All Entries in the "Featured" Category

You Asked: Is there such a problem as over-eating fruit and vegetables?

Dear Fit Girl,

Is there such a problem as over eating fruit and vegetables?  I have completely changed my diet of late and have noticed that my tummy swells quite a lot and makes funny noise!!!!

Big hugs PB x

Dear PB,

OK, yes first of all there is such a thing as over-eating fruit and vegetables…who’da thunk it?  Excess bloating and indeed excess gas are a common side-effect of increasing the good stuff.  This is often caused by a big change in your eating as is the case with PB.  It just kinda upsets your digestion initially, so it’s best to make a slow transition.  Assuming you had about 3 servings a day before, and looking at your food now, you have quadrupled your fr-eggies (just made that up mid-type.  Liking.) so your body is like, hold up little lady, who invited these guys????

It’s best to slowly introduce these babies into your diet if you are suffering from bloating, just to give your digestion a little time to adjust.  And then you can have a total freggie-fest!!!  Still loving the new word!!!!!

However, if excess bloating persists after several weeks despite a gradual introduction of foods, then consult your doctor.

Oh, and, did you notice anything else about PB’s diet FGs?  There’s a little lack of protein with brekkie and the mid-morning snack.  Add a few seeds to that porridge girl if you make it with water, and munch some nuts with that fruit snack!

September Must Haves:

Cooeee, it’s time for what thee Must Have in September, and we thought we’d give this month a little green vibe since 3-17 September is organic fortnight.  Cop a load of these bad boys…

First of all let’s open up those peepers with Nude Advanced Eye Complex, £62 from nudeskincare.com NUDE Skincare Probiotics prime and protect while proven Bioactive CoQ10, Milk Peptides and Mountain Ash smooth wrinkles, reduce puffiness and dark circles and deliver a dramatic lifting effect.  Now we need us some of that before hitting the town, lift my eyes baby so I can get my swerve on!!

NUDE designed their range to reduce packaging, pollution, toxins and waste. NUDE has always used recycled plastic. The latest bottle is 100% PCR (Post Consumer Recycled) plastic. All NUDE’s packaging is 100% recyclable avoiding toxic inks and non-degradable glosses.  Did you hear that God?

Rather than shipping water and more bottles round the world, NUDE products are designed to work with just a few highly active drops.  Less is definitely more nude-ies!!  We are loving your vibe!!

The organic experts at leading French beauty brand Melvita have a formulated a new targeted range of sulphate free Hair Care products, specifically designed to nurture and condition individual hair types with a comprehensive range of shampoos for healthy and abundantly beautiful hair.  Did you hear that ladies abundantly beautiful hair!! After our semi-summer if your hair is feeling a little weather beaten, we’re liking their Very Dry Hair Shampoo, £9 with Shea Butter, Olive and zesty Orange to add moisture.

We’re also feeling their Tired Hair Conditioner, £9 with trace elements of Copper, Zinc and Magnesium and a little Sage and Rosemary to revive dull hair.

Next up, we have Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream, £24 from lovelula.com formulated to deliver instant moisture and deeply hydrating botanical extracts in a wonderfully, light, fast absorbing day cream.

This magic in a pot incorporates the natural anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids found in organic rosehip oil with the soothing and rejuvenating properties of jojoba, evening primrose and carrot oils to assist skin repair and renewal and help reduce the visible signs of ageing or damaged skin.  And since every gal likes a freebie, if you bag yourself on of these creams that bing, you get a free cleanser!

Yes please!

And finally Dr. Bronner’s natural soap brand has a brilliantly basic All-One Pure-Castile Bar Soap made with organic oils.

Available in Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Citrus Orange, Tea Tree, Rose, Almond, Lavender and Baby Mild, the 100% Pure-Castile soap recipe is based on a simple, ecological, vegetable based formulation, named after the Castile region of Spain where olive oil soaps were invented long ago. Dr Bronner’s bar soap is £3.50 and is available nationwide including Liberty, select Waitrose stores and Whole Foods.

