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    5 Genius Treadmill Hacks That Shave Off More Kilos

    If you’re trying to lose weight but run at the same speed and incline every time you hit the treadmill, you can run right into a rut that’s boring and lacking in kilojoule-torching power. The good news is jogging on the treadmill can go from a tedious trek to a quick fat-burning session. All it takes is a bit of know-how and strategic programming that’ll not only improve your speed, but your weight loss capacity, too.
    1. Mix It Up
    Exercise’s role in weight loss may seem easy: To lose weight, you need to burn more kilojoules, says Janet Hamilton, an exercise physiologist at Running Strong. You can do that by upping your intensity or your duration. The problem is that if you work too close to your maximum heart rate, you might tire out too quickly. But if you run slow and steady you’ll have to go a long time to see results.
    The happy medium is variety, says Hamilton. On some days, take your usual 20 to 30 minutes a little bit faster. On other days, go longer and slower – for about an hour or so.
    READ MORE: 10 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Hit the Gym After Work
    2. Master Your Speed
    Intervals – or short bursts of sprinting sprinkled throughout a workout – are one of the easiest ways to cut time off your workout (score!) and centimetres off your waist. In fact, a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that ladies who ran hard for two minutes (then slowed down for three minutes) burned more kilojoules the day after their workout than those who went the slow and steady route.
    What’s even better: They dropped four per cent of their body fat in the coming weeks. The group who did low-intensity, steady workouts didn’t lose any.
    Start with intervals in 1:2 or 1:1 ratios, says Hamilton. That means upping your speed for 30 to 60 seconds, then dropping it for the same amount of time or double that. Choose a speed that’s an effort you could hold for between two and five minutes, says Hamilton. You want to feel invigorated, not exhausted. You can build up to higher intensities, but how hard to go all depends on your experience – so first check out where you fall with this new treadmill workout you have to try.
    3. Do Hills the Smart Way
    Up your incline, up your kilojoule burn – it sounds simple. Unfortunately, running or walking on a steep incline can be hard on your body. “Most people instinctively know that, but when we get on the treadmill, we lose that common sense, crank up the incline, and hold on for dear life,” says Hamilton.
    READ MORE: How To Get A Strength-Training Workout On The Treadmill
    Instead of setting the incline and forgetting it, pretend you’re outside, says Hamilton. Learn to go up a hill at the same effort you’re going at a flat road. That might mean dropping your speed a little, but “this is an opportunity to build strength in your hips and legs, working them a little harder.”
    You can also try incline intervals, she says. Crank the incline up between 2 and 4 per cent for one to two minutes, let your speed drop 0.1 or 0.2, then bring your incline back down to 0 for that same amount of time and repeat. Once you’ve mastered maintaining your effort on a hill, work to maintain speed.
    4. Some Days, Just Keep Going
    We’ve all had those miraculous days where eight kilometres feels like four. “Just doing a longer workout will burn about 50 percent more kilojoules,” says Hamilton. Instead of running for 30 minutes, going for 45 increases your duration and calorie burn by 50 per cent. While this isn’t a good everyday technique (hello, boredom and plateaus), switching up your routine with some longer runs is a great way to up your kilojoule burn without a ton of effort.
    READ MORE: 19 Slider Exercises That Will Make Your Abs And Glutes WORK
    5. Don’t Ditch Other Workouts
    Research published in The Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that the best way to lose weight isn’t doing the same routine over and over again. Finding the perfect mix of resistance training, intervals, endurance, and stretching will help you meet your goal faster. More

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    Find A New Way To Move With This GPS Smartwatch

    With up to 11 days of battery life, you won’t have to take off your watch every night to charge it, which means a more complete 24/7 picture of your health.
    With this Fitness aligned smartwatch you get heart rate, sleep score, stress tracking, Body Battery™ energy levels and a lot more. The watch comes with 25 preloaded sports apps for indoor or outdoor activities, you can try something new, including running, cardio, strength, HIIT and more.  
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    Many of us choose to exercise between our work day or other commitments so thankfully you need never miss a call or text as smart notifications are delivered to your wrist when paired to your Apple® or Android™ smartphone.
    Look and Feel
    The Venu Sq 2 smartwatch has a sleek design that’s suited for every outfit and every part of your day. Its bright AMOLED display and optional always-on mode mean you can see everything with a quick glance. From a durable Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens to the lightweight aluminum bezel and comfortable silicone band, this smartwatch was made to keep up with your lifestyle.
    Stress, Menstrual Cycle and Breathing
    You can track your menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Log symptoms, get exercise and nutrition education. Even see and log details on your wrist with the Women’s Health Tracking app. Find out if you’re having a calm, balanced or stressful day with continuous tracking. Relax reminders will even prompt you to do a short breathing activity when the watch detects stress and will then assist you to relax or focus with breath work activity while tracking your stress and respiration to help you get a better understanding of how you’re breathing.
    If you are looking for some insight and guidance to integrate your watch into a schedule to get fit, fast, strong and healthy, you can dive into the free workouts, running schedules and training plans, all complimented by a Garmin virtual coach.
    Buy the Garmin Venu Sq 2 HERE
    *In Partnership with Garmin More

