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Is anyone else struggling to keep up with their fitness goals? It’s completely understandable given the current crisis we’re all facing, but sometimes all you need is a little motivation.

Pitch Perfect star Rebel Wilson has opened up about her weight loss journey in an empowering post. Alongside a photo of the actress in a tracksuit, she revealed that her goal is to reach 75kg.

“Even if you have to crawl towards your goals, keep going x it will be worth it. Try and give a little bit of effort each day…

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson) on

“I know some days are frustrating as hell, you feel like giving up, you get annoyed at the lack of progress…but good things are coming your way. What are your goals this year? 

She continued, “I’ll be honest with you guys – with my “Year of Health” mission I’m trying to get to 75kg’s and career wise am trying to get one of my movies into production before the end of the year! Both of these things are requiring a daily effort and there’s constant set backs – but I’m working hard x.”

Rebel’s inspirational message is exactly what we need right now. It’s important to remember that skipping your daily workout is perfectly fine too. Some days you just need to curl up on the sofa and take a break from it all.

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Are you looking for the perfect challenge this year? We have found the ideal one for any super cyclists who are eager to raise money for charity. It is time to get on your bike and sign up for the annual Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. Participants are now being encouraged to sign up for the annual fundraising event, which is both a test of endurance and an unforgettable experience.

Registration is now open at www.ringofkerrycycle.ie for one of the nation’s favourite charity cycles with organisers looking forward to welcoming returning hardy perennials who have taken part in this epic cycle more than once, as well as newbies eager to prove their mettle on the 175k route around the stunningly scenic Ring of Kerry. 

“The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle is considered a ‘bucket list’ experience by veterans of the annual event,” said Bridget McGuire, Chairperson for the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. “The route will undoubtedly test your fitness and endurance, but the camaraderie of fellow cyclists that travel all over the world just to take part, encouragement from spectators, and the knowledge that your fundraising efforts can make such a big difference to deserving charities is all the motivation you’ll need to get you around the route!”

Each year, six charities are shortlisted from a long list of applicants to become approved beneficiaries of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. This year, cyclists can choose to raise much-needed funds for the following charities:

  1. Ard Chúram Day Care Centre, Listowel – A daycare service that operates from Monday to Saturday and caters for older people in a purpose-built centre in Greenville, Listowel.
  2. Banna Rescue – A voluntary inshore and land rescue unit covering one of the busiest and best beaches in the country.
  3. Breakthrough Cancer Research – An Irish medical research charity focused on raising vital funds for cancer supports and services.
  4. Cunamh Iveragh – A respite home for adults with special needs in South Kerry.
  5. Down Syndrome Ireland (Kerry branch) – Helping people with Down Syndrome to make their own futures as bright and independent as possible by providing them with education, support and friendship every step of the way.
  6. St Francis Special School – Providing educational programmes in Beaufort for students with moderate/severe/profound general disabilities. 

Registration for #ROKCC2020 costs €100 plus a 3.5 percent service fee per entry. Cyclists can fundraise with an official Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2020 sponsorship card or through the online fundraising platform, www.everydayhero.com. While the six main beneficiary charities benefit thanks to the efforts of the cyclists, an additional number of charities will receive funds raised through the registration process.

With an entry limit of 6,500 cyclists this year, places on Ireland’s favourite charity cycle are expected to sell out quickly, so participants are encouraged to secure their spot soon. The #ROKCC2020 team will be posting regularly across its social media channels, where they’ll offer training tips and hints on how cyclists can boost their fundraising, highlight the beneficiary charities, and introduce followers to a number of cyclists ahead of July 4, so be sure to follow and tag as you prepare for the big event.

For more information and to register visit, www.ringofkerrycycle.ie. To set up your fundraising page, click here.

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We are always eager to try out new fitness classes because jogging on the treadmill for 20 minutes is just way too boring.

And we think we may have found the perfect class.

On December 1, Fearless Moves is hosting a mega festive fitness session in Everleigh Gardens on Harcourt street at 10.30am. The session will feature a ton of Christmas classics along with famed Mean Girls Christmas dance moves. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Fearless Moves is a fitness event series featuring a deadly music theme, banging tunes and an unreal instructor. 

Over the last year, Fearless Moves hosted a sold out Beyonce versus divas sets, along with 90's sweat sessions that have gone down a treat. 

