advice and tips please

[mycats]

I need to lose a bit off weight (not too much) and tone up.
Anyone got any good ideas/tips to help please?
Best foods/recipies,
exercises (what kind? how often?)
what not to do etc

(I think I might have posted this before ages ago, but cant find it lol)

[Ethel]

My only tips are:

any exercise is better than none, so find exercises you enjoy as you will persevere with them.
20 minutes every day is better than 3 hours once a week - even dancing vigorously around your lounge is exercise.

Decide which food you cannot live without. And work your diet around it. If its curry - half a portion without the extras, instead of a huge plateful with everything, for example.

Denying yourself your favourite foods altogether will not last. Be sensible - smaller portions, grilled not fried, boiled not roast.

Never eat anything you do not like. Ever.

Good luck!

[shaneystar2]

Hiya cat... long time no see...I have lost three stone ...low fat is the key word here.
I had to do it because of a thyroid and cholesterol problem but it's easy.Sling all those cakes,biscuits,chocs,crisps etc out and eat sensibly..plenty of veg,fruit,brown bread,salads .Read labels on stuff for the fat content .Brisk walk every day ..luckily I am forced, with Shaney to do this three times a day. Swimming is great a couple of times a week. It's the fat that makes you fat !! If you feel hungry eat a banana or go and clean your teeth or drink a large glass of water.Do not give in. You can do it ! xx

[mycats]

Thanks for the replies folks

Helloooo Shaney, 3 stone?? wow well done you!!

[chicklin]

I found running is the best thing for all round toning up. Its more interesting than being in the gym looking at the same four walls. You can start on a beginners programme and if you keep it up you will be running about 3 miles by the end of 8 weeks.

[minimonkey]

where do you find beginners running programmes? i want to start but have no idea how to pace myself

[shellielm]

I recently lost a stone and a half by using herbalife products on a website a friend recommended. That might be more than you're looking to lose but I went all out on it.

The website if you're interested is below, the guy was really helpful.

www.herbal-nutrition.net/kenkorp

[maggie01]

I have also lost 3stone since March and have followed Weight Watchers which is basically following a low fat diet. My downfall in the past was not drinking enough water. Now I drink 2litres of water a day and it really helps. I still eat a small bar of chocolate or popcorn etc but only as a treat at weekends. It is the saturated fats that you have to watch. Good luck, it is not too dificult once you get past the first couple of weeks.

[mycats]

Thanks Maggie, its going ok so far (only been a few days though lol) I've been eating loads of fruit, veg, skinless chicken breast and fish but I will start to drink more water.