FAT = BAD Most people havehave one box when it comes to fat and everything containing fat goes into it.

But are there really ‘good fats’ too? If so, what’s the difference?

 Bad fats as you probably already know, consist of foods such as takeaways, crisps, biscuits, etc. Mainly they are the processed foods, and most people know that eating them will be detrimental to their weight loss goals.

‘Good fats’ are the ones the tend to cause the confusion.

I will use ‘nuts’ as an example. If you look at the nutritional information on a packet of nuts, the fat content can be anything from 50-65% . That’s double the fat content of so called fattening foods such as chocolate (typically around 30% fat) so why do some people say they are healthy?

Take 100 grams of nuts, and say 60 grams of that are fat. The key is in breaking the fat down into its different forms. Of that 60 grams of fat, 8 grams will be bad fat, whereas 52 grams will be good fat. Good fat is essential for the body to operate effectively and will therefore have a positive effect on increasing your metabolism and therefore increasing your weight loss results. However chocolate, although may only have 30 grams of fat, 26/27 grams of that will be bad fat, leaving only 3/4 grams of good fat for the body.

What does all this mean practically?

When you look at the ‘fat’ content of foods, look more closely. The food labels will tell you the total fat, then the ‘saturated’ fat and the ‘unsaturated’ fat. Saturated fat is the bad fat, and should be kept to a minimum. Unsaturated fat, sometimes is broken down into ‘poly-unsaturated fat’ ‘mono-unsaturated fat’ is the good fat that will aid your body’s metabolism.

Today’s Takeaway - Don’t be scared… Read more->

Low Fat would seem to be a healthier option?  Is it always like that?

Low fat brands want you to believe that, but unfortunately it’s not always the case.

When buying a product,  not only do you need to check the ‘fat content’ of the product is low, but you also need to check the ‘sugar content’ and the ‘salt content.’ If the product is low in fat, the sugar and salt content is often high to make up for it.   

Unfortunately sugar and salt are just as bad for your health, and ultimately as fattening as a product high in fact.

So you really need to check all 3 of these things in order to determine the true low fat value of a product.

Low fat products themselves are not bad, in fact there are some really good ones out there. But there are some real stinkers out there, which often lead people into thinking they are choosing the healthy option when they aren’t. 

Today’s Takeaway -  With ‘low fat’ foods, if it seems to good to be true then it probably is. Make sure you check the fat, sugar and salt content before buying.

You are looking for a way to help motivate you to exercise. Good idea to find a training partner  to help motivate you?

Ask yourself the following questions;

A/ Is your prospective training partner serious about getting fit?
If your prospective training partner is serious and committed to getting fit you can help each-other achieve your goals. However if you don’t think your friend will take it seriously, and won’t stick to the training times you agree, then they are no good to you. They will just hold you back.

B/Is your prospective training partner of a similar fitness level to you?
 If two people have a similar level it will always work better and last longer. This is because you will both get a good workout and be able to push each-other to improve. But if one of you is fitter than the other it will cause the fitter person to work at a lower intensity or the less fit person to over-train. This won’t last.

Are the answers to the above questions yes? If they are then why not give it a go?

If you have a commitment to someone else to do the exercise you are more likely to do it than if the only person you are letting down is yourself. It’s much more likely to go for that run if you have someone to go with than if you are going alone.

Today’s Takeaway – A Training Partner may be exactly what you are looking for. If you want to give it a try take action and ask someone. Don’t just let it be something you think about trying but never actually do it.

Do you find sticking with your healthy regime and making exercise a habit is too much hard work?
How long will it take to get easier?
Rest assure, whether its doing the exercise or eating the right foods that you are finding difficult, it WILL get easier and exercise will become a habit. 

As humans we are habitual animals. The reasons you do things the way you do currently is because it has become a habit for you.

There is no way  anyone will ever convince me people don’t have the time to drink enough water during the day. It’s simply because they are used to not drinking it. Its not a habit for them.

If someone has spent 30 years drinking coffee all day and very little water, it is impossible to expect them to swap one for the other without any bother.  It is necessary to teach your mind and body that water will be your main liquid intake during the day not coffee.

This example works in all other areas. It’s all about breaking habits and building new ones. For example, choosing a piece of fruit rather than a packet of crisps. Eating breakfast when you never have before. Everyone has their own weakness or area of difficulty.

But don’t worry, because studies have shown that it takes an average of nine months to retrain your mind and body and change your habits. So it will start to get easier.

Today’s Takeaway – Stick with it and don’t give up too soon. If you put the effort in, your habits will change, it will get easier and you will succeed.