Stay cool & warm up

If you’ve ever had a crack at weightlifting, only to find yourself aching horrendously for days afterwards, then one of two things could be at fault. You’ve either gone too heavy, too soon, or not warmed up sufficiently to prepare your body for lifting weights. This key component of your workout, which could be anything from light cardio, stretching, or lifting very small weights to warm up your muscles, can not only make your workout more effective – but also improve recovery in the hours and days afterwards.

Keep it simple

When you take a moment to think about it, strolling over and picking up a dumbbell is actually simpler than fiddling with an electronic control pad on a treadmill or cross trainer. But part of the apprehension can come from seeing people already there and apparently getting on with weight lifting as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. However, there was a point in their well-sculpted lives that they were also absolute beginners, so start with smaller weights and don’t worry what anybody thinks – they’ll all be far too focused on themselves to care!

Plan your workout

It won’t take you much time to find the ‘ideal’ workout you’re looking for online. Whether it’s bigger arms, stronger legs, or more definition in your chest or back, there are plenty of videos and plans close at hand at any time. Although you may find that some movements are beyond you, at least for now, it will give you an idea of how to navigate yourself from a free weights bench, to a bench press, and so forth, following an effective process that’s designed to get the best from specific muscle groups. Research has shown that the formulaic nature of weight lifting could provide the added bonus of improved cognition, over time.

Ask for advice

Yes, you could spend a few extra quid on a personal trainer, who would be able to show you what, when, how and why to lift weights (while guiding you through the weights rack in the process) – but you do have other options, too. Seasoned weightlifters don’t generally mind ‘spotting’ their peers, from time to time, and may offer their own advice completely free of charge. There are also the likes of weight loss camps at home and abroad, local boot camp groups, and online PTs who specialise in tailoring programmes for their clients, albeit from a distance. And, with a little extra advice supporting you in your own fitness journey, you may just find that the distance between you and the weight rack becomes far easier to fathom as you progress.

All those who aim to achieve weight loss must have realistic goals individually. Developing healthy habits and following a healthy diet schedule are very crucial for healthy weight reduction. Achieving weight loss in a few months should not be the only goal. Those who could reduce their weight to the desired extent and maintain the reduced weight for not less than ten years are considered truly successful in their efforts to achieve weight loss. Weight loss pills are an option and here’s one of the only approved pills proven to aid weight loss. The top 4 tips that are given in this article though will help the aspiring dieters to achieve healthy as well as sustained weight loss.

 1. Enjoy eating more vegetables as well as fruits

Instead of abruptly reducing your food intake you must make it a point to include more nutritious food items into your diet. While reducing your weight see to it that your overall health is not affected and for that it is very essential to include more healthy foods in your regular diet. Start taking more vegetables and fruits for your lunch and snacks. As you know, vegetables are rich in nutrients and low in calories. For those who are trying to reduce weight vegetables and fruits are the best foods. Since most of the fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber they facilitate proper digestion and also make you feel full.

2. Include whole grains also in your diet

Though a low-carb diet is essential for weight loss, your diet need not be 100% carb-free. Carbohydrates are also required for weight loss. Recent studies reveal that those who include grains also as a part of their diet are less susceptible to obesity as well as type 2 diabetes.  Grains can be a side dish for your meals and instead of refined grains consume whole grains.

3. Do not give up regular exercises

Regular physical exercises are the best ways to help aid healthy weight loss. If you start feel that the exercise that you do regularly is boring you may switch over to other types of exercise like yoga, swimming, aerobics or tai chi. By way of doing physical exercises, you are not only reducing pounds but also increasing your life span by a few years. Walking is also a powerful exercise and when you walk for some time you get great relief from stress. When you feel depressed or agitated, instead of resorting to emotional eating get outside, walk freely and breathe fresh air. Those who want to reduce weight must walk daily for not less than 30 minutes.

4. Drink plenty of water

Water is very important for the body and many people fail to keep their body hydrated to the required extent. Instead of drinking too much coffee, alcoholic beverages or soda, those who want to reduce weight can make it a point to drink minimum 12 glasses of water daily. The brain and other parts of the body need water to function properly. Those who are on a weight loss mission may see to it that for whole of 2018, they carry water bottles wherever they go. In order to make the water tastier and more nutritious the water may be mixed with lemon juice.

