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.

Think good fruit only comes out in summer? Think again! Winter isn’t all about oranges and lemons- there are plenty of delicious winter fruits that add some variety to your diet plan, as well as giving you all the vitamins and antioxidants you need to stay strong and healthy. Here are 10 of the best fruits to fill up on this winter…

You don’t have to actually compete in a triathlon- but following the swim, bike, run routine in your own workouts is a great way to exercise all your muscles and improve your fitness, working towards getting the trim, toned body you want. There’s a reason why the combination of those three exercises has been used as the ‘Ironman’ routine, so if you’re looking for a way to vary your fitness plan and get great results fast, taking a few cues from triathlon training could be just the thing…

Most non-vegetarians shudder at the word soy. Somehow, a popular conception has been established that soy products, especially tofu, are bland, boring and tasteless. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth- soy comes in many delicious forms that can add great variety (and great taste!) to your meals. What’s more, soy is excellent for your health and can even help support your weight loss goals. Unlike most other good protein sources, soy is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, so you get all the benefit without the extra calories. Here’s why you should learn to love soy…