Jane Fonda to host first ever World Fitness Day
25/03/2010 at 07:34pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Jane Fonda is to host the first-ever World Fitness Day in a bid to promote the importance of exercise.
The 72-year-old actress - whose workout videos were a huge hit in the 70s - wants to promote the event in Atlanta's Georgia Dome on May 1 as it stresses the importance of keeping fit.
She said: "I want to show the fun and value of exercise. It can be a determining factor in the quality of your life and it's never too late to start."
Jane says the event is for people of all ages and potential participants shouldn't be put off by past injuries.
She said: "I am interested in bringing boomers and seniors like me into the exercise world because I know it will enhance their lives."
More than 3,000 participants will have the opportunity to sign-up for work-out sessions which range from aerobics with Brillo Pad haired Richard Simmons to tae-bo with creator Billy Blanks, while the event will also be available live online via ustream.tv.
As well as regular exercise, last year Jane revealed one of the reasons she still looks good is because of her sex life.
She laughed: "I physically don't feel so good since I'm in pain. But I'm happier, the sex is better and I understand life better. I don't want to be young again.
"How do I still look good? I owe 30 per cent to my genes, 30 per cent good sex, 30 per cent are because of sports and healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and for the remaining ten per cent I've to thank my plastic surgeon."
So, does seaweed really 'hold the key' to fighting obesity? Probably not.
22/03/2010 at 09:36pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Researchers: Seaweed Holds Key to Fighting Obesity
Does it though, really?
This no-doubt welcome headline, following on from hundreds of other ‘X food/X product holds key to fighting obesity’ statements I’ve read in the press, certainly grabbed my attention.
Seaweed could be the answer to the obesity epidemic, according to researchers; the article I read on Fox News was quick to tell us.
Apparently, seaweed reduces the body's fat retention by more than 75 percent. And here’s the kicker – ‘potentially’.
Now, here comes the science bit – you know, the bit that is designed to befuddle us, whilst simultaneously validating the need for said (no-doubt Government funded) research. The researchers tell us, through nearly 200 news articles online, that a fibrous material in sea kelp called alginate was better at preventing fat absorption than most over-the-counter slimming treatments, which keen readers will remember I’m not a real fan of.
I’m sure by now you’ve realised that I’ve genuinely lost all interest in the research, because all it is doing is confirming the need for overcomplicated methods of weight loss, which only give people trying to lose weight another distraction from the issue at hand – that small issue of moving more and eating less.
If you don’t believe me that this is a load of crap, check this out for an apparently educated comment, from the team leader, Dr. Iain Brownlee.
"This [research] suggests that if we can add the natural fibre [of the seaweed] to products commonly eaten daily — such as bread, biscuits and yogurts — up to three quarters of the fat contained in that meal could simply pass through the body.”
Hmm. So, three quarters of all fat in any meal eaten daily, you say, in your attempt to gain headline news necessary to satisfy your financial backers and keep the university name in the press?
You’ll hear this in offices across the country from tomorrow:
“Why are you eating seaweed on toast?”
“Ahh, well, researchers from Newcastle University found that it holds the key to fighting obesity. Apparently, I can eat anything I want, and as long as I eat seaweed with it, three quarters of the fat from that meal will effectively pass through, unabsorbed.”
“Really? Wow, I’d better try that. And you’re sure this works? Even with McDonalds? Because I’m dying for a Big Mac meal, I know I shouldn’t…”
“Yep, even McDonalds!”
Slap.
That’s the sound of my head on my hand, as I realise that all articles like this do are move the point of emphasis from the healthy to the idiosyncratic. Of course, seaweed would no doubt help as part of a balanced, healthy diet and lifestyle. But, does it hold the ‘key’ to obesity? No. It does not.
Dr Brownlee concludes with this sign-off,
"There are countless claims about miracle cures for weight loss but only a few cases offer any sound scientific evidence to back up these claims. These initial findings suggest alginates could offer a very real solution in the battle against obesity.”
So, this solution, out of all the funded research into obesity (research that has also produced other solutions in the ‘battle’ against obesity), remembering that the article was entitled ‘Researchers: Seaweed Holds Key to Fighting Obesity’, is better than the other miracle cures. Which are mere claims, you understand. Now, I'd be happy to be proved wrong with this, but even if I am, the fact remains, the media coverage of the research focuses on extremes, and that in reality, is all readers will take away from it.