The class will be a HIIT/ Dance class with hosted by Sylvia Fitness, who has choreographed the Christmas session. 

Tickets are on sale though EventBrite and are now available.

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A new research report launched today by safefood has revealed that chocolate is the main ingredient in almost 40 percent of protein bars surveyed, with many also being high in saturated fat and containing added sugar and salt. The research also found that over 1 in 3 people (37 percent) surveyed think protein bars are “healthy”.

When comparing current protein intakes among adults with what’s recommended, both men and women are already consuming more protein than they need from their diet.

The safefood research looked at the nutritional content of 83 high-protein snack foods and drinks available for sale in supermarkets on the island of Ireland. These foods included protein bars, yoghurts, yoghurt-style products and milk drinks. According to industry sources, there was a 498 percent increase in products launched between 2010 and 2016 with a high-protein claim.

Introducing the research, Dr Catherine Conlon, Director of Human Health & Nutrition, safefood said, “We’ve witnessed a significant and consistent upsurge in the number and variety of foods and drinks for sale which claim to be ‘high-protein’. From bars to milks and yoghurts, high-protein foods have now become mainstream in our supermarkets. When we asked people about protein bars, a third of them thought they were healthy. However, many of these bars are, in reality, highly processed foods with a calorie content similar to that of a bar of chocolate”.

“What’s also evident from dietary data is that men and women are already consuming more than enough protein in their diets and simply don’t need this extra, highly processed protein,” stated Dr Conlon. 

Of the 39 protein bars surveyed, 38 percent listed chocolate as their main ingredient. 77 percent were high in saturated fat, with 79 percent being a source of salt. The average bar size was 55g with an average price of €2.27, though some bars cost as much as €3.00 each.

“Processed snack foods high in protein need to be combined with fat, sugar or salt in order to make them tasty,” continued Dr Conlon. “People would be better sticking to natural sources of protein in their diet, which tend to be much healthier. And if you need a source of protein as a snack, alternatives like some nuts, a small glass of milk or a yoghurt is the way to go instead of these foods with added chocolate.”

The report “A survey of high-protein snack foods” is available to download at www.safefood.eu

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KBC and WellFest are returning to bring Europe's largest outdoor health, fitness and wellness festival all around Ireland on a summer tour.

Which city is next on their wellness pop-up list? Cork Showgrounds, Curraheen. 

Corkonians will get a real taste of what WellFest is all about on July 6, with experts such as Karl Henry, Roz Purcell and Derval O'Rourke set to feature.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by WellFest (@wellfestirl) on

Tickets to the Cork wellness event are now on sale, and those who attend can look forward to leaving the place feeling refreshed and inspired to put health first.

The pop-up has the most incredible line-up, involving some of Ireland's biggest names in the health and fitness industry.

Bestselling cookery author, personal trainer and host of podcast Bite Back, Roz Purcell, will make an appearance. The nation's leading personal trainer, broadcaster, and host of The Real Health podcast, Karl Henry, will also be a guest.

We're so excited to see Olympian, world champion, bestselling author and coach on Ireland's Fittest Family, Derval O’Rourke on the panel. She's an absolute queen.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by WellFest (@wellfestirl) on

Tom Dalton, founder of TD Fitness, will also be on the discussion panel, as well as Damy Redmond of Platinum Pilates; The Coaching Circle; mobility expert Brian O’Loughlin of Movement 101 and yoga and meditation instructor Lee Tracey.

Some of the highlights from the day includes a wellness panel with the three line-up stars, Pilates with Damy Remond, bodyweight HIIT with Tom Dalton and a slow yoga flow and meditation with Lee Tracey to wind the day down with relaxation.

Self-care, self-belief and resilience will also be a prime focus of the day thanks to The Coaching Circle. It's guaranteed to inspire you to progress yourself, a bit like The Fab Five from Queer Eye.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by WellFest (@wellfestirl) on

The WellFest Summer Tour hosted a sold-out wellness pop-up event for 500 lucky visitors in Salthill, Galway recently.

The tickets to the Cork day are highly limited, and are available now for only €20 on wellfest.ie. Cork WellFest will occur from 10am until 3:30pm in the Cork Showgrounds.

In 2019 alone, Wellfest has attracted over 10,000 people to it's life-changing event, which promotes a healthy lifestlyle both physically and mentally. This year looks set to be the best yet.

