Category: HEALTH & FITNESS

You need to chill out – and here are 3 pro tips to get you there

Man doing yoga on a hill overlooking a town

As we enter the third year of the pandemic, it can be harder to find a moment for ourselves to practice mindfulness and navigate through what can be a challenging time for many.  We sat down with clinical psychologist and mindfulness expert, Emily Toner, to share her 3-step guide to quietening internal chatter.  Step 1 – Recognising a wandering mind  The first step to quieting internal chatter is actually just becoming aware of it in the first place. Research suggests that for up to half of our day, we’re not truly paying attention to our external surroundings, or listening to what’s going on internally (Killingsworth et al, 2008). That’s half our life we’re missing out on!  Becoming aware of this habit requires self-reflection. For me, if I’m feeling average but don’t really know the cause, I have to pause and ask myself, ‘what was I just thinking?’.  Oftentimes, when we feel discomfort it can be due to a judgemental thought we’ve recently inflicted on ourselves, or because we’ve been caught up in worry or rumination.  Step 2 – Being present in the moment  The second step in quietening internal chatter involves analysing the constructiveness of thoughts. After taking the time to pause and become mindful of our thoughts, we then have to ask ourselves, ‘are these thoughts helpful?’, ‘are they assisting me in having the day, or life that I want?’.  If our thoughts are inhibiting us from feeling our best, we have to unhook from them and return to the present moment. Grounding, meditative… Read More

Still in lockdown? Here are 4 top home workouts by Tim Robards

Tim Robards up dog

New South Wales might be kicking goals when it comes to Freedom Day, but for the rest of us – and probably Sydneysiders all over again, let’s be honest – working out at home is still very much a thing. So, we spoke to Tim Robards, Medibank’s Live Better at Home Program ambassador and what’s best to do while we’re there. Here is what he had to share… How have you been maintaining your fitness from home? Like anyone, I definitely am not immune to the challenges that come with lockdowns, both physically and mentally. Now, more than ever; exercise, mindfulness, healthy eating and family time are important priorities. Personally, exercise is something in my life that really feeds my mental resilience. With gyms being closed and a lack of training buddies available, I’ve certainly had to pivot from my usual routine; but I don’t mind a new challenge! To help maintain my fitness and switch things up, I’ve been doing a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. I’ve found that indoors is great for activities like yoga and mobility-based stretching, as well as for meditation, which is something I really enjoy. I’ve been loving meditating with the Medibank Live Better at Home program, which is a great free platform that I’ve been creating some content for. In terms of outdoor exercises, I’ve been making use of my TRM rings in the park and backyard, getting in lots of walking and running, alongside some garage sessions with my adjustable dumbbells. Do you have any exercise… Read More

How important is it to protect your joints when you’re highly active?

Fitness man bike

Protecting our joints for optimal performance today is one thing, futureproofing them to continue to challenge yourself physically later in life is another. It used to be widely accepted that joint pain as we age was inevitable, and simply due to ‘wear and tear’ – a catch phrase to explain any pain, loss of mobility or function.  Proper use over our lifetime keeps joints lubricated and stimulates the repair and rebuilding process. A lack of use on the other hand, allows the cartilage to become dryer, more brittle and more prone to damage over time. Highly active individuals need to balance the ‘risk’ that physical activity brings to our joints – both in the short and long term – and the benefits that movement brings to our joints. For the most part physical activity, training and sports have benefits that far outweigh any risks, but looking at the protection of our joints holistically amidst training structure, diet and any supplementation is an important measure. How can we best protect our joints? Anything that causes pain is going to be detrimental to performance and research has been pretty clear that you can’t repair damaged cartilage through surgery, with the management of symptoms such as cortisone and NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) being largely ineffective or short term.  In a paper published from Stanford University, doctors warn that “the greatest threat to the health of the aging athlete is not the aging process itself but rather inactivity. Motion is critical to articular cartilage health, repair, and homeostasis (a… Read More

