Shape Up this Summer: A Message from Luigi Gratton, M.D., M.P.H, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Education, Herbalife

Summer is here! With picnics, barbecues and warm weather, there’s no better time of year to get outdoors and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Here are some simple strategies to keep in mind as you shape up this swimsuit season. (Source: “Herbalife’s Today Magazine, July/September 2008)

1. Drink plenty of water
When it comes to physical activity, don’t forget the importance of water. You’ve probably heard this a hundred times, but there’s a reason for it. Your body uses water in almost every function, including the process of burning fat. Water helps every cell and organ in your body work. It cushions your joints, and helps keep your body cool.

Water also helps flush toxins out of your system and rehydrates the body. Plan ahead. Make sure to carry a water bottle with you. Drink before, during and after physical activity to replace the water you lose when you sweat. Even a small water deficiency can affect how you perform, so drink up!

The following Herbalife products are great to keep your body hydrated:

H3O™ Pro Isotonic Drink
LiftOff Energy Drink
Thermojetics Herbal Beverage

2. Track your progress
Keep a journal of your physical activity to chart your progress. Whether you’re interested in losing weight, building muscle or just getting active again, keeping a log will help motivate you. Record all the information for each workout, including time, intensity and performance. It’s a good idea to record your baseline measurements and find out your body fat percentage, so you can set attainable weight-loss goals. You may not feel like you’re making progress, but when you look back at where you started, you may be pleasantly surprised. Remember that small steps matter. Tracking even a slight amount of improvement on paper will inspire you to keep going with confidence.

3. Protect your skin and hair
Do you play outdoor sports? Being outdoors means being exposed to the elements, such as sun, wind and pollution. For example, it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your skin and hair. Our Personal Care/ Outer Nutrition products help repair damage from daily environmental stresses and can help protect your skin and hair from the elements. So don’t leave yourself exposed – stay protected as you enjoy your fitness program and have some fun in the sun.

Choose from the following Herbalife Programmes:
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT – Help with Weight-Management Goals
TARGETED NUTRITION – Targeted Solutions for Personal Edge
SPORTS NUTRITION – Fuel Your Body: Energy and Fitness
OUTER NUTRITION® – Nourish your Skin and Hair

NEW: H3O Pro™ Isotonic Drink from Herbalife – Powering Exceptional Performance – Demand more from your sports drink!

Top athletes push their body to the limit to deliver an exceptional performance. Two crucial factors aid an exceptional performance: energy and hydration.

Developed with experts in sports nutrition and in consultation with our Nutritional Advisory Board, H3O Pro™ is an innovative isotonic drink helping to power exceptional performances. As we demand more from our bodies during exercise, it’s vital that we support our body and provide what it needs. Herbalife’s new isotonic drink, H3O Pro™, has some unique advantages over the leading brands, which will be highlighted below.

Whatever your sport, whether you are a keen team player in a sport like football or hockey, a fan of challenging endurance activities such as marathons or triathlons, a fitness enthusiast who enjoys activities such as gym sessions, or game of tennis – hydration and energy are vital in achieving results to be proud of.

Here are the H3O Pro™’s key benefits:

Hydration: Sweating during exercise causes loss of essential electrolytes (or salts) such as sodium as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride. Replacing electrolytes can aid rapid hydration and help you avoid the negative effects of dehydration such as muscle cramps, fatigue and headaches.

Energy and Stamina: Energising carbohydrates provide your body with immediate and sustained energy to prevent unwanted performance dips – keeping you at the top of your game!

Absorption: Energy releasing B-vitamins help improve absorption of essential nutrients which means that your body can react faster to the number to the nutrients provided in H3O Pro™ helping to power your performance.

Protection: Oxygen production during exercise increases free radical production which can cause damage to the body’s cells. Key antioxidants Vitamins C & E and mixed tocopherals help protect the body’s tissues against the potentially damaging effects of free radicals.

