FOR SUMMER

etting healthy on the inside and outside is very rewarding, especially when you see and feel the results, but expensive fitness programmes and not having a clue where to start with what you should put inside your body can put people off. Contrary to belief, you don’t have to invest a small fortune to reach your goals; here are some ways to shape up on a budget and where to start with healthy eating. classes and wellness events in their stores - so their customers can sweat in style. The Lorna Jane Active Living Room offers Pilates, yoga, stretching and stress reduction and much more in line with their motto move, nourish, believe. Sweaty Betty’s offering includes Yoga, Pilates and Ballet Fit. Walking and cycling works your legs and activates the core and if you speed it up, it’s an ultra effective cardio workout as well. Whether you pound the streets on an urban hike, walk the dog or cycle to work, you can burn calories and get fit at the same time. Balancing energy you consume with energy you use is the key to staying within a heathy weight range. Per day it is recommended that men have around 2,500 calories and women should have around 2,000 calories. These values vary depending on your age and your activity levels of course. But it is never a good idea to try to starve yourself thin because you could just end up screwing up your metabolism. Instead eat a wide range of foods with plenty of vegetables and fruit to ensure that you’re getting a balanced diet and that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs. We need to drink plenty of fluids to stop us getting dehydrated. Instead of reaching for sugary soft and fizzy drinks that are high in calories and do your teeth no favours, have a glass of water. Now the weather is heating up, you’ll need more fluids, so aim for eight glasses a day. If you want to make it more interesting add some slices of cucumber, lime, lemon, oranges or berries to a jug of water in the fridge for a tasty, refreshing and more interesting flavour. Water has many other benefits too, boosting your immune system, improving skin complexion and flushing out toxins.