What do you have for breakfast?  Buttered toast just isn't good enough any more, the more we learn about nutrition and understand about the importance of protein with every meal, well we do need to up our game a bit!  I have a few 'go to' healthy breakfasts ...

Overnight oats (you can find my recipe here)
Poached egg and avocado on wholemeal toast
Smoothies
Banana pancakes with fruit and yoghurt
Granola or Muesli with yoghurt

I know that any of these fit in with my calories, I know they are quick and easy and I know they are healthy.  I have for many years only had Lizi's Granola, I've tried others but always go back to Lizi's and I serve it with a generous dollop of Fage Total 2% Yoghurt plus I add in some flaxseeds for their extra health benefits.  So when I was asked if I'd like to try Lizi's Super Muesli, recently launched, I guessed it would be as good as her Granola.  But how to serve it?  I researched and found out that this traditional Swiss breakfast should be served with fruit juice which I didn't have in the fridge so I used yoghurt - which still gives me the protein with every meal which is so important (to keep us fuller for longer).

How are you feeling about the changes and coming out of lockdown?  I was appalled to see the beaches so busy during the heatwave week.  I'm not rushing out myself, I don't need to go anywhere really, I am slowly seeing friends and family at home.  I've not been to the shopping centres or Waitrose yet.  My habits are definitely changing and I am getting more things from our local farm shop.  I am very confused however by the inconsistencies and I just can't understand some of the decisions, how is it that we can go to a crowded pub but not to get a beauty treatment?

So here I am with a little round up of what I have been doing in June - to live my best life and 'be 50 and fabulous' - and it is getting a bit more interesting ...now I am not just stuck at home!

​Read below to find out what I have been up to - exercising, reading, doing, wearing and beauty tips.

I've written quite a few posts sharing my love of bikinis including tips and advice on how to rock a bikini even in your 50's - the secret is confidence!  But this year I will not be flying off to a sun lounger in the mediterranean, instead I will be enjoying my garden and making the most of the amazing weather we have been having (lets hope we get more).  So this year when Figleaves got in touch to ask if I would like to try something from their 2020 swimwear range - I decided I would update my swimsuit and I immediately fell in love with their new Frida range.

I haven't done a healthy eating and exercise update for a while and with lockdown I think we have all been a bit tempted by homemade cakes, wine or a G&T or two.  So inevitably a few pounds might have been gained here and there.  I started off well with plans to exercise at least twice a week and daily walks.  Then the sun arrived, and my sun lounger was more tempting and the rose wine at 5 pm became an excellent idea.  But with lockdown easing and normality slowly returning I thought it was time for me to get back to some sort of healthy lifestyle!

Remember, it is important to live a life too.  To incorporate an 80/20 approach.  And to not beat yourself up about the occasional slip up or not doing enough exercise.  Stress is one of the biggest causes of weight gain!  So first of all relax (yeah I know, not easy).  Then the next thing to focus on is a CALORIE DEFICIT.  How ever you measure your food intake (logging calories, writing a diary, or just using common sense and portion control) you will not lose fat unless you are consuming less calories than you burn off.  So any of the fad diets work on this principle - keto, slimming world, low gluten, gluten free, healthy eating - they only work because they put you are in a calorie deficit.

For this post I am really highlighting the importance of small, sustainable changes and not a sudden effort to cut calories, stop eating carbs, give up alcohol and exercise five times a week.