How to CRUSH IT: Going to the Gym

It's a new year and everybody is hyped up on healthy. Gym memberships rocket, blah blah blah, we know it all. Yet apparently, in recent years, Britons have wasted over £35 million in gym memberships they don't use, while it takes Americans only 24 weeks on average to give up going to the gym after signing up in the new year. Which would be, for this year's New-Years-Resolution-Gym-Splurgers, coming up in the next few months.

So - and I think I'm being very observant here - there may be an issue with the connection between leaping out of bed in January and flinging your precious monies at a fitness institution, and then... Actually attending said institution. So I would like to address:

What puts us off going to the gym?

I wracked the brains of some fellow students to find out...

"I found it intimidating..."

"I do go... But only when it's quiet," says one friend, while another comments that he finds "you get people who look down on guys who aren't ripped". Both of them seem to be speaking for a large majority.

It's a common problem: therein lies (but only briefly, between crunches) a sea of girls with funky-print Victoria's Secret yoga pants or Blogilates gym tops, doing so many squats that if you held up a magnet, their now-iron thighs would come hurtling towards you. Good God, you think, they're so preppy and focused and driven. I can see the kale smoothies and chia seeds burning in their eyes! Abort! Abort! - Why would I even try?! You try to escape, but alas, you run into a wall of men lifting dumbells the equivalent weight of their own extended family after Christmas dinner, producing groans that make you wonder if an ambulance should be on stand by. And you feel simply inadequate.

What, this? Oh, just a light warm up.

Another friend commented that she would feel "judged for using lighter weights"; remember that everybody started somewhere. Yes, even the Taylor Lautner wannabe in the corner had a time in his life wherein he couldn't use a shoulder press.

Blast some tunes if you want to ignore the outside world - but tell yourself that it's not about what they're doing. And fake it 'til you make it.

"I don't like people looking at me exercise..."

Another common issue seems to be an expectancy of looking your best when doing exercise. Frankly, I'd wager most fitness experts would suggest that if you look in tip-top condition, sweat free and ready for a photoshoot, you ain't doin' the whole exercise shebang right.

Seems legit.

Peers have made comments such as, "I feel put off by the pressure to look attractive": from where has this idea sprung that going to the gym is about looking sexy or meeting life partners? It's difficult to enjoy exercise if you're worried about your eyeliner smudging, or your quiff careering off-center. Stop treating the gym like a runway, and take a friend along to be your delightfully sweaty pal. Break down those friendship boundaries.

...No, they bloody well sweat.

"I'm too lazy..."

Less often an excuse of university students, as gyms are likely to be a closer and for a discounted price, but numerous people reported that being lazy was still the main reason they don't go to the gym. One friend made the suggestion that attending exercise classes can solve this: "the person shouting at me was quite motivating." It's true: you're much more likely to attend if you've paid for one particular commitment.

Make your Future Self hate your Present Self. Book those classes. Set the alarm. If you think you'll regret being "too lazy" later on, don't let yourself get away with it.

"You need fresh air..."

Perhaps a less predictable response, but one that came up a lot: "I think exercising inside is weird", and this may be a solid point: why pay to run on the spot indoors when you could be getting a healthy dose of the outdoors for free? Others made similar comments, such as "I'd rather get the fresh air" - a valid point unless you're looking for specific gym-residing equipment.

So the only thing left to say is that if you get a spurt of motivation and want to be "a gym-goer", maybe consider if any of the above might be a potential difficulty. Then grab an action plan, make it work, and go to the gym anyway.

Solving your skincare issues...

The first post of its kind! HOW EXHILARATING.

Likelihood is, the #StudentLyf was going fabulously until your insomniac, ethanol-based, frantic, new-found lifestyle (I say "new-found", but I shouldn't be assumptive - maybe you came out of the womb constantly awake and sipping a cocktail) took its toll on your skin.

