Winter Varsity: Did SHU retain their crown?

THE PREVIEWMarch 2013

WINTERVARSITY

Will SHU win the title?

WHAT TO WATCH AND WHERE TO GO

This Month

Varsity Issue - February/March 2013

What’s Inside:4 INTRODUCTION

6 WINTER VARSITY: ICE HOCKEY

8 INTERVIEW WITH COLAN

10 LIFESTYLE

12 - 13 FIXTURES

14 MEET YOUR SPORTS OFFICER

18 PLAYLIST

19 FASHION

20 FITNESS DVDS

21 FOOD

Fancy writing for SHUlife?

Email us at shu.life@hotmail.com

or find us on Facebook:SHUlife Magazine

www.shulife.co.uk

We will be opening

nominations for these positions for the academic year 2013-14 very soon!

It will be an invaluable

experience that will look great on your CV, so put yourself

forward for the role!

To nominate yourself, or to just

find out more, email us at

shu.life@hotmail.com, or message us

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Do you want to try your hand at being a SHUlife editor or section editor?

With Thanks

Introductions

EDITORIAL TEAM

General EditorsAndrew Musgrove

Kathryn Thorpe Rachel Wright

Music EditorsAlexander Wood Imogen Thomson

Film EditorErika Harris

Fashion EditorHarriet Davies

Lifestyle & Culture EditorBen Cater

Sport EditorSam Ashoo

Nathan Staples

News TeamAndrew Musgrove, Georgina Tubb

PhotographyFraser Harrison

Phill Johnson

Advertising

Howard Duffys.l.sturch@shu.ac.uk

Contributors

Bee Jarvis, Amber Stainrod, Fiona Barber

Sports TwitterKrystian Moson

Logo Design Joseph May

DisclaimerThe views expressed in this publication are the views of the individual contributors and do not reflect the opinions of Hallam Union, its staff or officers. Advertisments do not constitute a recommendation by SHUlife or Hallam Union. All details are correct at time of going to print. © 2013

@SHUlifeSHUlife Magazine

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breaking news and more...

Andrew Musgrove Kathryn Thorpe Rachel Wright

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Hey, welcome to SHUlife Magazine’s Varsity special issue and if you’re unsure what ‘Varsity’ means then this issue is most certainly for you.

I’m not going to tell you here what Varsity is all about apart from to say that it is a truly epic six weeks of sport that shows not only Sheffield Hallam and University of Sheffield in a good light but also the city of Sheffield itself.

Read on to find out more and wet your appetite for Varsity with a quick introduction, interviews, photos and even your own fixture list and then if you feel the want to do more than spectate – we’ve got a few handy tips to get you started on your health kick.

We hope this issue really puts you in the mood for Varsity and gets you as excited as we are in the attempt to retain our title, we’ll be covering it all at @SHULifeSport on twitter and on our website – www.shulife.co.uk – so any events you miss, we’ll be keeping you updated.

#HallamVarsityAndrew Musgrove

What is Varsity?

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What is Varsity? It is a sporting spectacle that stands for everything the city of Sheffield represents; Sport, but more than that it is a six week battle against our rivals: University of Shef-field. There are over 60 events of 40 sports ranging from football to water polo with many more unfamiliar sporting events in-between, Sheffield Hallam are currently nine years unbeaten and we’re hopeful of making that ten.

Where are the events being held?You’ll be visiting 23 venues with the atmosphere in each venue something to behold. The Football finale which has won the competition on my events in the past plays at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground, Hillsborough, while other venues include Ponds Forge, Don Valley and Abbeydale Sports Ground; all are within tram or bus distance – so you’ve got no excuse.

Where can I get tickets and how much are the prices?Tickets are available from the Hallam box office at hubs and tickets range from £2-£10 but your student card will get you discount to the Boxing (£6 with or £10 without). There are even some free events; however advice is to buy your tickets in advance so to avoid disappointment as demand is always high!

