Get Fit On The Move With James Haskell’s Fitness Advice

Want to get fit but can’t find the time? Here are some tips from James Haskell. James is the health and fitness ambassador for The Healthcounter.

 

Planes, trains and automobiles Exercises to do on the move, don’t let that long haul journey effect your health

 

Lululemon_Yellow_YogaThe obvious one is walking the cabin. If it’s a Jumbo or a large plane you can create a circuit by walking down one aisle and back-up the next. However you might not be too popular with the Air Hostesses if they are working the aisles with the drinks trolley or they are in the galley, when you do your circuit end turns!

Another must-do exercise is stretching, when you get the chance. You can also do some simple exercises to switch muscles on. Like standing, feet slightly apart, one leg to the front the other behind and imagine that you are trying to push the earth apart. Hold this for 20 seconds and then rest for 20 seconds.

You should feel all the muscles in your leg work. You can repeat this with your feet a shoulder width a part. Find a wall or divide in the cabin – put your hands on it and try to either push-in the wall, keeping straight arms, or trying to split the wall down the middle of your hands. Hold all of these for 20 seconds and repeat 4 times

 

Spare 5 minutes? Exercise you can do in your garden, on the beach etc. Simples exercises that will work the all muscles as well as target areas

 

“I would say you should do a 5 minute tabata, which is a form of high intensity interval training. It is a method that is much more beneficial within this specific time frame than regular, moderate intensity training, such as jogging, biking, skipping, and so forth and in my view much more fun!”

 

One suggested circuit which is guaranteed to get your heart rate-up and sweating.

 

10 x standard press-ups

No rest

 

10 burpee jumps – start standing up – feet slightly apart. Then drop down to a crouching position on the floor, with your knees, which should be up to the chest, with your hands either side of the knees, palms to the floor. Then jump out into a press-up position. Then jump back into a crouching position and then jump back up into the air landing back into the standing position. Then repeat

No rest

 

10 Spiderman’s – Position yourself on the ground in a push-up position with hands a shoulder width apart and feet together, resting on your toes. Keeping one’s spine straight. Then using your abdominals, move your leg forward, bring your left leg to your left hand and then back to the neutral position. Repeating for the right leg.

No rest

 

10 sit-ups – Unlike the “Crunch”, which is predominantly a shoulder movement as the lower back should be kept on the ground. The sit-up you lift-up your whole torso off the ground moving through the vertical sit-up position and then back down again.

No rest

 

10 each leg lunge change-up to the other leg

No rest

 

Sprinting on the spot for 10 seconds

 

Repeat as many circuits as you can within the scheduled 5 minutes.

 

James’s top 10 lifestyle changes to get you on the path to fitness

 

1.            Diet is everything. In any successful programme diet will always comprise 70% and exercise 30%. Most people think it’s the reverse. There is a great truth in the saying “You can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet!”

2.            Make small changes and stick to them. Don’t try everything or indeed to do everything in one go. Sadly you will never stick to it.

3.            Have breakfast every day – protein based ideally. Eggs are great

4.            Eat a massive variety of vegetables, put a lot colours into your food. Don’t worry too much about fruit. Vegetables are more important and remember with vegetables you can eat as much as you want

5.            Avoid processed food and ready meals

6.            Try and exercise for at least 10 minutes a day, every day. Get your heart rate-up. Walk the dog; go running, do some body weight work just do something!

7.            Always seek advice and guidance before you start. So may diets and exercise plans fail because people get disillusioned. That’s because they were doing it all wrong to start with and sadly they were never going to achieve what they wanted.

8.            Create a plan. As Scott Alexander says “if you walk into a gym without a game plan then walk straight back out again. Get one sorted and then re-enter the gym with purpose, knowledge and vision. Execute the plan with precision.” So start properly and stick with it for a minimum of 4 weeks. You have got to give anything you do reasonable time to work. Everyone has an opinion, try it and if you don’t get results after giving it a reasonable shot then change. Don’t change every 5 minutes and don’t give up after the first week or two

9.            Preparation is the key. Double-up food when making dinner and put in the fridge for the next day. Hydration is also key, Avoid fizzy drinks, especially the diet ones as they are more often or not worst for you to drink because of the hidden sugar levels.

