DIY Weights.

The weight of your body is the best resistance training bit of kit possible. It's always available, and it's easy to monitor your own progression, as the move from five press ups with your knees on the ground to 50 full ones would be hard to miss.

In magazines and fitness DVDs the use of water bottles and tin cans is often advocated, but in all honestly a can of beans in each hand is not going to make much difference. It is possible to make a good kettlebell using a sturdy re-usable supermarket bag, as the weight can be increased and bathroom scales used to work put just how much you are lifting.

The only disadvantage is being a lot bigger than a kettlebell, a bag of cans can be quite cumbersome, and some exercises involve swinging the bell about, which with a bag, could result in flying cans breaking TV screens. However, simple lifts, whether with one or two arms are fine, such as this-

Weight Loss Boosters

As we know, the majority of diet pills don't work, and the ones that do are fat binders so food exits quicker than it entered, which is unpleasant for all concerned.

There are however some simple changes that can be made which will make a difference, and which don't cost much. You may not see instant results, as you would for example by taking amphetamines, but you won't end up in prison either.


Cinnamon-

Diabetics are advised to take half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day as it helps blood sugar levels, as well as aids digestion, and has been shown to make the stomach empty slower, which means we don't get hungry as quickly. It has also been shown to fight yeast infections and has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. I personally put some in my porridge every morning, but if you hate the taste, you can put a little on some warm water and just gulp it down. I do that with the next item-



Cayenne Pepper-

The only way I can down half a teaspoon of this is to take it in a little warm orange juice, but it's absolutely worth it. Again the health benefits are numerous, from everything to detoxing, heart, digestion, anti-fungal and can even help prevent migraines, but for weight loss, it's main benefit is as an appetite suppressant and metabolic booster, so a double winner.



Lemons-

The health benefits of lemon juice are too numerous to mention (so look at this link instead), but for weight loss they make the body a better place. Although they are acidic, they have an alkalising effect on the body. An acidic body will hold onto water and fat, as it feels under attack. People with arthritis are informed by the doctors about the benefits of an alkaline diet, but it's something we should all bear in mind.



Kelp-

Kelp tablets are a cheap way of getting iodine into your system. This vitamin is essential for thyroid function. If your thyroid isn't working properly, your metabolism won't be either.



Green tea-

The benefits of green tea are again numerous, and used in fight against cancer and heart disease, but it also helps lower cholesterol and burn fat. I personally don't like the taste so I drink it cold mixed with a little fruit juice.