Eating for FAT LOSS is simple. But its definitely NOT easy!
I will always remember a quote from one of the best S & C Coaches in the world, Dan John - when he talks about Fat Loss, he tells you its got to be 'an all out war'. You have to be extremely committed, patient and consistent. Most people who decide to lose weight/try to get lean, start off all guns blazing but a combination of going too extreme by cutting calories too low and increasing cardio and expecting results overnight, unfortunately give up before they see any long term change.
So, providing you have a good plan (I recommend following an experienced and qualified Coach) and understand the BEST and most effective methods to support your fat loss goals (read all the previous BLOG POSTS for this!) there are also some useful ways to help you achieve the body you want. 

In the first few weeks of any change programme you should expect to experience some level of discomfort. When it comes to ditching old habits of over eating, or eating too many of the wrong things, or cutting down on alcohol, the longer you've been used to that lifestyle, the harder it will be to create the break them and embrace your new, healthier habits. Thats one reason why I coach my members and fat loss clients that Fat Loss isn't a short term, fast fix (unless you are specifically working to a time sensitive goal). In most cases, changing peoples mindset with regard to this is the first and most important step towards a leaner and healthier life. The idea that you can diet for 6 weeks to lose 2 stone, look great and go back to your old ways is BS. Some of the biggest diet industry giants make millions every year because people think they can jump in and out of a low calories diet. Instead, creating small and significant changes to the way you THINK, EAT and CONNECT with food will release you from the shackles of yo yo dieting, for ever. 

While you should expect to experience some hunger when you start at Fat Loss journey (feeling hungry is NOT an emergency), this can be difficult for lifetime over eaters to control. And often, this is the reason they end up knee deep in the cookie jar or family packs of crisps. Here are some helpful tips to help you to keep the hunger at bay and also control the cravings and the urge to binge, which will also leave you feeling distressed and disappointed with yourself.

1. WHY EATING LITTLE AND OFTEN MIGHT NOT BE WORKING FOR YOU.
If you've heard that eating 5-6 small meals over the day helps to speed up your metabolism and lose weight quicker then you have been fooled. I used to believe that too. Eating more frequently is NOT necessarily more effective for Fat Loss. If you enjoy eating little and often, and it works for you, then providing you can keep within your daily calorie deficit, then crack on! But small meals are often not ideal for big eaters, they can make you feel hungrier more often and can lead to you constantly thinking about food, which is not what you want! After 3 weeks of consistent feeding, your body gets used to your food schedule, so it makes sense that if you're eating 5-6 times a day, you'll feel hungry 5-6 times a day. Also your body and your gut has to work harder to keep digesting the intake of food. Try sticking to 2 or 3 larger more filling meals, over the day, allowing at least 5 hours in between.

2. PROTEIN IS THE MOST FILLING MACRONUTRIENT
Protein fills you up more than carbs. Fact. but often because of insulin resistance and hunger pangs when we are hungry its too east to grab high GI carbs that you think will instantly satisfy you. Instant gratification, is another issue with many over eaters. You should try to keep your feelings of hunger in perspective and not reach for the easiest thing to eat. Protein will keep you fuller for longer and control blood sugar levels. Thats why its KING when it comes to fat loss. Aim to eat 30g at EVERY MEAL, it will make a big difference to your experience of hunger. Grabbing cooked chicken, humous, a protein shake, eggs or greek yoghurt will be better for you long term than bread, toast bagel, bars & biscuits!

3. HIGH VOLUME, NUTRIENT DENSE FOODS GIVE YOU MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.
Eating more eggs, oats, veggies and low sugar fruits will allow you to east more volume in exchange for lower overall calories. Thats the key to help you feel satisfied. Plus they take up more room in you stomach helping you feel full. Fill up on extra veggies with every meal and use these foods for on the go snacks to keep you away from junk.

4. HUNGER IS NOT A 999.
Historic over eaters are foodies. Fact. Lets face it, you didn't get fat eating salads. Experiencing hunger and not auto responding with high valorous, high fat sugary junk is another change you need to wrap your head around. Resist the urger. Drink water or low cal teas - maybe you're thirsty. Drinking more fluid can also be a clever way of keeping hunger at bay!

5. ENJOY THE OCCASIONAL TREAT
Being lean and healthy does NOT need to equal deprivation. Save some room in your daily calories to enjoy a square or two of dark chocolate, or some cheese, or some cream in your coffee. Small indulgences can keep you on track, help you feel happy and also manage the cravings so you aren't thinking or drooling about food all the time. I love my daily flat white & biscotti!

6. IF YOU FEEL A HUNGER ATTACH GET ACTIVE
If you know there are certain times of the day when you are more likely to struggle, don't risk being near the kitchen. Get out for a walk in the fresh air, go to yoga, or get to the gym. Distraction is a great way of forgetting you're hungry, and getting active rather than sitting on your ass in front of the TV you'll be mazed the hunger just goes away!

 Fat lThis week at our first of the Mini Nutrition Workshops for 2018, we talked about the order of priority when it comes to Fat Loss and in particular the things that people often get the wrong way round! When people make the decision to lose weight, or essentially look to lose some body fat, they naturally think they need to do two things; 1) embark on a strict very low calorie controlled diet and 2) run, either on the treadmill or around the streets.  Actually this is the exact opposite of what they SHOULD be doing and is a really backwards approach to successful fat loss. Very low calorie controlled diets suck, are miserable and leave you starving and grumpy - and very few people can successfully sustain them. And cardio type training is NOT the most effective way to support Fast Loss. 
So, here is the Hierarchy of Fat Loss.

1. NUTRITION. Your diet is ultimately the most important factor when it comes to Fat Loss. You can be running like Mo Farrah but at the end of the day you may as well be running on the spot if your diet isn't dialled in. First and foremost establish you total daily calories to ensure you are in a slight calorie deficit. Secondly, in order to maintain what muscle you have and ideally build more, eat PROTEIN as a priority with EVERY meal. Aim for approx 30g per meal (or 1g per 1lb of lean tissue) - which is roughly the equivalent of a chicken breast. 

2. STRENGTH TRAINING. If Fat Loss and looking LEAN is your goal then you should absolutely 100% be lifting weights. Together with eating enough protein is the key to helping you maintain muscle and maybe building some, to allow you to shed the fat. Losing weight with a calorie controlled diet only means you will likely lose muscle and look flabby & skinny. not a good look. LIFT weights 3 - 5 times a week if possible and learn how to Squat, Deadlift, KB Swing, Push Up & Pull Up your way to lean.

3. SLEEP & STRESS. Do not under estimate the massive effect that both a lack of regular quality SLEEP and too much STRESS can have on your fat loss. It can be a big factor in why someone isn't losing fat (IF they are dialling in their nutrition & training!!) and not seeing results. Lack of sleep and too much stress make you crave high calorie, high fat & sugary processed food, plus they effect your appetite making your hungrier AND they sabotage your hormones and energy levels. The big take home here is; SLEEP 7 -8 hours every night, and eliminate as much stress from your life as possible, or at least find healthy ways to control or manage it!

4. CARDIO & CONDITIONING. This should come after you have the first 3 priorities in check. NEAT (see previous BLOG post) or cardio is less effective at supporting Fat Loss but can help if you have the nutrition, strength training sleep & stress dialled in. Cardio burns much fewer calories than most people like to believe, but walking and conditioning is good for your heart health and waistline and is ultimately better than sitting on your ass eating so aim to do 10,000 steps a day as a good measure.

If FAT LOSS is your goal, focus your energies on the priorities in order of the hierarchy and you WILL move the fat from your body. As always consistency & patience is key, cutting calories too low and draining energy is a recipe for disaster and yo yo dieting so don't be tempted to be extreme. A solid nutrition plan, with regular strength training and adequate sleep, stress management is the most effective solution for long term. successful RESULTS. Fat Loss is a lifestyle not a destination. 

I often hear clients blame a slow metabolism for the reason they can't lose body fat and ultimately weight. It's true that there isn't much you can do to alter your basal metabolic rate (BMR) which is the energy your body needs to function vital organs per day at rest, is largely down to two things; your genetics and your size. If your parents had slow metabolisms, its likely you will too. If you were fortunate enough to inherit a speedy metabolism, then you are quids in and the larger you are (or the more muscle you have) the faster your metabolism, on the flip side the smaller you are the slower your metabolism. That's because it takes less fuel or energy (ie calories) to run a tiny person than it does to move a large person. This is often disappointing news for obese people trying to lose weight and get into shape. Men also usually have less body fat and more muscle than women of the same age and weight which means they burn more calories at rest and as you get older, your metabolism slows as the muscle tends to decrease naturally and fat accounts for more of your bodyweight. 

So, we've stablished that you can't swap your metabolism with a smaller leaner person, but there are a few things you CAN do, to increase the number of calories you burn per day. And like I always say - small progress is still progress, and a few calories here and there can add up in the longer term. In addition to your BMR, two other factors determine your metabolism. Food processing and your physical activity & exercise.

Thermogenesis is basically the calories your burn eating, digesting and absorbing food. It varies depending on the macro type being digested - protein burns most, then carbs then fat. Also eating REAL whole food, burns more than drinking calories, or processed junk because your body has to work harder to break down fibre and protein - hence why my number one advise for fat loss clients is to eat plenty of lean protein, with green veggies & fruit. Not only is it better for your health, it also helps you look better too.  

The activity that you do all day (that isn't formal exercise) is called NEAT. This is walking and moving between normal daily activities and can vary between 100 and 800 calories a day depending on how active a person is. This is the easiest way to burn more calories. Increase your non formal exercise activity. Move more. Sit less. It's that simple.  
 
Muscle speeds the metabolism. Simply because muscle burns more calories than fat. Put simply, this translates into - a size 10 woman with a larger percentage of muscle and lower percentage of body fat than her friend, also a size 10 but who is 'skinny fat' and has more body fat and less muscle, will burn more calories at rest and when active! So, even if you aren't interested in gaining a lot of muscle it is in your best interests to at least maintain what muscle you have. How? By lifting weights & including weighted exercise in your gym sessions. My advice for women of ANY age, aim to get a minimum of 2 and ideally 5, strength training workouts per week. Both for health reasons AND for weight control & loss. The idea that strength training, makes women look bigger is outdated and incorrect. Lifting weights, makes you grow lean muscle, which makes you look leaner & tighter (toned) and the more lean the less fat, the more calories you burn. All the more reason to get off the treadmill or ditch the slow, steady running and learn how to squat & deadlift. Your body and your life will thank you for it! 

Take away points. A slow metabolism is rarely the reason behind excessive weight gain. Too much body fat is down to consuming too many daily calories and not enough daily  activity. There are however, a few things you can do to get the best out of your metabolism. and a little adjustment here and there can make a big difference over time.

There is a HIGH chance that this might just end up being my most popular BLOG post eveeerrrr!!
WHY??
Because everyone wants to know the fucking secret. 
The fastest and easiest way to drop the three stone that you took five long years achieving!
The BEST results with the LEAST amount of time and effort.
Listen, if I knew the secret then I'd be a really rich woman and living in Palm Springs right now.
But now that I have your attention, AND because I'm really grateful you stopped by and took time out of your busy day to ready the GYM G5 BLOG - let's cover my TOP 6 tips to successful Fat Loss.

#1 : Successful 'dieters' or LEAN machines tend to eat very similar foods MOST of the time. The reason being is because it makes life simpler, its easier to be consistent when you know your meals and what works for you and your lifestyle. And the simpler you can make you diet and exercise habits, the more lily you are to stick to them in the long term. And don't forget that Success comes from consistency and sustainable habits.

#2 :  Successful 'dieters' or LEAN machines will eat PROTEIN with the majority of their meals. Why? Because protein makes you feel full & satisfies hunger, and its essential to build AND maintain lean muscle mass, which is essential for Fat Loss. Plus as a bonus the more muscle the less fat, the hotter you look, in clothes & naked. Period.

#3 : Successful 'dieters' or LEAN machines will eat a shit ton of green veggies, veggies & fruits with the majority of their meals. Because its no secret that eating real, whole foods makes you feel great, keeps your gut & digestion tip top and makes you look badass. And although good health is the number one reason to eat more veggies & fruit, like protein you get a lot of bang for your buck on your plate, in comparison to calorie dense & low nutrient junk.

