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6 WAYS TO MAKE INTERMITTENT FASTING WORK FOR YOU

Intermittent fasting is not about starving yourself or eating as little as possible, there is far more to it than that. This new lifestyle has quickly become increasingly popular as celebs, competitors and ordinary people embark on this new way of eating. The only struggle is perfecting this way of eating to ensure you feel your best while reaping all of the benefits.

A little bit about intermittent fasting…

Our article on intermittent fasting has the whole story on exactly how it all works but in short, intermittent fasting is famous for promoting good health and weight loss. It involves timing your meals and eating at certain times of the day. Just like the name suggests, you’ll fast for some part of the day and eat at a specific time. It is one of the few diet (for lack of a better word) plans that actually allows you to eat what you like (well, to a certain extent).

By lowering appetite and aiding burning of more calories, intermittent fasting can actually help you with weight loss, some research has found. A number of people have also reported having more energy.

The timing of meals can affect your 24-hour energy metabolism. Coordinating your meals with circadian rhythms can work as a powerful strategy for reducing appetite and improving metabolic health.

Now you know what it is, how do you make it work?

Tips to make intermittent fasting work for you

1. Plan plan plan

As the saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail”. Ideas come and go but until we plan exactly how we’re going to implement these ideas into action, it’s not going to happen.

Take a look at the various types of intermittent fasting and choose a time period that suits you best. From there you should plan when you’re going to eat and exactly what you’ll be eating too. By having a detailed plan and by meal prepping some meals, you will be more inclined to follow the plan and remain consistent.

2. Stay hydrated

Drink lots of water and calorie-free drinks, such as herbal teas, throughout the day. This will curb any feelings of hunger and will keep you from snacking or breaking your fast.

3. Don’t obsess about your food

Plan plenty of distractions on fasting days to avoid thinking about food, such as catching up on some work, working out or going to see a movie. This will ensure you don’t sit around thinking about food and how you ‘can’t’ have it. This is something that requires some getting used to because we are programmed to want to eat any time we experience a bit of hunger.

You need to be able to fight past the feelings of hunger!

4. Try not to overindulge – strive to eat clean

‘Strive to eat clean’ – we don’t mean that your first meal should be a salad and a glass of water (then what’s the point in fasting?). What we mean is you should try to make every calorie count by selecting nutrient-dense foods that are rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats. Examples include beans, lentils, eggs, fish, nuts, and avocado. By doing this, you will feel full and satisfied for longer. You can see some examples of these meals here.

5. Be consistent

It takes a while to establish a new routine and get used to doing something different. Every new diet or lifestyle will take time to reflect changes on your body. You have to follow it religiously and consistently for at least a few weeks for it to work and for you to become accustomed to eating that way.

6. Exercise regularly

Exercise is a great way to increase endorphins and make you feel great. Now we don’t mean spending countless hours at the gym torturing yourself on the treadmill.

Intermittent fasting comes with the added benefit of making you feel healthier (as it involves syncing your mealtimes with your body’s circadian rhythm). Combining it with exercising is going to be all the more beneficial in terms of making you feel healthy and burning calories. Regular exercise can include going for walks, hiking, working out with a friend (etc), you can make it something you’re excited about rather than something you hate.

Intermittent fasting is just like any other new thing you try, you need to remain consistent with it and fight through some of the uncomfortable feelings you may experience. When your body is used to a certain lifestyle, it takes a while for it to adjust and feel good again. But remember, every diet is different and the outcome is unique to each individual so be sure to do what’s best for you!

December 27, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

HOLIDAY SEASON SURVIVAL GUIDE: 5 WAYS COMBAT STRESS THIS FESTIVE SEASON

The holiday blues

The holiday season is often a time when we invite unwanted guests, anxiety, stress and even a little depression into our homes and our lives. There’s a sort of expectation that we should feel happy and positive during this time of the year, but this is often not the case. And the thing is, when we feel down, agitated, somewhat depressed and stressed during this time of year, we tend to put additional stress onto our emotional wellbeing and beat ourselves up for being down in the dumps.