How mindfulness can help you lose weight

The Oxford Dictionary defines mindfulness as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations”. It has proven to be successful in helping people lose weight, and encompasses three broad techniques – formal meditation, informal mindfulness strategies like focusing on eating habits, and a combination of these techniques. These can help eliminate intrusive thoughts from your mind, which in turn can improve your willpower to eat more healthily.

A recent study by researchers at McGill University in Montreal supports the benefits of such techniques. Researchers underwent a systematic review of studies that have examined the potential effects of mindfulness on people losing weight. They analysed 19 studies from the last decade and found that mindfulness was moderately to largely effective in reducing weight loss and improving obesity-related eating behaviours.

How to practice mindfulness meditation

One of the key mindfulness techniques is meditation. In order to gain the benefits from this, you need to make sure you are going about it in the correct way. Firstly, you will need to find a nice, quiet spot, and a stable seat. You’ll then need to position yourself correctly, making sure your legs are either crossed comfortably or touching the floor, and that your back is straightened.

Drop your chin and gaze downward, closing your eyes if you want to. When in position, let yourself relax, and focus on your breath as it goes in and out, as well as other sensations in your body. Try not to let your mind wander, although if it does keep doing so, try not to react, and instead just get back to focusing on your breathing right away.

Aim for short bursts of 5 to 10 minutes of meditation when you first start, before eventually building up to practice for around an hour. Most people do a morning and evening session, or one or the other. It is better to do more if you can, but just meditate as much as your life permits.

If you want professional guidance on how to go about meditating, then it may be worth looking at online meditation courses such as Burgs’ audio guides. Courses like these provide comprehensive guidance that will give you the best chance of meditating effectively from the comfort of your own home.

How to practice mindfulness eating 

In addition to meditation, mindfulness eating has also been proven to be effective in weight loss. One of the ways to do so is to slow down when eating.  The body sends its satiation signal around 20 minutes after the brain, which often leads to unconscious overeating. However, if you slow down, you allow your body to catch up to your brain and notice the signal to eat the right amount.

You can also help yourself to eradicate binge-eating by again listening to your body’s hunger signals. Instead of eating when you get emotional signals, like, stress, loneliness or even boredom, you should listen to your body. Only eat when you get signals like your stomach growling, or when you feel low on energy or a little lightheaded.

Why mindfulness alone is not enough

Although both mindful meditation and eating methods are clearly beneficial, mindfulness alone is not enough if you want to lose weight. Much of mindfulness around weight loss is about controlling your urges to eat unhealthily, and in order to effectively carry this out you’ll need to watch your diet carefully. It will be counter productive if you are effectively controlling the amount you consume, but still eating poorly.

It is also imperative that you exercise. By burning calories from what you do eat, you’ll supplement what you are doing in terms of diet and mindfulness. Using mindfulness in combination with dieting and exercise has proven to be highly effective in weight loss. Whilst Christmas is often the catalyst for an extended waistline, it can pay to practice mindfulness to counter that post-yuletide slump.

“It takes 21 days to form a new habit.” This is a bit of an urban myth. Research has shown that it can take more than 2 months before a new behaviour becomes automatic – 66 days to be exact. This obviously can vary widely depending on the behaviour, the person and the circumstances.

Bit of a difference from 21 days though.

I know from my own lifestyle that getting back into a healthy routine can be challenging and getting back into training in the gym 3-4 times a week took me 3 months before I could say I wasn’t detesting it and making every excuse not to do it. It took even longer with my diet as I love to eat rubbish food choices like all of us do.

So what happens when you find yourself unable to continue with your routine? A holiday, a trip back home to see mum and dad or even a business trip?

For me, I struggle even if it’s 3 days. I’m straight back into bad habits thinking it’s ok. I’m training but I think it’s ok to eat pizza and ice-cream. Being totally honest, missing my training day – my mood levels drop massively! I end up going to bed later, sleeping in and if I’m going home to see my mum (who is a feeder) I have a home full of sugary foods to battle against.

I often go away travelling around the UK with my photography and while this can see me walking for miles carry my kit, it’s not the same as getting in the gym deadlifting, squatting and pressing. I need access to training facilities and often this is the last thing on my mind to sort out. I’m often too busy sorting out my photography kit and booking last minute trains.