Feature image: WellFest.ie

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If you’re looking for ideas for lunchtime … look no further. We’ve teamed up with Dubliner Lighter to bring you our favourite cheese recipes that are perfect for lunch.

Dubliner Lighter Courgette Fritters

These are so gorgeous and they’re ridiculously easy to make.

Makes 9 – 12 fritters, depending on size, and has 102kcal/100g

Ingredients

2 Courgettes, grated

85g flour

3 spring onions, finely sliced

2 eggs

100g Dubliner Lighter White, grated

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Method

Place all ingredients together in a large bowl then mix until all ingredients are combined.

Heat a large frying pan over medium high heat, when hot, lower temperature to medium heat then add a drizzle of olive oil.

Drop large spoonful’s of mixture into the pan, use the back of the spoon to flatten fritters slightly and cook for about 4 minutes. Flip fritters over and cook for another 3 – 4 minutes.

Leave cooked fritters to drain on paper towel while you cook the remaining mixture.

Serving tip: Delicious served with a dollop of sour cream.

 

Dubliner Lighter Phyllo Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? This one is seriously tasty and makes a great homemade alternative to the shop bought ones.

This recipe makes one pizza, and 241kcal / 100g

Ingredients

Makes 1 pizza

Ingredients

3 phyllo pastry sheets

Olive oil

2-3 tbsp passata

4 slices Dubliner Sliced Lighter Red

4 slices Dubliner Sliced Lighter White

Salt & pepper

Toppings: tomato, mushroom, rocket, peppers, onions, corn – really anything you love

Method

Preheat oven to 220°C / 200°C fan assisted and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Lay 1 sheet of phyllo onto the baking tray then lightly brush one half with olive oil. Fold pastry in half then brush the top lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo on top, making sure the edges are mostly lined up, then repeat above steps until you have 6 layers of phyllo in total.

Spread passata over the pastry then arrange Dubliner Lighter slices on top. Add your favourite toppings to your pizza then bake in the oven until edges are crisp and golden, about 4 -5 minutes.

Enjoy while hot.

 

Dubliner Lighter Sweet Potato Taco Fries

Sweet potato tacos are a real favourite of mine at the moment, perfect for a lunchtime pick me up, they’re tasty and warming.  In fact, they would suit any meal time. This one is simple to pull together, and of course it’s with Dubliner Lighter cheese which has 33% less fat.

This recipe serves 4 and has 104 kcal / 100g

Ingredients

– For the fries

2 large or 3 medium sweet potatoes

Olive oil

Salt & pepper

– For the mince

500g beef mince

1 onion, roughly diced

1 carrot, finely diced

1 red chilli, roughly chopped

1 packet taco seasoning

2 tbsp

tomato purée

1 tsp salt

½ tsp ground black pepper

1 can kidney beans, drained

– To serve

Dubliner Lighter White, grated

Crème fraîche

Fresh chilli, sliced

 

Preheat oven to 200°C / 180°C fan assisted and line a baking tray with tinfoil. Cut sweet potato lengthways into wedges then loosely arrange on prepared baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and a bit of pepper. Lightly toss.

Bake until cooked through, 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile for the mince, heat a large pan over high heat, when hot drizzle with olive oil then add the mince. Cook until mince is browned.

Lower heat to medium then add the onion, carrot and chilli. Cook until the onions have softened, 2-3 minutes.

Add the taco seasoning, tomato purée, salt and pepper, stir through. Add the kidney beans then leave to simmer on low heat until the sweet potato fries are cooked.

To serve, spoon mince on top of sweet potato fries then top off with a generous handful of grated Dubliner Lighter White cheese, crème fraîche and sliced chilli.

 

Dubliner Stuffed Aubergine Boats

This is a brilliant way to include Aubergine in your diet, providing you with fibre, vitamins B1, B6 and potassium. They’re also full of antioxidants (the skin especially), so if you’re not already eating them, start now.

This recipe serves 4 and has 133 kcal / 100g

Ingredients

2 aubergines

Olive oil

1 red onion, roughly chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp salt

125g cherry tomatoes, quartered

100g quinoa, cooked in vegetable stock

200g Dubliner Lighter Red Cheese, grated

Pine nuts, optional

Method

Pre-heat oven to 200°C / 180°C fan assisted and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Cut the aubergines in half lengthways. Using a sharp knife, cut a 1cm boarder inside aubergine halves, then use a spoon to help remove the flesh from the middle. Roughly dice the removed aubergine flesh and set aside.