5 of the most-watched summer Olympic opening ceremonies

olympic ceremonies orig scaled

The opening ceremony is one of the best-loved parts of any Olympic games, as it signals a summer of sport across the world. But with a whole host of countries providing what can only be described as spectacular, shows lasting multiple hours, which ones proved the most popular among a global audience? As part of their Karaoke campaign the broadband team at Uswitch, have rounded up the top five summer Olympic opening ceremonies that had the most views on YouTube since they were broadcast.  So if you are ready relive some of the most jaw-dropping shows check out the list below:  London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony – 15,000,000 views Number of Views: 15,123,039 Notable Performers: Paul McCartney, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal, Mike Oldfield  The London Olympic opening ceremony is arguably one of the most iconic performances across all the Olympic games, thanks to its showcase of everything that is quintessentially British.  The show featured music from a number of recognisable British musicians, including Paul McCartney, the Arctic Monkeys, and Dizzee Rascal.  Viewers might also remember the moment James Bond and Queen Elizabeth appeared to jump out of a helicopter and into the stadium. The four-hour spectacular had so many memorable segments it’s easy to see why it’s managed to stack up so many views on YouTube.  Watch it again here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4As0e4de-rI  Rio 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremony – 5,400,583 views  Number of views: 5,400,583 Notable performances: Gisele Bundchen, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil  Rio came next on the list with a colourful and vibrant ceremony that… Read More

How to cope with stress according to the health experts

Man happy smiling sunglasses

Stress is a normal reaction that many people will experience either physically or emotionally at many points in their life. The human body is actually designed to experience stress and react to it. It can actually be positive in terms of keeping us alert and motivated, however too much stress can become toxic to the body and it may disrupt sleep, cause gut issues and with gut issues come a reduces mood and mindset. So what are some of the things that we can do to cope with the stress in our lives? We consulted the experts and this is what they had to say. Identify what is stressing you out Often when we are over stressed, we are also overwhelmed and this can make to harder for us to get our thoughts in order, which is not helpful when it comes to identifying the source of the problem and coming up with a solution.  Ben Lucas, the founder of Flow Athletic says “While I am a big fan of writing up lists as it is, when I get overly stressed, such as last year when Covid-19 resulted in my business being shut down for a few months, I like to write down what the stressors are, and what I can do about them.” “I find that when things are in front of me I can start to think more logically about them and put a plan into place, it is very helpful.” Make sure you are eating well Luke McLeod the founder of Soul Alive has found that a healthy… Read More

Here’s how to do intermittent fasting safely and sustainably

Lucky Kwong Chinese food

By Gabrielle Newman – The Fast 800 Science is evolving all the time, and it’s important to be aware of all the latest findings. It is also important to be discerning of these findings. There have been news headlines in recent years suggesting that intermittent fasting, in particular 16:8 time restricted eating, doesn’t work (fasting for 16 hours and eating all required calories in 8 hours). But – after reviewing the science – the reality is rather more complex.  For example, a study out of California, put a 16:8 time restricted eating plan to the test. Two groups of overweight and obese individuals were randomly allocated to a control group and an experiment group who was advised to consume all calories within an 8-hour window of time. The results – analysed across the 12-week period of the trial – suggested that there was very little difference between the two groups and in fact the experiment group seemed to have lost some muscle. However, the experimental group were given no advice around what to actually eat. Intermittent fasting has health benefits The Fast 800 recommends various forms intermittent fasting, not just for the weight loss potential but many health benefits. Intermittent fasting has been shown to: Burn fat – when you spend some time fasting, the glucose (primary energy) supply temporarily runs out, and your body has to switch to taking fat from your fat stores to burn as fuel.1 Reduce risk of Type 2 Diabetes – Excess fat impacts the function of the liver and pancreas,… Read More

Fuel your good gut bugs with MOJO Kombucha Soda

mojo kombucha

The MOJO team – who brought you the much loved Activated kombucha in refreshing flavours like strawberry hibiscus, ginger, mango lime and turmeric lime – have launched a fun and fizzy line called MOJO Kombucha Soda. It comes in three varieties, Tropical Twirl, Cola Kiss and Berry Blitz.  Made with prebiotic fibres, the new line is a super sippable way to support your gut health. And because it doesn’t contain live cultures, the soda doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge.  Anthony Crabb, MOJO CEO said the team set out to create a tasty and convenient way for people to add prebiotic fibre to their daily routine, continuing to help people understand gut health.   Nutrition Scientist and Dietitian, Dr Joanna McMillan says, “Prebiotics are types of fibre that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. They’re found in lots of fruits and vegetables like artichoke, garlic, onion, asparagus, bananas, apples and whole grains like barley and oats. These fibres can’t be digested, so they pass through the digestive system and become dinner for our good bacteria.” Each 250mL can of Kombucha Soda is a tasty tangy balance of brewed ‘booch that’s: Made with 2.5g of dietary fibre for gut health support Naturally low sugar – no unpronounceable sweeteners like stevia or erythritol! NASAA Certified Organic Made with real fruit juice 100% recyclable packaging Vegan-friendly and gluten free Find your MOJO Kombucha Soda in 4-packs of 250mL cans at your local independent supermarket or retailer. Find out more about the new MOJO Kombucha soda… Read More