One of these factors alone would be enough to tip it over the edge; a lack of sleep, an unbalanced diet, more alcohol than usual, stress or a change of environment could all happily cause problems individually. So it makes sense that when you likely had a bit of all of them, havoc was officially wreaked.

I almost typed haddock. Haddock is not relevant here.

Here are some key factors to get your skincare back on track:

1. That stuff you put on your skin? Take it off.
• Makeup, neon #rave paint, chip grease from when your bestie had a strop and through her 3am snack in your face... None of this is healthy. Unclog your pores before you go to sleep. If it's makeup you're scraping away, drink a glass of water per section of your face you clean. Hangover diminished and skin cleaned - skilled multi-tasking right there. 
• Micellar Water is a sneaky genius for this. Better for your skin than makeup wipes, some say. Marie Claire has a great round-up of its benefits, and some of the best on the market.
  

  

  So make like Mulan and chisel that stuff off.

2. That stuff you put on your skin? ...Don't put it there in the first place.
• Possibly more challenging: try to limit what you slap on to that face of yours. A full face of foundation for a night in with the flat could be considered unnecessary. Likewise, the self-checkout assistant in Tesco's isn't going to judge you if your under-eye circles are out in force. In fact, neither will any other member of the public. Or your friendship group. Try to have a few days a week where you don't jam anything into your pores. Your poor, poor pores. Poor pore. Isn't that a fruit? 

  

  Loading on that mascara like...

3. Clean dem brushes.
• Makeup brushes are hoarders of bacteria. If your skin was acting up in the first place, any receptacle used in the makeup process is going to be germ-y. Which is gross.  
• You can go all out and use a proper brush cleaner, if you have about £15 to spare - like Clinique's. But a mild shampoo (like Herbal Essences), and a gentle but thorough rinse afterwards will do the job. Add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil (available from The Body Shop) when you wash them, as it has impressive anti-bacterial abilities. 
4. ...Tea Tree Oil does actually have divine powers. 
• I will reiterate: nothing kills germs like this stuff. For use direct on the skin, mixing with water and spraying on makeup or brushes, adding to shampoo - it's pretty incredible stuff... 
  
5. Water.
• Try to drink more. Absolute classic tip - fixes everything, really. Hydrate yourself. Simple. 
  

There you have it, some key ways of preserving some skincare health. No haddock required.

~ The Sassy Fox

A Month Without Alcohol: Dry 'JanuaReport'

We vowed not to drink.

We didn't drink.

So first, a round of applause for our accomplishments.

So what has a month of sobriety brought to our lives? What unfolds when you hit a party-renowned city with each and every one of your wits about you? We've picked two contrasting nights our from our experiences to recount...

1) Hifi #edginess

We had a low start, hitting a small club when we weren't keen to go out in the first place. This fact took its toll, and by the time pre-drinks were drawing to a close, we were slumped on the sofa ready to get into our pyjamas. However, some tactical snacks aided us in persevering - despite horrific weather conditions en route (much more noticeable without alcohol), and a ridiculously long queue.

... Definitely a rocky start, but once 'Uptown Funk' was blasting, it was difficult to sulk. Dancing, it would appear, is always fun, regardless of the volume of ethanol in your bloodstream. Shocking, isn't it? Apparently, endorphins are released either way. Madness.

... Or not.

We turned in a lot earlier than usual: 2:00am and I was already waving my hand around in Saskia's face as our "flagging" signal until she relented ("I was loving it! I could have stayed until the end!"). The next morning, we had a smug feeling of satisfaction as our comrades from the night before swayed and groaned in the lift on the way to lectures. Haaaa!

2) Bierkeller

After a shaky experience the night before, we were still very reluctant to leave our warm sofa-cocoons. The problems were halved, though, because the venue's pub-ish atmosphere meant pre-drinks seemed less necessary. Unlike the previous evening, we were not required to sit down for three hours watching friends sip (inhale) wine from glasses the size of my face.