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    10 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Hit the Gym After Work

    By Ashley Oerman
    Everyone has that moment after a long workday when all you want to do is go home, get into bed even though you totally planned to hit the gym after you left the office. We hear you. So we spoke with experts to round up ridiculously easy tips that double up as gym motivation after a gruelling workday. You can now officially cross your excuses off your list.
    1/ Turn Your Gym Motivation into Office Décor
    Do you decorate your desk with positive affirmations like “Keep calm and carry on” to get you through the workday? It might be a good idea to post some inspirational gym motivation messages around your workspace as well, says Leanne Shear, co-founder and head trainer of Uplift Studios in New York City. You can also tape up images associated with your goals, says Shear. She suggests photos of your favourite fit Instagramer or one of that bikini you’re dying to buy.
    2/ Eat Breakfast
    Setting yourself up for workout success starts within an hour of waking up, says dietitian Wendy Bazilian, co-author of The Super Foods Rx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of Super Nutrients and an American College of Sports Medicine-certified health and fitness specialist. Even though it’s hours before your trip to the gym, having a smart breakfast will keep your body from depleting its stored glycogen, which you need to stay energised throughout the rest of the day. Eat a solid breakfast with protein, a fruit or veggie and a complex carbohydrate (like whole-grain toast).
    READ MORE: 19 Slider Exercises That Will Make Your Abs And Glutes WORK
    3/ Keep Lunch Light
    Don’t let a food coma get in the way of your workouts. No matter what you’re eating, if you have too much of it, your blood sugar is going to go through the roof and then plummet back down leaving you drowsy and maybe even unproductive, says Bazilian. To fight midday fatigue, eat a light meal like a wrap or salad that features a complex carbohydrate, fruit or vegetable and protein. Also, try to avoid foods with refined carbs or lots of sugar, which can cause you to crash later in the day. Keeping your blood sugar steady will stabilise your energy, help you get more done, and feel awake enough to make it to the gym.
    And get this: When you eat lunch can be as important as what you eat, says Bazilian. Try to eat about four hours before you plan to work out because your stomach takes about three hours to clear out its contents. And if your digestive system is still working to digest your food, it’s using energy that you could be putting towards your workout.
    4/ Pack A Snack
    If making it to the gym four hours after eating lunch is tough for you, make sure you bring a pre-exercise snack to eat about 45 minutes before you hit the road. Since snacks are smaller than meals, this is just the right amount of time for your body to digest most of this snack and use it as energy during your workout, says Bazilian. When you chow down on a small, easily digestible snack consisting of mostly carbs and a little protein, you’re going to have more energy to work harder at the gym, says Bazilian. “It seems a little weird to consume kilojoules before your burn kilojoules, but it’s about the bigger picture,” she says. “You want to feel good while you’re working out and have energy to push yourself.” She recommends an apple with peanut butter or even a latté. Another thing: After your snack, try to get up and move around a bit, says Shear. Getting your heart rate up (even a tiny bit) helps get your blood flowing and keeps you from feeling lethargic, she says. She suggests walking up and down some stairs in your office building or, if you have an office, closing your door and doing a few jumping jacks.
    READ MORE: Here’s Exactly How To Start Working Out Again, After A Winter Hibernating
    5/ Take Advantage of Your Tech
    Another way to make sure hitting the gym is on your to-do list for the day is to create a calendar reminder on your computer or set an alarm on your phone, says Shear. That little signal serves as a very obvious reminder of your workout goals and can keep you from backing out because you were so busy that you forgot (or “forgot”).
    6/ Change into Your Exercise Gear Before You Leave the Office
    When you switch clothes before you leave work, number one, you’re giving yourself a visual reminder that you’re committed to working out. Number two: You’re making yourself more accountable to yourself and to your coworkers. You’re not going to want to admit that you didn’t work out like you said you were going to, says Shear.
    READ MORE: Is It Better To Do Cardio Before Or After Weight Training?
    7/ And Leave Things at the Office
    If your gym has a location near your office, after you change, leave your work stuff and go exercise with just your gym bag. Shear says this eliminates the temptation to pass up the gym on your journey home because you won’t have your things with you that you need for the night – you couldn’t go straight home even if you wanted to. If your gym isn’t close to work, since it’s summertime, go for a jog or do some interval training near your office building.
    8/ Use the Buddy System
    Instead of making plans to meet up with an old friend over cocktails, schedule a sweat session to catch up. Although you’re probably not going to be chatting it up during a tough bootcamp class or treadmill interval workout, the fact that you’re meeting a friend there will make you less likely to back out, says Shear. Then you can grab dinner after the workout.
    9/ Treat Treats as Gym Motivation
    Go ahead and bargain with yourself. If you look forward to a glass of wine at the end of your day, turn that little treat into a reward for your workout, says Bazilian. No workout? No wine.
    10/ Set the Bar REALLY Low
    If you tell yourself that you have to go to the gym for at least 15 minutes, you’re more likely to go than if you have an all-or-nothing mentality, says Bazilian. “If you make your goal ridiculously easy, it gets you to go. And once you’re at the gym, you might think ‘well, I could probably stay just a little longer,’” she says. Not to mention, it’s totally possible to fit in an effective workout in just 15 minutes – or even five!)
    This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com More