Women’s Rugby World Cup – Danielle’s Blog, Update No. 1

FGs the lovely Nolli, is gonna keep us up to date on all things Women’s Rugby World Cup, she’s such a darl, you’ll love her.  If you’re interested in tickets for any of the games visit the Ticketmaster website or call 0844 844 2010 (Rugby fans who buy tickets for the WRWC 2010 will also be put on a priority ticketing information list for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England).  Here’s the blog she wrote before their first game on Friday 20th against Ireland, which they won 27-0:

I can’t believe it’s now only days to go before the Women’s Rugby World Cup actually kicks off. I am nervous, but excited also. I am also looking forward to arriving at Surrey Sports Park and actually just being able to unpack! Sounds sad but we have been basically living out of our suitcases for the last month during our training camps.

We have come into the world cup on the back of five training camps which have been tough both physically and mentally. Physically because as you can imagine we have been training so hard for this tournament but also mentally because our coaches have made sure they’ve tested us in this way. A great example of this was a three day-camp with the Welsh Guards in the Brecon Beacons! We were up all night and day, with very little sleep, crawling around in the dark, eating army rations and doing general army outdoor adventure stuff. It was hard, but we had a lot of fun and we also learned a lot about ourselves which I think was the idea of it all! During this period I have certainly learned a lot about myself and my love for sport. Having come back from a knee injury recently, the camps have underlined what good friends I have here and also how much this game means to me.

I’m one of a handful of girls to have played in a world cup before, although in 2006 I was one of squad’s ‘youngsters’! I think as a team we have learned a lot from the defeat we suffered in the world cup final against New Zealand, but also since then too. I certainly feel confident that we are coming into this world cup knowing we are the fittest and strongest we have been, but also behind the scenes everything is the best it can be.

Personal aspirations for me in this tournament are to contribute as much as I can do to this campaign. It’s that simple! I know I feel fitter and stronger than I was before my injury last year and I also want to put what happened in 2006 to bed. If we can play as well as we can and put together the patterns of play we have been working on then we have a real chance of doing that. We have 26 players here who I have every confidence in to do that so this should be a very exciting world cup. I hope to see as many of you there as possible for our first clash, against home nations rivals, Ireland on August 20th at Surrey Sports Park!

Nolli

To find out more about the Nike Women England Rugby Team visit: NikeWomen.com

4 Week Summer Challenge – Competition Winners

Ladies!! If you have been following the 4 Week Summer Challenge, you will know that our ladies were sweating it out to the very end! Working the butts, 3 times a week for a mere twenty minutes!!! Not to be taken lightly by any stretch of the imagination!! These girls worked hard!! And some of them will be continuing on with the workouts cos they have had such great results. It’s never too late to take up the challenge ladies, thou hath nothing to lose and all to gain!

So anyways, without much further ado!! Here are how the Challengers placed!

WINNER and overall fly chick!! – CHALLENGER JO!!!!

This lady shifted that last half a stone she’s been trying to banish from her life and so is now the proud owner of £100 worth of Sweat Betty vouchers!! Go lady!! Own it!!

RUNNERS UP – CHALLENGER KAYE and CHALLENGER NICOLA!!!!

These ladies have bagged themselves some pretty training gloves, y’know, that they can sport when they’re shifting some weight!! Perfect!!

Ladies you have been amazing and inspirational!!! Keep up the good work!! Keep training! And never forget, 20 minutes worth of hard work, ain’t damn bad!!!!

4 Week Summer Challenge – Week 4 Round Up!!

They did it!!! The Challengers royally kicked ass FGs! ROYALLY KICKED ASS!!!!! Here’s the last bit of feedback, you’re gonna wish ya did it!!

