Fit Fun Day

If you're bored of your workout, then check out Evans Cycles Ride It! events. At designated weekends throughout the year, the national bicycle chain store hold mountain and road bicycle rides. They mark out the route, offer a free memory map, energy food and drink and you can even book a demo bike and try out Gore Tex garments at the event. The events offer a variety of routes starting at a fun ride of 15 miles, right up to 90 mile cycle. Entry is £10 via http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it Bike your way out of your fitness rut!

Train for a triathalon - the J-Lo way

Six months after becoming a first time mum, Jennifer Lopez has decided to get in shape by training for a triathalon. It may sound like a daunting task for the 39-year old singer, but as personal trainer and triathatlete, Lily Rose of urbanfit.co.uk points out, you don't have to be a super fit athelete to do it.
'It can sound intimidating but if you're a beginner or don't have much experience of exercise, you can start out on novice events,' she explains. 'This involves swimming 375m, cycling 10km and running 2.5km. Once you've mastered that, you can progress to the sprint and then olympic distances.'
And the best thing about triathalons? It will get you in shape like no other sport as it works your entire body, particularly your core which works to stabilise your body through the three different disciplines of running, swimming and cycling.
'Triathalons are fantastic ways of getting fit,' agrees Lily. 'They work your cardiovascularly but are also a great fat burning exercise - you will lose a shedload of weight.'
The best way to start training for a triathalon is to work out for five minutes on the bike, switch to the treadmill, and then repeat this three times. This will get you use to the transition between the different disciplines. Also, focus on your swimming and building your core stability. For free core training tips, write a comment.
For more information about upcoming triathalon races visit www.britishtriathalon.org.
To see J-Lo talking about her trianing visit http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5600031&page=1

Jennifer Love Hewitt loses 18lbs

After being subjected to the long lens of a papparazzi, Jennifer Love Hewitt was roundly ridiculed for her weight gain recently. But unfair though the papp shot was, there is nothing like an unflattering photograph to prompt you into action, and the Hollywood actress is no exception.
In the latest issue of US magazine (www.usmagazine.com/jennifer-love-hewitt-reveals-new-thinner-body) the star reveals her new slim-line, size 10 figure after losing an amazing 18lb in ten weeks. She's achieved it with the help of her trainer, Stevie Sant'Angelo, who customised a nutritional plan made up of 1250-1500 calories a day.
''The less processed the better,' says Jennifer. 'When you teach someone to eat properly, it's all about eyeballing the portions.'
But the real secret behind her amazing shape up, is a dynamic exercise routine, involving skipping, running and spinning, as well as building lean muscle with the help of kettlebells.
Originally used by Russian strongmen, these ball shaped weights are renowned for helping people shape up fast.
Resembling cannon balls but with a hande, this means the weight is off set, helping to challenge the muscles more than traditional dumbells. And because the movements use several muscle groups, you get twice the workout in half the time. Check out this YouTube video to see how a kettlebell workout could help you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy5uU7ku-Lo

Free celebrity workouts

What did we ever do without YouTube and the internet? What it means is that it's now possible to get expert personal training workout and tips from trainers responsible for getting the Hollywood stars into shape.
In under a hour, I've already revamped my own training regime and have picked out some of the best free sites for you guys...

Gunnar Peterson
Responsible for getting Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani into shape, Gunnar is one of the top trainers in the world. This site is brilliant with easy to follow video instruction on a number of functional exercises. This is the new buzz word in the fitness world, meaning that you exercise in a manner that replicates the movement patterns that your body usually does day to day.
Link: www.gunnarpeterson.com
Who is it for? Fit chicks
Difficulty rating: ****

The Body Doctor
Otherwise known as David Marshall, this is the man credited with the amazing transformations of Sophie Dahl and Rachel Weisz. He's most famous for a six week plan which, in three 90-minute sessions completely transforms your body. At a cost, of course. That's why it's worth logging on to his website for free stuff! The vidoes are a bit cumbersome to watch and the exercises aren't that challenging but it's great for beginners.
Link: www.bodydoctor.com
Who is it for? Chicks ready to spread their fitness wings
Difficulty rating: **

