Want more energy?

The Rules

• Eliminate caffeine, sugar, refined and processed foods from your diet. It may sound tough, but they all stimulate your adrenal glands, and the more frequently you eat them, the harder your adrenal glands have to work – which will lead to adrenal fatigue and weight gain. Your adrenal glands also produce an anti-stress hormone, so if you overtax them you’ll soon feel your anxiety levels rising.
• Ensure you are well hydrated. Dehydration has a direct impact on your blood sugar levels and, therefore, energy. Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water daily, plus herbal teas, such as peppermint of chamomile.
• Reduce alcohol consumption or cut it out completely. It’s a source of ’empty calories’ i.e.  it contains no nutritional value, which in turn lowers your energy levels.
• Eat three meals a day evenly spaced. Regular snacking makes our body lose sight of when it’s actually hungry – so you simply eat out of boredom. Try a fresh raw juice inbetween meals instead. It will give you a natural buzz of energy without ruining your appetite. If you don’t own a juicer, come down to ZT Fitness in Hove www.ztfitness.com and I’ll make you one from our new ‘ZT Juice’ bar stocked full of superfoods!
• Take at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, such as walking, cycling or even boxing – hey, if Princess Beatrice can do it, why not? Exercise increases circulation and transports oxygen around your body faster, giving you a prolonged energy boost. If you’re in Hove pop down to www.ztfightskool.com  for the workout of your life!
• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods including spinach, parsley, watercress, broccoli, pulses, egg yolks, dried fruit and liver. Iron is essential in chemical reactions that produce energy from food, and if your levels are depleted your body may not be able to harness all the energy available to it.
• Choose superfoods, such as blueberries, broccoli and green tea to deliver antioxidants, which are vital for keeping your brain and nervous system working correctly. When an imbalance of nutrients occurs, they stop being replaced and, as their levels plummet, your body slows down. My top favourite Amazonian superfoods are maca, suma , camu camu and acai – for more info, come and check them out at ZT Juice.
• Ensure you get at least 8 hours sleep per night. A decent night’s sleep helps reboot your body’s energy levels.
• Try Solgar Earth Source Multi-Nutrients (£20.29 for 60 tablets; www.solgar.com), which contain wholefood concentrates such as, barleygrass, spirulina, chlorella, flaxseed and also iron, probiotics and B vitamins to help sustain your energy levels.  I’ve just started taking them and am amazed at how much goodness they can fit into one tablet these days!