Challenger Jo:

Wow, that four week challenge really kicked my butt, but in a good way! I won’t say it was all fun along the way (burpees – aargh!) but the short workouts have really worked to get me in shape. At the moment I’m training for a half marathon so need to get a fair bit of running in which doesn’t give me much time to crosstrain and tone up in other areas so these short bursts were perfect. I could fit them into my lunch break so had no excuses to ditch one. I was sceptical at first at how much I could really get done in 20 minutes, but because you’re working hard all the way through you really work your whole body. Four weeks later and I’ve managed to lose that stubborn half a stone that I’ve been trying to get rid of for ages, my shoulder and ab muscles are really showing through and I’m much more confident about the prospect of fitting into a bikini. Can’t wait to go on holiday somewhere sunny now. If only there was such a quick fix way to earn more money as well so I could afford it!! I’ve got all four weeks of workouts saved now and will carry on rotating them as I think they really work. So thanks Fit Girl!! This was the perfect way to get me my summer body. Now just let the sunshine come out for a bit longer!!

Challenger Nicola:

At last week 4 and the end is in sight! So this week starts off with the Overhead Lunges which aren’t too bad although this maybe due to me still using my make shift weights (the cider vinegar bottles) but at least it gives me some resistance! I really must invest in some proper weights! Then the dreaded double whammie exercise back for a 2nd week with the press up burpee! Not just 1 and build up each time but 5 from the word go! Lucky we are in the 4th week of this summer work out. Yes I’m finding it tough but I can’t imagine how hard I would have found this in week 1! Jelly jelly on a plate yep that is my planking…. always leaves me wobbling but after this week and the number of times I have done this 60 seconds is passing by and the jelly is becoming more and more set and not quite so wobbly which is fab just like my abs ! I’ve been thinking about the sessions and I actually think I will miss them…liar do I here you say?!?… in fact I think I might try and keep them up. I feel so much better for just 20 mins 3 times a week it can’t be that hard to put that into my routine! Let me at least try for the next 4 weeks. It is still apparently summer after all!

Challenger Kaye:

I can’t believe the 4-week challenge is over! I’ve really loved it, so much so that I’ll be keeping up the workouts during my regular gym time. It’s been challenging but manageable, and so easy to fit in 3 times a week. I’ve noticed the difference mostly in my arms, legs and shoulders, and my stomach feels tighter too, so I can’t wait hit the beach next week! Thanks so much FG, you can definitely count me in for the next challenge!

In Search of the Perfect Exercise!

Well the truth is honies, there ain’t one! There are some fly, you cannot get better than this, bad boy exercises, and they are plentiful. But one sole Queen B exercise? Well it just doesn’t exist. And it’s about adaptation. It’s about how your body adapts to exercises. If you do the same exercise all the time, at the same weight, for the same amount of reps, after a while, you’re gonna stop getting results. Why? Cos your body is used to it. So you’ve got to make sure that you do an exercise enough that you get better at it, but that you change it up once it gets easy. This is usually over a period of 3-6 weeks. Variety is the spice of life ladies, and don’t you forget it! You can also still do the same exercise, but you either have to increase the weight you are using, play around with the reps and sets, or reduce your rest time. Make some sort of pr0gression with each session darlings.

4 Week Summer Challenge – Week 3 Round Up

Challenger Kaye:

Week 3 has been great – I’m still working up a sweat doing the workout, but it’s definitely easier to get out more repetitions than it was in Week 1 (I’d like to think that’s down to my improved strength and fitness rather than an easier workout!). My legs and arms feel stronger and more toned too – great news seeing as the holiday is only 2 weeks away!

Challenger Jo:

Phew, week 3 was a tough one! I thought the last two weeks were tough but upping my reps definitely made it a lot harder. I’ve been getting up early before work to do the workout and it’s really paying off. Not only do I look slimmer (my abs are starting to show through – hooray!) but I feel a lot fitter and have more energy. Can’t wait to go bikini shopping next week. And those were words I thought I’d never say! Thanks and keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see what next week has to offer. I’m sure it’ll be a killer!!

Challenger Nicola:

Now that my hols are booked I have no excuses to skip these 20 minute sessions! A week on a yacht in the BVI’s I’ll be gutted not to look in tip top shape! So with that as my goal I started the 3rd week of the Summer Challenge. No break in 20 minutes that will be ok I thought…. Oh how I didn’t realise how much I would miss my 1 minute break! I was dreading the bench dips and looked forward to trying the burpee press up! Ouchie wa wa how I was right about the bench dips and those burpee press up remind me why I was looking forward to those? A double wammie of hard exercises burpee AND a press up!!! Good bye fair bingo wings you must now be gone!