I’ve tried fitness apps in the past that motivate you to train in your hotel room but they are just not my thing. I prefer being in a gym. So when I came across Gym Nomad, I was interested to find out how it could help people like me who travel but don’t want to break their training habits.

Gym Nomad has just launched in Amsterdam. It brilliantly solves the two biggest problems for anyone travelling that wants to maintain their training. First, finding the right place to train. Second, ensuring your visits don’t cost you a fortune.

Genuis

Finding your gym is really easy! The way the website operates reminds me of airbnb, which I use for most of my travels. I wasn’t overwhelmed trying to find a gym or even a class. You can even search for the a gym that has the right equipment for your needs! So no more hotel gyms without a squat rack and bar! All well within your budget too.

Then all you do is book your class or gym. During this stage you will find out about the specifics such as gym equipment on offer, the opening times and what you need to bring with you. Once you’re happy, you simply sign up for the short term membership by creating a Gym Nomad account so that you can pay for your booking. You then receive your booking code so you can quote the code when you first arrive at the venue.

It really is a great idea and I really hope this concept come over to the UK. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

Thanks for reading,

1. Client seated upright just hanging over the bed or chair, with their hands behind their back.
2. Client then asked to ‘slump’ flex upper part and lower part of spine this is followed by the next flexed forward.
3. Therapist then places hand upon their head (top of). Informing client exactly what they are doing.
4. Therapist then instructs client to perform knee extension (straighten leg) and bring the toes towards themselves (dorsiflexion.). Asking client if they feel any pain or discomfort.
5. If pain and discomfort increase during the ‘slump’ test (slumping part) then this would be considered positive.

Here Darren, our level 4 Sports Massage Tutor puts it into practice!

Within the sports massage the slump test is a vital component of a client assessment. In the Level 4 qualification you will learn many special tests that will aid with treatment planning. If you are interested in a career in the fitness industry, why not visit Body Aid Solutions today.

“The promise of spot reduction is an obsession that many in our culture just won’t abandon.” – Charles Poliquin

I was on a course and was told that to get a 6 pack is easy! It’s a by product from training hard in a functional way that engages all the body muscles working and eating clean.

Now the hard answer…

I believe you can by correcting the imbalances in your hormones if that is the identified problem by your personal trainer – it could simply be that it is your diet. Remember everyone is an individual and a full assessment by your personal trainer should be carried out, if you’re not assessing you’re guessing! For a deeper look at troublesome spots and links with hormones it is worth having blood samples taken to be analysed by a professional. Poliquin shows that the advancements in exercise endocrinology may give new tools for combatting site specific fat storage and the system to do this is called BioSignature Modulation. I haven’t studied this course as of yet and I am hoping to get on it later in the year. I know plenty of trainers who have undertook this course to learn the system and swear by it.

From what I have found and researched the main aspect to achieve correction of imbalanced hormones is to address your lifestyle and eating habits. This may involve detoxing or cleansing your system by expelling the toxins being store in your body along with using strategies such as carb cycling, fasting and shorter work outs etc. This can lead to the restoring of the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Once its healed and your beginning to work correctly in the way we were designed to do you will be at full centralisation.

Paul Chek recommends having an organic diet otherwise you’re eating dangerous food. Remember, fat is where you store toxins (and excess hormones) that you can’t break down due to not having enough nutrition on board to run the detoxify pathways. By getting your metabolic rate to optimal and you can do this by moving at least 20 minutes a day, even walking. You need eight hours of sleep at night from 10pm in order to restore the body systems and you need to get enough water into you.

As you may be aware I follow teachings by Paul Chek, Charles Poliquin, Robb Wolf, Paul Mort, Travis Jones and have researched this topic from Patrick Holford, Nish Joshi and Shawn Talbott to name a few and I am by no means a leading world expert but I have done work with individuals based on the learning from the above and has seen much better results than that of other methods I used when I worked in gyms.

To stress the importance of hormones  I’m going to quote Paul Mort…

“Neither diet or nutrition matter if your hormones are out of sync.”

Hormones are involved in most physiological processes thus making them very relevant to many aspects of exercise. They influence where and how you store body fat, research has shown that cortisol and insulin promote fat collection and that testosterone increases fat loss.