The queuing was appalling: with the snow and sleet whipping us, I had to question exactly why I picked a Northern university. We were left squatting and huddling like penguins to regulate body temperatures. Not fun ("I thought the squatting was quite fun, actually...").

Once inside (and thoroughly defrosted)? The notable difference in the experience was our lack of patience for the drunkards. People falling on us, in front of us, off benches, harassing our friends, swearing when Sas tried to help said friends... We were having none of it.

We were self-conscious too: what would I normally do? Would I act differently? Probably not, is the answer, but even dancing felt a little odd: if your super-cool grooving starts to verge on a Dad-Dancing special, you can't blame it on "that one last double-vodka-lemonade".

Saskia knows she definitely "would have been more forward" in one certain situation, but I think we'll leave that to the imagination.


Lastly, and to the extreme jubilation of my Facebook friends, we did not take any photos. None. There is no photographic evidence of our nights sans alcool (hence our blatant overuse of internet GIFs)... Because astonishingly, it would seem that taking selfies is utterly degrading and just cannot be done when sober. A true lesson learnt.

Our evaluation?

What really is the downside? It's a heck of a lot cheaper. You can't help but feel buzzed when you're dancing on a table surrounded by inebriated flatmates. You don't stay until 6am and regret it. You wake up the next day feeling human. You're even fighting those all-important national statistics about British teenagers binge-drinking themselves to an early death! All of the mems, in HD clarity, less of the headache.



You might feel a little out of touch with your fellow party-goers, or not want to go out as often. Perhaps in the club, you will realise more quickly that the music is absolutely appalling... But this means you're more picky with your choice of nights out, venues and experiences. You go out to enjoy the event, not to arrive somewhere abysmal and hope you are drunk enough to pass the time. Almost sounds like a good thing, doesn't it?





Saskia's overall comment: 

Dry January has taught me to ask an all-important q in life…

“If it is minus a gazillion degrees outside, then why oh why am I leaving the cosy warmth of my woolen poncho, a captivating read and a nice cuppa in order for my

body to endure extreme temperatures, deafening music and sweaty people (the horror!!!!)?”  
Yeah, the buzz of booze helps you to lose your inhibitions and enter into the partay spirit; but nothing quite beats the feeling of actually wanting to be there.


Louisa's overall comment;
I am the person who is constantly asked, "Wow, how much have you had to drink?" ("No no, nothing, I'm always this loud..."), so I can testify from previous experience that being sober for a night out is not a problem as long as you pick to go somewhere you actually like.
I can't pretend I want to remain sober forever, but it has been no problem giving it up. Let's face it - I'll be outgoing, opinionated and dancing on the tables regardless.

Dry January? Quite the success.

~ The Sassy Fox

How to Cope with Living a Double Life: Part 1 + "Dry January" Attempts?!

The title is far more dramatic that its contents.
This is not about spies and doppelgangers.
Sorry.

Firstly, we need to announce the commencement of a social experiment involving a) Refreshers, b) sociologists and c) actually us pretending to be the sociologists. Sounds exciting but simultaneously incredibly ominous, doesn't it? That's how we like it.

"Dry January" is all the rage at the moment - with every member ("Well, not every member... We're not all raging alcoholics like you...") of society suddenly convinced that they have magically developed some sort of will power or something - and Saskia and I love to jump on the ol' bandwagon.

So even though our university "Refreshers" is on the horizon, we have vowed not to let a drop of alcohol touch our lips until February is upon us. And then (lucky, lucky you) to share our eagerly anticipated memoirs with the public: exactly what happens on a clear week of nights out when you're eagle eyed and completely alert? 

It should be noted that Saskia tried to go through the tail end of Freshers sober, because of illness, but caved with somewhat disastrous results (check the previous post). She's a trouper, though, so one failure isn't going to stop The Sassy Fox being out in (very sober, sarcastic) force until the second month arrives. We don't know what to expect. ("I'm guessing not much." "Shut up Sas.")