Why should I care?Simply because the whole event is epic, the city becomes divided for six weeks and the atmosphere is gripping – once you’re involved you’ll not want it to end. This year sees the launch of the Varsity Oath which hopes to embed a culture of respect, fair play and pride in the competitors and spectators who participate in Varsity 2013.

Okay, how can I get involved?By showing up and singing your heart out, act responsibly and enjoy the spectacle.

#HallamVarsity#HallamTillIDie

Forget Freshers week, the biggest university event of the year is upon us and if you’re not too sure what Varsity is then let Andrew Musgrove ex-plain the basics for you….

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FactsThis year has the first Varsity Steel Bowl.Over the following 6 weeks there will be 70 fixtures across 40 sports and 23 venues.The final event will be Football at Hillsborough on the 13th March.

Visit the official Varsity website: www.varsitysheffield.com for updates and more in-formation Remember to hashtag #HallamVarsity or #suvarsity on twitter

Varsity 2013- Team Sheffield Hallam

@SHUlifeSport

WINTER VARSITY

Words: Sam Ashoo

Sheffield Hallam regained their Winter Varsity trophy after an extraordinary 5-4 win over Sheffield University on penalties.

Over 4,000 people witnessed what was dubbed the greatest Varsity Ice Hockey match of all time at The Motorpoint Arena in which Sheffield University mustered an incredible third period comeback.

It was Hallam who came quickest out of blocks, dominating possession and creating chances and they were rewarded when Anton Egorov squeezed the puck in from close range after seven minutes.

Not willing to sit on their lead, Hallam kept on pressing and found the back of the net once again when Tom Briggs lashed the puck into the top corner after twelve minutes, leaving the University stopper with no chance.

University were clearly rocked by what just happened and with Hallam sensing blood, a third goal was not far away. After a few scrappy moments by both teams, Alex Harding drib-bled his way out of a crowded patch and force the puck in making it 3-0 to Hallam.

With over 35 minutes left, the game looked over before it had really started and a Hallam whitewash looked to be the only result. However, Sheffield University began to take the ini-tiative, pushing Hallam back into their own half and were rewarded with a lifeline after Eric Lee-Cheong pushed the puck past the Hallam ‘keeper.

University began to look dangerous, breaking past the Hallam defence on a number of occasions. But they couldn’t capitalise and were made to be pay when a Hallam counter-attack led to an Alex Harding tap in and just went over the line.

Now content with their lead and once again in control, Hallam began to drop back. Their tight defence was undone however when Lee-Cheong scored his second of the game for University making it 4-2.

The game began to open up with both ‘keepers constantly forced into one-on-one saves. With little under three minutes to go Michael Szollosy ensured a nervy ending for Hal-lam after tapping in from point-blank range. Then, incredible, Szollosy ran at the Hallam defence, dribbling past two and fired into the net to level the scores with just 15 seconds to go. Bedlam followed in the away end as the 2,000 Uni fans realised what had just hap-pened.

After a tight extra-time period, the scores remained 4-4 and the game went to a penalty shoot-out. Both ‘keepers outdid themselves with some brilliant instinctive saves and no goals were scored after seven attempts. Having already found the net twice in the match, Alex Harding looked confident, lashing the final penalty into the top corner and winning the championship for Sheffield Hallam and causing scenes of mayhem in the home end.

The Man with the Hallam Tattoo

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Colan Leung may not be the University’s Sports Officer anymore, but he’ll forever have Hallam in his blood. He tells Sam Ashoo what it felt like being the man behind that famous victory last year.

“I’m not going to lie, I honestly thought we’d lost it. Uni were leading most of the events and as every Sports Of-ficer does, you try and guess which fixtures will get you points. How wrong was I?”

Losing 23-15 with just a days worth of events left, Le-ung could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. But like the competitors around him, he never gave up. With just the men’s first team football match left to go, Hallam found themselves on level points with Univer-sity. It all came down to this.

