About Time: You Kickstarted Your Happy January with NākdBy Angelica Malin
We know what it’s like. Come January, after all the mince pies have been eaten, the mulled wine has been drunk and the brandy butter has been slathered on everything in sight, we all need a little break from pastry, booze and all the trimmings. Now, we’re not one to preach here at About Time and we’re not one to feel guilty, because, hey everything takes better with brandy butter – if you want to keep eating stollen and yule logs until December 2017, we’re fully behind you, but if you feel like starting the year with a bit of a health kick, that’s cool too.
And to kick off a happy, positive start to the year, we’ve teamed up with Nākd to bring you a whole host of delicious, wholesome recipes, healthy ideas and a very special competition giveaway. To get involved, like them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter here and Instagram here. What’s more, we’ve enlisted the help of some of our favourite healthy heroes in the capital on how they like to get the most of out January. Here’s where to eat, workout and relax in London this New Year, as told by fitness lovers:
The Insta Gal: Chessie King, Fitness Influencer
Chessie King is a London-based presenter, creator of C.Krets, non-stop explorer and popcorn addict. She runs a lifestyle, fitness and venue discovery channel for London and the rest of the world, offering a mix of trusted reviews, photo and video content – see more here. Chessie King is presenting the UK Blog Awards, book tickets here.
Favourite workout in London: Any Fitness First in London with Steph (Healthy Chef Steph) – we love trying all the new equipment and having a workout with variety. Working out with a partner is great for motivating each other too – we normally do a mix of weight training and HIIT on the treadmill.
Favourite healthy restaurant in London: Ahi Poké – the LA dream in London. I always go for the salmon sashimi mixed with kale, brown rice, cashews, pineapple and sweet ponzu sauce. So, so delicious, fresh and healthy.
Tip for a healthy start to the New Year: Make a WhatsApp group with a few friends called “LETS DO THIS” and motivate each other at the start of the year everyday all the way through with tips, recipes, workout videos and photos.
Favourite Nākd product: Cocoa Orange is my faaave!
The Specialist: Rhiannon Lambert, Nutritionist
Rhiannon Lambert is a Registered Nutritionist specialising in weight management, eating disorders and sports nutrition. She runs a clinic on Harley Street, and you can see more on her website here.
Favourite workout in London: I love the Power Plate class at Transition Zone in Parson’s Green. A serious workout on so much more than just a vibrating platform!
Favourite healthy restaurant in London: Chotto Matte in Soho; delicious Japanese and Peruvian fusion food.
Tip for a healthy start to the New Year: No symptoms that can be treated by nutrition should be treated by any other means.
The Mineral Maker: Abigail Miller, Noble Naturals
Abigail Miller is the director of Noble Naturals – a wholesale company distributing to more than 80 outlets all over the United Kingdom, who specialize in the renowned nano minerals researched and developed by The Health Factory.
Favourite workout in London: My favourite place to work out in London has got to be Third Space in Soho, I’m often in that area for meetings so it’s super convenient and they do some great classes.
Favourite healthy restaurant in London: My fave healthy place to eat is also in Soho: Mildreds. I love that all produce here is seasonal and organic.
Tip for a healthy start to the New Year: The best New Year’s advice I can give is to get the recommended daily allowance of Magnesium. Try The Health Factory’s Nano Minerals in Magnesium; it’s perfect for beating the January blues and busting that New Year stress.
Favourite Nākd product and why: The new Nākd Cocoa Sea Salt Posh Bits! I love them.
The Fitness Champion: Alexander Edward, Co-Founder of Today Fit
Alexander is a personal trainer and 7-time Fitness Champion. He’s also the co-founder of Today Fit, see more on their website here.
Favourite workout in London: Baltimore Gym in Canary Wharf. It has a fantastic atmosphere, boxing ring, TRX, swimming pool, all the weights and equipment you need. What’s more, it’s got an amazing location in the docklands by the river.
Favourite healthy restaurant in London: Gyms Kitchen in Leyton. It has a great tasty, healthy and protein rich menu with well laid out menus that help you decide your meal depending on your fitness goals.
Tip for a healthy start to the New Year: Set your healthy goals, and break them down into a series of small manageable steps to instant improve your chance of success.
Favourite Nākd product: I go for the nut-free option and like the flavour of the infused Nākd Infused Raisins!
The PT: Mark Healy, Personal Trainer
Mark Healy is a PT and nutritionist to who currently works in the super-yacht industry training millionaires on-board, but has trained celebs, supermodels and royalty in his career.
Favourite workout in London: There are some great gyms in central London, but I love the Corinthia Hotel‘s fitness centre. It’s discreet and luxurious and with all the equipment you need, from Powerplates to Kettlebells and TRX to free weights stations. Their award-winning spa is pretty amazing too, for the ultimate post work-out relaxation. For a more gruelling style of training then there’s Barry’s BootCamp on the Euston Road which will always leave you exhausted!
Favourite healthy restaurant in London: Mondrian London’s Sea Containers is ideal for indulging in delicious meals with a healthy twist. Farmacy London is also another great healthy option – its raw bruschetta, earth bowls and superfood smoothies are out of this world.
Tip for a healthy start to the new year: If you hate the monotony of an over-crowded gym (especially in early January), buddy up with some friends and commit to one or two activities a week that are more exciting than simply hitting the treadmill.
Favourite Nākd product: Nākd bars are great for a quick boost of energy that’s good for you whatever time of day; I love the Peanut Delight bar after the gym – it has almost 5g of protein to help with recovery and keeps you going on busy days. It’s full of peanuts and delicious dates – what’s not to love?
The Marketing Maverick: Helen Jones, Head of Marketing for Crussh
Crussh is one of London’s most popular healthy eateries; their food is handmade every day in Crussh’s own kitchen, plus juices and smoothies are freshly made-to-order in store.
Favourite workout in London: The yoga studio East of Eden in Walthamstow – the best yoga and Pilates in east London!
Favourite healthy restaurant in London: Nama, amazing raw food and the best vegan desserts, I love their chocolate ganache cake! It’s also nice and close to our head office, which makes healthy eating so much easier.
Tip for a healthy start to the new year: For me life is all about balance and I’m anti-diet. So I’d say try to make small changes that you can keep up, then it becomes a normal lifestyle.
Favourite Nākd product: I love the Nākd Cocoa Orange Bar – it’s so tasty!
Sponsored post in assocation with Nākd – for more information, see their website here, like them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter here and Instagram here.