Healthier lifestyle... Younger looking you!

They say a picture paints a thousand words and this article from Yahoo aims to do exactly that by showing how someone could look in 10 years time depending on their lifestyle choices. Barring the added tan (which surely promotes tanning!), i'd say it looks spot on... Beats plastic surgery any day!

Click here for the article and see for yourself...

Summer treats WITHOUT the calories...

Summer's here, the sun is shining (well some of the time!) and with it comes plenty of socialising... Problem is, this often means plenty of calories too!

So here are a few ideas to help keep those calories at bay:

* Fruit Juice Spritzers.... a great alternative to white wine spritzers, saving approx 120 calories per glass! Also great if you don't drink, or don't want to, and fancy something a little more tasty than water to quench your thirst. Simply mix- or ask for if dining/drinking out- 1/2 a tall glass of fruit juice (of own choice) with 1/2 a glass diet lemonade/soda and waa-laa... your very own low calorie spritzer to keep you refreshed all summer long!

*Fruit Skewers.... A fantastic snack or dessert idea, fruit skewers are refreshing, tasty AND highly nutritious. All you need is a pack of wooden kebab sticks (or cocktail sticks if making mini versions) as well as a selection of fruit of your choice. Fruits such as melon, strawberries, grapes and pineapple are ideal as they don't dry out or brown as quickly as e.g apples and bananas. Now slice and dice your fruit onto plates or into containers, grab a stick and slide on whichever fruit pieces you fancy. You can then have them as snacks throughout the day (perfect for hot sunny days) or serve them as a dessert... you could even add a small amount of ice-cream if wanting a bit of a treat! Scrumptious.

*Solero Smoothies... Ok let's face it, we can have the healthiest of intentions all we like but sometimes we just neeeed ice-cream (it is summer after all)! So why not choose one that tastes delicious but isn't actually that naughty at all. Solero Smoothies contain just 99 calories and 2.2g fat, and taste just like ice cream (without all the extra calories!). You can choose from Strawberry and Banana or Blackberry and Banana... a tasty summer treat without the guilty feeling!

Run for fitness.... Race for Life!

Sunday 3rd July, Preston Under Cover Market, 10am

Want to get in shape AND raise money for a good cause? Then Race for Life is just for you! It's only 5k which may sound far but really isn't bad at all. In fact, you'll be crossing the finish line before you even know it.

It costs just £14.99 to enter and is a great day out with the added sense of achievement for actually making it round (whether running the whole route or even walking parts).

See www.raceforlife.org for full details or to register. Why not get a group of you together (friends, family, colleges) and make a day of it. It's a great way to get fit, maybe even lose a few lbs, whilst raising money for Cancer Research. Go on, there's too many reasons not too!

Happy New You!

It's the first day of 2011 and it's that time once again- time to embark on a fantastic healthy (though often unrealistic) lifestyle which will see the weight drop off in no time and leave us feeling just fabulous!? A few weeks in, however, and it's all too easy to lose interest and -heaven forbid- return to our old ways!

If you're fed up of making resolutions that don't last then why not break the cycle once and for all. Instead of making 'New Years Resolutions' simply make gradual and effective lifestyle changes which will last all year instead.

You could start an exercise class or take up a sport (or, wait for it, even join a gym!)... but the trick is not to over do it (e.g i'll go every day!) and to find something you enjoy. A good tip is to always have a clear goal in sight. For example, it may be cold and dreary at the moment but in just a few months it'll be holiday time once again :-).... always a fantastic way to keep motivated (just think bikinis!).

Your first mini goal could be to lose 7lbs in 4 weeks or to run 3k, then once you have achieved this, simply set a new goal e.g lose next 7lbs in next 6 weeks and/or to run 5k by Spring. Once you make it to this stage (go on, you can do it) you'll be feeling much healthier and in shape, and hopefully even enjoying what you're doing (or at least not seeing it as torture!) which will push you to achieve your next goal. This 'bit by bit' approach means you're much less likely to give up and more likely to keep it going all year through. So when that holiday does finally come along, at least this year you'll be ready for it!

Feel fab loves...

Sex Symbol Aerotan

So here it is...Winter. And with it; pale, washed-out looking skin. The partying may almost be over, but it still feels nice to have a bit of colour during these cold, dark months. Sex symbol Aerotan is an instant spray tan which gives a shimmery golden glow but most of all, it doesn't streak and washes off your hands in an instant too. It's perfect for a 'quick tan fix', whether for a night out or just to go shopping. And if you're not a fan of sunbeds or 'faffy' fake tans, then it's fantastic for taking on holiday too.

It's only available in specialist salons or on-line though; why not pop 'Sex symbol Aerotan' into a search engine and see what offers are around (usually £15 per bottle but often cheaper if you buy a few).

So even if you feel tired and washed out after all the festivities, at least you won't look it! Bronzed goddesses eat your heart out.