Kathy Kaehler
She's trained Claudia Schiffer and Lisa Kudrow, which is good enough for Fitbitch as they both look fantastic. Unlike the other's, Kathy provides both a 30-minute cardio workout to help burn fat, as well as an easy to follow resistance exercises. These are just as vital as muscle burns more calories at rest so it helps you slim. And it's particularly important for those of us who are over 30 as we lose 0.5kgs of muscle every year.
Link: www.kathykaehler.com
Who is it for? New chicks
Difficulty rating: *

Mark Jenkins
He's helped Beyonce develop her enviably toned curves and notably helped Missy Elliot completely metamorphose. And when you watch his workouts you understand why. This video workout focus on plyometric exericses. These are short, explosive exercises usually practised by those training for a sports event and develop spped and strength. To follow this workout you'll need a lot of equipment and it's not stuff you'll get at your local gym. Still, if you're ready for the burn, then this is the one.
Link: www.infitness.com
Who is it for: Uber fit chicks
Difficulty rating: *****

Five of the best diet tricks

© istockphotos.com/Sarah Louise Johnson

And by diet tricks, I'm talking how you can actually have something sweet without completely falling off the diet wagon and giving up on those hard won, slim-line curves.

First up, an well known but original one - the humble Jelly Baby. Don't you love 'em? Containing just 85 calories and 0.1 grammes of fat in five of these squidgy, delicious jelly bodies you can't fail. Er...except if you buy a whole packet and scoff the lot. My advice? Go to a Pick n'Mix and just buy five...or nick some from your friend's children!

It may sound mad but try freezing a handful of white grapes. When you get the urge for something sweet just suck them - they're like sweets. Alternatively, buy some frozen cherries, blackberries or blueberries from the supermarket and use them. Only 60 calories and 0.1 grammes of fat.


Yummmm, Fig Rolls are another of our favourites, crunchy on the outside and gooey in the middle. And at only 40 calories and 1.4grammes of fat. You can only go wrong if you eat the lot. If you have no self control, steer clear.



Chocolate...mmmm, how could we survive without it? But Fitbitch is fed up of those diet features saying 'Have a few squares of 70% dark chocolate as a treat.' Are you kidding?! What, so you're just going to have two and put the rest in the fridge and forget about it. I don't think so.
But there is away around it...if you melt the chocolate first and then eat with a spoon ...dare I say it, you feel a bit sick by the end. OK, so not strictly speaking a treat but it cures you of that overwhelming 'Homer, must eat doughnuts' kind of moment. 55 calories and 4.1g of fat for 1/3 of a small bar of Green and Blacks 70% dark chocolate.

And lastly, it's going to sound weird but it's lovely. I came across this when I found my Iranian flatmate dipping a Finn's Rye Crisp in a pot of natural yoghurt. I thought it was disgusting until I tried it...and it's really, really nice. 50 calories and 1.4grammes of fat.

Anne Hathaway's fitness secrets

Anne Hathaway, 25, star of Brokeback Mountain and the Devil Wears Prada is in fantastic shape, yet she only exercises for 30 minutes, three times a day. Her secret? Interval training.
'I do interval running for about half an hour, during this time, I'll walk for a minute and a half, then I run for a minute, then sprint for a minute.'
By fatiguing the muscles by constantly challenging them, you not only tone up more quickly but because your metabolic rate is raised for up to two hours after you've exercised you keep burning calories even after your work out if finished.
but if you're not fit enough to run, then don't worry. Interval training counts as anything where you go from a slow to a faster pace. This could be a slow walk to a jog, or walking on a level surface and then going uphill. Just be honest with yourself - as long as you're challenging yourself it will work!

