & Honey, Dark Chocolate & Cranberry and Buffalo Chickpea & Pumpkin Mix. Each box is split into 12 individual packets making them the most convenient solution to healthy eating on the go.

I will go through all of the newer Exante products and flavours in the coming weeks; which there are a lot of.

Getting Ready

You have 12 days left to get yourself organised.  What I will be doing is going through my cupboards and taking out anything I will be tempted by and will give away to family.

Get your measuring tape out and the day before you start take all of your measurements including your weight.  This is so important as you have some weeks where you just lose inches and not pounds.  It also acts as a pick me up when you feel like giving it all in (which you will) just take a look at how far you have come.

exante diet meal replacement meals
Feel full longer

Not only do you need to take measurements you also need to take a photo, from the front, from the side and from the back.  I know this is going to be a really hard thing to do but I promise you that you will thank me for it in 12 weeks time.  At the end of 12 weeks if you would like to share your before and after photos with me for the blog please do.

Why not buy yourself a really nice large glass to have your shakes from, or your burst etc.  Make it a bit more special; it does help.  As does having sparkling water in a nice glass with a slice of lemon, spring of mint and ice etc.

Get yourself some things to take up your time at your worst times.  For me, it is at night time so I tend to paint, knit something, or draw.  I have done embroidery in the past, made bags, used adult colouring books.  Find something you will enjoy that will keep your fingers busy.  I will have other tips to share with you soon.

10 Ways To Grow Your Own Happiness
Do Something You Love

Most importantly buy your products as soon as possible because I can guarantee if you leave it another week all the best products will be gone as people will panic buy ready for New Year.  I have mine already now.  Create a space for you to keep them organised.   You can also use my money off code TRACEY35 which will let you have a 35% discount.

I have a lot going on right now and also a lot more to come so will be writing a lot more moving forward.  As usual, if you have any questions or if there is something you would like me to write about in the coming months please just message me and I will get back to you.  Hopefully, I will be posting Monday’s and Friday’s.

Tracey xXx

 

 

 

The Diet Starts Monday

What A Weekend

The diet starts Monday, just how many of us have said this?  I’ll start it on Monday; I’ve lost count how many times I have said that.  And guess what?  I’m saying it again.  I was really stressed over the weekend and the reason being was that my beautiful younger sister had her first chemo on Friday and I couldn’t handle it.  It was a dreadful day and obviously even more so for her.  Someone at the hospital had messed up and forgot to give her an ECG and as a result, they were telling her she couldn’t have the chemo for another week.

Waiting Game

When you have already been waiting 4 weeks being told one more week, well they may as well have said a year.  The waiting is unreal it just drags and drags.   Thankfully my mum and dad are with her and a wonderful nurse pushed some buttons and she finally got her treatment late Friday.   I just had a complete stress meltdown and ended up putting whatever edible items I could find into my mouth.  Just goes to show yet again I am only human.  It’s difficult I think because it hasn’t sunk in yet with us all.

As for my sister she was being violently ill all weekend.  I need to be strong for her and the rest of my family and that’s what I need to keep telling myself.  If she is having to endure what she is enduring then me giving up a biscuit is nothing or as she would say “a piece of piss” (ex RAF).  Sorry for swearing Mum.

 

Find A Distraction

I admit I was a mess this weekend and was feeling very emotional and that I need to stop beating myself up about it because it’s going to be a tough journey right now.  But as the days go by it will get easier.  I just need to change my mindset and my reaction process in the meantime.  I have to accept that there are going to be bad days in my sister’s journey and me stuffing my face every time isn’t going to help anyone.

Walk The Dog

So I have been thinking this morning about what I can do differently.  The thought that popped into my head is when I am thinking about reaching for food reach for the lead and take the dog for a walk.  Being outside I hope will put me back on track.  So that’s what I’m going to do.  Harvey is going to love it.

However, he is terrible to walk though as he can’t do straight lines; it’s literally zig-zags and I’m not over-reacting.  In fact, I think I’m going to video him so you can see for yourself.  So that might not work; there’s a thought I might end up coming in more stressed than when I was when I left the house.  Hmm.. this will be interesting might have to think of a new distraction.  So what are your distraction go tos?

