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What’s hotDietician Hala El-Shafie reveals her love of coffee — and why she doesn’t see any food as a treat

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Hands up how long your resolve to start 2017 as a fitter, leaner version of yourself lasted? The few days it took to demolish

that last tin of Roses? Or the time it took you to realise that dry January — unless done as a fundraising exercise — serves only to make the bleakest month of the year even crueler? Hey, we’re not judg-ing, especially if your approach was as well-intended as: “Will join gym. Will use gym all the time.”

However, there’s only so much allure a cross-trainer can muster. That con-tract you smugly signed on 2 January has become an albatross: you wince in shame every time you pull out your

membership card instead of your Oys-ter; alter your commute to avoid seeing ‘that place’, like you might an ex.

But it’s never too late to jump back on the wagon — likely all you need is a prospect that’s as tempting as those brightly-wrapped chocolates. And luck-ily for us Londoners, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to new fitness trends popping up on our doorstep —it’s just knowing where to look.

Now is the time of year that retailers have stepped up their activewear offer-ing too, so treat yourself to some box-fresh workout gear and that glowing, stronger version of yourself is only a punch pad or a squat away. Here’s what you should give a go.

REDISCOVER THE WATERSwimming lengths is as entertaining as #DryJan Facebook status updates, but a slew of aqua-based classes are entic-ing us back to the pool for the ultimate in low-impact exercise.

Virgin Active’s new Hydro class is a full-body HIIT workout that uses resist-ance training to build stamina and help tone without straining joints. An hour session burns up to 600 calories. You can also jog and box underwater at SwimSanity — the water-based answer to the phenomenally popular Insanity workouts, on offer at several health clubs around the capital. And you can even spin in water these days by taking a dip at aquAllure in Docklands.

Needless to say, leave your bikini in your beach bag — only serious swim-suits need apply. Check out Ward Whillas for brilliant performance swimsuits and rash guards that are reversible, body sculpting and

chlorine-resistant. Nike is also a good bet for colourful tankinis, allowing you to mix and match while providing ample coverage.

TIME TO GET IN MEGAFORMJust got your head around reformer pilates? Well, now it’s Megaformer. The hottest workout trend from Hollywood — where its been dubbed ‘pilates on steroids’ — counts Kim Kardashian and Michelle Obama as fans.

The combination of founder Sebast-ien Lagree’s no-impact fitness pro-gramme with his torturous-sounding bit of machinery activates slow-twitch muscle fibres to create a long and lean physique. The first London outpost of Studio Lagree opened in the City last year and business is booming — 2017 will see new studios in Canary Wharf and west London pop up.

As a Los Angeles-born movement, we don’t advise you go in last year’s

washed-out leggings — we’re talking confident prints, form-fitting yoga tops and grip socks. Make a beeline for newly-launched Aussie brand PE Nation and be the envy of your class-mates in its street-meets-sportswear pieces that you’ll want to wear in-between your dates with the butt-whipping Megaformer.

The main eventDiscover 2017’s hottest fitness trends — and the clothes to work out in. By Olivia Lidbury

Get in gear: bra top, £45; shorts, £98; short leggings, £75, all LNDR

Continued on Page 40

Theperfect

fit

Power dressing: sports bra, £22.50; leggings, £25, both Marks and Spencer

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The trendJohanna Derry gives a taste of what — and where — we’ll be eating in 2017

Like favourite restaurants and trendy bars, food fads come and go. Here’s a taste of the eats and drinks we’ll all by tucking

into by the time the turkey’s served up in December.

