Enjoy the moment #03

Days that start like this are something special!

How to lose weight...keep it simple!

Most of us put on a few extra pounds during the winter. So rather than planning a strict diet and mad exercise regime…why not start by making a few small changes to your diet today.

The secret

The secret to sensible weight loss is to be consistent in managing what and how much we eat. We won’t lie to you…quite a bit of determination and kick-ass willpower is needed too.

There are lots of complicated and confusing diets out there: weigh this, count that etc. We’ve found keeping it simple is the best way to still enjoy fantastic food and lose weight! Here's how.

Keep it simple

We love the simplicity of the following two diets because, and this is the best bit, a little of what we like is allowed. Just in a planned way, that’s all. How great is that!

The 80/20 principle is about eating the right kind of food and amount to lose weight and stay healthy, with a little indulgence just once or twice a week. So if you fancy a slice of apple pie or a few chunks of chocolate this weekend, that’s fine…just remember it’s about portion control too…so maybe not the whole pie.

Our favourite is eating a healthy diet 6 days a week and then having 1 day-off to eat anything we want! Literally, anything and as much as we want too! This is the basis of the Body for Life model. During the week eat small regular meals, watch portion sizes (this is vital) and drink water. Planning is crucial. Plan what you are going to eat each day and stick to it, but also have fun planning your day-off too…the pizza you’re going to have, the crisps, the cake…!

Even though losing weight doesn’t happen overnight, within just 3-4 weeks you will notice a difference. It usually takes 12 weeks to see long term positive changes.

If you have a bad day or week, and it's all gone a bit wrong, just plan the next day and start again. Keep it simple!

Key principles

·          Have a goal! What do you want to achieve…lose weight, gain body definition?

·          Plan what you are going to eat in advance. Writing it down can help make sure you don’t eat more than you’d planned.

·          Keep your fridge and cupboards stocked up with healthy options.

·          Eat small, regular meals throughout the day.

·          Remember a portion is the size of your clenched fist or the palm of your hand.

·          Eat a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables.

·          Have at least 2 portions of vegetables a day…what can we say, vegetables are just good for you!

·          Learn how to cook healthy. Add less fat, sugar and salt…food can still be super tasty!

·          Drink less coffee, tea and soft drinks, and replace with water. We need 1.2 litres a day, more during exercise and hot weather.

·          Enjoy your indulgences once or twice a week with the 80/20 approach or go crazy on your day off and eat anything and everything you want!

A healthy diet takes commitment, determination and willpower. But don't forget your day-off is never that far away. Sweeeeet!

One step beyond

This is beautiful.

One Step Beyond trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

"In life it’s our choice whether we laugh or cry - and I chose to laugh”

One Step Beyond takes is a behind the scene, close up look at the lives of people
involved in extreme sports.

Géraldine Fasnacht, world-renowned snowboarder and base jumper, invites us into the small and close-knit community of today’s real life supermen - wingsuit flyers.

''We join her on a rollercoaster ride across the full spectrum of human emotions, catapulting from total euphoria to devastating loss, living life at full force and in glorious technicolour. Until one day, out of nowhere, a dramatic event changes the course of Géraldine’s life and forces her to reconsider her chosen path. In the face of tragedy, she decides to pick herself up and get back on the ride, to be swept up in a whirlwind of adrenaline. This bare bones, honest account gives us a window into the lives of ordinary men and women who have chosen to take an extraordinary path in life.

Fasten your seat belts, we hope you enjoy your trip!''

This full length documentary will be available from 8 March on sebmontaz.com

Comfort zone

A to B is within YOU!

Winterbike: Downhill biking...on snow

Ok, so downhill biking is scary enough in the summer...fancy trying it on snow covered mountains in the winter?

Winterbike was born in 2005 in Maine. The race involves 30 or so bikers that set off in groups of 3 or 4, to see who can get to the bottom of the bottom of the slope the fastest. There are a series of heats with the top finishers competing against other top finishers. The bikes are modified for winter terrain with studded tyres so any pile up can seriously hurt. At speed there's more sliding and crashing than eating dirt...but as we know, it's not a sport if someone can't get injured :-)

Enjoy the moment #02

If you like this moment...please take a moment and share it with your friends. Thank you!

Snowboarding: Getting started

So you have decided you want to learn to ‘ride a board’ and not just any board, you want free-ride down a snow covered mountain. It looks easy right? So why is it proving to be so hard?

Last run of the day | Verbier

Get the look

Use a shorter board to begin with as they are easier to manoeuvre. Go for boots that are snug and firm as they will stretch a bit. Luckily the fashion for boarders is baggy. This is also really practical, as to start with you will spend a lot of time on your bum! You need to be able to move around easily, feel comfortable and warm in your clothing. Layers work best. Make sure your jacket is long enough, snow jackets will usually come complete with a snow skirt - use it! There’s nothing worse than getting snow down your back every time you fall over. Wrist guards and a decent pair of gloves are also essential.