“Having the finale at Hillsborough is unbelievable. How many students get the opportunity to play at one of the greatest traditional stadiums in this coun-try? There were nearly 5,000 people there to watch the match and it’s great that we’ve had such a great relation-ship with Sheffield Wednesday. Hopefully, like the rest of the events, it will just get bigger and bigger.”

Although each year promises to be bigger and better, could Varsity 2013 possible live up to it’s predecessor?

“I’ve got a good feeling about this one. Our students always rise to the occasion. I’ve been keeping an eye on BUCS and the other competitions and it looks like we’ve been doing really well. I’m sure everyone’s been training hard so I’ve got no doubt that we can make it ten years undefeated. I can’t wait to be back in Shef-field to support Team Sheffield Hallam and see the great work that goes on behind the scene from Josh and all the staff involved.”

It’s clear to see that nothing could keep Colan Leung from missing a return to Varsity. Like thousands of others, he’ll be back, donning the maroon and shout-ing for Hallam once again this semester.

“This City is Ours” are the final words from the man with the Hallam tattoo.

Having retained the Varsity trophy every year since 2003, Hallam are no strangers to victory, but for Leung 2012 was a bit different.

“For it to come down to the final event is incredible in itself, but to win it? It doesn’t get any better than that. To see what it meant to the players on the pitch and the supporters in the stands was priceless. It’s something that I’ll never forget.”

Sure enough he won’t be forgetting Varsity anytime soon. Colan has the University well and truly en-grained in his skin after agreeing to get a ‘Hallam ‘til I Die’ tattoo, in an area only that of a uni student could possibly get away with. “The tattoo was a stupid bet but I agreed to it so you can’t back out. A bit of pain for memories is worth it.”

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1 SHOTTO DO

RIGHT

It’s Not All About Winning

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The motivation for keeping for some is to look attractive and feel good but for others that motivation stems from something much deeper than the simple things of looking good, often it comes from a personal loss.

Many thousands of people each year run marathons across the globe in memory of a loved one, raising funds for a charity which interlinks with the death of someone close or in happier circumstances, the survival.

Nathan Hook is one of those people and his story albeit a sad one hope-fully will encourage you to get up, get out, get fit and live life to the full.

Nathan’s brother, Mathew died in September 2011; an ex-Sheffield Hallam student who graduated in 2004 suffered a tragic accident while out training for the Iron Man result-ing in a life being taken at just 28.

He was a man who loved keeping fit, running a number of races up and down the country including the London Marathon in a ridiculously quick time of 3 hours and 7 minutes and all for his chosen charity: Oxfam.

His loss devastated the family but Nathan is determined to carry on his brother’s love for fitness.

‘My brother used to ask me when I was going to do a marathon; I kept putting it off. So after his pass-ing I was determined to run it for him. I ran the Sheffield Varsity 10k in his memory the following March.’

‘I raised £2,000 for Oxfam and I am in training for the 10k near my home town in Derbyshire, and plan to run at least a 10K every year in the memory of Mathew.’

The Sheffield Varsity 10k run is an event between the two universities in which the fastest runner wins points that add to the final Varsity total, you can enter at http://www.fairplaysport.co.uk/var-sity-10k-race/ and follow in the foot-steps of Nathan and others, rais-ing money for important causes.

SHUlife Lifestyle and Culture 2012-13

Why not put your fitness to the test with:

Sheffield Half Marathon 2013

Date : 12 May 2013Start Time : 9.00Number of Places : 10,000

Start/ finish: Don Valley Sta-dium, Route: Sheffield city centre

Entry * Unaffiliated Runners : £29 * Affiliated Runners : £27 * Registration Deadline : 9 May

Website : http://www.sheffield-marathon.com

Scan here to visit Varsity’s10k race home page

See page 18 for work out playlists to get you in the mood for running

SHUlife Lifestyle and Culture 2012-13

V A R S I T Y 2 0 1 3 F I X T U R E S

V A R S I T Y 2 0 1 3 F I X T U R E S

Get ready for Badminton

Nathan Staples chats to Sheffield Hallam’s Badminton chairman, Craig Barry to find out just why you should come along and cheer the team on during Varsity.

