It’s natural to let your weight loss plans slip a little in the wintertime. When the temperature drops, it’s all too tempting to stay snuggled up on the couch rather than going out for a fun, and to ditch our healthy salads for more hearty comfort foods. But spring is coming soon, and you’ll want to be in your best shape so you can get out and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t let the cold and gloom stop you from achieving your goals- if you’ve fallen into a bit of a winter weight loss slump, it’s time to reassess your plans and get motivated again. Here are some tips to help you get back on track in the cold…

From dancers to footballers, it seems like everyone is using pilates to support their fitness programs. And for good reason-  pilates is a great way to tone and condition your body all over, helping you look and feel longer, stronger and leaner. If you’re trying to lose weight, it can be useful to incorporate a few classes of pilates into your weekly fitness routine, combining it with cardio activities for the best results.

The basic principle of pilates is focusing on your core strength. By building up your core, you enhance all the little muscles in the body so that you are better able to support the larger ligaments, tendons and joints, as well as improving your posture and alignment. When your core is weak, your body compensates by taking strength from other muscles, which can lead to instability and injury.

Every little bit of exercise adds up when you’re trying to lose weight. And the good news is, it’s easier than you think to burn 100 calories. Try sprinkling a few of these activities into your daily routine and you’ll give your fitness regime that extra kick!

Burning an extra 100 calories a day adds up to 2,800 a month- not bad for only an extra 5-15 minutes each day. If you can manage to fit in five a day for two weeks, you could lose an extra kilo.

Here are some quick, easy ways to burn 100 calories...

You don’t have to actually compete in a triathlon- but following the swim, bike, run routine in your own workouts is a great way to exercise all your muscles and improve your fitness, working towards getting the trim, toned body you want. There’s a reason why the combination of those three exercises has been used as the ‘Ironman’ routine, so if you’re looking for a way to vary your fitness plan and get great results fast, taking a few cues from triathlon training could be just the thing…

It is recommended that you do 30 to 45 minutes exercise 3 to 5 times a week to maintain good health, and anyone who has ever tried to lose weight will have noticed the importance of a regular fitness routine. But it can be hard to get started when you just don’t like exercising. Not everyone is born loving exercise- sometimes you have to work at it, but if you can identify the specific reason WHY you don’t like it, you can overcome your reservations.

Here are some of the most common reasons why people don’t like exercise, and what you can do about it…

Struggling to keep up your motivation to lose weight? It’s natural to fall in a bit of a slump after the initial enthusiasm wears off, but the key to losing weight quickly and healthily is maintaining the drive to stick to your plans. It won’t always be easy- but you can get your motivation back, and keep it. Here are some tips to help you stay strong, positive, and inspired to reach your goals…

Strength training is a valuable addition to any weight loss plan, no matter what you are trying to achieve. Not only will you look more toned and sculpted, you’ll also feel stronger and healthier and find even you everyday activities easier to complete. Men and women of all ages can benefit from a bit of resistance training- even just two or three short sessions a week can make a huge difference to the strength and condition of your muscular system, helping you to look and feel your best. Here’s why you should add a few sessions of strength training into your weekly exercise plan…

Have you joined the Zumba craze yet? Over the past few years, Zumba has started something of a fitness revolution, bringing men and women of all ages together in a lively, spirited cardio workout. Based on Latin American dance styles, Zumba is an upbeat interval fitness program that burns calories fast and improves your fitness- without even feeling like exercise. The focus is on having fun and getting your body moving, so even if you’ve never danced before, you can join in with easy-to-follow moves and get your heart pumping to the fun, funky beat of international music.

Here’s everything you need to know about this latest fitness craze…

There are plenty of reasons you might want to add running into your fitness plan. It gives you a great workout, improving your fitness and keeping your body strong, as well as giving your mind a chance to relax. And anyone can do it- even if it seems hard at first! The key is pushing through the first few uncomfortable times- as you gradually build up your strength and endurance, you’ll get into a comfortable rhythm that is really rewarding.

To get the best results from your workout, it’s important that you’re eating the right things before and after you exercise. Proper nutrition is essential to improving your endurance and preventing injury, keeping your body in the best condition to reach optimum performance levels. By following these guidelines, you can make the most of your fitness plan and start seeing results faster. Here’s what you need to know…