Glasgow Reviewed; Bra Fitting Service at Debenhams

I am writing this post at a thousand miles an hour as I am just so excited about the experience I had last night and I wanted to share in time for anyone heading out for a spot of shopping this weekend or are in need of some new bras. I was invited along to try out the bra fitting service at Debenhams on Argyll Street and I am so, so glad I went along. After losing weight in the past few years I have been dreadful at making sure I was going for fittings and allowing for a change in my bra size- which is stupid considering how many different clothes sizes I have been through! I was aware that my current bras were probably not completely accurate but I figured I had it fairly sussed... I could not have been more wrong!!

I was met by Anne who was the most professional,efficient and knowledgeable bra fitter I have ever been to( I have probably been fitted maybe 4 or 5 times over the years) She was so good at explaining the points of fit she was looking for when finding the right size and right style of bra for me. She made the experience completely comfortable and put me at ease by explaining everything she is going to do and ensures she runs every move by you which I think is so important when in that quite intimate setting. She took a quick measurement as a guide and from there based her choices on my shape and what I was looking for.  I was bowled over when she told me I had a small back and was in fact a 30/32 E or F and not the 36C I was currently sporting, I had no idea! When she put a 32F on me, I was utterly gobsmacked by the fit-it was so supportive! I know that sounds ridiculous but going from thinking 'my bra fits alright' to one that actually does was worlds apart. Anne explained that the support part should come from the under band and NOT the straps as I had always assumed and the difference in feeling from having this was incredible. She asked me to put my top back on to see how much it alters my silhouette and I could have hugged her- a plain stripey top suddenly looked sooooo much better. She went on to explain the proper way to put a bra on ( again something I had no idea about) and jiggled each different type we tried to ensure each was an impeccable fit.

how gorgeous is this pin up style strapless bra?

I was in the need for a good basic strapless bra for an upcoming wedding and she was so happy to go through these with me on top of the t shirt bras we had already gone through. Her attention to detail and patience was superb and she so happy to help with the million questions I had for her. I normally dread the idea of having to wear a strapless bra but with my change in size it is not a concern at all- the one we picked out fits so incredibly well that I am actually looking forward to giving it a whirl! I cannot believe I have been wearing the wrong size for so long considering the massive difference it makes. You leave your session not only with a spring in your step and a seriously impressive new bust line but with a really handy little card to keep you right when picking out future bras which is such a useful touch I have never had at any other fittings. I fell in love with pretty much all of Debenhams own brand Gorgeous range, the quality of these bras was just impeccable for the price range ( an excellent high quality t shirt bra is £19.50 and one Anne sports herself daily) and right now if you get in before Sunday and go for your free fit you will receive £5 off a £30 spend or more on lingerie which is a fab deal! For future Debenhams online purchases or Matalan too, I would check Codesium before checking out as they have lots of discount codes available that you could use. I also noticed they run some fab giveaways including one right now for a Debenhams gift card, well worth checking out!

I was so excited walking out of the changing room last night, it was a huge confidence boost having even my basic day to day clothes fit that much better- I was ready to pull in people off the street and make them have it done just to show them the difference it can make! Do yourself a massive favour and get in pronto for an absolutely outstanding free fitting soon.

Happy Shopping

Glasgow Reviewed; Infinity Yoga

From the second I walked into the Infinity Yoga studio in Glasgow, I knew I was somewhere special. Greeted by warmth both in temperature and atmosphere, I was totally put at ease on my first visit by the owner Collette. I have done a few yoga and pilates classes in the past but never tried doing any of them 'hot' and certainly didn't know my baby dragon from my swan or my ashtanga from my bikram. A week on and thanks to three amazing, detailed sessions and I feel I have learnt not only a lot  about different styles of yoga but about myself and what my body is capable of.

With over 10 years of yoga experience under her belt, Colette is just a complete breath of fresh air. She has such an electric presence and energy about her that you can't help but smile when around her. On the flip side she is also one of the most soothing people I have ever met but don't let that powerhouse of enthusiasm fool you-she will absolutely work you hard in that room when the class calls for it. She absolutely radiates yoga and balance with a beautifully toned physique that I have literally never seen before from someone in the flesh and her ability to both relax you and energize you is magical. Nestled within an old railway arch on Osborne street in the Merchant city, I was welcomed right into the Infinity studio and was settled on a mat in the warm room before I knew it. Armed with a towel and bottle of water I really did not know quite what to expect...