Badminton is a sport on the fringe of British consciousness. After fleeting success in the 2004 Olym-pics, the racket sport has almost been ignored. But that won’t be the case come mid-March, as the Varsity event begins to fin-ish, Badminton could be at the forefront of who wins this year’s competition.

The event, to be held between 10am-2pm on Wednesday 13th March at the EIS, is one of the free entry events in the Varsity compe-tition. When asked what fans can expect from a badminton match,

sion and speed of points transition.”

The Varsity match is usually well received by audiences at the EIS, with shuttles flying up to 200mph and plenty of exciting rallies in the past.

During Varsity there will be three badminton events, two for the mens teams and one for the wom-ens, which will all take place on the 13th March. Our previous three years in the badminton have been relatively mixed, with two draws and a victory in that time-frame, but Mr Barry outlined his belief in this year’s team.

“We are extremely confident, with both mens teams being undefeated in their leagues this season and the first team having a strong, competi-tive cup run.”The sport faces a real challenge in the next few years after Sport Eng-land cut funding due to the poor performances at London 2012.

The ‘no compromise’ initiative has punished sports that did not reach their minimum targets, and Mr Barry feels that this could harm badminton in England further, especially with the lack of coverage already in the UK.

“Because of the funding cuts the level of performance is expected to stagnate, if not fall, and because of this badminton will get even less priority over TV coverage.”

So, if you are free on the day and want to support your Hallam team for free, head on down to the EIS and cheer on the badminton squad.

badminton chairman Craig Barry reassured me on the fast-paced, exciting nature of the sport. “The scoring system has been changed specifically for spectator ease, win-ning points on every rally regardless of who served in order to raise ten-

A little bit about...

DOB: 20/02/1990Why I became Sports Officer: I got so much out of my time whilst reading for a degree in sports de-velopment and coaching at Hal-lam. Through volunteering abroad in Tanzania teaching leadership through sports, being a part of the Athletics club in my first year and being a part of other sport projects such as Be A Champion. What Varsity means to SHU: Each year Varsity is getting bigger and big-ger within the Union and University and with us having kept hold of the trophy for the last 9 years, this has only intensified our hunger to keep hold of it for longer. It’s more than just winning a trophy; it’s about the atmosphere, the community within Team Sheffield Hallam, bragging rights over the University of Sheffield and bringing everyone - be it under-graduate or postgraduate - together for the one purpose of winning the cup! Favourite event: Last year for me Boxing was the best event by far. However Ice Hockey this year was INCREDIBLE! Varsity Predications: Us to win - but I don’t want to comment on the score and jinx it! Hallam’s Ice Hockey victory: It was absolutely incredible; I’ve never witnessed an atmosphere like that before at a Varsity event. I just can’t believe how we went from being in the lead convincingly to golden goal followed by penalties - I was speech-less. I want to thank the Sheffield Bears for all the hard work they put in promoting the event and the spec-tacular show they put on also! What can I say about my penalty shots at half-time? Clearly pressure got to me on the first one as it was awful - let’s just be thankful I wasn’t taking a penalty at the end!

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Get ready for Badminton The big ones:With so many events to choose from Andrew Musgrove talks you through the fixtures of Varsity 2013 that you can’t afford to miss out on.

BOxING – 28/02/13 – THE OCTAGON, UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD STUDENTS UNION

TICKETS: £6 with a student cardA relatively new event to the Varsity scene is the boxing but after its successful inauguration last year, it is set to be-come one of the most popular and hotly anticipated events from the years to come. Hallam won overall on the night, beating their rivals 2-1 and will be hopeful of making it two and two this time around. This one is at the Octagon at the University of Sheffield, so you will have to brave stepping onto enemy territory.