Sweet treats that won't make you fat

It sounds like something out of Alice in Wonderland, but companies in Ameria have invented a new generation of chemicals that aims to fight the increase in adult obesity. The chemicals, known as flavour modulators trick the brain into thinking you are scoffing a sugary, fatty snacks when you could be eating something as healthy as a carrott.
Next year, Cadbury is reportedly aiming to use flavour modulators in some of it's foods, while Coca-Cola is working on a way to boost the taste of it's sugar-free drinks. It may sound like a good argument in the fight against the obesity epidemic but Fitbitch can't help but wonder whether there will be anything left in the supermarket soon that isn't full of chemicals.

Celebrity Diet Secrets

The Eat what you Want diet

Claudia Schiffer diets according to the principle that having a little of what you fancy – ie. Chocolate for most of us – means you won't end up craving it and binging. All very well but if you haven't got the iron will power to j ust have that one square of dark chocolate (God, how many times have you heard that as a diet treat?!) then it's a no no.

The Grapefruit Diet
Invented in the 1980s, this advocates eating only 800 calories a day, including half a grapefruit with every meal and has been tried by Brooke Shields. While it's unhealthy to restrict your calorie intake so severely there is something to this. A recent 12 week study found that those who hate 1/2 a grapefruit with every meal lost 3.6 pounds. It’s believed that this is because grapefruit contains plant compounds that reduce insulin levels, thereby promoting weight loss as high levels lead to fat storage. For more information visit www.grapefruit-diet-plan.org

The Hypnosis Diet
Lily Allen recently dropped an impressive two dress sizes using hypnosis and looked fantastic.(thesun.co.uk/.../woman/article290547.ece )This method definitely can work for some people, given the fact that most peoples’ weight issues stem not just from the type of food they eat, but the emotional and psychological reason behind why they eat it. Hypnosis works by examining those triggers and changing diet habits.

The Baby Food Diet
This hit the headlines when it was revealed that 39-year old, Christian Dior designer Hedi Slimlane, kept his slim-line figure by swapping up to two meals a day for jars of baby food. Reese Witherspoon is meant to have tried it also and she is in great shape but does it reallywork? You'll certainly lose weight as your calorie intake is so low. But this is not only dangerous but boring. Baby food is deliberately low in fat, sugar and taste.

The Ultrametabolism Diet
Devised by American Dr Mark Hyman, this is built on the concept that everyone’s body uses nutrients differently to awaken fat burning genes. It’s more holistic than most plans, taking into account the effect of stress on the body as well as food. In a nutshell, it involves cutting out allergens like diary, eggs and gluten and slowly reintroducing them to see what effect it has on the body. Every meal contains low lean protein such as turkey, balanced with healthy fats such as those found in oily fish and carbohydrates. Jane Seymour looks great on it but you have to be prepared to give your diet a complete overhaul. And, as portion control is not emphasised you still have to have the willpower to prevent yourself overindulging – even healthy food can be fattening! visit www.ultrametabolism.com

Four of the best outdoor workout classes

Not that long ago, if you wanted a great fitness class you had to sign up to an expensive gym and sweat it out in front of horrible mirrors to banging house music. Thankfully, there's now a range of classes suitable for all fitness levels outdoors. And what's more many of them make you feel like you're getting a little slice of personal training without you having the star bank balance...

Best for... new mums

Pushy Mothers
If you're stuck at home with a wailing newborn, and wondering how you'll ever get your figure back in shape then this workout is for you. You take your baby along and use the pushchair as part of the exercise routine, pushing and pulling to help build resistance. With a mix of cardiovascular work to burn fat, resistance to build muscles and core conditioning to bring those all important pelvic floor muscles back into shape, it's also a non-intimidating atmosphere with other mums. The downside is that it is really only for one baby families – can you imagine trying to do it with one pram, one child on your hip and another in a harness? No, thought not.
Cost: joining fee of £15 and classes cost £4-7.
For more information visit www.pushymothers.com