Coping with a Double Life 

Arriving back at university after Christmas left us feeling out of sorts: just where do we live, exactly? I know I order ASOS to uni and anything important to my parents' house, but what does this mean?

"Home is where the heart is" and so on, but frankly my heart is still very much attached to Jude Law in The Holiday, and Saskia's?
"Oh, I'd have to say it's with Matt Baker from Countryfile."
Well then...
I'm sad to say that home is neither of those places.

We've decided to devise a helping hand for anybody out there feeling similarly 'in-between': here is how to cope when you feel as though you're living in two places at once.

• Perhaps most importantly: get yo'self a Saskia. Inspired by J.K Rowling's impressively disturbing Quirrell-Voldemort-Turban debacle, we call our friendship "Turban Power", so-called not because of any Dark Magic, noseless action or stuttering, but because our minds are so vividly and consistently connected, we may as well share a head. You need such a flatmate to cope with the uni-home transition. Nicknames may vary. Subject to availability.  

• Do not wallow. Focus on the present moment. Don't bore your flatmate with videos of your dog, nor your mother with stories about that one "so, so, totally hilarious" Whatsapp conversation. Maybe you just had to be there.
  
  
  
• You are not the Chosen One. Everybody has just moved to university and away from their family and friends. Moping will only encourage others to do the same, and before you know it you're responsible for a frightening stampede of students heading on an impromptu weekend home.
• See the positive. You have two homes! You haven't lost either... Unless something tragic happened over Christmas. Be happy that you have one place to enjoy a dishwasher, and one to stroll in to at 5am, munching on a burger while haphazardly harmonising to Jar of Hearts, without being questioned. (You could even reheat the unfinished chips from this meal the next day without being judged! ...Much.) (No, you'll always be judged for that.) 
  
  

  

  You'd be correct in suspecting that this is Nutella

• Have some fun with this opportunity. Create a new identity! You have a chance to be whoever you want to be, no questions asked. This wasn't where today's post was supposed to go, but heck, you actually could lead a double life. Here are some clips you may find inspirational if this is a path you're interested in: 
• For beginners
• Intermediate
• Double Life experts: take the Double Life to the extreme

So take some time to fully enjoy the perks of living in two places at once. And be thankful that Matt Baker from Countryfile isn't harbouring any of your vital organs.

~ The Sassy Fox

The Top 10 Ways of Having an Utterly Smashing Night Out

University Freshers’ Week can be ever so daunting, with new faces appearing every which way and an overwhelming expectation to “PARTY HARD!!!!!!!” to the point of disturbing exhaustion and tears until Christmas comes.

But somehow Semester Two and “Refreshers” have come around, and by now, Sas and I consider ourselves professionals at making it through the most surreal of nights out (almost) unscathed.

Thus we have dubbed ourselves completely qualified to assist anybody who ever plans on going on a night out ever again. Here is our comprehensive list of “The Top 10 Ways of Having an Utterly Smashing Night Out*!”, not at all inspired by true and real events of the past few months … You’re welcome.

1)     If your shower is making suspicious gurgling noises and all of the toilets in your flat refuse to flush during the day, definitely don’t do anything about it before embarking on a night out. No, no, really – you’ll want to leave it until the early hours of the morning when you stumble back in and find yourself homeless because of major sewage problems in the building. Trying to salvage your precious belongings from the sewer-flood is like a nifty treasure hunt, while begging your brand new friends to lend you their kitchen floor to nap on is a great flat-bonding activity.

Foam out of the sink? The sign of a GOOD TIME!

2)     If you are seriously ill, go on a night out! It’ll take your mind off the illness, and will prevent you from being called a weakling. Furthermore, once you’re out, you may as well drink copious amounts of alcohol. It’ll make you feel better. On the off chance that it doesn’t, and you end up being dragged by a fangirl into a mosh pit during Nick Grimshaw’s DJ set and then throwing up in the middle of the crowd… Oh well. It’s a handy test for finding out who your true pals are when you are left to fend for yourself in a horde of raving teens.

