Posts Tagged ‘weight loss advice’

Cheat Eating - Don’t Panic!

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Most people get off to a good start when they begin a new diet. They lose weight over the first couple of weeks and feel great. Then a couple of hurdles come up and for whatever reason they eat the naughty stuff and undo all their hard work - at least that is what they think!

In actual fact an occasional binge is not going to hurt you as much as you think. The biggest key to sustained weight loss is sustained motivation. There is nothing that kills motivation faster than a big binge session, but it should not have to.

Let-s look at Susan, who is 27 years old, and weighs 80kgs. With an office job and virtually no exercise, she would burn around 2000 calories a day. She then sticks to a diet of 1200 calories a day.

On this diet, each week she would burn around 5600 calories more than she is eating, meaning she would lose around 0.75kg a week or 3kg a month.

Now on top of Susan-s normal eating, lets say she has a terrible day every Sunday and binges on a packet of chips (245 Cal), Mars bar (275 Cal), McDonalds large Big Mac McValue meal (1160 Cal) and large bowl of ice cream (290 Cal). Remember, this is on top of what she would normally eat on a Sunday anyway, so a big binge.

All this eating on a Sunday (1970 Calories worth) would only change her weekly weight loss from 0.75kg to 0.5kg. So Susan is still losing 0.5kg a week, which is great!

So you can see that she really should not get too down on herself for a bad day, but rather try and put it behind her and get back to her healthy eating the next day.

By allowing yourself one -cheat day- a week you can help stay focused during the week and enjoy the benefits!

It should be stressed that this article is in no way advocating binge eating. There is no doubt that Susan-s binge eating is not the IDEAL situation but it is simply trying to illustrate a point that you should not lose motivation if you occasionally enjoy your other favourites.

If you absolutely have to have a certain food that you know is bad, keep it to one day a week and don-t beat yourself up about it. The most important thing is that you keep your mind focused on your end goal and maintain your motivation through to the end.

Brought to you by AlFitness

How Drinking Water Can Help Your Weight Loss

Monday, June 16th, 2008

Yep we tell you time and time again but drinking water is CRUCIAL for your weight loss results.

Everybody needs 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday as a MINIMUM but if you are a good girl or boy and choose to exercise you should drink even more - the general rule is about 1 litre per 1 hour of exercise.

Drinking water is the most simple way to fulfill your body’s liquid requirements. Other means include eating water based foods and drinks that contain water -” however remember water is the most natural, healthy fluid you can replenish your body with.

Read on to find out more :)

Drinking water is the purest way to quench your thirst, flush out your organs and get your digestive system pumping. Water is free of all the naughties - sugar, caffeine and most importantly the calories that other drinks such as Sprite, Coca Cola and even some Iced Teas.

Water is not only good for your health in general. Drinking water helps weight loss, too.

How Does Water Help Weight Loss?

It has been discovered that your brain cannot detect the difference between thirst and hunger. So if you’re feeling a bit peckish you might in fact just be thirsty. So before you run to the fridge, grab a glass of water and see how you feel.

Did you know the dehydration causes weight gain!? Yep it does. If you are not getting enough water you body retains water to protect itself. Water retention causes bloating which can add up to 4 even 5 pounds over time!

Water can maximizes fat loss. While it doesn’t necessarily burn fat it makes the whole process easier for your body.

Normally, your water intake puts your kidneys to work, as well as helping them work. So when you don-t take in sufficient water, your kidneys don-t function very well. Because your kidneys aren-t functioning very well, the job of processing your water intake is passed on to your liver.

But your liver also has other tasks to handle! Primarily, the liver is responsible for turning fat into energy -” in other words, burning fat. When it-s given the additional task of processing your water intake, it can-t concentrate in burning as much fat as it can.

When you drink enough water, your kidneys will function properly. When your kidneys function properly, they don-t need to pass processing your water intake to the liver. The liver then is free to concentrate on its fat-burning duties. You see! Drinking water helps weight loss!

Water Helps Activate Fiber: Fiber by itself, without the necessary water intake, doesn-t do much for your diet. In fact, by not taking in enough water, fiber will cause constipation by soaking up water already in your body. To make sure that you get the most out of your fiber, make sure that you take in enough water -” sometimes even more the amount of what is normally required for everyday intake.

Water Helps Flush Away Toxins and Fats: Because with enough water fiber gets to do its job properly, toxins and fats are absorbed during digestion before they get absorbed by your body. Apart from making sure that fiber sponges up toxins and fats in your body, water also works on its own to help you flush out toxins and fats.

