New Year workout gear

January 9, 2012, 12:00 am

≪ Previous: Bottoms of Playboy twins on CBB spark plastic surgery rumours

Filed under: Fashion

New Year workout gear John Lewis/Amazon

The gym membership is sorted, you've stocked up on fitness DVDs and the local Zumba class awaits. Now all you need is the ultimate workout wardrobe to look the part in. From retro-inspired Stella McCartney running shorts to the latest toning trainers, sweat it out in style with these exercise-friendly finds.

New Year workout gear John Lewis

After all the festive feasting, you're probably carrying a little extra weight. And shifting it is no doubt your number one priority. But before it starts flying off, you'll still want to look your best down the gym. Cue this confidence-boosting top from the Reebok Shapewear range. It features secret Shape n' Hug panels to camouflage any lumpy bits. And the subtle ruching and coral hue are bang on the trend. What's not to like?

Buy the Reebok Shapewear Long Bra Top today for £38 from John Lewis

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New Year workout gear John Lewis

Complete your silhouette-skimming gym look with a pair of Reebok Shapewear Capri Pants. They also feature those clever Shape n' Hug panels for 360 degree smoothing and shaping of your waist, hips, and bum.

Get your pair of Reebok Shapewear Capri Pants now for £45 from John Lewis

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New Year workout gear Amazon

Not a fan of figure-hugging lycra? Grab yourself this super-versatile pair of Adidas Essentials trackie bottoms instead. A workout wardrobe classic, they're equally perfect for exercise as they are for chilling out in.

Snap up a pair of Adidas Essentials jersey pants now for just £21.94 from Amazon

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New Year workout gear Sarenza

These state-of-the-art toning trainers boast Moving Air Technology to give you an added workout with every stride. The built-in balance pods absorb energy, creating extra resistance which in turn activates muscles in your legs to help sculpt and define.

Snap up the Reebok Easytone ReeCommit Shoe for £65.50 from Sarenza

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New Year workout gear Nike Store

Into yoga or Pilates? Perfect those poses in this Two-in-One Tank Top by Nike. Made from super-breathable Dri-Fit fabric to wick away sweat, it combines a loose fitting tank and supportive inner support bra - ideal for all that stretching.

Buy the Kriya Two-in-One Yoga Tank Top today for £22.35 from Nike Store

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New Year workout gear John Lewis

Nod to this year's Olympics and show your support for our finest with these Adidas Team GB Emblem Shorts by Stella McCartney. We love the retro-inspired design, classic three-stripes and understated logo detail.

Get your pair of Adidas Team GB by Stella McCartney Emblem Shorts for £18.50 from John Lewis

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New Year workout gear Amazon

If running is your thing, cushion your step with Asics' best-selling Gel Kanayo 17 shoe. Ultra-comfy and lightweight, it rocks a memory foam lining for a snug, personalised fit and a shock-absorbing two-density sole.

Invest in a pair of Asics Gel Kanayo 17 shoes for £84.98 from Amazon

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New Year workout gear John Lewis

This stylish hoodie is our favourite from the London 2012 Team GB collection. The ideal thing to throw on for a jog in the park, it's made from quality pure cotton and features an eye-catching lion motif.

Buy the London 2012 Team GB Women's Full Zip Hoodie today for £35 from John Lewis

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Healthy eating gadgets

January 9, 2012, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Why jogging leaves you less tired than a fast walk

≪ Previous: New Year workout gear

Filed under: Food

Healthy eating gadgets Amazon/Argos/Sainsbury's

Made your mind up to cut down on calorie-laden ready meals, takeaways and sugar-loaded treats in 2012? Let's face it. Healthy eating can be a bit of chore, whether you're rustling up a virtuous meal from scratch or trying to work out the nutritional content of what you're cooking.

Luckily, there's a whole world of gadgets out there that can help you achieve that perfectly balanced diet with ease. Here's our pick of the best.

Healthy eating gadgets Philips

Love your deep-fried chips but loathe the hefty fat content? The Philips AirFryer wows with patented Rapid Air technology to cook up the crispiest of fries using 80% less oil than a conventional fryer. This handy gizmo can also be used for a variety of tasty fried food, from chicken to veggies.

Invest in the Philips AirFryer today for £205 from Philips

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Healthy eating gadgets Argos

If the £205 price tag puts you off, consider the more affordable Tefal ActiFry. It's not quite as speedy as the Philips AirFryer but you'll get similar results. Just one spoonful of oil is enough to fry a whole kilo of spuds.

Buy the Tefal ActiFry Low Fat Electric Fryer now for £130.94 from Argos

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Healthy eating gadgets Appliance Planet

Microwaves aren't usually considered synonymous with healthy eating but this hip compact model by Whirlpool features Auto Steam Fitness - a specially designed container and a selection of pre-programmed settings for salubrious steamed veggies and fish.

Get your Whirlpool Max 35 for just £130 from Appliance Planet

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Healthy eating gadgets Amazon

Keeping track of calories, carbs and fat can be a bit tricky - who can be asked with all that label-reading and mental arithmetic? Enter the Lloyds Pharmacy Nutriscales. Pre-programmed with over 400 food items, you simply pop in the code for the food you're weighing and the scales will break down the nutritional content.

Snap up the Lloyds Pharmacy Nutriscales right now for just £14.99 from Amazon

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Healthy eating gadgets Sainsbury's

Upping your fruit intake is a breeze with this gizmo. The specially designed Smoothie Maker features a stir stick and handy dispenser tap for the ultimate smoothie. It also makes light work of crushing ice.

Buy the Kenwood smoothie maker today for £35.44 from Sainsbury's

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Healthy eating gadgets Amazon

If you've got a little more cash to splash, this Pro Power Juicer is a sound investment. It separates the juice from the pulp, so no time-consuming peeling is needed, and the manufacturer claims it can extract up to 30% more juice than conventional juicers.

Get the Andrew James Professional Whole Fruit Power Juicer for £47.90 from Amazon

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Healthy eating gadgets Tesco Direct

A worldwide phenomenon, George Foreman's range of health grills feature a slopped design to drain away fat and clam-shaped heat plates for even cooking. A really useful gizmo, especially if you're a fan of grilled meats.