Extensive research and development by our NAB experts has resulted in a science-based sports drink which offers more than other leading isotonic drinks available to consumers. Here are the key ingredients in H3O Pro™ and why they are important in an isotonic drink:

Source of sugar which forms the carbs in the drink: Isomaltulose: Isomaltulose is a naturally derived source of sugar that acts as the key carbohydrate in H3O Pro™, providing immediate and sustained energy to prevent unwanted performance dips – it will not create a quick spike and crash energy as some sports drinks do which contain glucose syrup/ maltodextrin instead of Isomaltulose

Key electrolyte: 140mg potassium: H3O Pro™ is over 3 times higher in potassium than leading competitors. Potassium is essential for water and electrolyte balance throughout the body and helps support muscle function.

Calcium (120mg) and Magnesium (50mg): H3O Pro™ is 12 times higher in calcium than leading brands and it also contains magnesium, unlike leading brands. Calcium is essential for bone health and combination of both calcium and magnesium is great for muscle function especially for muscle cramps during and after excercise.

B-vitamins: contains 15% RDA for each of the five B-vitamins to help the body to absorb the nutrients in H3O Pro™ to power your performance. Leading brands contain 17% RDA of four B-vitamins only.

Antioxidants: Vitamin C (15mg), Vitamin E (2.5mg), Mixed tocopherals (30mg): Unlike any leading competitor, H3O Pro™ contains key antioxidant vitamins C & E and mixed tocopherals – a powerful combination to help protect the body’s tissues and immune system against the potentially damaging effects of free radicals often induced during exercise.

Exceptional performance – exceptional taste!
For many athletes and sports people taste is a critical factor in choosing the right sports drink. Whether you are exercising for 45 minutes or four hours you need to be sure that it won’t leave a bad taste in your mouth. Many sports drinks are made with artificial flavours producing an over-sweet taste which some people find overwhelming and sickly – H3O Pro™ doesn’t contain artificial flavours, sweeteners or preservatives.

We’ve carried out extensive taste-testing with professional athletes and sports people to develop a clean isotonic drink with a hint of tangy lemon, guaranteed to keep you refreshed, hydrated and performing at your best whatever your sport.

For an exceptional performance, water alone is not enough
Your body is 60% water so, for the results to be proud of, your body fluid must be kept at its optimum level. When you exercise, you sweat which increases the risk of suffering from the negative effects of dehydration such as headaches, fatigue and cramp.

Today, isotonic drinks are the preferred choice for most fitness enthusiasts and athletes wanting exceptional hydration and energy. Isotonic drinks have a similar carbohydrate and electrolyte concentration to your body meaning they are absorbed as fast, if not faster, than water.

Balanced osmolality
An osmolality level of 270-330 Mosm/kg in an isotonic drink helps to maintain the required concentration of electrolytes in your blood. Water alone has a very low osmolality level as it typically does not contain electrolytes. Although it is a great hydration, water also stimulates urine output which reduces its effectiveness during your exercise or any sporting performance.

Getting the best from H3O Pro™
Available in convenient single serving sachets, H3O Pro™ is easy to use. Simply pour contents of one sachet into a water bottle and add water to produce 500ml of H3O Pro™. One serving of H3O Pro™ in 500ml is recommended for every 60 minutes of strenuous exercise.

The best time to enjoy H3O Pro™ is during your workout to keep you hydrated whilst providing a supply of energy, electrolytes and antioxidants to help power an exceptional performance. However, H3O Pro™ can also help you stay hydrated and energised before your work out.

Top Tip: Sports scientists recommend that you consume isotonic drinks at room temperature to help the body absorb it more effectively.

Please call Sanela on 01225313218 for more information or to order or text “H3O Pro” on 07737053498. Or order online

Exceptional Sports Nutrition from Herbalife – Fitting H3O Pro™ New Isotonic Drink from Herbalife into your fitness routine!

At Herbalife we understand that good nutrition is important through every stage of life. Performing at your best is not just about regular exercise and training. Equally important is ensuring that your body receives the right balance of good nutrients on a daily basis to support and maintain your body.

Herbalife’s formula for success:

Achieve and maintain healthy nutrition with a balanced and varied diet (which includes plenty of fresh colourful fruit and vegetables) supported by Herbalife’s Core Nutrition products and complementary products from the Targeted Nutrition range.

