Hydration

Why it’s important to drink ple​nty of fluids during a heat wave.

This weather we`re having at the moment is great, you are getting out the office for lunch, you only have to look out of our window at Basing view to see people enjoying the sun. if you take a walk over the bridge you can see Eastrop park is full of people chilling out and catching some rays.

So why is water so important to us?

We need water to survive, did you realise that you could go for days and maybe weeks without food but in some cases you could maybe last as little as 1 day with out water. Our body weight consists of between 50%-70%, this water helps with absorption excretion, circulation, carry’s nutrients throughout the body and aids digestion, these are just a few reasons why you need to keep hydrated.

The body its self does not store water so a daily intake necessary of 6-8 pints a day, this may sound a lot but your food also contains water, anything between 10%-98% so you can take this into account.

Water is essential for-

·      Transporting oxygen from the blood to cells.

·      Stabilises body temp (important in this weather).

·      Lubricates joints and organs.

·      Helps the kidney for function normally.

·      Removes waste products.

 Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when water loss is not adequately replaced, and in this heatwave we are sweating more doing just seating down at the desk let alone going for a workout

Here are some tips to prevent yourself getting dehydrated-

·      Do not rely on feeling thirsty.

·      Avoid starting the day dehydrated.

·      Sip fluids thought out the day.

·       If your exercising replace lost fluids immediately.

·      Avoid over dressing.

·      Drink more water.

·      Cut down on tea, coffee and alcohol (difficult as the world cups on)

There is a way to find out if you are dehydrated and you don’t need and special equipment, just your eyes,

​it’s a PEE CHART. https://www.lucozadesport.com/training/hydration/hydration-chart/

So Enjoy the sun and stay hydrated.

10 Rules For Fat Loss

The following 10 rules are the starting point for an effective weight loss programme:

Drink at least 2 litres of fluids daily – water, zero-calorie flavoured water, herbal or fruit teas.

Fill up your stomach with large amounts of dark green, leafy, or root vegetables first, such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, green beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, peas, bell peppers, courgettes, aubergines, watercress, onions, carrots, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.

Minimise the consumption of refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, and pasta.

Instead, include beans, lentils, quinoa, and whole-grains (brown rice, millet, rye, oat, whole-wheat).

Each day, eat at least 2 servings of fresh fruit such as apples, berries, pears, or citrus fruit.
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Avoid sugary drinks, orange juice, natural or concentrated fruit juices and adding sugar to drinks.

Avoid sugar, sweets, cakes, biscuits, desserts, and pastries.

Avoid fried, burnt or browned food, hydrogenated fat, and excess animal fat.

Minimise the consumption of processed meats (sausages, ham, deli meats, and smoked meats) and party foods with chemical additives or artificial colours and flavours.

Limit alcohol intake to one alcoholic drink a week.

I hope these simple rules are of some use.

Gary

Men’s Belly Fat

If you're carrying a few extra pounds, you're not alone. But this is one case where following the crowd isn't a good idea. Carrying extra weight — especially belly fat — can be risky.

Michael D. Jensen, M.D., an endocrinology specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., answers common questions about belly fat in men.
The trouble with belly fat is that it's not limited to the extra layer of padding located just below the skin (subcutaneous fat). It also includes visceral fat — which lies deep inside your abdomen, surrounding your internal organs.
Regardless of your overall weight, having a large amount of belly fat increases your risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Colorectal cancer

• Sleep apnea

Your weight is largely determined by how you balance the calories you eat with the energy you burn. If you eat too much and exercise too little, you're likely to pack on excess pounds — including belly fat.

However, aging plays a role. As you age, you lose muscle — especially if you're not physically active. Loss of muscle mass decreases the rate at which your body uses calories, which can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight. In addition, in some men fat cells in the arms and legs lose the ability to store fat, which causes any excess fat to go to the abdomen.

Your genes also can affect your chances of being overweight or obese, as well as play a role in where you store fat.
Drinking excess alcohol can cause you to gain belly fat — the "beer belly." However, beer alone isn't to blame. Drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase belly fat, although some research suggests wine might be an exception.

If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The less you drink, the fewer calories you'll consume and the less likely you'll be to gain belly fat.
So how do you know if you have too much belly fat? Simply measure your waist:

• Stand and place a tape measure around your bare stomach, just above your hipbone. If your belly droops, lie down to take the measurement.

• Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly around you, but doesn't push into your skin.

• Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around.

• Relax, exhale and measure your waist, resisting the urge to suck in your stomach.

For men, a waist measurement of more than 40 inches (102 centimetres) indicates an unhealthy concentration of belly fat and a greater risk of health problems.

You can tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other targeted abdominal exercises, but just doing these exercises won't get rid of belly fat. However, visceral fat does respond to the same diet and exercise strategies that can help you shed excess pounds and lower your total body fat.

To battle the bulge:

• Eat a healthy diet. Emphasize plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy products. Limit saturated fat, found in meat and high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and butter. Choose moderate amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — found in fish, nuts and certain vegetable oils — instead.

• Keep portion sizes in check. Even when you're making healthy choices, calories add up. At home, slim down your portion sizes. In restaurants, share meals — or eat half your meal and take the rest home for another day.

• Include physical activity in your daily routine. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. In addition, strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise more.

To lose excess fat and keep it from coming back, aim for slow and steady weight loss — up to 2 pounds (1 kilogram) a week. Consult your doctor for help getting started and staying on track.
Remember, you can lose belly fat — it just takes effort and patience. In fact, shedding even a few extra pounds can help you feel better and lower your risk of health problems.