1 Join the dark side...
When it comes to chocolate, that is. It’s much harder to munch your way through a whole block of good-quality dark chocolate (we’re talking at least 70 per cent cocoa solids, or 85 if you can hack it) than the milky stuf – which means you’ll ration it better. Plus, while the kilojoules may be the same, the dark stuf is low in sugar and high in healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants known as polyphenols. Yep, that means this sweet treat is de? nitely doing your body good.
2 Mess about
It might sound a little silly, but being childish can be really good for your body – so make like a kid and get to the park. A kick-around with a soccer ball, basketball sesh or impromptu Frisbee game are all activities that are perfectly capable of burning kilojoules, raising your metabolism and leaving you smiling from ear to ear.
3 Pump up the volume
Whether you’re outside walking or inside doing the housework, blasting some of your favourite tunes is a sure-fire way to max your motivation, get you moving
faster and burn more kilojoules. Invest
in a new iPod, compile an upbeat playlist,
and let the music get you going.
4 Rope in a hot bod
Looking for a cheap piece of workout kit that of ers excellent value? Step away from the Ab Blaster and pick up your old skipping rope. Not only does a skipping rope cost and weigh next to nothing, it also provides an intense, time-ei cient cardio workout that you can do pretty much anywhere. Just ask Rocky Balboa.
5 DITCH THE DAIRY
If you down a large latte every morning, your daily cuppa could be adding extra weight. The average adult doesn’t need that much milk – you can get more calcium from leafy green veg – plus, milk has a sugar called lactose in it, which makes it high in carbs (yep, even skim milk). Time to develop a taste for long blacks.
6 Skip low fat
Don’t waste money on ‘low-fat’ snacks such as cereal bars or skinny mui ns – they’re overly processed, packed with sugar and guaranteed to leave you ravenous in half an hour. Eat more protein, such as chicken or fish, with your meals instead. It will keep you fuller for longer, saving you money on diet snacks that don’t of er any benefits.
7 Use your own body weight
One of the most ef ective weight-training tools around is your own body. It’s free, open all hours and provides awesome results. Perform 20 of the following moves back to back and see how you feel: burpees, push-ups, jump squats, lunges and narrow push-ups. Out of breath yet?
8 Get fit on your commute to work
Make a conscious ef ort to move more in your daily routine: try taking the stairs rather than the lift, walking to meetings or going for a quick stroll on your lunch break. Even better, leave the train or bus ticket at home and try jogging, cycling or walking to work each day. Then go treat yourself with all the cash you saved!
9 Eat smarter
It’s not easy, but if you’re absolutely determined to trim down, then cutting out alcohol and re? ned sugar is the fastest way to lose body fat – look to supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley or the awe-inspiring Beyoncé for evidence. Struggling to curb your sweet tooth? Plan your healthy meals in advance and pack lots of nutritious snacks such as raw nuts, natural yoghurt and boiled eggs so you’re not tempted to dip into the office lolly jar. Combined with your new gym-free exercise tricks, it’s a total winner!
10 GET A PUP
Okay, okay, getting fit shouldn’t be your first reason for becoming a dog owner, but if you’ve been umm-ing and ahh-ing for a while, it’s a good incentive to make a date with the RSPCA. Dog walking helps you keep active all year round, whatever the weather, because it’s not only yourself you’re letting down if you feel too lazy to go out, it’s Rover, too.
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