A distance from the stage that's worth the upchuck reflex

3)     Never pre-drink in a flat with stable ventilation. Pick the venue with the fewest windows and vents you can find – where’s the fun of pre-ing if you’re hydrated, sweat-free and conscious?

4)     If a flatmate leaves a night out early, it is always a good idea to convince them that they have missed something exciting. For instance, why not stage a 'cosy moment' between another two flatmates? There will be nothing like the panic the party-leaver feels at the prospect of flatmate incest. A friendly, gentle reminder that bailing on a club night will be punished.

5)     If a friend is selling tickets to a club to make him or herself a profit, definitely go along, regardless of the club, its whereabouts, or its reputation. It is actually quite soothing to be in a near-silent club that is so empty you can feel the onset of frostbite.

6)     Try to climb bicycle racks. All of them. You can’t go wrong.

Nothing a bit of Arnica can't solve.

7)     Chugging vodka is invariably a great idea. In fact, chugging vodka is a renowned method of staving off those pesky paramedics!

8)     If you don’t feel that you’re looking your best, there’s no need to be camera shy – just drink a little more, so that you’re simply unaware of the paparazzi snapshotting your every move. Tomorrow, it will be a refreshing and fun way to reflect on the night’s antics.

9)      Planning a night out in the country’s capital? Why not pick a Sunday evening? You’ll love the gentle lull of the ghost town, and it will make you consider some thought-provoking questions, like, “If the population of London is over eight million, why have we only seen one family of Dutch tourists, and a stray cat?”

10)  If you feel a little too drunk to stay out, be sensible and have a responsible friend bundle you into a taxi back to your accommodation... Then get the alcohol out of your system by the quickest means, find a different group of friends and get a taxi straight back to the club. Why waste a good night?

*These are guidelines only and for your own safety, please do not follow any of them. As Saskia calls out to me every time I leave the flat without her (so, once, weeks ago): “Be safe!”

Saskia being utterly, utterly safe.

~ The Sassy Fox

Soul-Warming Winter Drinks

Over the past few weeks, as illness, chills and deadlines have hit us, Saskia and I have found that evenings are no longer meant for hectic pre-drinks and mad nights out, but rather re-runs of New Girl and lots (and lots) of soul-warming drinks.

The two of us are always partial to tea – normal, green, mint, chai – you name it, we probably chuck it in a mug and infuse it into water. Yet of late, we decided something a little more special was needed to get us through the stress of the end of our first semester of life away from home.

Thus we came up with some warming winter evening drinks to see you through that pesky coursework you were set over the holidays, or the fact that you have only been home for three days but your family is already driving you mad.

Difficulty Rating: Louisa - Saskia - Team Effort Essential

Louisa’s Baileys Hot Chocolate (for Two)

You will need:

·                     Baileys Irish Cream

·                     Hot chocolate powder

·                     Milk

·                     Essential Baileys listening: anything from the Love Actually soundtrack. Go upbeat and get your Hugh Grant on with “Jump” – the Pointer Sisters, or sit back and weep with “Here with Me” – Dido.

1.           Measure two mug-fuls of milk and pour them into a small saucepan. Turn the hob on to medium heat.

2.           Spoon roughly 6 teaspoons of chocolate powder into the milk as it heats (quantity instructions normally found on packet)

3.           Stir thoroughly until all lumps dissolve

4.           Use one small tumbler, or two large shot glasses, to pour Baileys into the milk. Simply up the alcohol content if you’ve had a stressful day! (Don’t. Drink responsibly. And be weary of using these recipes too early on – the nickname “Day-Drinker”, however inaccurate, sticks around)

5.           Stir together until the milk is steaming – do not let it boil

6.           Pour into two mugs, burn your tongue a few times, and enjoy.

Saskia’s Spicy Mulled Wine

You will need:

•  An orange or two clementines
• A bottle of wine
• A cinnamon stick
•  Cloves
•  Nutmeg
• Essential Mulled Wine Listening:  “White Winter Hymnal” - Fleet Foxes

1.   Cut up your citrus fruit into segments (for those of you unfamiliar with the world of fruit—make it look like a chocolate orange)
2. Add the wine, citrus fruit and your choice of spices into a large pan and let it simmer over a low heat until warmed through. Make sure it doesn’t boil !
3. Ladle into adorable mugs (other mugs will suffice, but it’s not as fun).