Coping Mechanisms

There are a lot of things you could do to distract yourself actually.  One of my others is art or being creative, whether that is drawing, painting, or making jewellery, knitting, etc.  I will write about these and other coping mechanisms in a lot more detail in a future post.  In the meantime please feel free to share your coping mechanisms at the bottom of this post as it might help others as well as just me.

The Diet Starts Monday

So as the blog post title says, the diet starts Monday.  I’ve given myself a huge talking to and I am back at it.  So far today 2 bars and 1 shake down and one more left to have tonight when I get home.  I am not just doing this for me but my sister.  Because she has no choice and I do.  She also needs me healthy so I can give her 100%.  If that’s not enough incentive I don’t know what is.

So the diet starts Monday… Let’s do it….

Tracey xXx

For anyone joining me on the Exante 100 days to Christmas challenge remember that you can get 35% off your shop by using my code TRACEY35.

How To Lose Weight Quickly And Safely

Exante Day 3 of 100 days to Christmas Challenge

So here we are on day 3 of 100 days to Christmas Exante Challenge.  Drum roll…. I’m feeling ok considering I’ve probably dropped my calorie intake by 1000 calories a day.    Yep, it shocked me too.  This is coming from the woman who wrote “it’s not rocket science”.  To be honest I’m kind of glad I’m in this position again as it shows I’m only human but we can make a difference when we put in the effort.

Yo-Yo Dieting

How many people have lost weight to gain it again?  We are all guilty of this.  I know where I have gone wrong so that is half the problem won.  I also know the right and wrong foods but I chose the wrong foods.  I mentioned in my last post the horrible things that have happened this year which has had an absolutely negative effect on my health.  You have to make lifelong changes.  You can not go on a diet lose all the weight then go back to eating the way you did before.  You have to make a serious change to your lifestyle.

The Secret Of Why Exante and VLCD diets work the best

The first reason Exante for me works better than the others such as Slimming World and Weight Watchers is that you get results fast and that seriously affects your motivation in a positive way.  Usually, with all diets on week one weigh-in, you lose a lot but the 7 days leading up to that is the most difficult.  But as soon as you see that lower number on the scales it becomes a whole lot easier.

6 Things To Do Before You Begin Your Diet

Take a photo – The first thing I suggest you do is to take a before photo.  Yes, it is going to look bloody awful (you wait until you see mine).  Do one from the front and one from the side preferably in your underwear or the same clothes every time.  For my challenge, I am taking a photo every day so that at the end of the 100 days I will post a timelapse video so you can watch me shrink before your eyes.  How lucky are you?

Measure – So following the photos find yourself a tape measure and take measurements.  This is because obviously when you reach your goal at the end of your weight loss journey you can see how many inches you have lost but also you will have weeks where you will lose inches and not weight which is completely normal.  So being able to see those losses and to look back can keep you on track.  This is so important believe me.

Write – I also suggest getting yourself a really nice A5 notebook or my Diet Journal which is on Amazon.co.uk.  Keep a record of what you eat each day, how you are feeling both emotionally and physically.  Put your weight and measurements in there.  I take my measurements every week just the once along with weighing.    Keeping a physical record is so very important to keep your motivation going.   You can also print off a photo of you at the beginning, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks etc and stick it in your book.  Don’t worry no one has to see it but you but again but when you have a bad week if you are a visual person it helps to see how far you have come.

Diet Journal

Drink – You can also keep an eye on how much water you are drinking by making a note also.  Drinking plenty of water is key.  We are so bad at not drinking enough.  I have set several reminders on my phone to go off during the day to remind me to drink 500ml of water.  It just seems easier to do it that way.

Goal Setting – choosing a goal is a game-changer too.  You are going to have bad days we all do but if you have a goal and you think about that at times of difficulty it will help.  In fact, write your goal in your notebook.  Do you want to be healthier?  Do you want to fit in the little black dress at Christmas?  Are you going on holiday and want to feel more confident by the side of the pool?  Now for me I want to be healthier, I want to feel better inside and I want to feel more confident and improve my self-esteem, fit into a pair of jeans without the muffin top.  I remember how I felt when I lost weight before and I miss feeling like that hugely.