The research that I have looked into and what I have been taught on courses proves that it is more than likely the imbalance of hormones that cause certain areas to store body fat and the 6 most common stubborn fat spots are:

1. Love Handles
2. Stomach Fat
3. Bra Bulge Fat
4. Bingo Wings
5. Big Thighs & Bottom
6. Moobs

Before I go into each of the fat spots mentioned above I will first highlight in basis terms what hormones are and how they work. In order to do this I will direct reference two definitions that I feel sum up hormones:

“Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted into the blood by one tissue or organ and act on target cells in other parts of the body.” – J.Kang, 2012

“Hormones act as chemical signals throughout the body.” - J.Wilmore & D.Costill, 2004

So hormones are messengers that travel around your body via blood to give orders to your cells to do things. Hormones can be broken down into two types;

Steroid hormones: These hormones have a chemical structure similar to cholesterol and are lipid soluble and diffuse easily through cells membranes. These are hormones form the adrenal cortex (cortisol and aldosterone), the ovaries (estrogen and progesterone), the testes (testosterone) and the placenta (estrogen and progesterone).

Nonsteroid hormones: These hormones are not lipid soluble so they can not diffuse easily through cells membranes. These hormones can be divided into two further groups: protein or peptide hormones and amino acid-derivative hormones.

Hormones can affect your growth, puberty, metabolism, weight, figure, shape, physical appearance, reproductive behaviour and emotions.

The thyroid gland is located below the larynx and secretes two important nonsteroid hormones which regulate metabolism by increasing the metabolic rate of most tissues and the basal metabolic rate by  as much as 100%. These hormones according to (J.Wilmore & D.Costill, 2004) also promote rapid cellular uptake of glucose and enhance lipid mobilisation, increasing free fatty acid (FFA) availability for oxidation, this is something I want you to think about as you read on.

Another you have properly heard of is the Adrenal gland this sits directly atop of the kidneys and is made up of the inner adrenal medulla and the outer adrenal cortex and each one secretes hormones that are different.

So how do they do this and affect the body to such a degree?

As I’ve mentioned earlier hormones are secreted into the blood in order to be transported to target cells, these cells are where hormones have their effect. Target cells are able to work hand in hand with hormones because they have receptors that blind and lock them together, much like a lock and key. Only the correct key can unlock the action within the cell, Wilmore & Costill (2004) refer to this as a hormone-receptor complex. When there is an increased amount of specific hormone there is a decrease in the number of cell receptors available to it, making the cell less sensitive to that hormone as less hormones can blind due to the fewer amount of receptors. Wilmore & Costill (2004) refer to this as down-regulation or desensitisation. The opposite effect is called up-regulation, these two processes change cells sensitivity to hormones.

Believe it or not there are some receptors that promote the breakdown of fat and some that actually block the breakdown of fat and research shows that there are two types of adrenoceptors that control not only fat cell metabolism but also blood flow into and out of the fat cell.

If we look at Beta-receptors these are the ‘good’ receptors, they increase lipolysis and adipose tissue blood flow while the naughty alpha-receptors inhibit lipolysis and adipose tissue blood flow.

So why tell you this and does it really matter?

Yes it matters, especially when different areas of body fat have different distributions of alpha-2 and beta-2 adrenoreceptors! This basically mean that fat can be mobilised and transported out of them by the blood in an effective or ineffective manner. A clear example of this is the lower body fat found on the hips and thighs – which have been found to have roughly nine times as many alpha-2 receptors as beta-2 receptors = stubborn fat or in scientific terms “elevated alpha 2 trap” and studies have shown that the blood flow in your lower body fat can have 67% lower blood flow than other depots. So with 67% lower blood flow you now have 67% less chance of removing the fat compared to areas of the body that are not storing fat as these areas transport fat away more effectively to be burned up.

So lets now have a look at two of these common stubborn fat spots!

Love Handles

Love handles can be typically seen on the area above your hips (as seen in the pic). The cause of this can be put down to an insulin issue indicating that your body need help handling the carbohydrates and sugar that is in your current diet. Normally insulin regulates blood glucose levels and directs excess glucose to the liver and muscles where it is stored as glycogen ready to fuel the demands of the body. In Robb Wolf’s simple terms “insulin puts nutrients into our cells.” Wolf goes on to explain that “insulin is released from the beta cells of the pancreas primarily in response to increasing blood levels of glucose and amino acids playing a significant role in micronutrient storage and conversions.”