Brush hollowed out aubergine boats with olive oil, place cut side up on the baking tray then bake for about 20 minutes until cooked and the edges are starting to char slightly.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Heat a large frying pan on medium high heat then drizzle with 1-2 tbsp olive oil. Add the diced aubergine and allow to brown slightly, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat to medium low and continue to cook until aubergine is mostly cooked through.

Add the onion, garlic and salt and cook until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cooked quinoa, cook for further 5 minutes until tomatoes start to soften and release their juices. Remove from heat and stir in 150g of the grated Dubliner Lighter Red cheese.

Spoon filling into the roasted aubergine boats and sprinkle each with pine nuts (or any other seed of your choice) and the remaining 50g grated Dubliner Lighter Red cheese.

Return to the 200°C / 180°C fan assisted oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top has melted.

Serve immediately.

 

Dubliner Burrito Bowl

Don’t spend a fortune at lunchtime buying these – not only are they expensive, but they won’t taste half as good as the one you make yourself.

This recipe serves 4 and has 110 kcal / 100g

Ingredients

For the mince

2 tbsp olive oil

500g beef mince

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp cayenne pepper

1 (400g) can chopped tomato

1 (400g) can kidney beans, drained

250ml beef stock

Salt & pepper

For the salsa

4 tomatoes, seeds removed & finely chopped

¼ red onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

½ red chilli, finely chopped (optional)

To assemble

4 portions cooked basmati rice

Cooked mince

2 avocados, sliced

Salsa

150g Dubliner Lighter Red Cheese

Sour cream

Fresh coriander, roughly chopped

Method

To cook the meat, heat pan on medium high heat. Add olive oil then add the mince. Break up large pieces with a fork and spread out over surface of the pan. Brown the meat, stirring occasionally.

Lower heat to medium then add the onion, cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook further 1 minute.

Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Add the chopped tomato, kidney beans and beef stock. Stir to combine, then leave to simmer on medium low heat until half of the liquid has been reduced, stirring occasionally. Between 15-20 minutes. Taste for seasoning, add salt & pepper as needed. Remove from heat.

While mince is cooking, make the salsa. Combine all salsa ingredients and stir together. Chill in the fridge until needed.

To assemble the burrito bowl, spoon a layer of cooked Basmati rice into serving bowls. Spoon cooked mince over about half of the rice, then spoon fresh salsa next to the mince, covering about 1/8 of the rice. Arrange half an avocado on top, then sprinkle generously with Dubliner cheese. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with sour cream on the side.

 

These gorgeous recipes are all made with Dubliner Lighter which has 33% less fat, for more great recipe ideas you can follow them here on facebook or here on insta.

 

 

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If you're a social media lover in Ireland, and addicted to beauty and cosmetic products, you have DEFINITELY heard of Niamh Cullen and Aideen Kate.

As two of the country's biggest influencers, with a following of 200,000 followers between them. they're a force to be reckoned with.

Niamh focuses more on lifstyle, health and fitness, and Aideen is the queen of make-up on Instagram. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Influencer Is A Dirty Word (@influencerisadirtyword) on

Now the pair have officially joined forces to produce a weekly podcast together, and we couldn't be more excited,

The gals captioned their first post on the new Instagram page, Influencer is a Dirty Word;

"New podcast coming Sunday. Episode 1: How To Deal With A Breakup. Grab your hunnies and some snacks (or some dranks), available on YouTube."

Image: @niamhcullenx/Instagram

The two teased their new project via their Instagram stories yesterday, saying, "How to deal with a break-up? Or how to help a friend dealing with a break-up? Go!!!" 

Niamh and Aideen suggested that their followers ask them questions, but their fans had no idea that a podcast was coming.

We're assuming that Influencer is a Dirty Word is about life as Instagram royalty, brand ambassadors and garnering a following of thousands, while looking and feeling great.

Image: @niamhcullenx/Instagram

This is major news for the influencer industry, which is growing more and more competitive.

We can't wait to hear all their gossip about their work-life, wellness tips and discussions about young women going through problems in their daily lives. 

The gals are unreal on their own, but we're delighted they've decided to come together for the magic of podcasts. It's sure to be a great one to listen to with your mates and a bottle of Pinot Grigio.

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Vogue Williams has shared the most encouraging message to women who are trying to be more active this year.