Best for... figure overhaul

Kate Staples Adventure Boot Camp for Women
During the 1980s, Kate Staples used to be Gladiator during the TV show's heyday. But when she broke her neck during filming many thought that was the end of her career in fitness until she launched this revolutionary new outdoor workout. Sign up for a four-week programme, five days a week and it guarantees that you will lose 5-12lb and decrease your body fat by 3-5%. A big claim but with wa nutritional seminar, workouts that change every day to keep challenging your bodyand fitness, these all women boot camps could give you the body haul you're after.
Cost: £200 plus VAT regristration and £12 per class.
For more information visit www.fitnesscamp.co.uk

Best for...women new to exercise

Nordic Walking
It may look like just like trekking with hiking poles but Nordic walking uses specially adapted poles and claims to use 90% of the skeletal muscles. In order to learn how to do this properly, you need to unergo an hour and a half technique workshop. This teaches you how to place the poles correctly to get the most out of your workout. That said, it's more gentle than most although some areas hold Ulimate Nordic Classes. This involves interval running, bounding and hill work to maximise cardiovascular benefits. Great for those new to exercise, or who are undergoing rehabilitation.
Cost: £15 for the technique workshop, and classes £6-8 per class.
For more information visit www.nordicwalking.co.uk

Best for...fitness buffs

British Miltary Fit
One of the first, and now most established outdoor workouts is this military boot camp run by ex-Army personnel. Using a combination of interval sprint training and strength work – which sometimes includes pullng big tyres or carrying your team mate, this is perfect for those who thrive in a competitive environment. They split the group into three different levels, beginners, intermediate and advanced but it really is intended for those with a competitive streak. Yoga buffs will not take kindly to being yelled at!
Cost: £38 per month.
For more information visit www.britmilfit.co.uk

Gordon Brown's secret fitness trainer

Hmm, dont' give up the day job Gord

Fitbitch is all for extolling the virtues of hiring a personal trainer but it seems a bit rich of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to have one. According to The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1508859.ece) the Labour Prime Minister has hired personal trainer, Millie Dobie, to take him through his paces while he's holidaying in Southwold, Suffolk.
The £50-per hour trainer, has been been charged with getting Gordon fighting fit before his return to work (and lord knows he's going to need to be!) with woodland runs and resistance exercises. But if he's so aware of the benefits of fitness for himself, should he not be re-directing more government money into free fitness initiatives for those who can't afford their own personal fitness motivator?
It's estimated that around one third of children under 11 in the UK will be overweight or obese by 2010. And that's not to mention the 50% plus women and men who have already reached that condition. While the government is making strides to tackle childhood obesity, it's a different matter when it comes to adults. Caroline Flint, public health minister believes that people should be encouraged to 'change their lifestyles and take responsibility for their own health.' As Gordon Brown is now demonstrating, that is sometimes not so easy without a bit of help - and money.
Ooh, sorry I don't know what's happened this morning...Fitbitch has come over all political!

Fit Pill

© istockphoto.com/Tomaz Levstek

Exercising to get fit could become a thing of the past, according to scientists in California who have developed a pill that will make you fit without you having to move a muscle.
Studies done on mice at Salk Institute in California showed that the drug, known as AICAR, boosts fat burning and stamina in inactive mice.
A second drug, GW1516 produced even better results when done in conjunction with exercise. After a month of taking the drug, mice could run 70% further than mice who had not worked out on the treadmill.
So, how does it work? GW1516 flicks a 'master switch' in muscle metabolism, boosting the production of muscle fibres which burn more calories, while also increasing stamina and endurance.
Similarly, AICAR triggers the same switch, and raises levels of the enzyme that tells the body the muslces are running low on energy. This causes the body to then turn to the fat stores for energy.
While researchers say the drugs will offer help to the obese, elderly and those with muscle wasting conditions, it could also offer benefits to those who simply don't have time to visit the gym. While this might be true, Fitbitch can't help but wonder how weird it will be if we all become a nation of toned couch potatoes. Where is the fun in that?