Can You Lose Weight By Drinking Coffee?

Being active, I thought the extra weight I was carrying would just fall off me. I've never been overweight and it was a real shock to my system when it started to creep up on me.

The truth was though, that being over 40 (I have since turned 50 last October!!), losing weight wasn't going to be so easy thanks to my hormones and life's stresses. I needed a helping hand 😏

I came across a guy offering samples of a coffee that claimed could help give me more energy and curb my appetite. I enjoy a coffee, but due to caffeine giving me palpitations, I only drank decaffeinated. However, I was willing to give it a try.

After reviewing the ingredients (I'm not willing to put just anything into my body), I was satisfied they met with my approval and requested my samples.

They arrived and after my first cup, I felt jittery but surprisingly, I didn't feel so hungry. The guy who sent me the samples told me to just use half of the sachet until I got a little more use to the caffeine, and also to make sure I was keeping hydrated. I was impressed with it so far so bought a tub. It came with a 30 day money back guarantee, so I felt I had nothing to lose (except some weight 😂).

I have been impressed by my energy levels AND losing some weight (a stone or more). I've stopped weighing myself and just go by how my clothes feel.

                                                  Before                                  After

The weight has stayed off and I only use the coffee now and again, mainly when I feel I need an energy boost. Love it! 👍

Try for yourself, coffee or capsules

Things You Must Do To Lose Weight Over 40

With age comes many things: greater wisdom; deeper empathy; a greater sense of knowing who you are; and less happily, the very real possibility of a bigger pants size.

Starting in your 40s, it's easier than ever for the pounds to creep on—and tougher to take them off. Thanks to a slowing metabolism you could be burning 300 fewer calories per day than you did in your early 20s, according to the American Council on Exercise. What's more, falling estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause (which begin in your early 40s) can cause insulin sensitivity, which makes it harder for your body to control the amount of sugar in your blood, says Caroline Cederquist, MD, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and founder of the meal delivery service BistroMD. This can make your blood sugar levels more prone to spiking and crashing, which can increase your urge to snack—especially on high-carb, sugary junk, Cederquist says.

Put it together, and it's no wonder so many women over 40 end up hitting a weight loss wall. But it doesn't have to be that way. With a few smart moves, you can outsmart your slowing metabolism and get lean—for good.

Sure, some things change after 40. But the basic tenets of successful weight loss stay the same, no matter how old you are. Before you take steps to ageproof your diet plan, it's a good idea to brush up on the basics.

• You need to eat less. It doesn't matter if all you eat is grilled chicken, brown rice, and broccoli. If you don't cut back on your portions, you won't lose weight. Everyone's calorie needs are different, but in general, a woman eating 2,000 calories per day should aim to cut back by 400 to 500 calories, recommends Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of Eating in Color.
• You should aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. Those drop-a-dress-size-in-a-week plans are tempting. But the slow and steady approach is more sustainable since you're more likely to build healthy habits (like exercising more and eating more veggies) that will help you stay leaner in the long term.
• Skipping meals will mess with your metabolism. When you skip breakfast or dinner, it tells your body to squirrel away calories instead of burning them. Skipping meals also increases the chances that your blood sugar will crash, leaving you ravenous for a quick energy hit in the form of sugary carbs, Cederquist says.
• Keeping your carbs in check—especially the refined kind—can help combat age-related insulin resistance and promote steady blood sugar levels, Cederquist says. Adding more protein to your diet can also help. Not only does the nutrient help stave off age-related muscle loss, but it also helps keep your metabolism revved, because the body has to work harder to digest it than, say, a bagel, Cederquist says. How much of each nutrient you consume each time you eat matters, too. In a perfect world each meal and snack should have:
• Vegetables or fruit: Fill half of your plate with these. They’re high in fiber and water, so they'll take up lots of space in your stomach without contributing too many calories to your diet.
• Lean protein: Your plate should have a serving that’s about the size of your palm. Good sources include Greek yogurt, eggs, chicken, and fish. 
• Complex carbohydrates: Your plate should have a serving that’s the size of your closed fist. Whole grains, beans, fresh fruit, and starchy veggies (like sweet potatoes) are all good choices.
• Healthy fats: These can add up quickly when you're trying to lose weight, so it's worth measuring your fats. Aim for 7 to 10 grams every time you eat. That’s 1½ tsp of olive oil, a quarter of an avocado, or two tablespoons of nuts or seeds.

