The Common Sense Guide to Health And Fitness
BY NYSSA BOOTH
Now that the holiday period is over, it’s time to sit down and really think about those New Years Resolutions you devised in an all too familiar, last minute rush. If, after re-evaluation, you find yourself saying: ‘what was I thinking, I’m never going to stick to these’, then I ask you to keep reading. Forget the fads, ditch the latest diets, scrap the supplements; we’ve come up with a list of simple health and fitness resolutions, and where you can go to maintain them.
HEALTH
Shop at Local Organic Health Food Stores
Knowing what you’re putting into your body will help you to lose weight, as well as leaving you to feel a lot brighter and healthier from within. Naked Foods in Bondi has over 600 different nuts, lentils, dried fruits and jams ready to be scooped up, and is the answer to your wholefood prayers. Alternatively, Alfalfa House in Newtown is a not-for-profit organic food co-op that specialises in providing minimally packaged and processed food, all sourced from ethical and environmentally friendly backgrounds.
Naked Foods: 7/310-330 Oxford St, Bondi Junction.
Alfalfa House: 113 Enmore Rd, Newtown.
DASH Diet
The DASH Diet (or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), has been ranked the best diet plan by professionals for the past six years. Originally created to help lower blood pressure, DASH has been found to be extremely effective in weight loss, lowering cholesterol and managing diabetes. The diet emphasises the consumption of fruits and vegetables, balanced with the right amounts of proteins, leaving you feeling healthy and satisfied. Always talk to a health-care professional before starting a new diet to find out if it’s right for you.
Cutting Sugar out of your Diet
Reducing your sugar intake doesn’t have to be as drastic and you think. It could be as simple as leaving the sugar out of your morning coffee, or cutting down from two teaspoons to one.
Get a Good Amount of Sleep
It’s suggested that adults need around eight to ten hours of sleep each night – so perhaps it’s time to sort out your bad sleeping habits in order to help with concentration and overall wellbeing.
FITNESS
Visit your Local Swimming Pool
As a low-impact, cost effective exercise, swimming is a skill that anyone can pick up. Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre caters to everyone, with six different swimming pools, ranging from children’s pools to hydrotherapy pools and an Olympic sized pool perfect for doing laps. The Aquatic Centre also offers programs such as squads and aquarobics where you can develop your swimming skills and get into shape. Other places to swim are at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre.
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre: Mary St, Lilyfield.
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre: 458 Harris St, Sydney.
Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre: Enmore Park, Black St, Marrickville.
Pro Train Fitness
Pro Train Fitness is conveniently located in Darlinghurst and offers up a 12-week Boot Camp Regime, which combines boxing, bodyweight resistance, weights, interval cardio, kickboxing and combination training. Personal Trainer Cameron Smith is available in the mornings or during lunch hours, making Pro Train the perfect fitness option for busy bodies.
Level 1, 4-6 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst.
Go for a 30-Minute Walk Everyday
Walking daily is a great way to get the blood flowing and to keep your energy levels up. Whether it’s a brisk walk from the coffee shop to the office, or a long stroll in a local park, getting out and about is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and healthy.
BEAUTY
Good Skincare 101
The single most effective way to fight the signs of ageing is to protect yourself from nasty UVA/UVB radiation. Applying sun-cream on a daily basis is basic skin care and is especially important during the hot summer months. MECCA Cosmetics have a great range of sun-care products including To Save Eyes SPF30+ and To Save Body SPF50+.
MECCA Cosmetics. $30-$50. Shop 32-34, Ground Floor, 455 George Street, QVB.
Keep your Make Up Brushes Clean
Cleaning your make-up brushes on a weekly basis is crucial in avoiding breakouts and horrible infections caused by built up bacteria. Use either your facial cleanser or baby shampoo when cleaning to reduce the risk of irritation.
Treat Yourself
Don’t forget – you’re important. Take some time out every once and a while to treat yourself to a relaxing facial or massage. The Facial Room is located in Bondi or Waterloo, and offer up many relaxing skin-care treatments that will leave you glowing. Therapists at the Facial Room use well-researched, cosmetic skin-care products of the highest quality to provide their clients with a luxurious pampering experience and skin-care knowledge.
The Facial Room Bondi: 77a Gould Street, Bondi Beach.
The Facial Room Waterloo: Shop 4/863-871 Bourke St, Waterloo.