Many of us have vowed to join the gym, cut down on junk food and eat more greens this year, but it isn’t always easy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by voguewilliams (@voguewilliams) on

Vogue, who is a fitness fanatic, admitted that even she can struggle with staying focused on working out and eating well.

She posted a bikini photo to Instagram alongside the most honest message: “It’s January so I know lots of people will be starting at the gym. Firstly the fact you’ve even started is unreal, don’t feel intimidated in there.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by voguewilliams (@voguewilliams) on

She told her followers to go to classes, get the odd PT and you’ll be flying in no time.

The DJ explained that she adores going to the gym, especially because of the impact it has on both her physical and mental health.

“It’s great for my body but even better for my mind. Women are hard on themselves, I’m hard on myself too but I’m happy with my body now,” she wrote.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by voguewilliams (@voguewilliams) on

Vogue may have a figure to die for, but the mum said being slim isn’t the be all and end all.

“It made a baby, that’s what impresses me most,” the mum gushed.

“I get asked a lot about what I do to stay in shape. I’m consistent in the gym and I eat healthy ISH. I never say no to things I want but eat them in moderation,” Vogue revealed.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by voguewilliams (@voguewilliams) on

She begged her followers not to fall for ‘ridiculous flat tummy shakes or diet suppressants’ that are constantly promoted by celebrities and influencers around this time of the year.

“If you want to tone up and lose weight, move more and eat healthily. It’s a slower process than a full-on diet but the results show and last longer,” she added.

We love how honest Vogue is.

Our Instagram feeds have been flooded with posts about shedding the Christmas weight and the Kardashian clan are forever promoting diet shakes so there’s no doubt Vogue’s honest and positive post has made us and a lot of other women feel far better.

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If the New Year has the wheels in motion for a brand new you – you may want to consider Thalia Heffernan's thoughts on the whole idea.

The Irish model expressed her feelings about New Year's resolutions on social media and it's massively refreshing.

As everyone larks on about their plans for the New Year and everything they're going to change – you might be feeling the pressure.

We are all guilty of trying to stick to resolutions but social media tends to put additional emphasis on succeeding to achieve a new, perfect you.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ThaliaAngelHeffernan (@thaliaheffernan) on

Cutting into the bullsh*t of the tradition, Thalia reminds everyone that in the grand scheme of things, it's just another day.

"I know I’m technically a day, or two, late.. yet despite this being inadvertent (or so I thought) I now think that there’s a good reason for it. The New Year is, of course, a good place to ‘Start’.. a grander version of the Monday so to speak.."

"But with this little box and small space, I want to share some of my truth- instead of filling you with the weight of the aspirations and resolutions that are being thrown around… It’s just another day," she wrote.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ThaliaAngelHeffernan (@thaliaheffernan) on

That doesn't mean that she is discouraging you from wanting to reach your goals, but she puts the notion of resolutions into perspective and issues a reminder not to pressurise yourself in attempting to achieve the better version of yourself.

"Now, I mean that in the most inspirational way possible! Every single day you wake up is a blessing in itself. However, please don’t put yourself under strain because of a date in a calendar, a benchmark set by society, because you are more than that," she explained.

"I know I struggle with the concept of being a ‘new me’ due to an annual change, and I also know that I shouldn’t. So I guess I’m just saying that a New Year, or a Monday, or because your sister, cousin or best friend is doing something doesn’t mean that it’s right for you," she added.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ThaliaAngelHeffernan (@thaliaheffernan) on

Wrapping up the inspiring caption, Thalia dished up some good ole self-love and encouragement.

"And a day in the year certainly shouldn’t demand you to be a ‘better’ version of yourself. You be whatever and whoever the hell you want to be and love every second," she said.

We honestly couldn't agree more, we just wished that more people on social media would adopt this idea, instead of cashing-in on the tradition.

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The holy day of shopping is almost upon us – this Friday, November 23 is the sacred Black Friday and we CAN'T wait.

Get the Christmas list out and nab a bargain, and treat yourself too.

We've done ALL the hard work to make your shopping stress-free and complied those all-important codes.

Fashion

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by boohoo.com (@boohoo) on

Boohoo was unreal last year, with 50 percent off. But this year, they're set to take it one step further.

They have dedicated a page to their savings this year, which includes early collection releases and top tips on how to make the best savings.