10.          Keep a record of your results and achievements through pictures and measurement’s. Avoid worrying about the scales.

James Haskell is the health and fitness ambassador for The Healthcounter, to see James’s blog topics visit www.thehealthcounter.com

 

Time To Give Up Sugar? Mentor Me Off Sugar Day 8 & 9

get off sugar, no sugar diet, should i give up sugar, is sugar bad for you, the white stuff, is sugar evil,Yesterday was my birthday and before I agreed to do this programme I promised that my birthday would be a day off. Otherwise I was not sure I could agree. While I did ‘break’ the diet to a degree something else happened: healthy sugar habits.

In my phone call to Laura, my mentor me off sugar mentor, she looked over the questionnaire that all people who do the programme fill in. The questionnaire is lots of food questions so Laura can access weaknesses and what your eating habits are. We both realise I am not an emotional eater but that I tend to use drinks with sugar and caffeine in to boost my energy and get me through the day. I asked her about alcohol as, although I do not drink a lot in my personal life, my work life requires me to review alcohol and go to parties were cocktails flow freely. Laura says the programme is not overtly strict and alcohol is allowed, the sugar is generally burnt off, but to be careful with the affect of alcohol on blood sugar levels. Rose and sweet cocktails are out: dry white wine and red wine are in.

So back to my birthday: small gift cake (yes, really! What has happened to me? I could have had any cake and choose one about the size of my fist and give most of it to my other half), only white booze which is not sweet and two cups of tea. While this is diverting from the programme I am proud of myself. My birthday is usually a decadent blow out.

Birthday aside, now the real work begins. Week two and three are far stricter: no fruit except avocado, tomatoes, lime and lemon, no dark chocolate, no white bread, pasta or couscous. No fruit drinks either. Yikes.

It is scary but I have already decided to take this seriously. I am already slimmer and Laura says I am doing well. I feel like I have been through the worst of the detox and there is new opportunity to open up my culinary horizon. I saw a cake on my friends Facebook page and felt I was missing out, and then I just think about my health. I feel I have been abusing my body with large quantities of caffeine and sugar.

Last week I did better than I thought I would and this week I am determined to do even better. I will be posting some recipes and facts about sugar. I already feel better about my health and the future in general. It sounds like a strange thing to say but we live in a very convenient society. To flex your willpower and say no, even to things you really want, makes you feel powerful. You even think about the next obstacle to climb, the next thing to conquer. This is hard, but that makes it more worthwhile.

Time To Give Up Sugar? Day 6 and 7

get off sugar, no sugar diet, should i give up sugar, is sugar bad for you, the white stuff, is sugar evil,I am at the end of week one and Laura is happy with me. Laura is a reformed sugar addict and Mentor Me Off Sugar is her programme. She also has an excellent website.

My first call was with Laura today and she talked me though what I could and could not eat. I filled in a questionnaire and she has gone through all of my eating habits. My weakness is tea and fizzy drinks. If I skip a meal when eating out it is usually dessert. I do love chocolate, biscuits and sweet treats though.

Week one is the easiest of the four. In week one and four you are allowed fruit and dark chocolate. You are eased into the programme but week two and three are harder: no fruit apart from avocado, tomatoes, lemon and lime. No chocolate and no white bread, pasta or cousous. Sob.

Yesterday was relatively easy despite it being the weekend. I had a cup of tea because of the weakness, fainting and headaches but apart from that, and a square of the Green & Blacks organic dark chocolate I had in my goody bag from the Sure Improve Rooms, I don’t break despite a long walk with lots of temptation. I feel very proud of myself. Even better, a lot of my friends have sent me emails of encouragement and articles about sugar. I feel happy and healthier. I now have a 26 inch waist in just a week. I have also lost weight from my hips and my stomach. I still have a headache but the intensity is less. Both Laura and I agree that I have gone through a strong detox because of the headaches – which were so bad they made the migraines I had as a child feel easy- nausea and weakness. Another reason for the strong detox is the lack of caffeine. I just cannot drink tea without sugar.