The first class I tried was hot pilates, which was something I didn't even know could be done in hot conditions! I have preferred Pilates over Yoga in past experiences but the added hot element made this class one hell of a challenge to my not so flexible self. Colette was a master at guiding you through the positions with very minimal fuss, making adjustments to people where needed while keeping the class on track without disruption all while continuing to push people to achieve what they are capable of.  I was in positions I didn't think possible and working muscles I don't even think my body knew existed!The heat wasn't overwhelming to start with at all but as we worked through positions you really felt the heat- I cannot remember the last time I put my body through an intense workout like this and although it felt tough at the time. I felt AMAZING for it afterwards and I know going back I would only build on what i had learnt in one session. I have done pilates in a quite a few different places in the past but absolutely none were anywhere near as good as this, the level of care Colette takes with each member of the class is superb and makes a total difference to what you then achieve. The class was attended by a variety of people of all ages, shapes and sizes and  I completely recommend this class to anyone looking to push themselves and achieve new goals, it is a fantastic challenge that brings a whole range of benefits. 

The following night with a spring in my step, I was back at the studio for my next class. Yin Yoga was something I had never even heard of before and I was really intrigued to learn more after reading up on it on the Infinity site. Described as a 'quiet practice originating in the east via the disciplines of kung-fu' the class is said to improve concentration and improve flexibility. I was looking forward to this one a lot as I knew that without a doubt I need to learn to relax and unwind more and allow myself more quite stillness in my life. Typical of so many people nowadays I struggle to switch off, if I am not constantly checking my phone or on the computer, my brain is always whirring and there is no such thing as sitting down and taking it easy. Thanks to this frantic lifestyle my sleep is badly affected and I sleep very little so I had high hopes that a class of Yin Yoga might introduce me to a new approach to relaxation. A smaller class than the night before due to needing more space for positions, I walked into a very calm studio. Low lighting and soft candle light with soothing music lilting in the background, I lay on my mat whilst others filtered in, just enjoying the warmth and trying to bring my focus to the class and forget the outside world. The class was again ranging in abilites and ages ( there was even an adorable 6 year old next to me giving it her all!) and Collette gave us an fantastic introduction to Yin Yoga and the background to the practice which was really fascinating and helped the class really connect with what we were about to do. A slow style of  yoga  with poses that are held for longer periods of time  to apply moderate stress to the connective tissues, it is designed to help the flow  of energy through the meridian pathways  of the body which according to Chinese Medicine can help organ health, immunity and emotional well being. This class was a totally different pace from pilates and I adored it. The moves were achievable and you were once again expertly guided through them by Colette who gave fantastic insight to why each position was beneficial whilst also keeping the tone of the class soft, relaxed and very balanced in feeling. I didn't even really notice 90 minutes fly by and for once I didn't spend the whole time thinking of shopping lists and emails but instead had my focus on myself and class. This presence that she manages to bring out in you is testament to her years of training and why these classes are so popular. I have never met someone with such a breadth of knowledge and passion for yoga and what it offers so it was really fascinating to see her demonstrate these different styles. Yin Yoga is a seriously perfect class for anyone looking to relax while still working their body, I felt really at peace after it was over and for once- slept like a baby!

So my last and final class of the week was Hot Yoga ( in this case a blend of Astanga and Bikram) I was prepared for the heat thanks to the previous pilates class and was determined to do a little better in this one. A super busy class with men and women of all ages and abilities our teacher this time was Jamie who instead of demonstrating the positions, talked us through moves clearly and concisely while offering alternatives for the more advanced and also for us newbies. I thought it would be difficult to keep up but it was all so well described that it was fairly straight forward ( the execution not quite so much!) but I knew when to not push too hard and allow the more experienced in the class to hold their poses for what seems like super human lengths of time! The flexibility and construction of the bodies of some of the class just make you realise what these classes can do for you, toned and strong is definitely achievable here! We moved through many positions both standing and on the floor in the 90 minutes and it was a real workout that again had you sweating in the heat and working every muscle you have. I really enjoyed the class and felt really worked out by the end but also very calm and controlled also.

As Colette mentioned in Yin Yoga it is all about finding the right practice for you and trying each of these has been a real eye opener. Infinity Yoga really offer something for everyone and deliver each class with an incredible knowledge, professionalism, patience and positivity that I have never experienced in a studio before. The strong sense of community here is apparent from the moment you walk through the door, it is obvious that you get much more than a standard workout by being a part of it. I have adored my week of firsts with Colette and the team and can't urge you enough to give one of the classes a go, push yourself and learn something new- who knows where it will take you!

