Our team of experienced physiologists, including fitness experts and nutritionists, answer your questions about exercise and weight loss.
Here we’ve rounded up the best of the team’s support and insights around the most commonly asked questions:
Q. I'm a working mum. There's hardly any time during the week to exercise. I've always exercised but am really struggling to find the energy or the motivation. Do you have any suggestions?
As a working mum it can be very difficult to fit everything into your day, especially the time to exercise! The main thing is to keep physically active throughout your working day so it doesn’t impact too much on your commitments outside of work. Try and do what you can, when you can, building it into your everyday activities.
You could start your day with a few exercises while the kids have their breakfast – this’ll get your blood pumping and help you feel energised. There are plenty of things you can do on the spot, such as squats, lunges, press ups, running on the spot, or triceps dips.
Alternatively, if time allows, try going for a lunch time run or brisk walk – even ten minutes of moderate activity will help with your fitness goals. Try to find activities that also involve the kids, whether it’s a family bike ride, a sports class, swimming or even taking them to the park and getting a quick jog in while they play.
Q. I like going to the gym, but I need some help to stay motivated – any suggestions?
A really good way to start is to get yourself a fitness journal, or even just a basic notepad. Jot down what you already do for a week and then think of ways you can adapt your routine to mix it up a bit.
Write down all aerobic and resistance exercise that you enjoy and each time you’re at the gym pick a different activity to do. You’ll be keeping things varied so you don’t get bored, while challenging your body in different ways each time.
If you only tend to go for aerobic exercise why not mix it up and try some resistance exercises; a willing exercise instructor can show you the ropes if you’re unsure.
If all that sounds a bit daunting, try going with a like-minded friend or try out a new class. Both of these can motivate you to be a little competitive and to have some fun and meet new people!
>Find out more about the benefits of group exercise.
Q. Is it true that the only way to really lose weight is through dieting – and exercise doesn't actually help?
A healthy, balanced diet is undoubtedly one of the main drivers for weight loss. However, exercise can be used alongside having a healthy diet to create what’s known as an ‘energy deficit’ (this is where we lose weight).
In some instances, exercise can create this energy deficit without dieting, as long as your current diet is not high in calories. Remember, exercising isn’t all about losing weight.
Think of the added benefits exercise, such as improving your heart health, increasing your metabolic control, improving muscle function and helping you feel less stressed.
>Take a look at our article to find out more about the mental health benefits of exercise.
Q. I hear so many different ways to keep fit I'm not sure which is the right one for me. Is there a standard set of exercises I should do?
Firstly, it’s important to do the exercises you enjoy, as this way you’ll stay committed to it in the long run. However, a balance of cardiovascular and bodyweight or resistance-based exercises is the best way to keep fit as they work the body differently.
Cardio exercise is any exercise that raises your heart rate. It doesn’t have to be long runs on the treadmill or ages spent on an exercise bike, it could be done in the form of a fun dance class (or dancing about at home) or a 20 minute high-intensity class.
The main aim is to work the heart and leave you feeling tired out (only for around 20 minutes). Bodyweight exercises, such as squats, pull-ups, push ups and dips are great as they improve your strength and endurance, which will help shape your body and also strengthen your bones and ligaments. Variety is crucial, so feel free to mix it up!
Q. What would an ideal breakfast be?
Ideal breakfasts are usually balanced. They should combine lean protein, healthy fats and wholegrain to create a breakfast full of fibre (which helps you to feel fuller for longer), while containing ‘slow-release’ carbohydrates that release energy slowly over a longer period of time.
You want to avoid sugar rich breakfasts, such as cereals as these can lead to sugar spikes and crashes. Try to include foods like:
- Proteins – lean meats, Greek yoghurt, eggs
- Healthy fats – avocados, nuts
- Wholegrain – oats
- Fibre – fruit and vegetables, chia seeds
Porridge is a great option for breakfast. Eggs are also a good choice as they contain both protein and healthy fats.
Q. I eat very healthily, with a mixed & balanced diet. But I usually have a chocolate bar and a can of pop per day. Is this bad?
You do have to take into consideration your physical activity levels when assessing diet, as active people generally need more energy.
However, having a chocolate bar or can of fizzy drink every day may mean that you still exceed your sugar requirements for the day. WHO guidelines state that daily total sugar consumption shouldn’t exceed 90 grams. A can of cola contains 39 grams of sugar. A standard sized (45 gram) plain chocolate bar contains around 25 grams of sugar. Be mindful that a lot of other foods that you eat in your day contain some form of sugar as well.
Check food labels on packaging to get an idea of your sugar intake. There’s no physiological purpose for added sugars in the diet, so the more they can be restricted and replaced by healthier snacks, the better.
Among other benefits, it can help keep your risk of type 2 diabetes down. Why not try switching a full fat can for a ‘diet’ or ‘zero’ can to help reduce sugar content?
Q. What do you think about sugar detoxing? Are our bodies really cut out for no sugar?
Artificial sugar, in high amounts, can be detrimental to our health, so it would be beneficial to cut down the amount consumed in some foods. However, sugar contained in fruit (known as fructose) is different.
Fruit is an important element of a healthy and balanced diet. There’s a common misconception that naturally occurring sugar found in fruit is as bad for our health as artificial sugar. These naturally occurring sugars can actually be important for the metabolic function in the body, providing a useful energy source.
There are no studies indicating a maximum daily fruit intake at which point a negative health impact can be observed, even when looking at nearly as many as 20 pieces a day. The fibre, micronutrient and low fructose content may play a role in this.
Fruit smoothies, on the other hand, have most of the fibre removed and contain more fructose and glucose than whole, raw fruit, so you should probably have these in moderation. However, fruit should still be consumed in amounts that allow consumption of a wide range of food groups, in order to get the benefits from other nutrients your body needs.
Q. I recently did a juice detox for a few days and found it really worked for me. Is there any harm replacing a meal with a full juice?
Ultimately, a juice diet will help to create a calorie deficit - but this is usually unsustainable in the long-term. A calorie deficit can also be achieved with whole meals by controlling portion sizes and finding healthy alternatives, which will also have many advantages over juices.
Eating a meal will make you feel fuller for longer, reducing the urge to have unhealthy snacks later in the day. In comparison to juices, these balanced meals will also have greater nutrient density, providing your body with the necessary nutrients it needs to be healthy throughout your life.
Q. I'm trying to gain better upper body muscles and definition. I've started doing weights and trying to eat right. What foods should I focus on to help with this?
Protein is the key dietary factor for gaining muscle. You should aim to include a good source of protein with each meal. Great sources of protein include lean meats (e.g. chicken, turkey, fish) and foods such as eggs and dairy. Other great meat-free sources include quinoa, buckwheat and soy.
Combining these with nutritious, balanced meals will give your body what it needs to maximise muscle growth and recovery from your training sessions.
Further reading and resources
How to lose weight well | AXA Health
Metabolism and weight loss: myth vs fact | AXA Health
Eating a balanced diet - NHS Choices