Today I feel more energetic. I am slimmer and feel happier. I still miss tea, fizzy drinks and cakes but I am determined to get through to the end of the programme. My body is already changing and I want to give my all. I can feel myself being converted to a healthier lifestyle and I start to think of what else I can do. I am using bread, butter and cheese as a crutch for sugar and Laura says she did this too. The next step is also to get off bread. I love bread but we will see what happens. I have also decided to take up Pilates and yoga. I am almost surprised at this new and improved me. I can’t see a future without sugar yet, but I can see one with moderation. Another benefit is that amount of work I get done: anything to distract me from sugar and how great it tastes.

What do you think? Would you give up sugar?

 

Get Fit & Flab Free This Summer With The Dukan Diet & Nicki Waterman

getfitandfabWith 96% of UK women admitting they are unhappy with their bikini body[1] the Dukan Diet and celebrity fitness expert Nicki Waterman have joined forces to help you fight the flab and feel fab this Summer.

Said Nicki Waterman, “What you eat is only one part of the weight-loss equation. Diet alone may help you drop pounds, but you’ll have trouble keeping them off if you don’t exercise. And that’s not to mention the added benefits you’ll miss out on, from improved mood, to better sleep, to disease prevention. The exercise has to be there!”

“It’s understandable that people want to look good on the beach, but it’s more important to be healthy and do this safely” said Dukan Diet creator Dr Pierre Dukan. “Thousands of UK women are still resorting to crash dieting and unhealthy methods because they are so unhappy with the way they look. Crash diets may help you may lose weight in the short term, but you will inevitably regain that weight in the long-term. My diet is the only plan which devotes 50% of the plan to stabilising your weight, for the rest of your life.”


In as little as 8 weeks you can lose up to 1 stone[1] and tone up those wobbly bits with this exclusive diet and fitness advice:


THE DIET PART

The Dukan Diet; a high-protein, low-carb and low-fat weight loss plan, has a huge worldwide following, with numerous celebrities reportedly fans too. No calorie counting, it’s based on protein rich food and veggies you can eat as much as you want of, to give quick results and long-lasting weight-loss.

The Dukan Diet is a 4-phase plan; two phases to lose weight and two phases to ensure you keep the weight off forever.

 

Phase 1: A brief ATTACK phase with immediate results – lasting between two and seven days, depending upon how much weight you have to lose, during this stage you can eat as many of the 72 protein-rich ‘approved’ foods as you want in any combination. Approved ATTACK ingredients include fresh fish, shellfish, poultry, lean meats, low-fat dairy products and eggs.  Expect to see quick results during this phase.

Phase 2: As you enter the CRUISE phase now add vegetables. CRUISE continues uninterrupted until your true weight is reached. Dieters alternate pure protein days with protein and vegetable days with anaverage weight loss of 2lbs per week. On average 5 weeks is spent on the Cruise Phase if you have one stone to lose.

 

Phase 3: Once you have reached your target weight the Dukan Diet differs from any other diet as it ‘weans’ you back into eating a balanced diet, ensuring all your hard work doesn’t go to waste. A CONSOLIDATION phase lasting five days for every pound lost is implemented and reintroducesfruit, wholegrains, fats and finally starchy foods to your diet. This phase is designed to reintroduce dieters to the ‘pleasure’ of food whilst prevent the rebound effect that occurs after any rapid form of weight loss. In an 8-week plan and with one stone to lose, you would bethree weeks into your Consolidation phase by the time you go on holiday, enabling you to enjoy a varied diet.

Phase 4:The final stage – STABILISATION – is less of a diet and more of a set of guidelines to live by to counter-act any mild weight gain:

·       Eat 3 tablespoons of oat bran per day

·       Regular exercise (min 20 mins walk per day)

·       Have a Pure Protein Attack day once a week.

