7 Tips to Speed Up Metabolism

1. Step up your exercise routine.  Be more active, step up your activities do more cardio and interval training and toning as this will certainly get your metabolism going.
2. Green Tea is another great way to speed up your metabolism.  Green tea is a thermogetic drink.  It raises the body temperature slightly which in turn speeds up your metabolism.It also contains caffeine which is a diuretic and will also help to speed up your metabolism.
3. Eat regular meals. Ensure you space out your meals and eat 6 - 8 regular meals per day, this will help to keep your blood sugar stable. There is medical evidence that suggests eating small regular meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large meals, may help to keep your metabolism ticking over.
4. If you love spicy foods, then why not add a chilli or two.  Again research shows that chillies heats up the body temperature which in turn will kick start your metabolism and keep it ticking over for a couple of hours after you have eaten.
5. Eating proteins will ensure that you don't slide back into eating cakes and biscuits, and will also protein burns off pretty easily. 
6. Getting into a sauna, hot tub or steam room will also get your metabolism running, not only will you lose sweat , but the heat will help to break down fat. 
7. The opposite is also true, to take a dip into a chilled pool, again the body will try to heat itself up and as a consequence your metabolism speeds up. 

 

So there you are 7 useful tips to help you kickstart your metabolism, let me know how you get on.  Share your tips in my comments below..

 

Top Product from Herbalife for Speeding Up Your Metabolism

 

Thermo Complete

Thermo Complete SKU: 0050 Do you struggle with the daily challenges of dieting? Do you need a vitality boost? Do you feel tired, overweight, a little low? If the answer is yes, then Thermo Complete could be just the product for you! This is a revolutionary shape-management formula that contains a blend of some of the most effective and fast-working botanicals available today. Thermo Complete combines a potent blend of herbs that have been carefully selected to assist and support the shape-management process. The individual properties of these herbs work synergistically and naturally, to help you feel invigorated and better able to cope with the daily challenges of your weight-loss programme  so you can enjoy lasting success!

Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Night Adventure With 10,000 Others

 

Hi, Colette here from theLondon Fit Girls Club UK.  Yesterday 1^stof October Stephanie and I along with 10,000 others completed a night walk forthe Cancer Research Society.  The nightwas packed with amazing people who had gone through major challenges offighting cancer, some beating it, whilst others were fighting, and othersrecovering from it. 

Many of those who came out onthe walk had lost loved ones or friends to Cancer one way or another.  Let’s face it who hasn’t been affected by this atrocious illness.  However with the advancement of technologysome cancers can be detected really early and the prognosis for recover isexcellent. 

I started out 8.30pmyesterday evening to meet Stephanie at the Indigo 02.  Our journey was severely hampered by thetransport services who had decided that weekend to do extensive work on anumber of tube stations, which meant buses where running instead of the tube!Arghhhh!  The Jubilee line was up thecreek, so was the Northern Line via Bank, Metropolitan line was out betweenHarrow Weald and Baker Street, and even the district line had delays….

Not withstanding thisStephanie and I set out with a determination to get to the event.  So here we are after we both made it despitethe transport nightmare in London that weekend.

We had fun warming up withall the others who were there to walk 13 miles. Our photo’s were taken by official photographers, we felt so special,but in reality the special people are the ones battling the illness of cancer,or those that have beaten the big C.

We were split into three different groups;

·       Speed Walkers

·       Striders

·       Strollers

You had the Speed Walkers whowere up for breaking records, and were expected to complete the course in 3-4hours then there were the striders, those who had an upbeat walk, although notas fast as those speedwalkers.  The striderswere expected to complete the course in 4 – 5 hours.  Finally, the strollers, as the name suggests,those who were there to complete the course at a leisurely pace and expected tofinish within 5 – 7 hours.

Stephanie and I were in the‘Striders’  group. Neither of us knewwhether we were going to complete the course in 4 – 5 hours but thought whatthe heck, we are going to go for it anyway.

The evening was hyped up byspeakers on the stage in the arena. These speakers where people who had gone through the trauma of Cancer.Some were just diagnosed with the Big C and others had lost loved ones.  It was really inspirational hearing some ofthese stories.  It truly makes you humbleto be alive and living a healthy life on a daily basis.  I felt honoured I was able to complete my 13mile walkathon with such great people.

So then 11.30pm, we were allput into our groups and slowly headed out of the arena to music pumping outmotivation and inspiration tunes. Stephanie and I looked at each other and we knew that this was it…. NoTurning back!

It took us half an hour toget to the starting line, but when we got there it was so exciting, we hadspectators cheering us on as we started out on our epic 13 mile journey.  It was a slow start at first, there were somany others all dressed in fancy dress, lighted costumes, but all were therefor the same reason…. To support the Cancer Awareness cause.

The journey took us from theIndigo 02 through North Greenwich, Bermondsey and Deptford to Tower Bridge,then back through Southwark  and back tothe 02 Arena.  Needless to say this tookus quite a while to complete.  Along ourjourney cars tooted in support, we had by-standers applauding us as we wentpast it was a great atmosphere and the support was tremendous. 

