When it comes to losing weight there are only two things which will achieve this, eating less (cutting calories) and exercising, fad diets etc., weight loss drugs and other ‘health’ things won’t ever really help you successfully lose weight and keep it off.

Cutting your daily intake of calories is quite an easy way to get you started on weight loss, by cutting as little as 100 calories a day you will find that it will have an effect on your weight loss. In fact you could save around 36,500 calories a year and this could help you lose up to ten pounds. That’s before you even think about exercising.

It’s a lot easier to cut 100 calories a day than you may think, swapping simple things or cutting down or other things is the place to start:

Cutting out spread/butter on your bread, go nude only add your jam to toast or sandwich filler instead.

Switch your milk from semi skimmed to skimmed and knock any fattening coffee to go drinks on the head and opt for a standard coffee or tea.

For part of your five-a-day go for fresh fruit rather than fruit juice, it may seem like an easier way to get your fruit but juices and Smoothies can have a lot of sugars in them which equates to calories.

Cut down on the olive oil, although the Mediterranean diet may be healthy, olive oil does contain quite a few calories, so try and restrict your intake for example cut it out of your salad dressings.

Say no to the alcohol and fizzy drinks, it can be quite hard to do without when you’re out but at home cutting down on fizzy drinks and alcohol, swapping them for water will help cut the cals!

Healthy tinned fish contain the Omega 3 oils which are good for your health, cut the cals with these by buying fish in spring water rather than sunflower oil and olive oil.

Steaming is best for your veg, although a stir-fry may seem like a healthy option the oil or butter people use to fry their veg in adds cals which is why steaming is better!

Cut out the fat by choosing lean cuts of meat, or cut off any visible bit and you should be able to reduce your calories which also goes for chicken skin too!

Part two

Scrub up well

How do you get the healthy glowing celebrity skin that you admire so much? Body scrubs are perfect for achieving this look, along with making your bod silky smooth to the touch. It’s very important to exfoliate your skin. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don’t get rid of them, they’ll just keep lying on your skin making you look dull. No matter how much lotion you use, you’re will never achieve glowing skin if you don’t exfoliate. Grab a body scrub and hit the shower! Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your entire body from the shoulders down, focusing on the legs. (You’ll want a facial exfoliator for your face and neck.) After this, rinse clean. Continue to do this 2-3 times a week for beautiful shiny skin.

Fake tan

Ok so here it is, you knew this one was coming, but if you’re a fake tan virgin fear not. Now technology is so advanced and the products so diverse (gradual self-tan moisturisers, wash-off, gels, sprays, lotions) that a fake tanning is virtually foolproof. But, just in case. We have included the top tips of how to apply fakebake successfully!

-Exfoliate properly- Exfoliating is important as a patchy tan is simply due to the skin flaking off at different intervals. Exfoliation gets rid of the dead skin cells and provides an even canvas for a tan to be applied to.
-Avoid waxing- If you’re waxing, do it the day before. Not only will it take off the tan if you do it afterwards,
-Pick your spot! – People always put fake tan on in the bathroom where the light is not particularly great.
-Take your time! –The key to perfect coverage is to give yourself enough time for the entire process including: moisturising, application and, crucially, drying time. This might be as long as an hour.
-Moisturise- Dry areas of the body, such as the knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, feet and hands, soak up more fake tan, making them darker. So apply a moisturiser to make sure your tan is as even as possible.
-Equip yourself- Only a beginners use bare hands to apply a tan. Always wear latex or vinyl gloves to protect my hands and to ensure that you get a streak-free finish.
-Work upwards-To avoid smudging the bits that you’ve already done, work from your feet upwards and do your arms last of all.
-Let it dry- Your tanning product will tell you how long you should leave it to dry. Mousses will generally dry quicker than creams or lotions.

TIP: If your tan is still tacky, use a hairdryer on a cool setting to gently blast your body and help it dry.

