Jeggings Vs. Jeans

Recently I have been thinking about what’s best to invest in: Jeggings or Jeans. 

Here I have included the top ten ways in which Ladies Jeggings differ to Ladies Jeans, in order to see whether there is a clear winner between the two!  

1. Jeggings don’t often have pockets, some do, but mostly the front ones are sewn together which can be impractical if you need somewhere to put your phone. One solution to this is to pick up a little bargain handbag from somewhere! Voila, crisis avoided.

2. The elasticated waistband on some jeggings can be a little unflattering, therefore wearing short/crop tops may not look as good as when wearing them with low-slung jeans. 

3. Jeans have a top button and zips instead of the stretchy material jeggings are made from, therefore you have to undo them when you have eaten too much instead of being able to let your waistband stretch around you!

4. If you happen to change what you weigh (say from putting on a little over the Christmas months), unlike jeans which instantly become too tight, jeggings just mould to your changing shape! This is a massive perk, as buying new pairs of jeans in other sizes can be an expensive job.

5. Jeans are heavier than jeggings, which is often why people chose not to wear them to the office or for a night out. 

6. Jeans take longer than jeggings to dry when it’s raining (we feel for you if you are unfortunate enough to get caught out in it!). 

7. When you sit down for a long time in jeans they can make the back of your knees sore, yet this doesn’t happen even in a tight fitting pair of jeggings.

8. Jeggings tend to look a lot better when wearing heels than jeans do.

9. Jeggings can stretch, whereas jeans can shrink in the wash.

10. Price wise there isn’t a lot in it, yet jeggings are usually less expensive.

Verdict? 

Jeggings are the WINNER!

It seems jeggings are a must have over jeans, as they have more positives than negatives! The fact that they are made from stretchy material alone makes us veer towards them as the best option. It seems as if there is finally an item which allows comfort and fashion to go hand in hand, and us ladies deserve it! 

Do you agree with our verdict? If you can think of any reasons why jeans should win instead, get in touch! 

Swanky Sweatshirts! Our Top Ten Ladies Favourites.

Top Ten Swanky Sweaters!

Currently in trend are Ladies Sweatshirts. This is the list of our top ten favourites from our ladies collection!

This first sweatshirt is modern and stylish, adding a splash of colour to dreary autumn days! With the variety of colours that are included within the text on the sweater, there are many different colours of trousers, jeans or leggings that can be worn!






This second sweater is ideal for wearing with jeggings or leggings for when you need that little bit of extra comfort! It is a little longer in length, and we love that. No longer will the bottom of your back be cold when you are sitting at your desk!

Third up is this Hot Tuna sweater, ideal for winter wear! In a close fit with a super bit of detail on the collar, this gorgeous teal colour sweatshirt is sophisticated and stylish.






Fourth sees a nice take on the standard plain black sweater, with a super fluffy cross, this sweatshirt is ideal for those who rock the alternative look.





The next sweater is a three-quarter sleeve, ideal for changeable weather and a perfect way to smarten up any plain outfit. This is ideal for both work and play! Also, this range now comes in a selection of pastel colours, perfect for choosing a sweater to suit your complexion.





This sweatshirt features a unique style, as the shoulder bits are missing! (Hence the catchy name..) It is a cool design (excuse the pun) ideal for autumnal blusters.






Next up we have this Golddigga sweater, a cute and comfy buy ideal for either office attire or a cosy weekend break away. This is also available in black for those of you who hate the colour pink!





Next on the list is this Golddigga knit, with a slight peplum design this draws the attention to just underneath what is most commonly described as one of a woman’s problem areas. In a comforting design with a slight intricate detail to the neck it has earned its place in our top ten!






At number 9 we have this very smart Voodoo Dolls sweater, with a plush knit and in the perfect colour for the coming wintery months! If you are after a thick cuddly jumper then this is your boy!






Last but by no means least, is this fitted Lee Cooper sweater. In a slightly unusual design, this sweater is definitely one that can be worn for all occasions. Differing to the other sweatshirts which are featured this sweater is not to be sniffed at! It could be teamed up very easily with the correct jewellery to create a very stylish ensemble.