Finally after four hours and 50 minutes, Stephanie andI completed the course.  Well done toboth of us and to the many others who also completed the course raising fundsfor Cancer Research.  We of course wereraising £2011 which was a goal set by Stephanie herself, as 2011 was asignificant year for her, one which she struggled again for the second time tobattle with cancer and one where in June of this year she was finally given the‘all clear’. 

So, we would truly begrateful if you would all share this post and if you haven’t done so already todonate what ever you can using the following link.

http://www.sponsormetoshine.org/cancersucks2011

Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Affirmations - Can They make You Thin?

 What is an affirmation?
Put simply it is something you say to yourself over and over until you believe it to be so.  

Many of us may be using affirmations in a negative way - if you believe you can't do something or something will go wrong or you wont pass a test, then your conscious mind and unconscious mind are working together to ensure these things happen. 

Have you ever said to yourself, right I'm on a diet, then immediately a little person in your head says to you, but I want chocolaate, cakes, all the forbidden things I cant have, because I have just said I want to lose weight and go on a diet....


Next time you have this little person in your head tempting you to go down the route of destruction, say something positive and affirm this over and over until you believe it to be so. 


Here are a few affirmations I use daily to help be achieve my goals:

I'm feeling thinner and healthier and have more energy each day

Today I am going to stick to my diet and will not be tempted by _______

More calories in equals exercising to get more out which will help me reach my target weight of _____

 You get the drift?  So now your turn, send me your affirmations in the comments box below....
 


 
Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Do You Suffer From having A Fat Day?

Today I woke up feeling FAT... How many of you have had a 'fat day!'  

There are times during the month when women do bloat and genuinely even if you are stick thin you can feel and seem visibly fat.  

It's not just us women who have fat days, men too can have 'times of the month' when they too bloat up.   

Sometimes the food we eat can have adverse effects on our bodies and we do physically bloat.  The best way to track if you are intolerant to certain foods is to keep a food diary of what you eat and drink, including times.  This can help to identify what types of foods you are intolerant to so  you can avoid them. 


Another way to find out what you are intolerant to is to cut foods out on a temporary basis and then introduce them back into your diet. It would be best to seek the advice of a qualified nutritionist before embarking on an elimination programme.

If you are thinking of eliminating food types from your diet, you would need to ensure this is done in a controlled manner preferably in consultation with a qualified nutritionist. Again you will need to keep a diary.  

 The first things to cut out would be dairy.  Wheat is also another food type that people are frequently intolerant to, that includes flour, beer, cakes, pasta. If you are eliminating food from your diet, you should do so for 10 days ensuring you cleanse the system thoroughly by drinking lots of water.  Then slowly introduce the food you have eliminated and note down your symptoms.  

You don't have to be fat to feel fat.... So, if like me you are having a 'fat day' keep track of how you feel, what you have eaten and get some more exercise in! 



Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, 
email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  
or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

What's The Deal With Belly Fat?

Muffin Top! Belly Fat!  we all know that feeling when you pull up your jeans and you struggle to do up the top button, and horror of horrors, when you look down at the tight jeans you squeezed into and  the muffin top is clearly visible! Arghhh!

Belly fat is the worst type of fat to have, as it has been shown to lead to a variety of illnesses which can be avoided.  


Now i'm going to disclose some well known secrets of the trade.... there are some good fats and bad fats.  MUFAS or Monounsaturated Fatty Acids are plant-based fats found in some of the world's most delicious foods--avocado, nuts and seeds, oils, olives, and dark chocolate! 

Studies show that these good-for-you fats enhance heart health and protect against chronic disease. And now the latest research shows that these dietary superstars may even target fat where it's hardest to lose--in your belly!

So how does this work you ask, well a handful of MUFAS on a daily basis will not only help to reduce your belly fat, but also is good for heart health as well.  

Of course you have to put this into context with exercise and watching what you eat!   Why not join our weight loss challenge and get more information to help you reduce belly fat and weight loss. 


You may also want to view one of my previous posts on obtaining a flatter belly here ==> http://londonfitgirls.blogspot.com/2010/11/foods-for-flatter-stomach.html







Colette Morris SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)   
Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Stress and Your Health

 Stress can have a devistating effect on our health our mind and our bodies.  It is important to recognise the feelings of stress and to be able to have strategies in place to deal with this. 


We all have stress in our lives, and there is such a thing as good stress and bad stress, believe it or not. Stress can manifest itself as aches and pains, stiffness in back neck or shoulders, ulcers, stomach ailments, spots, rashes, loss of hair, headaches, loss of appetite as well as the opposite comfort eating to allay our fears and stresses. Some in the medical industry feel that some cancers are bought on by stress. 


So recognising you are stressed is important in the first instance.  Once you have recognised this, look at what may be causing the stress, now in these days and times, it could be any of the following areas:

• Finance
• Relationships
• Health
• Job / Work related

 

In most of these areas you can 'take charge' of the situation if you regocnise the issues.  Seek help and more importantly take action.  