Bag the George Foreman 18666 Graphite Grill, now half price at £30 from Tesco Direct

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Healthy eating gadgets Amazon

Herbs are packed with nutrients and really add that special extra something to cooking. But it's pity they tend to spoil so quickly. Cue the Prepara Herb Saver. This genius gadget will triple the life of your herbs and lock in the flavour.

Snap up the Prepara Herb Saver for £54.49 from Amazon

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Why jogging leaves you less tired than a fast walk

January 9, 2012, 1:00 am

≫ Next: David Cameron admits he's finished Angry Birds game

≪ Previous: Healthy eating gadgets

Filed under: Fitness

Why jogging leaves you less tired than a fast walk Getty

If you've been puffing your way around your local park as part of a new year fitness regime you may be surprised to hear about the findings of a group of scientists in America.

Researchers from North Carolina State University said going for a slow jog is less tiring than attempting a fast walk.

The team said a muscle in the calf is used in a more efficient way when we run, allowing energy to be released which stops us becoming tired as quickly.

The researchers carried out ultrasound scans to find out how muscles reacted when volunteers were running and walking.

Study author Dr Gregory Sawicki said: "Muscles work too inefficiently to speed walk, so the body turns to running in order to increase efficiency and comfort, and to conserve energy."

He added: "Other than Olympic race walkers, people generally find it more comfortable to run than walk when they start moving at around two metres per second - about 4.5 miles per hour."

"The muscle can't catch up to the speed of the gait as you walk faster and faster...but when you shift the gait and transition from a walk to a run, that same muscle becomes almost static and doesn't seem to change its behavior very much as you run faster and faster."

Is slow running less tiring than fast walking or have the researchers got it wrong? Let us know below...

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David Cameron admits he's finished Angry Birds game

January 9, 2012, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Giant mutant rat found in shoe shop

≪ Previous: Why jogging leaves you less tired than a fast walk

Filed under: Celebrity

David Cameron admits he's finished Angry Birds game PA

If you thought the life of the Prime Minister was a deadly serious trudge through financial meetings, talks with world leaders and debates in the House of Commons, you'd be wrong.

David Cameron is proud of his latest achievement - no, not solving the debt crisis or tackling unemployment - and has been boasting about completing Angry Birds.

The Angry Birds game took the world's computer and phones by storm in 2010, with players addicted to a puzzle which centred on the destruction of a band of pigs by an indignant flock of birds.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph the PM said he'd "finished" the game and now played Fruit Ninja, a game his son was fond of, on his iPad.

He said: "It's quite good, to get your frustration out. If you can't have a reshuffle, play Fruit Ninja."

However Labour MP John Spellar told the Sun: "I don't imagine Margaret Thatcher spending her time playing computer games when she was in No 10."

Should the PM admit to playing games or not? Let us know below...

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Giant mutant rat found in shoe shop

January 9, 2012, 2:59 am

≫ Next: Woman loses six stone after gastric band surgery then finds out it was broken

≪ Previous: David Cameron admits he's finished Angry Birds game

Filed under: In the news

Giant mutant rat found in shoe shop TwitPic/@TheGoodFella_

Imagine if you were quietly going about your business trying to find a pair of trainers from a branch of Foot Locker.

Then, without warning you were confronted with a massive rodent which appeared at least three feet in length, with gigantic claws and whiskers.

That's what happened when staff in a Bronx branch of Foot Locker in New York discovered a mutant dead rat in their storeroom.

Rodent experts said they believed the gigantic specimen was a Gambian pouched rat, which can grow to a huge size and are sometimes kept as pets.

However the rats were banned from being imported into the US after an outbreak of the moneypox virus in the American Midwest.

Giant mutant rat found in shoe shop PA

Hundreds of adults and children were affected by the virus, which was thought to be caused when prairie dogs kept by humans were infected with the disease through contact with the rats.

The validity of the photo, posted on Twitter by @TheGoodFella_, has been called into doubt, with some Twitter speculation as to whether the picture is just a trick of perspective, rather than a giant rat.

It's not the first time New York has been associated with dangerous creatures inhabiting unlikely places. The urban myth that alligators populate the city's sewer pipes still persists, although herpetologists have said many times that the reptiles could not survive the cold water of the sewage tunnels.

Folklore expert Jan Harold Brunvand writes: "The theme of displaced creatures is an old one, and modern folklore has spawned many rumors of an animal - usually a fearsome one - lurking where it does not belong."

True or false? Let us know below...

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Woman loses six stone after gastric band surgery then finds out it was broken

January 9, 2012, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: How nicotine patches could slow the onset of Alzheimer's disease

≪ Previous: Giant mutant rat found in shoe shop

Filed under: Fitness

Woman loses six stone after gastric band surgery then finds out it was broken Caters News Agency

Karren Knight was delighted with the results of her gastric band surgery after she managed to lose six stone.

The mother of two tipped the scales at 22 stone and had the £3,500 operation carried out in Belgium in 2006 in order to slim down.

She also took up dancing in order to keep her mind off eating.

After a check up in 2008, doctors revealed to Karren that the gastric band she'd had fitted had snapped, and her weight loss was down to her fitness regime.

The 47-year-old told the Daily Mail: "I thought it was impossible for me to lose weight by myself - I'd spent years going on diets and nothing worked. It was a vicious cycle, that I thought could only be cured by surgery."

"I was moaning one day to my sister, Paula, and she suggested I get a hobby to take my mind off food - and I went along to a zumba class that had just started up down the road."

"The weight soon started to drop off - but I was convinced it was mostly because of the band."

Karren returned to Belgium to have the band fixed and managed to lose another nine stone.

Karren, who now weighs only nine stone, goes to eight Zumba classes every week, in addition to teaching a class on the weekend.

She said: "Zumba is more like a party - it doesn't feel like exercise. I've now lost a total of 15 stone - and I've never felt better."

"I had always struggled with my weight - when I was growing up, my mum cooked huge stodgy meals, and we were always expected to clear our plates."

"As I got older, and had my children, it was always an effort to keep the weight off, and I went from being chubby to being massive."

"I thought surgery was an easy way to lose weight - but I've discovered all it took was a bit of determination and finding some exercise I enjoyed."

She added: "I'd advise anyone who is considering weight loss surgery to really think twice about it. I didn't realise how dangerous it could be, and as it turns out, I didn't really need it to lose weight."

Dancing, diets or gastric bands? Is weight loss surgery ever necessary? Let us know below...