So, let’s rejoice, and all eat seaweed cake, washed down with doughnuts and full fat coke for every meal, safe in the knowledge we’ll only absorb a mere 25% of the fat, shall we?
Next week: How eating your TV, rather than watching it, could prevent you from a life of obesity.
Eat up.
The truth is: sometimes even trainers don’t want to keep fit
19/03/2010 at 08:20pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
I’m going to let you in on a little secret, and it’s one I’m perhaps oddly, yet particularly ashamed of.
The truth is, I haven’t stepped foot in a gym for more than a month now, and haven’t exercised for somewhere near as long.
This very blog – previously updated once, twice and even sometimes up to three times a day has similarly suffered, and as a result, my Twittering, something I particularly enjoy due to the fantastic people I have encountered through it, has also dropped off.
In short, I burnt out.
This blog post already has the hallmarks of one of the most narcissistic entries I’ve written, and for that I apologise, yet I hope in some way, it is the spark I need to redress this imbalance, and potentially even show you, as the reader, that nobody is infallible.
What some readers may not be aware of is that I am a PR professional as well as the founder of this company and website – one of the reasons I’ve been able to gain some fantastic media mentions for the business and I, as a weight loss expert and personal trainer – and Fat Free Fitness is something I only have time to do outside of my day job.
About a month ago, I launched a fantastic new company for one of the UK’s most inspiring young entrepreneurs. The launch meant a huge amount of time was spent with what felt like more national journalists than have written about Britney Spears combined, and due to the fact that I live in not-so-sunny Gloucester, in the South West, I spent literally dozens of hours simply travelling during the launch week alone, with days typically starting before 5am and ending at 10pm onwards.
The launch was fantastic, and resulted in some brilliant coverage for the client in many of the UK’s leading papers, broadcast slots and a massive amount of online attention.
I knew as soon as I agreed to the launch that I was unlikely to be able to train for the week and knew that blogging would be a difficulty, yet was something I told myself would only be a temporary measure.
However, by then, my routine was broken. And not just with regards to exercise, either – everything seemed to drop off.
Once I had the week off, subconsciously, I crashed. Training four times a week, working in a newly promoted role at the PR agency under pressure to deliver results, blogging, attempting to market Fat Free Fitness as a business and the small issue of doing all this whilst trying to be a son, brother, father, partner and friend all of a sudden became way too much, and I am ashamed to admit, as a trainer and supposed motivator, I allowed it to happen.
Just one month ago, I had little inclination to believe people that claimed they couldn’t exercise due to time constraints. Yet now, I can understand. If that is the silver lining from my this, I will have learnt a valuable lesson. Especially in this field, compassion and empathy can take you a long way, but is something I’ve traditionally particularly struggled with, having always exercised and led a healthy lifestyle.
My diet, luckily, did not suffer as much as it could have (there was takeaway food involved, though…!), yet I fully expect my return to exercise to take a while to get used to.
It is odd how something that started out as a hobby, and then became a passion, can all of a sudden lose every inch of its appeal, and because you’ve allowed that something to define you entirely, it can make you feel very low indeed. I think this is especially true of people who’ve perhaps been at the top of their game in relation to sport, or their chosen profession, yet then have to retire. I also think that exercising with no goal other than to keep exercising is a poor target indeed, and I may need to rethink the reasons I do so – perhaps I’ll look into a longer term event or endurance feat as motivation.
The last thing I wanted this post to be was a ‘woe-be-me’ monologue of sorry statements intended to provoke a reaction, as many would no doubt rightly suggest that there are hundreds of things worse than time away from exercise and fitness. I cannot argue with this sentiment, which is perhaps one of the reasons I allowed myself to become so entangled in a lifestyle that promoted balance, but lacked it; for I did and do find it difficult to time-manage for the fact that I have always typically disagreed with excuses.
I hope to now wean myself back into the game, and fully expect to find the first few weeks difficult again to get used to (according to professionals much smarter than I, habits are formed within three weeks, so I’m no doubt psychologically used to this lack of exercise and my newfound askew life balance).
