Do you hate working out because you don’t like to sweat? Or are you one of the many people that use the ‘I don’t want to ruin my hair excuse’ to avoid a workout? It’s a very common problem for so many people; they hate working out because they hate to sweat.

As I’m sat here typing and trying to think of a way to persuade ‘sweat haters’ that they should still get fit, I think I’m starting to sweat because I don’t have a magic fix!

Yes, if you exercise your hair may go frizzy and your skin may get damp but this is a good thing. Sweating is just part of life.  I think my best approach is to explain why we sweat, how to make sweating more comfortable and, of course, I also have to give some skin and hair care advice because, after all, I’m female and because I love working out I often build up a good sweat.

Read more »

Do you ever find yourself in an exercise slump?  You have great intentions to workout but, whoops, a day, then a week goes by and you have either stopped exercising or you’ve cut down too much.

Sometimes we all feel like missing a session at the gym but if we give ourselves a break from working out too often then we’re in danger of getting out of the habit of regular exercise.  I always say that some exercise is better then no exercise – and that’s still true – but a regular fitness routine will help you develop and reap all the positives of an active, healthy lifestyle!

Read more »

A fitness journal will help you improve your fitness level but you may be wondering how to get started. Take a look at a week-long excerpt from a real fitness journal and I’ll reveal what the journal tells us when we analyze the data!

Did you read my post on how to get fit and stay fit by using a fitness journal? Are you still a little unsure of what you need to do and if you have the time? If you answered yes, then check out this sample week from Hannah to help motivate you to start your journal today! I’ve added my six-week evaluation to give you an idea of how simple it can be to play detective and improve your fitness journey.

Read more »

Taking two minutes a day to update a fitness journal will help you perform better! For many people getting fit and staying fit can feel like an impossible task but a fitness journal will help keep you on track and make sure you see progress.  While this may not be the most glamorous subject, it’s important to keep a record of what you’re doing and how you feel about it because you’ll be amazed to look back six months later and see how much you’ve improved.

Keep reading and I will share a few common fitness roadblocks and help you to overcome them through a process of self-discovery. I firmly believe that keeping a fitness journal will help you on your quest to become fitter and healthier. 

Read more »

Have you hit a weight loss plateau? Has your fitness plan stalled and you don’t feel you’ll reach your goals?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I can help you power back up and start seeing results again.

If you ever feel that you are doing everything just right with your fitness and nutrition plan but your results don’t seem to represent all of your hard work then I have a simple but effective piece of advice. Hitting a fitness or weight loss plateau is a very common problem in the world of sports performance and general weight loss. There are many theories on why our bodies sometimes hit a temporary yet frustrating roadblock but, by thinking outside the box, you can power through the frustration and start seeing results again. Keep on reading and you may be surprised at just how easy it can be to jump-start your flat-lined results.

Read more »

If you’re ready to get your body into fighting shape, you can spice up your workout with these boxing-inspired exercises and box away any excess fat without having to pick a fight at the end!

You just have to look at a boxer’s body to know that their training regime is perfect for sculpting a lean, toned and fat-fighting body.  Boxers are known for being toned in all of the right places, especially their upper-body and mid-section. But a boxer isn’t only interested in looking good: boxers need to have the cardiovascular and muscular endurance to fight for 12 straight rounds. In my opinion, this makes boxing one of the best forms of functional exercise for toning your entire body.

Read more »

Cross Fit. It seems like everyone is talking about the latest strength fitness craze but if CrossFit is a trend that feels like it’s passing you by, let me give you the low-down.

Crossfit is an intense exercise program featuring dynamic exercises like plyometric jumps, Olympic lifts and running. Crossfit trainers and enthusiasts tend to use non-traditional weightlifting equipment such as kettle bells, sandbags, suspension systems or water-filled implements.  The program is structured in such a way that participants are challenged to do a certain number of repetitions in a workout in a specific time frame; and more advanced CrossFit participants will actually compete against each other to see how fast they can complete their daily workout. The truth is that CrossFit should be about using perfect form while performing each exercise in the circuit.  This is because, if you do not perform an exercise correctly in a competition, it won’t count as a rep. 

Read more »

I want to help you keep your cardio workouts fun, effective and simple, so here are three styles that will help you keep it interesting.