How to get better results in the gym by working half as hard

Canterbury mens gym bike

Athletes are in on it, bodybuilders are in on it, now we will let you in on the secret. See, when it comes to achieving your desired physique and fitness results, that does not mean that you slog yourself in the gym day in and day out. There is another way, and the reason athletes and body builders swear by it, is because they need results, but they can’t be fatigued, sore and exhausted come game day. Enter Blood Flow Restriction training, a method of training that has been used for over 40 years in elite circles, and and thanks to companies like SAGA Fitness, they are now becoming mainstream and more accessible for everyone else. SAGA Fitness’s parent company are the leaders in the field and they work with the likes of New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Cubs, Melbourne Demons,  Brisbane Lions,  AC Sparta, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets, Aston Villa, and Duke University – to name a few. What is blood flow restriction training Blood flow restriction (BFR or also known as occlusion training) helps you increase the results of your strength training which means you can train half as hard and half as often but get some serious results. It is a highly researched training method that involves placing a band or torniquet around your arm or leg while performing low intensity exercise. This results in reduced blood flow from the working muscles, creating an oxygen mismatch which in turn accelerates type II muscle fibres and releases growth hormone. Meaning bigger muscle gains, less exhaustion from a hard heavy workout and less recovery time. Where does it come from? BFR was discovered in Japan in the 1960’s and… Read More

Kiss stressed-out and blemished skin goodbye with hemp-infused skincare by Hey Bud

HeyBud skincare

Say goodbye to blackheads, acne, oily and dry skin with Hey Bud’s hemp-infused skincare range which is packed with all the good stuff, including gamma-linolenic acid, the most effective natural ingredient to regulate your skin’s moisture. Hey Bud was born out of frustration from skincare products that didn’t deliver, prompting the three business partners and founders – Ollie, Fedele and Alex – to come up with a product that delivered positive results after countless experiments and research.  They found the magical properties of hemp were key to reducing inflammation and common problems which affect many of us such as blackheads and acne. Hemp, which is a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant, has specific natural oils that are not produced by the body, but are fundamental in skin health, helping with aging skin and moderating oil production. For more information on the benefits of hemp and to explore high-quality hemp products, visit Spruce. Hey Bud’s popular Australian Hemp Clay Mask helps to detoxify the skin while drawing out impurities and oils. The mask also helps tighten skin, which is helpful for those with enlarged pores. The mask is packed with essential nutrients from the hemp seed oil, as well as other ingredients such as almond oil, matcha, avocado oil, goji, aloe vera and kaolin clay.  How to use the Australian Hemp Clay Mask: STEP 1: Clean Start with clean dry skin & apply with clean fingers. Avoid eyes (duh) & apply an even layer across your face. STEP 2: Let it soak – Let the natural… Read More

Kiehl’s has the answer to dull-looking skin with their new supercharged skincare program

kiehls small

Do you suffer from dark spots or skin hyperpigmentation? Are you looking for a skincare product that helps visibly brighten your skin? Then apothecary-based New York skincare brand, Kiehl’s has just launched a supercharged program that targets exactly that! Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules is a two-week brightening ampoule program that reveals a new level of clarity.  The treatment is formulated to target signs of clarity loss, including dullness and uneven skin tone, through accelerated skin renewal. Designed to be used consecutively for 14 days, the program — formulated with Activated C and a blend of Glycolic, Lactic and Phytic Acids — rejuvenates and renews for brighter skin with noticeably enhanced clarity. How do you use it? One box of Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules contains 28 vials, which you use over 14 days (one ampoule in the morning and one in the evening). The ampoules can be used as a step in your current skincare routine, after cleansing and toning and before applying a serum and moisturiser. Shake each vial of the brightening ampoule formula before use To open, twist vial top and pour entire contents into the palm of your hand and discard the vial Gently apply the water-light ampoule formula to clean, dry face and neck, avoiding the eye and lip areas In case of contact with eyes and lips, rinse thoroughly with water Follow with a facial serum, such as our dark spot corrector, or continue with the next steps of your skincare routine Repeat morning and night consecutively… Read More