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Work-out for one

Working out on your own is more beneficial if you want a high-intensity work-out, according to research by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Being on your own or in a gym environment will see you working harder (and working off more) than with a friend or in the great outdoors. The study suggests this is because of the variety of the work-out, and ease of access to strength and cardio equipment.

The researchers claim you’ll be able to focus on working hard if working out alone, rather than gossiping with a friend or worrying about what they’re doing.

But it’s not time to cancel on your exercise buddy just yet. The team also found that you’re more likely to exercise for longer (but not necessarily harder) working out with a friend because you don’t get bored and give up. The great outdoors also holds our attention longer than the confines of a gym, the study found.

Your say: Where do you work out? Do you find that you work out better on your own or with a partner? Share your exercise stories with us.

Related video Iron Man Guy Leech takes us through some simple exercises to do during your lunch break…

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Home Page 5320

Work-out for one

Working out on your own is more beneficial if you want a high-intensity work-out, according to research by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Working out on your own is more beneficial if you want a high-intensity work-out, according to research by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Being on your own or in a gym environment will see you working harder (and working off more) than with a friend or in the great outdoors. The study suggests this is because of the variety of the work-out, and ease of access to strength and cardio equipment.

The researchers claim you’ll be able to focus on working hard if working out alone, rather than gossiping with a friend or worrying about what they’re doing.

But it’s not time to cancel on your exercise buddy just yet. The team also found that you’re more likely to exercise for longer (but not necessarily harder) working out with a friend because you don’t get bored and give up. The great outdoors also holds our attention longer than the confines of a gym, the study found.

Your say: Where do you work out? Do you find that you work out better on your own or with a partner? Share your exercise stories with us.

Related video Iron Man Guy Leech takes us through some simple exercises to do during your lunch break…

Related stories


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The secret to Susan’s figure

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Sexy at Spin

Ever wonder how Susan Sarandon stays looking so sexy? She puts it down to her… ping-pong work-outs..

“I think ping-pong is the most fun way to stay in shape,” the 63-year-old actor told People magazine. “You really work up a sweat and it’s fun. It’s good for your mind as well as your body.”

In pics: Celebs sexy at sixty

Sarandon is an investor in a ping-pong club in Manhattan, Spin. More than just a place to work-out, Spin is a 1200 square metre mecca for all things fun, including 13 tables (one made entirely of mirrors) plus two private VIP areas.

Your say: Do you think ping-pong is a great way to stay in shape? How do you stay in shape? Share your fitness tips with us below.

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Lose weight and entertain

Lose weight and entertain

It’s not so easy to stick to an energy reduced weight loss plan when you want to catch up with family and friends over dinner. Staying in every night alone however is not an option either; people should live neither to eat nor to lose weight.

Our easy entertaining dinner plan gives you an energy intake of 2770KJ but your guests should be given the option of a little more. The last thing you want them to do is race home via the nearest late night burger bar because they were left wanting.

A couple of dips placed around the area where guests congregate is a good way to get the evening off to a good start. Many dips however tip the scales when it comes to energy (KJ) but this eggplant dip is a healthy low energy alternative.

Your guests can have it with crackers but you should serve raw vegetable crudités for yourself and others who want to save room for later.


Soup is a terrific starter at a dinner party. Make it in advance and have it gently heating while you entertain your guests.

It’s delicious served with a warm grainy sourdough but with an additional 600Kj you can do without one.


A side of salmon looks very impressive and is very easy to prepare. With accompanying steamed green beans, chat potatoes and whole egg mayonnaise, your guest can enjoy the VIP treatment while your meal is complete with a serve of green beans.


Fresh berries are the perfect end to a delicious meal. Served with thick shavings of dark chocolate they are more magnificent and with cream… well it’s the stuff dreams are made of, except when you are trying to lose weight.

Give all that to your guest and you just swap the cream for low fat natural yoghurt. You’re not missing out completely and, with that one simple swap, you’ll save about 600KJ.

Each glass accounts for about 425KJ and a fast paced walk will burn a similar amount of energy. That way it’s a reward you have worked for!

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Supermarket giant to take on car insurers

It can only be a good thing for more brands to enter the car insurance industry, but did you ever expect your local supermarket chain to be one of them?
car in shopping trolley, thinkstock

COLES has recently launched a suite of car insurance nationwide, including comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, and third-party property damage, after trialling the business in Tasmania last year. It follows the launch of Kmart Tyre & Auto, which also launched a range of car insurance products earlier this year.

So when you’re deciding which brand of bread or milk you will buy for your family, you can now consider taking out insurance for the car at the checkout — well, not quite. Coles doesn’t offer insurance at its 690-plus stores across Australia, although I’m sure you will be hearing about it over the speakers or on posters in the aisles. But you can pick up a policy online or over the phone.

Coles car insurance offers some interesting perks that certainly make them unique in comparison to other brands on the market. Firstly, comprehensive car insurance customers will receive 5 percent off the price for the first year when buying online.

Now, this is not so much a unique offer, as many of its competitors in the car insurance game are turning to the online market to lure their customers. In fact, some companies such as Allianz Australia and Just Car Insurance offer a discount of up to 10 percent when purchasing a policy online.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Coles offers rewards such as tripling their four cents off per litre petrol vouchers to receive 12 cents off once per month, FlyBuys points when you purchase the policy and your groceries are covered under the policy if they are damaged in a collision.

