When you’re tired all the time, it can be hard to stick to your exercise plan- not to mention get anything done and actually enjoy yourself. But reaching for your tenth cup of coffee or energy drink for the day is just a short-term fix that could be setting you up for more health problems further down the track.

Here are some strategies for getting more energy- without caffeine..

You don’t have to be a Master Chef to cook healthy foods. By using some basic healthy cooking techniques, you can reduce the amount of fat and oil going in to your food, and therefore reduce the impact on your diet. Each tablespoon of oil you use when frying adds more than 100 calories, and around 14 grams of fat, to your meal. Although some of this fat is the good kind, it’s important not to overdo it. By switching to some healthier cooking methods, you can eliminate some of this extra fat, making it better for your diet and your overall health.

And it doesn’t mean losing all the flavour, either! You can still retain all the taste and nutrients in your food without adding excessive amounts of fat or salt. If you use some of these methods more often, you can make a huge difference to your weight loss plans, as well as discovering some delicious new ways to enjoy your food.

Here are some healthy alternatives to frying with oil…

It’s natural to let your weight loss plans slip a little in the wintertime. When the temperature drops, it’s all too tempting to stay snuggled up on the couch rather than going out for a fun, and to ditch our healthy salads for more hearty comfort foods. But spring is coming soon, and you’ll want to be in your best shape so you can get out and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t let the cold and gloom stop you from achieving your goals- if you’ve fallen into a bit of a winter weight loss slump, it’s time to reassess your plans and get motivated again. Here are some tips to help you get back on track in the cold…

From dancers to footballers, it seems like everyone is using pilates to support their fitness programs. And for good reason-  pilates is a great way to tone and condition your body all over, helping you look and feel longer, stronger and leaner. If you’re trying to lose weight, it can be useful to incorporate a few classes of pilates into your weekly fitness routine, combining it with cardio activities for the best results.

The basic principle of pilates is focusing on your core strength. By building up your core, you enhance all the little muscles in the body so that you are better able to support the larger ligaments, tendons and joints, as well as improving your posture and alignment. When your core is weak, your body compensates by taking strength from other muscles, which can lead to instability and injury.

Every little bit of exercise adds up when you’re trying to lose weight. And the good news is, it’s easier than you think to burn 100 calories. Try sprinkling a few of these activities into your daily routine and you’ll give your fitness regime that extra kick!

Burning an extra 100 calories a day adds up to 2,800 a month- not bad for only an extra 5-15 minutes each day. If you can manage to fit in five a day for two weeks, you could lose an extra kilo.

Here are some quick, easy ways to burn 100 calories...