Burning fat by building muscle.

If you’ve been trying to decide which to do first—burn off fat or build up muscle—here’s some good news. You can do both at the same time! All it takes is a commitment to eating better and exercising more. Here are the steps to a healthier, lighter, stronger you.

• Eating better. Eat smaller meals more often. Eat about every three waking hours and never skip a meal. Make sure you’re getting 15-20 grams of protein per meal from unprocessed, preferably organic, natural sources. Avoid processed carbohydrates, like refined flours and sugar. Instead, choose fresh organic vegetables, fruits and berries. Drink plenty of pure filtered water.

• Weight training. Do a 45 minute whole body workout every other day, including squats, dead lifts, presses, rows, dips and chins. Remember, too little is ineffective, but too much is counter-productive. You need the days off to give your body time to rest and grow. Also, make sure you get plenty of sleep.

• Cardio exercise. Start with a mild cardio exercise you enjoy—like walking—and do it five or six days a week. Slowly build up to a brisk pace and then slowly increase your distance. To maintain your present weight, walk about 2 miles (3.2 km) a day. To lose weight, walk 3-6 miles (5-10 km) a day. Remember, you can spread this distance out throughout the day.

Why it pays to buy, sell or refinance before April 19th.

As we reported last month, the federal government was thinking about cooling down Canada’s overheated housing market by making it more difficult for Canadians to qualify for a mortgage. In February, the Minister of Finance introduced some new rules to do just that. Starting April 19th, if you apply for an insured mortgage, here’s how you’ll be affected:

• To qualify for a mortgage, you’ll have to meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if you choose a shorter term or variable rate (currently, you have to meet the three-year standards). Lower rates and shorter terms will still be available, but they’ll be harder to qualify for.
• If you’re planning to refinance to access extra funds, you’ll only be able to withdraw up to 90% of the value of your home (currently, you can withdraw up to 95%).

• If you’re thinking of buying a revenue property, the minimum down payment will rise to 20% for non-owner-occupied properties (it’s currently 5%).
Obviously, if you’re thinking of buying, refinancing or investing in a revenue property, now’s the time to do it, while mortgages are still easier to qualify for. Even if you’re thinking of selling, you may want to act now since prices are expected to drop after April 19th. For more details on the new rules and a free analysis of how they might affect you, please call me today.

Spring’s the time to prepare your garden for summer beauty.

As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, it’s hard to resist getting out into the garden. Here are some simple things you can do now to promote a healthy garden year-round:

• Once the lawn is no longer waterlogged, rake to remove dead grass, leaves and winter debris. You may also want to aerate to encourage stronger growth. If you find dead or bare patches, clear off the debris, loosen the surface with a rake, re-seed and keep well-watered until it germinates.
• Once temperatures are reliably warm, remove winter mulch from perennials and shrubs, and cut back any dead foliage.
• Now’s the time to transplant any shrubs or perennials you’ve been planning to move. They always transplant better before they begin to leaf out.
• Pull weeds now while their roots are still shallow.
• Spring’s a good time to prune roses and some fruit trees and vines, as long as their leaves haven’t formed yet.
• Don’t dig in the soil while it’s still soggy or you may damage your soil’s structure. When it’s loose enough to fall apart in your hand, you can start working in compost or manure.
• Since grass grows vigorously in early spring, edge your garden to create a narrow trench between lawn and soil.

Seven inexpensive facelifts that can make your home more marketable.

If you’re thinking of selling this spring—or any time during the next twelve months—here are some fast, easy and affordable ways to attract more offers and get a higher price.
1. Give your entrance a sense of occasion. Replace the standard knob on your front door with a substantial piece of hardware that lets visitors know this is a home of significance.
2. Spruce up your carpeting. If your carpets are in neutral colours and good condition, simply have them professionally cleaned. If they’re showing their age, distract the eyes of buyers with tasteful yet inexpensive area rugs.

3. Add drama with light. Living rooms and dining rooms can gain instant elegance by replacing lifeless light fixtures with a contemporary chandelier or ceiling fan. Shop around and you’ll find that some very expensive-looking fixtures are actually quite affordable.

4. Make sure your kitchen is bright and up to date. Replace the sink fixtures and cabinet door handles. Install brighter, energy-efficient light fixtures. Help your appliances look newer and more color-coordinated by ordering new face panels. If you have a little extra money, replace your cabinet doors and your kitchen will look brand new!

5. Transform your bathroom. Replace the toilet seat. Remove the old sink cabinet and install a pedestal sink for a spacious, contemporary look. Install vinyl floor tiles right over the old flooring. Re-grout the tile around the tub and shower. If you have the budget, get a prefabricated tub and shower surround installed.

6. Maximize limited storage space. Install a wire shelf and basket system in entry closets, pantries and bedroom closets for an efficient new look.

7. Convert your den into a bedroom. If the room’s big enough, all it takes is a closet, which doesn’t cost a lot to have built in. Remember, adding an extra bedroom adds to resale value!