5 Top Tips to Achieving your fitness resolutions

It’s that time of year again when everyone is talking about heath and fitness. Wherever you look there is advice and tips of how to get in shape. I want to simplify it all for you. It’s all about making small changes.

If you stick to these 5 simple tips, then you will be on your way to a healthier you:

Time Efficiency
Being efficient with your time it’s one of our most precious commodities. Knowing exactly what you have to do when you exercise will reduce workout procrastination.

Working out at home instead of the gym means that you you will save time going to and from the gym. You will avoid having to carry a wet towel around all day whilst wearing your crinkled shirt that you pulled out of your bag this morning.

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To save time food shopping you can order boxes of organic and fresh ingredients with some awesome healthy recipes from Mindful chef. Use the promo code TRUBE50 for 50% off your first box!

Lifestyle
Alcohol is one of the barriers that gets in the way of achieving our dream bodies. If you still want to go out and have a drink with your friends then remember this. Gin and Vodka comes out as the lowest calorie option. Try these healthier options when drinking alcohol.

  • Gin and slimline tonic

  • Vodka, soda and lime

Exercise
The secret to good exercise is consistency. To get you started we have launched the TruBe Detox exercise program. All the workouts can be done from the comfort of your own home and are perfectly designed to blow away those holiday cobwebs.

Try week 1 for yourself:

Nutrition
Experience tells us that if we make small achievable changes to our diet, we are more likely to stick to it, rather than drastic fad diets that are not sustainable and potentially unhealthy.

Remember to eat protein and sugar after a workout to help with recovery. If you want to take supplements because it’s quicker and easier than eating straight after exercise, then there are some great products available from Super Vitality and as a friend of TruBe  you can use the promo code TRUBE10 for 10%off all of their products.

Remember to hydrate! We lose at least 2 litres of water a day, even more when exercising. We need to replace this to keep the body functioning efficiently.

Sleep
Our body needs at least 7 hours a night to aid recovery. The lack of sleep can have a negative effect on hormones and cortisol release. Which then stimulates fat storage.

If you need any help with your at home workouts then why not get one of our trainers to come to you. Download the app.

Andy Hall – UK Master Trainer

Five Apps to Help with Clean Eating

We at TruBe know that maintaining a consistently clean and healthy diet is a tough challenge and sometimes we need some extra help to keep us on track. Luckily, there are hundreds of apps and programs to help us. We’ve tried a number of them and wanted to share our five favourites with you.

MyFitnessPal

my fitness pal app blog

Tracking what you eat throughout the day can take up a lot of your precious time. Especially when you have to work out how much carbohydrate, fats and proteins you have eaten. With MyFitnessPal all you need to do is scan the barcode or type in what you are eating and this amazing app will do all the calculations for you.

Superfood

super food app blog

If you need to add a particular superfood to your diet or want to add a variety of superfoods then is the app you need. This app allows you to search recipes based around individual superfoods as well as giving you the nutritional breakdown of each recipe. You can also browse the list of superfoods to discover new ones to add to your diet.

Deliciously Ella

D Ella app blog

Deliciously Ella is well known for creating some of the tastiest and healthiest recipes around. All recipes are gluten free and refined sugar free, which helps keep ingredients natural. The includes a healthy take on many traditionally unhealthy desserts such as banoffee pie and sweet potato brownies.

Fooducate

fooducate app blog

This fantastic app will give the nutritional breakdown of most supermarket products. All you have to do is scan the barcode and the app will grade the item from A (super healthy) to F (very unhealthy). .

Jamie’s Recipes

jamie olive app blog

Jamie Oliver is well known for his use of good natural ingredients, easy to follow and delicious recipes, hence the nickname “The Naked Chef.” Jamie’s app provides a mouthwatering variety of recipes using lots of fresh produce. Some of his recipes may verge on the unhealthy side so be sure to choose with caution.

Now that your nutrition is taken care of, download our app and let TruBe help you with your workouts.

Meet our trainers and book a personalised fitness session tailored to your needs!

Introducing Personal Trainer and Parkour Fitness Specialist, Rowena R

Rowena is one of our most creative trainers, regularly practicing the art of parkour. She has a great understanding of how the body moves and like most great trainers, practices what she preaches on a daily basis.

What is your biggest client success story?
I worked with a weight loss client who managed to drop from a size 20 to a size 10 by changing her lifestyle and nutrition. When we started she was extremely self conscious and embarrassed by her low fitness levels. It was great to see her confidence grow as the months went by. Her posture improved, she treated herself to a new wardrobe and actually started to enjoy the sessions! She recently ran her first 10k and has progressed from a 20 second plank on her knees to a 90 second full plank.

What do you enjoy about being a part of the TruBe Team?
I love the philosophy behind the app and the fact it caters to today’s modern lifestyles. I love the use of functional exercise in the signature workouts as this is something I am very passionate about. I encourage all my clients to be strong for a reason! I also really enjoy teaching the barre workouts as I can draw upon my background as a professional dancer.

Your favourite piece of TruBe equipment?
The suspension trainer; as it’s so versatile and can be used both in and outdoors. It is great for core strength and adds an extra dimension to body weight training, enabling you to work through a greater range of motion without losing form.

rowena blog trx

What was your last health and fitness obstacle and how did you overcome it?
In September last year, I had surgery on both my knees and was on crutches for 2 months. This was a challenging time as I am normally so active. The surgery was quite invasive and I was left with a lot of scar tissue to work with but I was determined to make a full recovery. I’m happy to say the hard work paid off and I am now stronger than before and have a newly found confidence in my knees.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I lived in Cuba for 2 years, speak fluent Spanish and dance a mean salsa!