#4 : Successful 'dieters' or LEAN machines won't drink their calories from liquids or alcohol. Probably because they like their food (Yup Im a self confessed GRUBBER), because they value their health so they keep alcohol to special occasions and because fizzy juice contain little or no nutrient value. So don't waste your money.

#5 : Successful 'dieters' or LEAN machines will never miss a healthy meal twice. What I mean is cheat DAYS or WEEKENDS don't exist and just mean you end up on a mega binge. Instead they tend to eat intuitvely and if they go for a pizza or a meal out with friends, then they get back on track the next morning and adjust their calorie intake for the rest of the day/week. Likewise if I chose to enjoy pancakes or french toast for brunch, then dinner is back on track with my regular routine. Don't be too fucking good to yourself people. Chose consistency & only treat yourself to LESS HEALTHY FOOD on occasion. The majority of your meals are real, whole, nutrient dense food.

#6 : Successful 'dieters' or LEAN machines will be active in some way every single day. They will be conscious of their NEAT (if you don't know what it is, read the earlier BLOG post!), move in a non gym way as much as possible, take stairs not elevators, walk fast not slow and aim to train at intensity inc lifting weights at least 5 times a week. Move more, don't think you can look your best if you are a lazy assed, couch potato. Move, Often.

Take home message. And listen I'm making NO APOLOGIES if that isn't what you wanted to hear. At the end of the day, the science behind losing fat is pretty straight forward. Structure your diet & exercise in a way that creates a consistent calorie deficit and BOOM - you'll start to lose the chub. In my experience most people know 'how' to lose weight and be healthier, but actually putting it into action is where most people screw up. They prefer to waste YEARS and money (so much water money) looking for the next best detox, diet, gym, smoothie, or magic machine that melts fat. When if they just accept it isn't about how FAST you can lose it, or going to EXTREME measures, it's about having patience, and creating good habits that last forever. Never focus on short term results at the expense of long term, health & lifestyle. There are lots of tips I can help you with, loads of great habits to make your journey to lean a bit less painful, and make fat loss simpler. Like I said, I guarantee the simple approach is the one you will stick to. So the next time you find yourself considering a 60 day no carb, gluten free apple cider vinegar detox. Read this BLOG again.

​Thanks for listening!  

It's that time of year when for some reason it becomes harder than normal to keep on top of your Nutrition. Apart from the darker evenings, shorter days & chillier climate, all of which can make you reach for the warming comfort foods, the onset of the festive party season means a constant overload of eating & drinking super high calorie treats.

**HEALTH WARNING** weekends can seriously sabotage your fat loss plans!!


















​For many people on a fat loss journey, its the weekend overeating (and over-boozing) that prevents them from seeing the RESULTS they work hard for Monday to Friday. It's something I see over and over again. Individuals killing it in the gym and managing their eating during the normal working week and then Friday night comes and BOOM.  For a lot of people it's become so routine now its a habit.

The common theme;
"Every Friday around 5pm, as I waited for the bus after work, I’d start to salivate. The end of the work week means red wine, pizza, a giant bag of crisps, and a movie. It's my Friday ritual. Friday night, is eat whatever I want, the highlight of my week. My job is stressful so fast food and booze is my way of unwinding. Friday is a gateway drug to the rest of the weekend. a big breakfast on Saturday, and big lunches afterwards. Either out on Saturday night for drinks and a big meal. Or stay home for a takeout and movie on the couch. Then its Sunday brunch, perhaps coffee & cake during a Sunday walk. And, naturally, winter weekends is a big Sunday roast… because it’s Sunday"
. 
Because it’s Friday. Because it’s Saturday. Because it’s Sunday. Sound familiar?

We aren't talking about compulsive bingeing here. This kind of overeating is a routine, stress-fuelled, social habit. In most cases, your social circle supports it, even encourages it - 'its just what people do at the weekends'.
The problem is, that after a while, weekend overeating starts to bite you in the ass.
As every overeater knows, the over indulgence comes with consequences.
By Monday you feel physically uncomfortable, bloated, and mentally, you feel crap, guilty and angry for eating it all. And while a little weight fluctuation is inevitable when you’re trying to get in shape, if you want to stay healthy and fit, or make fitness and health a permanent part of your lifestyle, then weekend overeating can easily  sabotage your goals. 