Love this list idea!!!!

Consider your dilemmas sorted from here on in with this great listing concept. You basically jot down all the areas in your life in which you may be faced with a decision to make: finding a new job; keeping tabs on your spending (we’ve all been there); finding a new apartment; keeping on top of your health; your ideal mate; the people you want in your life etc. and you write down ten points on each that are important to you. Then when faced with a a little, will I or, won’t I, in any of these areas, you make your decision based on whether the situation you are faced with ticks at least 8 out of your 10 points!! We love it!!!! So if your dude is 7/10, sorry!! Not good enough!! If that apartment you are looking to rent ticks 6 of your boxes, it’s lacking a little somethin’ somethin’

I’ve just got to ask the question…where has this listing idea been all my life???? Literally mentally listing as I type!! This fab point of reference is about to make my life a whole lot easier!! Of course, nothing beats intuition, if it ticks all the boxes and something still doesn’t quite feel right then use your better judgement. It means that you are living by your own rules and that’s what we’re all about!!

Undercover Lover, Secret Affair!

You all have one girls, your secret desire that you don’t tell many people about but revel in every once in a while! The cheeky secret that makes you feel instant guilt and pleasure at the same time!! Mine’s definitely an apple martini, I love the taste (pleasure) but drink it sometimes with no occasion, just for sheer indulgence (guilt….yeah right!!) The point is, that life is worth living angels, you’ve got to spoil yourself sometimes just because, for no other reason than some cheeky self-love!!!

Oh and just for the record, it’s only a gulity pleasure if it fills you with instant glee when it first springs to mind. And it fails to be a guilty pleasure if it happens regularly…that’s just a greedy pleasure. Selfish.

Why am I writing this? Cos at the weekend I took out all of the nice things people have given me as gifts, be it a candle, some nice body wash or some posh glass wear (you see why I needed to apple-tini right?). And I thought to myself, what the hell am I saving this for, a rainy bloody day!!! Enjoy all of your nice things now, don’t let them collect dust while you fret over wrinkles! Life is full of simple pleasures and they should be enjoyed now!!!

Warning to readers – buying several pairs of Manolos on your credit card is not a guilty pleasure, that’s just guilty debt!! Work within the FG realm here, you know we want you to have fun, but you over-step the mark and we’re gonna have to whoop ya!!

Happy Birthday to Us!!!

Hey all, it’s our one-th birthday today!!! We feel so special and growed up!!! So I just wanted to say a special thank you to all of our amazing readers! Without your support, comments and emails, we wouldn’t be where we are today!! So thanks loads!!!!! Do have a glass of bubbly on us won’t you!

Joslyn

Xx

Welcoming our first Guest Post Lady of Fabulousness!!

The buzz around FG Headquarters has been magnificent!!! We have our very first guest post!!! See, we haven’t guest-posted yet, cos y’know, the guest poster has to be cool, and fun, and sassy, and fit, and generally all things Fit Girl. You would be most displeased with us if we just let any old wench guest-post some irrelevant rambling…as if!!! Heavens, they could even take the fun out of fitness, who needs that!!!

Anyways so we have our very own Foodie Queen Rachel, creator extraodinaire of sheddingit.com Rachel has kindly given us a fab cocktail for sippage and fun when we are feeling sassy and altogether fabulous. We know you will love!!

The Festive Season Survival Guide Part 1 – Check your schedule you social butterfly!

