As a personal trainer I know that stress can be the main reason why we are unhealthy, not sleeping at night, overweight or becoming sick all the time.

One of the main reasons why is because of the ‘stress induced overeating syndrome’ which is a major cause of weight gain. Not just because of the excess calories you consume when you overeat. Stress when it is prolonged and unresolved provokes weight-sustaining physiological changes in your body. When you are under stress, your body releases hormones that automatically stimulate your appetite and set off cravings, prompting you to eat huge quantities of fattening foods.

Now it is possible to have ‘stress induced overeating syndrome’ even when you’re not currently stressed. This is because if you went through a period of your life when you did overeat due to stress, its possible for you to have formed a habit.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Understanding this is important because that’s when you can make positive changes.

My advice is to:

• Think am I physically hungry before your next meal?
• Avoid situations where you will be able to eat unhealthy foods.
• Create a food diary where you record all the food you are consuming.
• Choose foods which will make you feel full for longer.

Who wants more flexibility?

Most of us would say yes please! It’s a fact the most of us experience muscle stiffness as we get older. This means we need to engage in activates which will keep our muscles mobile and elastic.

Good flexibility means you can enjoy improved mobility in your joints and muscles. Muscles enable joints to move, but the older they get the less elastic they can become. For anyone who is active, it can be the difference between injury and wellbeing.

Anyone who has spent years working at a desk without correcting their posture will probably notice some stiffness in the back and legs. The effect of the ‘desk posture’ is to shorten the hip flexors, the muscles in the front of the body while lengthening the muscles in the back, which causes the spine to curve forwards. Also, sitting down for a long periods can cause the muscles at the back of the legs, the hamstrings, to shorten, which can put pressure on the pelvic area when you are standing.

So what to do if you have flexibility or posture problems? Remember these key points:

• Warm up before you start stretching. This might be a short walk or jog.
• Stretching should never be painful, only stretch to the point where tightness is felt.
• Go slow, don’t bounce or hold your breath. Stretching should help you relax.
• Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds for each muscle group.