What is your favourite instagram account you follow?
GMB fitness – as they offer great tutorials

What is your favourite motivational quote?
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.

What was your latest qualification?
Parkour UK ‘Parkour fitness Specialist’. Taking the principles of free running and parkour training into a fitness context.

How do you treat yourself?
With a pair of new workout leggings. I have a ridiculously large collection of colourful leggings, but there is always room for one more pair!

rowena blog leggins

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a mentor?
If it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you.

How do you find balance in your life?
I’ve learnt to be very strict about my days off work and rest days from training. Duvet day is sacred! It’s so important to take time out for myself and to give my body a chance to rest, yet not always easy to stick to. When I feel like I need a break I’ll take some time out for a walk by the river and a nice long stretch in the sun.

To book a session with Rowena, download the app and find her as one of our featured trainers.

Quick and Easy Healthy Proteins

Our bodies are literally made out of proteins. When we exercise we use proteins to repair and rebuild muscle cells. Protein based foods can also be used to replace calorie dense foods when trying to burn fat. This can leave you fuller for longer. However remember that for effective protein digestion you must eat them with a small amount of good carbohydrates.

Choosing the healthiest protein foods is easy if you stick to organic and those without any unwanted added extras. We have made a list of our favourite proteinous foods and the best way to eat them!

Animal Proteins

Eggs – One of the best mixes of protein and good fats. A great go to breakfast and also a great high protein snack when hard boiled.

Beef Jerky – Jerky has a bad reputation for being unhealthy. But if you buy beef jerky from a good natural source it is packed full of protein and easy to eat on the go.

Turkey – Turkey breasts are easy to cook in bulk and can be ready to eat when you get home from the gym. It’s a great lean source of protein with only 1g of fat per 30g serving.

Seafood Proteins

Sardines – Sardines are great for adding to salads straight from the tin. Making it a quick and easy meal after late training sessions. Just squeeze a bit of lemon for some zing!

Sardines Protein

Salmon – Salmon is extremely high in omega 3 which is a very important nutrient for muscular recovery. Smoked salmon slices can be eaten on the go or baked salmon can be added to a summer salad to increase the protein in the meal.

Prawns – Pre cooked prawns are one of the easiest on-the -go proteins around. They are perfect for post gym recovery with around 22g of protein for a 85g portion and packed with omega 3 fatty acids.

Non Animal Proteins

Nuts – Raw nuts and good quality, organic nut butters can be eaten on the go or at the desk. Try peanut butter spread on apple slices for a natural energy kick.

Peanut Butter Protein

Lentils – Lentils are full of Iron, Vitamin B, magnesium and are a good amount of protein for a plant based food. Try making a large batch of homemade spicy lentil soup then freezing it for an easy, nutritious meal.

Hummus – Made from mainly chickpeas, it’s a yummy high protein plant based protein. A great proteinous snack when eaten in small amounts and easy to make at home.

Quinoa – Quinoa is a carbohydrate with one of the highest protein values that can replenish energy levels as well as aid muscle recovery. Great to add into salads or to make quinoa breakfast pots.

Quinoa protein
Dairy

Greek yogurt – Greek yoghurt is loaded with calcium making it one of the best foods to keep bones strong and healthy. It also contains around 10g of protein per 100g serving. Try mixing it with frozen berries for extra vitamins and minerals.

Protein Shakes – The easiest alternative protein source to whole foods. You can go for standard whey protein or try a hemp protein for a dairy free option.

Got a favourite on the go protein snack? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

P.S. Subscribe to the blog below or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @trubeapp for more inspirational ways to reach your health and wellness goals!

Introducing Alex L, Personal Trainer and World Champion Kickboxer

Trainer Rating: 5 Stars

As one of our ambassador trainers, Alex has over 20 years of personal training experience as well as multiple world kickboxing championships. He has hundreds of success stories ranging from weight loss to helping young offenders.

What do you enjoy about being a part of the TruBe Team?

I love everybody’s energy and enthusiasm ,from the trainers to the tech team. We all want this app to succeed and are willing to go the extra mile.

Where is your favourite healthy date?
It has to be the organic Medjool variety from Egypt 😉 I think you mean where do I go for some healthy time out? My favourite would have to be tree-climbing in my local park.

What is your biggest client success story?

Firstly, I worked with a small group of young offenders. Four out of the six managed to train with me for two years. They developed a martial arts code of respect and found a new inspiration to keep them focused.

Secondly, I helped a bride-to-be prepare for her wedding day. She trained three times a week for three months with nutritional support.  Not only did the training help her lose 6kg, but she toned up and felt amazing. She also benefited from regular stress relief by hitting pads when kickboxing. A must for every bride feeling the pressure! Now a mother of three, she still finds time to put the gloves on every week and train with me.

alex blog training

What do you add to your shake/smoothie for a boost?

I don’t drink smoothies! I prefer to take on my nutrients in their whole organic form. I enjoy eating my fruit and veg as Mother Nature intended!

What was your last health and fitness obstacle and how did you overcome it?

Alex Lawson blog

I decided to re-enter competitive kickboxing and in 2013 won the Unified World Championships welterweight kickboxing world title.

What is your favourite piece of TruBe equipment?

The GripR. It is an ideal training tool that allows clients to work on many planes of motion and is a really versatile piece of kit.

How do you treat yourself?
I enjoy playing with my children – it’s fun and they actually give me a workout!

What is your favourite instagram account you follow?
@twobadbodies

What is your favourite motivational quote?
“Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
Ulysses 1833
Alfred Tennyson

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a mentor?
“One more round to go and you’ll be a World Champion.”

To book a session with Alex, download the app and find him as one of our featured trainers.