Source:prevention.com/weight-loss/a20465042/lose-weight-over-40/

Should You Exercise If You Have A Cold?

Colds are more common in winter, but you don't necessarily have to stop exercising if you're feeling under the weather. According to Dr Keith Hopcroft, a GP from Basildon in Essex, use common sense and listen to your body.

"If your symptoms are not severe and you generally feel OK, then you can exercise. If you feel absolutely rotten, then it's best not to go."

However, it is important not to exercise if you have a fever. A fever is when your body's temperature is 38C (100.4F) or above and is rarely a symptom of a cold.

"If you exercise with a fever," says Dr Hopcroft, "it'll make you feel worse. In very rare cases, exercising with a fever can lead to the virus affecting your heart, which can be dangerous."

If you have asthma, take extra care when exercising in winter as cold air can trigger symptoms. Use your inhaler before you exercise and have it with you during your activity.

Keep Warm

If you're starting a new exercise regime, don't overdo it. Slowly build the amount of exercise you do. If you can't manage 30 minutes in one go, break it up into 10-minute chunks.

Always warm-up for up to 10 minutes before you start. Walk at a brisk pace, or jog to warm your muscles.

Make sure you're warm if you're going outside. Wear several layers to keep the heat in. A lot of heat escapes through your head, so consider wearing a hat as well.

Source:nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/pages/winterexercise.aspx

Exercise You Can Take Anywhere....

If you're anything like me I like to exercise even when I'm away. Doing some exercise as part of my weekly routine is important to me, so having items I can use to exercise with and pack easily into my suit case are a must.

I have recently been asked to try out a hula hoop. Not your solid circular hoop but a weighted, flexible type.

I really didn't know what to expect, let alone even see how it could possibly be effective but I was willing to give it a try.

My initial thoughts were that it would be difficult to use but I liked the idea of being able to take it with me on my travels AND it was easy to store at home, so I reserved all judgement.

It took me only a short time to get the hang of using it and because of the weight and design I could really feel it working. Not only did it work my waist and hips but I also felt like I'd had a cardio workout and felt slightly breathless and sweaty (all good signs in my eyes!!)

I was really impressed by this piece of equipment and could definitely feel a difference.

Not only could you use it to trim your waist but it was cleverly designed to enable you to also work other parts of the body including your arms (all will be revealed).

I'll be sharing a video on how to use it.

If you can't wait that long, then here is the link to the hula hoop HERE

It really is amazing, easy to use and store, so it ticks all of the boxes for me 👍

Benefits of Hula Hooping. Q&A

Can Hula Hooping help you lose belly fat?

If you hoop for 30 minutes, you'll burn 210 calories. The heart rates of research participants elevated to 84 percent of their maximum heart rate, sufficient for burningfat as fuel. To lose abdominal fat, calories must be burned. Hooping contributes to overall weight loss, including the extra fat across your core.

Is a hula hoop good for abs?

Fat Loss. While the claim that you can spot train to lose weight in one area is a myth, it is possible to lose fat wherever it is in excess on your body. Since working out with a Hula-Hoop is a very good aerobic exercise, it burns more calories than other ab-building anaerobic exercises.

What is a hula hoop good exercise for?

Using a hula hoop works your arm, leg and core muscles. Hula hooping is a total-body workout that not only tones your muscles, but also improves joint flexibility and balance. The rocking motion of hula hooping is also relaxing and fun, which can relieve stress.

Is a weighted hula hoop better?

