Get fit for summer

Join a gym or exercise class
Doing a little exercise a few times a week not only helps you lose weight, but it can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease or cancer and is a great stress reliever. If weights, exercise bikes and treadmills don’t appeal, there are several classes that might be right up your street, such as boxercise, zumba, body pump, HIIT (high intensity interval training), kettlercise, yoga and pilates. There are even pole dancing classes offered at some venues! If you go along with a group of friends, you can spur each other on and turn it into a social activity as well – just try not to get too competitive! Remember to warm up and warm down effectively to avoid injuries. There are also supplements and vitamins that you can take pre and post workout to help you with reaching your fitness goals. Consult gym staff or your local health food store for more information. If you’re adamant that the gym or a class is really not for you, you could even use tins of beans or water bottles as weights and work out in the comfort of your own home.

Stepping out
Jogging and going for walks are great options for those of us who want to get more active, and if the weather is lovely and sunny, it gives us the perfect excuse to be in the great outdoors. All you need to get started is a good pair of trainers that will support your feet. Nowadays you can buy a variety of pedometers or download a mobile app that tells you how many steps you have taken, how many miles you have walked and how many calories you’ve burned in the process. If running or walking for several miles seems daunting, simple changes such as walking to the corner shop or walking on the school run instead of using the car can also make a substantial difference over time. And if you have a dog, taking him or her for walks can keep you both happy and healthy and you can have some fun in the process.

Eat a balanced diet
There is no quick fix or miracle pill that can make you lose weight overnight or in a few days. Losing weight (and keeping it off) takes effort, and it can take time to change bad habits we’ve picked up over the years. The good news is, it can be done!

One of the simplest steps to change your eating habits is to think about what you are putting on your plate (and how much). Portion control, along with good amounts of fruit and vegetables is key. It is recommended that we eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day, but many of us do not achieve that. Your diet should also include starchy foods such as potatoes or pasta, dairy products and some protein-filled foods such as meat, fish and lentils. It’s also advised to reduce how much salt and sugar we eat. Even simple steps such as cutting down how many sugars you have in your tea can help. We should also drink less alcohol, as when we drink, our body has to spend time burning off alcohol instead of fat.

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