TOP FIVE PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU RUN FOREVER

Aside from being another glorious day in the UK's April heat wave, Sunday was the marathon. It has really inspired me to get my trainers out and do a few laps of the park, perhaps even getting fit enough to do my own marathon (one day!). As well as being great all-round cardio, it will help me reduce my stress levels and tone my butt! Here are my top five products for people wishing to take up running...

SPIRU-TEIN GOLD, £28.50 for 545g
http://www.nutricentre.com/

Pre-run

To give yourself some extra energy before you run try using SPIRU-TEIN GOLD. It's a (veggie-friendly)  protein shake from Nature’s Plus.  Containing a blend of energising proteins, essential vitamins and minerals and live whole food enzymes - it ensures you are able to run for longer with a spring in your step.

TWIST N SIP, £2.99
http://www.waitrose.com/

On the run

Every runner knows that you need to stay hydrated for optimal performance. Muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue and heat stroke are all problems athletes can run into (excuse the pun) if they don't take on the proper amount of fluid. Sistema have designed the ultimate water bottle to ensure you keep your water levels topped up on the go - the TWIST N SIP. Its unique design means that you don’t have to worry about spillages and it has a slender waist - just like yours after a few sessions - making it comfortable to hold while you speed through the park!



Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, £1.22
http://www.boots.com/

Pot of luck

I was told by a friend who did the marathon that she saw loads of disgusting things as she worked her way round the course, including people bleeding through their nipples! Yuck! Apparently chaffing is a real problem for long distance runners, so they should lube up with Vaseline on thighs and nipples! It has other uses for runners to, including on your heels before donning trainers -preventing blisters, to stop sweat interrupting your vision  and to keep lips moisturised and protected against the elements... So pop a little Vaseline in your kit bag essential to make crossing the finish line not only a memorable, but a pain-free experience!



Nike Running Arm Wallet, £10
www.wiggle.co.uk

The key to your success

The single most annoying thing about running is finding something comfortable to hold your keys! These little armbands are a lifesaver - you can usually fit an iPod in too, so you can run to the beat!



Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle, £20 50ml

www.aromatherapyassociates.com

Post race

If you're suffering from aches, pain, stiffness or tension, give yourself a rub down with Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel. It contains aromatic waters and essential oils of Rosemary, Ginger, Black Pepper & Lavender to deliver an immediate localised soothing and warming effect to release tension in aching muscles and joints. It is so lovely - you can also warm muscles up with this fab gel to prepare them for training.... your legs will love you if you spoil them with this!

TOP FIVE BODY SHAPING PRODUCTS

We all strive for perfection. But we also skip the gym and eat too many cakes foods from time to time. For this reason, it's handy to have some body-shaping tricks up our sleeves. Here are my top five.

Scala Anti-Cellulite Hosiery Slimming Legging, £15
http://www.scalashapewear.com/

What if I told you  a pair of £15 leggings could get rid of your cellulite... Scala have a range of hosiery that does just that. The anti-cellulite qualities are woven into the fabric, so you can wash them and wear them again and again without them loosing their effect! The leggings are super-comfy and supportive too. In tests by Scala, an amazing 80% of women saw a reduction in inches lost around their waist and a reduction in cellulite. Give them a try (you'd pay £15 for a pair of leggings in TOPSHOP that wouldn't get rid of cellulite, so it's really a no-brainer!)

NeuroTrim, £1.79
Various Supermarkets

Weightloss in a bottle? NeuroTrim contains just 37 calories, and is a sweet-tasting (a bit like pink grapefruit) still drink that helps you stay slim. It does so through an ingredient called LuraLean™, which swells in your stomach - tricking you into feeling full. Clever! It also contains L-Carnitine – an amino acid that helps convert body fat into energy and Green Tea Extract – an antioxidant that helps stimulate metabolism. Try drinking one a day before your main meal.

Formoline L112, £29.95
 http://www.nhproducts.com/

So, you're eating healthily and loosing weight, THEN you're invited to a really important event where you have to eat loads - maybe it's a trip to you're favourite restaurant, maybe you've been invited to a wedding or maybe it's your birthday and you want to eat lots of cake. Whatdoyoudo? You pop some Formoline L112. These little pills contain a naturally sourced fibre, clinically proven to bind to dietary fats and cholesterol passing through the digestive tract. This reduces the calories your body absorbs, helping to reduce excess weight. Genius. I wouldn't say eat them everyday, but when you need to eat something fatty, but don't want to get fat- try these! I tested them out over Christmas as I munched through a huge tin of Roses and think they worked!

EllaPure Diet & Detox Set. £30
http://shop.ellapure.org

We all know that quick fixes only last so long, so if you're in it for the long haul when it comes to getting in shape, a great way to start is the EllaPure detox. Consisting of weight support cider vinegar capsules that contain a blend of potassium and other beneficial minerals to support digestion and increase metabolism. The set also contains an anti-cellulite detox body oil - that is topically applied to skin to help clear the body of toxins (as the build up of toxins contributes to cellulite). The oil, to me, has quite a aniseed fragrance, so I tend to use it at night, and rinse off in the morning (I've heard that oils work better on skin at night, as the warmth generated as you sleep helps them penetrate skin and get to work better!)

Pupa Buttock Enhancer, £39
www.beautique.com

We don't always want to make things smaller. Some people like a bit of junk in their trunk... My friends have an affectionate word for people with no bum. They're called 'begs' - as their back goes straight into the leg. If you fear being branded with this name, get a bootilicious butt lift using PUPA Buttock Enhancer. It's clinically proven to re-position, reshape and lift buttocks up to +1.2cm in eight weeks, giving you the pert bum of your dreams. The cream smells great too, so before you go on your hols, grab a tube or two of this butt-enhancing cream! Booty-ful!

What tricks do you have for getting in shape?