Spice up your life

They say, “You are what you eat!” so be a hottie in more ways than one by eating that natural fat burner, chillies. Chillies are really easy to incorporate in a meal, whether you blend them for a spicy chillie sauce or chop them up within a pasta dish!

Oils

From body oils to give you a hot glow to hydrating oils to leave your skin silk smooth, there are many oils out there available to buy which can help enhance your appearance… just get looking!  Feeling stressed? Why not try a healing balm? And for irritated skin, try adding a few drops of pure lavender, tea tree or myrrh to plain lotion, witch hazel or aloe vera gel to soothe everything from spots to sunburn. At this rate you’re going to be scrum-diddly-umpcious on that beach!

And finally…

Body envy affects us all even if you say it doesn’t (and even the celebs!) so resist the urge to keep comparing yourself to other women laid on the beach. Whether it’s your soft skin, gorgeous smile or your strong legs, be happy for the things you do have and try and forget about the other things that you’re maybe not so happy about. Always remember the important rule, as long as you feel beautiful, you look beautiful!

Part one

For most of us girl out there, the summer holidays and the sunshine is what we crave. Whether you chilling on the beaches, or shopping in the sun, it’s important to look your best. Here’s some tips and advice that we have put together to ensure you look as hot as you possibly can this summer!

Size wise

Firstly, the right suit for your shape is essential to looking killer on the beach. Which is easier said than done, right? Has anyone else had the awful experience of searching for that one swimsuit/ two piece that’s just right for you, but instead spent hours trailing around shops and trying on endless alternatives that all make you look disgusting?

The key is understanding what body shape you are and what type of bikini looks good on you.

For those who are small on top; you may not want to try the smaller Brazilian-type swim suits as they seem smaller on top,. You could also look for a top with underwire, padding, or a top with a demi-bra style. Avoid tops with too much fabric or tops that don’t fit properly and try to look for separates because then you can mix-and-match your top and bottom sizes. The perfect alternative for you is the ruffled tops or tops of the bandeau band style.

For those who are big on top, what you need is support! Underwire and halter tops are perfect for providing this whilst providing you with cleavage! Look for a one-piece with a structure bust, this style really compliments your body shape and helps balance out your body. Avoid strapless and bandeau tops and again, it is a good idea to buy separate top from bottom sets.

Those with short legs or short bodies look best in suits that are high cut on the thigh, this makes your legs look instantly longer! Vertical stripes and block colored bottoms paired with printed tops are perfect for attracting attention upwards and adding instant inches onto your height. Alternatively, a bloc swimming costume with a ‘plunge’ neckline can also achieve this look! It is very important for smaller people to avoid boy shorts and ‘frilly’ bikini bottoms.

Long body shapes look brilliant in horizontal strips or block bright colors- very ‘in’ right now! Boy shorts are beautiful bikini bottoms are just the thing for you! Although If you prefer wearing a costume rather than a bikini, go for one which has ‘cut-out’ areas as it will break up your body.

If this all seems like a bit too much, why not pass the stress onto a professional? Debenhams Personal Shoppers are the perfect people to search and bring you the best alternatives and are experts in matching up body shapes to swimsuits. They also stock a great range of sizes and best of all the service is free with no pressure to buy.

Get groomed

Great grooming is a sure way to look good and feel confident. A wide range of treatments are available and practical to achieve at home and a variety of methods mean there is something simple and easy out there to suit everyone. If you don’t fancy doing all the work yourself, or you have enough cash to splash-out and book an appointment at a beauticians where a wide range treatments are available ranging from eyebrow waxes to cellulite and stretch marks.

Grab a brew

Throughout the day, try to sip green tea as appose to the regular earl grey. Green tea helps rid your body of fluid and make you feel less bloated. If you can’t stand the bitter taste, you should try a blend made with citrus, which helps promote cleansing in the body and the removal of toxins. Green tea has many other long term benefits such as helping prevent conditions such as: cancer, arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, infections and immune problems.

