Top 10 - A fresh and healthy lifestyle.

  

{Exercise can be fun}

My favourite summer snack would have to be a freshly prepared fruit salad. I've made quite a few this summer. A fruit salad can be a combination of fruits and even some juice, as many types of fruit as you like or as little as you like. I choose to create ones with my favourite fruits - Strawberries, Bananas, Kiwi and Clementines :)

Freezing Natrual Yoghurt or fruit juices to make ice lollies is a healthy summery treat, great for your children and good for them too.

Everybody loves to look good for the summer, but why not look good all year around?

MY TOP 10 TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY

1. - Healthier/Diet Versions - I prefer to buy diet lemonade and healthier choices meals or ingredients, sometimes vegetarian ingredients can be a lot healthier too. If I can get a healthier version for a similar price why not? [Light choices are the healthier versions in my store]

I prefer the taste of diet coke anyway but here is an example of the calorie difference from diet drinks to non-diet drinks, some even taste the same.

Diet Coke - 1 calorie per can on average

Coke Cola - 40 calories per can on average

2. - Do not skip meals, starve yourself or yo yo dieting - these can all mess up your metabolism and slow it down so you gain weight quicker. They can also make you gain weight quicker as your body needs the fuel and energy, if you starve it for a while and not give it what it needs, when you do eventually eat your body will store it as fat because it doesn't know when it will be eating again.

3. - Keep hydrated - Drinking enough water is essential, if you don't drink enough it can affect your skin and mood, you are also more at risk to getting ill. Water helps transport oxygen through your cells and helps keep your body at the correct temperature. It also helps remove waste and clean your organs. Kidney stones are a common illness people get when dehydrated.

4. - Snacks - It is alright to snack, sometimes it is even better for you, depending on your daily routine. But swap your unhealthy snacks for something healthier. Natural Yoghurt, fruit or even some chopped up vegetables.

5. - Portion Size - This is key, so many people eat healthy and are even or diets but can't seem to loose weight or even putting it on. It doesn't always matter the food you eat, it has a lot to do with how much you eat.

6. - Slow down - Research has shown if you slow down your eating and don't watch TV etc. whilst eating, concentrate more on what you are doing and enjoying what you are eating, that you enjoy it better, feel fuller quicker and are a lot more satisfied with what you have eaten.

7. - Exercise - I know some people cringe when they hear the work 'exercise', it doesn't have to be bad or expensive. House cleaning or mowing the lawn can burn between 100-300 calories per hour. I personally love my cross trainer - you can choose the strength of the walk etc. It might cost a bit to start with but worth its money as it is a one off payment, unlike the gym. I also prefer this form of exercise because when I go for a run people can see me, if I went to a gym, people would see me. But I can do mine in the comfort of my own home and play the Xbox at the same time shhh! :) Zumba is very popular at the moment and you can go along with friends which would be an added bonus. Maybe even dance classes or just walking your dog.
There is a fabulous chart listed HERE which is very useful.

8. - Sleep - Not getting enough sleep is bad for your body too. As well as getting too much sleep. The recommended night time sleep should be between 6 to 8 hours, everybody is different though. Try not to nap during the day either. If you start to feel tired in the daytime maybe do a few exercises it will soon revitalise your body and restore energy.

9. - Alcohol - I currently do not drink. I am not going to bore you or nag anyone who does that is there choice entirely. But a female’s daily recommended allowance is 2-3 units and a male's is 3-4 units. It is great to have a detox once in a while though; it can make a big difference in your energy levels and your skin.

10. - De-stress - It isn't healthy for you to be stressed out. Take some time to do something calming and relaxing for you. Whether it be reading a book, writing your worries down, meditating or maybe just lighting a few candles. Pushing yourself is not good for your mental health - a problem shared is a problem halved.
I am always available to email if you need to talk to someone in confidence, I don't judge. I work full time so if I don't reply straight away I'm not ignoring you. 


So what is your favourite summer treat?
Please feel free to post a comment and share any tips or healthy routines you stick to or just to say hello :)