Heat Running App

I was so chuffed when I was contacted by the lovely Arya  ceo and co-founder of Heat Running and asked to trial a new fitness app that they had created, of course I jumped at the chance....
The Heat Running app is the first competitive and social running app that is available, this app allows runners of all levels to compete in races/marathons or just leisurly runs against each other, combining competition, gamification, fitness and motivation all into one of the most exciting app that I have ever seen on the market.

This fabulous app was set up by two personal trainers Arya Farzin and Joesph Phillips, Ayra's own struggles with obesity and the fact that he had realised that no other running app provided the motivation and support that had helped him to loose 200lb had encouraged them to put together this genius idea. they both set out to create a unique app that provided a level of competition and motivation that was previously unavailable.
Heat Running app is the only app that allows and actually encourages direct competition among its users by adding a social component instead of a computer generated one as most other running apps do. This app creates a virtual racing environment that allows you to enter head to  head competitions, bringing out your competitive side of course.

Bringing a social element to running some-how made me so so competitive,I mean in no way was I a runner before taking part in this trial, I secretly hated the thought of running to be quite honest, but once I actually started using the app and started competing against others I found myself starting to enjoy it and even looked forward to my runs each evening just to try and better my own times.
One of the apps mottos is "unlock your animal" urging you to go from an egg to eventually a cheetah, and by god I did (hahah) I was like an animal possessed by the end of it all and god only knows what people where thinking that had seen me when i was out on a run because I  was doing victory dances and all when I had won, not a pretty sight let me tell you that.

By making running into some sort if a game the Heat Running app slyly fools you into making running fun and more approachable for little beginners as myself, but this app would sit well even with professionals like athletes as-well.
These guys have a fantastic following on their social media sights, why dont you join the other 49.9K and give them a little like or follow on Facebook, Instagram and twitter.
 Heat Running is currently available for download on Apple App store

but unfortunately is not yet available for download for Android devices, but plans are to offer a version for Android in the future.
I found this app so fun to use and anything that can boost fitness is always a winner. I had downloaded the app on an Iphone 6+ , as you all know the phone is huge and running with it wasn't an issue to me at all. I recommend that you all give it a try, it is amazing and I know you will all love it as much as I did. I will list all their details below so you guys can check it all out for yourselves,
Website - http://www.heatrunningapp.com
Their fab Story -  http://heatrunningapp.com/about
Twitter - http://twitter.com/HEATrunning
Facebook - http://facebook.com/heatrunning
Instagram - http://instagram.com/heatrunning

For now my lovlies its love, hugs and kisses from Little Paintedme xxxooo.

Ashamed to be in my own skin.

Hi lovlies
             I'm only just back from my fab wee holiday but because of limited internet access I was not able to publish til i came home.I couldn't think of a better time than to discuss the #stoptheshame campaign that stellar.ie started around 8 weeks ago that I had only come across before I left for my holiday might i add (where have i been) 

Seeing girls being able to walk around a beach in front of everyone with a little bikini on makes me want to throw on a huge woolly jumper and become a little holiday hermit and never show my body again....I have to confess I am 31 years old , I'm a mummy of 4 and i have never ever worn a bikini EVER! Don't get me wrong I  would absolutely love to prance around on holiday in a skimpy little two piece but unfortunately the little image demon in my head tells me other wise, 

 The reason being that While I was pregnant my skin stretched so bad that I was left with an awful amount of stretch marks and loose skin all across my stomach to the point where it just looks like I have skin of an old lady now, my belly button has become non existent  because of the loose skin that hangs above it. I refer to my stretch marks as my "tiger stripes" that I earned while carrying my babies though , I lovingly  tell my children that it's a little map to show where they have come from. I know I must sound like such a moaner and that a lot of women would give a limb just to have the "tiger stripes" that I have, yet here I am crying about them !  they just make me feel so unattractive... disgusting in fact! I don't feel comfortable with my husband to be even seeing my body, I still cover my tummy with my hands so he cant see it. As a 31 year old woman I should feel super sexy and have a nice toned tummy, not ashamed to show off at all. Jesus I don't even feel comfortable enough to take my kiddies to the swimming pool wearing a one piece because I feel like everyone can see my saggy old lady tummy and feels repulsed, now I know that people are not that bad but in my mind I feel like their eyes are burning through me.
I have and still am in fact considering cosmetic surgery just to remove the excess skin around my stomach,  no one knows how amazing that would make me feel about myself,and  if that's not self body shame then I  don't know what is. I know though that its 50% for my own self esteem issues and 50% for acceptance in society when I do eventually get the nerve to venture out in a bikini in the future. How wrong is that though, i shouldn't feel like I need to cover myself up so not to disgust others or myself, I want to say good ridings to this body shame of mine once and for all, I want to be able to flaunt my belly to the world and if the only way I can do that is by shouting from the roof tops #stoptheshame then so bloody be it. Ladies/gents/world here is my tummy, stretch marks and all! 

Im sorry if it repulses you but if I can show you all this then its a hugeeee step in the right direction ,I just want to be able to say to each and every one of you, be proud of your stretch marks ladies, each one tells a little story of it's own, and believe me we bloody well earned them!! I hope this gives other women that feel the same way about their body the courage to show off their tiger stripes too

 I hope you all have an amazing day whatever your up to, but for now its love,hugs and kisses from Littlepainted me xxxooo

Easy Peasy sweet potato , ginger and lime soup

Hi my lovlies

         I tried out this delicious recipe a few months ago and just had to share it with you all, this has to be the nicest soup I have ever tasted ,So fresh and suprisingly filling.

First of all you will need..

4 sweet potatoes (peeled&chopped)

3 tbsp of olive oil

2 onions (peeled&chopped)

Roughly 5cm of root ginger (peeled&chopped)

1 clove of garlic (peeled&chopped)

1.1 ltr of chicken / vegetable stock

Juice and zest of 2 limes

225ml of creme freich 

Method

Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the chopped onions and cook until soft and slightly see through. Next add the ginger and garlic and cook again for a further few minutes. Add the chopped sweet potato , cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally to ensure the ingredients don't stick to the bottom of the pan.

Stir in the stock and allow to simmer until the sweet potatoes are soft. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then liquidize and add the lime zest, juice, creme fresh and serve.

It is as easy as that and takes around 30 minutes and thats including prep. 

Hope you all enjoy, but for now its love , hugs and kisses from littlepainted me xxxooo