You've been told the benefits of exercise a thousand times and you know what you should be doing, but it can be so easy to find excuses.

• 'I'm comfortable on the sofa.'
• 'My favorite TV program is on.'
• 'It so cold (or hot) outside.'
• 'I just don't have enough time.'

We've heard them all before, so how do you get (and keep) the motivation to get up and exercise regularly? Here are some tips we can all benefit from:

Plan - Leading a busy life, it can be hard to think there is room to fit in daily exercise. Make exercise a priority and plan it into your daily routine. Don't make it optional. It also helps to plan exercise when you're more likely to enjoy it. For example, if you find it hard to get out of bed in the mornings at the best of times, don't try and exercise in the mornings. Try your lunch break or after work.

Get your gear on - The first step (and often the hardest) is just putting on your shoes and exercise clothes). Once they're on, it's much easier to get going. Even better, treat yourself to something new. It's surprising how a new pair of running shoes, item of clothing, or new gadget can encourage you to 'try them out'. Plus you look good and feel good!

Variety is essential - Change your running route, try cycling instead, or swim in an outdoor pool instead of indoors. Keep it interesting by changing parts of your workout so you don't get bored. The gym can quickly become a sterile environment, so throw in the occasional outdoor session, especially on those gorgeous sunny days.

Make it social - Exercise with friends, have a laugh and you'll keep each other motivated. They can offer support, can give positive feedback, and make it fun! Alternatively, try group fitness classes or join a local team. If you thrive on competition, team sports are great, as is exercising with someone who's slightly better than you so you are always are pushing yourself to keep up.

The art of distraction - Exercising to music or while chatting to friends keeps you distracted. You may just find yourself exercising a little longer or finishing quicker than you thought. If you're at home, try exercising while watching TV.

Have realistic goals - You may not be planning to run a marathon, but it's important to have goals and to put them into practice to keep yourself motivated along the way. But be realistic! Don't set them so high that you'll never achieve them. Write them down and remember to review them regularly as your fitness improves.

Don't forget to reward yourself -   It could be running an extra mile or losing a couple of pounds, but as you reach your personal goals and are happy with your performance, reward yourself. Give yourself a day off or buy a new pair of jeans. Be proud of yourself!

Always remember the feeling you get after exercise - endorphins flying around your body, you feel healthy and pleased with yourself. Next time you're thinking of skipping a session, remember this feeling and get exercising!

A good accountability partner is your Herbalife Independent Distributor, who can help you track your goals, provide emotional support, and offer advice on supplemental products. Contact your distributor today.

Do you eat 5-7 servings of fruit and vegetables every single day? It's hard enough to get one or two servings each day, let alone seven! So what are some ways to do it? And importantly, why do we need to eat that much? Fruits and vegetables are hugely important for staying healthy and they are a great source of essential nutrients the body needs. They naturally contain fiber, antioxidants, fructose (naturally occurring fruit sugar) and various vitamins, minerals and trace elements. They also tend to be low in fat.

What about the sugar in fruit?

Fruit naturally contains sugar, called fructose, but this shouldn't be a reason not to eat it. Fruit contains many other great nutrients and the benefit of these outweighs the sugar quantity you'll get from eating a piece of fruit. But do watch your intake; try to make up your daily requirement with 2-3 servings of fruit and 4-5 of vegetables.

So what are some good ways to hit the 'magic number' of fruit and vegetables each day?

1. Add fruit to shakes and smoothies for a tasty drink.
2. At breakfast, add sliced fruit on your cereal or oats, or sliced tomato or avocado on your toast.
3. Fruit and vegetables are healthy snacks - snack on a piece of fruit or sliced vegetables sticks such as carrots/celery/peppers.
4. Keep the fruit bowl full, as you're more likely to reach for a snack that is readily available in your home or in your bag.
5. Dinner is a good way to increase your vegetable intake. It's easy to throw extra vegetables into a stir-fry or to eat them as a side dish.
6. Variety in cooking is needed to alleviate boredom. Try something new each day: stir-fry, roast, boil, poach, steam or bake.
7. Although fresh is best, frozen and canned fruit and vegetables count too. If you choose canned fruit, go for ones without a sugary syrup and that are low in salt and sugar.
8. One glass of unsweetened 100% fruit juice counts as one of your servings
9. Grow your own. It always seems to taste better when you've put the hard work in yourself!
10. Buy what's in season - it tastes better and is usually cheaper

So head down to your local farmers' market, fruit and veg store or supermarket and stock up on healthy, tasty and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Need additional information? Herbalife is a leader in the health and wellness industry, and your Herbalife Independent Distributor can help you discover the best products for your nutritional requirements.

Your Herbalife Independent Distributor,


Jerry Hill

Getting a good night's sleep should be one of the easiest and most natural things to do. But busy lives and hectic schedules make us less likely to eat properly, and bad food habits can prevent us from getting good quality sleep. "When we're busy, we tend to eat less than we should during the day, and then much more than we need in the evening. This is exactly the opposite of what we should be doing," says Herbalife's Luigi Gratton, M.P.H., and Vice President of Nutrition Education.