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How nicotine patches could slow the onset of Alzheimer's disease

January 9, 2012, 8:56 pm

≫ Next: Taking routine aspirin could be harmful

≪ Previous: Woman loses six stone after gastric band surgery then finds out it was broken

Filed under: Health & wellbeing

How nicotine patches could slow the onset of Alzheimer's disease Corbis

Researchers have found the use of nicotine patches could prevent the deterioration of brain cells and slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists, whose results were published in the 'Neurology' journal, said the results of a trial on 74 patients with mild cognitive impairment suggested the patches could "slow mental decline".

Nicotine patches slowly release the chemical into the bloodstream and are used by smokers who are trying to quit, in order to get the familiar "hit" of nicotine.

However the scientists found the nicotine played a key role in activating nerve cells which are important for memory and learning.

The people involved in the study, which was carried out at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, showed an increased attention span and mental function.

Dr Paul Newhouse, who led the study, said: "People with mild memory loss should not start smoking or using nicotine patches by themselves, because of the harmful effects of smoking and a medication such as nicotine should only be used with a doctor's supervision."

'But this study provides strong justification for further research into the use of nicotine for people with early signs of memory loss."

"We do not know whether benefits persist over long periods of time and provide meaningful improvement."

Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This looks promising. We hope it can help in developing therapies."

Could nicotine pave the way for new treatments for dementia? Let us know below...

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Taking routine aspirin could be harmful

January 9, 2012, 9:41 pm

≫ Next: Celebrities with curly hair

≪ Previous: How nicotine patches could slow the onset of Alzheimer's disease

Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Taking routine aspirin could be harmful Getty

Researchers have said people who take aspirin every day to prevent stroke or heart attacks could be damaging their health.

The study, which analysed data collected from over 100,000 patients, found people could suffer internal bleeding as a result of taking the pills and there was a risk of "harm".

Guidance released in 2005 by the Joint British Societies (including The Stroke Association and the British Cardiac Society) recommended that people aged over 50 who had a high risk of heart attack or stroke should take 75mg of aspirin a day.

However the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin said in 2008 that people should not take a daily aspirin unless they already suffered from heart disease.

The research team reviewed information collected from nine trials and said that while non-fatal heart attacks were reduced by a fifth in people taking aspirin every day, there was no decrease in deaths from stroke, heart attacks or cancer.

The danger of internal bleeding - which can be fatal - was increased by a third.

Lead researcher Prof Kausik Ray, from St George's, University of London, told the BBC: "If you treat 73 people for about six years you will get one of these non-trivial bleeds."

"If you treat about 160 people for the same period of time, you're preventing one heart attack that probably wouldn't have been fatal anyway. It suggests that the net benefit for aspirin is not there, it certainly doesn't prolong life. If you think about it the net benefit, actually there is net harm."

Daily aspirin - a good or bad idea? Let us know below...

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Celebrities with curly hair

January 9, 2012, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Kerry Katona reveals results of detox as she loses a stone in a month

≪ Previous: Taking routine aspirin could be harmful

Filed under: Beauty

Celebrities with curly hair AP/Getty Images/EMPICS Entertainment

If you're thinking of embracing the natural you hair-wise (i.e. that wavy or curly-haired mane that you're constantly blow-drying and straightening into submission), there's no time like the present to leave your hair bare.

Not only can heat styling take its toll on already vulnerable winter-ravaged locks, but lately, there's also been plenty of curly and wavy hair inspiration from our favourite stars.

From wavy bobs to side-swept ringlets, we've compiled a gallery of the top celebrity curly hairstyles below. Which one will you try?

Celebrities with curly hair

Kate Hudson
 The actress works her waves blonde bombshell-style, seductively falling across one eye.
Lea Michele
 Lea works Old Hollywood-style on the red carpet with Rita Hayworth curls and a vampish red lip.
Kelly Rowland
 Kelly offsets her soft curls with a blunt fringe.
Adele
 Even with her curls cascading down in a side ponytail, Adele pumps up the volume (and the retro appeal) with added height in the crown.
Hilary Swank
 Hilary shows off her feminine side with voluminous side-swept curls.
Christina Aguilera
 Never one to shy away from a hair statement, Christina's platinum locks are worn in curly, loose ringlets.
Beyonce
 Beyonce keeps her curls looking fresh by experimenting with colour; here she rocks ombre locks that are blonde on top and brunette on the bottom.
Charlize Theron
 The glamorous star keeps her bob beautiful by rocking laidback-looking waves.
Christina Hendricks
 The Mad Men star works her red hot shade in shoulder-length, bouncy waves.
Scarlett Johansson
 Scarlett loves to play up the Hollywood glamour girl vibe, even with her hair in a bob. All she needs are side-swept pin-curls and a red lip.
Liv Tyler
 Bouncy, shiny waves are the Pantene face's trademark look.
Kate Middleton
 The Duchess of Cambridge keeps her glossy mane looking bouncy with some perfectly curled ends.
Pippa Middleton
 Like her sister, Pippa keeps her hair smooth and shiny and just curls the ends to perfection.
Goldie Hawn
 The star's tousled waves are offset by her trademark fringe.
Alesha Dixon
 The singer sweeps her curls onto one shoulder for a sultry red carpet look.
Katy Perry
 Katy's soft, raven-hued curls - one of the singer's simplest and most stylish hair looks to date.
Julia Roberts
 The star now wears her signature curly tresses in a caramel shade with blonder bits at the front.
Jennifer Lopez
 Jennifer rocks va-va-voom waves on the set of her latest TV project.
Kelly Brook
 Brook shows she's got serious curves - we mean curls - with her bouncy brunette locks.
Leona Lewis
 Leona's curls get a Hollywood makeover - longer, sleeker and shinier.
Lily Cole
 Lily's Botticelli waves are the perfect complement to her porcelain complexion and Titian hair hue.
Sandra Bullock
 The star has a naturally curly mane which she often wears poker straight. Here, wavy bits are interspersed with straighter locks.
Kimberley Walsh
 Kim's look gets a serious volume boost with her cascading curls.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
 The model works a sexy look on the red carpet with her tumbling waves and Jessica Rabbit pout.
Nicole Richie
 Nicole's soft waves and smooth, straight fringe have boho chick appeal.
Miley Cyrus
 The singer wears her hair in boho-style, ultra-long crimped ringlets.
Nicole Kidman
 This Hollywood leading lady almost always wears her strawberry blonde hair in soft waves or scrunchy curls.
Kelly Osbourne
 Kelly works the bombshell look with her platinum blonde wavy bob.
Rihanna
 No matter the hair hue she's rocking, RiRi prefers to her wear her locks in tight ringlets or bouncy waves.
Sarah Jessica Parker
 Sarah Jessica's perfectly messed-up waves were as much a character on Sex and the City as Carrie Bradshaw herself.
Taylor Swift
 The country crooner lets her blonde hair fall in loose ringlets.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
 Maggie wears her bob in soft, retro-style curls.
Teri Hatcher
 Teri's bouncy brunette locks always look glam.
Uma Thurman
 Uma's shoulder-length style of perfectly formed ringlets is finished off with some added lift at the roots.
Fergie
 Fergie works the Old Hollywood glamour girl look with her blonde divalicious curls.
Cat Deeley
 The presenter may be an English rose, but with her sun-kissed blonde waves, she's looking very much the part of a Californian beach babe.

