Reward yourself!
It is hard enough losing weight and finding the motivation to exercise, eat healthily and avoid those delicious cakes and nibbles, especially as it comes up to Christmas. Temptation is around every corner and with parties and family visits in abundance; it’s not only the calories in food that you need to count, but calories in your Christmas tipple.
So, how do I keep my temptation at bay and be a Christmas angel, not a naughty devil? The answer is to reward yourself and you can do this by taking advantage of internet shopping and promotional codes. And what is the best present you can buy yourself when you have lost a few pounds? A pair of jeans…being able to fit snugly in a new pair of jeans will make you feel super sexy (teamed with a pair of killer heels) and give you the confidence boost to resist that last mince pie!
So you have your new jeans and want to keep on with the healthy eating you can also find superb offers in the web for slimming food, recipes and ingredients; and if that doesn’t appeal, how about going down the natural route and purchasing vitamins and supplements to assist slimming and boost your natural defences.
It is Christmas after all, go on treat yourself, you deserve it.
Flat Tummy Top Tips
The tummy area is one of the hardest places to lose weight and tone up, and it is the first place where weight piles on or you end up feeling bloated after a big meal or the wrong food – think bread and pasta!
Here are 5 top tips to assist you in the flight to battle the tummy bulge!
- Eat a balanced diet
- Burn calories with cardio work 3 times a week for 20 minutes
- Alternate your training – it will be more effective and give your metabolism a kick
- Sorry but you knew it was coming – sits ups (and plenty of them)
- Get help – it is hard to stay motivated especially when the nights are dark and cold, get a personal trainer; they won’t let you off with any excuses!
Detox
How can I lose weight quickly? How can I get a flat tummy in time for the weekend?
Are these questions that you ask yourself? I certainly do and I have tried many lotions and potions to help me achieve weight loss and a flat tummy and I have found that in a week if I went on a detox session then my goal was achievable!
There are several types of detox drinks available at Boots, which you need to incorporate with a healthy diet and this type of detox normally lasts 3 or 4 days, but believe me it is hard to get through the drinks they taste pretty hideous and with almost 2 litres to get down your neck there are easier ways!
Drink plain water, warm if possible as it is better for your digestion, fruit and vegetables for 5 days, 100 sit-ups a day and voila bring on the party dress!!
Vitamins the natural way
We are officially in the season of Winter and it is inevitable that you will gat a cold, of have a sore throat and cough. But, eating the right foods can help and also build up your immune system.
It is good to have a balanced diet of fruit and vegetables – remember your 5 a day – but it is also worthwhile remembering that to build your immune system you must eat foods rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
C is obvious, oranges and Satsuma’s etc. and to up your intake of Vitamin E, attack the nuts! There’s no excuse at the moment, as the supermarkets are stacked with Christmas Nuts and Satsuma’s!
Running = Fat burning
A great way to get into shape this party season is to start running and it doesn’t cost anything. Now you may not have run further than to catch a bus, but it is easier than you think to get back into.
Set yourself small goals and plan a circular route that you can build upon in distance and ensure that the route you plan has gradients as this will improve your fitness levels. If you are totally new to running, wear a watch and aim to walk and jog; a good rule is to walk for 2 minutes and run for 2 minutes, it is also beneficial to include a section of sprinting for 30 seconds to increase your heart rate.
Keep at it and watch your stamina build the pounds disappear!
I want a flat tummy!
As it is coming up to Christmas which means lots of nights out and equally as many figure hugging dresses, it is now time for me to focus on having a flat tummy – I’m really not one for Bridget Jones knickers!
So, here are some top tips for a flat tummy; avoid carbs, no bread, pasta, definitely no biscuits or cakes and eat lots of fruit. Try to avoid eating after 7pm at night as the food will lie heavy in your stomach…and last but not least do sit ups each day!
Another top tip – If you really can’t resist a slice of toast or a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce, then try a wheat-free option, there is a huge selection available and Tesco and Sainsburys!
Cheap ways to keep fit
I have been thinking of different ways to keep fit instead of going to the gym and i have found some strange and some day to day activities that can keep you thin.
- Sex – works all muscles
- Cleaning – works all muscles
- getting off the bus 1 stop before yours and walking – works the leg muscles
- Laughing – works the stomache muscles
- Laundry – lifting, squatting and stretching
- Walking the dog – works leg muscles
- Go to sleep earlier so you dont pick at food
- Dont skip breakfast so you dont snack in the morning
- Gardening – again lifting, squatting and stretching
- Climb stairs instead of taking the lift
Get a body like Dannii’s
Dannii Minogue is looking great on this series of X Factor and it has been revealed in Star Magazine that she has done this by maintaining a low-fat eating plan and a consistent exercise schedule.
She follows a strict organic diet that bans wheat, red meat and fatty dairy products. It consists of a lot of lean protein such as eggs, fish, nuts and soya milk.
Her work out consist’s of 1 hour at least 3 times a week and she has said she is hooked on the power plate machine which is a favorite of fellow judge Cheryl Cole.
Another tip to her getting most of the attention this year is that she has stopped the botox injections which gives her more expressions in the facial area.

Tesco Diets
Tesco have brought out a way to diet with the help from them and currently they have a deal of “Join today and get 2 weeks free”
The diets they have to offer are:
- Little Black Dress Diet
- GI Diet
- Light Choices Diet
- Mediterranean Diet
- Total Well-being Diet
- Vegeterian Diet
- Low Carb Diet
- Cholesterol Diet
- Dairy Free diet
- Diabetes Diet
- Gluten Free Diet
- Heart Smart Diet
- High Fibre Diet
- Low Sugar Diet
- Low Fat Diet
- Low Salt Diet
they have support groups, online support and also a chat room to discuss your ups and downs when trying to shift them pounds.
I love the fact that each diet gives you ideas of the sort of food you can eat and also a recipe plan to go with it..
Gym Classes
I am not a fan of going to the gym but i have become a fan of classes which are at the gym.
Classes which are good for you and fun are:
Spinning Class – Sit on a bike and spin your legs in time with an instructor
Legs, bums and tums – a workout that focuses on legs, bums and tums
Total Combat – self defence disciplines including kickboxing, tai chi and karate
Salsa – a great way to get your hips moving
Step classes – a way to get you moving but not at a fast pace
Aqua Aerobics – aerobic type moves in the water to increase mobility, improve fitness, muscular strength and endurance.

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