Pretty Little Things haven't missed out on the Black Friday magic and have set up this page for all the savings.

They're currently running a warm-up too, so save 30 percent using the code Cyber 30 in ROI and 25 percent if you're a UK hun, using the code EARLY25.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ASOS (@asos) on

ASOS isn't playing around this year and has promised the biggest sale event of the year this Friday. You can head to this page to keep up-to-date with all the glorious savings you can make.

But if you can't wait until the end of the week, head to their outlet to enjoy 70 percent off brands.

Missguided have already got underway with the incredible Black Friday deals, so shop at your own pace and enjoy an incredible 50 percent off everything* using the discount code: CYBER50.

They have claimed they are "going harder than previous years" with their sale on Friday, so this will definitely be one to stop by and snap up some fantastic offers. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nasty Gal (@nastygal) on

Littlewoods also got in on the action, they are holding a Black Friday Week, kicking off November 19 with new deals to be launched daily throughout the week and right into Cyber Monday.

The savings have come early for all you Nasty Gafans, they have kicked off with 50 percent off everything* with the code: OHSNAP.

Forever 21 are counting down to Black Friday with deals all week. 

H&M are currently preparing for the Friday madness with a 50 percent off Denim and Basics. Stay tuned later this week to see the real H&M Black Friday beast unleashed.

River Island has a 30 percent off partywear in the lead up to Black Friday in the UK and ROI.

Zara always goes big for this shopping holiday and this year is no different – for the sales sign up to their newsletter and get on site or in store on Friday. 

Fitness

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gym+Coffee (@gympluscoffee) on

Gym + Coffee are ahead of the game and have released their Black Friday deals already. Their website is a haven of savage bargains and for you Irish gals, their Dundrum store is in full on sale mode. 

Gymshark has fitness fans hyped for a 70 percent sale this Black Friday.

The company released the good news on their Twitter.

And for all you protein junkies, MyProteins Black Friday sales have already begun with a minimum 40 percent off using the code: BLACK.

If you're looking for a fitness tracker, such as Fitbit or GarminCurrys are running amazing deals – so snap up a bargain.

The Nutri Bullet is in every fitness junkies wet dream, and Lidl has unleashed a huge saving on the product. This Friday, you can purchase the 600 series Starter Kit for €49.99 or £39.99.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fitbit UK & Ireland (@fitbituk_ireland) on

Nike has daily deals in the lead up to the big day, so check out their website.

JD Sports are also splashing out the savings and before the big day, you can head over and save 50 percent on their men's tees, vests and shorts, and 50 percent off women's tops and shorts too in Ireland. Or if you're located in the UK, they have a 50 percent sale off all clearance AND an extra 20 percent off if you use Unidays. 

Adidas love Black Friday and this year won't be any different, so make sure you keep an eye on their website.  

Tech

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Harvey Norman Ireland (@harveynormanie) on

Argos has launched their Black Friday deals already and they will last until November 27, so if you're in need of a telly or laptop, you know where to shop.

The king of the deals Amazon, has incredible savings on all your tech gear and they've already got their sale well underway.

One place we didn't think of looking for our tech goodies was Lidl. But the supermarket has some UNREAL deals on tablets and the Philips 6203 Series 50" 4K Ultra Slim Smart LED TV. Check out the sweet deals if you're an ROI gal, here. Or if you're a British babe, here.

Harvey Norman are also getting involved in the action and you can sign up to their email service to get all the best offers.

Make-up & Skincare

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Superdrug (@superdrug) on

Therapie Clinic are offering a massive 20 percent off for Black Friday. The Therapie Clinic Black Friday sale is running from November 19 to 25, AND, beauty lovers can get 20 percent off laser hair removal, skincare treatments and gift vouchers this Black Friday. To check out their sweet deals and all the T&C's, see their website

Beauty Bay are taking part in this week's events and have said that their offers are on their way.

The savings are already happening at Superdrug, from toothbrushes to make-up and skincare, check them out here if you're from the UK and here if you're from Ireland.

Boots have also joined the fun and enjoy a variety of savings on a wide number of items here (ROI) and here (UK). 

Homeware

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Argos Home (@argoshome) on

Debenhams are spoiling us with offers starting from Tuesday, November 20, and their Black Friday sale won't be one to miss with their furniture deals. You can update the decor just in time for Christmas. 