CHICkEN TONIGHTRemember when chicken was the most boring meat you could eat? How foolish we were — 2017 is mad for it. Whether it’s chicken shops with the stamp of approval from YouTube sensation The Chicken Connoisseur’s Pengest Munch, hipster joints such as Fancy Funkin Chicken and Chick’n’Sours, or poultry-focused restaurants such as The Holy Birds, turkey-centric Strut and Cluck, and the self-explanatory Duck Duck Goose opening later this month in Brixton, there’s nothing mundane about putting a bird on a plate these days…

MEAT-FREE MOVEMENTThat is, of course, unless you’re joining the ranks of the flexitarians and cutting down on meat. In that

Fresh: from left, kalettes, roasting chickens at The Holy Birds, a Drop delivery, and tacos at Corazón. Below, Monty’s Deli

FIGHT YOUR WAY FITBoxing just hit haute new heights: the sport loved by every Victoria’s Secret angel worth her wings just got its first elite members-only training club in Marylebone. Given BXR’s location — on achingly cool Chiltern Street — perhaps it’s little surprise that owner of the nearby Chiltern Firehouse, André Balazs, and VS pin-ups Sara Sampaio and Maryna Linchuk form part of the founding committee.

But there’s real weight behind this ambitious new venture in the form of Olympic gold medalist and IBF Heavy-weight Champion Anthony Joshua. Pack your short-shorts for sessions in the full-size boxing ring and expect plenty of special treatment — as in, the sort a professional punch-thrower would expect. In mid-February Sweat by BXR launches: three pay-to-train studios below ground to focus on technique, strength and conditioning and cardio.

However, if your budget leans towards a more amateur status, log-on to BoxxMethod for online boxing work-outs combined with HIIT that you can do anywhere, anytime for just £9.99 a month. All you need is a pair of 1kg dumbbells and a tablet, laptop or

Continued from Page 39

There’s only so much allure a cross-trainer can muster. That gym contract you smugly signed on 2 January has become an albatross

phone. Obviously you can get away with wearing pretty much whatever you like for this, but dressing the part adds to the competitive spirit. Right now in Gap it’s hard to whittle down the selection to just one workout-wor-thy outfit and the American retailer’s prices are hard to beat.

THE NEW HYBRIDSNope, not a type of car but a progres-sion of the collision-style workouts that have made the likes of Barry’s Boot-camp such a roaring success. Tempting us is Frame’s new Cardio Barre , which — as if the solo Barre class weren’t killer enough — includes full-body move-ments using gliders (small discs allow-ing easy movement between your hands and the floor) to increase strength and flexibility.

But maybe Boxerina, which promises exactly what it says on the tin — at Pao-la’s Body Barre in Fulham — will get your fusion taste buds tingling. Or how about mindful HIIT meets boxing at the Transition Zone, also in Fulham? Embrace chic layers as your workout progresses: pair covetable, long-sleeve tops over printed crop-tops and throw on a zip-up layer for comfort during that relaxation at the end of class. Oh, and don’t forget a good-looking bag to house all your good intentions in.

Food for thought

case you’ll be tracking down the latest ‘hero’ vegetables in your local supermarket: cauliflower, turnip, sweet potato, celeriac, and believe it or not, a cross between Brussels sprouts and kale called kalettes.

Not only that, but we’ll be eating vegetables in ways you’d never have imagined possible — vegetable yoghurt anyone? — as well as making use of wonky vegetables, and following chefs such as Tom Hunt in using up the stalks and leaves you’d normally throw away.

TO YOUR DOORIf the January hibernation blues have hit you hard and you can’t be bothered to leave the house, 2017 is the year for delivery services.

Deliveroo and UberEats are being joined by a host of apps and bespoke delivery services such as Supper and Motu Indian Kitchen from the Sethis, the brains behind Gymkhana and Hoppers. The booze run is also becoming a thing of the past thanks to Drop, the app from Covent Garden’s 10 Cases, bringing you wine, and Liquid Drops and Spartans

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1. Nike Free TR6 , £95, Nike 2. Graphite print leggings, £22.50,

Marks and Spencer 3. Breathe off-shoulder long sleeve tee,

£29.95, Gap4. Fleece tech workout pullover,

£90, Sweaty Betty 5. Scenic shorts, £98, lndr.uk

6. Indigo sports tank, £30, Stella McCartney for Adidas

7. Asics Quantum 360, £150, JD Sports

8. Ward Whillas swimsuit, £250, wardwhillas.com

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Pulse points: detox kits

1. The Organic Pharmacy 10 Day DetoxThis is not a meal replacement plan but instead supplements you add to your normal routine. The kit comes with a detox booklet with meal plans and guides to help you eat in a more mindful way. £99

