Monthly Archives: December 2014

December 29, 2014

WEIGHT LOSS TIPS TO KICKSTART YOUR NEW YEAR.

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Feeling stuffed after that Christmas feast?

If you seriously need to work on that belly bulge and want to get back into a healthy eating plan, then here are some simple slimming strategies to get you back on track.

1. You’ll need to eliminate all processed, packaged foods over the next four weeks to help kick-start your liver, the main channel of detoxification.

2. Make sure to eat at regular intervals. You should eat three meals plus two snacks, one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon to avoid blood sugar dips.

3. Avoid caffeinated and fizzy drinks. Swap tea and coffee for decaffeinated versions and sip on herbal teas including green tea, fennel tea and nettle. Increase your intake of water to a minimum of two litres a day. Liven up water by adding slices of cucumber or a squeeze of liver-boosting lemon.

4. Avoid eating meals in front of the computer or TV and try to concentrate on what you’re eating, taking a break in between bites.

5. Allow yourself one treat each week. Choose from a small glass of red wine, a small bar of dark or raw chocolate, lemon sorbet or a small pot of frozen yoghurt.

December 12, 2014

WHY PILATES?

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Above all, the practice of Pilates is widely known to carve a rock-solid core. But its benefits don’t stop there. Pilates will also help heal, strengthen and relax your body.

Here’s what the holistic practice has to offer:

1. Mental function
Pilates builds mental stamina and focus by requiring concentration on each repetition, exercise, and sequence.

2. Body awareness
Better body control and awareness enhances how you carry yourself and move every day.

3. Internal organs
Pilates promotes optimal performance by your interior organs and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

4. Inner Harmony
Releasing endorphins naturally causes your mind and body to feel more positive.

5. Physical Fitness
Every area of physical fitness develops from flexibility to endurance.

6. Cross Training
Pilates is used by a variety of athletes to achieve their athletic pursuits.

7. Breathing
Improved breathing nourishes the body and increases oxygen levels in the blood. It also helps the body rid any existing toxins and promotes a healthier skin tone.

8. Relaxation
Tension release and relaxation is encouraged by a sense of calm and well-being experienced during Pilates.

9. Body shape
Muscle definition sculpts your waist and shoulders while toning your abs, arms, thighs, and bum.

10. Body alignment
Proper alignment decreases your injury risk and helps joints stay healthy as you age.

11. Pregnancy
Pilates offers soon to be mums a safe yet effective form of exercise.

Contact me for more information on how you could benefit from Pilates.

December 5, 2014

THE OUTSTANDING NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF KALE.

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If you’re not already a fully paid-up member of the kale fan club, its low-calorie, high-fibre and zero-fat profile should tempt you to get on board.

As well as being a great addition to any weight-loss plan, kale is ideal for digestion and will help keep your system moving as it contains around 5g fibre per 100g.

Kale is an excellent source of iron – and, in fact, it contains more iron than beef per serve! That’s important for anyone with anaemia or heavy periods, or just looking for more energy, as it helps to form haemoglobin, the molecules that carry iron within our red blood cells.

Kale is also high in calcium, giving milk a run for its money with fewer calories. If you’re dairy intolerant or vegan, this veg will give you a good dose of bone-strengthening calcium.

Vitamin K, which helps to protect against certain cancers, is also found in high quantities in kale, along with heaps of antioxidants. This all-important, but lesser known vitamin is needed for a whole host of bodily functions, including the health of your bones, preventing blood clotting and keeping cholesterol in check.

Kale can help fight inflammation as it contains omega-3 fatty acids, so make sure you’re eating kale regularly if you have an injury, arthritis or asthma, as it will help to reduce the effects and speed recovery.

Vitamins A and C are two more vitamins found in kale. Vitamin A is important for vision and vitamin C for your immune system, but both of them are brilliant skin vitamins so dose up to help keep wrinkles at bay.

And if all of this wasn’t enough, kale is also a great way to cleanse your body, containing both fibre and sulphur, which are involved in the detoxification process.