Visualise – visualising goes along with goal setting too.  You need to imagine yourself at your goal weight.  For me, I will envisage myself wearing my size 12 jeans and looking at my reflection in the mirror.  Make the image bright and colourful and see how amazing you look then step into that image and see how it feels, how good you feel.  While doing that make the tip of your middle finger touch the tip of your thumb making a circle.  If you do that every time you visualise you will eventually make a connection so that when you are going to reach for that biscuit if you do the finger thumb circle it will trigger your visualisation image.  You need to do it every day though.  It might be easier to just start your day with a visualistaion then use it during the day.

exante diet meal replacement meals
Feel full longer

So I hope today’s post, how to lose weight quickly and safely helped to prepare you for weight loss or to even keep you motivated.

Any questions please just ask away and don’t forget you can save 35% on your shop with Exante by using my code TRACEY35.

Tracey xXx

Exante 100 Days To Christmas Challenge

For Exante products please click here

Bring It On…

What a year we have all had.  Lockdown with double pneumonia and COVID, sadly my sister has just been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and I have a lump and have been referred to gynecology.  So this year hasn’t been the best.  Like many people also there has been a lot of comfort eating during the lockdown and with everything else.  With regards to my health the chances are I may have to have a full hysterectomy so I need to get myself as healthy as I can before that happens.  So the Exante 100 days to Christmas challenge couldn’t have happened at a better time.

Exante 100 days to Christmas challenge

So as it is 100 days to Christmas (can’t believe it) I have to make a commitment for the challenge.  For me, it is dropping a dress size (or even 2) and getting healthier in readiness for surgery.  I have managed to put back on all the weight I had got rid of previously but I know I’m not the only one struggling with this.

We have all been under so much stress and anxiety and as a result a lot of us have reverted back to old eating habits and comfort eating in general.  So…  Exante 100 days to Christmas challenge is just what I need.  Also with 100 days left of this horrendous year, this is enough time to make a huge big change to your health ready for what will hopefully be a better year in 2021.

My Exante Diet Plan

So I am going back to my Fast Fix days because I know it works.  It means I will be on 4 Exante products a day for at least 100 days.  Not only will I lose inches and lbs but I will get back to my happy place and feel a lot healthier.  I will be drinking plenty of water and also the Exante burst products.  I will share with you my Exante journey but also the hysterectomy and also my extremely brave sister’s journey with Breast Cancer and hopefully, that will help people in similar situations.

So why not join me and get ready for 2021 and feeling and being a lot healthier. You can make such a huge difference in 100 days; so come on and hop onboard.  You lucky things will also get to see a timelapse video at the end of my 100-day journey so you can watch me shrink before your eyes.

Also, remember you can claim 35% off of your shop with my code TRACEY35.  Please click here to be forwarded to the Exante website.

Warmest wishes

Tracey xXx

 

Lose a Stone in 21 Days

How to lose weight following lockdown

A lot of people have been talking about how to lose weight following a comfort eating lockdown.  As shown on the Channel 4 program “How to lose a stone in 21 days” they mentioned the VLCD or very low-calorie diet.

Strawberry Lime Exante Burst

Very Low Calorie Diets

For my new readers, I took part in a TV documentary called The Fast Fix where we tried a VLCD over 3 months.  It works!   If this is the avenue you wish to take you can visit the website of the company whose products we used and also get 35% off all products (except 4-week plan boxes).

Getting ready for camera

Lose a stone in 21 days

Chocolate and Orange Bar

This means you can now claim 35% off not just the shakes, meals and bars but also the water enhancers (gorgeous), the sips, the fruit bursts the whole thing.  All you need is to use click here then use my exclusive code TRACEY35.

Give it a go you won’t regret it…

Tracey

Tips on how to stick to your diet while working at home

Diets During Lockdown

Understandably the past couple of months have changed so many things and in so many ways. For anyone following a diet plan it has proved to be a bit more difficult so this blog post is all about sharing some tips on how to stick to your diet while working at home or from being in isolation which I have borrowed from Aimee Heeran.

Tips on how to stick to your diet while working at home

Flexible working from home has become more and more popular in the last few years. Working from home can be convenient as there is no commute, no office attire, and no office distractions! However, working from home does mean you are closer to your kitchen cupboards, and the temptation to snack or binge eat can be very strong.

The Exante diet plan is a simple and convenient diet plan that is perfect for those people who do regularly work from home! Why?