Foods that absorb into the blood stream slowly are classed as having a low glycaemic load while foods that absorb fast have a high rating based on the glycaemic index rating of food and portion size. If you chose a clean and manily low GL foods you can prevent sugar peaks and energy dips. Keeping your blood sugar stable will great for love handle control.

The problem arises with your diet or better put modern day diets which are high in sugar, just look at the cereals and drinks below! You may not even be aware of these hidden sugars and on average we can consume as much as 30 teaspoons every day!

This abnormal amount of sugar found in the modern diet can lead to a condition called insulin resistance which leads to adult onset diabetes due to not managing blood sugars correctly or storing glucose properly. When this happens more insulin is produced in order to control any excess glucose this means fat accumulates in the fat tissue. Where as if insulin levels are low, fatty acids are mobilised from the fat tissue and fat deposits shrink. In some some people with obesity for example the number of insulin receptors on their cells appear to be reduced. Their bodies response by increasing insulin as mentioned above to obtain the same degree of plasma glucose control as normal healthy people.

Even worse is high-fructose corn syrup which is found in every processed food imaginable and according to Loren Cordain PhD “powerfully promotes insulin resistance.”

So did our stone age ancestors never have sugar? In actual fact they did have sugar in the form of honey, dates and figs – these sources of food weren’t always available due to the seasons. Loren Cordain PhD and Joe Friel MS show in the paleo diet for athletes that you don’t have to ban all sweets and can “eat all the fresh fruits that you like, and have certain spices such as vanilla, ginger, mint leaves, cinnamon and nutmeg to recipes.”

Stomach Fat

“The thickness of your umbilical skin fold (belly button) is a reflection of your cortisol output and is a direct reflection of your stress levels and their ability to handle it” says Charles Poliquin.

Stomach fat can be caused by stress (burnout), lack of sleep, bad diet etc. So when Joe Bloggs decides it’s time to get fit and hit the roads or joins a gym and starts doing lots of cardiovascular training and a bit of weights here and there he could in actual fact first benefit by following a more mindfulness programme, to help manage his lifestyle better and get happy, Alejandro Junger mentions in his book Clean that the adrenalin and cortisol created during stress also speed up the acidifying process and backs up the use of following a mindfulness practice.

It is in the adrenal gland that we will find the zona fasciculata which is responsible for the production of cortisol. We will also find the adrenal medulla in the adrenal gland which produces adrenaline. Both cortisol and adrenaline are produced when we find ourselves in stressful situations.

If we look at adrenaline first: adrenaline is produced in small amounts to regulate normal blood pressure, check out the picture below and take note at the size of the vessels and the size of the white arrows which is adrenaline. Nothing going on there to worry about but…

During stressful situations or during a event where we are forced in to a fight-or-flight response.

From watching the video you can clearly see that large amount of adrenaline are produced very quickly and have a dramatic effect on the body. All in case we need to run away or fight, basically so the body is ready for action.

• Raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to change glycogen into glucose
• Causes fatty tissue to release fat into the blood along with protein
• Increases the heart rate
• Increases the speed of breathing
• Increases blood flow to the muscles
• Reduces blood flow to the skin and the intestines
• Widens the bronchioles
• Dilates the pupils

Look at the difference in the size of the vessels which have now vasodilated, which means there has been a widening of the blood vessels and the flow of the blood is increased which in turns carries more adrenaline hence one reason why the white arrow are bigger. The adrenal gland also produces more adrenaline which is the other reason the white arrows are bigger, so more adrenaline produced to fill a wider vessel results in ill health.

Shawn Talbott PH.D has a paragraph in his book The Cortisol Connection that I’d like to share with you now.

“In our fast paced, hurry hurry, twenty first century world, almost of all us are stressed out, sleep deprived, and hyper concerned about our diet and food choices. Because of this chronic stress unfortunately  most of us are also fat.”

This shows in today’s world, people suffer from stress (in different ways and over different things) and whatever way it is the body will respond to it in the same way which is to produce adrenaline. So this is happening in situations where no physical activity happens and the list for this is endless:

• Sitting exams/deadlines
• Even increasing society and family issues that we read about in the news and see on Jeremy Kyle day in day out
• Work-related pressure and balancing this out with home life
• Money
• Living conditions
• Our appearance
• Driving
• Lack of sleep
• Our status in society working class to upper class

All these and more issues can lead to an unhealthy release of sugar stores into the blood and cortisol causing ill health. Most people relate cortisol to being a stress hormone which is a little misleading Robb Wolf states that cortisol is critical to life and a lack of it results in health problems! you can’t win can you! well in actually fact you can so read on.