Yoga

Even after just one class we can guarantee you on your way to a firmer stomach, not to mention relaxed body and mind. Along with classes before you go, why not see if there are any at your holiday destination. Otherwise learn a few simple moves so you can do some stretches before you hit the beach!

When it comes to losing weight there are many options, from simple diets to increased exercise as well as taking weight loss drug Xenical or major surgery like having a gastric band fitted. The latter two options do have side effects unfortunately in the news recently there has been a story about horrific complications from having a gastric band fitted.

Samantha Haworth, 25, had a gastric band fitted to lose weight but was left fighting for her life when the procedure caused her stomach to ‘explode’.  Weighing 28 stone at age 25 the young woman was putting her life at risk, so she took the decision to have the band fitted and for two years it seemed to be a success after she lost fourteen stone.  However after a rare complication where her band slipped and turned septic, Samantha was left in pain which at first she mistook for heartburn. She was rushed to hospital when her stomach ruptured and was minutes from death, surgeons faced a race against time to save the young lady and salvage what they could of her stomach. Samantha spent nearly a month in hospital and is still recovering at home now.

This incident does highlight some of the dangers involved in having major surgery to lose weight, however it must be mentioned that cases like this are rare.

Taking weight loss drugs can also have adverse effects on your health medications like Xenical have mild side effects as well as more serious ones:

Mild

-Headache.
-Oily spotting from the rectum.
-Abdominal pain or discomfort.
-Flatulence (wind), sometimes with discharge.
-Oily or fatty stools.
-Urgent or increased need to open the bowels.
-Diarrhoea.
-Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) in people with type 2 diabetes.
-Pain or discomfort in the rectum.
-Abdominal bloating in people with type 2 diabetes.
-Faecal incontinence.
-Tooth or gum disorders.
-Chest infections.
-Urinary tract infections.
-Fatigue.
-Irregular menstrual cycle.
-Anxiety.

Serious

-Rectal bleeding.
-Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
-Diverticulitis.
-Gallstones.
-Raised liver enzymes.
-Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
-Kidney stones in people with chronic kidney disease.
-Skin blistering.

If you find it hard to motivate yourself to go to the gym and exercise then we may have a solution for you, we have a few more fitness games that will make you want to get up and dance, to lose those extra few pounds.

Zumba Fitness

Zumba Fitness is the hot dancercise craze of the moment, with classes available all over the country where you can shed the pounds with fast paced, Latin based moves that are designed to help you shift those pounds as well as tone up your core muscles. I you don’t fancy going to the classes then the Zumba Fitness game which is available on the Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 3 will be right up your street with easy to follow moves and great music, no wonder it’s the fastest selling dance based fitness game.

Just Dance 2

Available on the Wii, Just Dance 2 is a great all round dance game that you can play on your own or with friends. All you have to do is follow the onscreen dancer’s moves and keep up with them. You will then be judged on your performance. You can also compete with friends in a dance off option.

Dance Central

One of the most popular games on Kinect on the Xbox 360, Dance Central not only gives you hours of fun but also a great work out, like Just Dance 2 you follow the on screen dancers moves to the latest catchy pop songs. Your full moves will be rated from one star to 4, you can also compete in a group or in a dance off. If you’re looking for a work out, there are also warm up dance mash up options and also a handy calorie counter which shows you how many calories you will have burnt off.

Michael Jackson: The Experience

Part dance game, part singing game, Michael Jacksons: The Experience is a great fun, dance game for the whole family, great to play on your own, following Michael as he goes through the legendary dance moves and performing not only the moves but singing along. You can also play as a team against friends or with them.

For years many people have been religiously buying the newest workout DVD whether it was a professional workout or a celebrity I lost half my bodyweight endorsed workout DVD. But now as technology improves, more and more people are turning to games consoles for their exercise routines.