FOOTBALL – 13/03/12 – HILLSBOROUGH

TICKETS: £5.00The final event takes places at Sheffield Wednesday’s icon ground, Hillsborough and is always a fantastic spectacle. Last year the competition depended on this result and the action did not disappoint with Hallam running out 1-0 winners and Sheffield Uni-versity seeing their captain sent off for a two-footed lunge.

The South Stand of Hillsborough sells like hotcakes for this fixture so you will need to get your tickets early.

And the one’s you missed….

AMERICAN FOOTBALL – THE GOODWIN ARENA The first event of Varsity kicked off in style in front of a sell-out crowd at the Goodwin Arena but unfortunately for Hallam, the first points went to our opponents. The first half saw the lead go back and forth between the two teams but after the interval University of Sheffield came out and took the game to Hallam, for which they had no

answer for. The final score was 40-20 to Sheffield Sabres.

ICE HOCKEY - THE MOTORPOINT ARENAThe hugely popular ice hockey saw Hallam retain their title although they had to do it the hard way. Read page 7 for the full report.

SHUlife Lifestyle and Culture 2012-13

Words: Ben Cater

My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal is a very useful app that allows the user to track their daily calorie intake. Armed with a barcode scanner, simply point your device at the packaging of the food you wish to track and it does the rest. The app promotes a gradual and therefore sustainable weight loss of 2 pounds per week at maximum. The very few foods that aren’t in its database can be added manually, as can any exercise too.

Target Weight

While BMI may not be the most accurate way of tracking what weight you’ve lost, it remains important to have a goal in mind. It allows you to set up a goal and will show how much weight loss is required to achieve it. An average weekly loss is provided too so it’s easy to monitor progress. It also shows you what category you are in, whether it is obese, overweight, normal, underweight etc. and how many days until you should realise your goal.

Nike Training Club

The days of celebrity exercise dvd might be numbered. Apps as good as the exceptional training club from Nike, available for free on numerous devices are a more affordable way of keeping in shape. The user selects their workout focus from the four options: lean, toned, strong, focused then by choosing an ability level is provided with extensive routines, most of which are accompanied by video tutorials. The option to listen to your favourite music whilst working up a sweat is also available.

Runkeeper

Runkeeper uses GPS technology to map your running activity. It’ll tell you what speed you’re running at and how many calories you’ve burned. There are training specific programmes that can get you up to speed ready for race day. With live tracking also possible, this allows the user to broadcast their run, which is particularly useful if running for a charity event to promote interest in your cause.

BBC Good Food – Healthy cooking

The healthy cooking section of the BBC Good Food app is very useful for those looking to control calorie intake. The app provides everything you would expect from a standard cookery book but also importantly, for those looking to maintain or lose weight it details nutrition per serving leaving no excuses for over indulgence. There are a number of sections to try including, breakfast, baking, classics recipes and under 200 calorie dishes. Perhaps most importantly of all though is the list of low calorie puddings for those with a sweet tooth. BBC Good Food app is available for free with addition downloads available for £1.49 making it an inexpensive way to eat healthily.

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Here at SHUlife we’ve compiled a list of the apps that we feel are essential to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. All of the recommendations listed below are available on your IOS or Android device and with the exception of the Good Food app are free.

SHUlife Workout Playlist

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Visit our Music Facebook page: SHUlife Music

SHUlife’s top mix of the best songs to work out to by Andrew Musgrove

Not into mainstream? Take a look at Bee Jarvis’ top ten songs for a work out playlist online at www.shulife.co.uk/music

1: Eye Of The Tiger - The old favourate by the band Survivor, famous for its inspritional role in Rocky Balboa’s title win against Clubber Lang in Rocky III

3: Too Close Alex Clare’s 2011 hit will keep you going.

2: Power Kanye West’s fast paced song from 2010, will get you racing through those sit ups.

