THINK FIT - LOVE LIFE

Looking forward to getting out and about?

Lots of fine weather activities can work against our efforts to stay at a healthy weight (al fresco picnics, barbecues, pub lunches). The good news is its easy to avoid problems if we know what to look out for.

Here are 5 ways to beat the seasonal weight gain:

1. Get going with goals.When we dont have a plan, its easy to spend leisure time moving from couch to computer, with regular stops at the fridge. Avoid this by aiming for a specific goal, plan to walk the dog for example, an evening cycle ride or a walk to library

2. Stick to a schedule. If you dont have a specific job or activity to get up for, its easy to sleep late, watch too much TV, and snack more than usual. So make sure your free time has some structure like getting up at the same time each day, exercise before breakfast and have set meal times etc.

3. Stay busy.When were bored, its easy to fall into a trap of doing nothing and then feeling low on energy. In addition to helping you avoid snacking, filling your days with stuff to do can give you a sense of accomplishment.

4. Beat the heat. Dont let the weather put your exercise plans on hold. Move your workout indoors. If a gym isnt your scene, try bowling, or Yoga or perhaps the local pool?

5. Think about what (and how) you eat. Summer means picnics and barbecues activities that revolve around lots of food. Pace yourself. Choose seasonal, healthy foods like fresh fruit instead of high-sugar, high-fat desserts. Make catching up with family and friends your focus, not the food.

Think fit, love life! Here's some good ideas to do just that:

Join a Gym

Fuller Life is offering a FREE MONTH if you join in April 2010. Great facilities at Watford Girls' Grammar School - open 6pm 'til 10pm weekdays, 9am to 2pm on weekends and 6am - 8am Tuesdays and Thursdays.

De-Stress

Jane Bird can teach you Autogenics - a well-proven technique that you can use anytime to reduce stress - but which can bring many other benefits. Read more>>
Or try Yoga with Angela Connor (Her Blue Sky Yoga Classes are held lunchtimes and evenings in North Watford - see details>>)

Eat Well

Caribbean food is prepared with really healthy low-fat ingredients - try some from Bonnerz in North Watford or Patwarls in Vicarage Road - or try one of Jean Moyo's recipes at home. Read her first one here in this edition.
Cooking at home? Why not use top quality fresh and smoked meats from Polski Sklep in Watford High Street

NOW adopt that old adage: