When trying to lose weight or increase your levels of fitness not many of us know where to start.
People often end up resorting to quick tricks like fad diets or juice cleanses but these aren’t sustainable long term.
Leading Australian personal trainers Stephanie Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw have shared their five tips for losing fat in a KIC blog post on how people can help themselves get fit and toned with ease.
Leading Australian personal trainers Stephanie Claire Smith (pictured left) and Laura Henshaw (pictured right) have shared their five fitness tips
USE WEIGHTS
The fitness duo believe that for too long women have been taught to fear weights, when in fact they should be a vital part of their routine.
Steph and Laura said that lifting weights won’t make you bulky and will actually help you burn more fat than if you were to do only cardio.
‘Strength training increases lean muscle mass and has been proven to also increase your metabolism for up to 24 hours after a workout,’ their post reads.
‘The best part is, you don’t even need dumbbells or kettlebells – you can use your body as a natural weight. Planks, squats and push-ups are ideal for this.’
If you don’t have access to waits you can even use soup cans, the girls add.
The fitness duo believe that for too long women have been taught to fear weights, when in fact they should be a vital part of their routine
Steph and Laura said that lifting weights won’t make you bulky and will actually help you burn more fat than doing only cardio
‘Strength training increases lean muscle mass and has been proven to also increase your metabolism for up to 24 hours after a workout,’ their post reads
SAY NO TO FAT-FREE
A lot of food companies try and make consumers believe that when something is labelled as ‘fat-free’ or ‘low-fat’, they are better for you, which isn’t true.
The fitness stars explained that products with these labels can be loaded with sugars and chemicals to replace the flavour it’s losing from the fat that is no longer in it.
They also said that because the fat has been removed you won’t be feeling full after consuming.
Eating healthy, full-fat foods means you will be left feeling fuller for longer and less likely to binge or crave unhealthy foods later on.
The fitness stars explained that products with ‘fat-free’ labels can be loaded with sugars and chemicals to replace the flavour it’s losing
They also said that because the fat has been removed you won’t be feeling full after eating as it spikes your blood sugar
CURB YOUR CRAVINGS
The dynamic duo understand that in the beginning you might find it difficult to combat the cravings that will rear their ugly little heads.
‘It’s crucial you keep well hydrated – most of us do not drink enough water during the day, and dehydration is known to stimulate appetite,’ they wrote.
‘Also, sleep! The more tired we are, the hungrier we get – so get a solid seven to eight hours every night so you’re well rested.’
Eating healthy, full fat foods means you will be feeling fuller for longer and less likely to binge or crave unhealthy foods later on
‘It’s crucial you keep well hydrated – most of us do not drink enough water during the day, and dehydration is known to stimulate appetite,’ they wrote
The dynamic duo understand that in the beginning you might find it difficult to combat the cravings that will rear their ugly little heads
DON’T COUNT CALORIES
There has been a change recently in the health and nutrition world where people are now no longer counting calories, which is something Steph and Laura also believe in.
‘This may go against everything you’ve been taught, but it’s time to stop counting calories and count nutrients instead,’ the post reads.
‘If you eat fresh fruit and veg, lean meats and other nutrient-dense foods, you’ll be fuller for longer and will help maintain stable blood glucose levels.’
There has been a change recently in the health and nutrition world when it comes to counting calories, which is something Steph and Laura also believe in
‘This may go against everything you’ve been taught, but it’s time to stop counting calories and count nutrients instead,’ the post reads
INCORPORATE WHOLEFOODS
Finally, although they don’t want people to be obsessing over food all the time Steph and Laura also want people to realise that they can’t be eating foods like pasta, bread and ice cream every day.
They recommend people incorporate more wholefoods and fresh produce into their diet.
The trainers follow the rule of eating these kinds of foods 80 per cent of the time and then indulging in treats for the other 20 per cent.