4: The Best Of You The Foo Fighters want to see the best of you, don’t disappoint them.

7:Standing in the

5: Crazy Gnarles Barkley stormed to the top of the charts with this, let it help you to the top of your fittness.

6: Seven Nation ArmyThe White stripe’s epic tune will keep you going right through the pain barrier, the guitar solos alone will take you on the finishing line.

way of controlThe Gossip near on de-stroy your ear drums with this tune but it’s certainly one that will keep you going.

Fashion

19SHUlife Fashion

Varsity is just around the corner which means one thing. Sportswear. A fashion-lovers worst nightmare.

You want to get into the team spirit but how are you supposed to rock a pair of lycra shorts with ugly running trainers whilst cheering on the mighty Hallam?

Well we’ve scoured the high street to find the best sports-inspired pieces so you can leave the ludicrous lycra to the athletes.

Outfit One:

Bayside Tigers sweater truffleshuffle.com £29.99

Ripped turn-up skinny jeans New Look £22.99

Vans SK8-HI Schuh £19.99

Channel our favourite head cheerleader Kelly Kapowski in this Saved By The Bell slouch jumper. Team with a pair of denim turn ups and these cute Hello Kitty pumps for full on 90’s fever. If you’re feeling bold and have pins to die for, swap the jeans for a pair of vintage Daisy Dukes for the Ultimate Cheerleader look.

Outfit Two:

Fairly Silk basketball vest siksilk.com £55

Stud Trim PU Panel leggings Miss Selfridge £40

Nike Blazer Office £69.99

You don’t have to be a 7ft baller to pull off this SikSilk vest. To spice it up we’ve added a pair of leather-look leggings complete with on-trend studs. Wear with a pair of Blazers for a dressed down daytime look or trade your flats for a pair of heeled boots, leather jacket and bowler hat for drinks with the girls.

Outfit Three:

Collegic Letters crop top Topshop £18

Lightwash denim skater skirt Topshop £20

Jeffrey Campbell Alva Hi Tops Office £120

Unless you’ve got the abs of Jess Ennis crop tops probably scare the living daylights out of you. But worry not. We’ve found a way you can stay chic and stylish without fear of the dreaded muffin top. A high-waisted skater skirt flatters all body types and worn with thick black tights and these A-MAY-ZING Jeffrey Campbell wedge sneakers, you’ll forget all about your body hang-ups.

Words: Amber Stainrod

Fitness DVDs

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As the New Year rolls in once again, along with it come those hopeful resolutions which we endeavour to maintain for the first two weeks, but then we inevitably slip back into our normal routines. For those of us who make resolu-tions to lose weight, there are many routes to take, and one of the most popular choices are fitness DVDs, affording us the comfort and ef-ficiency of being able to exercise in our own homes – but just how ef-fective are these celebrity endorsed exercise methods? TIPS

The obvious attraction to fitness DVDs is the jaw-dropping ‘before and after’ picture of a celebrity slapped on the front of every single one. This does not always guarantee a successful workout method so always make sure that you buy with caution; do your research before investing.

Erika Harris takes a look at fitness DVDs and answers the question we’ve been thinking; are they really all that effective?

WORK OUTTry not to just buy the one by your favourite celebrity, or the one with the biggest difference in the ‘be-fore and after’ pictures. Your main concern should be the type of work out that is carried out on the DVD, as this is what you will be doing for the next few months to a year or more. When considering a fitness DVD, you should try and read as many varied reviews as you can, not just the good ones. You should also check to see if the celebrity has put any or all of the weight back on since making the DVD, as this will show whether the routine is easy to keep up with on a regular basis.

TIME From personal experience, the best results are achieved if you can find time to do at least one workout from the DVD per day. There will usually be an array of different workouts for you to choose from, depending on how you want to change your fitness regime. Cardio workouts are best for burning fat and losing weight, whereas resist-ance training with weights, crunch-es, push-ups, squats and such, usu-ally help to shape and tone different parts of the body.

