Drop a Dress Size for the Holidays

When was the last time you went on a diet in November?

There's something about this time of year that makes us want to hibernate, slow the pace down and put off all good intentions to the New Year.

But why put so much pressure on January when you've got 40 glorious days left to change the way you look and feel for the Christmas Holidays. It's time to ditch those resolutions and see this year out with a bang. Want to know how to drop a dress size or trouser size before this year is out? Here's how.This year, take this new approach. Rather than biding your time until the end of the year, get ahead of the game and decide now to see how much of a difference you can make to your fitness and your body shape by the time you get to Christmas.

Here's how you'll do it.

• Break your 40 days into blocks of 4 days.

• For each 4 days, plan three days of focused healthy food, drink, activity and lifestyle that you know will ensure you reach your target

• Plan 1 'free' day of eating and drinking what you want and, if you like, taking the option to not exercise without guilt.

• Use each 'free' day to assess your approach for the other three days, make sure you are definitely on track for the right result and plan any adjustments to your routine for the following 3 days.

There may be some challenges along the way - many of you will have thanksgiving to contend with for example - but say focused on your target every day, follow the cycle of doing what works, reviewing your progress and updating where necessary, and you'll be amazed at what you're capable of achieving.

If you do have to get through Thanksgiving along the way, here's some handy advice:

How to avoid Thanksgiving weight gain

4 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

Photo by Christi Nielsen (Flickr)

The 5 Best Carbs to Eat

When it comes to trying to lose weight, the finger is usually pointed at carbs and as a result, they are the first thing most people remove from their diet.

However, sometimes, we're being a bit hasty. There are good carbs and the problem with cutting out carbs all together is that we often don't feel full after a meal which leads to lots of snacking and we are losing out on some essential nutrients and fibre. So what should you keep in your diet that's good for you and will help satisfy those hunger pangs?


1. Wholewheat Pasta
Perfect for favourites like spaghetti bolognese, pasta and sauce and even wholewheat noodles which are more widely available now. Once cooked, you'll barely notice the difference.

2. Multigrain and seeded wholemeal bread
If you're watching your weight, you should be avoiding white bread anyway but keep an eye that your bread doesn't have sugar added and aim to get some nuts or granary at the very least into each slice.

3. All Bran
Start your day off the perfect way and stay full till 11am at least when you should have a couple of pieces of fruit. This is a great way to start losing weight.

4. Porridge / Oatmeal
Brilliant for cold mornings and even when the weather gets better - great for your heart, your waistline and quite addictive once you get into the habit. Make with fat free milk and sprinkle to top with berries, nuts, fruit.

5. Chickpeas
Great for adding to casseroles or making soups with once blended. Very filling and flexible.


Photograph by rachelandrew (flickr)

7 Things to Eat That Won't Make You Fat

When it comes to foods that are good for you and those that are fattening and will ruin your diet, we all know about the obvious ones (no cream cakes, fast food etc) but sometimes, it can feel like you just don't know what you are able to eat that won't ruin your diet.

Last week we spoke about the importance of keeping a food diary to help you see exactly what’s going on with your food routine.

Hopefully you’ve had a chance to note down what you've been eating so I thought it would be useful today to offer you some changes to consider following your discoveries with your diary.

1. Water- Sometimes when you think you’re hungry, you’re actually thirsty. Drink water regularly throughout the day so that you always know if you feel hungry, it is actually time to grab something to eat and not your thirst talking. Water is the dieters friend.

2. Fish- A great source of protein which is filling without loads of saturated fat. Oily fish contain essential fatty acids which are good for you as they actually help the body metabolize fat and control weight. Try and eat fish at least twice a week and give your fat burning a helping hand.

3. Raw vegetables- Lettuce, broccoli and carrots are a great way to get lots of vitamins and nutrients and they also require lots of chewing which means you eat more slowly which means you eat less. Try to have greens on your plate for lunch and dinner everyday.

