A PE teacher and mum-of-two in incredible shape at the age of 45 has shared her healthy take on fast food – and it’s perfect for a twist on a takeaway.
Belinda Norton, a health and fitness education professional and certified trainer from the Gold Coast, said salmon with rice and broccoli is her ‘Thursday night standard’.
‘Highly nutritious, inexpensive and unbeatable in fuel to the body, this is my favorite express food,’ Belinda posted on Instagram.
‘Next time you are considering takeaway, flip it to this.’
A PE teacher and mum-of-two in incredible shape at age 45 has shared her healthy take on fast food – and it’s perfect for a healthy weekend twist on takeaway (Belinda Norton pictured)
Belinda Norton, a health and fitness education professional and certified trainer from the Gold Coast, said salmon with rice and broccoli is her ‘Thursday night standard (pictured)
To make Belinda’s salmon, she said you should simply pan fry your salmon with olive oil and salt, and then quickly sauté your broccoli while cooking packet rice for 90 seconds in the microwave.
Belinda often drizzles over some olive oil, salt and pepper, lemon juice and parsley and said ‘the whole thing takes 10 minutes’.
Hundreds who saw Belinda’s post said they loved the look of it, while others said the dish is their ‘go-to’ as well.
‘Looks delicious,’ one person commented.
Previously, Belinda (pictured) revealed why her number one secret is to ‘train and eat like a girl’ because women are made differently to men
Previously, Belinda revealed why her number one secret is to ‘train and eat like a girl’.
Belinda said the key to ‘exceptional women’s health’ is to train and eat differently to men.
‘We have a very different biological body make-up to men hence why our body responds differently to training and racing,’ Belinda said.
We have a very different biological body make-up to men hence why our body responds differently to training and racing
‘When we focus on loving and looking after our biological female body, we have a higher chance of finding a successful routine to overall wellness.’
Belinda explained that one of the main differences between training as a man and training as a woman is that women are ‘born endurance athletes able to withstand a higher pain threshold’.
Belinda recommends acknowledging the female monthly cycle when it comes to your training, and doing workouts based around it.
For instance, you might feel stronger and able to lift heavier or run for longer when you’re menstruating, but in the days leading up to your period, you might want to do a workout that is more gentle like yoga.
‘Weight training will always enhance your health mobility [as a woman]she said.
‘Add a 5-7kg hand weights speed circuit sets to improve your overall muscle strength and mobility.’
Belinda explained that one of the main differences between training as a man and training as a woman is that women are ‘born endurance athletes able to withstand a higher pain threshold’
When it comes to diet, Belinda said the most important thing as a woman is that you limit the sugars you include in your everyday eating (one of her lunchboxes pictured)
When it comes to diet, Belinda said the most important thing as a woman is that you limit the sugars you include in your everyday eating.
While you may not think you eat much sugar, in her experience women the world over aren’t paying attention to the hidden sugars in their food and drink, and this often leads them to putting on weight as they get older.
‘The most potent one for me is alcohol,’ Belinda said.
‘Especially my love of Champagne. I try to only drink one night a week, either Friday or Saturday. One glass at an event does count and does add up.’
While you may not think you eat much sugar, in her experience women the world over aren’t paying attention to the hidden sugars in their food and drink, Belinda (pictured) said
The 45-year-old said if she drinks more than this, it not only dramatically affects her sleep, mood and body function, but she also starts to ‘lack focus’ and a ‘little pot belly’ appears.
‘As we age, our body responds differently to how it used to and especially how it uses sugar,’ Belinda said.
‘The older we get, the less muscle mass we maintain. Over time, our BMR [basal metabolic rate] drops, meaning we burn less calories at rest.
‘Sugar not only provides major highs and lows in mood and energy, it can also disrupt one of the most powerful hormones in the body: insulin.’
A rise in insulin leads to the production of testosterone, she said, which is then converted into estrogen and fat tissue in the belly.
The best way to avoid this, she added, is to make sure you eat and drink cleanly 80 percent of the time.
Belinda’s five tricks to ‘eating and training like a girl’
1. Quality over quantity: Focus on 60 focused minutes of moving your body properly and for purpose.
2. Incorporate weights: A 5-7kg hand weights speed circuit will improve your overall muscle strength and mobility
3. Train with alignment in mind: Focus on how the muscles move in your body to create results. You especially need to think about your hips and lower back if you’re a women due to pregnancy and menopause. For this reason, yoga is key to ensure alignment and limit injury.
4. Focus on you: Avoid a ‘crazy competitive mindset’ and think about your own body and fitness and health journey.
5. Eat quality small meals often: Instead of going for large, energy-dense, draining meals, Belinda recommends you create high energy through the day and eat smaller healthy to avoid a slump. As much as possible, make sure these include real whole foods.
sources: Belinda Norton
Belinda has five tips for women young and old if they want to train and eat like a girl, the most important of which is remembering it’s about quality, not quantity (pictured in her kitchen)
Belinda has five tips for women young and old if they want to train and eat like a girl, the most important of which is remembering it’s about quality, not quantity.
‘Focus for a solid 60 minutes on the body moving for purpose,’ she said. ‘Add speed and hills when walking or jogging.’
She also recommends doing regular weight circuits in order to build your lean muscle mass.
Belinda’s third tip is to ‘train with alignment in mind’:
‘We must focus on how the muscles move in the body to create a faster result,’ she said.
‘Ensure yoga is added to counteract the lower back, core, hip and leg pressure. Maintaining flexibility will ensure alignment and less injury.’
The PE teacher’s final two tips are that you should focus on you and eat small, quality meals often rather than big, energy-dense feasts:
‘Creating high energy throughout the day will improve your energy levels during a busy day and avoid the mind slum of post training,’ she said.
Belinda favors good fats like avocado, as well as eggs which can help with ligament regeneration.