South Beach, Meditteranean, Inuit, Paleo, Banting. Blood type diet! Diets without meat; diets with only meat; raw food, vegan, vegetarian! Diets from the past; diets for the future; diets from exotic locations. Diets from doctors; diets of the superstars. So many choices, so little time! Which Holy Grail should we buy? Ring any bells? Been there? Burnt that t-shirt? A recent online news site ran an article about it's top 32 diets for 2014. Yep, that's 32 different diet offerings - just the … [Read more...] about DIE with a capital ‘T’
tanya wyatt
Time to ditch the wagon?
There's a familiar saying that goes something like this: "It's not how many times you fall that counts, but how many times you get back up again". How many times have you fallen off the proverbial wagon? How many times have you climbed back on it again? You know which wagon I'm referring to, right? The "I'll wait till Monday" exercise/diet wagon. What about a new saying? "If you keep falling off the wagon, it's time to ditch the wagon". Our exercise and eating habits have become a … [Read more...] about Time to ditch the wagon?
Falling off the Wagon
What does a Happy Body feel like? Do you know the feeling? Do you feel it right now? Is your happy body one that looks great; one that feels good; a body that does what you want it to do? There could be many sources for how you view or believe what a happy body is... what it looks like, what it feels like, or how you experience it. If it’s just about what you look like, prepare for a long, hard slog – both to achieve it and maintain it. If it’s about developing a body that feels great and … [Read more...] about Falling off the Wagon
The future’s a promissory note; the past a cancelled cheque
I'm struck more and more - when working with clients - by the fact that people's lives are on an ever-increasingly rapid treadmill. I know you know the feeling! How can we become calmer and more productive in the midst of this? So many of the health or weight issues that clients present, stem from this pace of life we've come to call normal. In my experience, there's a yin and yang to everything, including our ability to either expend or create energy. Creating energy Think about your … [Read more...] about The future’s a promissory note; the past a cancelled cheque
Which salt is good for you?
Salt is an imperative part of the human diet since our bodies require a constant concentration of it in the blood. It is also critical for digestion and brain development. Much of what we've been told by mainstream media suggests that salt should be avoided at all costs, but this is a grave mistake and can lead to potential health problems. Certainly, commercial salt that has been boiled at high temperatures, bleached, had stabilisers added to it and, in some cases, had certain chemicals … [Read more...] about Which salt is good for you?
I’ve got a bit of a thing for cavemen
Quick quiz. How many muscles in the human body? 642! What are muscles designed to do? Move your body. How many muscles are used sitting on the couch? Slightly less than walking the dog around the block. Houston, we have a problem! Our lives, our work, our play, has gotten more and more sedentary these days (only so many can make it as professional dancers, athletes or air traffic marshals). Will we be known as the couch potato generation? Is there an answer? Well, we think it's to hit the … [Read more...] about I’ve got a bit of a thing for cavemen
What’s in your lunchbox?
The dog's barking; you haven't quite finished dressing for that all-important morning meeting; your youngest has lost his toothbrush down the toilet and you still haven't packed any (never mind healthy) lunches for school or work. Aargh! Sound all too familiar? Well, I can't help with the dog, getting you dressed in time, or the toothbrush issue, but perhaps some help in the lunchbox department may help you hang on to your sanity a little longer... So, let's say you've packed your little … [Read more...] about What’s in your lunchbox?
Banting or bust?
I'm a really big fan of Prof Tim Noakes. That he subscribes to my way of seeing things is a good start. Lately though he's been exceptionally good for my business! With him getting everyone Banting (the term used to describe a high fat, low carb diet - get a copy of "The Real Meal Revolution"), I am now - dear reader - perceived in my nutritional work as MODERATE, nearly conservative! Oh joy! Whereas previously I was considered by some as "out there" in my expectations of humankind … [Read more...] about Banting or bust?
The story of the water babes
Let me introduce myself. I'm what some might refer to as a molecule of water. I prefer to think of myself as a massive, unfulfilled storehouse of potential energy (I'm not given to grandiosity!). I lie around a lot, dreaming of making it big - thinking about all the fabulous reactions I could cause inside a body (frankly, I'll take any body at this point, though my preference is for one of those standy-up, 2-legged/2-armed jobbies that call themselves human). Ah, just imagine... I'm in a … [Read more...] about The story of the water babes
Feel your perfect body?
A mirror is a useful thing. Driving a car - it stops you reversing into the garage door. Brushing your hair – it helps cover the bald patch. Bomb squad – it shows what lies on the other side of the door. A scale too is a useful thing. Measuring exact quantities of sugar for chocolate fudge. Selling correct quantities of said fudge at the school fete. But how useful are these tools for feedback on your body? Weight and image The two external measures by which every Tom, Dick and Harriet … [Read more...] about Feel your perfect body?
How to get your carbohydrate, protein and fat ratios just right
When you consider the fact that each and every one of us has different metabolic requirements it makes good sense to learn what ratios of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) your body requires, in order to maintain good weight and health. Before you can get to this point though, you'll need to know what make up these macronutrients, as well as the best quality to chose. So, to help, I'm going to break it down for you... Carbohydrates Grains: As much as possible, avoid … [Read more...] about How to get your carbohydrate, protein and fat ratios just right
The difference between Healthy, Organic and Natural
In order to achieve outstanding energy and long-lasting vitality you must feed yourself foods that the body and brain recognise as food. In other words, foods that provide the building blocks your body requires for sustaining life. Unfortunately, food companies looking to promote their products frequently use misleading terms, confusing the general public. Below, we take a look at the most common of these terms and what to look out for when making a 'safe' purchase. Healthy This is a term … [Read more...] about The difference between Healthy, Organic and Natural
The 80:20 rule – Diet vs Exercise
Some time ago, I was asked to look at the topic of fad diets; in particular, the Dukan Diet was mentioned (I'd never even heard of it!). If you stop and think about it - as a species, we've lost the plot when someone else has to tell us what, when and how much to eat! As humans, we have an innate ability to tell what's right/wrong for us, food-wise, but we've been so conditioned, over the years/decades that we can no longer tune in to this instinctive ability. In order to attain ideal health … [Read more...] about The 80:20 rule – Diet vs Exercise
Death by Chocolate is not a goal
We all have the best of intentions when it comes to setting new resolutions, but often the reason these resolutions don't stick is because we're trying to change a habit overnight. For sustainable, realistic changes, these habits should be overcome gradually and consistently. First establish your goals, for example, becoming physically active, eating more healthfully, dealing better with stress etc. Don't set these goals because someone else says you should. Your goals should be … [Read more...] about Death by Chocolate is not a goal
Your thoughts do affect your state of being
While many people may underestimate the power of the mind in helping to improve both performance and health, it's indisputable that what you think can affect your state of being. What are you like? Do you start your day feeling positive or negative? Do you consistently visualise yourself getting that perfect job, or would you never dare to dream it possible? Understanding just how potently our inner thoughts (the script in our heads) impacts on our emotions, which in turn impact on … [Read more...] about Your thoughts do affect your state of being
