Slimfast 321 Plan review: What is it & preparing for the start!

My weight has been steadily creeping up since I left university, add a new sedentary desk job and the festive period into the mix, and it has practically snowballed. I worked really hard to get my weight down at the end of university and, although it is entirely my fault, I do feel cheated that it has crept up so quickly.Whilst overall I am not extremely unhappy with my body (there have been a few tears when clothes no longer fit) I know I felt happier and healthier when had lost some weight. 

Slimfast has been something that I have always seen, but never quite focused on, it instead hovered in my periphery vision as I browsed the make up aisles of Boots. However, when I received an email inviting me to take the 321 3 week challenge I felt like it was exactly what I needed, and I decided to use it as a way to kick my bad eating habits and start afresh!

So what is the Slimfast 321 plan? The plan consists of swapping to of your meals a day with a replacement shake or meal bar, these allow you to have all the nutrients you need whilst lowering your calories - the aim is to have a total calorific intake of 1,200-1,400 per day. To help fulfill this aim you can also have 3 snacks a day, and one calorie controlled meal - 600 for women, 800 for men (You can see all the products here). During this plan you must keep up your water intake and try and do some exercise, things we should be doing anyway! The plan is recommended for those who have  a BMI or 25 or above, which you can work out using a BMI Calculator. However, as Slimfast say on their website, your ideal weight is one where your 'physical and mental health is best promoted' and is not easily defined by a BMI number. So please don't let the little number rule your entire life, or get you too upset.

Lastly, how am I feeling about the imminent plan? Well, although I am pretty apprehensive about not  having 3 regular meals a day, I am  actually quite excited. I have tried WeightWatchers before and it was an utter failure, I am just far too lazy to weigh things out etc, so this plan seems perfect for me. Of course I am not looking forward to the feeling of hunger, but 3 snacks with what is essentially 3 meals sounds like it should be enough to stop the dreaded grumble, we shall see! In terms of preperation I have actually just not been denying myself anything, then if anyone gives me a look I simply retort with 'I am having milkshakes as my meals next week ok...milkshakes.'(Can you tell that I love my food!)

My plan is to do regular posts like these, maybe one a week showing what meals I have had, how I am finding the plan, if I stuck to it etc what do you think?

Safa facial skin care - review & giveaway!

Safa is a brand that has a very strong focus on nature and what it can provide. Recently I have become a lot more aware of what I am actually putting on my skin, and try to be as gentle and natural as possible, so I was very intrigued when Safa contacted me.

Safa have just 2 tag lines attached to their products; Organic and Halal. If you, like me, are a tad confused ( call me ignorant, but I had only ever heard of Halal being used in reference to meat products) it just means that there are no alcohol or animal-derived ingredients in the products, so they are certified Halal by the Muslim Food Board. I think this is great as there are a lot of products that contain alcohol or animal products which can make them unsuitable for use by many people, including Vegans, Muslims and those with sensitive skin.

The packaging of the product is nice and simple, and really reflects the natural ethos of the brand. The milk itself is very lightweight and has a gorgeous herbal-lavender scent thanks to the many oils, including lavender(duh!), that it contains ( it actually smells very similar to my Caudalie purifying mask!).

There are 3 main oils which are present in the cleansing milk; Rosehip, Sweet Almond and Calendula. Safa claim that this mix;

'allows for immediate and visible skin regeneration with a mild anti-wrinkle effect...your skin will feel more fresh and restored...recommended for those with acne because it is lightweight and will not block your pores'

Safa recommend using the milk twice if you are wearing a lot of make up, and this I totally agree with. This product worked best for me when used either on a light layer of make up (it didn't remove waterproof or heavy eye make up!) or my personal preference, a make up-free face.

The lightweight formula didn't clog my pores and left my skin feeling clean and fresh but not stripped. The scent worked really well to either wind me down before bed, or give me a moments peace before a hectic day! My skin has been very temperamental lately, with hormonal breakouts and redness galore. I found this cleansing milk to be deliciously cooling and soothing, and I love that there are no harsh chemicals to further irritate my skin. I cannot comment on the anti-wrinkle effect as I don't really have any, but my skin is cleansed, calmer and very soft after use.

If this sounds like your kind of product, then you are in luck as I have one to give away! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below:

-GIVE AWAY CLOSED- 

p.s This is for U.K followers only I am afraid! But Safa will soon be for sale in Holland and Barret online where it will be delivered worldwide!