If plodding along on a piece of cardio equipment is not quite your idea of fun, don’t let that be the reason for skipping the most important part of your workout. There are several styles of cardio training that will have you looking forward to your next training session instead of sighing as you lace up your running shoes.

Why is cardio training important?

Cardiorespiratory fitness is basically a fancy term for the function of your heart and lungs being efficient at transferring oxygen to your muscles during movement. The energy systems of the body are complex and require different fuels for different processes. Your cardio system is a constant as it’s vital to keeping you alive.   And, with something this important it makes sense to keep it running in tip-top condition!

Read more »

Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of stretching.  Flexibility is one of the key factors of any good fitness routine. Yet, I believe many exercisers often misunderstand some key aspects related to correct stretching. 

How to stretch, when to stretch and how long to hold stretches are just a few of the questions that I hear on a regular basis. This week, I set out on a mission to work through the theories behind how, when and why correct stretching is important and I’ve summarized my findings below in the hope that we’ll all start prioritizing correct stretching technique as we work towards better fitness.

Read more »

This week, I’m sharing three important reasons for you to pick up some weights and make yourself stronger. Skinny is out and a strong looking physique is definitely the new sexy. You just have pick up a magazine to see that having some meat on your bones is a good thing. Toned and muscular women are now gracing the covers of popular magazines and even celebrities are sporting a more toned appearance.

As a former athlete and gym lover with a genetic pre-disposition that makes muscles upon muscles a part of my reality, I have to say that I’m so excited to see a shift from skinny being the desired look of the masses. Skinny and waif-like is rapidly being replaced by a toned, muscular and active-looking appearance. Thankfully, strong women are no longer seen as masculine and undesirable. For my male readers, you’ll also be happy to know that big and bulky individual muscle groups are a thing of the past and a toned, functional and balanced muscular body is in.

Read more »

If you’re exercising to burn calories then you’ll love the idea of continued fat-burning after a workout.

Let me introduce you to EPOC – Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption – this is the process that burns through extra calories as a result of your exercise session.  Many people focus on the calories they burn during a workout but your body continues to burn calories long after you leave the gym.

Regular readers will know there are plenty of reasons to love exercise, but if you’re looking to burn fat then thinking about EPOC can keep you motivated during a session.  The equation is simple; the harder you work out, the more energy your body needs to recover and that means you’re burning more calories.

Read more »

I am always talking about squeezing in a quick workout because it’s amazing how effective a short bout of strength or cardiovascular exercise can be.

My top three reasons for making time for a 10 minute workout:

1.  When I feel stressed, a 10 minute workout gives me an instant boost of energy and helps me refocus.

2.  Like everyone, I’m often rushing and I find a 10 minute workout is enough exercise to help me not feel guilty about missing my regular routine.

3.  10 minute workouts can deliver surprisingly effective results, quickly.

It’s always better to do some exercise instead of no exercise.   When you’re feeling busy and stressed, promise yourself that you’ll manage at least 10 minutes even if you can’t find time for a longer workout session.

Read more »

Right now I’m on a plane.  I’m a long way up over the Atlantic Ocean and I’m feeling a little conflicted: I love traveling but I’m not a fan of sitting still.

I’ve been doing a lot of flying recently and, although I’ve been to some great places and met wonderful people, it still means I’ve been sitting down for long periods of time. That’s just not something my body is used to doing.  In fact, I’m such a believer in keeping my body moving that I find it hard to sit still at home too.

Read more »

Many people find that they have problem areas where they just cannot get fat to budge.  Hand’s up if you’re one of the millions who find themselves with a stubborn layer of fat around their waist?

It’s frustrating that, although you may be making an effort with your diet and trying to exercise more, sometimes it feels impossible to reduce fat around your belly. With an active lifestyle there are several steps you can take to help you become or remain trim all over.

Read more »

Here’s how to stop using excuses and finally squeeze in a workout.  

When it comes to finding motivation to get up off the couch and improve your fitness level, sometimes it takes more than willpower alone to make it happen.

‘I’m too busy and I can’t find the time.‘

This is the number one excuse I hear for not exercising and, you may find it hard to believe, but this was also my go-to excuse after having triplets. It was an excuse that really worked because who would ever disagree? My four young kids sure do take up a lot of time.

Read more »