Aside from the obvious extra body fat or poor performance in the gym, there’s all the other associated health related side effects. Your joints hurt because of inflammation from junk food. You’re too heavy to train properly. Or you lie awake in bed with food sweats or get a shitty sleep because of the overdose of sugar, saturated fats & alcohol. The problem is, like any habit, the cycle can be hard to break. Training harder in the gym the Monday after a social weekend isn't the answer. Nor is drastically cutting your calories as you begin another new diet on Monday as the starvation attempt almost always leads to an even bigger blowout the following weekend. The more the binge-diet cycle continues; the further the health and fitness goals remain out of reach.

How do you break free of the weekend overeating cycle?
Are your weekday eating patterns affecting your weekend behaviour?
Do you have a healthy, unemotional relationship with food?
Here are the 5 strategies to help ditch the 5:2 habit (and hopefully the weight) for good.

Strategy #1: Instead of trying to be perfect - start to live with balance.
Aim for “consistently good” instead of “perfect”.
By trying to follow the “perfect” diet and super strict meal plans Monday to Friday and constantly stressing about screwing things up, by the time you get to the weekend, you're mentally exhausted with it all and the willpower gives out. You’re so fed up of restrictive eating you can’t wait to eat ALL THE food you actually enjoy. Bring on the weekend binge! For most people trapped in this vicious cycle, there are only two options in their mind: perfect or crap. So the distorted logic of “It’s Saturday, I’m out to lunch with my family, and I can’t have my perfect pre-portioned kale salad like I usually do, so instead I’ll just overeat a giant bacon cheeseburger and a huge plate of fries.” If you take “perfect” off the table, things change. You feel empowered because there are now other options. Instead of kale salad vs. five servings of fries, there’s:
“I’m actually in the mood for a salad with my burger so ill sub the fires for a green salad.”
Always aim for “good enough”. Don't separate weekdays from weekends, instead make every day an opportunity to consider your health and fitness goals, what you're in the mood for, which healthy options are available, etc. Remember: The consistently good method you stick to is better than the “perfect” one you quit.

Strategy #2: Let go of rigid food rules.
Food rules tell you:
* what you can and can’t eat,
* when you can or can’t eat it,
* how you can or can’t eat it, and/or
* how much you can or can’t have.
These rules take up an awful lot of mental headspace. They also set you up for failure… aka “the Fucked It Effect”. Here’s how the Fucked It Effect works.
If #1 food rule is Don’t Eat Carbs. No bread with the soup; won’t touch a sandwich; no toast with your eggs. Then Friday night, you find yourself out with friends, and everyone’s having beer and pizza. You try and hold out but you give in and grab a slice. You've  fucked it, you’ve “blown your diet”, so you might as well keep eating. Cue the binge and miserable, guilty after effects.That normally means you let go all night. Maybe all weekend. Eating by the rules almost always leads to overeating, because once you deviate, there’s nothing left to guide you.
Ditch the rules and let your healthy lifestyle be your guide. Non-dieters (or so-called “normal eaters”) eat when they’re physically hungry and stop when they’re physically full, no matter if it’s Wednesday or Saturday, morning or evening, work lunch or weekend brunch. Remember every choice has a consequence and don't let it spiral out of control.

Strategy #3: Don't allow yourself Cheat Days.
Monday through Saturday is all about sticking to your diet. But Sunday… That’s Cheat Day. The happiest day of your week. You wake up on Cheat Day morning like a kid at Christmas. Go wild all day long, eating all the stuff you don’t allow yourself during the week. As evening nears, you start to freak out. So you eat (and maybe drink) even more. Because tomorrow, it’s back to reality, diet starts again. Back to fidelity and compliance. And no fun.
Some people find the idea of a weekly Cheat Day useful both mentally and physically. If this is you, and it works for you, then by all means crack on. But ill be honest, for most of the people I’ve coached, having one Cheat Day means the rest of the week is food purgatory. Instead, don't exclude anything and make good choices all week. You don’t need to “cheat” because there’s nothing, and no one, to “cheat” on. Maybe you enjoy some dessert on a Tuesday night because you’re in the mood for it, or maybe you don’t because you’re satisfied from dinner. Either way, you're on control of your daily calorie intake. What and when you eat is up to you — and your hunger and fullness cues. No matter what day of the week it is. And whatever you choose is going to be key to how you look & feel.