So these were our top ten, we hope you like them! Are there any sweatshirts that you love that we missed off the list? Why not get in touch to let us know!

Watersports Safety

Summer is the season of watersports and whether it is abroad on holiday or at your local watersports center, there are always safety precautions you need to be aware of. When taking part in such activities abroad you may find there is a language barrier, and taking in new instructions becomes more difficult. If you are planning to do such sports whilst holidaying you should research safety precautions prior to your trip, especially if it is your first time. Watersports centers in this country are bound to give you plenty of instructions and warnings, but the more you know the better!

Inspect the equipment
Equipment should be stored away from the sunlight to avoid damaging the material. It should also be washed down with fresh water after every use. You can usually tell if this happens as most equipment will be hung up to dry from the last person who used it. Sun damaged, scuffed and crumbling foam pads on life jackets and parts of the wetsuit, will not perform properly and a knotted, fraying tow-line is likely to break.  On the other hand, brand new kit does not guarantee a safe operator, so you should look for places where equipment is being treated properly after use and in a used but good condition. 

Life jacket
When taking part in watersports whether its water skiing or riding in a boat, you should always be given a life jacket. Make sure your buoyancy aid fits properly so that it stays on in the water. Protective helmets should be provided for towed inflatable rides as the aim of this sports is to throw you off, making your head and neck vulnerable to damage.   

Surroundings
You should scan the near by area to ensure your activity will not interfere or clash with another watersport taking place. Some sports can involve dangerous equipment and although the operator should be aware of this, you should double check for your own piece of mind. There should be a clear buoyancy operating area for you to keep away from other beach or center users. 

Who’s taking part
The watersports operator should take down all of your personal details including name, address and any medical conditions. These should be noted down incase of medical problems. You should also be asked if you are water confident and given a full safety briefing before hand. If these actions are not carried out, you should raise the issue with the operator and prompt them to take the above actions. 

Safety procedures
There should always be more than one operator to ensure the safety of the group. If one operator is busy attending to a problem or talking to another customer, there needs to be at least one person still keeping their eye on the group taking part in the activity. These instructors should also be informing you that at least one of them is trained in first aid. 

Longridge Outdoor Activity Center

Longridge is set in a unique riverside location near Marlow, Buckinghamshire. You can take part in watersports and land activities throughout the whole year. The center is open 7 days a week and only closes for Christmas. There are 12 acres of water meadows throughout the center along with space for camping and other land activities. 

For Young People
There are several courses for children aged 8-14 that run over a block of days or weekly. This is a great opportunity for children to learn new skills and take up new hobbies. There are different activities such as kayaking, sailing, rowing, climbing and fencing. The courses are run on a regular basis throughout the year so you can choose a time that suits you best. 
There is a youth club that runs on a Wednesday evening for children aged 14-19. This is ideal for regular users who want to develop their skills and experience in some of the activities available. The sessions only cost  £1 per person so it is very affordable. 
You can also book children’s parties at Longridge which consists of an activity such as kayaking, bell boating, climbing and much more along with either a picnic or hot food option. The parties are aimed at children 8 and above and there is a selection of packages to choose from to suit the age range of the party.
There are also Children’s Holiday Activity Days which run every weekday of every school holiday bar Christmas where children can take part in a surprise range of activities and are fully supervised and fed from 8.30am-4 or 5pm.  

Family Activities
Family activity days are run throughout the school holidays and give parents and children the chance to have a go at 3 activities together. This is a great way to spend some time with the children over the summer holidays and keeps the whole family entertained!

Family activity short breaks are run throughout the school holidays. Where your family are able to take part in four activities across two days but also gives you the opportunity to stay in Marlow and explore the local town. This is a good idea for a short holiday, as there is plenty to do with the activities on site and the neighboring town, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Courses for Adults
There are courses for adults who are after fun and fitness. There are many different courses which include paddle sports, rowing, sailing and more. They also have a selection of fitness classes including circuits and yoga. These are run all the time so best to check with their bookings team. 
You can work towards paddle sports awards which starts off as 1 star and you can then progress to 2 and 3 star. This will give you skills in both kayak and open canoe. 
There are safety and rescue training courses and aquatic first aid courses that you can take part in at Longridge. This is ideal if you are looking to teach in watersports as you will have the necessary knowledge and training to keep people safe under your supervision.  
There are also coaching courses which start at level one and progress to level 2. 