Where you have a less build-up of toxins in your body, you will be healthier. A healthier body ultimately can work harder in processing and breaking down fats, thus helping you lose weight. Do you believe now that drinking water helps weight loss?

Can you drink too much water?

Drinking water helps weight loss but you should do it in moderation. It-s not so much as drinking too much water as drinking too fast that should be your concern. Your kidneys are efficient enough to process up to 5 gallons of water in a day. The key is to spread out your water intake throughout the day and not ingest a lot on fewer intervals.

So get your water bottles ready my dears its time to flush out those baddies and start losing weight. And don’t think its your body alone that will benefit - you’ll find changes in your skin, your eyes and even your concentration.

ENJOY!

I have found the ULTIMATE Ladies Handbook - A Must Have For Any Fabulous Gal!

Monday, April 21st, 2008

The bank card got heaps of use yesterday when I grabbed some awesome books to fill my brain with awesome goodies for you guys.

My ‘they were 25% off’ justification brought laughs from my darling boyfriend who patiently held the books I piled up hehe!

The first one I picked up has left a massive impression on me and I think every lady should pick up a copy and get it in her handbag TODAY!

Read on to find out what the ultimate ladies handbook is!

I read the first book cover to cover in ONE sitting.

The name was ‘Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous’ by Esther Blum.

I was VERY impressed and have put together a mini book review on this special treasure.

Esther is what I like to call a nutritionist with a twist. This sassy lady has all the certifications but a refreshingly down to earth approach to both diet and life in general.

There isn’t any fancy lingo and lab jacket for this lady - she gets to the point and gets there fast!

This clever cookie has worked in the world of nutritional counseling for 15 years and left many clients fabulously happy in the meantime.

As Ether says, ‘I show my clients how to lead healthier lives and I encourage their naughty ways. I am pro supplements and I am pro cosmopolitans.’

Esther’s book is an incredible handbook for women in the real world.

She covers everything in this pretty pink book from eating your way to magnificent body, drinking like a princess, digesting your way to smoking hot bedroom fun, supplements made for beauty and navigating your way through a breakup PLUS MORE!

Esther goes through how to:

* Get in touch with your body the gorgeous gal way
* Manoeurve your way through the supermarket the right way
* Eat smart when living it up
* Enjoy drinks without adding 100’s of calories or hours of pain the next day
* Pick the right supplements to keep you feeling amazing all day, everyday
* Deal with heaps of common issues like PMS, cramps, colds, bloating & more
* Get through a sad time the classy way
* Workout the sassy gal way to make your body fabulous inside and out
* And MORE!

Here’s some of my favourite bits:

"A healthy, happy and beautiful woman honours herself and her cravings. Does this mean eating an entire package of cookies in one sitting? Non non cherie. This means that when you are going to indulge, you do it princess-style. Buy the very best cookies you can afford, put them on one of your sassiest dishes, sit at the table and fully enjoy eating them." Page 21.

"Whether you’re eating out, cooking in the kitchen, or cooking in the bedroom, have fun and enjoy yourself! If you treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner, balance it out the next day with plenty of green vegetables. At the end of the day, the only person holding you accountable is yourself, and eating gorgeous will help you be your own best friend." Page 49.

"Just because I’m a nutritionist doesn’t mean I’m immune to the perils of living it up large. Being healthy AND the belle of the ball is no easy feat. Rather than getting excited about going out and binge drinking let’s switch gears a bit and think about consequence free, grown up drinking that will leave us fresh as a daisy le morning after." Page 52.

"Did you know by eating a healthy diet, taking the right supplements, and taking care of your digestion you can increase your endurance and satisfaction and, most important, perform like the bucking bronco you know you are!" Page 77.

Esther is not only a refreshing dietitian but also an awesome writer. It didn’t feel like reading, it felt like sitting down in a hip NYC bar with a martini and fun albeit nutrition based conversation.

Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous is an exciting, informative and funny girls handbook. I thoroughly enjoyed it - it didn’t even feel like learning. If only high school had been this fun!

Rating: ★★★★★

This is seriously a must have for any sassy lady. Click the link below to grab your own copy!

Thou Shall Follow The 10 Healthy Living Commandments!

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Living your life in a healthy way will allow you to live longer, live happier and enjoy every moment.

I can’t stress enough that the most important way to achieve long lasting weight loss and overall heath is immersing yourself in the LIFESTYLE not the diet.

Set time for YOU every day to do your exercise, stretch your muscles and cook healthy but yummy meals.