Strategy #4: Own your choices. 
There is no “good” and “bad” food. Sins aren't for adults. Mind games like this undermine your health goals — and your authority over your decisions. Instead owning your choices, and letting your adult values and health principles guide you when you sit down to eat. By making food decisions by acknowledging the outcome, based on your past experience. For example:
“I’m choosing to eat this tub of ice cream on Saturday night. I’ll probably feel nauseated and anxious afterwards. In this instance, I’m okay I understand that.” In the end, own your choices: But don’t try and justify them. You’re free to eat and drink anything you want. You choose your behaviour. Just remember that different choices produce different outcomes. It’s your call.

Strategy #5: Stop justifying your behaviour.
Weekends present all sorts of justifications for eating a bunch of non-nutritious foods. And trust me, Ive heard them all!
* You were busy. Or maybe you had nothing going on.
* You were travelling. Or maybe you were at home.
* You had to work. Or you were bored.
* You had a family/social. Or maybe you were home alone.
We can all try to rationalise our beehive with excises. Busyness, boredom, travel, work, or family dinners don’t inherently cause overeating. People eat or drink too much in lots of different situations. The explanation simply matches whatever happens to be going on at the time.
Rationalisations are a convenient way of helping us make sense of — and perpetuate — our overeating.
Stop justifying your behaviour or blaming something or someone else, and ask yourself why you are really overeating. On the odd occasion, you’ll want to eat crap. And too much of it. That’s normal. But instead of justifying it, take the opportunity to ask yourself what’s really going on in your head at that moment. Are you bored? Stressed? Sad? Happy? If you do this you’ll start to see some patterns. That’s the key, your opportunity to change overeating behaviour — and do something to address those emotions instead of bingeing.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:
There is no perfect time to eat better, or to live a healthier lifestyle  Not tomorrow; not on Monday. Not after Christmas. Life is always a busy, there will always be an excuse. All we can do is our best with what we’ve got. Right here, right now. Ask yourself: How’s that weekend overeating working for you?
If you’re loving all your junk-food nights out or gut-punching Sunday brunches, and you’re happy with the results, keep going. But if you’re fed up with how you look, how you feel and the vicious cycle  it could be time to make a change.  Ask yourself: What does weekend overeating do for you? What does it lead to? What does it add to your life? How does it solve a problem or have a purpose for you?
Often weekend overeating is self-medication for stress, stimulation and novelty, and a way to connect socially with friends/family.
To reset your mindset and break the cycle of weekend overeating, try:
* aiming for “good enough” instead of “perfect”,
* letting go of your food rules,
* giving up the idea of Cheat Days or Cheat Meals - carte blanche permission to eat everything,
* own your choices, and/or
* quitting the rationalisation/justification for your behaviour.
If you do over eat, park it and move on. Don’t try to compensate. Just get back to your normal.
You don’t “pay back” the damage in the gym or on the treadmill, nor do you need to kamikaze your way through a whole jar of peanut butter. You just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go back to doing your best. Sometimes it helps to put someone else in control for a while.
You are the boss of you, and you should own your choices. But changing a deep-seated habit — like overeating on the weekend — is challenging.  And just like your fat loss, the process of changing your habits will have ups and downs. Its a lifetime journey. It helps to have someone who will support and encourage you - a friend, a partner, or your trainer who will listen to you and keep you accountable. Good luck, I know you can do this. 

Okay. So you've started a new 'diet', or bought a new online Body Transformation programme.
And you're delighted because you've lost 4lbs in the first week. Maybe don't start the celebrations quite yet! Just because you're 'losing weight' doesn't mean that you're losing the RIGHT kind of weight....

When it comes to losing weight, there is no doubt about it that diet & nutrition are the most important factors. I agree. However, there's a problem when you lose weight from diet alone or diet & cardio only.