In fact, any type of hula hooping, using a weighted hula hoop or a regular hula hoop, can help you meet your exercise goals and provide aerobic activity. And it can be fun! Weighted hula hoops are bigger and heavier than are traditional hula hoops. ... The weight of the hoop is up to you

What are the benefits of hula hooping?

Hooping will make you feel the (calorie) burn. Hooping has been proven to burn over 400 calories per hour by the American Council on Exercise, although thecalorie-burn from hooping may be as high as 600 calories per hour when other parts of your body, such as your arms and legs, are engaged

How many calories do you burn with a weighted hula hoop?

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) funded a study completed at the University of Wisconsin, and found that a 30 minute weighted hula hoop workout which consisted of hooping moves and twirling motions around the arms, waist, and legs burned roughly 7 calories per minute.

I Lost 85 Pounds By Hula Hooping

Cori Magnotta, 32, was the kind of person who couldn't stick with a workout routine. But faced with stubborn extra pounds after the birth of her son, she decided it was time to make a change. She lost 85 pounds in a year doing an exercise she loved: Hula-Hooping. 

When I was 5, Hula-Hooping was my party trick. I was really good at it. As I got older, I Hula-Hooped less and less and eventually joined the real world, put the hoop aside, and forgot about it.

I'm 6 feet tall and I've always struggled with my weight. I just didn't find working out fun. I would join a gym, go once, and never go back. When I was pregnant with my son, I developed preeclampsia, or high blood pressure, and had to be on bedrest for 2 months. Being sedentary contributed to my weight gain during my pregnancy. At my heaviest, I was 265 pounds. My son was a big baby—10 pounds!—so I attribute some of that to him. But I struggled with getting the rest of it back off. I developed hypothyroidism after my pregnancy, and my metabolism had slowed, making it easier to gain weight and that much more difficult to lose it.

In October 2014, I was down to 250 pounds, and I started searching the internet for fun workouts. I came across FXP Fitness, which uses a weighted Hula-Hoop in a routine that borrows from barre, yoga, and pilates. I remembered how much I loved hooping as a kid and signed up for a class. I drove from my home in Portland, CT, to Massachusetts, the only place classes were available at the time. "Let me go see what this is all about," I remember thinking.

I immediately loved it. It's impossible to not smile while Hula-Hooping. I wore a fitness tracker and a heart rate monitor and watched my heart rate spike like I was doing a high-intensity interval training workout. I could burn as much as 800 calories in an hour, doing the class's combination of ballet movements, yoga poses, strength exercises like squats, and of course traditional waist hooping. We even hooped around our arms and our hands to give our waists a break. We used the weighted hoop to do stretches and hooped while we did dance routines like the YMCA and the Macarena.

I took the 2 lb hoop home with me to Connecticut and started hooping on my own. I started with just 10 minutes a day and built up my stamina. It was easy to stand in front of the TV and whip it around my waist, even if I had toys all over my living room floor from my son. It didn't take me long to decide I wanted to become an instructor myself. I decided I was going to push my fears aside, and I went to Boston to get certified.

Hooping helped me slowly and steadily lose weight, and in about a year, I was down 85 pounds to 165. It helped that I now have a 2-year-old I have to chase everywhere! Once you start exercising, there's a snowball effect: You have more energy to do more things. I started eating a little bit better, because I now had the energy to cook instead of going to the drive-thru. I had the energy to play with my son instead of watching him at the playground. Now, I teach hooping three times a week

I competed in pageants when I was young, and 20 years later, I gave it another shot: I was recently crowned America's Fit Mrs., and I Hula-Hooped as my talent. I was even recently featured as Trainer of the Month with FXP Hoop Fitness. If you told me 2 years ago I would now be a fitness instructor, I would have laughed at you.

The most important thing is that it's fun. Most people crack up when I tell them I'm a Hula-Hoop instructor and tell me they can't hoop. But I have yet to meet someone I can't teach to hoop! I have 21-year-olds and 65-year-olds in my class, petite people and tall people, couch potatoes and marathoners—it's for anyone and everyone.

