Category: Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Training for a Summer body? 👙

As we head towards summer there’s a lot of social media posts around talking about exercising to get your bikini or summer body. Now aside from the fact that, generally speaking, fat loss (which tends to be the real goal) is almost impossible to achieve from exercise (you need a calorie deficit) it’s also not an ideal goal.

The issue with training for a ‘summer body’ is that it’s merely a goal to be constantly slim or lean without any other performance goals attached. The standards are arbitrary and the likely result is that you’ll never feel slim enough. It’s hard to escape this desire to slim down for summer as it’s so pervasive in our society and we start buying into it from a very young age. Now that’s not to say that wanting to lose fat for summer is necessarily a bad thing or something you shouldn’t do – ultimately it’s your body and you can choose what you want to do with it. But if it’s a pressure you are trying to avoid then perhaps it’s worth considering replacing that summer body goal with more stable goals that will serve you all year round, not just for the summer.

Ultimately the exercise routine and diet that you can do consistently, over the entire year, is the best one for you. Not the one that you can only manage for 4-8 weeks at a time because it’s unsustainable for you and your lifestyle. Try repositioning your goals – for example goals of longer life, better quality of life, strong bones, quicker recovery from illness etc. Train for your old man/woman body – you want dense bones, strong muscles, good balance, a healthy heart and functional independence. When you’re 80 you want to be able to carry your shopping, lift your grandchildren, reach to put things away on the top shelf, get up from your chair unaided, stop yourself falling etc. If you try to focus on these sorts of goals you may find you are able to exercise and eat in a way that isn’t overly restrictive (on the food side) or inconsistent (e.g. sudden bursts of over exercising then weeks of months of no exercise). It also won’t feel like punishment.

Think about the long term and think about what will serve to keep you healthy and functioning for longer. Starving yourself, drinking ‘detox’ juices, cutting carbs, hours of cardio etc won’t – eating a reasonable amount of calories from all food types and working to include cardio and resistance training for strong muscles, heart and lungs will!

Happy Tuesday 🤗xx

Tuesday Tip: Common mistakes that prevent weight loss 🤔

Here are some of the common mistakes I see people make with their diet/nutrition that may be preventing them from losing weight/fat.

#1 Thinking that there Is a “perfect” diet.

There is no ideal diet that you can follow to lose weight. You have to learn about calories and nutrition, go through some trial and error and figure out what works best for you.

#2 Trying to do too much too quickly

Many people try to completely overhaul their diet overnight. Small, simple, step by step changes that can be sustained over time often lead to better long term results.

#3 Eating too little

Now just to clarify – I do not mean that you can ‘hold on to fat’ if you under-eat. If you’re in a calorie deficit you will lose weight/fat (consider the extreme case of some eating disorders etc). But you can hinder your progress by eating too little because most people can only under eat for so long before the mind and body fight back and they binge. A lot of people are stuck In a cycle of bingeing and restricting because they are eating too little Instead of properly nourishing themselves. So it’s about finding a sustainable calorie deficit.

#4 Not being willing to make sacrifices.

Sorry but if you aren’t happy at the weight you are, eating and drinking as you are, then you are going to have to make changes and that may mean sacrificing some of the things you currently enjoy consuming.

#5 Too much variety

Finding a few go-to meal options and sticking to them consistently helps simplify your nutrition choices and make grocery shopping and food prep easier. Variety is great, but don’t overdo It to the point that eating at home becomes a huge chore.

#6 Expecting results too quickly

You can’t expect to change your diet and see changes In a week or a month. It took longer than that to gain the weight and it will take longer to lose it. Changes take time so be patient.

#7 Inconsistency

It may be boring but consistency is key. You can’t expect results if every weekend you have a massive blowout. You need to find a happy medium if you want to reach your goals.

Happy Tuesday 🤗xx

Tuesday Tip: Dance to health 💃

Many people don’t think of dance as ‘proper’ exercise but not only is it a fun way to burn calories, improve fitness and get steps in research suggests dance may be doing something even more powerful.

Dance helps to keep our brains healthy as we age.

Unlike many forms of exercise, dance combines movement, coordination, balance, memory, rhythm and social interaction all at once. Your brain is constantly learning patterns, remembering steps, reacting to music and adjusting your movements. That combination appears to give it a unique advantage.

A recent study found that regular dancing was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing dementia. Interestingly, dance was the only physical activity in the study linked with this reduced risk. Other studies have found that dance-based exercise classes and traditional forms of dance can improve memory, attention, balance and executive function in older adults. Researchers believe this is because dance challenges both the body and the brain at the same time, while also providing social connection and enjoyment.