Argos have some sweet deals on their homeware and hopefully, they'll only get better as the week goes on.

Harvey Norman has loads of live Black Friday offers, which includes 60 percent off bedroom furniture and 50 percent off dining furniture. 

House of Fraser currently have up to 60 percent off on selected lines, so go check them out.

I can hear your bank account screaming from here, happy shopping. 

 

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The power of protein is everywhere.

Traditionally, the magic amino acid was used by bodybuilders and fitness junkies.

However, in recent times it has become the answer to all our problems – appetite unsatisfiable? – protein. Want to lose weight? – protein. Want to keep your hair, skin, and nails looking on point? – protein…the list goes on.

In fact, we are so obsessed with it, there are 21.6 million posts on Instagram about it – and naturally, businesses have seized the chance to cash-in on this market.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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And we LOVE it, as 43 percent of Brits have confessed to buying some form of  'protein' marketed product in the past.

18 to 24-year-olds are those of us most likely to gorge on the protein-enhanced foods. 

Our supermarkets are now a haven for protein products screaming at us that they contain a ridiculous amount of the holy nutrient, from bagels to bars to bread. 

But you better believe that you'll be paying a pretty penny for these foods.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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However, are we being scammed into forking over more money for the added protein, compared to generic forms of the same foods?

Well, the good people from Wren Kitchens went to investigate and their results might surprise you.

In a new Behind the Label study, they analysed how much more protein you’re really getting (if any) for the premium price you’re paying.

Kicking it off, we look at nuts – a popular brand of nuts has a "protein mix" in their range and boasts 20 g of the magic nutrient for 100 grams, but it'll set you back £2.25 for that amount.

Whereas a supermarket equivalent was 63 p for 100 grams of nuts, that had 19.3 g of protein.

Moving to granola, for 100 grams a popular brand slapped some more protein into your brekkie bowl  – 13 grams to be exact, which cost you 63 p.

However, you could have gotten 10.3 grams of protein for the same amount for 20 p by going with a non-protein branded granola.

Not forgetting the yoghurts: the two protein yoghurts which had 10g and 11.1g of protein labelled on their packaging for 100 grams would cost you 55 p or £1.08 respectively.

This is compared to a non-branded protein yoghurt which would set you back 50p per 100g – but it contains 10g protein.

And of course, we can't leave out our carb mates; the bagels. 

When you get your hands on a protein bagel, each one will cost you 35 p and will have a decent 8.5 g of the amino acid.

Nevertheless, the non-protein bagel reigned carb-champ – with 9.8 grams of protein at just 24 p per rounded goodness.

But perhaps we are overdoing the trend, as the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey found that the average UK adult consumes up to 55 percent more protein than they actually need.

The UK Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) recommends we consume 0.75g for each kg of weight, which, based on average weights, which roughly translates into 55g for the lads and 45g for the ladies.

Expert nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed explains: "Protein is an essential macronutrient especially important for the growth, development, and maintenance of bones and muscles in the body."

"Most of us get more than enough protein in our everyday diet, and so it's not something that we need to think about supplementing too often. However, for some, such as athletes, those training intensely, or very active individuals they may have extra requirements for protein to support muscle growth and repair."

"To put it simply, unless advised by a medical professional, you don't need to be eating protein-specific products. If you find them to be a convenient way to top up your intake or to help you spread your protein intake across the day, there is no real problem with using them. However, it's important to remember you can get all the protein you need from everyday foods."

So before you reach for the product that promises you heaps of protein – ask yourself two questions.

Do you really need that much protein? And can you find a cheaper alternative that has similar protein levels for a quarter of the price?

And remember – Pop-eye built his muscle on spinach.

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The United Kingdom is currently facing a mental health crisis, one of which the country has never seen before. Two committees of MPs recently warned that the current support available on the NHS is inadequate and runs the risk of failing a generation who desperately need help.

The average Brit works 43.6 hours a week, with more than four million workers spending more than 48 hours a week in the workplace. British workers also face an average commute to work of 54 minutes, almost 20 minutes more than the EU average.

This means that Brits are struggling to find a work life balance, which some experts believe is fuelling the mental health crisis in the UK and increasing levels of obesity as workers have less time to live a healthy lifestyle.

Did you know? In France there is a law allowing workers the ‘right to disconnect. Employees in an organisation of more than 50 people are forbidden from sending or receiving work emails outside of their standard working hours.