Take regular physical activity to support your healthy lifestyle

Keep your body hydrated with sufficient fluids – especially when exercising

Benefit from a continuous support of your Personal Herbalife Coach.

Herbalife’s Core Nutrition Products:

Formula 1 Healthy Meal Replacement Mix is a tasty meal replacement which helps ensure your body gets the nourishment it needs every day.

Formula 2 Multivitamin and Fibre Tablet is part of a nutritional maintenance system designed to help replenish the body’s nutritional resources and create a foundation to support long-term health

General Fitness
Whether you enjoy regular cardiovascular gym workouts or general aerobic exercise such as rowing, spin classes or a sport like tennis – your body’s cardiovascular system is working so your heart and lungs become stronger. Nutritional supplements include carbs for energy, fluids for hydration, protein for muscle repair and recovery and antioxidants to help defend the body’s cells from free radical damage.

Your workouts could benefit from the hydration, energy and protection that H3O Pro™ Isotonic Drink offers. Support your body’s needs further by supplementing your healthy diet with Herbalife’s Core Nutrition products and Protein Bars or Formula 3 Personalised Protein Powder.

Endurance
Running, swimming and cycling all come under the “endurance” banner: performing strenuous exercise for long periods of time. These activities require carbs for energy, protein for muscle repair and recovery and plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration.

H3O Pro™ can help power exceptional performance by providing hydration and energy – just when you need it. Support a healthy, balanced and varied diet with Herbalife’s Core Nutrition products and Protein Bars for post-work-out muscle recovery.

“When training hard and sweating a lot, drinking water is not enough to fulfil the body’s demanding hydration and energy requirements. And a subtle tasting isotonic drink suits ne – nothing too sweet – as I can sip it as often as necessary throughout my training sessions”, Olly Freeman, Triathlete

Team Sports

Football, hockey, basketball or volleyball – whichever team sport you play, you need to be sure to perform at your best to support your team’s results – you can’t let the side down!

A supply of carbs before a match can help provide initial energy whilst H3O Pro™ can help keep energy levels topped up whilst aiding hydration. After a match, a Herbalife Formula 1 Shake personalised with Formula 3 Protein Powder can help aid muscle recovery.

“We’ve learnt from experience that lost electrolytes and water can really effect our performance so replacing them quickly and easily is important – that’s why we drink isotonic sports drinks”, Lucilla Perrotta & Daniela Gattelli, Beach Volleyball Team, Italy

Green tea for sports nutrition?

Antioxidant-rich green tea may counter the effects of resistance exercise by reducing the detrimental effects of oxidative stress, suggests a small trial from Brazil.While the thought of athletes knocking back a cup of green tea after a workout may seem strange, it may signal a possibility for antioxidant-rich green tea extracts to be supported by science like the new study from the May issue of the journal Nutrition.

Researchers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, and the Center of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Sports of Santa Catarina State University studied the effects of daily green tea consumption for seven days in athletes undertaking resistance training, which can increase the production of free radicals beyond the tissues’ antioxidant defense capacity, and causing oxidative stress.

“The inadequate intake of dietary antioxidants among the physically active populations must be considered,” wrote lead author Vilma Simoes Pereira Panza.

“This study suggests that green tea intake may offer a protective effect against oxidative damaged induced by resistance exercise.”

Study details
Panza and co-workers recruited 14 healthy men aged between 19 and 30 to consume either water or green tea three times per day for seven days. The average polyphenol content of the tea was 771.0 micrograms per mL, while the average intake of green tea polyphenols was calculated to be 4.6 micrograms per day.

After seven days of consuming the beverages, the volunteers were required to perform a bench press exercise (four sets, 10 to 4 repetitions). The researchers analysed blood samples and calculated the total antioxidant capacity according to the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay, and levels of reduced glutathione and lipid hydroperoxide.

According to the results, consumption of green tea was associated with a 64 per cent reduction in the levels of lipid hydroperoxide after exercise, while blood levels of polyphenols were approximately 27 per cent high before and after exercise.

