Everyone wants to look fit and healthy on the outside, and there are many ways to stay fit and healthy, but the most important thing is that you are fit and healthy on the inside.  The tanned, toned and well scupted bodies you see parading on stage at Miss Universe have been put through months, maybe be even years of preparation, to look that good.  No matter how many diet books and fad fitness routines you try, you are never going to achieve lasting results unless you change your lifestyle to produce the body you want.

You wouldn't sign up to a marathon the week before the start date would you?  You know you wouldn't be fit enough to compete, let alone finish or even win the race..and why should pageants be any different?  If you really want to compete at a high standard, and by that we meant place or win every pageant you enter, you need to begin seriously changing your lifestyle at least 3-4 months before your pageant.  Subtle changes such as drinking more water, taking the stairs instead of the lift, and walking to work instead of catching the bus, may seem trivial but they'll all add up and change your body (and your mind) to focusing on begin a fitter, and healthier you, in preparation for your next pageant!

UK Beauties has put together a small list of the most beneficial forms of exercise, to get your heart racing and your waist - line shrinking.  It is however important to remember that without a healthy, well - balanced diet to compliment your fitness routine, you will not achieve the body or mind you need to compete at a high level.  Any nutritionist will  tell you that exercise is around 25% of weight - loss whereas diet is the remaining 75%, so it is fundamental that you also follow a healthy eating plan too:

Toning & Flexibility

Yoga and Pilates are great for losing weight, toning and general mind and body fitness - they don't just burn calories, they also improve your muscle tone, increase your metabolism, improve your posture, and enable you to train your mind to focus more easily.  Although it feels lilke less of an effort than more rigorous forms of exercise such as running and boxing, the health benefits are extensive.  Yoga and Pilates are favoured by a number of famous models and actressed inclluding Jennifer Aniston, Elle McPherson and Kate Moss, who as we all know, have fantastic bodies!  The other benefits from yoga, aside from increased pgysical strength and flexibility, include increased lung capacity (due to the deep breathing) and a clearer head, a more focused mind and the ability to deal with stress in a positive, rather than a negative, way.

Cardio

Cardio work outs are any exercise where your heart rate is pushed above its daily average - a good cardio work out will have you sweating where you never thought you could - behind your knees and down your wrists!  You can't stay in model shape without putting in those hours at the gym or pounding the pavement. Nothing will keep your body toned and fit like proper cardio exercise, so it should be a part of any weight loss plan you undertake.

The best forms of cardio are:

• Running (legs, bum and stomach)
• Cycling (legs, bum and stomach)
• Boxing (arms, back, shoulders and stomch)
• Aerobics (all over body work out)
• Swimming (all over body work out)

No matter what kind of cario exrcise takes your fancy, make sure that it becommes a reguar part of your weekly work out sessions.  To maintain a healthy weight and mind, you should aim for at least 3 lots of 30 minutes at 60% - 80% of your heart rate.   Cardio work outs aren't for everybody, but if you don't mind gym classes then they really are the best way. Failing that, employ a professional personal trainer to get you into shape!

Other cardio exercises that are great for weight loss, are rollerblading, the elliptical machine, skiing and roadbiking.  It had been proven that people who exercise with a friend, or as part of a group, increase their activity by an additional 30%..so grab your mate a get running!

Weights

Most girls believe that if they run enough, the weight will drop off and they will get a six - pack in no time..well sorry to dissapoint you ladies, but no matter how much fat you work off, if you don't tone the muscles underneath, you wn't get your six - pack.  Similarly, if you only lift weights and do sit ups to tone, but skip the cardio, your hard earned six pack will remain covered by an inch of fat and won't see the light of day until you work that inch of fat off on the treadmill!  Therefore, the often-neglected part of weight-loss programs is weight training. Its a great way to build your body's metabolism so you can stay slim long after you finish your diet!

An intensive weight training session not only gives you a natural high on endorphons, but also elevates your metabolism in the immediate aftermath of the session - sometimes for as long as 12 hours afterwards, so you will continue to burn calories long after you finish your work out.