Follow these 10 commandments and you will be on your way to a longer, more fulfilled life.

Write these healthy living commandments down and stick them around your house. On your fridge, in your bathroom and in your office.

10 healthy living commandments.

1. Burn off more calories than you consume

2. Take 30 minutes to exercise every day

3. Drink 2 litres of water each day

4. Make 75% of your plate fibrous veges

5. Always eat breakfast

6. Cut down on your alcohol intake

7. Eat fewer processed foods

8. Swap coffee for herbal tea

9. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night

10. Have the ocassional treat, don’t deprive yourself

Make these commandments part of your everyday life and you will lose weight and feel better inside and out.

Click the link for more posts on Healthy Living

Valeries Waters Tips - Week 2

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

VALERIE’S TIP #2

You don-t have to be in the mood for exercise!

Even fit people aren-t always in the mood for their workouts. I have been exercising regularly since I was 14 years-old. And I am in the gym all day with clients.

I can assure you-I am not always in the mood, but I know I will feel better when I-m done.

My motto, -You are just one workout away from a good mood- has served me well.

Sometimes it-s just a matter of getting started; fire up the nervous system; juice the joints; get your heart pumping.

After about 10-15 minutes you-ve started to feel lighter. And dare I say happier?

It is on these days that exercise can serve one of its most important functions - changing states.

Valerie Waters Tips - Week 1

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

VALERIE’S TIP #1

Nutrition accounts for 80% of weight loss results. Regardless of what you do in the gym your body will only transform into red carpet worthy if you fuel your body the right way.

One of my main tips with regards to nutrition is to always pre-prepare your food.

I always say if you leave nutrition to chance it WON’T happen. . .

* Grill some extra chicken at dinner for lunch the next day.

* Have a container of pre chopped veges in your fridge so you can just grab them and go

* Marinate some chicken while you dry your hair in the morning

What you may or may not know is that the right food choices can not only help you lose weight, but they can also give you more energy, boost your immune system, improve your mood and sense of well being, improve your brain function and ability to think, improve your skin and help you sleep better.

Here are my basic rules for nutrition:

1. Eat 5-6 times a day: 3 meals and 2-3 snacks
2. Eat protein at each and every meal
3. Avoid processed foods and fast foods
4. Get your daily Fiber
5. Watch your portions
6. Plan and pre-prepare your food
7. Drink 80 -” 100 ounces of water per day (2 large water bottles)
8. Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per week

Incorporate these basic rules into your daily eating and you will set for some serious weight loss results. Get ready for your very own celebrity body!

50 Weight Loss Tips - The Definitive List

Monday, April 7th, 2008

I’ve looked high and low for the DEFINITIVE weight loss tips - the tips that end all confusion! Weight loss is a tricky task but by no means impossible. Sometimes just small changes to your every day life that can make a huge difference.

These tips will not only help your weight loss but your overall wellbeing. There is more to a healthy body than looking thin.

After searching every corner of the internet, trying out every diet under the moon myself, reading one health magazine after another and racking the brains of my friends in the industry I have compiled this list of 50 weight loss tips.

I challenge our UWLS readers to incorporate at least 15 of these tips into your weight loss this week. I dare you :)

The Definitive List of Weight Loss Tips

1. Drink at least 2 litres of water per day. Fill up a big bottle and sip away during the day, there’s no need to scull.

2. Switch to wholegrain - no ifs or buts! Buy wholegrain/wholemeal bread, cereal, flour and crackers.

3. Eat oily fish like salmon, trout or sardines 2 to 3 times per week.

4. Cut down your alcohol intake - do not exceed 2 drinks per session and try stick to once a week.

5. Stock up on green veges. Broccoli, silverbeet and spinach are known as weight loss super foods.

6. Swap to low fat dairy products (non fat milk, low fat or non fat yoghurt and low fat cheese).

7. Don’t be afraid of healthy fats from olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds - incorporate 2 to 3 tablespoons of good fats a day.

8. Eat breakfast. No excuses, prepare it the night before if you’re short on time in the mornings.

9. Limit cakes, choccies, biscuits to once a week.

10. Increase your fibre intake with oats, psyllium husk, veges, wholegrains, beans, lentils etc.

11. Keep a food diary to track what you eat. This will help you see what emotions/situations make you crave naughty foods.

12. Set goals (use SMART formula: specific, measurable, achieveable, realistic, time limit).

13. Kick your caffeine habits. Energy drinks and soft drinks add useless calories to your daily intake, throw them out!

14. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

15. Eat every 3 hours. This method is crucial for to keep your metabolism functioning at its best. Set an alarm!

16. Exercise. Do it. Aim for at LEAST 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity a day. Walk, jog, skip, ride, jump ANYTHING!