PERSEVERENCE

The main thing that you will need to keep in mind whilst carrying out these exercises is that you may not see instant changes as the rate of weight loss varies from person to person and a large part of this will depend heavily on your current weight, physical fitness and diet.

ENTERTAINMENT

Another thing to remember when purchasing a fitness DVD is that you will be watching the same foot-age every single time you do the workout, so it helps if the celebrity involved is entertaining enough to keep you engaged. WE RECOMMEND...

As a personal recommendation, Davina McCall has released a number of fitness DVDs and has maintained her weight over the years. As an experienced TV pre-senter, she has a great relationship with the camera and is entertain-ing throughout. A couple of her best DVDs include Davina Fit and Davina: Ultimate Target.

Just remember that to reach your fitness goal, you need to persevere and be committed, and then even-tually you will see begin to see the results.

SHUlife Film 2013

Food

21SHUlife Lifestyle and Culture 2012-13

Wanting to stay fit, but worried about the food you eat? Fiona Barber is here to give you some healthy tips to get you through your daily workout

Good health and fitness is some-thing which we all strive to have, we know this involves consuming nutritious food and partaking in some form of exercise.

Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle or eat more health-ily, it is important to set realistic goals as unattainable ones leave you disappointed. Forget those pangs of guilt for not sticking to those “7 day soup” diets (which yes I tried, and failed), it’s time to turn over a fresh positive leaf for the months to come.

With a few small changes and delicious recipes that inner battle between health and satisfaction will vanish. That left over piece of cake that has been cheekily wink-ing at you for the last day will lose its appeal.

Drink • You’vehearditbefore,you’ll hear it again, water, water water. It’s good for: your brain, for your skin, filling you up, easing a hangover. Drink it!Also: dehydration can be con-fused with hunger, treat yourself to a glass or two before a meal, it may help you eat less.• Greenteaisconsidereda‘super food’. It helps burn body fat and also protects against disease. New research suggests it can also help delay the onset of Alzhei-mer’s.Snacks• Gobananas!Theycanhelp stave off sweet cravings like chocolate and they are full of vita-mins and give you bags of energy.

• Ryvitas- So boring you could fall asleep eating them? On their own, yes! But it’s time to get creative; Dip one in soup in place of bread. Smother a fruit crunch in philladelpia and ham- sounds strange but tastes fantastic. See http://www.ryvita.co.uk/ for more ideas.

What to eat?• Oliveoil-Richinmono-unsaturated fat (a healthy fat), helps lower your risk of heart disease. Replace some saturated fat intake such as butter with two tablespoons of olive oil. Roast veg with it and season with herbs, delicious!• Eggs-Theyprovideexcel-lent nutrition for building muscle. One of the most versatile compo-nents of the food world: scramble, fry, poach, make an omelette, or revisit your childhood with a cheeky dippy soldier.• Whole-wheatbread-Leaves you feeling fuller for longer than white bread and provides energy for much longer, a healthier alternative.• Nuts- High in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fibre they can

help you feel full, supress appetite and can easily be carried round as an on-hand snack. Which nuts are best? Almonds, cashews and pistachios- raw or dry roasted are best.

• Walnuts-especiallygoodfor the heart. Combine with pineapple, natural yoghurt and a drizzle of honey for a delectable dessert.

• LastbutnotleastSalads-Ameal with an unfortunate reputa-tion. Don’t think the typical wet lettuce/tomato/cucumber combo. Get creative! Use different leaves, veg, nuts, fruit, dressings, pasta, rice, noodles. There’s not a lot you can’t put in a salad.

Why not try this: Ingredients: 1. Mixed baby leaves, washed2. Goats cheese (about 1-1 ½ inches)3. ½ Red pepper, chopped4. 4 Big juicy green olives, halved 5. Mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil (just enough to coat everything) Mix everything together, that’s it, really! Bon appetite!