Author: Lee-Ann Barnes

Yes, size does matter when you are working towards a goal. Sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than being able to wear clothes that were too small for you last season. This is more reflective of weight loss progress than any measuring tape around your waist or caliper around your arm. Compliments from friends are more valuable than the two kilos that the scale has dropped. Conversely, it is depressing for any person to have to wiggle to pull up tight clothing that fitted perfectly before the bulge that sneaks up through winter. Anthropometry is the scientific term that involves…

A slow metabolism sounds like a poor excuse that obese people use for eating too much and exercising too little. Overweight people despise thin people for naturally having a high metabolism who can eat anything that they crave without putting on weight. Although some of us are able to cheat while others pick up weight looking at the cake display in a restaurant, the kilojoule burner in our body can be manipulated. By either making small changes in our diet or activity levels, we can kick-start or speed up metabolism slightly, resulting in a more efficient machine that looks leaner.…

The physical and mental benefits of commencing an exercise program at a young age is an important habit that should be present in every person. Children play naturally, but modern technology and lifestyle has led to an imbalance in these activities that used to be a natural part of development. Childhood obesity is increasing, yet there is a huge amount of pressure on children to succeed in sport, often without the proper base, which results in injury. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR KIDS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUPERVISED PHYSICAL PROGRAM? Establishes a life-long habit. Productive energy release. Improves motor abilities, balance,…

The gym is the best place to go if you are trying to have a great workout session to build muscle and burn fat. However, nothing ruins a good trip to your favorite fitness facility like poor gym etiquette. Let’s break down some major mistakes a lot of people make when it comes to using proper etiquette while at the gym. Below are the top 15 ways you should behave in the gym and toward the gym’s employees. This list comes directly from gym staff, so take note and make sure to adhere to these rules if you want to stay on their…

Myths and lies prevail surrounding exercises that target areas like the core muscles around the spine. Home exercise equipment and supplements have flooded the market and new programs are developed overnight (some even help us lose weight while we sleep). Yesterday’s trends were choreographed aerobics and high impact exercises thanks to Jane Fonda and her friends in the leg warmer brigade. Today, even the elite sports teams are doing yoga, pilates and core stability training instead of the macho cardiovascular and weight exercises that were ruled by the “drop and give me 20 pushups” coaching mentality. There are many stigmas…

Diabetes is a disease that has become one of the main killers as a result of modern lifestyle habits. Afrikaans-speaking people call it “suikersiekte” as it involves the body’s inability to control glucose levels and produce insulin which is used to convert food into energy. The two types of diabetes are medically divided into insulin dependent (auto-immune condition) and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Insulin dependent diabetics accounts for 5-10% of all diabetics who have to inject themselves as the pancreas cannot produce insulin. Type 1 diabetics have more severe symptoms and have more trouble controlling insulin levels throughout their lifetime. Most…

The shock realization of writing this article is that it is not the unattractive panting and sweat that women dread, but the actual mindset associated with exercise. Read on to identify your main reason for putting those training clothes at the back of your cupboard and pushing the thought of exercise to the back of your mind: #1. It’s too much of a mission to get dressed and showered after sweating Exercise time does not only involve the 45 minutes of physical activity. There’s the traveling, dressing, showering and grooming that doubles or triples the time that has to be…

Newly resigned, self-employed personal trainer, group trainer and single chick looking to make a difference in people’s lives. I’m brutally honest and straight forward and tell/write about things as I see them. My philosophy in life is that “sh** happens” and it therefore always good either to have a contingency or a very good sense of humor. My new business venture/experiment is called “LeeWay” because we all have opinions and I enjoy voicing mine and having an audience. I have a degree which did not help secure a high-paying job, yet it was a valuable life experience. I have various…