Moreover, post-exercise levels of glutathione, a protein that is important in protecting the body from oxidative (free radical) damage, were approximately 37 per cent higher in the green tea group.

“There is evidence that supplementation with antioxidants may decrease the oxidation of blood GSH after exercise,” stated the researchers. “Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that dietary strategies, such as daily GT intake, may also benefit the glutathione system of athletes by elevating blood GSH levels before and after effort.”

Consumption of green tea also provided pre-exercise benefits, with the pre-exercise FRAP value about 21 per cent higher compared with the control group.

“Consumption of green tea, a beverage rich in polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative damage caused by exercise, and dietary guidance for sports participants should be emphasised,” concluded the researchers.

Panza and co-workers also noted that future studies should elucidate the time course and recovery periods associated with green tea consumption, while other studies “should corroborate our findings using other polyphenol-rich foods and beverages, thus widening the dietary strategies applied to training.”

The analysts state that science is the reason for the Green Tea’s growing popularity, and that it is generally accepted that green tea has a beneficial role in reducing Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, cardiovascular and oral health. Many researches also support claims that green tea can aid weight loss.

Herbalife has been promoting the healthy benefits of Green Tea for over two decades. Our Thermojetics Herbal Beverage contains green tea extract and is rich in polyphenol antioxidant nutrients.

Source: Nutrition (Elsevier), May 2008, Volume 24, Issue 5, Pages 433-442
“Consumption of green tea favorably affects oxidative stress markers in weight-trained men”, Authors: V.S. Pereira Panza, E. Wazlawik, G.R. Schutz, L. Comin, K.C. Hecht, E.L. da Silva

"Appropriate and well-balanced training is wasted without sound nutritional support"

As somebody who is training for triathlon, my first shall I say, and having just come back from an incredible Herbalife’s UK’s biggest annual training event, Spring Spectacular in Manchester, where I have been trained by Dr Ralph Rodgers, amongst many, I was delighted to read an article in The Independent from last year about Dr. Ralph Rodgers and his advice on training for triathlon.

Nutritional advice comes from Dr Ralph Rogers, the UK representative of Herbalife’s global nutrition advisory board. He is a black belt in jujitsu and a research fellow at the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure at the University of Wolverhampton. He was also medical advisor to the Trinidad & Tobago World Cup 2006 football team.

“Diet significantly affects sport and exercise performance,” he says. “Appropriate and well-balanced training is wasted without sound nutritional support. Triathlon requires a well- thought-out nutritional and training programme.”

Triathlon has become the fastest-growing sport in Britain. But if you want to compete at top level, you’ll need to apply as much brain as brawn. Peter Conchie reports on an academy for gifted amateurs that is turning its pupils into world-beaters… read the full story here.
As announced at this weekend’s Spring Spectacular in Manchester, Dr. Ralph Rogers – our very own Nutrition Advisory Board member – will be cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise funds for the Casa Herbalife UK Project The Hackney Young Carers Healthy Eating Programme. Read the full story here.

Whether you are sports enthusiast or a professional, Herbalife offers the best, most balanced and the biggest range of products as part of it’s Sports Nutrition Programmes available on the market today. Have a look at our Sports Nutrition Solutions.

Get active; live healthier: How 30 minutes a day can add years to your life!

There is no better time to get active and stay active than right now. Regardless of age or physical activity, nearly everybody can enjoy the health benefits of adding exercise into their daily routine. The health benefits from exercise are endless. Here are three to motivate you:

Strong bones and muscles:
Clinical research has shown that regular physical activity is one of the best ways to maintain healthy bone health. Weight-bearing or strenght training exercise, such as walking, jogging, or using resistance bands or weights, is helpful in preserving bone mass. Building muscle mass not only supports bone health, but it also burns calories throughout the day, helping you maintain a healthy weight.

Stress Reduction:
Exercise produces endorphins in the body which create feeling of relaxation and wellbeing. A brisk walk or quick workout could be just the thing to calm you after a stressful day.

Manage your weight:
Reducing sedentary activities, engaging in more physical activities, and burning more calories than you consume are the keys to weight management. In addition, relying on a balanced diet rich in green vegetables, calcium and protein not only helps maintain weight but also supports healthy bone maintenance.