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Kerry Katona reveals results of detox as she loses a stone in a month

January 9, 2012, 10:30 pm

≫ Next: Home workout tips

≪ Previous: Celebrities with curly hair

Filed under: Celebrity

Kerry Katona reveals results of detox as she loses a stone in a month Closer magazine

Kerry Katona is looking on top form after a month-long healthy living plan to get her back into shape for 2012.

The mum-of-four said she was in desperate need of a detox after ditching healthy eating after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in September last year.

Over the last four weeks Kerry's been concentrating on eating well and shaping up, and has dropped from a size 10-12 to a size 8-10.

She began her plan with four days at the GI Jane Boot Camp, where she lost two pounds a day.

She followed this up with three weeks of working out every day with her trainer Liam Lonergan - with two days off over Christmas - and has dropped from 10st 4lbs to around 9st 4lbs.

Kerry told Closer magazine: "I pigged out on a massive Christmas dinner, but I was good for the rest of the day. Luckily, I've never liked mince pies or Christmas pud."

"My boyfriend [artist Steve Alce, 33] was there and everyone got on really well and then on New Year's Day Danielle Brown [Mel B's sister] came over and cooked up a delicious lunch. They're the only two days I had off from my detox!"

The 31-year-old reality star's weight has fluctuated in the past and she weighed 12 stone at her heaviest.

She admitted: "I was eating loads of bread and cheese - that's why I put on weight. I'd gained a stone, but going to boot camp gave me the kick up the bum I needed!"

Following a health kick in 2009, Kerry went down to a size 6-8 and weighed only 8st 5lbs. She explained: "I was extremely thin because I was doing a lot of exercise. I kept it all off up until last August before I went into CBB."

"But the difference now is I'm exercising because it's good for my brain - it makes me feel good. I don't exercise because I want to be skinny, although the upside is you do look better."

"With Liam, I did lots of boxing moves and some really tough work with kettlebells, which are a killer! Being healthy is manageable as long as you're in a routine. You need to eat little and often -but I don't like the word diet."

Kerry added: "After having four kids, I'm not confident about my belly. When Max was born in 2008, I was offered liposuction for a TV show - and I think I'd have it all if I could get it for free!"

"In the past few weeks, my arms have become super toned - I feel like Arnold Schwarzenegger. But I still hate my stomach. If I could afford it, I'd have a tummy tuck."

"I was having a meal with Steve and the kids the other day and I pointed at them and said to him: "All of those were once inside this belly!"

Closer magazine is on sale now.

What do you think of Kerry's weight loss? Let us know below...

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Home workout tips

January 9, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Are nurses really losing their compassion?

≪ Previous: Kerry Katona reveals results of detox as she loses a stone in a month

Filed under: Fitness

Home workout tips Danone Activia

We all have such good intentions at the beginning of the year to be healthier and get fit, but there never seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything... juggling work with a home and kids is more than most of us can manage.

There are some things we just never seem to be able to find the time to do, exercise being one of them!

But did you know that your housework could actually help you to tone up?

Here's how to turn your housework chores into exercises to burn calories, tone up and keep fit. The key is to take advantage of every movement you make. Make a conscious effort to contract your stomach muscles (it's like a stomach crunch without having to do the action of a crunch), keep your knees slightly bent and maintain good posture throughout.

Warm-up

Put on your favourite music and start with some light housework, such as straightening and picking things up, or dusting for three to five minutes. You know you've warmed up enough when your joints feel looser and your muscles are flexible but you're not breaking a sweat.

Window-washing triceps circles

Target: shoulders and triceps: A little elbow grease also helps sculpt your arms and shoulders. Do 10 circles to the right, then 10 to the left. This is a great all-purpose cleaning motion. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Also try it while polishing furniture or cleaning the bath.

Vacuum cleaner lunges

Target: upper back, legs and buttock muscles: Tense your muscles as far back as you can while pushing the vacuum forwards, then back again. The vacuum will offer good resistance if it's heavy enough, but make sure that you move slowly enough to get a good stretch.

Ironing

Target: shoulders, arms and buttock muscles: While ironing, squeeze your buttock cheeks together hard for 10 seconds. Do this 10 times every couple of minutes. You'll soon notice a difference in tone. This is because the muscles in the bottom will hold in a semi-flexed position for up to 20 minutes after working the muscle.

Washing the tops of your doors and skirting boards

Target: full body: Step up and down on a sturdy chair to clean the doors and bend down to reach the skirting boards. It involves a lot of stretching and the use of your arm and leg muscles.

Finish off with a five to 10-minute cool-down, stretching as you reach to put away the dishes or make the beds.

VIDEO: FITNESS TIPS WITH NIKKI WATERMAN
For more great health tips and advice visit http://www.danoneactivia.co.uk.

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Are nurses really losing their compassion?

January 10, 2012, 12:30 am

≫ Next: Jennifer Ellison poses with cutout to show weight loss

≪ Previous: Home workout tips

Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Are nurses really losing their compassion? Getty

A report by the NHS Future Forum has warned that today's nurses may lack essential skills, be uncaring and may not understand the values of the health service.

According to the independent advisory panel, which was set up in 2011, there were "huge variations in quality" relating to the training of nurses in the NHS.