Source:prevention.com/weight-loss/i-lost-85-pounds-by-hula-hooping

Find The Right Eating Plan For You

When you are trying to lose weight, what works for one person might not necessarily work for you.

There is so much confusion as to what is best for weight loss. There are so many fad diets around it is hard to know what works and what doesn't.

For me even the thought of a diet is enough to make me grab for the chocolate bar. Don't get me wrong, now that I have got older there are plenty of times I need to watch what I eat and lose a few pound. If you have read some of my previous posts you will know that I like to follow lean and clean eating habits This is the post here is you want to read it

I don't always follow it to the latter but it sure is a good way to reduce any bloating and my waistline. 

Because you are eating only foods in their natural state, there is no build up of toxins and excess fluid. I have yet to speak to anyone who has not lost weight with it. However, like I said earlier you all have your own method that works for you.

I used to believe that the best way to lose weight was to keep my metabolism ticking over by eating six small meals a day. I found this doesn't work for me but what does work if I am diverting off the lean and clean approach is to not graze in between meals. If I stick to three meals a day with no snacks, then I find this has the same affect in weight loss although I do still get some bloating depending on what I eat.

Getting to know your body and what works for you is one of the best pieces of knowledge anyone can acquire. If you are still working it out then experiment with different options, but remember, starving yourself isn't one of them. Whatever option I decide, I always make sure I never, ever go hungry with it. When you starve yourself, you will initially lose weight but then your body will think it is going into starvation mode and will hang on to every bit of fat or fluid it can. Also in the weight loss mode you will not only lose a bit of fat but also important muscle tone. Having lean muscle is one of the best tools you can have to burn calories (to get this you need to add some weight training in to your exercise routine!)

So with all of that in mind find out what works for you and use it to your advantage.

Beauty And The Beach

With Christmas well and truly out of the way, light nights here, your thoughts may turn to getting away for a summer holiday.

If like most people you may have hibernated over the cold winter months, well it's time to dust off those trainers and start exercising and eating healthier in time for baring all (well not literally) as you jet off in search of the beach and sunshine.

Often people make the mistake of leaving things until last minute and then fret about how they will look in a bikini or mankini!!!! I exercise all year round so although my body still needs close care and attention, I feel good about myself and whether I look it or not, that makes all the difference.

If you are one of those who are already panicking about getting your beach wear out, fear not.

Starting on Monday 11th April, I will be taking you through a series of exercises and eating advice to get you on the right track to being ready for that holiday, all for FREE Monday to Friday for the next 6 weeks (or maybe longer) for ALL ages.

I love exercise and what I do so I am more than happy to share my advice with you. I understand that some people need a little bit of daily coaching and motivation to keep them on track.

Get the information delivered straight to your inbox every Mon-Fri so no waiting around. This offer is only available to subscribers.

There will be lots of eating advice, exercise tips and plans for beginners to intermediate, whatever age or shape you are.

There will be easy to follow exercise video's to watch and lots of other tips on looking and feeling great from the inside out.

Get on board and sign up using the form on right hand side of the page. As a special thank you and to get you started, I have arranged access to FOUR free reports that I know you will love.

Looking forward to helping you get started.

Your friend

Franky

The Burning Truth About Fat Pills

Swallow the buzzword-strewn advertising and you’ll conclude that fat burners are the ‘rapid-fire’ way to ‘annihilate’ body fat and generally get the body you want without quite so much effort. The marketing bumph works, with yearly sales exceeding £900m. But with broad ingredients list on each bottle, what is in the pills that you’re popping? MH gets into the common additives promising to reduce your love handles.

Suppressing fire

A highly popular chemical in fat burner, glucomannan has an instant effect on your appetite. A natural thickening agent, it absorb liquid and expands in the stomach to super-size meals from the inside out, helping your feel fuller for longer. The effect sounds excessive, but actually it’s no different to thickening soups and while the benefits have been proven for those suffering obesity, the side effects are just as real; you’ll need to stay close to the facilities, in other words.