To get started – calculate your True Weight on the dukandiet.co.uk’s free online calculator or pick up the Dukan Diet Book (Hodder; £12.99). Additionally, the following code will give you a 15% discount off all products in the online shop for twenty days fromtoday (4th July 2013): FITFLAB15

 

THE DUKAN DIET EXERCISE PLAN BY NICKI WATERMAN

Depending on your level of fitness aim for a minimum of 30mins exercise every day. This can be walking, cleaning the house or dancing to the radio – as long as you’re active.

 

The following exercises and tips are guaranteed to target those troublesome spots and get your body bikini-ready:

 

1.)Add Some Pounds

Adding resistance training to your routine will give you a toned – not bulky – look and increase metabolism.

 

 WALKING LUNGE

Tones your legs, bottom and thighs.

SETS: 3

REPS: 20

HOW OFTEN: Every other day.

Take a big step forward and bond both your knees to 90-degrees, keeping your body upright and feet pointing forward. Push off your back foot and brig it in front of you to go into the next lunge. Walk forward with each lunge

 

2.)Squeeze In A Fast Workout

If you’re short on time, simply do press-ups for a quick, calorie-burning upper- body workout.

 PRESS-UPS:

Tones your arms, chest, shoulders and deep core muscles.

SETS: 1

REPS: As many as you can do.

HOW OFTEN: Every other day.

Lie with your hands beneath your shoulders and your body in a straight line from head to heels. Brace your stomach muscles and bend your elbows, keeping them close to your body. Lower as far as you can before pushing back up.

 

 

3.)Make Achievable Goals

Making lofty resolutions like deciding to lose 30 pounds in two months is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, make smaller goals you can tackle individually and incorporate into your lifestyle. Try adding a new fitness class to your exercise routine, taking a lunchtime walk instead of eating at your desk or do some simple Step-ups whenever you can.

 STEP UPS

Tones your legs, bottom and thighs and gets your heart pumping

SETS: 3

REPS: 15 each side.

HOW OFTEN: Every day.

Stand in front of stairs, box or a chair at about knee height. Place one foot flat on the stair, box or chair without letting your trailing leg touch down. Return to the start and do all your reps on one leg before repeating on the other.

 

 

4.)Plank It Out

The plank is one of the best moves to tone your core. After mastering the basicplank, you can add more advanced moves. Touching your elbow with your knee while in plank is great for the oblique muscles. To get some extra arm toning in, try the up and down plank: start in plank, come up onto your hands while holding the plank position and then return to the plank and repeat.

 PLANK WITH LATERAL TOE TAPS

Tones your core and upper body.

SETS: 3 sets

REPS: 30, alternating sides

HOW OFTEN: Every other day.

Rest your weight on your forearms and keep your body in a straight line from head to heels. Move one foot out to the side with a straight leg; tap the floor andthen return slowly to the start. Alternate sides.

 

 

5.)Try Some Big Movements

Don’t be intimidated by certain exercises. If you’re looking for all-in-one moves, push-ups, squats and planks are hard to beat. These powerhouse moves work the core, your legs and raise your heart rate.

WIDE LEG SQUAT

Tones your bottom, thighs and core.

SETS: 3

REPS: 20

HOW OFTEN: Every other day.

Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned out. Keeping torso upright and weight on your heels, squat down as far as you can manage, raising your arms fro balance. Hold for a second then push back to the start.

 

 

6.)Work Muscles Together

Don’t want to waste any time at the gym? Combine exercises that incorporate both your upper and lower body, and work multiple muscle groups at once. Try this military press as you come up from a squat.

 SQUAT MILITARY PRESS

Tones your shoulders, arms, abs, bottom and legs

SETS: 3

REPS: As many as you can do for one minute.

HOW OFTEN: Every other day.

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a weight in each hand (half litre bottle of water or cans of beans will do), arms by sides. Squat down and then stand up quickly, bending elbows to bring dumbbells up in front of shoulders, palms facing forward. Immediately press arms straight overhead.

 

 

7.)Target Arm Flab

While genetics decide where your body will store fat (thanks, Mom and Dad), you can spot tone problem areas. To sculpt toned arms, incorporate moves that will work all three of the muscles in your triceps, your biceps and shoulders. Tricepkickbacks, bench dips, overhead presses and head bangers are all great options.