The report said: "Selection in nursing was a particular issue, with a sense that the focus has moved away from selecting students on their ability, capacity for compassion and caring and desire to work in nursing."

"This has led, in some cases, to significant dropout rates and issues with basic skills such as numeracy."

It said that nurses who had just received their qualifications were not given "any further training or induction", and this meant they did not understand the values of the health service or "have the right basic skills".

The chairman of the forum, Professor Steve Field said: "Sometimes students are being assessed purely on an academic basis rather than also on their social skills and how they relate to people."

"There's no doubt that to be a nurse in the modern world you need to be at a certain intellectual level, but that should not be at the cost of being able to treat patients with dignity. After all, the core part of nursing is caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable."

He added: "We are not saying that university degrees are the problem, but we do think that a nurse is much more than a set of GCSE and A level results."

Do you think nurses are less compassionate or not? Let us know below...

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Jennifer Ellison poses with cutout to show weight loss

January 10, 2012, 1:30 am

≫ Next: Why 92% of New Year dieters have already given up

≪ Previous: Are nurses really losing their compassion?

Filed under: Celebrity

Jennifer Ellison poses with cutout to show weight loss WENN.com

Jennifer Ellison struck a pose with her "before" picture outside the ITV studios to demonstrate the extent of her weight loss transformation.

The Dancing on Ice star looked almost unrecognisable from the size 18 picture, where she weighed five stone more than she does now.

Jennifer appeared on Loose Women and explained she had already lost a stone when the "before" picture was taken.

She said: "I didn't want to be in the gym. I just wanted to be a mum. I didn't realize how big I was until I look back now... I put on like five stone..."

"I was still in maternity stuff a year [after the birth]. It was really, really hard. It is difficult, but when you know the key things to fitness, I've kind of been taught."

She added: "I got a the call about Dancing On Ice and I thought: 'Right, you've got to get your backside into gear girl'. I thought "I need a personal trainer.'"

The 28-year-old put up a picture on Twitter and said: "Look at me with my fat friend!!!"

What do you think about Jennifer's weight loss? Let us know below...

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Why 92% of New Year dieters have already given up

January 10, 2012, 3:25 am

≫ Next: Kate and William get more than 200 weird and wonderful gifts

≪ Previous: Jennifer Ellison poses with cutout to show weight loss

Filed under: Diet

Why 92% of New Year dieters have already given up Getty

How are you getting on with your New Year's resolutions?

If the lure of that chocolate bar, bag of sweets or Friday night curry proved just too much to stick to your weight loss plans, you're in good company.

According to new research it appears most of us ditched our New Year diets over the weekend.

Although an estimated 2.6 million people began their diets at the beginning of the month, a study by XLS-Medical found that by last weekend 92% of dieters had given up.

Four out of ten revealed they had started to eat their favourite foods again on Friday and two thirds gave into the temptation of a Sunday roast.

A fifth of dieters broke their diets four or five days after starting them, with feeling hungry or bored given as the most common reason for bingeing.

Only 5% of women were able to keep to their diet plans until they achieved their desired weight.

Over 70% said they had a takeaway at least once every week, with most opting for Chinese food.

Dr Matt Capehorn, Clinical Director of the National Obesity Forum, said to Female First: "A healthy diet, aimed at losing 1lb per week, relies on saving 3500 calories a week by having 500 calories less each day."

"A day off the diet should mean that you eat the correct amount, but many dieters see it as an excuse to binge and have thousands of calories more than they need. They can easily end up having more excess calories in that one day than they have saved throughout the whole week of sticking to a diet."

Dr Capehorn added: "This survey suggests that many dieters are completely unaware. We need to educate people who are trying to lose weight and encourage them not to relax their diets too much over the weekend."

Are you still on track, given up your diet or didn't bother starting one? Let us know below...

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Kate and William get more than 200 weird and wonderful gifts

January 10, 2012, 10:08 pm

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Filed under: In the news

Kate and William get more than 200 weird and wonderful gifts Getty/PA

Christmas obviously comes more than once a year if you're a member of the royal family - at least according to a new list of gifts presented to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

Last year the newlyweds embarked on their first official overseas trip together, and they must have needed a few extra suitcases to carry all their holiday souvenirs home with them.

The list shows that the royal couple received 20 different types of hats, including the traditional cowboy hats that they wore when they visited the Calgary Stampede rodeo.

Kate also received a blue hat from a Canadian minister and two fascinators, one made of tartan and the other of peacock feathers.

Prince William, who also made a solo trip to Australia and New Zealand, was given a collection of baseball caps and a traditional Akubura hat and the Royal Canadian Airforce presented him with a flying helmet.

According to The Telegraph, William was also given a pair of snow goggles made from Caribou Antlers, a mosquito trap and a jar of Vegemite.

However, Kate did receive some more glamourous gifts, including a specially-commissioned brooch in the shape of a polar bear, made by Hollywood jeweller Harry Winston.

The brooch, which is made from platinum and is studded with 302 diamonds, was recorded simply as 'a brooch' in the official list.

However the Daily Mail reports that Clarence House has been accused of hiding the true value of the gifts given to Kate, by giving only very basic descriptions.

William also received what is described as 'a pair of cufflinks' - but these were also made from platinum and studded with diamonds, made in the shape of the Northwest Territories polar bear logo.

According to the chairman of Harry Winston, Robert Gannicott, the gifts took 250 hours to make and included a total of 692 diamonds.

A spokesperson for Clarence House said: "It is not appropriate for us to estimate a financial value on these gifts or specify details which indicate a gift is especially valuable relative to others. It would be discourteous to do so, because it is the gift itself which is important, not its value."

Other gifts which Kate received in Canada include a wooden heart box with charm bracelet, a chef's jacket and plates, a teddy bear and three pairs of shoes.

William was presented with a tartan waistcoat, moccasins, a shoulder bag and a fishing basket.

What do you think would make the perfect gift for Kate and William? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some figure-fixing wardrobe essentials...