Why is a work-life balance important?

If you are one of the workers that is dedicating nearly 60 hours a week to work, you are at serious risk of burn out. Living in a bubble of all work no play can lead to a disconnect with the world around you and cause you to ignore your mental and physical health.

Although there are no direct figures for work-related suicides in the UK, suicide rates have risen markedly among young people in recent years. Reports suggest that certain occupational groups such as doctors, nurses and farmers are deemed to be at high risk of work related suicide – due to job pressure and the isolated nature of their work.

That might be hardly surprising when you consider that in these professions 60+ hour weeks are the norm. So finding ways to unwind and relax in your spare time are vital to your physical and mental wellbeing.

But what are the best ways to relax outside of work?

1. Go to the gym

Finding the time to go to the gym is often difficult for those in busy occupations, but it can be done. The vast majority of gyms offer guided classes in the evenings and at weekends to appeal to those with a busy lifestyle.

The benefits of going to the gym are tremendous. Firstly, your physical health will improve dramatically as a result of increased physical exertion. Secondly, attending classes or regularly visiting the same gym can broaden your social circles, opening your horizons to future social activities.

Most importantly, exercise has been proven by scientists to improve mental wellbeing. The NHS recommends regular exercise as a way of combatting mild depression and warding of the sceptre of anxiety.

2. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mind-body based approach that helps people to process their thoughts rationally and reconnect with the world around them.

If this sounds like a new-age, hippy technique then simply think of it as unwinding. It’s incredibly easy to fall into the trap of becoming too involved with the day-to-day processes of going to work, eating, sleeping and avoiding your emotions. Mindfulness can take as little as 10 minutes a day and allows you to unwind, evaluate your emotional state and relax.

Did you know? Mindfulness has been proven to decrease depression by 63%, anxiety by 58% and perceived stress by 40%.

3. Play poker

Playing games with people – such as poker – requires social interaction on some level, and it’s a popular way to meet people and socialise with existing friends.

What makes poker so popular is the relative ease you can play the game. The strategy involved in poker can improve your mental agility and provide a distraction to take your mind firmly away from work.

But if you don’t fancy going to a casino, or you don’t live near one, don’t worry. Gamblers are increasingly going online to play their favourite games. Playing online is so much more convenient than having to find your local land-based casino – as you can play from the comfort of your own home, or if you’re on the move.

What’s more, online casino technology has evolved so much that the games feel as immersive and engaging as they would do in a real casino experience. One option out there for online gamblers is video poker. With its cool retro style and simple gameplay, video poker is an entertaining way to unwind – and it gives you a great opportunity to get your game up before playing against other competitors for real.

Check out this video poker game and you’ll put yourself in the frame for all these benefits, plus one more: winning a huge jackpot.

4. Ditch the phone

Mobile phones have revolutionised the world and given people almost everything they’ve ever wanted at the tips of their fingers. Yet overuse of mobile phones and tablets has been proven to negatively impact on people’s mental wellbeing and social lives.

Putting your phone down for an hour a day and interacting with those around you can have huge benefits to your life. You will develop more meaningful relationships with the people around you and avoid the social isolation that social media can cause.

Added to this, time spent away from social media can be beneficial to your mental outlook. Scrolling through Instagram and Facebook can be chastening as you are constantly confronted with images of people’s successes.

It’s easy to forget that you are only seeing a glimpse of someone’s life, the best bits, and unfairly judge yourself against other people. Take time away from social media and viewing other peoples amazing lives, and instead make memories of your own.

Did you know? Teens in the US using their phones for more than five hours a day were 70% more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those using their phones for one hour a day.

5. Join a social group

Regardless of who you are, you will have your own interests and hobbies, and it’s important to continue those hobbies, preferably with other people. If reading is your number one relaxation technique, then you can join a weekly book club and use your passion to expand your social circle.

Likewise, if you’re a sports fan there are a plethora of amateur sports clubs that you can join to expand your social circles, as well as improving your physical well-being.

Summary

A work life balance is important to your mental and physical well-being, and it’s too easy to neglect that fact in modern life. Taking steps to improve your mental wellbeing, physical health and social life are all important factors in having a healthy life.

Take the time to look at your life objectively. Imagine you were talking to a friend and giving them some advice, what would you say to them? Slow down, take a break, do more of the things you enjoy? Whatever it is you would say, apply that advice to yourself.

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