Times have changed

Since when did the holiday period shift from us running around like kids with our cousins we only saw once a year to us suddenly trying to ‘adult’, buy gifts, make food (who even knows how to make a moist turkey in any case?) and endless socialising.

It’s not fair, is it? Why does the festive period bring with it the stress of entertaining friends and family, trying to find the perfect gifts, cook delicious food your grandmother is proud of and trying to get enough sleep?

We go from working hard throughout the year to try and make ends meet, to running around like headless turkeys trying to make everyone happy during the holidays.

Well, this year we say “no more!”

Here is our ultimate guide to surviving the holidays

1. Breathe in deep

Now, this pointer might seem a little obvious but hear us out.

Did you know that when you stress, you have a tendency to hold your breath? This means that less oxygen is getting to your brain. As a result of this, your body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in which releases hormones to help you combat a stressful situation. And cooking the turkey is not exactly a fight-or-flight situation, but our brains might perceive it to be one based on the anxiety and stress we are experiencing as a result of our current situation.

Some therapists recommend wearing an elastic band around your wrist. When things start to feel a little overwhelming, gently pull back on this elastic and let it snap back on your wrist. This little snap will bring you back into the present moment and will serve as a reminder to breathe deeply. Just 4 deep breaths are enough to change your entire mindset.

Have a look at some deep breathing techniques here.

2. Don’t force yourself to be happy

There’s an expectation around this time of year for it to truly be ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ But this doesn’t mean every single day has to be filled with magic. It’s normal to feel sadness, grief or stress during this time of the year. Embrace and express your emotions in order to properly deal with them.

3. Stop negative thoughts in their place

When you catch yourself caught in a whirlwind of negative emotions, try to bring your awareness to the room and the space around you. This is known as grounding yourself. It can be as simple as placing your feet on the floor and feeling the weight of your body pressing on your feet and the floor supporting your weight.

4. Learn to say no

Remember that you have worked all year and deserve a little time off. This means that it’s okay to say no to some social obligations. Set some time aside to do something special for yourself. It can be taking a drive out to somewhere beautiful, going for a long beach walk when your family wanted you to stay for lunch or just lying in a bath and listening to some good music. You do you. And don’t forget to always be kind to yourself.

Keep in mind that there is a limit to how much you can accomplish during the holidays. You can’t please everyone, but you can please yourself.

5. Take some time out to exercise

You know what they say “you are only one workout away from a better mood.” Take some time out to go for a run, attend a yoga class or dance class. No matter what kind of exercise you like to get involved in now is the time to do it.

Plus, we have put together a guide on how to stay healthy and fit during the holiday season.

Bonus tip: turn off your social media!

Talk about a detox diet that really works – disconnect from social media for a few days during the holidays. Trust us on this one, it really works.

December 17, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

7 SIMPLE HOLIDAY EXERCISES: NO EQUIPMENT. 1 EPIC WORKOUT.

The holidays are a time for spending time with loved ones and friends, eating some delicious food and more importantly, relaxing.

When it comes to the holiday period, we seem to spend a lot more time with our feet up than we do hitting the gym or working out. And who can blame us? We’ve worked incredibly hard throughout the year and we deserve a break.

But getting in a workout doesn’t have to require the gym, equipment or even a lot of effort. In fact, all it takes is a little dedication and just 30 minutes of your time. That’s it. And afterwards, you will be left feeling a little less guilty about eating three helpings of pudding last night and a little more energised and happy!

How this guide works

All of these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home. We’ll take you through the various exercises and how they are done, then we will apply them to a sweat-creating, muscle-making, heavy-breathing kind of workout (seriously, it’s a great one!).

Oh, and while you’re here, have a look at this blog on healthy hacks for the holiday season plus 3 healthy recipes for classic holiday meals.

1. Chair pose

Target muscles: Hamstrings, glutes and core

Start in a standing position, feet shoulder-width apart. Then, extending your arms in front of you, lower your body into a seated position. You can do this against a wall with your back straight up against the wall. Basically, you get into a seated position, but without the chair.