Prices start from £7 for off peak drop ins and they even offer student discounts. There is an amazing deal on right now with the first three classes only costing £15 for beginners which is the perfect way to give the different styles a go! You can contact the Studio on 0141 552 6378 and follow them on twitter and facebook.

Glasgow Reviewed; The Green Cleanse from Juice Warrior

My mega box of cleansing juices

So if you have not read my first post on Juice Warrior and their one day skin boosting Cleopatra Cleanse, then you catch up HERE.

Following my successful first day it was time to move on to a slightly more 'advanced' plan. The Green Cleanse is a strong juice pack aimed at those who prefer veg juices over fruit and is a more experienced cleanser who is looking for a challenge. I was definitely a little apprehensive after such a nice light day full of fruity goodness on the Cleopatra cleanse but I do love my veg so was ready to get stuck in. After speaking to the very knowledgeable Megan from Juice Warrior and reading through the info pack I received with the cleanse, I knew I had the choice of having no food and giving my digestive system a complete cleanse or enjoying the juices as part of a healthy raw diet. I do enjoy testing myself and have completed a full cleanse before but decided on this occasion to add in a couple of things over the two days. I incorporated my normal Saturday and Sunday breakfast smoothie ( spinach, banana, flax, chia, blueberries and some peanut butter) and also had an apple in the afternoon on both days. Other than that I only had the juices, some water and herbal teas to keep me going. I found having my usual smoothie first thing really helped me feel full for a long time and gave me the energy boost I needed for a busy day volunteering on the Saturday.

Following the Cleopatra cleanse I slept really well and woke up feeling sprightly, not at all lethargic or hungry like I feared. I started off the day with a shot of Chlorella from the Green cleanse which I was ready for after trying it the day before, I left it ten minutes then had my usual smoothie and went about my business until I was ready for my first juice about 3 hours later.  Juice one was the Evergreen that I had already tried and enjoyed, a good start to the pack it is not at all offensive or too 'green' just fresh and appetising and nicely filling. It actually tasted so much sweeter to me today than yesterday which is probably thanks to a good amount of hours being sugar free. I then moved on to Green Powerhouse which tasted very green but not at all in a bad way. It was just less fruity than some but tasted incredibly healthy and by now I was feeling a little peckish so I was totally ready for it and very much enjoyed it as my body was obviously craving lots of greens!

I was feeling full of energy all day which was great, I tucked right into my third drink which was the beetroot one I had sampled on the Cleopatra Cleanse. I actually enjoyed it so much more today, definitely might be coming round to the beetroot blends- hurrah! The next juice was Green Spice and it was the one Megan had warned me was 'VERY STRONG',so I was a little nervous... This was by far the only drink I actually had to force down, it was not the prettiest tasting but I knew it was loaded with goodness (one of the most alkalising, healthful drinks they produce) so I got on with it. I had pals over to watch a film at night and managed fine as they enjoyed some tasty snacks sitting out which is testament to how filling I find the juices. My last drink of the evening was Broc on which was so nice in comparison to the last one that I guzzled it down! Bright and refreshing, it was a nice end to the day and I loved that it had broccoli in it- one of my very favourite vegetables!

going mad for fruit and veg for post cleanse

I woke up pretty early the next morning due to the 'cleansing effect' kicking in... I wasn't sure what to expect but certainly the Green Cleanse is one to clear the pipes out with ( sorry, gross but necessary) The juices were obviously doing their work! The rest of the day was fine however, I took my juices in the same pattern as yesterday and all ( bar the Green Spice) went down a treat and kept me going. I wasn't feeling particularly hungry or drained and just enjoyed a nice lazy day which felt the perfect end to my cleanse.

I woke up on the Monday feeling properly on top of the world and invincible following the 3 days. My body was clearly thanking me for everything good I had put in and I didn't want it to stop so I was really organised and planned to spend this week eating as raw and clean as I could. I have been enjoying my favourite weekend green smoothie every single morning for breakfast, tucking into huge raw salads for lunch and keeping dinner jam packed with veggies too and I am happy to still be feeling totally amazing 5 days after finishing.

tasty lunchtime salad 

I can highly recommend both the products and the service provided by the dynamic duo at Juice Warrior who have been a huge help throughout the process. I find their passion for what they are doing so admirable and encouraging and they have inspired me to keep up my new good habits! Before long they will be adding in raw snacks such as kale chips, nut butters and dehydrated fruit packs into what they offer which is super exciting for those trying to keep healthy in Glasgow City Centre and I can't wait to try them out.

You can contact Megan and Daniel by emailing juicewarriorglasgow@gmail.com or follow them on twitter  or facebook