Spring into Summer

With summer approaching our thoughts turn to warmer weather, summer holidays, 'daring to bare' and hopefully wearing less layers of clothes.   With this in mind, the justbe team have enlisted the help of personal trainers to help us get in shape - mentally and physically.  Although we will all benefit from being more active, our attitude to nutrition is potentially more important. Here are 10 top tips from personal trainer Stewart Robinson : 1. Try to eat more protein Your body uses protein to burn fat, tone lean muscle and repair damaged muscle fibres after training.  It also helps you to feel full, so it’s easier to make good food choices. 2. Reduce potential food allergens Food allergens can hinder weight loss as your body produces the stress hormone cortisol which encourages your body to store energy as fat.  Bread, white rice and white pasta are the most common - so try and reduce the amount you eat for a few weeks and notice the difference to your waiste line and energy levels. 3. Eat more vegetables They're packed with nutrients, low in carbs and unlike some fruits, your blood sugar levels won’t spike. 4. Don’t drink fizzy drinks! Enough said.  Switch to water - try adding a slice of lemon, ginger or even cucumber.  Or try drinking chilled herbal teas as a refreshing alternative. 5. Try not to snack in the evening When trying to tone up and improve fitness, ideally finish dinner 2 or 3 hours before you go to bed and try not to eat again until the next morning.  Quality sleep is prime time for fat burning / lean muscle building – but not if you go to bed with a really full stomach. 6. Everything in moderation Red wine and dark cholocate are good in moderation.  Try sticking to 1 or 2 glasses at a time.  Just remember that a glass of wine is the equivalent to a chocolate éclair - you probably wouldn't tend to sit and eat 4 or 5 of them watching TV on a Friday night.  If you’re going for chocolate try to stick to dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa), again in moderation. 7.Portion control Stop eating when you feel full rather than when the plate is empty. 8. Keep hydrated Drink plenty of water so that you eat when you're hungry and hydrated. 9. Have a cheat day And look forward to it when you feel tempted.  Instead of saying ‘I’ll never eat biscuits again’ (or whatever your vice is) just make lots of small choices every time you feel tempted and remind yourself that the cheat day isn't far away. 10. Don’t go absolutely berserk on your cheat day Keep your end goal in mind whilst enjoying the journey. justbe recomending... positive snacking brand Rebel Kitchen lets you “nourish your thing” with coconut 'mylk' dairy-free drinks Whilst we love all 6, are 2 favourites are: Banana Mylk Rainforest Alliance bananas blended with organic date nectar, a touch of cacao, coconut milk and water. The ultimate, all-natural banana mylk-shake. Chai Mylk A complex blend of Fairtrade raw cacao, and health-giving cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, which have anti-inflammatory properties so are soothing on the stomach. Made with coconut milk and Somerset spring water and a touch of organic date nectar. So if you'd like to shake up your snack times, visit www.rebel-kitchen.com  for more infomation. Dairy free & delicious NEW tasty Adults range