3 Simple Steps to Weight Loss

Last week we looked at the importance of making one change at a time in order to achieve health or fitness targets. Today I’ll concentrate on one of the most important aspects of any weight-loss programme: Nutrition.

3 Simple Steps to Weight Loss

It seems obvious that in order to lose weight, the first area that needs to be addressed is our daily food intake. And yet, so many people seem reluctant to tackle this aspect of their lives in a meaningful way.

The fact is that healthy weight-loss is quite simple and yet, it can appear very complicated. The simple part is the type of food our body needs to survive and allow us to live energetic and healthy lives. The complicated side is why we don’t do it, and this brings up factors like stress, motivation, as well as emotional and hormonal issues. We’ll cover the hard part another time but today let’s keep it simple. [Read more...]

Lessons From a Diary 5: Drink Up

Lessons From a Diary 5: Drink UpAlthough weight loss is the main focus of almost all participants in our Bootcamps, I emphasize at all times the need to achieve it by safe, healthy and sustainable means. One method that ticks all of the above boxes is very simple: drink more water.

I’m not sure if it’s because we’re surrounded by the stuff or because it seems too good to be true, but clients’ Food/Lifestyle diaries consistently show me that most of them do not drink enough of it. I find this frustrating, because of all the nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes I recommend, this has to be the easiest to implement.

So let’s have a quick re-cap on why water is so important and how it can help you to get leaner and fitter. [Read more...]

Lessons From A Diary 2: It’s all about Timing

Probably the most common mistake I see on Food Diaries is where clients leave long gaps between meals. Prior to starting a training and nutrition programme, the daily routine for most people will look something like this:

Lessons From A Diary 2: It’s all about Timing7.30 AM - Drag themselves out of bed.

9.30 AM - Tea/Coffee with a scone or muffin.

1 PM - Light lunch, usually consisting of a wrap or sandwich

6.30 PM - Main meal of the day, usually potatoes, rice or pasta combined with meat or fish and some vegetables.

7.30 PM - Biscuits/Chocolate/Sweets/Crisps with a cup of tea

[Read more...]

Lessons from A Diary 1: Put it in Writing!

Lifestyle Diary - Body and Mind FitnessAt Body & Mind Fitness, all Personal Training clients, as well as participants in our Body Transformation Bootcamps, receive a weekly nutrition and lifestyle diary.

The purpose behind the diary is to allow the individual to record everything that is likely to have a direct effect on their body’s ability to burn fat and/or build muscle: Diet, Exercise, Sleep and Stress patterns. This record then gives me a more accurate picture of what’s happening during the 165+ hours per week when the client is not training with me.

Today and over the course of the next number of weeks, I’m going to discuss some of the most common mistakes I see from the diaries. By eliminating or at least reducing these items, you will be far more successful in reaching your health and fitness goals. [Read more...]