Of course, having an active lifestyle and consistently preparing healthy meals can be a real challenge. Fortunately, for people on the go, Herbalife provides convenient and delicious options – from Weight Management to Targeted Nutrition to Energy and Fitness products.

Total wellness is the goal, and Herbalife can help you get there, so you can stay active for a lifetime.

Source: Summer 2007 Product Brochure: Article by Luigi Gratton M.P.H., Vice President of Education for Herbalife’s Nutrition Advisory Board

The nutrition choice of world-class athletes… Herbalife nets results!

Luigi Gratton, a nutrition advisor to the LA Galaxy, talks about the importance of nutrition for professional athletes.

“Good nutrition is important for everyone, but especially plays a key role for professional athletes. In fact, it is one of the most important factors for improving performance.

Athlete’s lives are often so busy that one of their greatest challenges is preparing nutritious meals on a regular basis. That’s why Formula 1 shakes are the perfect healthy meal for athletes constantly on the go.

LA Galaxy players, like many athletes, have higher activity levels that the average person and have higher nutritional demands. Simply put, the more active the athlete – the more important their nutrition.

Whenever I’m offering nutritional advice, I point out the importance of Herbalife® products like Formula 1 Shake Mix. I know from personal experience that science-based products can make a huge difference in an athlete’s performance and overall wellbeing.

Ultimately, I advise all athletes to maintain their nutritional conditioning not only for games and athletic events, but all the time. A programme with Herbalife® products, together with a healthy, active lifestyle, is a winning combination for all athletes as well as anyone interested in maintaining his or her wellbeing.”

Herbalife and the LA Galaxy: a winning combination
As the Official Nutrition Company and Presenting Sponsor of the LA Galaxy, Herbalife is on a mission for nutrition, giving people an opportunity to change their lives with proven products and a proven business opportunity. We are taking the mission for nutrition across the galaxy. Herbalife and the LA Galaxy are two world-class players that have come together to make one amazing team.

With some of the world’s most famous soccer players, like Chris Albright and Joe Cannon, this all-star association is showing that Herbalife is the nutrition choice of world’s class athletes.

“Running up to six miles every game against some of the greatest athletes in the world is a demanding challenge. But since I started using Herbalife, I have felt more energetic and that allowed me to have one of my best seasons ever as a pro in 2006. Thanks, Herbalife, for offering a simple effective nutrition routine that I enjoy following each day.”Chris Albright, 2006 Defender of the Year LA Galaxy

 

“Every time I take the field, my single goal is to stop others from scoring. When you have a ball travelling towards you at up to 85 miles-per-hour, that means you need incredible mind-body reaction time. My solution? Simple… I use Herbalife® products during every practice and every game. Nothing I’ve tried before or since has given me a more competitive edge.”

Joe Cannon, Two-times MLS Goalkeeper of the Year LA Galaxy

More LA Galaxy testimonials at http://www.herbalifesoccer.com/

Perfect for professional sports athletes…
Outstanding performance doesn’t happen by chance – you need the ultimate nutrition strategy to support your training regime. If you want to maintain your finely tuned body and perform at your absolute best then respect your body’s nutritional needs and fuel it with high quality nutrition:

Start with the Herbalife core products
Formula 1 Meal Replacement for Weight Management and Healthy Nutrition, and Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex - this duo delivers balanced levels of key vitamins and minerals, healthy carbohydrates, plant-based protein, beneficial fats, dietary fibre and antioxidant nutrients. These core products provide a strong foundation for those who are serious about their sport.

Add protein to repair and refuel
Formula 3 Personalised Protein Powder provides a blend of high quality whey and soy proteins and allows you to personalise your protein intake according to your training regime. Essential for muscle mass maintenance and growth, and post match recovery and repair, simply add this Protein Powder to your Formula 1 shakes or use in sauces and soups.

Antioxidants can help protect against cell damage and may assist recovery
Schizandra Plus is enriched with Schizandra, a nutrient-rich plant which helps increase the body’s ability to distribute oxygen effectively. It also contains antioxidant vitamins and aminoacids to help support the body’s immune system. Schizandra Plus can help support any busy, stressful or sporty lifestyle!

