FIT IN THE CITY
Valentine SOS: Foxy fitness for the 14th
Too late to pump it up to impress your Valentine date? No way – this lunchtime you can get buff, glowing and well in the mood for your dinner date.
Plump for the fitness facelift. Anything that gets you sweaty and out of breath is good news for your skin. By making it to that lunchtime spin class, you’ll literally be able to infuse skin cells with oxygen and other nutrients – both are essential for skin collagen production (collagen helps to keep the skin plump and smooth).
● Feel the burn. Raised levels of testosterone post-weight training have been shown to cause a surge in libido – studies have shown that regular exercisers report a higher sex drive. Good news for tonight’s lucky lady.
● Pump those pecs. Increased blood flow to the skin’s surface can improve the appearance of any body part – a newly worked muscle will (temporarily) look more pronounced, so for pert pecs tonight, hit the bench press at lunch.
● Lose the lumps. More wobbling, less whittling been done? Forget lasers, rollers and any other cellulite “cure”. Caffeine in any form will improve blood flow and temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite when applied to the skin – and the science is there: several studies have shown that when caffeine is applied in this way, moisture is pulled away from cells and skin is indeed firmed. If you’re feeling flush you can splash out on a cream but if you’re watching the pennies you can nick the celeb secret of applying a homemade coffee granule paste to get equally good results.
● Tone and tighten your nether regions. Guys and gals, tonight and beyond, don’t neglect those pelvic floor muscles. For everything from better enjoying the physical side of your Valentine’s night to preventing (and even treating) erectile dysfunction, the pelvic floor is where it’s at. Let’s keep it simple for a Tuesday: for both sexes, the easiest way to locate these muscles is to imagine doing a number one, then stopping before you’re finished, drawing the muscles in for a count of five. Release, relax and repeat for up to 10 repetitions. Every day. @laurafitness; www.laurawilliamsonline.com