Hold this for one minute.

2. Standing side-leg raises

Target muscles: Core and hips

Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Start by lifting your right leg out toward the side, keep your core tight as you slowly lift your leg. Then return it back to the starting position. Make sure this is a slow and controlled movement, extending your leg to just over 45 degrees (if you can).

Repeat with each side for 10 to 15 reps per side.

3. Oblique side bends

Target muscles: Obliques

Starting in the standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place your hands behind your head (clasping the back of your head with your fingers intertwined). Engage your core and bend at your waist to the right toward the floor – in a slow and controlled motion. Then repeat on the other side.

Do this for 15 to 20 reps per side.

4. Sumo squat

Target muscles: Inner thighs

Start by standing with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing slightly outwards. With your hands clasped together at your chest (this will help with balance), push your hips back and then squat down – make sure you keep your back straight and your upper body lifted.

Repeat this 10 to 15 times.

5. Push-ups

Target muscles: Triceps, chest, core and shoulders

This is a great upper body exercise!

Start with your stomach and chest on the floor. Your legs should be straight out behind you and your palms should be in line with your chest. Push from your heels and hands as you bring your chest, torso and thighs off the floor. Then slowly lower yourself back down and repeat.

An easier pushup version: It makes it a little easier if, instead of your feet being on the mat, you bring your heels towards your butt and then, press slowly through your hands to fully extend the elbows. Then slowly return to the starting position (flat on the floor).

Repeat 5 to 10 times.

6. Glute raises

Target muscles: Glutes

Start by lying flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Keep your arms down at your side with palms facing down.

Slowly lift your hips off the ground until they form a straight line with your knees and shoulders. Hold this for a few seconds before easing back down.

Repeat 10 to 20 times.

7. Side plank

Target muscles: Obliques

Start by lying on your side with your feet together and stacked on top of one another. Then raise yourself onto your elbow and lift your hips off the mat – raise your hips until your body is in a straight line from head to fee. Keep your core tight.

Hold this position for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Full body workout example

Now that you know how to do these simple at-home exercises, let’s discuss how you can apply these to a workout…

3 – 4 rounds. Full body. Prepare to sweat.

Chair pose – hold for 60 seconds
Standing side leg raises – 10 reps per side
Oblique side bends – 15 reps per side
Sumo squat – 10 reps
Pushups – 10 reps
Glute raises – 20 reps
Side plank – hold for 30 seconds each side

So, get to sweating!

Happy holidays from all of us at WellBe!

December 11, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

8 HEALTH HACKS TO STAY HEALTHY & FIT DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON

Don’t let mince pies, mashed potatoes and stuffing be the death of a year of working hard in the gym and eating healthy foods.

With decadent meals, braais, parties and other food-filled affairs coming up in December, it can be pretty tough to maintain a healthy eating plan and fitness routine. And we get it. Not everyone can turn down the Christmas pudding or that second cocktail at the pool on a sunny day. And why should you? You deserve it, right?

We aren’t here to tell you to say no to every delicious temptation you are faced with these holidays, because in our honest opinion, a holiday of dieting doesn’t sound like any fun at all. And yeah, you do deserve the dessert!

The trick is to learn how to indulge the right way, and more importantly when to say no. It’s planning your days a little better so that you don’t feel like you want to eat half the turkey come dinner time. When it comes to exercising, there are expert hacks you can learn that will help you fit in some quick workouts.

So, fret not our fine fitness and health-living friends, we are here to help you (and your body) survive the festive season and avoid having to set unrealistic New Year’s resolutions centred around weight loss and hours on the treadmill.

1. Plan your days

Meal plans and exercise routines tend to fall away in the holidays and are taken over by unplanned and over catered dinners and lazy afternoons.

But there is a way you can stop yourself from falling victim to the endless late-night dinners and lack of exercise. And how you do this is by planning ahead.