 

TRICEP DIP

Tones the back of your arms.

SETS: 3

REPS: 15 – 20.

HOW OFTEN: Every other day.

Place your palms on a sturdy bench or chair behind you, fingers pointing forwards. Keep your body upright, bum close to the bench and legs out in front of you. Bend at the elbows keeping them pointing back. Lower slowly and push back up.

 

 

8.)Do What You Love

If the idea of traditional exercise makes you shudder, there are other options. Have you always wanted to learn how to do a sun salutation? Try a yoga class. Interested in self-defense? Sign up for boxing lessons. Meet friends for a walk instead of lunch, or bike ride around your town instead of driving. You’re more likely to stick to a fitness routine if you’re enjoying it – and remember, you don’t have to be at the gym for it to count.

 YOGA: THE COBRA

Improves posture.

SETS: 1

REPS: Hold the position for 5 full breaths, then release.

HOW OFTEN: Every day.

Lie on your tummy with your legs spread at hip width and the tops of your feet on the floor. Rest your forehead on the floor and relax your shoulders; bend your elbows and place your forearms on the floor with your palms turned down and positioned near the sides of your head. As you inhale, engage your back muscles, press your forearms against the floor, and raise your chest and head. Look straight ahead. Keepyour forearms and the front of your pelvis on the floor, being mindful of relaxing your shoulders. As you exhale, lower your torso and head slowly back to the floor.

 

 

For more information or to create your free personal weight-loss plan please visit www.dukandiet.co.uk

 

[1] Depending upon how much weight you have to lose


[1]The research for Dukan Diet was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 03 / 05 / 2013 and 07 / 05 / 2013 amongst a panel resulting in 1,715 respondents. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK andICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).

Get Bikini Ready With Simple Steps from Fitness First

yogaWith only weeks to go until bikini season, Fitness First have come up with a set of
simple but effective tips to help you step from the beach hut with confidence.
Fitness First Health & Fitness Expert, Paul Cheeseman’s 30 minute circuit workout is a
great way to combine cardio and weight training together so you can burn fat and
tone up at the same time as well as increase endurance and stamina. Combine this
with a positive mindset, and you’ll see a real difference on those legs, bums and tums!

Squat Jump

The squat jump will give your leg muscles a workout and get your heart pumping. Stand with
your feet roughly shoulder-width apart, then slowly bend your legs and arms to about 90
degrees at the same time. Once your thighs are parallel to the floor, explode into the air as
high as you can go. Land softly and repeat the motion again. Perform eight to 10 repetitions, or
20 to 25 seconds for a timed circuit. Modify the reps or time to suit your fitness level if the
workout seems too difficult or not difficult enough.

Jump Rope

Rope jumping is a staple of training systems such as boxing and martial arts. Jumping rope will
enhance your footwork, coordination and balance. Find a rope that just clears your head by a
few inches on each revolution. Practice different footwork combinations as you become more
comfortable. Jump rope for about 30 seconds as part of a beginner circuit routine. Increase
the time and intensity of the jumping as your fitness level progresses.

Burpees

A burpee is a standard gym class type of movement that will work your entire body. Start in a
standing position and bend down to place your hands on the floor. Shoot both of your legs
backward into a push-up position, then bring them back to your chest quickly. Stand up and
repeat the movement for eight to 10 repetitions. For a timed circuit, try for 20 to 25 seconds of
continuous burpees. Modify the reps or time to suit your fitness level.

Push-Ups

The basic push-up is an exercise that will strengthen your triceps, shoulders and chest. Including
push-ups in your circuit training routine will help to give a complete body workout. Do eight to
10 push-ups to start, then increase as your level of fitness increases. Perform push-ups for 10 to
20 seconds as part of a timed routine.

Lunges

Lunges will strengthen and tone your thighs and buttocks. You can either step out into a lunge
position then return to the start and repeat, or alternate legs in a continuous walking motion
across the floor. Lunges can be performed with no added weight or with a dumbbell in each
hand for more of a challenge. Start with eight to 10 reps or 20 to 25 seconds and modify the
resistance or reps according to your fitness level.