Gone are the days where you tended to gain weight whilst playing video games, now there are many consoles designed to get you moving and it all started off with the Nintendo Wii, before Playstation and Xbox designed their own versions.

Wii Fit Plus

The real fitness craze for consoles started when the original Wii Fitness came out, with its balance board, the Plus is an updated version, so if you have the original you won’t have to buy another board for this. With the Plus version you have more options than the original, including a helpful calorie counter, which tells you how many calories you have lost and how much exercise you need to do to lose the calories for certain foods, plus a lot more exercise options.

EA Sports Active

Available on the Wii, Playstation 3 and Kinect for Xbox 360, this is your very own personal trainer; you can tailor make workouts as well as keep an eye on your heart rate with the helpful heart rate monitor. The game is designed specific to each console as they all offer different options for following your movement.

My Fitness Coach on the Wii

If you find it hard to plan a fitness regime or are not really sure on what exercises you should concentrate on for certain areas then you will find My Fitness Coach very handy. The personal trainer takes you through the exercises step by step and keeps you motivated. You can also concentrate on specific areas such as cardio, upper body, core body and flexibility.

In the US consumer watchdog Public Citizen issued a petition to the US Food and Drug Administration calling for a ban on the class of drugs called orlistat, which are known as Xenical and Alli. Both are they only FDA approved weight loss drugs in the US; however it’s believed that they can cause liver damage, pancreatitis and kidney stones.

Speaking about the weight loss drugs, Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group said: “These drugs have the potential to cause significant damage to multiple critical organs, yet they provide meagre benefits in reducing weight loss in obese and overweight patients.”

Recent studies suggest that taking Xenical or Alli would only help people lose 4 to 6 pounds more than they would with only diet and exercise. According to Wolf “The benefit was never that great, but many people thought they’d take their chances.”

Worldwide it’s estimated that around 40 million people have taken either Xenical or Alli in the last decade, however GlaxoSmithKline who make the drug are finding a decrease in sales. According to a report released by Public Citizen Alli sales dropped from $145 million in 2007 to $84 million by mid-2010.

The weight loss drug Xenical was sold on prescription in 1997 and was touted as a breakthrough weight loss drug and in 2007 Alli became an over the counter approved weight loss drug. In the past the FDA have banned two previous market leading weight loss drugs, Fen-phen and ephedra, because of potentially fatal side effects. So it may only be a matter of time before they do the same again.

If you started the new year with regular gym visits, to get your body ready for summer, but are now tiring of the same old exercises at you gym, then why not check out some of the new fun ways to exercise, that will be hitting gyms in the UK ready for summer. We have a selection of the hottest exercises which have come from across the pond these are the newest and most popular exercises in the states.

Going barefoot

The latest exercise class from New York is strictly barefoot, you don’t need to bother with your trainers, and the workouts are designed to strengthen your feet while correcting your posture. You have a high-energy cardio exercises however the barefoot angle means your feet and ankles aren’t restricted by your shoes, this means you can increase flexibility in the joints, boost circulation as well as learning how to land to reduce injuries.

Cheerleading

Cheerleading has never been popular here in the UK and it certainly isn’t undertaken in any schools, unlike in the US where it is really considered a national sport and is taken extremely seriously. Now however it’s starting to take off in our gyms so you get a great work out to some funky tunes with fitness-boosting acrobatic moves. The cheerleading workouts are especially good for toning the arms and upper body, and will improve your posture along the way.

Essentrics

The name of this work out from the US doesn’t really give a lot away about the work out, but essentially it’s a mixture of ballet and tai chi with stretching, strengthening and other fitness techniques for an all over work out, working every muscle in your body. This work out is designed o achieve lean muscles rather than bulking you up as the workout stretches your muscles then strengthens them while they’re elongated. So if your aim for the summer is a thinner waist, flatter stomach and leaner legs, then this workout is for you.