Five figure-fixing wardrobe essentials

Perfect Fit Pant
 Every woman needs a fab-fitting pair of jeans to wear anywhere and everywhere. Whether you’re looking for an of-the-moment coloured pair or a basic black version, Gok for TU’s Perfect Fit Pant (£25) is a wardrobe must-have with its extra-stretch slim leg fit, natural waist and low back pockets to ensure your backside looks great. The slight boot cut elongates the leg, too.
Swing Tux
 The tux jacket is a versatile wardrobe piece that embraces autumn’s androgynous catwalk spirit and can be dressed up or down for work or formal occasions. Gok for TU’s Swing Tux (£35) flatters the figure with wide sleeves and a cropped cut, perfect for elongating the body. The cherry blossom print lining ensures it will look as chic off as it does on.
Slash Neck Shift Dress
 Every wardrobe needs a classic LBD, and the shift dress is especially versatile for day-to-night dressing. The hourglass-shaped Slash Neck Shift Dress (£45) boasts seam detailing which slimlines the figure and is designed with a built-in sculpting slip to banish VPL and ensure your bum, tum and thighs look firm.
Palazzo Pant
 A wide-leg trouser is a great office-to-evening style fix. Embrace the 70s silhouette with this Palazzo Pant (£30) which boasts a tummy-flattening high waist, thigh-slimming pleats and leg-lengthening flares. Did we mention it will also make your bum look great?
Ultimate Wrap Dress
 A stylish wrap dress is an effortless evening staple; throw it on for dinner and dancing or as an elegant date night option. Thanks to hidden shoulder pads, this curve-hugging Ultimate Wrap Dress (£40) in red makes your shoulders look broader, keeping your hips in proportion, and boasts a secret sculpting slip dress underneath so any wobbly bits stay firmly in place.

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New test could tell doctors what you've been eating

January 10, 2012, 10:47 pm

≫ Next: Decorating dilemmas: Choosing the right sofa for your home

≪ Previous: Kate and William get more than 200 weird and wonderful gifts

Filed under: In the news

New test could tell doctors what you've been eating Getty

If you've ever fibbed to your GP and said that you always eat your five-a-day and avoid biscuits, a new test could catch you out.

The test, which could be introduced within the next five years, has been developed by researchers at the universities of Aberystwyth and Newcastle with Food Standards Agency funding.

A urine sample, which is sent to a laboratory for analysis, can reveal the 'chemical fingerprints' of certain foods as they pass through the body. Chemical signatures for raspberries, broccoli, orange juice and salmon have already been identified and the research team are confident that, in time, virtually every food ingredient will be identifiable.

Professor John Draper, who led the research, told The Independent that 'dipstick tests' could be available within five years, which would make it easier for doctors, nurses and nutritionists to monitor the eating habits of obese patients who are trying to lose weight.

He also believes that it will help scientists to establish links between diet and diseases.

He said: "It should mean that for the first time researchers will be able to say for certain which items of food can help protect against specific diseases, and those that can seriously increase the chance of getting a particular disease."

Are you honest about what you eat? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which foods aren't as healthy as they look...

Not-so-healthy 'healthy' foods

Ready-made salads
 Putting the word 'salad' at the end of a food description doesn't make it healthy, unfortunately. So watch out for high-fat dressings, mayo and add-ons like cheese and croutons. Your best bet is to make your own; short of that, opt for a salad with vegetables and a protein and top off with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Cereal
 While cereals are vitamin-fortified, they may not be the best start to your day since many are still packed with sugar (a recent report from the U.S. found that several have more sugar per serving than a handful of chocolate chip cookies). If you love starting your morning off with a bowlful, then choose a cereal with high fibre content and under 10g (ideally under 5g) of sugar per serving.
Energy bars
 If you're trying to stave off calories with a meal replacement energy bar, you may be consuming more than you bargained for. Many are filled with added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and saturated fats, not to mention loads of calories. Be sure to read the nutrition label - some energy bars have more in common with candy bars than you'd like.
Turkey burger
 If you think ditching red meat from your diet and replacing that hamburger with a 'lean' turkey burger is a healthy option, think again. Depending on the type of turkey used, the meal can be just as high in fat and calories as its beef alternative.
Muffins
 If you've conned yourself into thinking that muffins are healthy (they have blueberries! and bran!) it's time for a reality check. They are high in calories, fat and sugar - it's like eating cake for breakfast.
Sports drinks
 Sure, they give you an energy boost, but consuming too many sports and energy drinks can also leave you jittery from caffeine and can wear down tooth enamel from all of the acidity, sugars and additives.
Dried fruit
 While dried fruit might seem like a healthy snack alternative, watch the quantity you consume - since there's no water in it to fill you up, it's easy to guzzle handfuls at once which piles on the calories. It also has a high concentration of sugar.
Reduced fat and fat-free foods
 While 'fat-free' and reduced-fat foods may sound like a blissful invention, they can actually lead you to consume more (since they seem 'healthier'). The fat is often replaced with other undesirable alternatives like added sugar and salt.
Smoothies
 Smoothies shouldn't be a fruit replacement - they have lots of sugar and are high in calories (a large size can give you over 500 in one go). Also, if you're ordering the drink in a shop, it could get blended with ice cream - delicious, yes, but not ideal for a weight-loss regimen.

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Decorating dilemmas: Choosing the right sofa for your home

January 10, 2012, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: Study says nicotine patches don't work

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Filed under: Home

Decorating dilemmas: Choosing the right sofa for your home Lady Victoria at Sofa Workshop

Looking for a new sofa? The mainstay of any living room, a super comfy sofa - be it modular, traditional or sink-into squidgy - is one of the most important buys in the home. After all, it is going to be around for a long time. Giving expert advice on what to look out for when buying a new sofa, Paul Staden of Sofa Workshop shares his tips on current trends, best buys, as well as choosing the right style for your home.

1. To invest or not to invest?

Amidst all of January's huge and very tempting discounts, the first thing to check is how and with what the sofa is made. Under £1000 and the sofa will not be as good quality, although you should expect value for money with a guaranteed frame. For over £1000 the scale of the sofa will be greater, and so should the quality with better fabrics, too. The thing to consider is whether you want the sofa to be an heirloom to be passed on to your kids, or if you're happy to replace it after a few years.

'Lady Victoria' 4-seater sofa, £2,302 from Sofa Workshop

2. Comfort factor

What makes a sofa comfortable for one person doesn't necessarily make it comfortable for the next. Some people find feathers wonderfully soft but others find them hard and flat. Be aware that after a long day pounding the pavements searching for a sofa - any seat feels like heaven! Take your time choosing, even revisiting several times, if necessary.