Gratton suggests being aware of how certain foods can affect our sleep pattern. Protein-heavy foods stimulate the production of chemicals in the brain that keep us alert, and large meals eaten just before bed can lead to indigestion and heartburn - a perfect pairing to keep you up at night.

Low-fat, high carbohydrate meals are digested more quickly, and stimulate the production of different brain chemicals - ones that help aid relaxation and facilitate sleep. So it's best to opt for a high protein breakfast and lunch to keep you alert and clear-headed all day, and save the carbohydrates for dinner.

If you're like most people, caffeine is a stimulant, so a cup of coffee before you hit the sack is probably unwise. Both caffeine and alcohol can disrupt normal sleep patterns; you might be able to fall asleep, but not for long. This makes it hard to reach the deepest and most restful stage of sleep. So even with a full eight hours, you still feel sluggish in the morning. Chances are you'll also be roused from sleep by a full bladder, since both caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics.

Whether or not to snack before you go to bed depends on your usual patterns. If your evening meal is small and light (and early), then a light snack is fine if you feel it helps you sleep and you can afford the extra calories. Calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt are good choices, since calcium helps muscles to relax.

Good nutrition for a good night's zzzz's:

• Have a lighter dinner, focused on salad, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans
• A bowl of lentil soup with a salad and some fruit for dessert
• If you know that caffeine keeps you awake, avoid caffeine-containing beverages for 6-8 hours before going to bed
• Keep your alcohol intake moderate to avoid sleep disruption
• Drink most of your fluids during the day, and cut back after dinner. If you need to take medications at bedtime, use only a small amount of water
• If you like to have a bedtime snack, include foods that are high in calcium to induce muscle relaxation
• A cup of warm milk is an age-old remedy for sleeplessness, and for good reason

Follow the tips above to help get a restful night's sleep, and develop healthy sleep patterns for a healthy lifestyle.  If you need more ideas about improving your personal wellness goals, Herbalife is a leader in the health and wellness industry, and your Herbalife Independent Distributor can help you discover the best products for your nutritional requirements.

Your Herbalife Independent Distributor,


Jerry Hill

Weight control and weight management are really two sides of the same coin. In reality, the habits that help you drop pounds are the same ones that will help you maintain it. After all, losing weight isn't really considered a success unless you manage to keep it off. Dietician Susan Bowerman shares her secrets to successful weight loss.

The top 10 strategies of successful 'losers':

1. They get to know themselves really well

One key to success is learning how to manage your own high risk situations - such as eating when you're stressed or cleaning your plate out of habit rather than hunger. Successful losers are adaptable and plan ahead - they know what situations might get them into trouble and have a backup plan for dealing with them.
  
2.  They get a lot of exercise

On average, successful losers get about 60-90 minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise daily. The most popular exercise is walking, and it is simple and safe. Your only investment is a good pair of walking or running shoes.
  
3.  They set goals and monitor their behavior

Setting goals for those you will measure, like how many minutes you walk, how many calories you take in, or how many sit-ups you do, are helpful because you can track whether or not you meet those goals. Successful losers keep track of how much exercise they get, and they keep food journals, sometimes using a food log to plan meals ahead of time. These self-monitoring strategies are critical and provide much needed feedback on behavior changes.
  
4. They have regular meal patterns and frequency

Many people get in trouble with their weight because their eating patterns are so disorganized. Successful losers report that eating at regular intervals and snacking only when they hungry are keys to success. Skipping meals usually backfires, and having routine meal times means that you don't go long stretches without food, which often leads to excessive snacking or larger meals.
 
5.  They eat a low fat, nutrient-dense diet

No surprises here, but a high quality diet, one with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is what keeps people satisfied. The fruits, veggies and whole grains are bulky and filling, and their calorie cost is relatively low. Adequate protein is key, since protein is highly satisfying and will help keep snacking at bay between meals.
  
6.  They practice portion control

Learning the portion size you need to eat to in order to feel 'not hungry any more' can help trim your intake significantly. Portion control strategies include using smaller plates, serving your food in the kitchen (rather than having serving dishes at the table), and using meal replacements such as protein shakes or bars.
  
7.  They practice stress management

By learning what size portion you need to eat to feel 'not hungry any more' rather than feeling 'stuffed' you can help trim your intake significantly. Portion control strategies include using smaller plates, serving your food in the kitchen (rather than having serving dishes at the table), and using meal replacements such as protein shakes or bars.

8.  They have an attitude adjustment

Many people who have successfully controlled their weight say that they had to change their thinking about dieting and weight control. Some felt it was 'in their genes' to be fat, or that they couldn't lose because they'd never been successful in the past. Eventually, they faced the problem head on, recognizing that success would come through a series of small steps and a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
  
9. They adopt a plan and stick to it

Once you have an established routine of how you generally eat and how frequently you exercise, learn to stick with this routine, day in & day out. People who have controlled their weight and are successful maintaining it do this - even when on vacation or eating out. You may eat out less often, simply because you prefer having more control over what you eat by preparing meals at home.
 
