Abu Dhabi Personal Trainer’s all know the importance of eating a nutritional diet. This include planning what meals you are going to eat and more often than not preparing many of these meals in advance. The reason meal prepping in advance is so important is because if we wait until we are hungry to choose what to eat, chances are you will make a poor choice. As a result, Abu Dhabi Personal Trainer’s recommends cooking and preparing in advance, this will not only lead to healthier food choices but will also save yourself time and money during the week! So are you ready to try meal prepping? Here are some easy tips and hacks:

Cook once per week – Pick one day at the start of the week to do most, if not all of your shopping for the coming week. On that same day, although it may sound like a lot, try cook and/or prepare all of your meals for the week. We recommend cooking the same meals in bulk. Most meals will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week so don’t cook too far in advance!

Keep it simple – keep the meals you are going to cook practical and easy. Slow cooker meals are very easy as they require minimal prep and attendance.

Fill up your freezer – fill up your freezer with any left overs you may have, these will make quick and healthy meals for when you have not prepared anything. Just make sure to write the date you have frozen the meal on the container.

Flatter, tighter and more toned tummy – 7 tips

The warmer months of summer are definitely here in Abu Dhabi! Are you feeling beach or pool confident? Regardless of the season, some of us just want a flatter belly and so our personal trainers here in Abu Dhabi have come up with 7 tips to help you achieve the tummy of your dreams!

1. Weights!

It is scientifically proven that strength training and lifting weights can help you to eliminate body fat overall, which will then result in a slimmer more toned tummy and a more trim waistline.

2. HIIT it and quit it!

Studies have shown that high intensity interval training (HIIT) can lead to more weight loss and specifically fat loss. HIIT has been proven to be effective in reducing belly fat. The quick results that one can see from HIIT training is due to the after burn effect which means your body will keep burning calories even when the workout is finished. Where you are running, spinning or doing a circuit workout make sure to incorporate times of high and times of low intensity.

3. De-Stress

Stress increases cortisol, and higher cortisol levels can cause your body to retain belly fat. Abu Dhabi Personal Trainers recommends that you schedule in some you time each week, whether that is a yoga class or a long bath to help de-stress.

4. Cooldown!

Much like stress, exercise can increase your cortisol levels. To avoid a spike in your cortisol level make sure you are properly cooling down after your workouts.

5. Abs are made in the kitchen

Unfortunately, you cannot out exercise a bad diet. Our personal trainers can help you work out for an hour of the day but unfortunately for you to see a trim tummy you will have to make sure what you are putting on your plate for the other 23 hours is healthy! Not all calories are created equal so make sure you speak to your personal trainer about what types of food you should be eating and what types of food you should be avoiding.

6. Fat Fighting Foods

Foods like blueberries, pineapple and papaya have been reported to help fight belly fat so make sure to include these in your daily diet!

7. Be who you are!

Make sure you are trying to change your body for you and that you know that you do not NEED to change your body! These tips can be helpful for living a healthier lifestyle but know that you look great no matter what size you are!