Greetings mamas! I’m going to share some techniques and eating strategies you can use to help you get rid of bloat (a lot of that is water retention and inflammation) burn fat and build lean muscle mass that will make you look even better at the beach.

No crazy dieting or pills involved and needless to say you won’t go hungry.(yay!)

Let’s do this!

Farewell sugar

When your body is running on sugar it’s nowhere near fat burning because you can’t burn fat when you’re spiking insulin. And sadly you spike insulin every single time you eat something high in sugar. Plus, it bloats you and makes you retain more water. It’s sad… I know. Let’s take a moment to mourn all that sugar you won’t be eating as of today.

Sleeping makes you slim

This is tricky for a mama, I know that. But fat burning happens during one phase of sleep only; the delta wave sleep (the deep one). So try your very best to get at least 7 hours sleep at night and you will wake up lighter (literally!).

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting means that you go longer between your meals a few days a week, which helps you burn fat longer those days. Try going down to just two healthy meals per day, 3 days per week.

You obviously then need to choose meals that will keep you full! For instance a big salad full of cruciferous vegetables, some bacon or chicken, avocado, red or green peppers, a boiled egg and some nuts and seeds for added protein and omega 3s. Make sure you get fat in there (avocado, nuts and seeds) because that will keep you full longer.

Interval Training

Ok, I am obsessed with HIIT (high intensity interval training). It sounds scary but it’s not, promise! HIIT helps you lose weight faster than any other form of exercise plus it’s easy do to by yourself and doesn’t take a lot of time. Try running at your max for 2 minutes, then stopping for 30 seconds and repeating this strategy for ~20 minutes at least 3 days a week. This is called the Tabata method and it works!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar in water before a meal will suppress insulin spikes (remember those nasty buggers?) Try this before your biggest meal of the day. ACV keeps you in fat burning mode, when you eat. Score!

Nutrient-packed foods

A lot of sugar and snacks cravings come from nutrient deficiencies. Try to choose healthy fats like avocados, lean proteins (chicken, fish, tofu), lots of vegetables plus eggs (they are a powerhouse of nutrition).

And remember, this is not a diet, you can eat as much of this as you want and need. Sadly not all food was created equal and you need to make the right choices.

Good luck! And remember, you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to.

If you have any questions, please send me an email: jacksonlitchfield@gmail.com

The post 6 steps to getting bikini ready fast (Without Going Nuts…) appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Over indulged over the holidays mama (erm…yes..guilty as charged) or looking to banish that post-baby belly and just enjoy a little ‘me time’? Get your 2018 off to a fighting fit start with our pick of some of the best and most fun workouts in Dubai and prepare to run, kick, laugh and sweat!

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Hey mamas! Cooler weather and dark mornings making you want to cozy up under the covers a little longer? Now you don’t have to hesitate on hitting the snooze button in the morning because we’ve got 5 hacks that will cut back your morning beauty routine so you have a lie-in (that’s if the kids don’t get to you first!).

The post 5 Hacks To Get You Out The Door Quicker In the Mornings! appeared first on Sassy Mama.

There’s plenty that comes with getting older. Wisdom (mostly…), maturity (hmm…), experience… and then there are those pesky wrinkles and tell-tale signs that our skin may not be quite as youthful and forgiving as it once was. Living with sunshine every day of the year is great but also needs to be treated with caution which is why our friends at CosmeSurge recommend that not only does EVERYONE over the age of 18 needs an annual skin check to screen for skin cancer but that we should all start maintaining the health of our skin regardless of how old we are. We can’t reverse time (oh to be cellulite free and peachy again!) but we can make sure that we look like the best version of ourselves at whatever stage of life we’re at – and the best way to start is with a glowing complexion (because nothing makes wrinkles look even wrinklier than dull, dry skin).

Dr Lana Kashlan is an American Board certified dermatologist at CosmeSurge who’s about so much more than trying to fight ageing with procedures including Botox and fillers (although she very much believes that these are excellent options when used correctly), by focusing first on the health of your skin. Starting with a full skin exam including mole mapping, she’ll examine you head to toe for any spots that are suspicious for skin cancer, rashes, acne etc before asking about how each of her patients feels when they look in the mirror. And then? Your skin will be evaluated based on her findings and on a unique 4-point Skin Scale that will form the basis of a customised plan combining home skin care with in-office treatments including lasers, botox and fillers if necessary – to make you look your very best. Fabulous.

If you want to look rested and fresh even when you’re not (sleep-deprivation isn’t the friendliest to our faces), Dr Lana will help you get there with a simple, quick plan that doesn’t involve complicated skin care routines but rather a few steps to suit your lifestyle.

