Gift Yourself Some Christmas Fitness!

The official countdown to Christmas has begun, but don’t let that be a time for your weight to creep UP!

Follow the LA Muscle guide to sculpting a body fit for Baywatch with LA Muscle athlete, diet author and Baywatch 2 favourite Danni Levy, article here

Follow her shape-up advent calendar for results you’ll really notice BEFORE CHRISTMAS- and get ahead of all those January dieters! Our 12 days of Christmas start early- so try putting these tips into place as soon as you like- there’s no better time than the present!

On the 1st day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- cupboards that were SUGAR-FREE

It may not seem like the time to be dieting, but banning sugar from your cupboards doesn’t have to feel like self deprivation. Sugar causes the body to release hormones and in turn, store fat. Cutting sugar out of your diet is the only long-term effective way to stay lean.

Check the sugar content on food packaging and steer absolutely clear of any food containing more than a couple of grams per serving.

On the 2nd day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a nice cup of HERBAL TEA

It’s tempting to reach for the coffee after a Christmas party- especially if the stress and fatigue of family preparations is taking it out of you. Hot drinks are also a great way to warm up on a frosty morning.

It’s important to be aware though that drinking coffee causes the body to release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol, which is the stress hormone, can lead to weight-gain around the tummy area.

Instead, opt for green tea which has fat-burning properties and will still keep you feeling toasty.

On the 3rd day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- SHREDZ that were quick and easy

You don’t have to go to the gym to get results!

The festive season is a busy time of year for us all, and exercise may be the last thing on your list, but here are some quick workouts you can do from home;

1. 20 bodyweight squats.
2. 10 push ups.
3. 20 walking lunges – 10 each leg.
4. 10 dumbbell rows (using a milk jug or another weight)
5. 3 x Sit ups until failure. Make sure to use proper form for best results and to target your stomach muscles effectively.
   
6. 30 jumping jacks.

On the 4th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a dose of high protein TURKEY

Turkey doesn’t have to be dry and bland. It’s low in fat, contains more protein than chicken and goes a long way for your bank balance!

Try this delicious turkey and ginger stir-fry to get the taste buds clucking. Packed with fat-burning properties, it’s a great way to use up leftover turkey or just to enjoy something different from all those roast dinners! What’s more, it takes just minutes to prep!

1) In a lightly oiled pan, add 150g turkey per person.

2) Once browned, add finely chopped ginger and chilli to taste.

3) Throw in some finely chopped red and yellow pepper, asparagus, sliced mushrooms and broccoli

4) Stir-fry until the veg has softened slightly, adding Tamari soy sauce to taste as you cook

5) Serve with a well-deserved glass of champagne!

On the 5th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a whey that was almost FAT-FREE

Slim Whey is a delicious high grade protein shake that contains a whopping 50g of protein per serving and 3 proven, powerful triple-action fat burners: Green Tea, Chromium and L-Carnitine.

Slim Whey will control your appetite and stop you from eating junk food, will keep you lean and muscular and help you lose weight fast.

You can replace 1 or even 2 meals a day with Slim Whey and see the weight quite literally drop off within as little as 3 days.

Slim Whey has a high potassium to sodium ratio, meaning it will get rid of water retention too.

On the 6th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a slimming way to make the GRAVY

Gravy completes any decent roast dinner, but the high-salt content plus hidden fats and additives in most packet gravy is definitely something our waistlines could do without.

We love this salt-free, low GI gravy recipe here

On the 7th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a gym that was CHRISTMASSY

If you’re the type of person who prefers to go to the gym than working out at home, finding somewhere that really gets in the Christmas spirit will help to keep you motivated.

We at LA Muscle love independent gyms like the Workoutz Fitness in the Midlands. They do a Zumba and Processo day (drinks are after the class of course) and play those classic Christmas tunes in every class. The staff take party in charity Christmas events for members to join in too, and everybody looks so festive!

If you’re further South, check out Buzz Gym in Reading, which is even open Christmas Day!

On the 8th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a treat that was CHOCOLATEY

No Christmas would be the same without a serving or two of chocolate. Try this sugar-free twist on the traditional chocolate log from supernaturallyhealthy.org to tantalise the taste buds without packing on the pounds, recipe here

On the 9th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a dose of OMEGA-3

Fish might not be on your menu on Christmas Day, but getting a healthy dose of Omega-3 is so beneficial to your Winter health that you won’t want to miss out!

Omega-3 has been proven to help reduce depression and anxiety- something a lot of us suffer with this season. This essential fatty acid can also reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which leads to excess belly fat, high blood pressure and heart disease!

Keep trim and stay smiling with LA Muscle’s Sculpt, which contains all the Omega-3 you need, plus the added benefits of CLA.

On the 10th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- a drink that was LOW CALORIE

Booze is undeniably a huge contributing factor to seasonal weight gain for many of us, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Always go slimline where mixers are concerned, and opt for re, dry white wine or champagne over rose or sweet wine options.

I always advise red wine over any other alcoholic tipple, because unlike spirits and cocktails it contains antioxidants, boosts heart health and can actually help to manage diabetes! Don’t go overboard though- these benefits are reversed if not consumed in moderation. A couple of glasses with your Christmas meal or at a party should see you through.

On the 11th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- the key to a FLATTER TUMMY

Believe it or not, you could do crunches all day and still not get that washboard stomach you dream, of. The real key to a toned torso actually lies behind a muscle called the transverse abdominis, a flat sheet-like muscle that’s runs all the way down the tummy and acts to pull it in, keeping it nice and flat.

The best way to active this muscle is to perform planks, the vacuum, or simply to sit up nice and straight and imagine you're sucking up through a straw until you feel a pinch in the lower tummy. Give it a go when you’re sat through all those Christmas meals!

On the 12th day of Christmas LA Muscle gave to me- tips for coming JANUARY

Hopefully having followed our tips above you’ll be looking forward to a lifetime of good health and will be enjoying your new slimline appearance.

The journey doesn’t end just because our 12 days of Christmas are over though.

I will be posting tips throughout January to help ensure you stay on track and answer any questions you have.

For now- have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy a happy improved you! Danni Levy xxx