Well, the world has woken up to what we have been banging on about for ages - there is a problem - we are weighing too much ! And, what's more, there is a psychological element to our eating! I can honestly say that everyone of us who has ever eaten too much on a day to day basis will be able, if helped, to recognize that food is not always eaten because we are hungry but for many many other reasons. Boredom, being happy, being sad, being busy, because we have had a bad day, because we jolly well can. Sound familiar? What of us 'war babies' - (stop reading now if you don't know what a Ration Book is), those of us whose parents lived through dreadful times and for whom throwing any food was a waste and it was to be eaten at all costs and to remember the starving children in what ever part of the world troubled them. Now, don't get me wrong - it is a disgrace that we get progressively fatter when great swaths of the world have children dying of starvation - a dreadful indictment of our society. But my clearing my plate will not help - but what will help is having less on my plate to begin with. We need to stop eating when we are full (or better still, before we are full). Do you struggle with your weight? Do you know what a healthy diet looks like? Would you like some help to keep on track and to make great food choices? Drop us an email - we have trained weight management counselors waiting to help you

Jogging is good for the brain!

An interesting article in The Sunday Times this morning stating that 'Exercise not only strengthens your heart and muscles - it also beefs up your brain'. They state that taking aerobic exercise increases the size of critical brain structures and improves cognition and intelligence especially in children and older adults. For more info, click on this link: What are you waiting for, get your running shoes on! If you can't face going to the gym, a run in the fresh hour costs you nothing but time and is a great way of seeing things that you simply miss when you drive by. Just a gentle reminder that we hold a running club in Bluntisham every Wednesday, whatever the weather! We start at 7pm by the Bar-o-graph and all abilities are welcome.

breakfast

I talk to lots and lots of people about what they eat. I ask my BUPA clients what a typical food day looks like. I talk to my LighterLife clients about their plans for food for the day. Many of my PT clients keep food diaries which we review. I talk over the phone about food and we talk food at home. We are practically obsessed by food - I would love to give you all a 'best food day' and then we could all follow it and we would all weigh what we want to weigh - but just too much gets in the way. Time, cost, parties, friends all need us to have a flexible approach. And that is before we have considered eating for reasons other than hunger! Often we will eat when we are tired, or stressed, or happy, or sad or just because its there! Over the next few weeks I am going to post a recipe of the week. I am going to keep an eye out for meals that 'hit the spot' without expanding the waist line. The first one will be a breakfast idea that will help to prevent those mid morning 'munchies', so look out for future posts.

Mind and body

Browsing through the Sunday Times today we came across an article in the 'Style' magazine, no, not the one on the impossibly skinny models in totally impractical dresses - the article about the links between mind and body. The promotion suggested that a Personal Trainer who helps with what is going on in your head as well as what is happening to your body is a novelty! Well, here at Forefront Fitness, we know different. We have always recognized that one is so dependent on the other that they can't be separated. When Marion had a PT and was going through a really tough patch, she often used her hour to chat through some difficult feelings and it really helped. And this is an important part of what we offer - we really do want to help you to be your best - and that may mean a chance to exercise mind and body. As a qualified weight management counselor Marion is skilled in using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Transactional Analysis to help clients to reframe some of their food orientated thoughts. And Steve is about to embark on a Neuro Linguistic Progamming course. Those of you who know Steve will understand that this represents a huge step out of his comfort zone, but we are so committed to fully helping our clients that we are ready to push our own boundaries. We know that if your head isn't in the right place then getting your body where you want it to be is nearly impossible - why not get in contact - let us help you work on your head stuff at the same time as your body works?

5:2 - would it work for you?

Another week, another bit closer. But being an impatient couple, its not close enough, but progress has been made. Plasterboard is up everywhere, walls painted, skirting boards on, electrical fittings in place and flooring going down next week. The window schedule has slipped due to the snow - sloping roofs, scaffolding and ice - not a good combination! Meanwhile - what about this 5:2 diet? How about 2 (non - consecutive) days of fasting and 5 of eating normally? There are many reports that this works well for weight loss and for maintenance. Woman get to eat 500 calories on fasting days and men 600. Said to let the body rest from food processing, drop pounds and lower cholesterol. Some say to eat what you like on non fasting days - but sense would dictate that its best not to go mad! It appeals because even if you are hungry - you can comfort yourself with it being only one day and many feel energized by this. I'm reading more about it and will let you know what I find out. (I down loaded a book onto my iPad - how clever am I?!)Also discovering some great calories counted recipes for the fasting days. Let me know if you would like to be added to our mailing list - just use the 'contact us' button.

Gym update

well, the opening of the gym creeps ever closer! Last week there was a great deal of activity - plumbers, plasterers, chippies and a gang of painters! Just the flooring and the windows and more red tape - but fingers crossed, if the snow holds off - by the end of the week we should have a date for opening. Lots of planning going on with us - prices and programmes and staff to help, its all happening. We are going to include family time and teen time because we think its really important that there is something for everyone. We will also make very sure that no one feels intimidated or apprehensive - its not all about thin, lycra clad bodies, its about real people with flabby bits! So - once the official sign off is done - just look out for the banner, flyers and face book posts - we have a list of people waiting to join - if you would like to add your name please contact us - we will have limited places - don't miss your chance!

New years resolution?

New Year soon, lots of resolutions to make? How about making 2013 the year that you get fit? Here at Forefront Fitness we have lots of plans for the year ahead – and they are all made with YOU in mind. Our gym will be opening in Bluntisham in January – above Budgens in the village. Ideally situated so that you can ‘pop’ to the gym for a quick workout and home for shower and breakfast before work. Or maybe you would prefer to get the children off to school and call in then? No journey time involved – (we are going to be able to walk to work!) The gym is going to be equipped with all you need to get a really good work out at a level and pace to suit you. We will have 2 treadmills, 2 bikes, 2 cross trainers and a rower. There are two free weights areas (with a great range of dumbbells and barbells) and plenty of space for Swiss Ball, BOSU work and resistance bands. There will be a cable machine and a TRX (if you have never used one of these you are in for a treat!) So, big enough to meet the needs of the village but small enough to be friendly. There will always be a qualified exercise instructor on duty to support and advise. We are planning ‘Teen time’ and special sessions for new Mums and by special request, something for the older movers and shakers. But tell us what you want and we will see if it can be done. There will be joining offers and Personal Training packages to encourage us all to shift a few pounds and tone up generally. Keep watching this space for more details.