Women in Sport

It's no secret that I quite like sports and fitness. I've been a runner for three years now, I have an interest in karate and I'm stoked to get back in the gym when I return to the UK. What I'm not so keen on is how women are represented and how the fitness world is pitched to us ladies.

Seriously... No woman looks like this at the gym. Ever!

Get Sassy: 30 Day Shred Challenge

I consider myself pretty fit; I run 4 times a week for around 4-5 miles, I eat healthily and drink plenty. So when one of my fitness buddies suggested trying Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, I laughed in the face of danger (muahahaha! --Yeah yeah, laugh in the face of my Lion King joke!) and said I would do it. Little did I know what I was letting myself in for............

The Get Sassy Challenge: Part 1

It's that time of year again where the resolutions to get fit and look hot in a bikini crawl out of the wood work... Ladies, let me stop you right there (Gents, I'm sure you already look hot in that bikini!)...
Getting fit in the New Year is a fabulous idea! I support you 100% but having spent all of my teenage years vowing to get fit and look good in a bikini, I have realised where I have been going wrong!!

Back to Training!

It's that time of year again when people start itching to sign up for marathons and set new goals, ready for race season! So I have decided to get back into training and really dedicate some time to my fitness...

The Importance of Dedication

There are 3 things I want to really focus on this academic year. I want to spend time on my studies, improve my running and become a green belt (minimum) in karate by next summer. In order to do this I have to have one very important thing: Dedication.

I have met some truly inspiring people this year who make me want to do better but also make me believe I can do better! And in light of the fact that I am moving to France in a couple of weeks, I decided that it was time for a fresh start and a fresh focus on things...........


Karate World Champion Vicky Panetsidou.

The Importance of Positivity

Last night I made the revelation that I'm going to start getting up at 5am. Now even I know it's a little on the bonkers side but I did get asked, why I was getting up so early when I should just utilise my time better and wake up later.

Essex Bolts

Despite having to jump through hoops for the Uni, some friends and I are setting up our very own running crew. Now most people think "urgh; crew" it should just be a normal club-- we're not in the 'hood'.

Running really is a complete life style. What you learn on a run, you can apply to your life and the hurdles you face, really can be tackled. On a run you have time to think, breathe, take time out and if you want get back to the raw material of yourself. Focus on your breathing, how your body feels, how you feel emotionally and how fluidly you move along your route. Unplug to plug in. No music, no pacers, just run!

Spicing up the Winter Months

Check out my Nike leggings:
These will be spicing up my winter for sure!

 Excited for my morning run! =D

What spices up your workouts in the cold months? ;)

Beat the Winter Blues

Waking up at 6am, the sky dark, the frost thick.... Let's crack out the violins now because nobody's going to be doing anything other than feeling sorry for themselves as they haul their asses out of bed for that early morning run. In the bleak depths of winter.

OR, you can haul your sorry ass out of bed and after a sufficient amount of caffeine, you can get your kicks on and enjoy the crispy morning air whilst you pound the pavements!

You Give Me Fever...

...And the fever is catching! :P

Now before you start taping up your windows and boarding up the doors, declaring quarantine, I should probably tell you that this fever is a good one to catch. That's right, I'm talking about the Running Bug!!

Fashion Snaps: H&M Striped Orange Sports Bra Review

Okay, so when I was in Spain I got used to running in my bright pink and yellow shorts and started to fall in love with vibrant, quirky patterned workout gear. Upon a late night shopping trip (including FroYo, Jewellery and muchos laughter) I stumbled across this bad boy and decided to buy it!

Starting the Festivities Early

Wow, training is hard! But it's good to get back into it-- 2 weeks off is a long-ass time!

So festivities is a bit strong... It's my 21st birthday this December and people keep asking me what I want as gifts, other than my student loan! Well I've been casually playing around on Nike iD with some new kicks and a running top!

Treading Water...

So since finishing the Oxford Half Marathon, I've basically been going in a little bit of a downward spiral....

Fast Girls

Ahhh!!!! I'm missing the Olympics!!! Bring back the hype, bring back the positivity for women in sport and BRING BACK THE INSPIRATION!!!!

Oh you KNOW I found you all a little extra inspiration, just in time for the winter slack to set in! The Olympics was MASSIVE this year and this film just summarises exactly what it was all about.

That moment that will take your breath away with inspiration!

Crossing the Finish Line!

So as you all may have read, I had a half marathon in Oxford on the 14th October. Well, I did it!

Let's start from the beginning........

Aren't we a gorgeous bunch?! =D

Back to the Grindstone... AND A HALF MARATHON!!

So um, given the title you will gather that I'm doing a half marathon... uh yeah. It's in 8 days and I am terrified.. and excited and nervous and um, even if I pass out I am expecting someone to drag my unconscious body across the finish line because I WANT MY MEDAL!! It will be shiny and will also be going on my wall! :D

Check out my room! =)

Be Pretty on Rest Days!

So given that I was 99.9% against the Olympics this year what with it usually being ALL track and ALL football on our screens with none of the other sports being shown, I have actually thoroughly enjoyed having the Olympics in London. But I am all for women sweating it out for fitness........

Copyright [bangsandabun.com]

So forgive me for joining the ranks of women who were shocked and appalled that London's Victoria Beckham of running, was out and out called HIDEOUS by a randomer on Instagram.Now the image in question was after a hill training session, which most people can imagine won't result in a stunner of a picture!

Running in Monsoon Season!

Now, my uncle lives in Malaysia so Monsoon Season over there really is no joke. But considering England has a hosepipe ban and drought warnings, we aren't doing too badly for rain. I am not the biggest fan of running in the rain, drops of water stinging my face etc, I can think of more enjoyable runs. BUT, I went out twice (that's good for me) in the rain and pounded out a couple of miles!

However, since then, the dismal weather has been getting me down a bit so in order to stay motivated I have a few things around my room at uni to help me out.............

Bangs and her Girls!

Day 1 of Half Marathon Training & Valencia Prep!

Getting Back to Running

So training today was okay, but I can admit that man, I am out of shape! I busted my gut out there today doing my usual walk-run plan, and it was hard! I was a little nervous before as I forgot my bad boys (read: trainers) at uni and wore my trusty Reebok's (No Chav jokes please, I was exercising) instead. I had no lycra, no proper trainers and hadn't been running in a while, so to say I was nervous was a little bit of an understatement.

Running Riot!

Okay so I've picked up running and rather than dive in head first I have been following the Zest 60 Second plan, and you know what? It's ace! I hated running. I really honestly hated it after I got thrashed in the 800m race at school when I was 15. It was humiliating and it hurt like nothing before. And to be honest with you, I've avoided it ever since, I will jog my way to the bus stop if I have to, I will happily play badminton or ride my bike but running? No thank you!

So why running........?