RoseOx* – Rosemary extract contains more than twelve antioxidants. Antioxidants can help protect your immune system by fighting free radicals and replenishing important nutrients lost everyday. This supplement contains powerful antioxidant polyphenols which help to regenerate vitamin C back to its active form.
* The RoseOx brand is the property of Zuellig Botanicals Inc.

Source: Inspire Today – Herbalife’s Today Magazine – Dec 2007

“ I believe that Formula 1 is the best fuel for my body!”, Valerio Catalini, Italy

Valerio Catalini lives in Monterosi, Italy with his wife and children. Several years ago he was working full-time in a role which left him little time or motivation for his own personal needs. He dreamt of being fit and healthy so once he discovered Herbalife® products and the Herbalife® business opportunity, he soon began to put positive changes into place – with extremely pleasing results.

“I often felt tired and lethargic due to my inactive lifestyle and lack of motivation towards fitness. But all of that changed. I had a secret dream to be fit and healthy again – like when I was younger; I knew I wanted to follow a fitness programme – one that would not only give me the fit body I craved, but also provide me with more energy and drive.

One day I came across a newspaper advertisement for the Herbalife® business opportunity and my wife, Tiziana, had been using Formula 1 Meal Replacement for a few days and was already beginning to feel the physical benefit. So I made the decision to give Formula 1 a try too…

So at the age of 31, I started my new journey. Then, in 2005, I decided to compete in the London Triathlon – a rigorous and challenging task for any athlete. I completed that first triathlon in an amazing 2hrs 36mins – not bad for my first attempt at a triathlon! Instead of a cappuccino and croissants for breakfast, I now religiously stick to my own programme that includes two to three Formula 1 shakes a day plus a range of Herbalife® supplements and a varied, balanced diet.

I also continue to stay physically active – running, swimming, biking – with triathlons still playing a major role in my life. Naturally, Formula 1 supports all this activity – resulting in strong, lean muscles with less fat, which helps my overall performance. My recovery time has significantly improved too – a key benefit for any fitness-minded person. Plus of course, I’m extremely happy with my body shape now!

Formula 1 really is the best fuel for my body. Not only has my vitality and confidence levels risen, but I feel extremely healthy and I am performing better. I am continuing with the vigorous, extensive training programme needed to compete in yet another triathlon. It’s tough, but it’s stimulating and I love the multi-disciplinary aspect to the sport. When it comes to business, I continue to be a highly-motivated Distributor who aims to inspire others daily through sharing my own personal get-fit experience. Anyone using Formula 1 together with other Herbalife® products can turn their life around for the better and feel the difference it makes – anything is possible.”

Valerio Catalini, Italy, Millionaire Team

These results are not necessarily typical. Individual results will vary. The Herbalife® Programme can help slimming or weight-management only as part of a calorie-controlled diet.

Herbalife products to suit fitness-minded individuals…

Q. What are the specific nutritional requirements of fitness-minded people and how can Herbalife’s core products help fulfil these requirements?

A. Fitness-minded individuals can benefit from Herbalife’s Intelligent Nutrition concept – based around core products Formula 1 Meal Replacement for Weight Management and Healthy Nutrition and Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex. People who take their fitness seriously should provide their bodies with healthy nutrition to help improve their performance and recovery times. The soy protein in Formula 1 shakes can help to build lean muscle mass when used as part of a fitness regime, plus a shake makes a light, healthy meal, which won’t weigh you down. When used along with Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex, Formula 1 offers people confidence that they’re achieving 100% of their key vitamin and mineral RDA’s (important as vitamins and minerals can be lost through sweat).

Q. Which products from the Targeted Nutrition range will benefit fitness-minded people?

A. An intense fitness regime places stress on the body. These complementary products work together to offer a range of beneficial nutrients:

• Schizandra Plus offers fitness-minded people protective antioxidant support plus the benefits of the Schizandra Berry, to help the body maintain its ability to distribute oxygen efficiently. Another antioxidant product that works in synergy with Schizandra Plus is RoseOx.