Woop here it is!!! Your little getting through the holidays guide without gaining any excess!! OK first and foremost, you gotta plan, plan, and plan some more. I’m so over the amount of times I’ve heard “oh I’ve just had such a busy week, I didn’t have a chance to get any healthy snacks so I ate chocolate instead.” Sympathy scale = 0

If there’s ever a time that you’re gonna have ‘no time’ it’s this month! So here’s the deal. Grab your diaries and note down all of the parties/events/drinks you have. Then have a look at how each one fills up your week. You may have four parties one week and then two the next. The main thing is that you have a feel for exactly how often you are going to be out and about. Once you have your schedule filled you can then plan your virtue around it e.g. the office party is on Friday night, so ensure breakfast and lunch that day are light and full of goodness, allowing you to relax a little when you are eating in the evening. Similarly if you usually work out on a Saturday morning, squeeze that in on Friday morning or Friday lunch pre-party. Essentially you don’t want to miss a workout cos you were out on the town.

If you have three or four events in a row, try to check out the menus at each do beforehand. In an ideal world you would know what’s on the menu at each, so you might relax a little at one event, and be a little stricter at the next. However if you don’t know what’s on the menu at each event, you might make the decision to skip dessert at event 1, skip the starter at event 2, only eat the main at event 3, and have whatever you want at event 4. You can create your own set of rules but this should just give you an idea.

The problem with the festive season is that everyone anticipates the parties, and putting on weight as a result, however with a mini-rule system you can have much better control. Now we don’t want to spoil all of your fun, we do want you to relax and have a fab time, but we just want you to know that it’s not a case of all or nothing. You don’t HAVE to pile on the pounds at Christmas, you can choose to keep them off and still have a good time!

Finally, the food in your cupboard, needs to be planned too. Empty cupboards mean a dash to buy ‘hangover’ food the morning after. So ensure your cupboards are filled with wholesome foods that you love, that won’t pile on the pounds.

A letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

The Fit Girl Team have been most wonderous all year! And we were really hoping that if we continued to be wonderous, that you might bring us some nice pressies which we can tear open with excitement and glee!

We have categorised our wants, to help you and your lovely elves in bringing us lots of joy on Christmas day!!

Fitness
1. Lots of really funky sassy kit which we can review for all of our readers so that they can look fabulous whilst they lunge
2. A lovely kit bag with compartments for our phones, ipods, trainers, make-up bags, clean kit, dirty kit, sports drinks, post-training snacks, and a million other things that we will definitely squeeze in there given half the chance!
3. Some nice funky sports sunglasses because whilst our Pradas are divine, we like to make excuses for “needing” more accessories

Nutrition
1. Pretty notepads in which we can log all of our virtuous food diary entries so that should we want to eat something naughty, the fear of having to put it into our food diary, might just stop us in the nick of time!

Beauty
1. Glorious shower gels with which we can enjoy our showers with post-training
2. An endless supply of body scrubs so that we don’t have to stress about rough skin on our knees, feet and elbows as we move into summer next year.
3. Pretty nail polishes, because let’s face it, it’s instant glamour for a girl on the run

That’s all for now Santa, there is danger of you getting more letters between now and Christmas, but we’ll try not to be greedy!

The Fit Girl Team xx

It’s oh so quiet…shh shhhh…

Ladies, it’s been a while!! You may have noticed that there has been a distinct lack of fabulous posts on the site. I mean we’ve been posting, but not y’know, not regular, so we’re here to let you in on a little secret…

We’ve been busy behind the scenes making Fit Girl About Town even bigger and even better!!

Know that we haven’t shunned you like the date last week, we didn’t call, because we really do like you, we’ve just been busy working on exactly how to impress thee!!! So what can you expect???

Well, are you ready, we’re excited…

You can expect more posts – ooohhhh!!!

You can expect more tweets – aagghhhhh!!!

You can even expect the odd competition or two – gasp!!!

Yes Fit Girls, we have been busy working our little tushes off to make you the reader S.A.T.I.S.F.I.E.D

Let me spell it for ya..

S – sassy
A – ass kickin’
T – tush tonin’
I – in yo face
S – sista lovin’
F – funky fresh
I – independent
E – educated
D – divas

So if you like it, you better be sure you put a ring on it, cos we’re about to get a whole lot sassier!! The explosion commences next week, ow!!!

Spaghetti arms! Would you give me some tension, please?

