PIC

TURE

S: G

ETTY

IMA

GES

, REX

FEA

TURE

S, S

HU

TTER

STO

CK,

BRA

ZILA

NBI

KIN

IBO

DYP

ROG

RAM

.CO

M

effective at creating long-lasting changes in your health and body, she says. Only lifestyle programmes that combine realistic eating plans with exercise regimens have the efficacy required to deliver long-term body transformations.

HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM OTHER DIETS?As Regina says, its the season for signing up to some long-term changes. Dont think of it as a diet, because it simply isnt!

The BBBP is not a diet, it is a lifestyle programme designed to instil good eating and fitness habits. Try it for yourself, and then see if you cant get your partner, your kids, your parents, and your friends to add a little Brazilian flair to staying healthy, she says. This is a holistic system that addresses both body and mind in three parts: attitude, food and movement. It is based on Brazilian foods, culture and, most importantly, style.

Regina outlines the Brazilian way of eating by packing fruit and veg into each meal like adding cooked veggies to mashed potato and frying, for a tasty and nutritious South American version of a hashbrown and highlights Brazilian superfoods to boost nutrition. She also offers dieters a fun way to exercise with a combination of Pilates and the Brazilian martial art, capoeira.

How do the Brazilians do it? she asks. They dont deprive themselves, or beat themselves up at the gym, and yet they radiate vitality and embrace life. The answer lies in attitude; Brazilians view eating as an opportunity to savour delicious and nutritious meals in the midst of their busy lives. Secondly they include

movement fun, playful movement as part of their everyday experience.

EMBRACE YOUR IMPERFECTIONSRefreshingly, Regina places a great deal of emphasis on the reduction of stress by adopting the Brazilian approach to a life of passion and joy. She promises to have

All eyes will be on Brazil for the World Cup this summer with some likely to linger on the Latina lovelies for longer than it takes to debate the off-side rule, as the South American nation is known for producing some of the worlds hottest talent both on and off the football pitch.

And who wouldnt like a stomach like Gisele Bundchen, legs like Alessandra Ambrosio, or a butt like Adriana Lima?

According to fitness expert Regina Joseph, anyone can have a fantastic bikini body you just have to start living life the Brazilian way.

The creator of the Brazilian Bikini Body Programme promises you a physique to rival that of Amazonian ultra-hotties Gisele and Co. in just 30 days and as Regina puts it: What woman doesnt want to be the girl from Ipanema?

Combine a carefree approach with good eating, including top Brazilian superfoods like acai, and regular fun exercise, such as Latin martial art capoeira, and youll be ready for Copacabana in no time!

Heres how you can score a fantastic physique in just a few weeks

WHAT IS THE BRAZILIAN BIKINI BODY PROGRAMME?The best-selling book is the creation of workout mogul Regina Joseph who has tempted women around the world with the goal of being able to eat wholesomely and well while keeping your body fit and strong.

Who, man or woman, doesnt want to approach their lives with a winning smile and a body to match? she says. Its an attitude, a look and a presence that I call the Brazilian Bikini Body.

If you follow Josephs advice on how to eat and exercise the Brazilian way, she claims the programme will increase energy and produce fat loss while sculpting the body,

leaving dieters bikini-ready in just 30 days.But you have to be prepared to commit to making long-term changes too. In the last five years, after the cyclical waves of success and relapse experienced

by the millions who jumped on diet revolutions like Atkins and others, people have finally begun to accept that diets are not

AS THE WORLDS ATTENTION TURNS TO BRAZIL, OK! REVEALS HOW TO GET A BUFFER, MORE BEAUTIFUL BODY, BRAZILIAN-STYLE!