When people say to me they want to 'lose weight and tone up', what they really mean is that they want to lose body fat and make their body look leaner & tighter. Yes, eating in a calorie deficit WILL help you lose weight, and you will lose fat too, but the problem is not ALL the weight you lose will come from fat...the chances are some of it will be water, some of it will be daily weight fluctuations from other factors, and some of it will be muscle too :(

Trust me you do not want to lose lean muscle when dieting.
Why? Because muscle helps you maintain a faster metabolism, helps you lose more fat, allows you to eat more daily calories AND helps us achieve the tighter, leaner looking body that you're after.

One of the biggest confusions with new clients (especially FEMALE clients) is the conflict in their head between wanting to look leaner, slimmer, smaller, tighter, more toned whilst NOT gaining weight or getting bulky!
So, you want to lose fat and look toned but not gain any muscle? Really?
If you diet alone and DON'T lift weights or strength train, then yes, you will get lighter on the scales, BUT you will probably still look wobbly, i.e. skinny fat, you'll take a lot longer to lose the fat, you'll be starving hangry and you'll lose whatever lean muscle you have in the process. That's why chasing a certain weight loss on the scales as your primary goal is NOT the answer. 

Lifting weights, as well as eating in a calorie deficit, is much more beneficial in the long term. As not only will you LOSE body fat (hooray) you will also maintain the muscle you already have (hooray) AND if youre lucky you will also build some new muscle while you're losing fat (hooray). Okay, so the number on the scale might not drop as quickly as if you starve yourself for 3 days (which also causes more damage to you & your hormones in the long run) just get your head around this and trust me you will end up losing MORE fat from any weight that you do lose, and you'll have an easier time getting rid of the stubborn fat you are desperate to see the back of, plus you'll stay leaner for the long term and not just lose weight on the scales for the 2 weeks that you're on the diet/detox/beachbodynonsense/pishbodytransfiormation... am I making sense yet?

Listen, I totally know that this is a hard pill to swallow.
I understand that the idea of GAINING anything in your head if you are female (it was the same for me too before I knew better) is like the devil talking.
I also can appreciate that the idea of 'building' muscle conjures up images in your mind of Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bikini, we are conditioned to want to lose/drop/diet and not gain/build/grow...but you won't turn into a power lifter or a body builder just because you lift weights. You don't even need to lift massively heavy weights to get the benefit - dumbbells & kettle bells work well too! What matters is that you are challenging your muscles when you train and your focus is on getting progressively stronger, by either using more weight, or increasing reps over time, which is a good sign that your body is getting stronger and you are developing lean muscle.

Will you get BIG. No, you'll drop in clothes sizes and inches.
Will you look manly. Of course you won't
If your friends or partner thinks you'll start to grow a beard because you lift weights - do me a favour and slap him/them from me.
My friend doesn't lift and she's lost more weight than me? Her loss. She might lose more pounds from not lifting but more of that will come from muscle. If you are lifting you might lose less weight overall, but thats because you're adding muscle AND losing fat, and in 6 months time you will thank me for it.

Take home message. You can't convert fat to muscle. If you're losing weight fast and by diet alone, its likely to be doing more bad than good to your long term health. There is no magic pill/tea or shake that can burn fat. If you're in a consistent calorie deficit you will lose weight. Lifting will help you maintain lean muscle and look leaner & tighter and lose more fat from the weight you do end up losing. WIN WIN. Please don't be afraid of weights, and stop focusing on the number on the scales as your progress measure. On that note, I'm off to the gym...

I hope that by now, after the first two Nutrition Workshops in the series you are beginning to understand the simple basic rules of PROGRESS Mode, in that;

To LOSE weight (i.e. fat) you need to be in a consistent calorie deficit. This might mean that from time to time you will feel hungry. And guess what? Thats Okay! 

To GAIN weight (i.e. muscle) you need to be in a consistent calorie surplus. Which means that sometimes you will feel full and you still need to eat, even if you're not hungry. And guess what? Thats totally fine!

