There are plenty of reasons you might want to add running into your fitness plan. It gives you a great workout, improving your fitness and keeping your body strong, as well as giving your mind a chance to relax. And anyone can do it- even if it seems hard at first! The key is pushing through the first few uncomfortable times- as you gradually build up your strength and endurance, you’ll get into a comfortable rhythm that is really rewarding.

Losing weight can be a hard process, and it might feel lonely at times. Having a support network of people who can share your goals, thoughts, feelings, challenges, frustrations and triumphs is a great way to stay motivated throughout your weight loss journey. When you have people to support you when you need it, you are much more likely to stay on track and feel more positive along the way to reaching your goal.

A weight loss forum gives you access to a whole wealth of information and people you can talk to who are sharing the same experiences as you. Here’s why you should join up and start chatting…

You’ve been sticking to your diet and working hard, and the weight is steadily slipping off. But now there’s a special event coming up that you’d really like to look your best at. It’s probably tempting to try a fad diet, like the lemon detox diet to lose the last few kilos quickly, but before you go filling up your fridge with nothing but lemons, think carefully.

Instead of those quick-fix diets, which are not sustainable for long-term weight loss, and are likely to make you feel sluggish, weak and irritable, try these tips. By making a few last-minute changes to your lifestyle in the two to four weeks leading up to your special event, you can lose an extra one to three kilos, giving you that extra confidence boost.

Here’s how you can get rid of bloating and rev up your metabolism so you look and feel your best…

Being in a happy, loving relationship sometimes comes with an unfortunate side effect- gaining weight. Quite often, it makes us develop habits that, over time, can have a negative effect on our diet and weight loss plans. It’s hard to get up early to work out when you can snuggle in bed with your loved one. And it’s tempting to indulge in delicious brunches out in the morning instead of eating your regular fruit and oatmeal at home.  

But changing some of your habits doesn’t have to mean sapping all the romance out of your life. By supporting each other’s goals, you can find ways to eat healthily and exercise together, at the same time as bonding and enjoying each other’s company. Here are some of the most common ways your relationship can impact your diet- and how you can make it impact it positively.

Are you always starting a new weight loss plan, only to fall off the wagon after a few weeks? It happens to most of us. But yo-yo dieting doesn’t have to be your fate. There are some strategies you can use to make sticking to your diet easier. With a bit of planning and lots of positive thinking, you can start to reprogram your attitude to weight loss and be better prepared to stay on track with your plans. Here are six ways to stick to your diet…

Want slim hips and a flat, toned stomach? Add this routine into your fitness plan. This simple workout helps to tone your whole body and get your belly and waist looking their best, so you’ll be able to fit back into your favourite jeans in no time! Do these three moves in a circuit three days a week, with a rest day in between each workout. You’ll soon be feeling leaner, slimmer and more toned, and one step closer to reaching your weight loss goals.

You’ll need a set of hand-weights to do these exercises- 1 to 2 kilograms is a good guideline, but choose a weight that you’re comfortable with. Do one set of each exercise in succession, resting 30 seconds in between each move. After you’ve done one set of each move, rest for another 30 seconds and repeat the circuit two or three times.