Is the Gym for You?

Why I like fit people (not just chicks!)... whether they go to the gym or not!

Lately I've been shopping around for a gym. Well, I have been doing that for quite sometime, but in a different town. Now I'm looking for a place to sweat in London and after months of home workouts and neighbourhood jogs I was really keen on finding my next challenge. And that got me thinking - are some people just cut out for the gym?

I visited two different fitness centres and as I walked through the doors of both I just felt... so at home. Perhaps it's something to do with the fact that I've been going regularly to the gym between the ages of 12 and 19. Or may be it's because of my challenge-seeking, novelty-hungry nature.

Whatever the case, there's just something about gyms and exercise which tremendously appeals to me. Hence, joining the one has always been an easy decision, money aside. If you really like something, then you'll find the time for it (so for me, not having time is not an excuse although lack of pennies is!).

So how would you know if the gym is a place for you? You can start by asking yourself these questions:

• Do I consider being fit and in a top physical condition as something important enough for me to set aside time and money for it? Or do I prefer more leisurely and cost-effective ways of getting a dose of endorphins?
• Do I want to build muscle mass and tone/shape up my body or do I just wish to lose a bit of weight and/or maintain my fitness levels? (Honestly, to look good on the beach you need weights!)
• Am I going to visit the gym often enough to justify the expenditure or am I going to be a casual user?

If you have answered 'yes' to the first half of these questions then you may find the gym as appealing as it is for me. On the other hand, if you have answered yes to the second half of these questions then you may want to think twice about joining the gym.

My inspiration. My goal. My dream.

That is not to say that gyms aren't for everyone! Of course, anyone who goes to the gym will do themselves some good. But it is those regular gym bunnies that will reap the most benefits and good money-for-value. 

More importantly gym workouts shouldn't feel something you are forcing yourself to do (not all the time at least!). I'm all up for healthy living and being fit, but there are other ways of getting fit - from sports to power-walking.

Therefore, before joining the gym I recommend visiting a couple  of places and asking for free day passes to try out the gyms. See if you like it and if you are ready to take your body to the next fitness level.

I know I'm ready, so I can't wait to start! 

How to Get Fit Without the Gym

Hello folks,

I'm writing a quick post from my mobile as I've been left without Internet at home (can you believe this still happens in this day and age?!).

Many times we make excuses or wait for a certain time to get fit(ter), the principle causes being time and money.

Well I've got news for you.  If you really set your mind on getting fit you can do it whether you've got money or not.

How? The Internet is brimming with information.  From nutrition plans to supplements to home workouts - everything you need is at your finger tips.

Use YouTube to find home workout videos which do not use any equipment.  My personal favourites are from Blogilates and Fitness Blender. Look for videos that are suitable for your fitness level (beginner, intermediate or advanced).

Start with 20-minute videos and gradually increase to 30- to 40-minute ones.  Pick a time of the day which is most convenient for you.  I prefer mornings because later in the day I am more likely to be busy and tired. Try to do these home workouts every day (it is recommended to exercise for 30 minutes daily).

Make a schedule of the types of workouts you will do each day. For example, I start my week with lower body/legs workout, followed by upper body/arms & abs, followed by cardio/high intensity interval training.  I repeat these three again on the following three days and end my week with yoga.

All you need is a bit of space in your living room, will power and commitment.  You will start noticing results in 6-12 weeks (but don't forget to eat clean and healthy!) and you will be hooked!

Off you go then.  It's time for a workout!

Your Diet's #1 Enemy

Over a year ago I wrote a post on  healthy living which highlighted how sugar can sabotage your best efforts to get in shape. Now I want to show you the problems sugar causes.

A 2012 research article in the journal Nature argued that sugar is a toxic substance and should be regulated in the same way as tobacco and alcohol. Why? Because previous studies have found that too much sugar can adversely affect the liver and brain function, can wreak havoc on metabolism, and not only make people fat but also leave them more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes and even cancer!

According to US scientists 80% of our food choices contain sugar. In the earlier post I mentioned hidden sugars, such as those found in bread, milk and almost all processed foods whether they are sweet or savoury. However, there are three things to keep in mind: 1. Some sugar is converted into energy; 2. Excess sugar is turned into fat; and 3. Sugar is a type of carb and although your body needs a certain amount of sugar and fat, processed sugars are much worse than fat.

The most common problems sugar causes are:

1. Inexplicable weight gain: People often tend to avoid fat and go for all sorts of diet and low fat options. Unfortunately these are full of sugar to compensate for the lack in flavour. Too much sugar causes your blood sugar levels to spike and drop rapidly leaving you tired and hungry in a short space of time. And then you reach for some more food. It becomes a vicious cycle.

2. Brain fog: Sugar forms free radicals in the brain's membrane which prevent the cells from communicating properly. This has a negative effect on how well we remember things, process ideas and deal with our moods. 