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    5 Ways To Measure Healthy Portion Sizes Without A Scale

    The Association for Dietetics (ADSA)  in South Africa held a Twitter Talk on #HealthyNutrition4All, which highlighted how South Africans are becoming one of the most obese populations in the world! Some of that is attributed to unhealthy lifestyle habits, but a hefty portion can contribute a lot to the statistic. Here, dietitians, The Heart & Stroke Foundation SA, FoodBank SA, Soil For Life and the Department of Health share tips on measuring your meal’s healthy portion sizes – without a scale.
    Use The Plate Model
    The Heart Foundation recommends using a plate to estimate how much starch, meat and vegetables you should eat. Half your plate should be veggies, a quarter starch and the rest protein.
    READ MORE: 5 Portion Control Tips You’ve Probably Never Heard Before
    Use Your Hands
    Dietician Maryke Gallagher advises that you should measure food with your fist. One portion of fruit should be the size of your fist. Also use your palm to measure how much protein, etc. you should be eating. A palm is the size estimate of your protein portion, your fist is the size of a starch portion and your full hand (or more) is the size of a veg portion.
    Know When You’re Full
    Dietician, Karlien Duvenhage, believes it’s important to be in tune with your body and start learning when you are hungry or full.
    READ MORE: What Really Happens To Your Body (And Brain) On A Detox Diet?
    Go Mini
    The Heart Foundation suggests you eat out of a small bowl, with smaller utensils and cups to make the meal appear ‘fuller’. Use a smaller bowl for rice and noodle dishes instead of a giant one; try eating your regular meals from side plates instead of full-size plates. This tricks your brain into thinking you’re eating a bigger meal and also makes you feel more satisfied with what you’ve eaten if it looks like a large portion of food, when really it’s a healthy portion.
    Your Portion Size Go-To Guide
    Meat should be the size of a deck of cards; carbohydrate portions (rice, bread, noodles and spaghetti) the size of a tennis ball; fat (bacon rind, oil, mayonnaise), the size your thumb; and veg is a free for all, according to dietician Jade Seeliger.
    READ MORE: Here’s Exactly How To Start Working Out Again, After A Winter Hibernating More

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    3 Smashing Pumpkin Recipes That Go Beyond Halloween

