When you’re tired all the time, it can be hard to stick to your exercise plan- not to mention get anything done and actually enjoy yourself. But reaching for your tenth cup of coffee or energy drink for the day is just a short-term fix that could be setting you up for more health problems further down the track.

Here are some strategies for getting more energy- without caffeine..

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…

You don’t have to be a Master Chef to cook healthy foods. By using some basic healthy cooking techniques, you can reduce the amount of fat and oil going in to your food, and therefore reduce the impact on your diet. Each tablespoon of oil you use when frying adds more than 100 calories, and around 14 grams of fat, to your meal. Although some of this fat is the good kind, it’s important not to overdo it. By switching to some healthier cooking methods, you can eliminate some of this extra fat, making it better for your diet and your overall health.

And it doesn’t mean losing all the flavour, either! You can still retain all the taste and nutrients in your food without adding excessive amounts of fat or salt. If you use some of these methods more often, you can make a huge difference to your weight loss plans, as well as discovering some delicious new ways to enjoy your food.

Here are some healthy alternatives to frying with oil…

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...

Think good fruit only comes out in summer? Think again! Winter isn’t all about oranges and lemons- there are plenty of delicious winter fruits that add some variety to your diet plan, as well as giving you all the vitamins and antioxidants you need to stay strong and healthy. Here are 10 of the best fruits to fill up on this winter…

It’s important to keep your body energised and supported with the right vitamins and nutrients. It’s especially important when you’re trying to lose weight- your body needs to feel strong and healthy to reach your goals as quickly and easily as you can. But it can be hard to keep track of all the different nutrients out there and what they can do for your body. Here’s a guide to 6 of the most important nutrients, and how you can make sure you’re getting enough in your diet…

Eating out at restaurants is something that a lot of people come to fear when they’re trying to lose weight. How can you control your calories when they serve up such large servings, with hidden oil and fat everywhere? It’s true, you do need to be cautious when eating out- restaurants notoriously enlarge portion sizes, and use a lot more oil and fatty ingredients than you would if you were cooking at home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the occasional dinner out. It just means you should be aware of the hidden fat traps, and make smart choices that fit in with your diet.

Here are some strategies you can use to enjoy your night out without blowing your diet plan… 

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…

Most non-vegetarians shudder at the word soy. Somehow, a popular conception has been established that soy products, especially tofu, are bland, boring and tasteless. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth- soy comes in many delicious forms that can add great variety (and great taste!) to your meals. What’s more, soy is excellent for your health and can even help support your weight loss goals. Unlike most other good protein sources, soy is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, so you get all the benefit without the extra calories. Here’s why you should learn to love soy…