Take lessons

If you can afford lessons - have them! This is probably the single best piece of advice we can give. Even if you have just one or two to get you going, a professional instructor can give you hints that your boyfriend won’t be able to. Some people don’t feel comfortable with a stranger but a good instructor will make you feel at ease and teach you the basics…and let’s face it, they are also likely to be a lot more patient than your boyfriend!

Goofy or Regular?
If you have ever surfed or ridden a skateboard, you will already know if you are Goofy or Regular. If not, get someone to push you gently from behind and watch to see which foot you put forward first. Right foot forward means you are Goofy, left foot means you are Regular. However, this is not a completely foolproof method. If after a few hours on a board you feel like something is wrong, try changing your setup around, it might just make all the difference to your riding!

Aargh…chair lifts and drag lifts

When queuing for a chair lift always go for an end seat. This gives you a bit more room and allows you to get off the lift to the left or right. As you get ready to dismount, point your board forward, let your board slide along the snow, then stand up, put all your weight on your front foot and try to wedge your back foot on the stomp pad against your binding.

With drag lifts…don’t sit down! They won’t hold your weight. Drag lifts are designed to pull you up the slope. Keep your shoulders in line with your board. Put all your weight on your front foot and rest your back foot on your stomp pad and you’ll be able to steer as you normally would.

Chair lifts and drag lifts are really tricky on a board so don’t be hard on yourself, they take some mastering, but once you have…this is a huge achievement, so well done you!

Stay positive!

It may all seem tricky, painful and exhausting at the beginning, but be brave, once you can ride there is no end to the fun and exhilarating experiences you’ll have!

Snowboarding: Getting started By Sarah Vickery

And thanks to Emma Bodkin and Sarah Andrews for their tips for beginner boarders!

Road to Trail Shoe

Many of us have to run some distance on the road before reaching our nearest trail.  Designing a shoe that offers road performance as well as trail ability has been the focus of a number of the big shoe companies during the last year. The Salomon XR Crossmax was launched as the door-to-trail shoe...so let's check it out!

Salomon XR Crossmax Neutral

There are a few different models of this shoe...so to start with the XR Crossmax Neutral is described as a high mileage trainer for neutral runners who want one shoe from door to trail.  The XR Crossmax Guidance model is for runners who need pronation control and stable cushioning.  Both the Neutral and Guidance shoes have Climashield models (i.e. XR Crossmax Neutral CS) which have a waterproof membrane over the front portion of the tongue and shoe to keep your feet dry.  There is a women specific model for each of these shoes.

Key features

• Triple-density EVA midsole provides cushioning and stability.
• OS Tendon in outersole gives energy efficiency from heel to toe, improving take-off
• Contagrip LT & Contagrip HA combination outersoles provide solid traction and trip.
• Mud&Snow non-marking Contagrip leaves no traces whatever the terrain.
• Quicklace system and friction free lace eyelets for quick and easy on pull lacing.
• Gusseted tongue reduces the amount of debris from entering the shoe.
• Stretch air-mesh upper allows for extreme breathability and quick drying.
• Seamless construction to give a secure and snug fit.

Review

The XR Crossmax is a lightweight durable shoe that doesn’t compromise on features or comfort.  You get the same great Salomon feel, fit and foothold with this shoe.  The midsole construction, OS Tendons and the super stretchy upper helps the shoe flex during the heel-to-toe transition.  The multi-directional grip provides solid traction on ascents and descents in wet and dry conditions.  The highly breathable stretch air-mesh upper is great at keeps the air circulating and your feet cool on the hottest of days.

A trail running shoe provides stability, super grip and important protection against the harshest of conditions.  A road shoe needs support and cushioning to absorb the impact of long distance runs on hard surfaces.  As many of us run respectable distances both on and off road, the XR Crossmax is a great transitional shoe if you are just getting into trail running and still enjoy your road sessions, or if you are a trail runner needing a shoe for the days when your route takes in more road than cross country.

Hours spent on challenging trails or high road mileage would quickly push this shoe beyond its designed ability.  But then if you find yourself doing more off road, than on, or visa-versa you need a terrain specific shoe.

The XR Crossmax is a uniquely versatile shoe that adapts to the terrain, gives super grip, cushioning, great support and comfort...guess that's why Runner's World named it as the 'best debut' trail running shoe last year!

Be great to hear your thoughts on the XR Crossmax, or any other door-to-trail shoe and if you have any pics we'd like to see them too.

See you on the trail!