4. Coffee- Can help your body to burn fat more effectively but only if its plain, black coffee. Avoid milk and avoid sugar and stick to one or two cups per day. Don't fall into the trap of ordering a skinny latte - the name is skinny, the impact on you won't be.

5. Apples- Or pears, or indeed any other type of fruit. Eat one portion at the beginning of every meal. This will help you achieve your 5-a-day but will also stimulate your ability to feel full and make sure you eat less at each mealtime. Try keeping 3 pieces of fruit on your desk each day and every time you fancy a snack, grab one instead of heading to the vending machine.

6. Fibre- From bran, beans or wholemeal bread. Plenty of fibre keeps your digestive system in good shape which means that whatever you consume can be processed and broken down efficiently. Remember, better out than in!

7. Nuts and seeds- Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed. High in energy, high in fibre, filling and nutritious, nuts and seeds are the best snack you can opt for in a busy day. Just a few at a time will prevent you reaching for cookies, chocolate, sweets or cakes. Try having a handful of seeds after every piece of fruit.

Eating Your Way to A Great Nights Sleep - Part 1

Earlier this week I talked about how sleeping a good quality sleep could actually help you to lose weight.

So how do you make sure you sleep well and for the right length of time? You are only as good and as effective as the quality of your sleep. In essence, You are what you snooze.

And making sure you get a good night's sleep begins from the moment you wake up in the morning. Everything you eat and drink that day will have an effect on your sleep patterns later and so managing your energy and keeping your system steady is crucial. Here are some great food tips to help you gear up for a big sleep.


• Wake up at a regular time and start the day with a glass of water or a cup of warm water with lemon. This is the beginning of a well-hydrated day. Proper hydration prevents irritability and leads to eating well so this is an easy way to get your day off to a great start. Think about this everyday - the first thing you consume each day sets the tone for the rest of the day - make it a good one.

• Breakfast on porridge / oatmeal, muesli or fruit and yoghurt. Oats in porridge or muesli release energy slowly which keeps you calm throughout the morning. Fruit can release sugars into the bloodstream quickly but combining them with a protein such as yoghurt slows down the digestion of your breakfast. Avoid sugary cereals which cause a quick rise in blood sugar followed by a quick drop which leaves you craving more sugar as this pattern will then repeat itself throughout the day. Climbing aboard this sugar rollercoaster leaves you feeling moody, running on adrenalin and makes it tough to wind down at the end of the day.

• Drinking caffeine is like taking a quick injection of stress hormones. Tea, coffee and fizzy drinks should be kept to a minimum and for most people, cutting back here isn’t too much of a problem. Usually, you enjoy the first, the second is never quite as good and the third actually isn’t that satisfying at all. Focus on quality rather than the quantity with your caffeine intake and you won’t feel deprived. Then, when you’ve had your fix, switch to herbal teas instead. I drink Rooibos (Redbush) tea. It has no caffeine at all, tastes great and leaves you feeling calm and focused.

• Your morning snack can be pineapple, kiwi or banana with sesame seeds, peanuts, walnuts or pecan nuts. These are all high in serotonin which helps to regulate frustration, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep and appetite. Sesame seeds are a particularly good source of zinc which is an essential component of an effective immune system which is vital for dealing well with stressful situations. Keep a small bag of these on your desk at work so you remember to have a handful a day.

• Lunch should be salad-based as the leaves help to calm the nerves. Adding fish or turkey provides you with a helping of Tryptophan – an essential amino acid that increases brain levels of serotonin to keep you calm.

At this stage, you’re well into your day feeling calm, focused, effective and energised. You've grazed well throughout the morning and restricted your caffeine intake - so far, everything is on track for a calm day and great sleep at the end. Try it and let me know if it doesn't make you feel focused and more alert.

Stay tuned to find out how to tackle the rest of the day...





Photograph by POSITiv (Flickr)