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      in diet and nutrition

      5 Ways To Measure Healthy Portion Sizes Without A Scale

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      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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      in diet and nutrition

      Caley Jäck’s Simple Formula For Sticking To A Healthy Lifestyle

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      If you’re anything like a normal person, you’d almost always pick a pizza over a salad. Or an extra hour’s nap over waking up early to work out. And like any normal person, you’d still much rather resemble the glowy, sculpted goddess that is our cover girl and Les Mills trainer Caley Jäck. But to achieve this physique and look amazing, there’s a certain amount of resilience that comes with sticking to a healthy lifestyle.
      Of course, queries from people wanting to carve out such a healthy lifestyle are not unheard of for Caley, who’s been a fitness trainer for a long time. She’s also a pre-and post-natal instructor, and many women seek a return to their bodies before giving birth. Here, we’ve teased out bits of wisdom from our interview with her to reveal a down-to-earth approach that shapes her habits – and can help you, too.
      1. Keep It Simple
      A lot of modern-day weight loss and health messaging can be conflicting, misleading and downright confusing. There are so many superfood blends, protein powders and supplements that you’d be forgiven for not knowing where to start. “Keep it as simple as possible,” says Caley. “If it’s creating too much anxiety to integrate into your week, why implement that?” If you can’t find the time to cook a full breakfast, find a way to make it quick and easy, like a fast smoothie or overnight oats.
      READ MORE: Calories Vs Nutrients: What You Need To Know About Losing Weight
      2. See To Your Baseline
      When it comes to supplements, powders and health tonics, Caley is reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. “I really feel that you need to prioritize your baseline nutrition,” she says. “If you can’t consume a full meal, a protein shake is maybe the best way to get your body to absorb [nutrients]. Do that because it works for your lifestyle,” says Caley. “But don’t let that be your meal replacement. Rather try and if possible, prioritize a good, wholesome plate of food.”
      READ MORE: Can CLA Safflower Oil Supplements Really Help You Lose Weight?

      3. Spend Time Learning About Portion Sizes
      “I’ve never been one that’s able to follow a diet or like an eating plan as such,” says Caley. “I do find there is a benefit in learning more about how to balance your macros.” While physically cutting and measuring portions might be too finicky for you, a simple chart about the correct portions of food goes a long way in figuring out a good balance on your plate. For Caley, this means happily allowing herself to have a muffin – with butter and cheese – but halving her portions. She demonstrates with her plate: “So like okay, I’m not going to have this whole piece of butter. But I’m going to have that section of butter because that is proportion to what my body needs,” she says. Focusing on what your body needs rather than what you want can be a big driver of change.
      READ MORE: I Tried The Planet Fitness FitBuddy App – Here’s What I Think
      4. Commit To The Change
      If you’re trying to stick to a healthy lifestyle, you’ll have to accept that it’ll be uncomfortable for a little while. But that’s the case with any change. “I feel like if you create a of change within your lifestyle, and you integrate that every day, that’s when it becomes habitual. And when it’s habitual, you don’t have to think about it,” she says. “Anything that requires change takes time and it feels uncomfortable in the beginning. But if you’re wanting to create change, and if you’re wanting to hit certain goals, you need to create change.”

      READ MORE ON: Health Goals Healthy Eating Tips Weight Loss Tips More

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      in fitness and body

      I Tried The Planet Fitness FitBuddy App – Here’s What I Think

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      The Planet Fitness FitBuddy app to marries your gym membership with your goals and your real-life schedule.
      When it comes to workout apps, there are truly no shortages. The global lockdown did nothing if not create an even sturdier offering as we all attempted to get buff within the confines of our four walls.
      But as we came out of lockdown, some apps stuck around on our phones. I tried the Planet Fitness FitBuddy app and wondered if it was going to be a staple addition in my phone’s fitness folder – and it delivered.
      What is the Planet Fitness FitBuddy app?
      It’s a workout app, but like the term “fit buddy” denotes, you’re held accountable. When you sign up, you’re assigned a real coach at Planet Fitness, who loads workouts for you in the app to hit your desired goals. You’re also asked to log your meals in an associated app that’s sent to you to download.
      Unlike other workout apps, where you scroll through a variety of workouts and pick the one you feel up to, FitBuddy has scheduled workouts loaded in it, and you do the workout designated for you by your trainer.
      If you have a smartwatch, you can sync the data to the app so your steps, caloric expenditure and heart rate information can be tracked, too.

      READ MORE:  “I Did A 30-Day Push-up Challenge—Here’s What Happened”
      I Tried The FitBuddy App
      When I downloaded the app, I expected to scroll through workouts, pick one, do it, and share my achievement, like every other fitness app. But this app is a bit more involved than others – and it’s great. I got an email from my trainer, Tokey, who scheduled a call with me to chat about my fitness goals, how often I exercise and any other niggling issues I had. I told him I wanted to improve my surfing ability and that I’ve been trying to ditch about 10 kilos for a few years. We spoke about my eating habits, how often I train, the kind of training I do, and a few other lifestyle preferences.
      Then, he devised a training programme for me and input the data into my app. I was to do three workouts a week, totalling 20 minutes each, and he left room for my surfing sessions (which I can also log in the app, along with any other extra activities).
      READ MORE: 11 Best New Running Shoes That’ll Inspire Your Next PB
      At first, I struggled to find my way around the app, until I realised that I didn’t necessarily need to explore anything, but rather just open it, navigate to my scheduled workout and do it.
      Taking the brain work out of losing weight and being healthy is one of the huge benefits of an app like this. Without having to think about anything, you’re less likely to come up with an excuse or feel fatigued after scrolling through different workouts before actually committing to one.
      READ MORE: Quick HIIT Warm Up: Blast More KJs By Doing These 3 Moves First
      Added to that, Tokey sends me regular messages, checking in on my progress. He’s also able to see if I’ve skipped a workout or failed to log a few meals, which is excellent if you’re serious about making progress. Because there’s a real human being at the other end of the phone, if anything is bothering you, it can be fixed, which I really appreciated. I have a niggly back that’s been lousy from overuse, and my workouts are adjusted nicely to make up for that.
      Overall, this is one app I’d recommend if you’re looking to get serious about your progress and goals. Plus, you don’t have to be a Planet Fitness member to join at all. Keen to try it? Book a consultation here.