The graph above by Robb wolf shows  how a normal day starts for a non stressed person or how it started for our paleolithic ancestors. Am starts with high cortisol levels and this is intended to make sure you are alert and ready to go and by pm when we are winding down its drops. Now how many of us have a normal non stressful day every day or for at least longer than a month? Doesn’t happen does it? Look above again at the list of why people get stressed. How many things did our paleolithic ancestors get stressed over on that list?

Now please don’t think our paleolithic ancestors never got stressed because they did but it most likely never lasted long (acute) or was as chronic as we have as they were too busy surviving the elements. We were built to cope with stress on an acute level that’s why we have the fight-or-flight response. Can we respond to missed mortgage payments in a fight-or-flight response? No we can’t as it has further implementations on what we do or can do in future. This means that our graph above would look more like the one below.

Cortisol wants to break down your muscle and increase body fat, the very things that you hope to avoid. So when the sugar is released into the blood it is then taken by insulin to the cells for energy. The only thing is the cells don’t need the sugar for energy as we are not in a fight-or-flight response as we are just dealing with any of the issues listed above, so where does it go? The body does not want to waste it so it is simply stored as body fat. If we were dealing with a real fight-or-flight response the body would use the sugar up and the body would begin to sort it self out and find its balance.

Long exposure to cortisol according to some leading researchers is where real damage can occur, you can experience any of the following:

• Accelerated ageing
• Stomach fat deposition
• Loss of muscle mass
• Loss of bone mass (Can increase the risk of osteoporosis developing)
• Heart disease
• Potential damage to brain cells

Having a coffee or a cigarette can stimulant your body and produce more cortisol. The real problem with cortisol is the way that it forces itself on to cells, it will dock onto hormone receptors by fighting off progesterone (steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle and it’s also in the male body at lower levels). Cortisol will win over progesterone due to the receptor favouring cortisol, this means the progesterone in woman who are permanently stress is less active. Researchers now believe that progesterone helps to burn fat and stimulate bone building cells called Osteoblasts.

Now once the cortisol is attached to the receptor guess what your body does? It sends a signal to the brain to produce more! and not only that but cortisol increases the production of oestrogen the list below shows how the progesterone and oestrogen effects mostly balance each other out.

Too much oestrogen can lead to oestrogen dominance:

Oestrogen dominance can occur at any age but it is more likely to occur in the years preceding and during the menopause. Just as the progesterone hormone is found in small amounts in the male body so too is the male hormone testosterone found in small amounts in the female body. To much production of testosterone in the female body can lead to a lack of ovulation, low sex drive and development of male characteristics such as facial hair.

According to Jerry Brainum cortisol also plays an important role post-exercise, by helping to supply fat in order to power muscle-protein-synthesis reactions. So cortisol is definitely not all bad it is just a matter of how you manage your lifestyle and training. Jerry goes on to state that an easy way to manage cortisol is to get sufficient rest between exercise sessions, and also enough sleep. Research also shows that a higher protein intake and in-particular branched-chain amino acids, also helps with recovery.

I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg here everything that I have talked about can lead to you being very unhealthy. This could even cause you to be put in a life threatening situation and that’s one thing we all want to avoid. The good news is that by addressing the situation your in correctly and make key achievable positive changes your body will change for the better.

I hope you have enjoyed this article? If so, please your comments in the box below.

Stay healthy,

A “Stress Buster” Smoothie

The perfect armour against the winter season, this smoothie packs all the vitamins needed to protect against the snowy weather. While it is important to ensure that there is a healthy amount of fruit and vegetables in your smoothie, it is still vital to supply the body with energy. And, if you don’t have the time to make smoothies of your own, consider signing up for a weekend retreat with Prestige Boot Camp, who’ll make you smoothies and teach you how to stay fit and healthy.

