"Workout Woes"

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What to do when your workout just isn't working out...

Eating right (pre and post): Its always a good idea to make sure you are fuelling your body properly before hitting the gym or doing any form of exercise. My advice? Eat something small but high on energy about an hour before you are planning to work out so that you can use the energy to really give it your 100%. If you work out in the mornings try and eat an apple/banana or a bowl of high-fibre cereal. A friendly word of caution to all the ladies looking to lose some love handles, if you try and starve your body before you work out thinking it will help you lose more weight you couldn’t be more wrong! In fact, trying to work out with little or no energy is pretty much a waste of time since you are not going to be able to pack any power into your session and end up just feeling cranky and exhausted! Also, make sure to eat a little something within an hour of your workout. It refuels your system and actually helps to increase the metabolic rate of your body.




Hydration Counts: Keep a small bottle of water handy when you are working out and make sure to keep taking small sips from it through out the session. Remember, water is made up of two parts oxygen (which is why they call it H2O) and that oxygen is what replenishes the organs and muscles to work better when under strain. So drink up folks.



Breaking the routine: One of the biggest problems people have with their work outs is this one. Of course its going to be frickin boring when you are repeating the exact same exercises, in the exact same order, for the exact same number of counts, every single time you go to the gym people. Its time to get creative.Not only does variation in your work out make it that much more fun (eg mix up mon and fri weights training with kickboxing on wed), its also more effective when working towards weight loss.


Perfect timing: each of us is built differently and so your work out regime too, should be customized to work perfectly for your personality, body type, and lifestyle. If you find yourself to be a night owl, always ready to rock and full of energy post the sunset, then evening work outs are probably great for you. On the other hand if you like to sleep early, and love to wake up at dawn, plan your work out to meet the morning sun and you will find yourself feeling great all day long. Despite what you may have heard or read, I truly believe there is no “right time” for exercise. The right time is what works for you, its as simple as that.

"Drink Up: Water - It does the body good!"

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Lets face it, we live in a tropical climate. Temps can go up to 50 degrees in the summer (if you don’t believe me, please visit Delhi anytime in the months of May or June). In some places the humidity is so high you constantly look and feel like you just stepped out of a shower and forgot to dry yourself. And in other places the sun is so freakin strong you literally feel like you’ve had the wind kicked out of you the minute you step into the sun.
So why oh why do we allow ourselves to suffer further in these conditions without bothering to do the most basic thing to combat the effects of heat? Why, pray tell me, don’t any of us drink the water we need? Instead we chug down sugary, carbonated, calorie-laden drinks which are advertised as “cool” and “refreshing”! Guess what? Not only do these drinks fail to quench your thirst, they are often the reason you feel even more dehydrated and tired!


Finally you might ask, why water? For so so many reasons!

It amps up your energy levels! When you are tired, it’s often a sign of dehydration. Just grab that glass of water and feel the energy bring your body bouncing right back on track!

It works as a stress buster! The majority of your brain is made of water so if you’re dehydrated, both your body and your mind will be stressed. In fact, thirst is a sign of dehydration! So keep your stress at bay by keeping a glass of water at your desk and take regular sips. Remember to try and get at least 6 to 8 glasses of H20 a day.

It boosts your metabolism (especially if you drink it cold) helping you to lose those extra kilos and stay fit. Just drink a glass before meals to help you feel fuller and watch those inches melt away!

It reduces your risk of kidney stones! The rate of painful kidney stones is rising because people - including children - aren't drinking enough water. Water dilutes the salts and minerals in your urine that form the solid crystals known as kidney stones. Since Kidney stones can't form in diluted urine, reduce your risk with plenty of water.

It helps your workout! Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramping and is also good for the joints of the body, allowing you to exercise longer and harder without feeling exhausted

It stimulates your digestive fires! If the body is well hydrated, it adds to the effectiveness of the digestive tract.


It gives you “that glow” – mother natures secret weapon of defense against the evils of fine lines and wrinkles ladiesI Drinking the stuff gives your skin cells more oxygen, making those gorgeous faces look younger. Not just that, it even gets rid of all the toxins and dirt in the skin by improving blood circulation.
 
The Result? Squeaky clean, clear and happy skin.

"Kicking the Habit"

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So todays its all about getting fit, feeling good, and looking great! Everyone you know practically works out in the gym, has a power yoga class, follows the Zone diet, and maybe even attend Chanting or Meditation classes! Noticed how our focus has gradually shifted from the unhealthy junk food couch potato syndrome of the 90s to the organic eating-wii sports active lifestyle of the 2000s? Times have changed and so have our lifestyles. But…..and there is always a but, theres one HUGE vice we still havent managed to get out of our systems. Cigerettes. Those disgusting, smelly, cancer spreading sticks far too many of us still light up on a daily basis! And even worse, an alarming number of people are unwilling to quit for a reason wholly to do with vanity…can you guess what it is? They don’t want to put on weight!


Well I am here to tell you, that you can kick this nasty, disease spreading habit, and enjoy a happy, smoke-free life without adding inches to your waistline

First and foremost its important to face the facts. Fact: on average, people who quit smoking can put on about 4 kgs. Why? Well, you simply eat more. The act of putting that cigerette in your mouth is subsituted by putting food in the mouth. In addition, with each passing day of quitting, your taste buds get more sensitised, allowing you to enjoy the actual flavours of food much more. Additionally, nicotine increases the bodys metabolic rate. Therefore, when you stop smoking, your metabolic rate also slows down. But really, are these reasons enough not to try?? Its all about finding a surefire way to reduce your risk of weight gain and here are some I have personally tried and tested with success (now on my 7th smoke-free year!) If I can do it so can you!!!

1. Pump up the Exercise! Think about how much faster and longer you will be able to run when your lungs are clean and clear, its an amazing way to monitor your body getting stronger everyday you don’t smoke! Its also a healthy thing to do when you get a sudden craving and you are all alone at home. Instead of reaching for that smoke, grab those sneakers and get going!

2. Tank Up! Drink loads of water throughout the day. This works to distract you from the cravings, and also fills your stomach so you don’t end up grabbing that packet of potato chips! Meanwhile, your skin glows and everyones asking about you secret beauty regime….

3. Snack Smart! Be a super-nerd and stock up on plenty of healthy (think cucumbers, carrots, baked snacks, granola bars, sugar-free candy, gum) foods before you quit. This way, even when you do end up stuffing your face, its with carrots and not cheeseburgers!

4. Plan, plan plan! Pick a date, and stick to it. Mark it on your calendar. Tell all your friends/collegues/your dog. Ask for support. Avoid places you know are going to be dens of temptation for the first week or two or at least until you feel strong enough.



And lastly, always remember, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again!