• Those wishing to build lean muscle mass can personalise their programme with Formula 3 Personalised Protein Powder – with soy and whey protein – which will help build and repair muscles after exercise.

• Liftoff™ energy drink is a low-calorie drink which can help fitness-minded people stay focused as well as providing 100% RDA of B-vitamins for efficient energy production.
Q. As well as nourishing their bodies using Herbalife® products, what other steps can fitness-minded people take to help maintain good health?

A. A physically active body may benefit from:

• At least two litres of water a day – more in warm climates. During exercise our bodies sweat so it’s important to replace lost fluid to avoid dehydration.

• A varied and balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables (high in beneficial vitamins and minerals). Alcohol, caffeine and sugary and fatty foods should be
kept to a minimum. Keeping an eye on your salt intake is another important factor.

• Recovery days. Time for muscles to rest and recover should be incorporated into any weekly fitness programme.

• Not smoking – this will reduce the risk of various health problems including high blood pressure and poor cardiovascular health, also monitor your alcohol intake.

 

Fitness makes long-term sense

Top of the list of prerequisites of living a healthy, active lifestyle are a healthy diet and regular moderate exercise. So, what are the consequences of not following a healthy diet and taking part in regular moderate exercise?

Quite simply, the body cannot function optimally: healthy food nourishes every cell, whilst exercise helps to keep bones, joints and muscles fully functional as well as helping to remove toxins through sweat. A malnourished body is weakened and susceptible to illnesses: a healthy diet and exercise helps keep ill health at bay.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO):
• There is convincing evidence that regular physical activity is protective against unhealthy weight gain whereas sedentary lifestyles promote it.
• In order to maintain a healthy active lifestyle the World Health Organisation recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise. Fitness makes long-term sense
• About 45-60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity is needed on most days.

Encouragingly, research carried out by the EU* has found that people are becoming more physically active, with 59% of participants taking part in moderate physical activity in a given week. People are clearly starting to see the benefits of living a healthy, active lifestyle!

• Exercise has to be fun: Exercise-resistant person can not expect to suddenly take up swimming, badminton and jogging. It just isn’t practical. So, start with what appeals to you and build up gradually.
• Set achievable goals: if you are too busy for a 30-minute brisk walk,try to split it into three 10-minute walks.
• Establish continuity and commitment: to prevent boredom it’s important to try out a variety of activities, such as swimming, dancing, badminton
and cycling. The aim is to make exercise a daily habit and commit to it long term.
• Love the feeling: Exercise releases ‘happy chemicals’ (endorphins) into the body; anyone who shies away from it is definitely missing out!
• Banish excuses: No need for expensive gym fees or equipment – it costs nothing to take a 30-minute brisk walk every day! Plus, you can use your own body-weight to do ‘resistance’ exercises such as push-ups which can help to build or tone muscles.
• Healthier children: Gradually break sedentary habits and introduce your children to positive, activity-based hobbies you can all do together and enjoy, such as playing football in the park or going on bike rides as a family.
• Slow down process of ageing: Moderate exercise has been shown to slow the signs of ageing, so you’ll look good for longer, perfect!
• Stoke the internal fire: After exercising, your metabolism burns faster and longer – music to the ears of those who are trying to lose weight!

Of course, exercise works best with a nutritious diet so, it is crucial to aim for a varied and balanced diet to help them meet their wellness goals. Aim for intelligent nutrition with an appropriate and individual selection of our core products:

• Formula 1 Meal Replacement for Weight Management and Healthy Nutrition and
• Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex.

Fitness-minded individuals can benefit from our antioxidant products for extra immune support against damage caused by free-radicals created during exercise:

• Schizandra Plus and
• RoseOx**

Also, Formula 3 Personalised Protein Powder can be used to help build lean muscle mass as part of a fitness regime.

Sources:
World Health Organisation: www.who.int
* European Commission (2003) Physical Activity. Special Eurobarometer 183-6/Wave 58.2 – European Opinion Research Group EEIG.
** The RoseOx name is the property of Zuellig Botanicals Inc.