Everyone wants to look fit and healthy on the outside, and there are many ways to stay fit and healthy, but the most important thing is that you are fit and healthy on the inside.  The tanned, toned and well scupted bodies you see parading on stage at Miss Universe have been put through months, maybe be even years of preparation, to look that good.  No matter how many diet books and fad fitness routines you try, you are never going to achieve lasting results unless you change your lifestyle to produce the body you want.

You wouldn't sign up to a marathon the week before the start date would you?  You know you wouldn't be fit enough to compete, let alone finish or even win the race..and why should pageants be any different?  If you really want to compete at a high standard, and by that we meant place or win every pageant you enter, you need to begin seriously changing your lifestyle at least 3-4 months before your pageant.  Subtle changes such as drinking more water, taking the stairs instead of the lift, and walking to work instead of catching the bus, may seem trivial but they'll all add up and change your body (and your mind) to focusing on begin a fitter, and healthier you, in preparation for your next pageant!

UK Beauties has put together a small list of the most beneficial forms of exercise, to get your heart racing and your waist - line shrinking.  It is however important to remember that without a healthy, well - balanced diet to compliment your fitness routine, you will not achieve the body or mind you need to compete at a high level.  Any nutritionist will  tell you that exercise is around 25% of weight - loss whereas diet is the remaining 75%, so it is fundamental that you also follow a healthy eating plan too:

Toning & Flexibility

Yoga and Pilates are great for losing weight, toning and general mind and body fitness - they don't just burn calories, they also improve your muscle tone, increase your metabolism, improve your posture, and enable you to train your mind to focus more easily.  Although it feels lilke less of an effort than more rigorous forms of exercise such as running and boxing, the health benefits are extensive.  Yoga and Pilates are favoured by a number of famous models and actressed inclluding Jennifer Aniston, Elle McPherson and Kate Moss, who as we all know, have fantastic bodies!  The other benefits from yoga, aside from increased pgysical strength and flexibility, include increased lung capacity (due to the deep breathing) and a clearer head, a more focused mind and the ability to deal with stress in a positive, rather than a negative, way.

Cardio

Cardio work outs are any exercise where your heart rate is pushed above its daily average - a good cardio work out will have you sweating where you never thought you could - behind your knees and down your wrists!  You can't stay in model shape without putting in those hours at the gym or pounding the pavement. Nothing will keep your body toned and fit like proper cardio exercise, so it should be a part of any weight loss plan you undertake.

The best forms of cardio are:

• Running (legs, bum and stomach)
• Cycling (legs, bum and stomach)
• Boxing (arms, back, shoulders and stomch)
• Aerobics (all over body work out)
• Swimming (all over body work out)

No matter what kind of cario exrcise takes your fancy, make sure that it becommes a reguar part of your weekly work out sessions.  To maintain a healthy weight and mind, you should aim for at least 3 lots of 30 minutes at 60% - 80% of your heart rate.   Cardio work outs aren't for everybody, but if you don't mind gym classes then they really are the best way. Failing that, employ a professional personal trainer to get you into shape!

Other cardio exercises that are great for weight loss, are rollerblading, the elliptical machine, skiing and roadbiking.  It had been proven that people who exercise with a friend, or as part of a group, increase their activity by an additional 30%..so grab your mate a get running!

Weights

Most girls believe that if they run enough, the weight will drop off and they will get a six - pack in no time..well sorry to dissapoint you ladies, but no matter how much fat you work off, if you don't tone the muscles underneath, you wn't get your six - pack.  Similarly, if you only lift weights and do sit ups to tone, but skip the cardio, your hard earned six pack will remain covered by an inch of fat and won't see the light of day until you work that inch of fat off on the treadmill!  Therefore, the often-neglected part of weight-loss programs is weight training. Its a great way to build your body's metabolism so you can stay slim long after you finish your diet!

An intensive weight training session not only gives you a natural high on endorphons, but also elevates your metabolism in the immediate aftermath of the session - sometimes for as long as 12 hours afterwards, so you will continue to burn calories long after you finish your work out.