'Renoir' sofa, £1,695 from The Sofa & Chair Company

3. Seat fillers

Think about how you are going to use your sofa. This may sound obvious but we often see customers who have an idea of the colour and shape they like but give little thought to their lifestyle. Ask yourself: "Do I want soft and squishy cushions for lounging or firmer, foam cushions for more support?"

'Caravaggio' large sofa in linen slip covers, £2,817 from Sofa Workshop

4. Style matters

Like comfort, style is very subjective. Lower-backed sofas with lots of loose scatter cushions are more suited to a casual look and are great for laid-back lounging. Sofas with back cushions offer more support and are better for a more formal sitting position and look. Try not to get swayed by fashion as the sofa will only date. Start with a fabric that you love and can update with scatter cushions as trends (and tastes) change.

'Edward' sofa by Neils Bendtsen for Bensen, from £2,817 from Viaduct

Decorating dilemmas: Choosing the right sofa for your home Entailles sofa, Ligne Roset

5. Perfectly proportioned

Big isn't necessarily best. In fact, nothing looks worse than an oversized sofa shoe-horned into a living room. Imagine the sofa away from the showroom environment and how it will look in your home. And this means measuring. We recommend laying out newspaper to the shape and dimensions of the sofa you're interested in to see just how much space it takes up. Another factor to consider with size, is how it is going to be used. Are you the kind of person who lays on the sofa, will you be sharing it with your family plus the pet dog or is it solely for you?

'Entailles' sofa by Philippe Nigro, from £1,821 from Ligne Roset

6. Access all areas

Often overlooked but fundamental is to measure up your doorways and see if there is anything that might block access, such as radiators etc. The last thing you want is a beautiful new sofa that you can't get into your home. If there are issues with access, there are things we can do in advance, such as removing arms or making the sofa in two halves.

7. Custom-made

Don't assume that one sofa fits all! Everyone is unique and has very different requirements. You might be 6'6 and can never find a sofa deep enough or have a bay window but can't find a sofa the perfect size to fit in. Always ask what alterations are available and don't settle for something that isn't quite right. At Sofa Workshop we offer a customisation service. This could be as simple as making a sofa a couple of inches shorter or longer or changing the seats from feather to foam to changing almost everything to make it exactly what you want.

'Tom Foolery' modular sofa, £1,818 for a 3-seater with one arm from Sofa Workshop

For more help and advice on how to find the perfect sofa, visit Sofa Workshop.

Do you have any decorating dilemmas? If you want to know how to declutter your home after Christmas or find the top space-saving solutions, email decodilemmas@aol.co.uk.

- Shop sofas

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Study says nicotine patches don't work

January 10, 2012, 11:05 pm

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Study says nicotine patches don't work Getty

If giving up smoking was one of your New Year's Resolutions, experts say that nicotine patches won't make it any easier to kick the habit.

Researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health surveyed 787 smokers attempting to give up and found that a third relapsed wither they were using nicotine replacement products, like patches, gums and nasal sprays, or not.

They found that heavy smokers who used patches or similar treatments but did not also seek therapy were twice as likely to relapse as those who didn't use patches at all.

The research, which was published in the journal Tobacco Control, said that the findings "may indicate that some heavily dependent smokers perceive NRT as a 'magic' pill and, realising it is not, they find themselves without support in their quitting efforts and doomed to failure."

However, it's not all bad news.

Earlier this week, the Daily Mail reported that nicotine patches can improve the memory of elderly people who are experiencing early mental decline.

Lead researcher, Dr Paul Newhouse from Vanderbilit University School of Medicine in Nashville, USA, said: "This study provides strong justification for further research into the use of nicotine for people with early sings of memory loss."

What do you think is the best way to give up smoking? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which celebs haven't kicked the habit...

Die-hard celebrity smokers

Supermodel Kate is frequently papped lighting a fag or taking a deep draw on her cigarette. Some gossips have speculated that she smokes more than 80 cigarettes a day. Smoking can prematurely age your skin, so Kate might want to reconsider before it all starts to catch up with her.
Kerry Katona Reality star Kerry has beaten some of her demons, but she’s still holding on to one vice – cigarettes. She told the Daily Express: "I still smoke a hell of a lot because I get stressed.” Go on Kerry – if you can beat your other addictions, you can conquer this one too.
Courtney Love Hole singer and Hollywood actress Courtney is famous for her unconventional lifestyle. She’s been a regular smoker since she first entered the spotlight in the 90s and shows no signs of giving up soon. If she did, within a year she’d cut her risk of heart attack by 50%.
Robert Pattinson This handsome hunk has a brilliant method for keeping his complexion chalky pale for the Twilight films. He’s often pictured having a cigarette on a break from filming, or when he’s out and about off set. Smoking stops oxygen reaching the skin, helping to promote a wan complexion.
Lindsay Lohan Giving up the fags might be actress Lindsay’s lowest priority, after her multiple stints in rehab and her reportedly mounting debts. She’s regularly seen out and about puffing on a cigarette. Lindsay might like to consider that smoking is an expensive vice and giving up could save upwards of £2,000 a year.
Johnny Depp You can't get much cooler than Johnny Depp. However it appears the laid back actor has one major vice: roll-your-own cigarettes made with liquorice paper. Johnny apparently started smoking at the age of 12 but thinks the habit is "pointless" and is trying to give up.
Paris Hilton The socialite has said in the past that she thinks smoking is "so sexy". It seems naughty Paris Hilton is such a fan of the weed - both the legal and illegal varieties - that she was arrested for allegedly smoking marijuana at a football match in South Africa.
Carla Brunei Life as the wife of tiny yet powerful French president Nicolas Sarkozy must be pretty stressful for former supermodel Carla Bruni. She's shown no signs of giving up her fag habit; in fact she told Marie Claire years that she wanted "to die smoking, with a cigarette in my hand."
Helen Flanagan Actress Helen, who plays Coronation Street's teen temptress Rosie Webster, has a penchant for footballers, fake tan, low-cut tops and fags. Thrifty Helen isn't averse to getting the night bus home after a big night out - think of all the money she could save if she knocked her smoking habit on the head, too.
Mischa Barton Mischa is most famous for her appearance as one of the glossy teens on TV hit The O.C. She's done a lot of damage to her clean cut image since she left the show in 2006, often pictured smoking cigarettes and dragging heavily on what appeared to be a joint.
Taylor Momsen Actress and pop star Taylor has got the black eye makeup, the suspenders and  the stripper heels as part of her bad girl look. She finishes it all off with a fag and has been pictured on stage lighting up. Taylor doesn't care, saying "I smoke, so what?"
Pete Doherty Rapscallion Pete is often caught with a cigarette in his mouth as he sings and has yellow, nicotine-stained hands as proof of his addiction.  Although we doubt Pete's that worried about it, smoking dulls your sense of smell and leaves you with the permanent scent of eau de tobacco.

