FREE TOOLS

What’s Your Secret Route to a Six-Pack?

Sometimes the most important thing about exercise is persuading yourself to do it on a regular basis. What tricks should you use to achieve a fitter, happier you?

Goal smashing

In life you tend to like to know where you stand and what you need to do to get where you want to be. You don't need a bunch of people around you to put the extra effort in, you'd just like to know exactly what you should be doing to get the maximum reward for your efforts.

A completer-finisher, you have no problem putting your all into something and would rather do something well than half-heartedly. You're best suited to working on a programme that's tailor-made for you with clear goals that you can tick off one-by-one.

Variation

There are some people who can sleep-walk through life in a well-oiled sequence of regular routines. And then there's you! An enquiring mind like yours needs regular, fresh stimulation and your muscles aren't far behind. What's the point in perfecting one exercise routine when you can test yourself in lots of different ways and end up much fitter?

Your motivation is driven by new challenges that regularly put you out of your comfort zone, the question is, how many different ways can you find to get fit?

Group bonding

You're a gregarious soul and get energy from interacting with the people around you. While some may hate the thought of other people seeing them sweating and generally looking less than gorgeous, your feet are grounded in reality. You know that very few people look hot when working out and that the collective power of a group of people stretching their fitness abilities together can be more powerful than ticking off individual fitness goals.

Besides, it's much more fun and you have someone to bitch to when you're feeling sore and stiff the next day, not to mention while confirming plans to do the same thing next week!

Routine driven

You're the sort of person who probably gets more done if it's planned ahead. You may also find that you tend to do more things that take extra effort - like exercise - if they are an accepted part of the week. There's much less chance of you finding other less healthy things to do if something is written in your diary!

It doesn't mean that you can't be spontaneous sometimes - more that you'll choose something really exciting to skip the routine for. While you thrive with planning you're also open to new experiences, after all, you need new things to fill up that mental diary!

Your biggest motivation to get fit is to:

Look great

Feel great

Achieve great things

You're most scared of:

Boredom

Having no free time

When we say zumba, you think:

Fun!

Burning fat

No way!

Being the only one getting all the moves wrong

Have you ever done a crazy charity fitness event?

Yes and loved it

Yes and I didn't train enough for it!

No, but I'd like to

No. Way. Ever.

Other than exercise, the gym is good for:

Making a fool of myself

Making friends

Making me feel sore tomorrow

Making me get out of the house

You're more of a:

Team player

Lone wolf

You're most likely to be remembered for your:

Enthusiasm

Self-discipline

Sportsmanship

Creativity

Your perfect workout clothes are:

Skin tight

Comfortable

Concealing

On a dance floor you:

Throw all the best moves

Close my eyes and hope no-one's watching

Have perfected step-toe, step-toe

Dazzle with my routines

How do you want to feel after a work out?

Pumped

Exhausted but proud

Clear headed

Like I belong

5 unusual ways to meditate and become mindful

Meditation is not all about sitting crossed legged for half an hour in silence. There are all sorts of ways you can calm your busy mind and get back in touch with the 'old' part of your brain.

Walking meditation

If sitting still makes you all fidgety why not try some meditation while you walk? Walk slowly with good posture and pay close attention to the way you are breathing and the way your body is moving. You need to be free to roam continuously, so avoid anywhere you need to stop to cross roads, or where anyone will try to talk to you!

Life practise meditation

Do you dread those boring chores like housework? Turn them into a mindful experience by slowing them down and concentrating on them. If you are washing dishes concentrate on the feel and temperature of the water, the sound of it splashing, the food waste dissolving from the plate. Be right there in that moment rather than thinking of all the other things you need to do.

Dancing mediation!

Not one for the step-touch dancer or the wallflower, this involves really letting yourself go and surrendering yourself to the music! This is THE time to dance as if no-one's watching. Just don't confuse it with that drunken clubbing moment when you're convinced you are suddenly the world's best dancer. This type of meditation needs you to leave your ego off the dancefloor!

Your daily commute

Obviously you can ignore this if you drive into work, but it is possible to be mindful on your daily commute. Concentrate on your breathing, the feel of your body and then the sounds of everything around you. If you close your eyes your fellow commuters will just think you've gone to sleep!

Be there in whatever you're doing!

You might be at a rock concert, in a busy bar with friends or walking the dog in a city park. Just take a few moments to notice how these experiences make you feel - how your body reacts. Then take in all the information around you - what you can see (including all the little details you would normally miss), hear, smell, taste and the touch of whatever is in your hand or what is under your feet.

This may not give you the full benefits of meditation but you will get much more out of the more mundane areas of your life and feel more in tune with your surroundings.

Which Wine Matches Your Personality?

We all know that different wines go very well with different foods, but what about wines and people? Which wine variety is best suited to who you are?

Sauvignon Blanc

You're an attention-grabber. Sharp and sassy, with a bit of bite in your charms. You are well-liked, have a real zest for life, and maintain a youthful exuberance.

Malbec

You're deep and soulful, a wise spirit in a young body. You're a social creature, but prefer good conversations with great friends, rather than massive parties.

Cabernet Sauvignon

You're strong, assertive, and bold. You know who you are, and have a sense of timelessness, as opposed to chasing after new fashions. You're intelligent, provoke discussion in those around you, and add more layers to your life as you age.

Pinot Noir

You're unique, interesting, and a little complicated. Despite challenges in your past, you're kind and unruffled on the surface, but you take time to appreciate.

Chardonnay

You're well-liked, bold, and brassy. A strong personality who's easygoing, you're capable of elegance but also hiding plenty of complexity beneath your smooth exterior.

Syrah

You're an uninhibited free spirit who adds spice to the lives of everyone close to you. You're courageous, love exploring, and fit in anywhere. Wild and fun.

Riesling

You're exceptional, if a little under-appreciated. You're an authentic, genuine person who some see as a little too sweet or friendly, but you have plenty of complexity and depth beneath your easygoing and approachable exterior.