When it comes to price, Coles insurance products are among some of the cheapest in town. A study by RateCity found that Coles’ comprehensive car insurance was below the average cost in Doncaster, Melbourne, and was the cheapest out of 26 car insurance companies in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner-west.

Whether it’s a brand you know and perhaps use already, or one that is new to Australia, it’s worth taking some time to compare on price and perks. So when your car insurance renewal arrives in the mail, don’t forget to compare because you may find significant savings. And be sure to read the fine print so there’s no surprises when you least expect.

Michelle Hutchison is Consumer Advocate at RateCity.

The above information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Your say: Do you think this will be a good thing for consumers? Would you consider switching your car insurance to Coles? Email us on [email protected]

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How to lose 50kg in 50 steps

We all know it’s as simple as “eat more fresh fruit and vegies and start exercising” when it comes to losing weight. But the truth is it can be very difficult to take that first step in the long road of lifestyle change.

But Sally Symonds has proved it can be done — at home with no gimmicks or gadgets and just by taking 50 simple steps.

Shows like The Biggest Loser remind us how prevalent obesity is, with Australia having one of the highest rates in the world. So success stories like Sally’s are a great reminder that, with dedication, we can all make that first step to losing weight and becoming healthier.

Check out how Sally lost more than half her body weight.

Your say: Have you tried to lose weight before? How did you go? What tips can you share? Tell us below.

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How to lose 50kg in 50 steps

We all know it's as simple as "eat more fresh fruit and vegies and start exercising" when it comes to losing weight. But the truth is it can be very difficult to take that first step in the long road of lifestyle change.

We all know it’s as simple as “eat more fresh fruit and vegies and start exercising” when it comes to losing weight. But the truth is it can be very difficult to take that first step in the long road of lifestyle change.

But Sally Symonds has proved it can be done — at home with no gimmicks or gadgets and just by taking 50 simple steps.

Shows like The Biggest Loser remind us how prevalent obesity is, with Australia having one of the highest rates in the world. So success stories like Sally’s are a great reminder that, with dedication, we can all make that first step to losing weight and becoming healthier.

Check out how Sally lost more than half her body weight.

Your say: Have you tried to lose weight before? How did you go? What tips can you share? Tell us below.

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Avoid the diet traps

The path to good dieting intention is paved with dangerous temptation.

It seems that for every garden salad you fix yourself, there is a doughnut waiting for you around the corner.

When you’re turning the page of your eating habits and trying to change your lifestyle, the default option at a cafe or restaurant will often be “salad”. But the word can be deceptive as some salads are loaded with high-fat cheese and topped with delicious but unhealthy dressing.

More video: lose 50kg in 50 easy steps

Take a look at how you can make sure you’re giving yourself the best chance to stave off sneaky, detrimental salads.

Nutritionist Kristen Beck explains how to make sure you’re not eating salads that will do your weight-loss effort more harm than good.

Your say: What diet traps do you find yourself falling victim to? What are your best dieting tips?

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Hugh jackman helps out cancer patient

Hugh jackman helps out cancer patient

It’s the video that has moved hearts the world over – a loving tribute from a Sydney cancer patient to his devoted wife.

For cancer patient Kristian Anderson, a straightforward “I love you” wasn’t enough to express his gratitude to Rachel, his wife of seven years. She had been his “rock” since he was diagnosed with cancer last October, and she deserved something extra special for her 35th birthday on August 22.

So Kristian aimed high, asking hunky Wolverine star Hugh Jackman – Rachel’s favourite actor – and New Zealand prime minister John Key to help make a heartfelt video birthday present.

“Hugh Jackman certainly gave the clip some Hollywood glamour. He’s got millions of fans, not just Rachel, so everyone who’s seen his movies will be amazed to see him in my video, for sure,” says Kristian. “It’s certainly taken its popularity to a whole new level.”

Kristian, 35, has been having chemotherapy since being diagnosed nearly 12 months ago with bowel cancer that has spread to his liver. Until last week, he and Rachel were effectively fighting their cancer battle alone; now their plight is being tracked by millions around the world.

“Rachel has had so much on her plate,” says Kristian. “She’s been looking after me and our boys and working, too. The video was a special way of thanking her and showing people what we were going through.

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*Junior MasterChef* judge Anna Gare: 10 things you didn’t know about me

Junior MasterChef judge Anna Gare: 20 things you didn't know about me

The new Junior MasterChef judge dishes up some morsels about herself

  1. When I was little I wanted to be a member of ABBA.
  1. My favourite cooking ingredient is lemon.
  1. I love listening to Ry Cooder when I’m cooking.
  1. I can’t cook brains – they gross me out!
  1. At school my favourite subjects were cooking and copper enamelling.
  1. I have two Rottweilers, called Nelly and Leroy.
  1. My parents were hippies in the 70s.
  1. Freida is one of my favourite movies.
  1. I love collecting art, vintage dinner plates and recipes.
  1. My favourite colour is emerald green.

To find out more about Anna Gare, pick up this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale Monday September 13, 2010.

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