For one glass, you will require:

• One cup of orange juice
• One peeled orange (cut into pieces)
• Two bananas (best frozen for extra creaminess!)
• ¾ cup of almond milk (or low-fat milk)
• One Carrot (cut into pieces)
• One tsp of vanilla extract
• Crushed ice

Put all these ingredients in a juicer, and you will be greeted with a sweet treat that is guaranteed to leave your taste buds beaming!

Turmeric Orange Lemonade

Known as the ‘master healer’ of drinks, this lemonade provides a healthy twist on the summer beverage. Packed with anti-inflammatory medical properties of Turmeric, this plant encourages digestion. It is the perfect addition to any clean diet.

For one glass, you will require:

• Four inches of fresh turmeric root
• Two inches of fresh ginger root
• Two peeled oranges
• One peeled lemon
• Five mini carrots
• One tbsp of basil

Place all these ingredients, except the basil, into a juicer and mix. Then add the basil when the mixture is liquid and mix again for two minutes.

Carrot and Kale Juice

Feeling ill run down from a long day at work? This drink is the perfect tangy concoction for a boost of energy. Packed with plenty of Vitamin A and C, it is ideal for weight loss.

For one glass, you will require:

• Two oranges
• Four carrots
• Two handfuls of kale
• Half a lemon
• One knob of ginger

Begin by slicing the skin from the oranges and lemon before chopping the carrots into small pieces. Then add to your blender!

Mint Tea

Mint Tea doesn’t usually bring an orange drink to mind, but when Dan Nadaeu, Medical Director of the Exeter Hospital, promotes the health benefits of tea (especially green tea) against health diseases like osteoporosis and cancer, it has clearly earned a place on this list.

For one glass of mint tea:

• A handful of mint
• Boiling water

Be sure to wash and tear up your mint before leaving it to stew in a teapot between five and ten minutes.

Ginger Mocktail

It can be difficult to stick to a healthy diet when faced with an active social life. However, at 99 calories, it is still possible to enjoy a classic mocktail.

For one glass, you will require:

• Two-three oz of pomegranate/cranberry juice
• Three-four oz flavoured water or seltzer
• One oz of ginger syrup
• Ice

In a large shaker, add the juice, ice and the ginger syrup. Shake well and then add the seltzer. Your mocktail will then be ready to serve.

It doesn’t have to be this way. You can still look good on your wedding day without starving yourself beforehand. From swapping a drunken L-plate clad night out for adventure hen parties and the traditional slow dance for something that will get the heart racing, we’ve found four creative ways to get in shape for your wedding, and have fun whilst you do it.

1. Adventure stag and hen parties

Your stag and hen party is seen as one last blow out before your big day. Many brides ruin a diet by downing sugary cocktails before gorging on a 4am McDonald’s burger. Instead, why not reject the stereotypical hen party and go for different type of adventure?

There are many stag and hen party adventure packages, from watersports and mountain biking to 5 aside football with ex-pros. If the bride-to-be has a particular hobby, incorporating this is a great way to give the hen party a personal touch and make sure everyone keeps in shape in the process.

Hen party organisers Maximise run a whole host of hen parties, including adventure activities, and combine them with more ‘traditional’ hen party fun. Their Wet & Wild weekend in Edinburgh, for brides willing to battle the Scottish elements by white water rafting, river duckies, river bugs or canyoning before heading out on the town.

2. Exercise together

Working out will not only make you feel better and is a great way to relax during those stressful pre-wedding months, it might actually bring you closer to your other half. It’ll certainly help you look your best for your big day.

Personal trainer to the stars, Jon Denoris lists looking good as one the main benefits of getting fit, he states “fitness training can help us look good and feel good! In addition to the overall look of your fat and muscles, physical activity improves the appearance of your nails, teeth, hair and skin!”

3. Healthy cooking classes

Learn to eat better to look great for the wedding, and keep your new figure afterwards too by going to healthy cooking classes. This is a way to make dieting more fun and can be done with your partner. You may even find that spicing things up in the kitchen results in spicing things up in the bedroom too.

Alternatively, cooking classes can be great fun, especially ones that benefit from a more informal atmosphere and plenty of wine. Cooking classes such as Food at 52 and the Clean Eating Academy could make for a great hen party activity.

Who knows? If the cookery classes are a rip-roaring success you may even end up saving on the catering for the wedding.

4. Practice your first dance

The first dance is the very first thing most of us will do in our married life, but, it is usually the first wrong step many couples make in their marriage. In all seriousness, it can stressful, embarrassing and just not very fun.