If you are in FAT LOSS MODE then your focus should be to eat LOW CALORIE, NUTRIENT DENSE whole foods. Why?  Because they provide essential nutrients & vitamins to fuel your body to move & train, its the most effective way to blunt hunger, they can be created into tasty meals which satisfy you & prevent cravings for sugar & shit, and they will fill you up, whilst remaining in a calorie deficit. This can include, but is not limited to: Oats (yes, I did say CARBS, because you can eat carbohydrate and lose fat!), Green Soup (CARBS), Strawberries/Blueberries (FRUIT also CARBS), Fish (PROTEIN), Poultry (PROTEIN), Eggs (PROTEIN), Greek Yoghurt (PROTEIN), Cottage Cheese (PROTEIN), Spinach/Broccoli (GREENS).

If you are in trying to GAIN more  lean muscle mode then you should eat HIGH CALORIE and not very filling foods so that you can eat more, without feeling like you're going to explode and maintain your calorie surplus. This can include, but is not limited to: Avocado (FATS), Nut Butter (FATS), Quality Red Meats (PROTEIN), Rice (CARBS), Granola (CARBS), Full Fat Milk/Yoghurt (FAT).

​Thats not to say that these lists are exhaustive, or that you can/can't eat things in the other camp. One of the reasons I avoid giving clients prescriptive Nutrition plans where I tell you exactly what to eat is because   rather than tell you what to do, I prefer to help you to understand HOW it works and that whatever is 'best' for the individual largely depends on you then individual, because despite what social media might have you believe ONE SIZE definitely doesn't fit all. There isn't really a RIGHT or WRONG way, some people choose to eat meat, others are vegan. And thats cool. There are no BAD or CLEAN foods - be careful with health food halos, that would have you believe that because you bought it in a Wholefoods store and its organic/gluten free/vegan its also healthy and calorie free. Nope. 

Take home message here? Stick to the basic principals for whatever MODE you're in. You can eat carbs and fruit if you're trying to lose fat as long as you maintain a consistent CALORIE DEFICIT. Protein sources and fats fit well on both sides. Finally, its not fancy. Its not magic nor does it guarantee FAST results (or Jessica Enis abs in a week) in 7 days. But it is realistic and sustainable. And it works. 

​More to come...

e**The 5 BEST Exercises for RAPID & EFFECTIVE Fat Loss**

1. Track your daily calories.
2. Track your daily calories.
3. Track your daily calories. 
4. Consistency.
5. Patience.

Surprised? Disappointed? If you were expecting quick fix exercises I apologise. But heres the truth : its important that you understand that REAL progress takes a TON of effort (by you), time and patience. There is NO 21 day fix. There is no pill or potion that will burn fat or dissolve fat from your chosen areas and keep it off for life. There is NO fast track to success. And anyone who tells you or sells you that there is, is not being truthful.

NOTE: There are rare occasions when rapid fat loss methods might have a time and a place within a well designed nutrition plan. But these are not long term solutions or sustainable plans and I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with a history of dieting. disordered or emotional eating. They are not a quick fix, and at some point you need to switch to something that you can sustain and follow so that you can continue to make progress and maintain your weight in the long term.

In the Nutrition workshops we have been discussing about how tracking your nutrition (via MyFitnessPal) along with consistency & accountability is essential if you are in PROGRESS (i.e. Fat Loss or muscle gain) Mode or Maintenance Mode. Why? Because fitness & health is a life long process. No matter how lean or strong you are, there is always room for some improvement, more to learn and an option for a better you.
Thinking that you will be happy & fulfilled when you reach a certain weight or size is not practical. And its not how it works. Happiness isn't attached to a number on the scales. If you don't love or like who you are right now, it won't suddenly be different when you're xx kg lighter/lose the belly/reduce the cellulite. 
Instead, get ready for a journey of ups & downs, highs & lows. The long haul. Because when you start the process to a Fitter, Healthier, Leaner & Stronger you, you're in it for life. And enjoy it! If you hate every second or can't wait to finish the 'diet' you aren't going to last. 

So, what am I saying here. Whats the take home message?
Don't look for a quick fix. And don't sign up for a rapid results guaranteed programme.
Instead, identify your goal, commit to CHANGE, be prepared to put the effort in, consistently and be patient. And I promise you will see the RESULTS.

​More coming ......