As a reader, if you’re still there, that is (!), I hope you take from this the following:
1. Blogging will recommence, yet perhaps at a less frequent rate than 6 weeks ago and,
2. This is the first and last time I’ll allow something so fragrantly self-absorbed to grace the pages of this site!
So, here’s to the journey back. Good luck with your fitness and healthy lifestyle.
Why Octo-mom lost 145lbs!
05/03/2010 at 07:56pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Octo-mom Nadya Suleman lost 145 lbs after giving birth to her octuplets, but her motivation didn't come from health concerns nor wanting to be fit enough to play with her children - it was all for the cash, according to a recent interview.
"The main reason was obviously revenue and I'm the first to admit it," said Octo-Mom. "I'm very, very open and honest about that."
She claimed it's because she needs to figure out how to support her children.
"Every single hour of the day, I contemplate how I am going to do this, to be able to support them," she said.
"It is a Catch-22. If I go back to school … I couldn't possibly earn enough money to take care of them … So the only other option is to delve into other opportunities … you know, doing interviews … to make the money."
So, the question is: did she do it healthily, or did she have medical help, in the same way she did to become pregnant with her eight little ones?
Octo-mom pre-birth of her octuplets
Five ways to make exercising without a gym work for you
01/03/2010 at 07:45pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
The fantastic team at Kettler have helped put together this list of five easy ways to get active without joining a gym or fitness club. Any to add? Feel free to leave your thoughts below!
Four million people in the UK are members of a gym, but a whopping nine out of ten stop going regularly after just six weeks. With average memberships adding up to around £400 a year, why not think outside the gym box for your fitness fix...
1. On your feet! Have a nice park, common or scenic paths near your doorstep? Then all you need is a good pair of running shoes. Running for just 30 minutes burns around 300 calories. Prefer walking? Walking burns around 200 calories in the same time and means you can spend time with your children, a pet, your partner or simply clear your head and watch the waistline diminish. To figure out exactly how many calories you’re burning, try an online calorie calculator such as www.weightlossforgood.co.uk/calorie_calculator.htm.
2. Two wheels are good. It not only burns around 600 calories per hour, but it is also a fun way to get around and get to know your local area. Simple steps like ditching the car for short trips could make all the difference. Check Kettler (www.kettlerdirect.co.uk) for a range of bikes. Another handy website, www.sustrans.org.uk, offers information and advice on all aspects of cycling – including your local cycle paths.
3. Bring the gym to you. This is a good way to keep yourself motivated come rain or snow. New at-home fitness equipment, such as Kettler’s fold away rowing and running machines are now easy to put away, so there’s no need to commit a whole room to exercise equipment. A run or cycle whilst watching your favourite TV programme will hardly feel like a chore.
4. Get bouncing. These days, trampolines are not just for your kids but also great for some adult fun. Jumping around for just 20 minutes will burn around 400 calories – not bad for a bit of child’s play. If you don’t have a garden or enough space, you can also get small, one-person trampolines.
5. Go local. Local sport groups are a great way to not only get fit but also make friends along the way. Check your local council’s website and you might be surprised about the variety you find. 
Exercise trampolines, or 'rebounders' are a great way to get active
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Launched in 2009, fatfreefitness.co.uk is the UK's only weight loss specific personal training agency. Fat Free Fitness helps you stop dieting and counting calories, by teaching you how to improve your nutrition, increase your activity and exercise levels and lose weight. Fatfreefitness.co.uk is a great way to lose weight and save money. fatfreefitness provides you with expert diet, fitness, exercise, gym and personal training advice and support, similar to ivillage.co.uk, weightlossforall.com, thecolumn.org, weightlossforgood.co.uk, tescodiets.co.uk and weightlossresources.co.uk. Win diet, exercise and fitness products by entering fatfreefitness.co.uk competitions. Fatfreefitness.co.uk is not a weight loss support group like Weight Watchers weightwatchers.co.uk or Slimming World slimmingworld.com. Fat Free Fitness is updated regularly with new information. Fatfreefitness.co.uk and weight loss expert, personal trainer and fatfreefitness.co.uk founder Rich Leigh disagree with and discourage fat loss tablets, diet tablets and weight loss aid tablets, fad dieting and crash diets such as the Atkins diet, the Cambridge diet, the cabbage soup diet, the Beverley Hills diet, the baby food diet and all other carbohydrate and calorie restricting diets.