  • It’s a simple and convenient diet plan
  • Delivered directly to your door
  • It’s affordable
  • All the meal replacements contain 27 vitamins and minerals


Here are some top tips on how to stay on your diet plan whilst working from home:

Start The Day Off Right

Often how you start your day, can dictate the tone and mood for the rest of the day. Start your day with a coffee and an Exante porridge pot perhaps? Not only are there meal replacements filling but they will then curb your appetite for any mid-morning snacks, not to mention – all Exante products are delicious!  I quite often have a carrot cake bar for breakfast in three pieces with a cup of black tea with fresh lemon and ginger.

Start Your Day The Right Way

As previously mentioned all Exante meal replacements contain 27 Vitamins and Minerals, like Vitamin D and Iron?  The Exante meal replacements contain 27 vitamins and minerals so that each product provides you with 1/3 of your daily  NVR (Nutrient Reference Value).   This for me is a big relief as I have some chronic health problems so at least I know I am getting the correct amount of vitamins and minerals.

Set Times For Exercise And Moving Your Body

Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you must be chained to your desk for 8-9 hours a day!  Set times for moving around, or going for a quick walk and fresh air around the block to get your heart pumping and your mind reactivated.  More often than not, if you are sat at your desk for hours and hours, you can start to feel tired as your heart rate slows down to the calm and quiet environment around you.

As your body and mind slow, you may feel fatigued, and we all know that reaching for a bar of chocolate is one quick fix for energy and endorphins.  However, another way to increase the levels of endorphins in your brain is a quick pleasant walk.   Even a 5-minute walk can reduce your blood sugar levels dramatically.

Avoid Buying High-Calorie Snacks At The Supermarket

If you know you are working from home for the next week, avoid buying those convenient however very calorific snacks to keep in your cupboard. Knowing they are there, and easy to get in your kitchen cupboard is a recipe for an over-indulging disaster.  Here are some low-calorie snack suggestions:

  • Carrot sticks (156g) and reduced-fat hummus (50g) is typically 164 calories
  • Gouda cheese (30g) and a small average apple (75g) is typically 145 calories.
  • Honeydew Melon (160g) and Wafer Thin Ham (40g) is typically 84 calories.
  • 0% Fat Greek Yoghurt (150g) and blueberries (50g) is typically 110 calories

Cut Bars Into Smaller Pieces

If you are following an Exante very low-calorie diet plan, then many people enjoy cutting up their bars into small easy to eat bites. Cutting them into small bites will extend the time it takes to eat them, and so you will feel fuller quicker! Give it a try!  – I love this piece of advice as mentioned I do this every morning with my first bar.   Some of the denser bars I keep in the fridge for me personally they taste better that way. 

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Ensuring you are getting enough sleep at night is really important as it will impact your productivity and mood the following day.  Sleep is super important because this is the time our bodies restore and repair.

A lack of sleep can really impact your mood and make you feel low.  We all know feeling low can often lead to emotional eating, so ensuring you are getting enough rest every night is very important when it comes to staying motivated on your diet plan!

Drink Water And Stay Hydrated

People can very often mistake thirst for hunger,  and so ensure that wherever you choose to work from at home, your own desk, dining room, kitchen table, etc, ensure you always have a bottle of water beside you and ensure you are making an effort to always stay hydrated.  If you don’t like the taste of water that much, why not try our Exante water enhancers?  I personally love the cranberry water enhancer.

Deep Breathing And Meditation

Throughout your day, try some deep breathing exercises and meditation to realign yourself.  Often by working from home, we face many different challenges, for example, maybe a colleague isn’t understanding something you are trying to communicate to them via email?

Building up any form of anxiety or stress isn’t good for your mental well-being, and it can often lead to you trying to snack or eat unhealthy food as you are feeling so low or down.  Avoiding stress by putting your mental wellbeing first, can also mean you are less likely to binge eat.  Even if it just means, every now and then, taking a break for yourself!

If you are new to meditation you can get help with the great phone app Headspace and Calm to name but a few.  Alternatively, I have my own guided mediation in my shop which is currently £4.99.

The Diet Product That Is So Convenient

Exante meal replacements are not only delicious, but they are really convenient if you want to follow a very low-calorie diet plan, especially for those who want to lose weight fast and safely.

