| It feels like spring is in the air at last and bikini season | | | | Cardio kick/Body Combat |
| isn't far away, so the girls in the office have been | | | | These are very similar types of exercise so we are |
| thinking about which fat burning activities we will be | | | | grouping them together in our 'fab four fat burners'. |
| considering in our missions to tone up for summer. If | | | | Both of these activities provide a total body workout |
| you are thinking about devoting some of your time | | | | and are brilliant ways to shed pounds as well as |
| to fitness activities over the next few months, | | | | improving strength, speed, stamina, tone, flexibility |
| maybe you'd like to try one of our 'fab four fat | | | | and mental alertness - but they are not for the |
| burning activities'! | | | | faint-hearted as they are generally very high impact! |
| Please bear in mind that before embarking on any | | | | It is best to gain a basic level of fitness before giving |
| new exercise regime it is best to speak to your | | | | either a go. Cardio-kick and Body Combat combine |
| doctor and check that what you have in mind is | | | | aerobic choreography with basic boxing and martial |
| appropriate for you. | | | | arts moves, which makes them extremely satisfying |
| Jogging and speed walking | | | | and great for confidence or as a stress reliever. For |
| Jogging and speed walking are big favourites. | | | | either of these activities we would recommend |
| Whatever your budget you can give them a go and | | | | joining a class rather than starting with a DVD, |
| get great results! The advantage of jogging and | | | | though once you have worked on technique with an |
| speed walking is that you can do either just about | | | | instructor there are plenty of DVDs around that you |
| anywhere and it is easy to keep lots of variety by | | | | could then begin using at home. |
| choosing different routes and surfaces. Wherever | | | | Weights |
| you live you can find somewhere to map out a | | | | As with cardio kick and Body Combat it is important |
| route, so the world is your oyster. We would | | | | to get proper instruction on weightlifting before going |
| suggest that you begin with speed walking and work | | | | it alone. Most good gyms will offer the opportunity to |
| up to jogging if you feel you would like to push | | | | create a gym plan with the help of a qualified |
| yourself harder. Half an hour of either, three or four | | | | instructor, so take them up on this and you may |
| times a week will soon tone you up and leave you | | | | then go into the gym regularly and work from the |
| feeling energised. | | | | plan, updating as you improve. Weight training is not |
| Dancing | | | | as scary as it sounds! You do not have to be able to |
| Dancing is a fantastic way to keep fit, and you do | | | | lift huge weights, and if you are gong for tone rather |
| not have to join a class to take it up. Just moving | | | | than bulk then you will be shown how to use lighter |
| your body regularly helps to burn fat and tone up, | | | | weights and more repetitions in order to achieve |
| while the addition of music makes it a lot more fun. If | | | | your desired body shape. Weight training is a great |
| you are considering dancing yourself fit why not put | | | | way to shed pounds, as the lean muscle gained will |
| together a half-hour collection of your favourite | | | | help you to burn fat faster and banish problems like |
| music and have fun with it, just dancing freely in your | | | | 'bingo wings' and 'muffin tops'. |
| living room. Music really helps to motivate you so the | | | | There are countless activities that can help you to |
| time will fly by! If you prefer more structure to your | | | | stay fit and healthy so if none of these appeal to |
| exercise regime then it may be better to try a class. | | | | you why not consider swimming, rock climbing, |
| You could ask a friend to come along or just go for | | | | cycling, skiing, horse-riding, pilates, yoga or any other |
| it yourself. Remember that everyone in a dance class | | | | pursuit that you can think of which will raise your |
| is there to have fun and get fit and so there is no | | | | heart rate and make exercise fun. |
| need to feel self-conscious. | | | | |