Get your 2017 off to a glowing start with these detox kits By nadia Balame-Price

2. Neal’s Yard Natural Detox KitComes with Organic Greens Complex powder and chia seeds — both excellent in a smoothie — as well as a circulation-boosting toning oil and a cleansing aromatherapy blend. But the best thing about this kit? All products can be used whenever you need a little boost.£48.20

Cocktail Taxi delivering cocktails and liquor. And don’t forget the resurgence of old school milkmen such as Parker Dairies and the recently saved Hanworth Dairy.

EAT AROUND THE WORlDIt will, however, be worth your while leaving the house to check out the city’s swathe of new taco joints. Breddos Tacos, Corazón, El Pastor, and Temper are all serving the Mexican classic as it should be.

But Mexican food isn’t the only cuisine having a moment. Chef Eran Tibi’s just opened Bala Baya, which gives us a taste of Tel Aviv and adds

weight to London’s growing love for Jewish food, joining the likes of Palomar, Berber and Q, and Shawarma in serving up the flavours of the eastern Mediterranean.

Look out for Masterchef finalist Emma Spitzer’s book Fress (subtitled ‘bold flavours from a Jewish kitchen’) coming out in April, and in May a new crowdfunded restaurant opens in Shoreditch, from legendary Reuben makers Monty’s Deli, serving a shabbat meal every night.

PERFECTlY IMPERFECTAs we gain more awareness about waste, trend analysts at Mintel

predict the stigma around imperfect produce will fade and we’ll be more open to products made from leftovers — mayonnaise from the liquid in packaged chickpeas, pickles, kimchi, and ferments, as well as products such as fruit leathers from Snact, and hummus made with surplus vegetables from ChicP.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EATOur growing consciousness about what we eat means we’ll be seeing a lot more of so-called food pharma ingredients such as turmeric — Sainsbury’s reports a 45 per cent year on year increase in sales — as well as ‘hyper-functional’ elements such as charcoal appearing in drinks.

Finally, if you’ve decided to go the whole hog with clean living, no-alcohol drinks, tonics and grown-up soft drinks from the likes of Seedlip, Thomas and Evans, Nix & Kix, Roots Soda and Firefly are all making it easy to avoid the designated driver’s traditional lime and soda.

With all the poultry-focused restaurants, there’s nothing mundane about putting a bird on a plate these days

The insiderWhistles creative director Nick Passmore runs through her take on the trends for 2017 and what we should buy now

New year, new looks

“Athleisure is not going away and presents a new dynamic leisure wear option. Comfort is everything but style

doesn’t have to suffer because of it. A zip neck knit or sweat will be an essential and the puffer jacket has reached new fashion heights — find combinations you can layer together.

A new feminism in dressing is also looking appealing: the bohemian blouse is key with high-waisted trousers or jeans, while frills and flounces abound on soft, floaty dresses and skirts. If you want to stop it being too sweet go for strong

floral and conversational print mixes. Statement earrings are still going to be strong in accessories — spheres, coloured stones and gold are key combinations.

If you want an investment piece that will last the season go for a funnel neck zipped knit in luxe cashmere or velour — preferably with matching joggers.

I believe in holding on to the pieces that matter to you. I have an oversized coat in grey Italian wool — the first piece I designed for Whistles in 2008. I would never get rid of it, it has great sentimental value and is still looking great.”

On trend: Looks from the SS17 and Resort 2017 collections

3. Plenish Juice CleanseThis is the supermodel of cleanses. There are six juices a day, all different flavours, and although it sounds scary — no food or drink other than the juices can be consumed — Plenish makes everything easy by delivering all the juices to your door. From £178 for three days

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‘Coffees? I’d love to have 10 a day’

I’m a proper food geek. I love Whole Foods — I just love going in there. If anyone is new to London and they haven’t been to the High Street Kensington branch, I’m like, “You’ve got to see it!” I used to practice out of Harrods and Harley Street, but now I’m everywhere but an office, so I sometimes meet people in there.