    Just because we don’t really celebrate Halloween doesn’t mean we can’t reap the benefits of healthy pumpkins! These pumpkin recipes will bewitch you with their perfect flavour pairings and warmth.
    Pumpkin Risotto With Crispy Sage
    Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 35 minutesIngredients– 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth– 1/4 cup olive oil– 8 sage leaves, plus 2 tsp minced fresh sage– 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots– 1 cup arborio rice– 1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps– 1/2 cup dry white wine– 3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin puree or pumpkin cooked and blended into puree– 3/4 cup plus 4 tsp shredded Parmesan– 1/2 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepperMethodHeat broth in a saucepan until boiling, then keep at a simmer on the stove top.Heat olive oil in a saute pan until hot but not smoking. Add sage leaves and fry until crispy, 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.Transfer 1 tablespoon of the sage oil to a saucepan and discard the rest of the oil. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until translucent but not browned, 5 to 6 minutes.Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is glistening and coated with oil, 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and wine; cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.Add 1 cup broth and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to add broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring, until liquid is evaporated after each addition and until rice swells but is still al dente, 17 to 18 minutes.Add pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring, until incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.Divide risotto among 4 bowls and garnish each with 2 fried sage leaves and 1 teaspoon cheese.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1008 kJ, 7 g fat (2 g sat), 34g carbs, 680mg sodium, 3g fibre, 9g protein.
    READ MORE: Mindful Drinking: How More And More People Are Becoming ‘Sober Curious’
    Roasted Pumpkin And Pomegranate Salad
    Prep Time: 15 minutesCooking Time: 30 minutesIngredients– 3 cups pumpkin, cut into cubes– 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil– 1/4 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp pepper– 6 cups mixed winter salad greens– 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds– 8 tsp lightly toasted pumpkin seeds– 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheeseVinaigrette (makes 1/2 cup)– 3 Tbsp pure pumpkin-seed oil (available in health-food stores and specialty markets)– 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar– 3 Tbsp orange juice– 1 tsp Dijon mustard– 1 small chopped shallot (1 Tbsp)– 1 tsp honey– 1/4 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp pepperMethodPreheat oven to 200 degrees. Toss pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper and arrange in one layer on a lipped baking sheet. Roast until pumpkin is tender-firm and edges are caramelised, about 30 minutes.Remove from oven and let cool completely. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until dressing emulsifies and has a creamy appearance.Divide the greens evenly among 4 salad plates. Scatter 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin, 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds, 2 teaspoons pumpkin seeds, and 1 tablespoon goat cheese on top of each plate of greens.Drizzle with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1260 kJ, 21g fat (7 g sat), 23g carbs, 410mg sodium, 4g fibre, 9g protein
    READ MORE: 9 Breakfast Ideas That’ll Give You A Better Boost Than Coffee
    Creamy Pumpkin-Peanut Soup
    Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 20 minutesIngredients– 2 tsp vegetable oil– 1 small onion, chopped (1 1/4 cups)– 3 cloves garlic, smashed– 1/4 tsp ground turmeric– 1/2 tsp paprika– 1/2 tsp chilli pepper flakes– Pumpkin puree– 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth– 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained, 1 tablespoon chopped and reserved for garnish– 1/3 cup smooth reduced-fat natural peanut butter– 1 tsp sugar– 1/2 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper– 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice– 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream– 2 Tbsp chopped roasted peanuts– 2 Tbsp chopped spring onionsMethodHeat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add turmeric, paprika, and chilli flakes; stir.Add pumpkin puree, broth, peppers, and peanut butter; whisk to incorporate and bring to a boil.Reduce heat, simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Divide among 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, peanuts, reserved chopped peppers, and green onions.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1134 kJ, 18g fat (4g sat), 22g carbs, 450mg sodium, 4g fibre, 10g protein.
    READ MORE: These Banana Muffins Actually Alleviate PMS And Cramping More

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    It’s Time For The Virtual Nedbank Runified Challenge

    It’s time for the Nedbank Runified challenge where runner’s join forces all over the country in aid of Mental Health Awareness month and Runify around mental health. This is the perfect first step towards a happier and healthier South Africa.
    Virtual Goal  
    The Runify challenge, in partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), aims to demonstrate that running (particularly in groups) can reduce stress, depression and anxiety. The goal for the challenge is to collectively run 500 000 km by the end of the month. All you need to do is run as many times and as many kilometres as you can each week to help reach the target. Run for a greater cause, Runify for those around you and let’s get this movement going together, one step at a time.

    Join A Group Run
    The Nedbank Running Club is more than a club and welcomes runners of all fitness levels to unify through running.  Join one of the Runified partners in their respective cities for a 5 km group run.
    Durban 
    Nedbank Runified Durban group run hosted by Cuan Walker, Masibulele Mkhundlu & Nicola Schreuder
    Date: 22 October 2022  Time: 08h00 Venue: The Bike & Bean, Snell Parade, Stamford Hill, Durban, 4025
    Johannesburg 
    Nedbank Runified Johannesburg group run hosted by Tumi Sole & Zinhle Masango
    Date: 25 October 2022 Time: 17h30 Venue: Nedbank Running Club, Modderfontein, Flamingo Shopping Centre (Upper parking Area)
    Cape Town 
    Nedbank Runified Cape Town group run hosted by Amy Hopkins, Caley Jack, Nombulelo Mgabadeli & Graeme Richards
    Date: 29 October 2022 Time: 08h00 Venue: vida e caffè Table Mountain
    Join the Nedbank Running Club on Strava
    From 14 – 30 October 2022, run as many kilometres as possible to help Nedbank reach the 500 000 km goal in the two week period.
    Share your runs on Strava and all social platforms with #NedbankRunified and you stand a chance to win prizes, including Nike vouchers, Nedbank AVO vouchers, and Nedbank Running Merch.
     Visit http://www.nedbankrunningclub.co.za to join the Nedbank Running club in your area, no matter what type of runner you are. 
    If you or your loved ones are battling with mental health challenges, there is hope. Visit sadag.org for free resources to manage your mental health. SMS 31393 and a counsellor will call you back or call 0800 567 567 – available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. SADAG has a dedicated WhatsApp counselling chat line on 087 163 2030 available seven days a week, from 08:00 to 17:00.
    *In Partnership with Nedbank More