17. Find the source of your motivation and exploit it! Put up pictures. Watch inspiring movies. Read fitness books. Set deadlines.

18. Pack your 2 snacks and lunch before work. Don’t fall victim to the hunger monster and eat naughty lunchroom stuff.

19. Fill your work mug with green tea, decaf black coffee and herbal tea during the day.

20. Strength training. Every celebrity we’ve researched does strength training. Every trainer says it is a MUST. Learn, Do!

21. Before you start a diet DE-JUNK your pantry - without the bad foods there you can’t be tempted even in a weak moment.

22. Make healthy eating a lifestyle for the WHOLE family. Don’t eat your healthy meals while they gobble down fish and chips.

23. Invest in a good pair of running shoes. Poor shoes equal injuries and that will only slow your weight loss down.

24. Learn to steam and grill - don’t fry.

25. Eat protein with every meal. High protein foods are: chicken, fish, dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds.

26. Avoid trans fats at all costs! These are linked to obesity, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Enough to put you off? Hope so!

27. 80% of your diet (if not more) should be whole foods - fruit, veges, brown rice, nuts, seeds, dairy, unprocessed meats, grains.

28. Work on your stress levels. High stress causes weight gain. Stop sweating the small stuff, get professional help, meditate.

29. Surround yourself with people with similar weight loss goals. Having fat friends has been linked to weight gain and bad habits.

30. Start your exercise slow. Step up the intensity each day and you’ll see results.

31. Weigh yourself once a week. Pick a day each week and track the results.

32. Have a cheat day or at least a cheat meal once a week. This will jump start your metabolism and keep you motivated.

33. Laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine. If you are laughing, you aren’t frowning.

34. Love your body - you only have one. Flaunt your assets, embrace a healthy lifestyle and treat your body inside and out.

35. Mix up your workout. Nothing crushes motivation more than monotony. Hit the beach, hit the gym, go alone, go with a friend.

36. In a toxic relationship? Get out. Relationships influence your life, your weight loss, your motivation, your mindset.

37. Try something new each week. A dance class? Yoga class? Beach walk? Mountain hike? Be brave!

38. You can’t do it alone. Everyone needs support. Get your partner, friends, colleagues and family on board.

39. Drink a glass of warm water with lemon juice every morning to keep your insides healthy.

40. Don’t fall for the latest fad diet - it will not work long term. Make a lifestyle choice to be HEALTHY and go from there.

41. Have more sex. Sex burns calories and releases a hormone that quells hunger.

42. Plan your meals ahead of time. By writing a plan the night before you will be FAR less likely to cheat your diet.

43. Train with a buddy if you lack discipline. Friends can egg each other on, hold one another accountable and make it more fun.

44. Quit smoking. NO EXCUSES.

45. Be aware of calories. Burn more than you consume daily and you WILL lose weight.

46. Let your body recover. Exercising like a maniac with no rest will leave your body sore and far more susceptible for injuries.

47. Pump up the music. Load up your Ipod for your workout, the time will fly.

48. Reward yourself for your results. A new outfit, new workout gear, a sleep in, a dinner out - you deserve it.

49. Spread the word. Our obesity rates are rising - we all need to make a change.

50. Be proud of yourself. By acknowledging your success, your effort and your dedication you will be driven to do more.

Ok go for it guys, you’ve got it all there!

Speak soon,
Shelley :)

Getting Rid Of Cellulite

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

Cellulite is the bane of the lives of many women around the world - young and old. Sounds dramatic? I can promise you that anyone that’s experienced ye olde "orange peel" thighs would agree! Unfortunately many cosmetic manufacturers have decided to capitalise on what is a huge image concern of women everywhere.

So what IS the best way to get rid of cellulite? Realistically you should make changes to your diet and your lifestyle to get the best results. Below are some great tips you should incorporate to lose the dimply thighs.

Cellulite Busters

* Drink 2 litres of water per day

* Quit smoking NOW

* Eat high fibre fruits e.g. apples, plums, berries

* Cut out coffee, switch to herbal teas

* Eat smaller meals to reduce stored fat

* Eat high fibre veges e.g. spinach, broccoli, green beans

* Up your Vitamin C intake

* Decrease the amount of fat and salt in your diet

* Avoid foods with artificial additives

* Lower your alcohol intake

* Massage your skin in the shower each day