Activities on the River
All of the activities will last 75 minutes and will be led by a fully qualified instructor. There are several activities such as rowing, bell boating, canoeing, dragon boating and rafting. These activities are great for groups of friends or families! 

Schools
Longridge can accommodate large numbers of visitors so are perfect for school day or residential trips. There are plenty of facilities both indoor and outdoor along with catering facilities. 

Equipment
Most activities will require the use of equipment such as a life jacket, helmet or safety harness, all of which is supplied by Longridge. We suggest you come dressed in old clothes that can get wet and dirty and bring some spare clothes to change into as we don't supply customers with a wetsuit  as we feel old comfortable clothing is more suitable. 

Prices
All prices can be found on the Longridge website along with more details about each activity and facility. There is something for everyone and packages can be tailored to suit your needs. 

A Boxer's Diet

Boxing is a very technical and energy demanding sport, where the right training, boxing equipment and the right food are key to success. As a Boxer you are prepared like finely tuned machines your physical fitness and technical skills have to be at their peak in order to be able to win a fight.

A good diet is crucial for every person to stay healthy, its even more important in boxing as it allows you to be able to keep up with demands of training. A boxer should aim to maintain muscle strength and energy in the ring, and avoid feeling tired part way through the fight. You need enough energy to undertake fights and intensive training sessions while staying in your weight class, so the power and muscle needed has to be conditioned to your weight restrictions.

The main key food groups that you have to eat or include in your diet are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Carbohydrates:

• A boxer needs to maintain high levels of energy throughout the 15 round matches so you have to eat carbohydrates which will provide the correct strength, weight and power ratio. 
• Athletes rely on carbohydrates as a source of essential fuel since they are stored in the muscles which are used for physical activity and these have to be continuously replaced. 
• Examples of healthy carbohydrates are beans, oatmeal, yams, fruits and vegetables.  You need to eat a wide range of fruit and vegetable to get the right vitamins. The more colourful the better!  

Proteins:

• Proteins are important for almost every part of the body like; helping repair torn muscles and tissue after workouts, increasing muscle growth and acts as an energy source. 
• Sources of healthy proteins are eggs, tuna, peanut butter, fish, lean poultry and most types of beans. But you have to remember that you are not trying to be a body builder, don’t take too much protein like a whole jar of peanut butter a day. 

Fats:

• You also need a certain amount of fat, about 15% of your daily diet to maintain important internal bodily functions. 
• But they need to be healthy fats like Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats found in seafood, walnuts and olives, they help keep the body working properly, reduces cholesterol and provides the body with vitamin e. 
• Fat may take long to breakdown but once its transferred to your muscles through the blood stream it provides long lasting energy which is vital for boxing. 

And not forgetting water. Drink plenty of water, stay away from alcohol and fizzy drinks as they contain simple carbohydrates that are not easy to breakdown due to their quantity. Boxing is a strenuous sport where you need water to keep you energised and hydrated, it also increases metabolism and flushes toxins out of the body.

Before a fight you need to ensure that you eat food that will provide energy, digested easily and maintain blood sugar levels during a fight, also drink 400-600ml of water 2or 3 hours before a fight. After a fight you need to eat food that will help the body recover, you should eat food high in protein and carbs and low fibre. The combination of carbohydrates and protein help with the repair of muscle tissue speeding up the recovery.

Generally, thing to avoid are eating carbs before bed as your body will not burn them and avoid sugary foods that may potentially reduce your body performance. Food high in fat and sugar only provide short lasting energy which will result in you feeling tired and putting on unwanted weight. One thing to remember is there is no magic diet, supplement pills and lab created substances are not a natural source of nutrients, and they do not provide you with the same level of benefit that real food provides.

Stick to real food to provide you with the right nutrients to be able to move quickly like a fish and fly like a chicken.

