Weight Loss News in January 2012

Welcome to 2012!  Have you started your New Year's resolution?  With Christmas and New Year celebrations out of the way, now is the perfect time to start setting your weight loss goals and getting the help you need at Healthy Inspirations.  Whether it's maintaining your new body or contemplating losing some extra kilos, make sure you speak to a Health Coach in your centre soon.

The Amazing Race Challenge Winners

The Amazing Race Challenge ended in December and we would like to Congratulate Faith T and her team partner Cathi E from Mitcham, SA on being the winners.  They have each won a mystery trip worth $1,000.  Congratulations ladies.  Make sure you LIKE our Facebook page so you can keep up to date on the new challenges in 2012.

Samantha lost 24.6 kilos and won a $500 pamper package in the Slimmer of the Year draw.

Who inspires you the most and why: "My kids, they are so full of energy and joy and I want to be the same. I can keep up with them and I know I am a better role model now." Why did you choose Healthy Inspirations and what health or life benefits have you received from being on the program? "I chose Healthy Inspirations as their advert in the paper caught my eye at the right time. After turning 40 and being really down about my body and appearance, I was really determined to make a change. The girls there made me feel comfortable straight away, that is a big part of why the plan and circuit worked for me. Losing weight has changed so much of my life, I feel fit and healthy and eager to be moving all the time.  I am studying towards a degree and I am a confident outgoing member of my class, this is all because I am so comfortable with who I am now. Life is good."

Metabolism - How fast is yours?  

1. Eat breakfast. Many research studies have shown that those who skip breakfast have a lower metabolic rate, while those who eat breakfast can boost their metabolism by up to ten percent.
2. Exercise regularly. Muscle uses 5 – 10 times more calories at rest than fat. Resistance training helps to prevent the loss of muscle while you are losing weight, and resistance training three times per week may improve metabolism by up to 15%.
3. Eat spicy food. The heat in chilli and similar spices increases the heart rate, so increases metabolism for around three hours after eating the food. Don’t be fooled, though, by creamy curries which are very high in fat and will likely undo any benefit gained by eating the spices.
4. Eat ginger. The thermogenic effect of ginger and ginger supplements can lead to a higher metabolic rate.
5. Drink plenty of chilled or cool water - especially before meals. Water may not stimulate your metabolism, but even mild dehydration will slow it down. The body also uses energy to heat the water to body temperature, so drinking cold water can help you burn some extra calories.

These are simple choices that may influence your metabolic rate. The question is, “What will you do?”

5 fun facts about weight loss

1. Boredom can often lead to weight loss sabotage.  When you find yourself sitting on the couch watching television, your mind may start to wander to the idea of food, especially if the advertisements during your favourite programs plant the idea. Instead of walking to the fridge or pantry, why not put on a pair of shoes and go for a walk outside.  Grab a friend or listen to your favourite music and not only will your desire for food disappear, but you will get some exercise as well.
2. Getting more sleep may help you lose weight. To begin with, having an early night means you won’t be tempted by late night snacking.  Research also shows that your body has specific hormones that make you feel full and if you are sleep deprived these hormone levels lower, leaving you feeling more hungry which in turn will lead to over-eating.
3. Make exercise fun.  Join in the circuit at the centre, set some goals… reach them then set some new ones, listen to your favourite music or get a buddy involved for motivation.  These are just some ideas to make exercise fun rather than a chore, otherwise you may come to resent it and won’t want to keep it up.
4. Lose weight to sustain good health.  Being overweight could result in high blood pressure.  If your blood pressure rises too high it will mean your heart has to work extra hard to push the blood through the body.  Your heart will then increase in size due to it being overworked.  This may lead to an aneurysm or a heart attack.
5. Losing weight is much easier if you ensure all essential vitamin and minerals are consumed.  Some of these are essential for helping convert the food we eat into energy, and so if they’re in limited supply your metabolism will suffer.  If you’re not already, start taking a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Recipe of the Month - Chicken and Basil Stir Fry
Serves 4
1 protein | 2 vegetable | 1 fat

Ingredients 1 Tbsp sesame oil 480g chicken breast 400g green beans, top & tailed and halved

1 bunch basil leaves 2 long red chillies, sliced

Method

1. Heat the sesame oil over moderate heat in a wok.  Add the chicken and stir fry until cooked through.
2. Add the beans, basil and chilli and stir fry until the beans are bright green and still crisp.
3. Serve with a side salad.

Secret Women's Business 

Measure your alcohol consumption for better weight loss.

If you're not moving toward your goal weight at a rate you would like, why not check to see if you are drinking too much alcohol.  It's true that giving up alcohol while losing weight will get you faster results but we also know that it's part of life having a glass of wine with dinner or when out socialising. The idea of giving it up completely may be incomprehensible for many.

But how much are you really drinking and are you sabotaging your own weight loss efforts by not measuring your intake?  Here are two good tips to ensure you are not forgetting how much you have had to drink.

1.  When you are out to dinner, don't let the waiter re-fill your wine glass when it's not yet empty.  Instead insist on either pouring your own glass or ask him/her to bring you a new glass and fill that one so you know exactly how much you are consuming.

2.  When you are at home, instead of throwing out your wine bottles when you have finished, put a box aside and put all empty wine bottles into that. You may be surprised how many bottles you collect over a month.  It's then you will need to decide if you can cut down, not only for your waist line but you could be saving yourself some money.

If you have any tips on how to make sure your alcohol intake is not affecting your weight loss goals, send them to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it