Not only are the Exante 800 or Exante 1200 diet plans really convenient, but you can have the Exante products delivered directly to your door which can save you time and hassle too with the option of next day delivery!  What are you waiting for?  I’ve just placed my order for more carrot cake bars as I know as soon as people taste them the stock levels will drop big time.  I always keep an Exante product in various places too and I have them in my handbag, sports bag, work drawer, kitchen, car glove box.  

I hope you found these tips helpful.  Also you can claim 35% off your order by using my code TRACEY35 You can find more motivation on my other pages both on Publications, Exante, and Motivational Quotes.  My next post I will be talking about the Exante Sip and the burst drink and about collagen.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone.  Stay safe.

Love

Tracey xXx

Quench Your Thirst With Exante Burst Drink

Strawberry Lime Exante Burst

Wow Wow Wow

I know I am an affiliate for Exante but oh… my… god!  Do I love their new product?  The answer is a resounding yes… yes… yes!  Well done Exante I bloody love these.  I seriously advise you to get them while they are in stock. This post is all about how you can quench your thirst with Exante Burst drink.  As a lot of you already know I’m a lover of their Cranberry water enhancer already but this has gone up to another level.

Quench Your Thirst With Exante Burst Drink

Exante Bursk drink is a low-calorie multivitamin energy drink with added collagen and green tea extract and caffeine.  As some of you may already know I did a blog post about collagen recently and how it can help make you feel fuller for longer and also has a lot of other positive effects that you can read about here .

Exante Tropical Burst Drink

Benefits Of Strawberry And Lime Exante Burst

With 1000mg collagen and added green tea extract, this is the perfect healthy alternative to high-sugar drinks that may hinder your weight loss journey.  Vitamins and minerals included within this drink such as Biotin and Zinc can promote healthy hair, skin, and nails, and Iron and Vitamin B12 can reduce everyday tiredness.

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, and skin. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin, and nails. Iron and Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Safety: High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women (16.6mg/100ml)

Key Benefits

  • Made with real fruit
  • Low-sugar*
  • With added green tea extract
  • With added collagen
  • Contains caffeine
  • Supports energy & focus, hair skin & nails, and metabolism

With 3 great flavours to choose from you can’t go wrong.  You just need 500ml cold water (you can use sparkling too) and one sachet and stir until dissolved and it is ready.

In fact, it’s that good my daughter has nicked mine so will need to order some more… the first time she has done that.  I will have to get a lock on the cupboard I think.

Please find the evidence below of this with the cheeky selfie I just received… How very dare she!

My gorgeous but very cheeky daughter

Please remember to use my discount code of TRACEY35 which can be used for the Exante meal replacements.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend wherever you may be and whatever you may be doing.  Happy VE Day!

Love & Light

Tracey xXx

15 Questions For Coaching Yourself Through Weightloss

The Time Is Now

So life is different right now… no shit Sherlock!  Losing weight is never easy and some of you may be finding it even harder right now.  Weight loss is a constant battle for me but a big part of being successful is changing your mindset.  I hooked up yesterday with a group of Exante Ambassadors and together we are going to support each other to help you guys.  So this morning I have come up with 15 questions for coaching yourself through weight loss.

15 Questions For Coaching Yourself Through Weight Loss

10 Ways To Grow Your Own Happiness
Write Your Gratitude List Every Day

Below you will find the 15 questions for coaching yourself through weight loss.  I want you to read each one but not just glance at it but to get a pen and paper and write as much as you can and be as detailed as possible.  Read your answers several times and visualise your responses.

  1. Where do you most want to see a change in your life?
  2. When do you want to have achieved this by?
  3. If you achieved this what would it mean?
  4. What do you really want in an ideal world?
  5. How could you say your goal in just a few words? – words that make it exciting for you.
  6. How will you know when you have achieved it?
  7. What’s your gut telling you about this?
  8. Reflect on the times in your past when you’ve felt the most content.  What was happening?
  9. What does “success” mean to you?
  10. What do you need the most right now?
  11. What do you think is missing from your life?  Is there anything you yearn for?
  12. What are three things that would make the most difference in your life right now?
  13. What would your life look like if other people’s opinions wouldn’t matter?
  14. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
  15. What would you do if money was no object?

Other Areas Of Your Life

Getting ready for camera

Now you can use these questions for other areas of your life because as I said there is more to losing weight than just reducing calories.  You need to tackle it from every angle.  For me, I’m a comfort eater so finding it difficult through these scary times.  One coping mechanism for me is support from other people in the same situation.  I will be going through lots of coping mechanisms moving forward.  So please feel free to subscribe so that you can read the posts as they get published.