3. Ageing skin: We all know that cigarettes and UV rays cause premature ageing of the skin, but did you know sugar does too? When sugar travels to the skin it causes amino acids (the proteins found in skin, hair and nails) to form cross-links which prevent them from repairing the skin cells. This in turn leaves the skin with premature wrinkles.

Terrible stuff isn't it? How do we stop? Well there is no easy answer to that. Many medical professionals suggests that people should try to keep their sugar intake as close to zero as possible (or at least under 10 teaspoons a day) and avoid processed foods. Some have suggested substituting sugar with cinnamon or satisfying sugar cravings with fruit and yoghurt. The real truth is that sugar can be addictive and our brains can crave the feel good boost it gives us. The only thing we can do is try our best and indulge in little treats once in a while.

S.T.R.E.S.S.

Hello lovelies,

Long time no see. Is it because you're busy and oh so stressed? This month has been so busy for so many people that I'm starting to think it should be renamed to Stressuary. Yet there are still people just don't seem to get stressed. Yes, you know who you are. But for the rest of us who are beginning to crack under the pressure of endless work and life commitments, I've decided to write 3 simple tips on how to avoid burnout and breakdowns.

1. Eat well, rest well. Forget about the whole work hard, play hard mantra. That's for superbeings not for us, mere mortals. First of all, don't forget to eat. Fuel your body with loads of proteins and fibre and give yourselves a boost with a bit of sugar and caffeine (don't overdo it). Second, make sure you get adequate rest. Sleep as much as you can, whenever you can. Remember, you don't need to follow a regular sleep pattern - naps can be lifesaving during very stressful periods of time.
2. Exercise. Once your body is fuelled you might want to burn all the adrenalin rushing through your body. To avoid punching the person next to you, simply try doing as much or as little exercise as you can on a daily basis. Even a brisk walk would do. And don't forget to take deep breaths - it really works (as many yoga fanatics would tell you - breathing is the secret of super health [perhaps because it keeps us alive?])
3. Talk it through. Would you believe it that moaning and complaining and telling everyone what you have and haven't done so far is a great stress buster? It may not work for everyone, but telling someone what is bothering you or going over your next plan of action can have a calming effect. It helps you put things into perspective and see things from a different point of view.

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So there you go folks. I hope these tips will be useful and if you've got any of your own that you would like to share don't be afraid to post a comment below.

All together now: inhale, exhale.

All the best!

Healthy Living

Have you started loving your body yet? Following my post about appreciating our lovely figures, which you can read about here, I think it is only appropriate to give you some facts and tips which will make your body love you too!

Image by Suat Eman ©

• Sugar is your number one enemy! Why? Because it helps the body convert carbs into fat (and because sugars themselves are made up of carbs). And I'm not just talking about the usual sugary stuff. Processed foods, such as white bread and toast cheese slices, are high in sugars too. Of course, the body needs sugar but you can get this in the form of sucrose from fresh and dried fruits and in the form of lactose from milk and other dairy products. So there's no need for cake and lollies (except the occasional treat that is :) ) 

• Exercising is vital to your mental and physical well-being. However, juts because you worked up a sweat in the gym (or on the field) does not mean you can indulge in fatty and sugary foods. For exercise to have any positive effect, you need to manage your calorie intake carefully.

Image by Sayan Samana ©

• Sure the body loses loads of vitamins and minerals during exercise, but gulping down Lucozade or any other sports drink is not doing you any favours. Such drinks are loaded with sugar (remember, your number one enemy?!). Research has proved that sports drinks are only useful to athletes who train more than 90 minutes per day, everyday. If you train less than that you should not drink it. Instead, make your own recovery drink at home by adding a pinch of salt and flour to a glass of water. All three of these contain vital minerals and electrolytes which are lost during exercise. Add to that plenty of fruits and veggies and you can replenish almost all of your vitamins and minerals.
• An interesting and disappointing fact - the thinner you are the less calories you burn. Basically, if you put two people, one heavy and one light, through the same intense work out the heavier person will burn more calories than the lighter one. Not fair, I know. But on the up side, leaner people with more muscle mass burn more calories when they are not doing any physical activity.

Image by  Glenn Jenkinson ©

• Finally, I would like to recommend to everyone NOT to follow any 'one-size-fits-all' diets. Whether you are trying to lose weight or just be healthier it is very important to understand that each person is different. Design your own diet by balancing foods that you simply can't live without with foods full of good nutrients. And you can even have one cheat day in the week when you allow yourself some small treats - this will stop you from binge eating at the end of your diet plan.

I hope that the information above was useful. Remember - being healthy is a lifestyle, not a crash weight loss diet. Always try to make healthier choices:  fewer ingredients listed on the label is always better!

Image by nixxphotography ©

Sports drinks research: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3806/The-best-sports-drinks.html

Calories burnt during exercise: http://www.livestrong.com/article/525626-does-a-heavier-person-use-more-calories-than-a-thin-person-while-exercising/