      READ MORE ON: Fitness Gear Fitness Trackers WH Tests It More

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      in diet and nutrition

      Is When You Eat More Important Than What You Eat?

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      Many people worry about gaining weight if they eat later than a certain time. But does it matter when you eat? Is this time really more important than what you eat?
      There’s been a ridiculous amount of research into whether you’ll gain weight if you eat (dinner) after 8pm. The results of the studies are not always consistent. In one study, there was no association between eating late and being overweight, while other researchers found that those who ate after 8 p.m. consumed more calories than previous eaters. Those extra kilojoules can actually lead to weight gain. In general, you do not seem to gain extra weight if you eat late at night, but then you should eat a healthy and varied diet during the day.
      READ MORE: Can Acupuncture Really Help You Lose Weight? We Asked The Experts
      Food Choices
      Don’t be blinded by the times. In reality, what you eat is much more important than when you eat. In addition, the problem is that late eaters often tend to eat more, and less healthily. Regardless of the timing, eating more kilojoules will automatically lead to weight gain. So eating in the evening can only lead to weight gain if you eat a surplus of ‘joules.
      Furthermore, eating late can affect certain food choices. Late at night, you are more likely to choose unhealthy foods. These foods often contain little nutritional value, such as chips, soda and ice cream. This is partly due to emotional eating and fatigue. In either case, you crave less healthy, high-kilojoule foods .
      READ MORE: 12 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight While Doing Intermittent Fasting, According To An RD
      Meal Timing
      While the total number of calories you eat ultimately affects your weight, research shows that there are ways to regulate your appetite through meal timing and frequency.
      Several studies indicate that eating a high-kilojoule breakfast can keep you feeling full for longer and potentially prevent overeating in the evening. In one study, people who ate a 2510kJ breakfast had less appetite and significantly less hunger throughout the day than people who ate half the kilojoules for breakfast. In particular, the appetite for sweets was reduced.
      Late night snack
      Also, eating several small meals can help control your appetite and reduce hunger pangs throughout the day. So experiment with the timing and size of your meals. If you still feel like a late night snack, it is best to go for these foods.
      This article was first published on womenshealthmag.com/nl
      READ MORE: 5 Obesity Causes That Prove It’s Way More Complicated Than Just Eating Too Much

      READ MORE ON: Healthy Eating Tips Weight Loss Tips More

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      in health and weelbeing

      Ace Your Body Goals And Make A Killer Comeback!

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      Have you been struggling to find your groove and stay on track when it comes to eating, living and thinking healthily? Sounds like the effects of spending too much time in the comfort of your home with only your own mind to bounce your thoughts off of. We get the struggle. Life in our new normal can be a positive experience on one day and completely depressing the next – and our eating habits can easily follow the same trend. All in today and all out tomorrow. While practicing self-care means being kind to yourself when you make mistakes, it also means being able to stand your ground when it comes to doing what is best for your body, even when you don’t want to.
      Get on track
      We get that it is hard to stay motivated when the world can seem like a pretty dark place right now, but we also know that a healthy lifestyle can keep your immune system strong and save you from the downward spiral in your mood and wellbeing in general. That is why we’re looking at different programmes that can help keep us motivated and on track…
      iNova Pharmaceuticals’ iLiveLite2Gain plan, is one such programme, made to help you get back into the swing of things by creating a community to keep you accountable and excited about your goal.
      iLiveLite2Gain
      The 12-week programme is designed to help you reach your weight-loss goals by equipping you with expert-led tools and tips to change your life. iLiveLite2Gain takes a holistic approach that incorporates long-term changes to diet and increased physical activity. It also helps with realistic goal-setting, community support and regular weigh-ins to help you stay motived along the journey.
      What you get when you sign up to the iLiveLite2Gain programme:
      12 weeks of nutrition support including expert-designed meal plans, recipes and a food diary
      Tips on increasing activity levels, an exercise programme and an exercise diary designed by a personal trainer
      Regular weigh-ins and a measurement tracker to help you feel a real sense of achievement when reaching your goals
      Tons of tips and motivation through videos from experts such as doctors, dietitians and personal trainers
      Sound like something you’d need to help you get back on track? Visit www.ilivelite.co.za to find out more about what the plan entails, or to sign up!

      READ MORE ON: Sponsored Weight Loss More

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      in fitness and body

      5 Ways To Burn More Fat During Your Walking Workouts

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      Apart from being a low-impact exercise that you can do literally anytime, anywhere, walking can be just as great (if not better!) at spurring weight loss compared to high-intensity boot camps and other balls-to-the-wall workouts, says personal trainer Chris Freytag, founder of Get Healthy U TV, and board member of the American Council of Exercise. In fact, a 2015 study found that […] More