The Exante Meal Replacement Diet

Chocolate and Orange Bar

For me, the Exante diet meal replacement shakes and bars are the easiest to use out there.  You can just grab a bar and go.  Shakes are so easy too as you just need to fill a shaker beaker with 200-300ml of cold water (out of the fridge – it makes a difference!) and shake.  The reason I have used 2 measurements is that some people prefer thinner shakes.   When I started my Exante journey I would use 300ml as I didn’t like thicker shakes, but now I’m at 200-250 ml and it is perfect.  So experiment until you find the right consistency for yourself.

Exante Products

There are various flavours so please don’t be put off by trying one and not liking it so you then give up.  I hated it to start with but that was using tap water.  The next one I used cold water from the fridge and it tasted like a different product – it was delicious.  Don’t buy 100 of something unless you have tasted it first.  I now have my handful of favourites and I’m more than happy with those.

I’d suggest if you are new to Exante that you buy a couple of each flavour so you can find your favourites and do the same with the bars.  People’s tastes are so different so much so just because someone said that they love the peanut butter bar and its the bee’s knees; you might not think the same – I know I didn’t!

Another good thing to consider the products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs which to me is a plus considering the current pandemic.

Dieting During Lockdown

One of the great things about starting your diet now with Exante you won’t be queuing up at the supermarket.  Everything gets delivered straight to your door; it doesn’t get easier than that.  I will talk more about the different products moving forward.

To visit the Exante website please click here

You can also receive a whopping 35% discount by using my code TRACEY35.

Please feel free to send me questions or leave comments about anything.  So what do you have to lose apart from weight?  What do you have to gain?

For a bit of inspiration and motivation please click here

Go through the questions again and answer honestly and get back into your own little zone and get your mojo back.

Love

Tracey xxx

Make The Most Of Covid-19 Self-Isolation

Talk About Surreal

Wow… I’m not really where to start with this one.  I feel as I guess many of you do that everything right now is a bit surreal.  Feeling as if you are part of some horror movie or you are just waiting for someone to jump out and shout. “surprise it was just a joke”.

The thing is our lives now will never be the same.  Today’s post in part is about also how to make the most of Covid-19 Self-Isolation plus my rantings.

Watching what is happening in Europe and the escalation of it I’m convinced it will get to the stage where we will all lose someone that we know.  Personally, I feel we should have been put on lockdown 7 or 8 weeks ago.  But now is not the time to point fingers now is the time to pull together and become the community that has been seriously lacking in this country for too many years.

I remember growing up as a child everyone knew everyone.  Everyone was an “aunt” or an “uncle” even though they weren’t.  People would watch out for each other; fetch peoples washing in when it rained.

The shopkeepers knew my grandmother by name.  The butcher would put aside bits that he knew she would like.  It was a real community.  You felt safe going outside.  It was safe to let your kids go to the park on their own.  We would go out on our pushbikes all the time and only come back when the street lights came on.

This lack of community really needs to stop now; this is our opportunity to pull it back.  Be kind not just to our family and friends but to everyone.  War, famine, poverty, there is no need for any of this to exist.  Not if we all work for the common good.

Baby formula selling for £300 what the fuck is going on in people’s heads just fucking stop it!  Be kind.  Do you really need 200 toilet rolls? Be kind.  Do you really need 10 bottles of anti-bacterial gel? Be kind.  Do you really need to buy every single loaf of bread on the shelf?  Be kind.  For god’s sake, people be kind!

What is the name of your next-door neighbour?  What are the names of the kids you see playing across the road?  How many people on your street do you actually stop and talk to?  I’m just as guilty of this somehow we have all managed to become something or someone that doesn’t rest easy with me.  We can change this now; we can do things right.  Not just for us but everyone else.

These are scary times.  People who struggle with anxiety and depression will be going through hell right now and so will many more.  These are people who don’t usually struggle with their emotions.  People are losing their jobs.  My daughter was made redundant last Friday because of the virus.  Other people are losing their jobs, their businesses including myself.  I have not had a client for weeks.