 

Techniques to help destress

Meditation is a great way to destress.  Find a quiet place to relax, close your eyes and breathe deeply, in through your nose out through your mouth.  Do this for at least 5 minutes if you can go longer you will feel yourself relax.  Tell youself to relax in your mind and you will find yourself sinking deeper and deeper into inner peace. 

 

Self Development  

Is a great way to improve your mindset, thinking positively can help resolve stressful situations.

Recognise your triggers to stress, and as soon as you feel your heart racing, or your blood boiling take measures to calm yourself down. 

Now a majority of people who are overweight tend to comfort eat, that is also to do with stress, being in a stressful relationship, having a stressful time at work, other types of stress or lack of self esteem.  With weight gain and stress, this can lead to health problems, so therefore really important to recognise stress which is causing you to be ill, or gain weight needs to be addressed quickly.  Changing your mindset, eating habits and exercising more can help you to improve your stress levels and improve your health at the same time. 

Your turn.... if there are techniques you use that are helpful to keep you destressed, why not share them in my comments below.....

Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Diet Question Time Sundays - IBS and what to Eat and Not Eat

Now this is a tricky subject IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is not uncommon about 1 in 5 people are affected by this.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gut disorder. The cause is not known. Symptoms can be quite variable and include abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes bouts of diarrhoea and/or constipation. Symptoms tend to come and go. There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can often be eased with treatment.  Having a balanced diet can also help reduce the symptoms as well. 

If you have any of the following symtpoms, you may have IBS.  

• Some people have bouts of diarrhoea
• some people have bouts of constipation
• bloating and swellling of the abdomen from time to time
• passing more wind that usual
• some people have bouts of diarrhoea that alternate with bouts of constipation
• some people have an urgency to go to the toilet,  either arter eating or in the morning during eating breakfast.
• a feeling of not properly emptying your bowels when you go to the toilet
• Sometimes your stools become small and pellet like, sometimes watery or ribbony. 
• poor appetite
• belching, or feeling full after soon eating.

SO, what kind of things can you eat to help your IBS?  

Finding out what is your trigger food is essential for understanding what you should or should not eat.  Everyone's diet is different so there isn't really a one diet fits all. 

Food elimination is a great way to find out what brings on the symptoms of IBS for you.  
Keep a food diary on a daily basis and make notes of how you feel after eating each food type.  This will help identify what foods are triggering your IBS and thus which ones to avoid. 


I found a really great site that points out what to eat and what not to eat, click here for more details. 

This site is also a great site  http://www.mealplansite.com/medical-irritable-bowel-syndrome.aspx 

http://ibsdietplan.org/  

SO now its your turn, if you suffer from IBS, what tips can you give to others.... comments in my comments luv box below :)




 
Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Motivation Vlog

Colette Morris SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition) 
http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email me LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com

What To Eat For Snacks

 Snacking is the number one downfall for most diets....

I know we all do it, have a quick biscuit here and there, you can never seem to stop at one!  

Here are some healthy snacking tips for you to follow and enjoy.  Always try to eat organic snacks, grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts.  These will help with sustaining your blood sugar levels. 

• Avoid preservatives, white flours, refined sugars, food colorings and artificial flavors. 
• Read labels and look at calorie amounts and fat content as well as salt and sugar levels.
• Snacks should be maximum of 120 calories or less.  Ensure that you build your snack calories into your day to day meal plan. 
• Avoid excessive alcohol as this adds loads of calories 
• Prepare your snacks in advance.  The worst thing is eating out of a packet or box as you are more than likely to eat the whole thing.  If you put them onto a small plate or into a ready made snacking back (portioned out), this will help. 
• Get rid of temptation foods.  So, if you have the wrong type of snacks available, you need to give them away or get rid of them. If there are no temptations in your fridge or pantry or cupboard, you are less likely to go off track. 
• Have healthy snacks available.  Put fruit out on the table so that these are easily reached. 

So what kind of snack ideas can you use:

• cruditities with humus or with a light dip
• handful of nuts,almonds, walnuts,cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts
• berries, 
• dried fruit
• fresh fruit
• Rye bread, or crackers with light toppings.

The main thing to remember is however many calories go in, you need more to come out.  
Exercise is essential for weight loss so I don't have to keep on harping on about it!

SO what is your favourite low calorie snack, share it with me in the comments below :)
 
The best one will get a box of Herbalife Snack Bars (flavour of your choice)!


Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program. 

Coconut Delight

Morning!

I thought I would share this with you.

There are so many recipes you can make up with a few ingredients, a blender and imagination!


So here are some of the things you can do with your Herbalife nutritional shake mix.

I started off my day with a lovely coconut delight!
My recipe:
300ml skimmed or soya milk
2 tablespoons of coconut yoghurt
2 scoops of Vanilla Herbalife Nutritional Shake Mix
Protein Powder (Optional)
Pinch of cinnamon
Half a spoon of vanilla essence
Ice (optional) and blend.

 Don't forget to leave me a comment below with your favourite smoothie or shake mix.


Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program.