V-Ups

The V-up can be a challenging exercise for people with weaker abdominal muscles. Lie on
your back and extend your arms up over your head. Raise your upper and lower body at the
same time, keeping your arms and legs straight to form a “V.” Lower yourself slowly and repeat.
Aim for eight to 10 repetitions or 20 seconds, but don’t push yourself too hard because the V-up
is a difficult exercise

Frost Magazine’s Diet Books Special

bellyfatdietWant to get the weight off or even just get healthy? Well Frost Magazine has the answer. A diet book special. Read on….

Living Paleo For Dummies, by Melissa Joulwan and Dr. Kellyann Petrucci.

Some people might not know what living Paleo means but basically it is the caveman diet. It is big on meat but nothing that our ancestors would not have eaten. Which means no sweets, diary, legumes, grains, gluten, sugar, potatoes, processed food and to go easy on the alcohol. While a vegetarian could do the Paleo diet, I reckon it wouldn’t be easy. Although the book does give you information on how to do so. The Paleo diet is mostly meat, fish, fowl, eggs and vegetables.

The first chapter tells you all about Paleo. It is a lifestyle, not just a diet. It tells you the science behind Paleo and why you should adopt the Paleo way. It is very interesting and they certainly do present their case. We do eat a lot of things our ancestors would never have heard of.

The book has a 30 day reset program. The authors bill this as the ultimate health plan. One that will not only help you lose weight, but will also make you healthier and stop you getting ill and aging badly. It informs you on what will be happening to your body during the reset program and how to cope. The book lets you know how to stock your kitchen. It certainly covers everything and makes living a Paleo lifestyle easy as long as you have the willpower.

The book also covers sleep, supplements and sunshine. It even tells you about your home and what toxins you should avoid.

Of course the book also has over 40 recipes and step-by-step exercises. Potential pitfalls are covered too. This is a very good informative book. Worth a read if you want to know more about the Paleo diet.

The Paleo movement is one of today’s hottest diet and healthy-eating approaches. The paleo diet is about using natural foods to achieve great health and a perfect physique. Published in January 2013, Living Paleo For Dummies gives readers a fun and practical guide for adopting paleo diet principles into their daily lives. Offering more than 40 recipes for all meals of the day, and providing tips for getting around common roadblocks such as eating out, this essential guide to adopting a primal diet also provides the latest, cutting edge research from genetics, biochemistry, and anthropology to help readers look, feel, and perform their best.

 

Acid Alkaline Diet For Dummies, by Julie Wilkinson

The whole acid/alkaline thing is something I have always been interested in. Occasionally I would get indigestion or acid reflux and I knew this meant I was not eating properly. In fact acid reflux is widely known to cause esophageal cancer so the need to get my body more alkaline was strong.

Like all of the diet books, the diet is written about in detail. What it entails, what it can do for you, the information on acids and alkaline and handy information boxes on a variety of things from the top ten reasons to pay attention to your diet to how long the digestion process takes.

Any diet can seem scary and too difficult but the acid/alkaline diet makes things easier by letting you follow an 80/20 rule. This means your food should be 80 per cent alkaline and 20 per cent acid-forming. And unlike the Paleo diet, the acid/alkaline diet tells you to limit the meat you eat, and to stay clear of red meat.

For inspiration the book also goes through the different systems in the body (digestive, muscular) and tells you what happens to each with an acid-forming diet. To be honest it really does make you think. The human body was never supposed to be acidic. The food we eat makes it so.

This book will be great for the results-driven. The author tells you how to check your PH balance and monitor your progress. You can even test the water in your area. The tests in this book are excellent. It tells you how to test your pulse, your body fat, your calorie needs: the list goes on.

It takes you through your food cupboards and tells you what to buy. Of course it also has a lot of delicious recipes and an exercise program. It has a section on overcoming PH obstacles and helps you eat well when out and about. All of the books do this but to be honest if you are going to the expense of eating out I think you should take a day off from your diet and eat whatever you want.

I loved this book. I have recommended it to my friends and family. I will do the same to you.