I have just set up a “not for profit” limited by guarantee community interest company.  This was so that I can provide free complementary therapies to people in an emotional crisis and on a low income.  If you want to follow my progress with the CIC please visit my webpage here and I will be updating it.

There has never been such a time that needs it more than right now yet there is nothing I can do.  I am unable to raise funds.  The profit from private clients was going to provide free treatment but without clients, there is nothing I can do.

10 Ways To Grow Your Own Happiness
Do Something You Love

Due to underlying conditions, I am now in self-isolation.  The easy way to react is; now what?   Try and utilise the time the best you can, decorate, clean, tidy, garden, take up new hobbies, paint, draw, sew, crochet the list is endless.

When your grandchild turns around to you in 20 years time and say. “Grandad what did you do during the virus – be the person that said I helped my neighbours not I went to the supermarket so buy 200 toilet rolls.

Try not to put people at risk; don’t think that maybe you just have a cold.  It’s not worth it and you could pass it on or just be a carrier.  Don’t take the risk.  I’m not going to the supermarkets I can’t help but think of the sneeze covered hands on the trolly handle but that’s just me.

I’m lucky I have quite a few Exante sachets and bars left which I’m more than happy to live on.  A good time to diet; there’s always a silver cloud of some sort.  I’m also not going to the shops to get tempted by all the chocolate or “comfort food” as I see it.   So for me there’s never been a better time and if you decide to do the same and do shop online use my code TRACEY35 and you will get 35% off your bill.  I do get a little bit of money for suggesting that but not life-changing and I only recommend things that I use myself.  But it does contain all the daily vitamins and minerals you need so you could supplement your normal food with a shake a day too.

When we get through this and we will we should have a street party on every single street on the same day.  Come together and celebrate a new era of compassion, empathy, kindness and unconditional love.

Please everyone take care; and we will get through this.

Love as always

Tracey

 

What Is The Best Supplement To Take On A Diet

Early Days of a Diet

So how is everyone going?  Here we are in the early days of a new diet.  The first day is usually not too bad as you are usually quite motivated.  Although I find the novelty wears off by early evening.   Last night at 6 pm I was thinking about spaghetti hoops on toast.  Yep followed by chocolate but there you go that’s me.  Fortunately, though I didn’t give in to temptation.  There is a reason for this and that is the subject of today’s blog post which is what is the best supplement to take on a diet.

What Is The Best Supplement To Take On A Diet

Now I do stick to the four shakes but I have found that after the first Exante diet meal replacement shake and the last shake I need to feel fuller so at those times I make my shake but I add a scoop of collagen powder.

What is Collagen?

The skin-firming ingredient is actually created in the human body, making up a huge 90% of the bone mass and a third of all proteins produced.  It is the connective tissue for the heart, lungs, muscles, joints, blood cells, arteries, etc – just to name a few.

From this, you’d wonder why your skin wouldn’t automatically reap the tightening and strengthening benefits as a by-product of producing the popular molecule?

The answer is simple – collagen is considered a fibrous protein, and just like any protein, it is made up of amino acids.  Collagen protein will break down without the nine essential amino acids, which can only be obtained through consuming a protein (amino) rich diet.

For example, consuming dairy, eggs, lean meats, and soy can supply your body with these amino acids, enough so to combine and form enough collagen to benefit your body.  Alternatively, without it – joints can weaken, muscles can break down, skin can sag… it’s pretty important!

exante diet meal replacement meals
Feel full longer

Benefits of Taking Collagen

The side effects of taking collagen can be a feeling of fullness and for some heartburn.  Regardless, these supplements appear to be safe for most people.  I do find I feel fuller from adding collagen protein powder to my first and last shake.

Collagen for Weight-loss

The purified, high-protein content of hydrolysed collagen is known to be an effective, natural appetite suppressant, in which many clinical studies have proven the satiating effect to promote weight-loss.

Additionally, unlike some weight-loss-promoting products, there are no fillers, hormones, acids and it’s not produced with any forms of harsh processing that may affect the normal functioning of your body.  Hydrolysed collagen is also proven to show a decrease in fats, avoiding clogging of the arteries and increased organ support.

Individuals can, therefore, benefit from losing weight by consuming edible collagen, due to a lessened desire to snack and helping the body feel naturally fuller for longer… without the nasty side effects!