Green Tea Party

Green-tea extract is one of the more natural options when it comes to giving your metabolism a boost. Containing plant-derived polyphenols it acts to increase your livers' ability to process out fat. For a short-term kick they deliver, and can help you jump-starting weight loss. But be wary once you get back in the gym - according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea extra also increases fat oxidation limiting your ability to use stored fat to power your workouts.

Binding agreement

'Fat-binding' pills stick to fat molecules, make them too big for pancreatic enzymes to break down, sending them straight through your system. Unfortunately, in doing so they can scoop up essential muscle-maintaining vitamins, too.  "Consumption can result in malabsorption of useful nutrients and fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K," says Dr Igho Onakpoya, Researcher at the University of Oxford's Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. "In addition, high levels of caffeine can have laxative effects, leading to diarrhoea and imbalance in body constituents such as sodium, chloride and potassium - necessary for normal body function."

Heavy Metal Hit

The diverse mix of ingredients in fat-burners makes you urinate more frequently, too, resulting in a loss of calcium. Some do try and compensate with extra calcium compounds but these manufactured replacements can overcrowd your intestines, interfering with your natural zinc and iron absorption, effecting oxygen transportation and proper carb breakdown. This can mean your workouts can start to feel heavy, so if you’re training hard you’re better off going clean.

Source:menshealth.co.uk/lose-weight/the-burning-truth-about-fat-pills

Why fat people have a worse memory than thin people

Fat people have a worse memory than thin people, experts have found.

In a small study, tests showed being overweight was linked to worse “episodic memory” or the ability to recall past experiences.

Ann the research published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology says a less vivid memory of recent meals may lead to overeating.

However, other aspects of memory like general knowledge were unaffected by weight.

Fifty people with a Body Mass Index ranging from 18 (healthy) to 51 (very obese) took part in a memory test where they had to “hide” objects at different times and on different scenes displayed on a computer screen.

They were later asked to recall what they had hidden, when and where. The results revealed obese people’s scores were 15% lower than thinner people.

Dr Lucy Cheke, of the University of Cambridge , said: “The suggestion we’re making is that a higher BMI is having some reduction on the vividness of memory, but they’re not drawing blanks and having amnesia.

“But if they have a less strong memory of a recent meal, with a less strong impact in the mind, then they may have less ability to regulate how much they eat later on.”

Hunger hormones play a huge role in how much we eat, but it is believed our minds play a role too.

People watching TV while they have their dinner have been shown to eat more or feel hungrier sooner. And those with amnesia will have repeated meals in a short period of time.

Two in three adults in the UK are overweight or obese.

Dr Cheke added: “It is too early to talk in terms of advice, but we are certainly beginning to observe the mechanisms that obesity perpetuates itself.

“Concentrating on your food has been a message for a long time, but that may be a bit harder if you’re overweight. Hopefully knowing what’s going on will help us to develop ways of helping people.”

Source:msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/why-fat-people-have-a-worse-memory-than-thin-people/ar-BBq4OdM

Belly Fat Over 40 Is Not Inevitable. Here's Proof

How many times have you been told that middle age spread—the weight gain that comes with hitting 40 and beyond—is unavoidable? Well, next time someone starts going on about the inevitable metabolic slowdown, know this: You can turn the ship around. It's not even that hard.

Metabolic slowdown is a real thing. It's due to your muscle mass declining—by up to 8% each decade after age 30 and up to 10% after the big 5-0. "You lose about a half pound of lean muscle every year in your 30s and 40s, and once you hit your 50s, you lose roughly a pound a year," says Wayne Westcott, an exercise physiologist at Quincy College in Boston. Although researchers aren't exactly sure how this happens, the leading theory is that your body starts breaking down muscle at a faster rate than it can build it back up again. Muscle is metabolically active, so your metabolism slows as it declines.

So, what do you think might reverse the trend? That's right, more muscle!

