Struggling to get off the sofa? Can’t part ways with the chocolate? Here’s how to have (most) of your cake – and get fit too, with a few easy trade-offs…

Portion control
Instead of ditching the chocolate altogether, why not try downsizing? Trade your regular Mars Bar in for a fun size bar – you’ll get all the taste and half the calories!

Fun ways to get fit
If pounding the pavement for hours is your idea of hell, try some fun ways to ‘cheat’ physical activity into your day. Organise a weekly soccer game in the park with friends, try a dance class or take up something you’ve always wanted to try out, like karate – you’ll still be burning calories, but it won’t feel half as gruelling as running the treadmill.

Easy exercise plan
Take the hard work out of scheduling an exercise plan and learn how to get fit the incidental way. Incidental exercise is exercise that can occur naturally and is not necessarily planned – that includes stuff like walking to the bus and pushing the trolley to the far end of the car park. So why not try getting off the bus one stop earlier, parking your car further away from the supermarket or using the stairs at work instead of the lift? It’s the perfect way to get fit, without even trying!

Sweet swaps
Swap your nightly dessert for an equally sweet but way less caloric treat. Try a diet dessert (there’s a huge range to choose from in supermarkets) or make a drool-worthy fruit salad and top with a decadent scoop of velvety low fat yoghurt. Your hips will thank you for it!

 

What small changes have you made for big results?

 

Result: What's your health and fitness IQ?

  • health and fitness fanatic 85)% 595 (85%)
  • workout wonder 13)% 91 (13%)
  • couch queen 2)% 13 (2%)

Take the quiz again