Consuming collagen protein may reduce both the elasticity of loose skin and the visible appearance of cellulite during your weight-loss journey.  This is due to the molecule being responsible for making the connective tissue in your skin, therefore able to thicken the skin and camouflage any irregularities!

Muscle Growth and Performance

Collagen is a powerful molecule that promotes a multitude of benefits to assist the needs and demands for athletes, bodybuilders, and everyday gym-goers.

Consuming hydrolysed collagen in the form of smoothies, protein shakes, and pancakes aid the promotion of a natural source of creatine in the body.

How Does it Work?

Your muscles rely on a direct energy source to maintain a regular function in the body – this is provided through the breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in your cells.  The amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine form the creatine molecule.

Where Does Collagen Come In?

Collagen peptides contain two of the three amino acids needed to form a natural, energy-boosting creatine source in the body.  The glycine and arginine duo in collagen may aid the production of creatine, helping to increase physical performance through repeated bouts of exercise.  Arginine also helps promote increased muscle growth and maintain muscle mass.

Joint And Bone Strength

The high percentage of our bone mass, that’s made up of collagen, has significant control of how strong or weak our joints will be going about everyday life – especially those with an active lifestyle.  Not providing your body with the necessary essential amino acids it needs to build up the proteins required for support, will result in the breakdown of proteins in the body.  Not what you need when you’re trying to gain strength.

On the other hand, nourishing your body with the amino acids needed will build up proteins needed to strengthen many parts of your body, allowing for:

  • fewer aches and pains that could prevent any form of exercise.
  • an increased range of motion when lifting weights
  • the strength to be able to increase the intensity of exercise/lift more

Collagen For Sleep

A decent sleeping pattern can do miraculous things for your body.  Besides the obvious factor of making you feel less tired and lethargic during the day, more sleep can increase the quality of your health, improve your everyday mood and your sex life.

Plus, not getting enough sleep could be the reason you’re not losing weight too.

Multi=tasking amino acid Glycerine has the ability to help individuals who struggle to sleep or suffer from insomnia.

A study analysing the effects of consuming glycerine, in comparison to a placebo before bed, clearly shown the amino acid to reduce fatigue and have a tendency toward reduced sleepiness.

Collagen For Digestion

A healthy digestive system is a great base for a happy and energetic lifestyle.  Alternatively, a weak digestive system can result in feeling sluggish and lethargic, make you feel demotivated and it can additionally cause stomach pains – in other words, you definitely won’t feel like exercising.  Does this sound like you?

Collagen can contribute to a healthier, less agitated digestive system due to the soothing properties of one of the amino acids glycine.

Just in case you’re interested in the sciencey bit..

When meat is consumed, amino acids cysteine and tryptophan are released into the bloodstream, which can suppress normal thyroid functioning.  This can lead to the brain receiving signals to break down muscle rather than fat for energy also having a potential domino effect causing fatigue, inflammatory conditions, and a weakened immune system.

Glycine from collagen can help even out the absorption of these amino acids, building a smoother, ‘protective-like’ guard in the digestive tract.

So by taking collagen peptides you can improve your joint health, support bone strength, promote healthy aging, boost skin beauty, support connective tissues and prevent injuries.  Some other potential things that collagen may help with include: maintaining a healthy gut, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing anxiety, improving mood, and promoting healthy nail and hair growth.  As I have already mentioned I use one scoop in the morning and one at night in my last shake.

At this point I want to say I am not a nutritionist, I’m not an expert on supplements.  All I can say is that I have learned these things from my own research and trial and error over the past couple of years.  The best supplements including Collagen I have found is by My Protein (also recommended to me by the PHD nutritionist that worked with us on The Fast Fix alongside the Exante meal replacement meals).  I use the unflavoured version and it comes with a scoop inside the packet.  To look at this product please click here.

Improve Your Skin From Within

A doctor once told me that all these face creams etc that contain collagen are a waste of time; you need to ingest it which makes perfect sense to me.  So if you want to feel fuller and look and feel younger at the same time I’d give some a go and decide for yourself.  Each scoop contains 90 calories and 22g protein.

The take-home message is that by adding collagen protein to your diet might just be the answer to your problems.  (Laura Bowden)

If you decide to try some please let me and the readers know how you get on.

As I started my diet yesterday my weigh-in dates will be every Wednesday so watch this space.

Tracey x

 

 

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