Are you still singing?  We all know the movie word for word, let’s not pretend!!  I know, I wished I was Baby when I first saw Dirty Dancing, and definitely not the very uncool, out of rhythm, older sister who cared more about her beige iridescent lipstick than anything else!

Anyway, it’s not too late, there is still time to learn cool moves and star in your very own version of Dirty Dancing at home in front of your bedroom mirror!!  Wave to the fans.  Take a bow.  Wink at the papps!

See rumour has it that Fitness First have teamed up with the crew at Strictly Come Dancing to bring Strictly-style dance lessons to the gym chain.  ‘Tis free for members and £25 for non-members for 5 classes!!  How fabulous, I’ve always wanted to learn to do the merengue!!

Wow, there’s so many lines fro the film I just love…”I carried a watermelon!!” – classic!!!  Well I’m gonna get me down to some Strictly Fit classes, they sound like the bomb!!

Fine French Women – Their Secret Revealed…

I had a fab weekend just gone with my girlies in Paris!!! It’s our once a year get together and we do not stop talking from start to finish, ‘tis a true talking marathon – if there were an actual competition, I know we would win hands down.

Anyway, looking around the stylish women of Paris, I couldn’t help but note that not one of them looked like they were carrying any extra junk in their trunk. Yet everywhere we ate, we were served with bread, cheese and wine!! A body-tone nightmare no? Yet a mere 11% of French adults are obese.

Here are their secrets ladies, usurp them…in fact create a daily mantra…

1. Enjoy your food!

The French enjoy and savour every moment of their food, tasting the food individually rather than piling it all on to their plates. They eat until they are satisfied, not stuffed. An international study on populations and food showed the French were the most pleasure orientated with food.

2. Small portion size

French portion sizes are notably smaller. Whilst the French diet is rich in cream, butter and pastries, the amount of each thing they eat is sizeably different.

3. Red wine in moderation

Much like their portion sizes, the French drink antioxidant rich red wine. Enough to obtain the benefits, yet moderately enough to over-work the liver or the heart.

4. Quality over quantity

This is the bit I love about France the most, they buy their fruit from markets, their bread from the grocery, their meat from the butcher and their cheese from the fromagerie. None of this all in one go supermarket shopping with food that has plenty of preservatives to lengthen the shelf life! Sure it takes longer, but the actual shopping experience is a joy in itself!

5. Home-cooking tradition

Ready-meals, what?? The French take their time to buy, prepare and cook their meals, no 6 minutes in the microwave and away you go jobby. Doing so ensure fantastic quality control of their food.

6. “No snacking” habit

The French aren’t big snackers, and if they do it tends to be on fresh fruits in between meals, not crisps and chocolate.

7. Water over soda

The French turn their noses up at sodas in favour of bottles water. Why it is the home of Badoit and Evian darling!

8. Walking

Walking is a part of everyday life for the French. They don’t rush to the gym to squeeze in a quick session before whacking the ready meal in the oven. This type of exercise is known as non-exercise-physical-activity, using energy consistently throughout the day, instead of saying, right, I’m training now.

9. Self-discipline

Yes it would be lovely to devour a chocolate gateau after a meal, but French women are more likely to enjoy a dark piece of chocolate or two. When they do indulge, they are mindful the next day, to balance everything out.

Advice your guy friends would kill for…

This fun little set of rules was written by Andrea Madison on askmen.com  I thought I would share them with you for the giggle.  It’s the seven pick up rules women want men to know, hilarious!!  Comes down to confidence and persistence it would seem…

1. Make eye contact before the approach

If you’re not looking at me honey, then I don’t wanna know.  Look in my direction and you’ll know whether to keep stepping or to step off altogether, if I smile back then let’s hope your chat is good.  But just remember, it’s ALL about that eye contact!

2. Don’t express interest in both her and her friends

Only God loves a trier so don’t be chatting to me whilst winking at my girlfriend, I won’t dig it.  On the other hand if you’re after my girlfriend, you’d better maker her feel damn special so I can back you up and tell her how into her you were.