 Of course, this recipe is just a blueprint, so go crazy with your flavours! Why not try adding…

•   Slices of apple
•  Have a Berry Christmas! Add blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. 
•  Cardamom seeds (best to crush the seeds in a pestle and mortar, or with the flat edge of a knife)
•  A chai tea bag
•  Star Anise
• Feeling a bit chilli? Why not spice up with a bit of the hot stuff and add a few dried chillies or chilli powder.

 ...Saskia is on point with the puns this season.

So there you have it. Warming drinks to see you through coursework, storms, exam stress, and the inevitable failing of your New Year resolutions.

~The Sassy Fox

Sunday Savoury Pancakes

It's Sunday evening. We eagerly open the fridge after a long, potentially hungover day of procrastinating (Louisa) and actually working (Saskia). Our eyes widen with expectations of a roast dinner having magically appeared, fully ready to serve, but alas this is the #studentlyf and reality hits hard. What met our eyes is as follows:

• Milk
• A full bag of spinach (no, really)
• A quarter jar of pesto
• Two eggs
• Cheese
• Lots of cheese

The eternal question appeared: what the hell are we having for dinner? 

Fear not, for Saskia and I have devised the ultimate Sunday-Leftovers scheme. We present to you our Sunday Savoury Pancake recipe.

Difficulty Rating: Louisa - Saskia - Team Effort Essential

You will need:

• 300ml semi-skimmed milk
• 100g plain flour
• 2 eggs
• Pinch of salt
• Fillings of choice [see below]
• Essential pancake listening: "If You Wanna", The Vaccines

This has been a long-running Sunday routine, to the extent that we have defined roles in the Pancake Creation Process. Saskia, essentially, does the "dangerous" bit. You know, the bit with the heat and  - god forbid - the whisk. Louisa has no such responsibility.

Saskia's pancake mix:

1. Measure said ingredients 
2. Whisk the eggs together in a small bowl and abandon momentarily 
3. Add the flour and a pinch of salt to a large bowl, and create a well in the middle
4. Then add the milk and whisked eggs into the well. Whisk together until smooth
5. Set aside for twenty minutes or so to let the mixture rest and then get cookin'

Louisa's Topping Ideas: 

Cheddar and chopped tomato

Basil, grated mozzarella and tomato

Spinach, pesto and cheddar

Cheddar and ham

... Basically whack some grated cheese in and you've got yourself a bangin' pancake.

Cooking Method:

1. Get yourself some utensils. Preferably ones useful to the pancake-making process. We're talking a ladle and various flat spatulas.
2. Heat the pan on medium-high and place a nob ("No, no, it's more a blob, it's a blob...") of butter into it. ("Actually you should put the butter in first, or you'll burn the pan. Like you did that time with the pasta, Louisa.")
3. Place a ladle-ful of batter into the pan once the butter is bubbling. Wait a couple of minutes to gently slide a spatula under the pancake and flip it over. You could even go wild and try to flip it in the pan. Saskia has had mixed results with this.
4. As soon as you flip it over, place your chosen fillings onto one half of dat p-cake. Wait a minute (we like the cheese to get melting) then fold the un-topping-ed half over the top. Gently slide onto a plate.
5. Repeat until batter is used. ("Yeah, like they're going to keep going after the batter's gone.")

Sunday night sorted. We like to end this little soirée with a loud dance party to noughties pop music... Oh, wait, no, that's not just Sundays. Enjoy.

~The Sassy Fox