The good news is you don’t need to be a professional dancer. DanceFit classes, Sh’bam, Zumba, ballroom, salsa, line dancing, tap or simply dancing around the kitchen all count. The key is moving regularly and challenging your brain with new patterns and movements.

So if you’re looking after your future health, don’t just think muscles and calories. Think brain health too. Exercise that makes you smile, think, learn and connect with others may be one of the best investments you can make for healthy ageing. Dancing isn’t just great for fitness, balance and mood, it also helps keep your brain sharper for longer.

Happy Dancing 🤗Xx

Tuesday Tip: Are you Dehydrated? 💧

Obviously the hot topic at the moment is the heat wave so it seemed wise to discuss hydration this week. Our body contains 5 litres of water and we can lose 2 in a single workout. Dehydration is a risk, and once you’re thirsty you’ve probably already been dehydrated for a while. So what should you watch for?

#1 Dry skin

Skin is 80% water so if you’re not drinking enough your skin will show it; dull, peeling, dry skin can mean you’re dehydrated.

#2 Fewer loo trips

Kidneys use water to remove waste from blood. When dehydrated they don’t function as well and you’ll need fewer loo trips. So if you’re pee-ing less than normal, drink more!

#3 Dark pee

Generally the darker your urine the more dehydrated you are (some foods also colour your pee). You want straw coloured pee!

#4 Cramps

Muscles are 75% water. If you’re dehydrated the body will divert water and blood from muscles to essential organs so you’ll get cramps.

#5 Blood pressure changes

As you dehydrate your blood becomes thicker as the water-containing plasma becomes more concentrated. With less blood volume to pump blood pressure can drop making you dizzy or light headed.

#6 Headache

The brain is sensitive to the chemical changes lack of water causes, resulting in a headache, often in the back of the head and may get worse when you bend over. A sports drink or rehydration sachet will help.

#7 Constipation

Dehydration causes the intestinal cells to extract more water from food waste in the intestines, causing the waste to become hard, leading to constipation.

#8 Joint pain

Dehydration causes cartilage in joints to rub; weakening and wearing over time. Lack of water delays repair to these damaged joints, causing pain.

#9 Bad breath

If you don’t have enough water then you won’t have enough saliva, so you’ll get a dry mouth and bad breath.

#10 Fatigue

The brain is 85% water. Water deficiency can result in a reduction of the brain’s energy supply, which leads to fatigue, lethargy, and even depression.

Never drink the 2-3 litre daily water quota in one sitting, instead drink regularly, and eat hydrating foods e.g. melon, cucumber, grapes, celery etc.

Get Sipping!

Happy Tuesday!🤗

xx

Tuesday Tip: Turmeric Benefits🌿

Turmeric is one of those “wonder spice” ingredients that gets talked about as if it can fix everything — inflammation, joints, brain health, heart health, fat loss… the lot. As always, the truth is a bit more complex.

The main active compound in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin appears to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and has been studied for joint pain, arthritis, metabolic health and brain ageing. The best evidence is around reducing joint pain and inflammation, particularly for arthritis, ageing joints, or those of us who are active and put our joints through a lot.

The key is the dosage. Most studies looking at general wellbeing use around 500–1,000mg of curcumin extract per day, and for joint pain/inflammation often around 500–1,200mg per day. One teaspoon of turmeric powder contains roughly 200mg of curcumin, so you’d need quite a lot to get close to study levels.

Absorption is another issue. Curcumin isn’t absorbed well on its own, so it’s usually taken with black pepper extract — piperine — or with a meal containing fat. In studies, an effective combination is often around 500mg curcumin plus 20mg piperine daily.

So should you use it? As a food — absolutely, if you like it. Add it to curries, soups, eggs, roasted veg, rice, lentils, marinades etc. Pair it with black pepper and some fat to help absorption. It’s colourful and tasty, but it’s not a magic cure and it’s not replacing sleep, exercise, protein, fibre, fruit/veg or prescribed medication.

It can be tricky however to hit the useful dose without huge quantities of raw turmeric. So that is where supplements may come in – particularly if you suffer from joint issues. But many products don’t contain the required amount. If you choose one, check the curcumin dose and whether it contains piperine or another absorption aid.

As always do check with your GP if you have any other regular medications / conditions too before you start taking it.

So in summary, turmeric in food is a lovely spice but not a cure all. A good curcumin supplement may help joint pain/inflammation, but choose carefully.

Happy Tuesday 🤗
Xx