Monthly Archives: January 2015

January 23, 2015

EAT UP, SLIM DOWN.

Scales

The secret behind fat-loss success lies in fuelling your body with nutrient-dense meals. Start by going back to basics.

Number one on the list is fibre, both soluble and insoluble. Fibre helps slow digestion and recharges your body with a steady stream of energy, but worryingly, a whopping 90% of British women don’t eat enough roughage.

Eat meals high in protein, which helps preserve lean muscle mass, and omega-3 fatty acids. These turn on fat-burning enzymes in your cells and regulate the hormone leptin, which keeps you satiated.

Finally, spice up your meals for a metabolism kick. Chilli and paprika both contain capsaicin, which helps speed weight loss, while cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar and reduce cravings.

January 15, 2015

FOOD FACT: BANANAS.

Go_Bananas

  • You don’t need to eat bananas for the potassium. Although it is present in bananas, potassium is the predominant nutrient among most all fruits and vegetables.
  • Bananas are high in sugar, so they should not be eaten if you have blood sugar problems.
  • Don’t eat bananas on an empty stomach; combining them with a bit of protein will help to normalize the insulin response caused by the sugar in the banana.
  • Green-tipped bananas are better for your health than over-ripe bananas.
January 2, 2015

EXERCISE OF THE MONTH: JANUARY.

January

SQUAT JACKS

Benefits:
By adding a bend of the knees to a standard jumping jack, this all time favourite move becomes a tough leg and bum booster. It makes great cardio exercise too, which is great for burning off any Christmas indulgence!

How to do it:

  • Stand with your feet close together, hands touching the sides of your head, and lower down into a narrow squat so that your weight shifts back to your heels.
  • Staying low, push off your heels and jump your feet wide, landing in a wide squat position. Lift and jump back to the start position. Continue jumping your feet out and in with a squat as fast as you can.
  • Try doing 3 intervals of 20 seconds, with a 10 second rest period in between. As you progress, you can increase the number of sets and/or time interval.