StyleNest team up with James Duigan, the creator of Bodyism to bring you some expert top tips on how to look and feel great for SS14.
“Bodyism is a centre of excellence that delivers cutting edge nutritional, movement and supplement protocols to achieve long, lean, athletic bodies for all of our clients”.
Transforming bodies and changing lives, creator James Duigan has an expert knowledge in health and wellbeing as well as being a highly respected personal trainer. With an ethos of combining both innovative nutrition methods along with movement programs, Bodyism aims to create healthy and happy bodies.
Tip 1. Sleep
I always recommend to my clients to sleep at least 8 hours per night. This will not only help you to start the day with a smile, but also to burn more fat and achieve that flat tummy you’ve always wanted. Excess stress is one of the main reasons leading to an inability to lose weight, sleep or get fit. Try to wind down after work, doing activities such as Yoga, Pilates or even a massage and you’ll feel 100 times better. Instead of that bottle of wine that helps you sleep try a cup of chamomile, tea or even a Serenity. Avoid staying in front of a computer or watching TV before going to bed, and read a nice book instead. It will be easier to relax and fall asleep.
Tip 2. Fighting the winter blues
The sun is starting to peak through the cloudy, rainy days. Get outside. Even for 10 minutes. Stand in the sun, breathe some fresh air and feel the energy build inside you. Stick some inspirational affirmations in your bedroom to start your day on a positive note. Get to your local markets on the weekend to buy some fresh local produce and make some easy meals in advance for your week so you don’t get caught out snacking on comfort foods. Summer is coming after all.
Tip 3. Combatting Stress
Aside from alcohol and bad food, stress is one of the biggest causes of excess fat. Stress produces a hormone called cortisol which releases sugar into the bloodstream for instant energy. Excess stress can also lead to lower sex drive and fertility problems.
Toxic food, like refined sugar and processed food, will make you feel more stressed because they release sugar into the bloodstream too quickly. Usually the more stressed you get, the more you crave toxic food, which makes you more stressed, and so the cycle continues.
Clean, lean food, on the other hand, give you long-lasting energy, thus reducing stress levels. So break the cycle. Don’t exercise too much, avoid stress-inducing foods and eat more stress reducing ones.
Food to avoid (stress-inducing):
- Sweets
- Processed foods
- Junk food
- Salty foods
- Coffee (limit to 1 or 2 cups a day)
- Alcohol
Foods to favour (stress-reducing):
- Berries
- Green vegetables
- Turkey
- Sweet-potatoes (they’ll satisfy carb cravings)
- Avocados
- Nuts
- Serenity from Bodyism
Tip 4. Healthy eating
My motto is: cut the CRAP – Caffeine (limit this to one or two cups a day); Refined Sugar; Alcohol; Processed Food. If you manage to cut the CRAP out of your diet, you’re already eating very healthy.
Try avoiding alcohol like the plague – It honestly is your worst enemy if you are trying to get your body back in shape. Not only it will make you feel sluggish and bloated but will also reduce your body’s ability to burn fat.
Avoid low fat foods which often have lots of hidden sugar. Make sure you fill your fridge with plenty of green vegetables for fibre and lean protein. That way you’ll be laughing your way to a beautiful body.
Try to eat five healthy meals a day, two of which should be smaller snacks. Healthy snacking ensures you don’t overeat when you have the main meals and will also help you to speed up your metabolism. Avoid the sugar packed treats and choose instead raw nuts, turkey slices, berries, sliced vegetables or Bodyism’s Protein Excellence (RRP: £70 available from www.bodyism.com)
Tip 5. Fad diets vs exercise tips
The most important part of any health and fitness program is consistency. Fad diets don’t work because we can’t eat that way forever. Exercise too is better to be twice per week all the time instead of five times per week which ends after a month as we get too busy, too tired or simply unmotivated. At Bodyism we implement the Clean & Lean approach which guides clients on how to make better food choices and how to incorporate daily movement into our lives in a variety of ways.
For more information, visit www.bodyism.com