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Would you have the obesity jab?

January 10, 2012, 11:33 pm

≫ Next: Making simple changes to your weekly shop could help you lose two stone

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Filed under: In the news

Would you have the obesity jab? PA

Experts believe that a once-a-day injection could be the key to tackling the obesity epidemic.

The drug, which is already used to treat type 2 diabetes, contains the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is secreted by the intestine when we eat and is the body's natural way of suppressing appetite.

This means that people taking it feel less hungry and it can also help to regulate blood sugar levels.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagan in Denmark analysed the results of 25 trials involving more than 6,000 patients to assess the effect of the drug.

They found that patients given a daily dose for at least 20 weeks lost an average of half a stone, however there are potential side effects including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Dr David Haslam, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, told the Daily Express: "These new injections really have the potential for revolutionising treatment. Safety-wise they are pretty good. I am using them on my patients and have had a lot of success. For some they have been dramatically successful, with one losing about four stone and having blood sugar under control for the first time ever."

The researchers now believe that the treatment should be considered for overweight and obese patients who also have diabetes.

Professor Tina Vilsbol, who led the research which is published in the British Medical Journal, said: "Our analysis provides convincing evidence that GLP-1 chemicals, when given to obese patients with or without diabetes, result in clinically relevant beneficial effects on body weight. Additional beneficial effects on blood pressure and total cholesterol might also be achieved."

Would you be willing to try the obesity jab? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some healthy lunch ideas...

Five healthy lunch ideas

Tomato soup
 Store-bought soups are often packed with hidden salt, so buy your own fresh veggies and make a tasty tomato soup (an especially welcome treat in the cold winter months). Top it off with some yoghurt for added flavour.
Couscous salad
 Trying to be healthy by eating spinach leaves every day is pretty uninspiring, so skip the leafy salad one day and try a couscous and Mediterranean vegetable version instead. It only takes five minutes to cook, and you can keep it exciting by swapping the veg for beans and nuts to amp up the protein.
Falafel and pitta sandwich
 If you're craving the taste of something fried, a baked falafel and hummous sandwich is a high-protein option that's veggie-friendly, tastes delicious and has more nutritional value than any fried fast food alternative. Add some tomatoes and lettuce to garnish and finish off with a low-fat Greek yoghurt.
Bean salad
 For a low-cal, high-protein lunch with lots of flavour, try a bean salad. You can toss a few different bean varieties together (like cannellini, garbanzo and kidney, for example), mix tuna and white beans for a winning combo or team beans with brown rice and goat or feta cheese.
Chicken mango wrap
 There's a misconception that healthier options aren't as flavoursome as their highly caloric counterparts. This chicken and mango wrap packs a lot of flavour into an easy meal - just add some peppers and avocado to tantalise your tastebuds. Or try another protein/veg combo wrap with pesto or salsa instead of your usual mayo-filled sandwich.

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Making simple changes to your weekly shop could help you lose two stone

January 11, 2012, 12:16 am

≫ Next: Dolly Parton gets a new tattoo...in her cleavage

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Men's Health

We're barely two weeks into January, and many of us are already struggling with our resolutions to give up chocolate or cut out carbs.

But a new book called Eat This, Not That!, edited by Tom Stone suggests that making just a few simple tweaks to your supermarket shop could help you to lose weight steadily without feeling deprived.

The book, which has been put together by the team at Men's Health magazine, is based on the idea that substituting lower-calorie options can help you to eat more healthily without noticing - and it seems that you can lose more than two stone in a year just by making a few changes.

Swapping seeded bread for wholemeal, choosing Crunchy Nut Cornflakes instead of Honey Nut Clusters, eating Edam instead of Cheddar and ordering thin crust pizza instead of deep crust can be enough to knock around 2,000 calories off your weekly consumption, which could help you to lose around two-and-a-half pounds a month - even if you carry on eating chocolate and snack foods.

As well as supermarket foods, the book includes food swap ideas for eating out. For example, you can save over 240 calories by ordering a Big Mac from McDonalds instead of a Whopper with Cheese from Burger King.

Who knew you could eat burgers and still lose weight?

Eat This, Not That! can be purchased online for £9.99

Have you lost weight without giving up your favourite foods? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out how to burn off a Big Mac...

How to burn off a Big Mac

Big Mac
 There are 490 calories in a Big Mac - that's around a quarter of a woman's RDA. Get set to sweat by taking a spinning class for an hour to burn off that burger.
Chicken McNuggets
 If you snack on some nuggets (250 calories) and dip (45 calories), head out for a brisk paced 30 minute jog to undo some of the damage and burn 300 calories.
Chicken Legend
 Fans of the Chicken Legend sandwich may be surprised to hear it clocks up more calories than a Big Mac. To burn off 535 calories try a 90 minute Bikram yoga class and prepare to suffer.
Soft drinks and coffee
 If you're opting for diet drinks or black coffee, no exercise is required. However a medium Fanta at 170 calories will require 15 minutes vigorous activity on the rowing machine to burn it off.
Filet-O-Fish
 Fans of the Filet-O-Fish will need to do 30 mins of circuit training to cancel out the calorie damage of their meal.
Salad or fries
 Salad dodgers who opt for medium fries (330 calories) will need to climb stairs for 40 minutes to burn it off. Choosing salad means you can walk around the block and burn it off - but who orders salad at McDonald's?
McChicken Sandwich
 Clocking in at 385 calories, burning off the McChicken sandwich will involve an hour of low-impact aerobics or half an hour's tennis.
Milkshake
 Slurping down a milkshake will cost you a massive 420 calories. Be prepared to swim for at least 45 minutes to burn it off.
Quarter pounder with cheese
 If your regular order is a quarter pounder with cheese, you'll need to skip rope at a fast pace for 30 minutes to make a dent in the calories. You could also head for the stationary bike but be prepared for a 45 minute slog.

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