A HOT BRAZILIANHow To Score

Bikini Body42

Alessandra Ambrosio has bags of beach body confidence

Brazilian beauty Gisele is a big fan of fresh coconut water

THE BRAZILIAN BEACH BODY PROGRAMME IS NOT A DIET ITS A LIFESTYLE

43OK! MIDDLE EAST

BY FLEUR FITZPATRICK

you bikini-ready, but also points out that its okay to embrace your imperfections; Brazilians tend to be more willing than most when it

comes to showing off their bodies on the beach, no

matter their size.You can sculpt

a body fit for the beach in Rio and adapt an outlook resilient enough to shrug off whatever life throws at

you, as well as the flair to carry it off

memorably, she says.And be sure to chuck any

size zero obsessions you may have out with your scales. Westerners obsessed with becoming a size zero could take a confidence lesson from Brazilians, adds Regina, who points out that becoming body confident will pay off in your

relationship and in your working life.While American women struggle and

starve in their media-driven pursuits, Brazilians dont see anything sexy in a body that can fit in a size zero dress. The Brazilian embrace of what defines sexiness is also a critical component of the BBBP. This psychological component, a change in perspective of what it is to be sexy and how to live life well, is also a key part of the BBBP.

SO, WHAT CAN I EAT?Dont worry you wont be scoring an own goal by living on tiny portions or vegan fare for weeks on end. This isnt a low-carb plan, dairy is included and so is dessert in portions that offer a few small, but sweet mouthfuls for a counterpoint to

meals that can prevent you from tipping over into bad habits due to deprivation.

The emphasis is on fresh foods used in Brazilian cuisine with fruit smoothies and juices, vegetable salads, grilled seafood and meat with the addition

of nuts and legumes to round out the meal plans. Grains are limited to

small portions, as the majority of carbohydrates are obtained from fruit and vegetables, and the flavours are bold and delicious think fresh coconut, lime, red palm oil, cherries, kale, salt cod and pumpkin.

As Regina puts it, For 30 days, your breakfast, lunch

and dinner will be composed of the very Brazilian flavours of key

super foods.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THOSE BRAZILIAN SUPERFOODSThe Brazilian superfood acai berry (usually found in the frozen section of grocery stores because it oxidises quickly) is the foundation of the diet. Its highly recommended because it is very high in antioxidants, dietary fibre and healthy fats.

Cashews, Brazil nuts and coconuts are other Brazilian foods that are on the menu; in fact, Regina Joseph was among the first diet moguls to recommend coconut water after a workout as a great alternative to a sugary sports drink as its made from the liquid inside a young, green coconut and is packed with electrolytes. OK!

SAMPLE MENUBreakfast: Superfood smoothie, made from acai pulp with guarana, banana, vanilla soy milk and peanut butterMorning snack: Coconut waterLunch: Tuna salad with red onion, pickle, celery, olive oil, lime juice and

hard-boiled egg; served with watercress salad with palm heart stalks and tomatoAfternoon snack: Honey nut crumble and a cup of mateDinner: Fish with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach sauceDessert: Coconut flan with prune compote

TRY THIS WORKOUT AT HOME To perform the capoeira move ginga, stand with feet hip-width apart and parallel, with knees bent (your weight should be on the balls of your feet).

Extend your right leg behind you and bend your left knee slightly. Raise your right arm in front of your face while moving your left hand behind you.

Then bring your right leg forward again and stand with legs parallel. Keep your centre of gravity low, leaning the upper body forward as if you were about to sit down.

Repeat the movements for the left side do 10 on each side.

EXERCISE PLANA trained Pilates instructor, Regina has combined Pilates exercises with a capoeira workout to provide a balanced fitness program that includes cardiovascular, muscle strengthening and flexibility.

Both require strength and propulsion from the lower abdominal and back muscles and must be initiated from the core and extend outward to the limbs, she says of the two approaches. And both emphasise total focus and concentration and establishing a connection between the mind and body. Adding, But where capoeira demands speed, agility and power, Pilates optimises the bodys ability to deliver all three. The effect gives practitioners a longer, leaner look; heightens the sense of strength, control and mastery over ones body; and consequently leaves exercisers feeling rejuvenated and exhilarated.

Workouts are tailored to fit your lifestyle, depending on whether you can fit in 10, 30 or 60 minutes, and she also mixes things up with a little yoga.

44

Coconut water is ideal post-workout

Cherries and kale are staple foods in

the Brazilian diet

Adriana Lima flaunts her incredible physique on the Victorias Secret catwalk