The acid alkaline diet is designed to restore the pH balance in our bodies. To keep healthy, the body needs balanced quantities of alkaline and acid substances, and a simple change in our diets to achieve this important acid-alkaline balance can result in a vast improvement in our overall health. Acid Alkaline Diet for Dummies will show readers how to restore the necessary pH balance and live a healthier life, covering areas including: Symptoms of a high acid diet; Foods to avoid; Foods that have a high alkaline quality;  and how to lose weight, prevent illness and increase energy. It also contains a month’s worth of grocery lists for items to have on hand and over 40 healthy recipes to help balance pH, making it easier to follow the acid alkaline diet

 

Belly Fat Diet For Dummies, by Erin Palinski-Wade

The main complaint with most of my friends is belly fat. Even if you are slim you can still get that little bit of fat that just won’t go away. So I was quite excited to review the belly fat diet book.

The book starts of with telling you about belly fat, what it is and what it can do to your health. It has tests and information to identify your body type to start you off. The great thing about this diet is that it tells you what to eat to lose the belly fat. Okay it also has a list of things you shouldn’t eat but the good list has enough delicious stuff to keep you going. Not only that but it also has the portion sizes which I find especially handy.

This book is great. It it has three different plans, which are different for men and women. The turbocharged plans are from level 1 to level 3. The step-by-step exercises are well laid out and there is also over 40 recipes. To help you along after you get started it also tells you how to overcome potential pitfalls and has a belly fat maintenance plan.

All in all an excellent book. For anyone who wants to get rid of their belly fat I would highly recommend it.

Including a proven 7-day quick-start programme, a no-gym fitness plan and a month’s worth of shopping lists and recipes, this recently published title gives readers the information they need to help them lose unwanted weight around the middle.

So which book is best? It is too hard to say as each diet would be best for different people. Each book is great and really gets to the nitty gritty of each diet. I would say you should look at your individual needs. For those with belly fat, the Belly Fat Diet would obviously benefit, if you want to go back to a more natural way of living and eat meat, the Paleo diet would suit you. If your PH balance is out of whack the Acid Alkaline diet will get you back on track. Of course you could try all of the diets and at Frost that is what we will be doing.

Are you on a diet? Let us know what diet you are doing and the results you are getting. We could write about you in a future article.

 

 

Why You Should Shake Up Your Exercise Regime

fitnessenergySo Easter as come and gone. If you are anything like me you ate too much. So now it is time to hit the gym again and start behaving. But we all know that exercising can be hard and boring. That is why you want results from your workout.

I know it is not known for burning a lot of calories, but I love walking. On days that I don’t workout I always try to fit in a walk. It is very good for you and your circulation.

Functional training does whole body training and conditioning. Whether using slings or blackpacks it will condition your body into the dress size you want, and also up your fitness level. Far from being something that will just help you burn a few calories, it will also build up your muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat.

Zumba is another favourite of mine. It may be the new craze that everyone is doing but don’t discount it as a fad. I did dance in drama school and I love a reason to just dance around. It burns an amazing amount of calories too. Something like 400-500 per hour.

The Tracey Anderson Method is famous among celebrities. Gwyneth Paltrow (who is in business with Tracey) and Jennifer Lopez are fans. I have the DVDs and although the cardio workout is too hard to follow for some people, the mat workout is really good at toning the body. It is not for wimps though. Tracey likes people to do her method for an hour six days a week. That is quite a commitment.

I have been on a bit of a fitness kick and will shortly be doing a serious of articles on how I am getting along. So keep reading and also join in by letting us know about your fitness regime.

What is your favourite exercise? What are you doing to get in shape? Let us know.

Mark Anthony’s Quick 5 Minute Workouts: Get a Better Body

free workout videosCelebrity trainer Mark Anthony has created some quick 5 minute workouts that you can do when you wake up in the morning – one for arms, one for legs and one for stomach.

Florida grapefruit teamed up with Mark in an attempt to get the nation starting their day the Florida way, these quick workouts can be done first thing in the morning. Enjoy. www.facebook.com/floridagrapefruit

Back Exercise

Abs Exercise

Chest Exercise