Nutrition for Water Polo Players

Introduction

There are two types of water polo, indoor and open water. Indoor water polo is typically played in a swimming pool and open water can be played in a marina lake where conditions such as temperature may require more energy from players. Some choose to wear a wetsuit for added insulation, however many water polo players stick to the traditional swimsuit and briefs. Water polo requires a lot of strength and energy to see the game through, it is important to keep a healthy well balanced diet that will give you the correct energy supplies to perform at your best. 

Pre Workout

It is necessary to put fuel into your body before water polo practice as eating properly before exercising gives your body time to digest the food and stops you feeling too full when you start. You should eat a light meal or snack an hour or two prior to getting in the water. Choose foods that are easy on the stomach but still substantial. You should aim to eat snacks that have 200-400 calories and a ratio of 40-30-30 of carbohydrates to protein to fat. 

Carbohydrates break down in to glucose which is what your body uses for energy, protein helps you maintain stamina and build muscle, and fat slows down the digestive process allowing your body to have a steady supply of glucose and protein. Not all carbohydrates are good for you before a workout so you should stick to foods such as fruit stated in the chart above. Items such as chocolate and jelly are full of sugar so will give you an energy boost for a short period of time, after which you will feel worse, similar to the effects of coffee. Carbs such as pasta are heavy on the stomach so again are not ideal before working out. Stick to light and substantial snacks like whole grains and fruit.

Workout

It is important to maintain hydration and blood sugar levels during your practice as sometimes you may not realise how much you sweat whilst in the water. To stay hydrated you should keep a bottle of water at the side of the pool to re-hydrate yourself throughout the game. If you find that your blood sugar levels are dropping too low at certain points in your workout you may want to add carbohydrates and electrolytes to your drink to maintain the correct levels. 

Post Workout

After your game you should eat within the next hour to refuel your body and keep yourself going for the rest of the day. Eating in this period of time will aid the body in restoring and rebuilding the muscle tissue you have broke down during practice. Your body will most efficiently replenish its energy stores during this time, turning food into muscle rather than fat. 

You should eat a small portion of food containing 100-200 calories with a ratio of 3-1 carbohydrates to protein. Whole fresh foods such as whole grains, fruit, vegetable and dairy products are ideal for your post workout snack. 

Conclusion

To get the best results your diet should be made up of natural foods. Things such as energy bars are fine, but you will feel better eating a natural diet of foods. Despite how hard you work out in your game, if you don’t have the right fuel in your body your performance will suffer. Sticking to a healthy balanced diet throughout the week, teamed with the pre and post practice snacks will help aid your performance and energy levels during your game. 

Squash Fun in the Sun!

Summer is finally here! Winter is far behind us, in the almost unforeseeable distance.
Its time to kick back, relax and enjoy the summer…

Oh yes!

 I’m sure this is something we’d all like to do this summer. But for some, we have a small, yet very messy and sugar driven problem… what to do with the kids!
Well why not get your kids into sport. The amount of enjoyment a child will have learning a new skill, plus of course the added benefit of lots of exercise (sleepy children by 8pm), and don't forget actually enjoying the sun for once.
And yes there are outside squash courts, but please remember to book them first! But if you think about it all you early need is a wall. I've recently tested a child’s Squash racket and two sorts of squash ball. Dunlop Mini ball (orange) and Dunlop Mini ball (pink).
Dunlop play mini ball orange is a ball for children aged 7 to 10 years old. This ball is part of the Play product range and is developed for young children who are looking to develop key skills in the game of Squash. The Play range is the second development stage of the Dunlop Mini Squash Programme. (Pack of 3)

The second is Dunlop Pink Mini Squash 12 Ball Box has been designed for young up and coming squash players who are trying to build a passion for the game and have some fun at the same time. Official W.S.F balls, made from a spongy foam that bounces well and gives the young players the chance to just enjoy themselves. (Pack of 12)

My review: 
I found that the orange ball got warmer with use but not hot. As it was warm, it got bouncier and therefore easy to play with as gave the children longer to hit the ball.
The Pink ball was more appealing to younger children, this is because they are very soft and don't warm up at all. Which makes it safer and easier to use, especially young beginners.
If you do decide to do anything this summer. Make it sports.