I’ll never be seen dead without heels at meetings, but I’ve always got my trainers in my bag. We’ve got amazing parks for walking in this city. My favourite is Holland Park and the Japanese Garden.

Oh my God, I’m the antithesis of one of those people who’ll never be seen

with a bowl of pasta! I’m all about balance, variety and the 80/20 rule. There’s a great Italian restaurant in Mayfair, QP LDN. I love going in there — it’s super-glamorous and the food is amazing! Farmacy in Notting Hill is also great. Actually, the great British Sunday roast is probably one of the most balanced meals we can have. But it’s important for people to remember that food is food. I don’t use the word ‘treat’ for food. Treats are getting your hair done, having a massage, spending time with friends.

I would probably have 10 coffees every day if I could, but you’d have to pull me off the ceiling. I like good, strong Arabic coffee, generally speaking. There are lots of amazing Turkish and Arabic restaurants on Edgware Road and that’s where I’d recommend going. Just for one.

My family is from Sudan and I’m in the process of writing a book on Sudanese cooking. Most people don’t know that much about the country apart from the negative connotations. The hospitality and the food is incredible, really delicious, a fusion of Arabic, Mediterranean and African

food. Interestingly, while there are quite a lot of meat dishes, there are also a lot of vegan dishes, foods that are really rich in vitamin B12 and iron. Hibiscus is a national staple and has lots of really valuable health benefits.

Dancing is my preferred exercise. I do hold some great parties. What a lot of people probably won’t know is that I used to co-run a club night in Leeds called Electric Ladyland. I’m into funky house and New York house. It’s good music to work out to,

definitely. We’re hosting some retreats in Ibiza this year

with Nutrition Rocks [co-owed with Noel

Gallagher’s ex, Meg Mathews], because exercise has got to be fun. I think we just really need to get back to

basics. Oh, ‘Back to Basics’, that was one

of our clubs back in the day! See what I did there!

Hala El-Shafie is a registered dietician and consultant nutritionist. Catch her on Channel 4’s How To Lose Weight Well, ITV’s Sugar Free Farm and on Instagram @Nutrition_Rocks

The influencerIn an age of self-proclaimed ‘clean-eating’ gurus, west London’s Hala El-Shafie is a rare gem: a registered dietician with credentials as glowing as her complexion. She tells Ellen E Jones about her love of hot drinks, dance parties and reveals why nutrition rocks

I don’t use the word ‘treat’ for food. Treats are getting your hair done, having a massage, seeing friends

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Favourite places: Hala loves visiting Whole Foods, above; Farmacy in Notting Hill, left; and Mayfair’s QP LDN, inset

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Getting workout ready is not only about looking good — it’s about having the right accessories too

Duffle bagGetting abs like a Victoria’s Secret model is the reason a lot of women head to the gym. Sadly, this bag won’t instantly turn you into Gigi Hadid, but it will give you a chicer way to carry your gym kit. After all, if you enjoy actually holding your gym bag, then enjoying the gym is the next step… maybe.£81.36, Victoria’s Secret

4mm yoga matEven if yoga is not your activity of choice, a yoga mat is a very useful accessory to have. It can be used for stretching after a hard workout or even as a soft support when you’re doing weights. This Adidas mat is non-slip, easy to roll away and comes in a range of colours. So no excuses for not finding your zen.£14.99, Adidas

Fitbit AltaA step tracker is the easiest accessory to add into your routine, just put it on your wrist and walk. The Fitbit Alta tracks steps, distance and calories burned and can even track your sleep with a silent alarm that wakes you at the optimum time. Easy to wear — and discreet, too — with customisable goals you’ll find yourself walking just a bit further to hit your target.£100, Next

H20m water bottleHydration is the key to any good workout. Make sure you’re getting enough water with this hard-to-ignore bottle from cult brand, Lululemon. It comes in six colours if pink isn’t your style — including shades of blue, teal and fuschia — and is made with durable glass so good for the environment, too. Win, win. £25, Lululemon

Gym kit you won’t want to forget