exercise

Here is the latest blog from our fantastic new expert, personal trainer Amy.

Amy says: I’m hoping you are all full of beans for this week’s workout - all you need is a couple of cans of beans or soup from the cupboard and perhaps a chair.

I know many people, and women in particularly, shy away from using weights with the perception that we will end up like Arnold Schwarzenegger. But the reality is very different – you would need a serious weights regime to take on the physique of a movie character!

Our newest expert, personal trainer Amy Marlow, gives us her insights into getting more active.

Amy says:

Thanks for the lovely welcome last week – it’s great to be part of such a supportive community.

If you feel that venturing into a gym might be a step too far in your fitness programme at the moment that doesn’t mean you can’t have an effective workout.

This week I’ve been having a wander around some of the leading supermarkets to see just what there is on offer to help you exercise at home.

I’m Amy Marlow and I’m delighted to be joining Slimavite's expert team to help you reach your weight loss goals.

At ELF Fitness the emphasis is on enjoying exercise whether it’s a walk to the shops, grabbing a few tins from the cupboard for some toning circuits in the lounge or taking on a 5km run.

As a singer, dancer and personal trainer I know how important it is to keep fit and healthy and each week I’ll be bringing you the latest news and ideas to help you in every aspect of improving your fitness, as part of your weight loss journey.

As the popularity of military fitness grows, Slimavite personal trainer Simon Parker offers his quick guide for beginners on feeling the Boot Camp burn.

The Burpee – a Boot Camp staple

A burpee basically combines a squat, pushup, and vertical leap. It is an excellent full body exercise that is used for both strength training and as cardiovascular exercise, commonly used in military training.

▪ Begin in a standing position.
▪ Drop into a squat position with your hands on the floor in front of you.
▪ Kick your feet back, while simultaneously lowering yourself into a push up

When Slimavite slimmer Charlotte mentioned that a 15 minute workout she could do at home would be like ‘gold dust’, we got straight on to personal trainer Simon!

“Here is a special workout plan designed to be done at home. The only equipment you will need is a chair,” says Simon.

“The exercises will work all the major muscle groups of the body, helping to improve toning, posture and increase bone density.

“There are six different exercises. Try to do three sets of each exercise, and aim to do 12-15 repetitions for each set.”

The workout

Squats

The festive season has arrived! And with all the parties and gatherings that take place, everyone wants to look their best in those party outfits.

But it can be tempting at this time of year to abandon a regular exercise routine or healthy eating plan, and it’s even easier to binge when there are so many delicious treats on offer.

It’s estimated that the average person will consume on average an extra 500 calories a day throughout December!

But how many Bites do you need to burn to work off a mince pie? Or a glass of mulled wine? We have put together a handy guide to help you.

Following calls for Bollywood-style dancing to feature in the opening ceremony at next year’s Olympics, we thought we’d take a closer look at the latest dance craze to be sweeping the nation.

What better way to lose weight and improve fitness than trying something vibrant, musical and a little bit different, instead of just pounding the treadmill at the gym?

Bollywood is the nickname given to the Indian film industry, which now employs around 6 million people. The hugely popular films are enjoyed by around 14 million people every day!

Ballroom fever is again sweeping the nation, and with the return of Strictly Come Dancing to our screens, we thought we’d take a closer look at the benefits of the activity for slimmers.

Dancing is a fantastic way to get fit and to boost weight loss. It’s no wonder the glamorous dancers on the show stay so trim, and that the celebrity participants report year after year that they have lost weight while taking part.

Dancing the slower numbers, such as the Waltz and Fox Trot, can help you burn around 130 calories/around 0.75 Bites an hour.

For busy mums, finding the time to be more active may seem like an uphill battle. If you’re running around after the children, while juggling a job and keeping the household in order, then it may seem difficult to grab some ‘me’ time to concentrate on your own health and fitness.

But according to Slimavite personal trainer Simon Parker, there are some easy ways for even the busiest of mums to start building more physical activity into their daily routines – and to have a little fun along the way!

For smokers planning to quit, weight gain is often one of the main worries cited.

But according to Slimavite nutritionist Melanie Bibby, ditching the habit does not have to mean piling on the pounds.

Melanie says: “There are some key things to be aware of when you quit smoking, which can have an effect on potential weight gain.

1. Appetite
“It’s widely believed that nicotine in cigarettes may act as an appetite suppressant, so ex-smokers may find they have a new sense of hunger.”

2. Taste