Research shows that lifting weights twice a week for 25 minutes will get you the additional brawn to keep your metab humming. One study done by Westcott of more than 1600 people between the ages of 21 and 80 showed a muscle gain of around 3.1 pounds after 10 weeks of resistance training twice a week. "That's the equivalent of reversing about 6 years of aging," explains Westcott. The subjects did one set of 12 different exercises, using a high enough weight that they fatigued after 8 to 12 reps. Best part is, it didn't matter whether they were 25 or 75; there were similar results across all age groups.

Source:prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/strength-training-flat-belly-any-age?cid=soc_Prevention%20Magazine%20-%20preventionmagazine_FBPAGE_Prevention__

How Much Does The Time Of Day You Eat Really Affect Your Weight?

You've heard a lot about whether or not late-night eating affects weight or not. But it's time to set the record straight once and for all. See how the research has evolved, and what the final verdict is on noshing past bed time.

First

A 2005 study in the journal Obesity Research found no link between evening snacking and gaining extra pounds, prompting nutrition pros to declare that bedtime eating while watching Parks & Recreation isn't slim-down suicide. Break out the ice cream!

THEN

In 2008, researchers showed that people who ate between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. consumed more total calories per day and gained more weight over time. If your freewheeling diet has you eating at oddball hours, chances are you're eating more overall.

NOW

A new study found that when people who tended to eat a third of their calories between 6 p.m. and midnight switched to a schedule where they stopped eating between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., they lost weight and slept better.

THE TAKEAWAY

The time of day doesn't matter as much as how much you're eating within 24 hours. To reduce that amount, stick to a food window of 10 or 11 hours, says Satchin Panda, Ph.D. It may keep your circadian rhythm and weight steadier.

Source:womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/night-eating-and-weight-gain#ixzz40S4sjk3t

Fasting Weight Loss Update

I am a little bit later with my weight progress update due to life getting in the way.

I weighed myself and was pleasantly surprised to learn I had lost 3LB. I tend not to worry too much about what I weigh and prefer to use how my clothes fit and feel as a guide. However, I was curious as to whether or not doing the over night fasting was actually making a difference.

As I have said previously I do feel less bloated during the day.

I am trying not to use this method of keeping my weight in control as an excuse to eat junk during the day. I do like to eat what I feel like but still follow the rule of everything in moderation.

Everything does become harder as you get older i.e weight loss, toning up, but keeping on top of it certainly helps me to feel better and look better. For me exercise and good eating habits are a way of life, not just something I do to get in shape for a holiday or special event.

If you have yet to get started then I can only stress that the sooner you make a change, the sooner you will see changes.

Good luck :)

Fasting and Weight Loss

I have always believed that the occasional fasting can aid weight loss. I am not a fan of starving myself but sometimes my body needs a break.

I did begin with the trusted old 'eat for five days and fast for any two days'. I found this difficult to do every week so would rely on it every now and again.

After watching a programme on TV (Trust me I'm a Doctor) and seeing the results of a test they did on how a certain type of 'easier' fasting can help with body fat and weight, I am totally convinced this is the way forward and shall be implementing their findings.

So how does it work?

They did a test on a group of volunteers, in this test they had to have their evening meal early (say 5pm) and have their breakfast as late as possible. The aim was to create a fasting experience overnight for as long as possible. Once they had had their evening meal, they couldn't have any snacks or alcohol. Just water. They could also eat whatever foods they liked during the day.

The results were amazing. Blood tests had been taken before and after to monitor the progress. ALL of the participants had a reduction in blood sugar levels, bad cholesterol, weight and body fat.

I will be using this method and will keep you posted on my progress.

I don't think I will be totally just eating whatever I want but will stick to my normal eating plan which consists of eating healthy to a certain degree. If my body fancies chocolate or a cream scone then I go with it. Moderation is my moto. I don't believe in having banned foods.

Please note: This information is just that, based on my opinion. If you have any health issues, it is advisable to consult your Doctor before undertaking any fasting or diet plan.