10. They have learned to control their environment

Successful losers learn how to control situations that are likely to get them into trouble. The foods that are available in the refrigerator or cupboard at home, in restaurants, at the workplace or in the grocery store are all environments that can be controlled. To gain control over the food environment, keep 'safe' foods in the house, choose restaurants where you know you can get foods that you want, bring appropriate foods to work, and prepare a shopping list before you go to the supermarket.

Follow the top ten tips above to help develop healthy weight loss strategies for a healthy lifestyle.  If you need more ideas about improving your personal wellness goals, Herbalife is a leader in the health and wellness industry, and your Herbalife Independent Distributor can help you discover the best products for your nutritional requirements.

Your Herbalife Independent Distributor,


Jerry Hill

Struggle to get out of bed in the morning, can't function without your morning coffee fix, mid afternoon slump sees you reaching for sugary snacks and drinks to get you through the day... sound familiar? We are busier than ever, the generation of do it all - juggling work, home life, relationships, family, and social activities... it's no wonder we feel exhausted!

A good night's sleep isn't the only factor in feeling refreshed and awake; what we eat also has a huge part to play in powering our bodies. Choosing the right foods can have a significant impact on your energy levels throughout the day, but all too often looking after ourselves comes as a last priority in the daily whirlwind. To boost your energy, swap unhealthy quick fixes like chocolate bars and unhealthy sugary drinks for foods that give a natural boost and can send your energy levels soaring!

10 Energy boosting foods.

Oats - Oats are high in calcium, potassium and magnesium, as well as energy boosting B vitamins. Magnesium plays a key role in converting the food we eat into energy, and a shortage of magnesium in your diet could leave you lacking in energy. Oats are also low on the Glycemic Index so they give your body a steady release of energy. Try muesli, porridge, or oatcakes for a healthy breakfast or snack.

Nuts - Packed full of protein, vitamins and minerals as well as good fats, nuts are a great snack when you're lacking in energy. Almonds contain energy boosting minerals magnesium and calcium. Walnuts are rich in potassium, zinc and energy boosting iron, while peanuts are a good source of vitamin B6, which aids the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates in food. Whichever you choose, be careful not to overdo it as nuts have a high calorie and fat content - a small handful or two tablespoons is an ideal portion.

Fruits - Full of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibre, fruit is the perfect energy boosting snack. Vitamin C is crucial for the production of carnitine, a molecule that helps your body burn fat for energy. Being deficient in Vitamin C will not only leave you feeling lethargic but can also cause your body to store in your muscles the fat it is not burning. Oranges and other citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C; bananas are also a great choice as they are a rich source of carbohydrate - the body's preferred energy fuel, and full of potassium an element essential for the body's growth and maintenance. There's no such thing as a bad fruit, so eat an assortment for a varied diet and for maximum nutrients.
Vegetables - Iron is an important mineral for energy. Choose broccoli, spinach, asparagus, and sprouts, all high energy foods full of key vitamins and minerals your body requires. Sweet potatoes are also a great choice as they are high in carbohydrates as well as Vitamins A and C.

Whole grains - Swapping white rice, bread, and pasta for their wholegrain counterparts will help stabilize your blood sugar levels. Refined carbohydrates contain very little fiber and are heavily processed, whereas unrefined carbohydrates are rich in fiber which slows the rate at which the sugar from carbohydrates is released, reducing the sudden spike and crash of blood sugar and energy levels. Fiber also expands in your stomach, leaving you feeling fuller for longer. Brown rice and whole-wheat breads are good sources of Pantothenic acid (better known as vitamin B5) which helps the body extract energy-giving nutrients from food.

Fish - Fish is a great source of protein,vitamins, and minerals. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, and sardines are all high in vitamins B6, Niacin (B3) and B12, which are important in converting food into energy. Fish is also rich in magnesium, another key mineral for energy production. Oily fish also contain omega-3 healthy fats, which are good for your heart.
Lean red meat - Red meat sometimes gets bad press but eating lean red meat can help your body top off its protein and iron levels - both of which are vital for energy. Low iron levels can lead to iron deficiency anemia, the main symptoms of which are tiredness, lethargy and general lack of energy. Meat is also one of the main sources of Vitamin B12, which is key in releasing energy from the food we eat.

Beans and lentils release energy slowly and are full of fiber, which slows digestion and provides a more steady supply of energy. Kidney beans, lentils, and baked beans are rich in iron, an important mineral for maintaining energy levels.

Eggs - One of the few foods to be called a complete protein, eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids - the building blocks of protein in your body. These amino acids are vital for building new muscles and repairing tissue damage. As a rich source of protein, eggs are great for an energy boost, and you'll feel fuller for longer as they provide a slower release of energy.

Garlic - Eating lots of garlic might not make you popular on account of its odor, but its health benefits have been known for centuries. This powerful herb can help to reduce fatigue and boost energy levels. It has also been linked to improved heart health and regulating blood sugar levels - and it adds great flavor to dishes!

For those times when you need an extra boost, consider using supplemental products from your Herbalife Independent Distributor. Natural, safe, and effective, our products are sold exclusively through independent distributors.

Contact your distributor today for more details, for a consultation, or to make a purchase.

Your Herbalife Independent Distributor,


Jerry Hill