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    Eleven First-Time Female Marathon Runners On A Journey

    Empowering Change 
    In what has become an inspiring insight into each ladies’ deeply personal reasons for wanting to conquer their first marathon, the adidas Beyond Impossible Campaign has unfolded with the aims of empowering and encouraging the female community to lean on the sport of running for the purpose of bringing positive change into their lives. 
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    The eleven ladies have been on a 16-week training program, under the watchful eye of Kathleen Shuttleworth, a Cape Town based running coach who specialises in middle to long-distance training. And even though the end goal is to complete the Marathon, there’s been a strong focus on building a sense of community, ensuring that the journey has been both supportive and enjoyable despite the challenge. 
    Commenting on the spirit amongst the group, Coach Kathleen said, “It’s been such an honour coaching and getting to know the ladies. Their dedication and enthusiasm to the program have been evident from day one. They’re a truly inspiring group of women, and I can’t wait to see each lady cross the finish line!”
    Zoë Brown, Ncebakazi, Kay, Leatitia, Shaakirah, Tracey, Yentle, Ashleigh, Melissa, Jana and Lenise were followed on their journey with beautifully shot 90 second individual videos, as well as a four-part documentary series detailing the 14-week journey of these courageous women.
    Follow the @adidasZA #BeyondMyImpossible #ImpossibleIsNothing conversation on Instagram, and be sure to keep an eye out for these special ladies along the route on race day – they’d love your support!
    *In Partnership With adidas More

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    How The Women’s Proteas Are Prepping For The T20 World Cup

    Finally! The Women’s T20 World Cup is almost upon us. After a much-anticipated wait, the women’s Proteas will be competing on home turf against the best in the world. The opening match will take place on February 10th 2023 (SA takes on Sri Lanka for the first game) and tickets will be going for as low as R60.
    “Since I made my debut to now, I think the game has become a lot more competitive within the women’s space,” says Protea right-hander Faye Tunnicliffe. “It’s a great place to be to wear the green and gold, especially now we’re gonna have women wearing it in front of the home crowds.”
    READ MORE: It’s Time To Stop Watching The Kids Play Cricket And Get In The Game
    Women’s Proteas: prepping for the game
    The team have a rigorous training programme leading up to the event, with tons of running (sprints and distance runs) involved. There’s running four times a week, with strength training four times a week. There’s stability work involved, too, especially for batters and bowlers, says Faye. “You have to have that core strength and stability in order to perform at your best and avoid injury,” she says. “Also, I think fielding is becoming a lot more demanding within the women’s game. That is becoming a skill within itself. So that you have to be conditioned in order to like take a knock and to dive around and stuff and to recover quickly.”
    For Suné Luus, fitness is a continual journey. “I’ve been on a health journey for a very long time, just trying to be the healthiest I can be,” she says. “So I’m trying to eat very well. I’m trying to condition my body to, you know, sustain me for four weeks of training.” When she’s not on the field, Suné likes to let loose on the bicycle. “I just like take my cycle and I just go wherever… and I live in a beautiful place,” she says.
    READ MORE: Sport Really Can Empower Women — Just Look At Banyana Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana
    Taking care of their mental health
    The players are also congiscent of how good mental health is and how it impacts every aspect of the game. For Suné, reading and hanging out with her friends is a clutch way to unwind.
    “A lot of the time within professional sport, you need something that takes you away from the game,” says Faye. “Otherwise, if you’re constantly on high alert like you are within a game or within a competition, then you’re just gonna get burnt out.” For Faye, it’s all about taking care of herself – to make herself better for the game. “If you look after the human, you can look after the cricketer,” says Faye. Her method of unwinding? Music. ” I love music. I play guitar. So a lot of the time I’ll sort of just pick up my guitar and play or I’ll read or I’ll call up a loved one.”
    Players will be competing at Newlands, Paarl and Gqeberha. Support your Proteas and grab your tickets here.
    READ MORE: Creating Endless Possibilities For Women In Sport More