The Incredible Results You Get From Walking 30 Minutes A Day

Taking a walk a day is kind of like that proverbial apple: There's a good chance it'll keep the doctor away. From helping you lose weight and de-stress to lowering your blood pressure and reducing your risk of many chronic diseases—going for regular walks is one of the best and easiest things you can do for your health, says Melina B. Jampolis, MD, author of the new book The Doctor on Demand Diet."Walking is the No. 1 exercise I recommend to most of my patients because it is very easy to do, requires nothing but a pair of tennis shoes, and has tremendous mental and physical benefits," she says. Here's what you can expect when you start walking for just 30 minutes every day, most days of the week.

1. Your mood will improve.

This one may seem obvious, but it's certainly a happy benefit for those who start walking regularly, says Jampolis. "As you continue to walk, you may notice your pants begin to fit more loosely around your midsection, even if the number on the scale isn't moving much," she says. "That's because regular walking can help improve your body's response to insulin, which can help reduce belly fat." Ariel Iasevoli, a personal trainer at Crunch gyms in New York City, adds that walking every day is one of the most effective low-impact ways to mobilize fat and positively alter body composition. "Daily walking increases metabolism by burning extra calories and by preventing muscle loss, which is particularly important as we get older," says Iasevoli. The best part? You don't have to slog it out on a treadmill at the gym to see these benefits. "One of my clients reduced her body fat by 2% in just one month by walking home from work each day, which was just under a mile," she says. 

2. Your creative juices will start flowing.

Whether you're feeling stuck at work or you've been searching for a solution to a tricky problem, research shows it's a good idea to get moving: According to a 2014 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, Learning, Memory, and Cognition, going for a walk can spark creativity. "Researchers administered creative-thinking tests to subjects while seated and while walking and found that the walkers thought more creatively than the sitters," says Jampolis.
 
3. Your jeans will get a little looser.

You know how sometimes it takes a glass of wine or a square (or three) of dark chocolate to blunt the edge of a rough day? Well, going for a walk is a zero-calorie strategy with the same benefits, says Jampolis. "Research shows that regular walking actually modifies your nervous system so much that you'll experience a decrease in anger and hostility," she says. What's more, when you make your walks social—you stride with, say, your partner, a neighbor, or a good friend—that interaction helps you feel connected, says Jampolis, which boosts mood. Finally, walking outdoors exposes you to natural sunlight, which can help stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—making it a potential antidote for the winter blues, says Jampolis. 

4. You'll slash your risk of chronic disease.

The statistics are impressive: The American Diabetes Association says walking lowers your blood sugar levels and your overall risk for diabetes. Researchers at the University of Boulder Colorado and the University of Tennessee found that regular walking lowered blood pressure by as much as 11 points and may reduce the risk of stroke by 20% to 40%. One of the most cited studies on walking and health, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2002, found that those who walked enough to meet physical activity guidelines (30 or more minutes of moderate activity on 5 or more days per week) had a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with those who did not walk regularly. "The physical benefits of walking are well documented," says Scott Danberg, director of fitness at Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa in Miami. With impressive results like these, there's a good chance you'll get a pat on the back from your doc at your next checkup. 

5. You'll keep your legs looking great

As we age, our risk of unsightly varicose veins increases—it's just not fair. However, walking is a proven way to prevent those unsightly lines from developing, says Luis Navarro, MD, founder and director of The Vein Treatment Center in New York City. "The venous system includes a circulatory section known as 'the second heart,' which is formed by muscles, veins, and valves located in our calf and foot," he explains. "This system works to push blood back up to the heart and lungs—and walking strengthens this secondary circulatory system by strengthening and preserving leg muscle, which boosts healthy blood flow." If you already suffer from varicose veins, walking daily can help ease related swelling and restlessness in your legs, says Navarro. "Also, if you are genetically predisposed to have varicose and/or spider veins, walking daily can help delay the onset."

6. You'll start to get more "regular."

If you currently praise coffee for keeping your digestive system going strong, get ready to start thanking your morning walk instead. That's because a regular walking routine can greatly improve gastric mobility, says Tara Alaichamy, DPT, a physical therapist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. "One of the very first things an abdominal surgery patient is required to do is to walk because it utilizes core and abdominal muscles, encouraging movement in our GI system," she says.

