Archive for Fitness Category
Is middle-aged weight gain inevitable?
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
There’s a great piece on the ABC’s website about middle-aged weight gain. A lot of people think it’s inevitable. There seems to be a widely held belief that as you age there’s a dramatic slowing of the metabolism, which means no matter how hard you try weight gain is going to happen. But this is not really true. There is a slowing of the metabolism as people age, but it’s relatively slight. What’s more significant in the development of middle-aged …
The anti-ageing effects of strength training
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
Great piece on the anti-ageing benefits of strength-training by Paula Goodyer. As Paula points out: bq. It’s not just the wrinkling of the outer skin that makes a 60 or 70 year old body look older than that of a 30-something. It’s also what’s happening to the stuffing inside – when muscles start shrinking, bodies sag and posture droops. This doesn’t just affect how a body looks, but how it functions – ever-weakening muscles make it harder to get up …
Sitting at work is a health hazard
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
New research has highlighted the problems with our sedentary lives, even if you’re getting the recommended amount of daily exercise. Office workers can spend 75% of their day sitting down and this affects the way your body processes fats and sugars, which can leave you at increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. bq. “If you do 30 to 60 minutes a day of exercise, you tick the box of being active,” says Melbourne exercise researcher, Dr David Dunstan. “But …
Stretch & Strength Class
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
Flexibility is one of the most undervalued components of fitness. Flexibility is defined as the ability to move joints or muscles through their full range of movement. This in turn enhances both our functional movement and performance in other forms of exercise and sports. Our Stretch and Strength Class is Pilates based, focussing on improving flexibility through a series of gentle to challenging stretches. Also included, to compliment the flexibility component of the class, is a variety of modified …
How to get motivated to move
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
Why is it that some people find it so easy to commit to exercise for the long term? While others, even with the best of intentions will always find an excuse not to exercise? The key difference is in how they are motivated. Motivation is divided into two areas, extrinsic and intrinsic. h3. Extrinsic motivation Most people beginning an exercise programme, are prompted by extrinsic motivation – ie reasons that are external to them. The person may have been …
Don't let exercise take a back seat during the Silly Season!
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
Keeping up your commitment to exercise during the Festive Season is important for so many reasons. Even if you are time strapped, continuing to be active, keeps you in the exercise habit. A 20 – 30 minute brisk walk before or after work is time efficient and energising at this time of the year. Your weekly Pilates Class or Personal Training Session also helps to keep you on track. If you stop exercising all together, it can be very difficult …
Do you know more about nutrition & exercise than GPs & truckies?
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
The latest Australian Family Physician has an article about weight loss facts and fallacies. Noting the confusion about weight loss information, they decided to survey two groups of people about their weight loss knowledge. One group were GPs and medical registrars, while the others were truck drivers and tradesmen. To find out if you can do any better, take the survey on Kathryn’s website – click here.
How much exercise is enough?
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
“How much exercise should I be doing?’ is without a doubt, the question I am most commonly asked. Despite all the information available, it’s interesting that the question of how much exercise is enough, seems for most people to still be unanswered. Or are we all in denial? Part of the confusion may be, there is no one- size- fits- all exercise prescription. Instead it depends on your specific goals. People decide to add regular exercise to their life …
Re-evaluating your 2009 health resolutions
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
It’s November. However we want you to think back to January of this year. What New Year’s resolutions did you make? In the excitement and enthusiasm of the beginning of 2009, what did you decide you were going to do differently this year? We often make big resolutions on the first day of the brand new year. We decide that finally this is the year we’re going to lose weight and get healthy. However, while many people start the …
Fitness at any age
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
The World Masters Games is a wonderful example of age being no barrier to exercise or sporting activities. Exercise is is a life long habit. The health benefits of exercise, no matter what our age or stage of life are quite extraordinary, as are the amazing athletes in these Games, proving that our attitude and commitment to exercise is a winning formula! For more on the amazing athletes at the World Masters Games click here.
New Series: Stretch Class & Back Strengthening Class
Posted by alexia in Fitness
Term 4 Series of Stretch Classes: * Mondays 12.30pm 26 October, 2, 9, 16 November. * Cost $64. Spaces limited * Instructor – Alexia Morris h3. Term 4 Series of Back Strengthening Classes: * Mondays 12.30pm 23, 30 November 7, 14 December. * Cost $64. Spaces limited * Instructor – Alexia Morris Our new Monday 12.30pm Classes can also be used on a casual basis. Members $16 per class. Non-members $17.50 h3. Enquiries If you have any questions about …
Exercise in your 40s and 50s
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
Great article in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday about the importance of exercise in your 40s and 50s. bq. The fact is that fewer than half of all adult Australians are doing even the recommended minimum: 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week. What’s more, those least likely to be physically active are those who may stand to gain the most from it: the middle-aged. Our middle years are when the early signs of chronic and increasingly …
The benefits of stretching
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
The importance of stretching as part of a comprehensive fitness programme is often overlooked and underestimated. The benefits of regular stretching include: * Increased flexibility and freedom of movement * Prevention of injuries * Improved muscle co-ordination * Reduced risk of muscle and tendon injuries * Decreased muscle tightness * Reduced muscle tension and post exercise soreness * Decreased occurrence of muscle strains * Improved circulation * Decreased stress levels * Enhanced well-being * Improved quality of sleep For more …
Holiday class timetable - all full
Posted by alexia in Fitness
Update: All holiday classes are now FULL Please note all classes are limited to 8 participants so book early! Email Alexia at alexiaam@optusnet.com.au h3. Personal Training is also available Alexia will be available for Personal Training between 6 – 18 July. Make sure you book in advance, to secure your session. *Please note there will be NO CLASSES between 20 – 26 July Term 3 begins MONDAY 27 JULY Just a few vacancies remaining in the following Term 3 …
Winter Weight Loss Plan
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
If you have made the decision to change old habits, lose weight and get fitter – now’s the time to act! Keep moving over winter; learn how to control cravings and find a healthy way of eating that you enjoy. The Balance2health Winter Weight Loss Plan will ensure you lose weight and have more energy, while still enjoying tasty, satisfying meals. h3. Get the individual care and attention you need Losing weight and getting into a regular fitness routine …
The benefits of personal training
Posted by kathryn in Fitness
One of the quality services offered at Balance2health is Personal Training. Personal Training can be used for a number of reasons, for example: * rehabilitation * sports specific training * general fitness programming and motivation * weight loss * addressing and correcting specific muscular imbalances; or * alleviating chronic conditions. Personal Training can be used several times or just occasionally – for example when new fitness goals and extra motivation for exercise are required. At Balance2health sessions are _customised …
Holiday classes & personal training
Posted by alexia in Fitness
To book into the following holiday class, simply email Alexia. * Saturday 25 April 9.30am The fee for each class is $16. Please note holiday classes cannot be used as makeup classes. Holiday classes are also open to friends and family – so if you want to bring someone along, let Alexia know. This can be a good way to introduce others to Pilates, before committing to a full term of classes. Classes for Term 2 begin on Tuesday 28 …