3. Make her feel like she’s the hottest woman in the world

It’s all about how you make a girl feel.  You make her feel like a million dollars, you get to see her again, but no BS we’ll see right through it!!

4. Don’t avoid complimenting her if you think she’s heard it all before

Like pairs of shoes dear, you can never have too many!

5. Don’t use cliche, pre-packaged pickup lines

Keep it clear and simple – “Was your father a thief? ‘Cause someone stole the stars from the sky and put them in your eyes” induces nausea, DON’T DO IT!

6. Approach her in places other than bars and nightclubs

Hhmm I might be slightly weirded out by being chatted up at the supermarket, but hey ho…

7. Know when to walk away

I’m a polite girl, really I am, but when your time is up, your time is up, dust yourself off and move on, it’s better for all parties involved.

How to burn fat whilst filing your nails – Part I!

OK, so this little blog-ette is on burning fat whilst filing your nails, or indeed painting ones toes, or in fact any manner if non-strenuous activity!!!  How Fit Girl? How?

Well you’ve got to load up on spicy foods ladies.  The hotter the spice, the more the burn!! Studies show that eating about 1 tablespoon of chopped red or green chilli pepper which is equal to 30 mg of capsaicin, the burny stuff that boosts the metabolism, resulted in up 23% boost in metabolism for up to 3 hours, (the time in which one will engage in nail file-age and other beautifying treaties!)
Eating spicy stuff increases your metabolic rate by raising your body’s temperature, which increases your heart rate, in turn increasing the number of calories zapped!

Happy Halloween! Save those pumpkin skins!!

Woop woop, happy Halloween Fit Girls!!  Are y’all dressing up?  We hope so!!  While you’re at it hold onto the skin of any pumpkins you see lying around…

You see, sneaky little disease-causing microbes are getting very clever these days and finding ways to resist existing antibiotics.  Now generally we like to stay away from antibiotics, but if that chesty cough is lingering longer than one might hope, they may come in handy at beating the bug.  Do anyway, as I said  the nasties are getting stronger ad more antibiotic-resistant so scientists are looking for new antibiotics.

Now folk medicine tells us that pumpkin may have some antibiotic properties…and all natural too – we like!!  Scientists extracted proteins from pumpkin rinds to see if the proteins inhibit the growth of microbes including candida albicans which is the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections.  And well, one of them there lil proteins in the pumpkin rind had powerful effects in inhibiting the growth of candida albicans with no obvious toxic effects!  So hold on to your pumpkin rinds Fit Girls, they be infection fighting folk!

You Asked…

Question:

Hi Fit Girl,

I have recently started Pilates Plus (Pilates combined with strength training) and have been doing it 4/5 times a week for 2 months. I have noticed that I am getting stronger but I would also like to lose more body fat. I know I need to do some cardio, but am time-poor at the moment. Hence, I would love recommendations on what I could do twice a week (myself) to improve the results I have been seeing.

Thanks!

Answer:

OK, you can probably look at two things.

1. Your food – that has a lot to do with shedding excess body fat tissue
2. Ensuring that the cardio that you do is efficient

First your food. Try and ensure that you eat protein with very meal, doing so will boost your metabolism making you more efficient at burning fat. Don’t forget about good omega fats too, they help to shift the stubborn fat that you’re trying to get rid of. Try to reduce alcohol intake especially wine and beer, and opt for a vodka lime and soda, or champagne instead. Try not to eat starchy carbohydrates (bread, rice, potatoes after about 4pm, opt for veggies and salads instead).

Now to the cardio. Skipping is a fantastic form of cardio which most of us left in the playground. You’ll be surprised just how quickly a minute or two will bring a sweat on. Build yourself up to 15-20 minutes worth of skipping 2-3 times per week. If skipping is not an option then get yourself outside for an interval walk or jog. If you’re new to jogging, go for 3 minutes walking + 1 minute jogging for 20-25 minutes. If you’re comfortable jogging, go for 3 minutes jogging + 1 minute sprinting for 20 minutes. Intervals are great because they keep your body guessing,so it never gets into the plateau zone.

Good luck with this, let us know how you get on!