However, practicing your first dance by going to dance classes can be both romantic and the perfect tonic to the stressful wedding planning process. By doing away with the formality and swapping the slow dance for something that’s going to get your pulse racing, your first dance as Mr and Mrs will be fun and will help you get in shape.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to lose any weight at all and a pre-wedding diet should not be stressful. These are ways you can get in shape, and drop those few extra pounds and still have fun during what should be, the best time of your life.

Proats (Protein Oats/Protein Porridge) have been made popular by those looking to add an extra shot of protein into their diets. This powerful porridge packs a punch by using protein powder mixed with porridge oats. This combination is quick, easy and ensures you get the protein your body needs to go harder in your workouts. Proats really are the perfect way to get more protein into your diet!

If you needed any more reasons to start making your own Proats, the oatie experts over at MOMA have put together their favourite protein porridge facts below!

Experiment with Proat flavours

Protein powders now come in a huge variety of different flavours, from banana, chocolate, to more extravagant flavours like creme brulee and peanut butter cookie. Simply mix a scoop of your protein powder into your porridge oats before adding a splash of boiling water. You might need to add a little bit more than you usually would due to the protein powder.

Proats keep you fuller for longer – perfect if you’re working out!

We all know that porridge oats are amazing for releasing energy slowly and consistently throughout the morning – meaning you’ll keep hunger at bay for longer. Additional protein can ensure you don’t reach for less healthy snacks whilst waiting for your next big meal.

The body takes longer and uses more energy to digest protein, which makes it great for filling you up. Not only is it good for keeping you fuller for longer, but protein is also essential for repairing and building muscle, making Proats the perfect pre/post morning workout meal.

Quick and easy to make and eat!

It is reported that many of us don’t get enough protein in our diets and with our busy, fast paced lives getting in the way, Proats are the perfect quick and easy breakfast solution. Just like overnight oats, Proats can be made the night before in a bowl or jar and eaten as soon as you wake up in the morning. Pre-preparing your Proats can also be handy for when you are rushing to and from the gym, and need a quick post workout meal.

Easy to transport

If you’re using porridge sachets to make your Proats, consider making them in a jar or an easy to carry tub to make them easy to eat on-the-go! You could even add your protein powder to an instant porridge pot such as the MOMA Super Seeds Porridge Pot, which already contains 13g of protein per serving – perfect for eating on the go!

The benefits of a high protein diet

Skipping breakfast increases your chances of snacking on unhealthy foods throughout the day so adding in a protein rich meal in the morning could help you keep both your weight and cholesterol down.

High protein meals are essential for fuelling pre and post workout. Whether you hit the gym in the morning, or prefer an afternoon session, starting your day out right can make all the difference to your training.

Instead of clearing your diary to find extra time in the gym – or worse still, becoming so demoralised that you give up – it’s time to change your workout. Most of us are creatures of habit, so even though we know we should be varying our exercise routines to stop this happening, we stick to our old routines, and we even risk injury by using the same muscles day in, day out.

However, rather than just swapping the treadmill for the rowing machine, you need to switch everything up, not just varying the activities, but the length of time you do them for, the intensity, and even where you’re doing them. It’s the constant adaptation that stops us from grinding to a halt, leading to better fitness and better weight loss.

If this seems too confusing to stick to, then don’t worry – it’s easier than it seems, all it needs is a little planning. If you’re a real stickler for routine, then this is for you, since you will be working out a few plans to rotate over a period of a few weeks. Vary your cardio activity, and also whether it’s for intensity or endurance; the key is to make sure that no two training sessions are the same, and that you never do two workouts designed for the same end back to back. You may want to discuss your initial plans with a personal trainer, and check in with them every month or so to make adjustments – it’s easy to decide on a plan which is either too tough or too easy for your current level of fitness, and if you don’t factor in suitable warm ups and cool downs, including plenty of stretches, you are in danger of picking up a sports injury.

By their nature, sports injuries can be hard for your GP to diagnose. Waiting lists can also be long for hospital scans, so a private MRI in London is a good idea to speed up the process, especially if your workout is crucial to your physical or mental health, or if the injury is such that you are unable to carry out even day to day tasks without pain, let alone follow an exercise regime. A quick diagnosis can help you get the treatment you need to get back to your best.