Simple tricks to beat the bulge
Erin Young, founder of boutique Australian tea company Zen Green Tea that specialises in premium matcha green tea powder, shares her simple to tips to beat the bulge.
It’s that time of year when a lot of us remember our healthy new year’s resolution as a moment of fantasy. Remember, being healthy isn’t about sweeping reform and drastic dieting but instead it’s about making some simple changes that have big effects. Here are some simple changes you can be making:
1. Cut down on the sugar
There is a growing amount of research that is showing that sugar is a major culprit contributing to many conditions like obesity and diabetes. CSIRO estimates that Australians consumer on average 27 teaspoons a day of sugar. The World Health Organisation has recently advised that at the very least we have to halve the amount consumed each day. The easiest ways to reduce sugar intake is to ensure you do not drink any sugar for example drink primarily water, and if you want to mix it up a little add some cut fruit, a squeeze of lemon or some fresh sprigs of mint or rosemary to your water. When you do have a sugar craving why not have a delicious yet healthy treat. A huge trend at the moment is “Nice cream” which is actually just blending frozen banana and adding different healthy treats to make delicious natural ice cream.
2. Incorporate more greens into your diet
Green leafy vegetables and antioxidant rich foods are the best thing you can put into your body. Why are antioxidants so important? Everyday your body produces free radicals from exposure to sun damage, toxins, and ageing. These free radicals are missing a component and they travel around your body damaging healthy cells to try and replace their missing part. This cell damage can cause the loss of skin elasticity (aka wrinkles) and also if damaged cells start multiplying then they cause cancer. Antioxidants can be thought of as a missing parts supply where they provide free radicals with the part they need and then take them out of your system with no cell damage. Juicing is a fantastic way to increase your green vegetable and antioxidant count- every second day you could make a delicious green vegetable juice and you’ll notice the lift in energy and glow in your skin. For an added antioxidant boost, you could mix in a teaspoon of matcha green tea powder, which has the highest level of antioxidants compared to any other natural substance
3. Smart exercise
One of the quickest ways to help increase your fitness is to mix up your exercise routine. During walking you could find some stairs and walk these several times. Another way to help strengthen your muscles is to use a resistance band- resistance bands are a very low impact way to add some weight to your exercises. You should try and do a little exercise everyday- it can be a great opportunity to spend time with family, friends or your partner. Instead of meeting for a coffee and cake or a drink choose to take a walk in your nearby park or beach.
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