7. Your other goals will start to seem more reachable.

When you become a regular walker, you will have established a regular routine—and when you have a routine, you are more likely to continue with the activity and take on new healthy behaviors. "I firmly believe that walking regularly can help you to accomplish other goals you set your mind to," says Kim Evans, a personal trainer and daily walker.

Source:prevention.com/fitness/benefits-walking-every-day?cid=soc_Prevention%20Magazine%20-%20preventionmagazine_FBPAGE_Prevention__Walking

My Latest Challenge

Over the last week I have been trying out a new exercise routine based on methods used by ballet dancers.

The exercises are intense and concentrated and although I started off not doing as many reps as suggested, I was soon able to increase the amount quickly.

After the first day I felt like I had certainly used some deep muscles I hadn't used for a while and was surprised how I felt the next day. I knew I had done something but wasn't in pain (we've all had those workouts whereby the next day you can barely walk).

I definitely like this exercise routine. I will keep you updated on how I get on and will share what exactly the routine involves very soon :)

6 REASONS TO GET RID OF YOUR BELLY

Lots of men have a little extra padding around their middle, but your abdominal fat, known as the visceral fat area, is responsible for all sorts of health issues. Read on to learn how your belly’s killing its host.

It suffocates you at night

Lots of men snore, but few realise their mid-night grunting is caused by excess weight. When carrying too much timber your airway prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs and bloodstream. It’s usually excess soft tissue around the throat that’s the issue, but the Journal of Internal Medicine ID’d a positive correlation between sleep apnoea and abdominal visceral fat. Gut your gut for a better night’s rest.

It’s making you sick

Cytokines – the chemicals inside your body that informs your immune system when something’s wrong – are affected by belly blubber. “When we have high levels of visceral fat, we’re reducing our chances of letting your body know there are problems,” says nutritionist and weight management specialist Rhiannon Lambert. “The cytokines become sensitive to chemicals like insulin, which stops them doing their job. Abdominal fat is not just linked to heart disease and diabetes: you’re affecting your whole immune system.” You heard it here first – being fat makes you ill.

It’s causing diabetes

Most people understand there’s a link between diabetes and obesity, but visceral fat in particular is an early warning sign. “The type of fat that gets stored around our middle is linked to insulin balance,” says Lambert. “Over a long period of time, we secrete insulin when we’re stressed or eating irregularly, and the more resistance we build up the more fat is stored in that area.” 

You can’t always tell

Generally, the NHS defines a dangerously large waistline at over 37”. But much like a ninja, the belly is at its most dangerous when you can’t see it. “Skinny-fat” guys in absence of muscle often store layers of visceral fat that aren’t as immediately obvious as a big beer belly due to a similar unhealthy lifestyle, causing the same immune-system interference as their bigger brethren.

It’s already a risk

Your mate down the pub may be staunchly proud of his power-ab, but not all bellies shake like bowlfuls of jelly. “Often it’s quite solid weight, so you can have a really large belly that, when prodded, feels quite solid,” says Lambert. “That’s due to all the fat building up against the organs pushing forwards, so it’s not going to feel like flabby adipose tissue. It’s going to feel hard, an indicator that it’s quite dangerous.”

It’s tough to prevent

It’s common knowledge that as you age it becomes tougher to fight fat, but the sugars that do the most damage are tucked away in secret, says Lambert. “It’s in processed foods, it’s in chicken breasts that are breaded, it’s even in sliced roast chicken as a chemical called maltodextrin, basically another word for sugar.” Lambert also warns of an unexpected insulin source: sweetened workout shakes. “Protein powders are often laden with sugar. Instead of keeping blood levels stable they’re actually causing an insulin spike.” Check your shakes for sugar. Portable devices such as the Accu-Chek Blood Glucose Monitor should help you watch your waistline.

Source:menshealth.co.uk/lose-weight/6-reasons-you-need-to-get-rid-of-your-belly-today