Sound good? We definitely think so. Now to make that appointment…

CosmeSurge are offering all Sassy Mamas a free consultation with mole mapping. Simply call their Dubai Marina branch on +971 (0) 4 447 1777 to and mention Sassy to book. Offer expires October 31^st, 2017.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the most up to date advanced technology to rejuvenate your skin, please sign up below so that we can send you a personal invite to an exclusive event with CosmeSurge.

The post Tempted By Botox, mamas? Read this first… appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Life as a mama can be exhausting, so every now and then it’s important to take time for yourself, do something that you enjoy and get some much-needed rest!

I’ve found just the place to relax, unwind and feel like me again, a little oasis of calm in the city (and away from the craziness of mama life). Yes, mamas, the moment you drive into the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club you see horses, big open spaces of green (coming from the UK this is my little bit of ‘home’) and complete tranquility. Bliss. The Polo Club offers so much – from horse riding to a huge family swimming pool, restaurants, and gym – but there’s also a hidden gem – The Spa!

The whole spa experience from start to finish is what every mama needs occasionally! Not only are the staff really friendly, experienced and knowledgeable, but there’s no rushing and the setting is gorgeous – dimly lit, calm, quiet (seriously the perfect antidote to a noisy household and the chaos of the school run!) The spa staff take their time to really help you relax and unwind and the products, natura Bissé which are used smell utterly amazing! One of my favorite treatments is a 30min back massage and mini facial which is just long enough to help you unwind and forget about making packed lunches in the morning or what meeting you have to plan for but not so long that you’re panicking about how much there’s still to do. And after your treatment, you can chill in the relaxation room or fully indulge and use the Jacuzzi and steam room in the luxury woman’s locker room.

If you’re a Mama in need of a little pampering than The Spa at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club this is the perfect place, especially because from now until October 31^st you can choose from the following 50min packages for only AED 295

1. Relax & Rejuv – 5^th Chukka back massage + booster facial (my favorite!)
2. Renew & Refresh – Body scrub + body wrap
3. Release & Revitalize – Reflexology + 5^th Chukka back massage

For more information please contact The Spa at +971 4 362 7892 or email thespa@poloclubdubai.com
Opening hours daily from 9:00am – 9:00pm

My top tip – get the kids to bed early and go and have a wonderful chilled evening – you deserve it – and you might catch a few winks too!

The post The Perfect Mama Sanctuary For A Little Pampering appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Want another reason to visit Mall Of The Emirates this summer? No I’m not talking sale shopping (although that is reason enough, I know) but free exercise classes courtesy of FlyWheel, FlyBare and more. MOE ACTIVE is an awesome initiative offering a variety of fitness sessions to suit all levels, all held before store opening hours at 8.30am from Sunday to Thursday (the perfect way to prepare yourself for a mammoth Carrefour shop!?) – and all for free – what’s not to love?! Want to know more? Here’s the weekly schedule….

Sunday’s 8.30am: Mall Walkers – meet at the Ski Dubai Foyer

It’s one thing to wander from store to store and quite another to pace the mall with a purpose a la Mall Walkers! This instructor-led session will have you stretching pre/post walk and working up a sweat while you window shop. Perfect.

Monday’s 8.30am: Mall Circuits – meet at the Ski Dubai Foyer

Just like Mall Walkers but with interval training stops added throughout – a fab way to get a workout while checking out which new stores have opened in the mall (or which cafe to go to for your post session coffee).

Tuesday’s 8.30am: FlyWheel at The Ski Dubai Foyer

Whether you’re a cycling novice or a pro in the saddle, these legendary classes from NYC are the reason for many a celeb’s toned bod. Kind of like spinning but much cooler, imagine a high-energy 45 minute class with music to match (instructors  choreograph each class to the beats of the choice) plus a bike that’s customised for you and displays your resistance, speed and power output, meaning you know exactly how hard you’re working at each class (and therefore how big a brekkie you can go for afterwards…)

Wednesday’s 8.30am: FlyBarre at the Ski Dubai Foyer

I’m a huge fan of the barre (no, not the cocktail kind although there’s a time and place for that one too…). This total-body sculpting class combines light weight training with core strengthening exercises in a fast-paced routine that’ll have you pulsing and pumping and feeling the burn! And the results are amazing, honestly – say goodbye to the excesses of summer and  hello to a toned core, thighs and glutes. Hooray!

How to register:

Signing up for any of the ‘Activate the Community’ classes is quick and easy. Simply visit www.malloftheemirates.com/moe-active to reserve your bike, mat or spot. Sounds good right!? See you there!

The post One To Try: Free Exercise Classes At Mall Of The Emirates appeared first on Sassy Mama.