Healthy Lifestyle

Current opinion is that in order to have a healthy lifestyle you should be active for at least half an hour most days of the week, eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily and ensure that you are not overweight for your height and build.

If you feel this is all too much, just begin slowly!

Try using the stairs at the office or department store, instead of the lift. Encourage a colleague to come with you for a ten-minute walk at lunchtime. Walk the children to school (they may moan but it will do them good too!)

Prepare a fresh fruit salad and keep it in the fridge for when you get the 'nibbles'. Drink a fresh fruit juice at least once a day (yes, this counts as one of the portions).

Battling the weight

If you are overweight try to cut down on fats (especially saturated fats); eat smaller portions and cut down on sugar. Try to reduce your alcohol intake if you drink more than a glass a day.

A pound in body weight is equal to 3500 Calories so try one of these three ways to shed a pound:

• Eat 3500 fewer Calories
• Exercise 3500 Calories off without eating more
• Combine eating less and exercising more to achieve a 3500 Calorie deficit

This may sound a lot but if you divide 3500 by the 7 days in a week that's only 500 Calories a day! It's putting it simply but it shows that you don't have to make drastic changes to achieve weight loss and weight loss that is gradual (1 - 2 pounds a week) is far better for your body.

A few simple changes may be all that it takes.

• Don't shop on an empty stomach - you will be tempted to buy that chocolate bar 'just to keep you going'
• Take your time when eating - give your body a chance to let you know when you are full
• Don't leave your favourite food until last - much better to eat it first then you won't feel so bad about leaving anything on your plate
• Forget all about leaving a clean plate - that was when you were a child and needed the calories for growth!
• Follow our healthy eating tips
• Use SPLENDA® Low Calorie Sweetener in place of sugar
• Walking the dog, weeding the garden, painting the living room and even playing football with the children are all forms of exercise that can help you to shed those pounds - but do check with your GP if you haven't exercised in a while

You don't need to do all these things at once but if you gradually introduce them into your lifestyle a new trim you will surely emerge.

Healthy Eating Tips

• Choose wholegrain options and high fibre foods such as lentils
• Choose lean meats and low fat dairy products and avoid pastries, biscuits and other baked produce high in fat
• Try steaming or grilling your food instead of frying - add some herbs or spices to enhance the flavour
• Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day
• Watch out for the high sugar foods and drinks
• Use SPLENDA® Low Calorie Sweetener in place of sugar

You don't need to do all these things at once but if you gradually introduce them into your lifestyle a new trim you will surely emerge.