For example, if you know you have a big family dinner coming up tomorrow night. Make sure you stick to wholesome and healthy meals for breakfast and lunch so that you don’t overindulge yourself at dinner. Don’t skip lunch because you know dinner will be a big meal, this is a recipe for an overeating disaster.

Our exercising hack is to wake up early while everyone is still sleeping to get in a quick morning jog, yoga session or workout. This will free up your day for any unexpected plans and leave you feeling energised and stress-free for the rest of the day!

Exercising during the holidays is a productive way to stay healthy and burn off those extra calories from the Christmas pudding. Plus, you start the new year on a healthy and fit note!

2. Don’t forget to drink water

This might seem like an obvious one, but it is something many of us forget to do.

Drinking water is important for a number of reasons. For one, our brains tend to confuse thirst with hunger. So, before you dish up seconds, try drinking a big glass of water.

In fact, you should aim to drink at least 2 glasses of water before each meal. This will leave you feeling fuller.

With sugary drinks and cocktails flowing (here’s a great read on cocktail choices for your health), it’s also particularly important that you drink loads of water to compensate for the alcohol intake and to try and incorporate fibre rich snacks such as nuts and avos to also keep you fuller for longer.

While you’re here, have a look at this blog on how to boost your metabolism.

3. Know when to say no

We get that your aunt or grandma might be incredibly pushy when it comes to everyone having a second slice of her homemade apple pie. But you need to learn to say no.

Now, we aren’t saying you should restrict yourself or feel guilty over eating some dessert. Not at all. Have that slice of pie, eat it and enjoy every bite of it! But you don’t need that second slice.

4. Try to fit in quick exercises

If you can’t make it to your gym, then you can try to incorporate HIIT (high-intensity interval training) or bodyweight exercises at home. There is a wide range of workout videos on YouTube that will help you get in a quick workout of 10 to 30 minutes. Remember, every little bit counts.

5. Keep burning calories as much as you can

One of the simplest holiday health hacks is to keep moving. Go for a walk with your family on the beach, play fetch with your dog, go for a hike, take the stairs at the shopping mall or pop 10 squats the next time you are in the bathroom.

6. Research some healthier recipes for holiday classics

If you have to bring a meal for the festive feast, why not make it a healthy one? There are a ton of healthy takes on classic holiday meals that are just as delicious and much better for your health.

We have put together 3 healthy holiday meals right here for you to take a look at.

7. Relax

With all the shopping, socialising and parties, it can be hard to find some time to kick back and relax. You need to do your best to limit your stress. You can do this by saying ‘no’ to a few parties or just taking some time out for yourself. You deserve it.

8. Be kind to yourself

It’s been a long year and you have worked really hard to get where you are now. Take a step back and spend some time writing down everything you accomplished this year. It can be as simple as running a 5km or as big as a promotion. Reward yourself for a job well done.

This is also a great time to set your goals for the new year.

From all of us at WellBe, happy holidays!

December 3, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

INTERMITTENT FASTING: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FAST

Intermittent fasting is quickly gaining popularity as celebs and ordinary folk alike are jumping on the bandwagon of this method of dieting. Whilst the word ‘diet’ is not in our vocabulary at WellBe, it can be said that this form of restrictive eating does seem to have some benefits, as well as some adverse effects, which is why we decided to dive into the topic.

Truth be told, anything that doesn’t involve spending excessive amounts of time on the stair master or hundreds of rands on paleo and banting bars and trail mixes is worthy of our attention.

So, what is intermittent fasting all about? Let’s find out.

An expert explanation of intermittent fasting

According to an educational article published in Hackensack Merdian Health, “Intermittent fasting is a pattern of eating where you withhold food for a certain amount of time and allow your body to use energy more efficiently.” Basically, instead of your body using energy from food such as carbs, it will break down fats instead.

Sounds too good to be true, right? We thought so too. So we did a little digging…

The different methods of fasting

The 5:2 method

This is where you consume your normal caloric intake for 5 days a week and then on two non-consecutive days, you limit your consumption to less than 500 to 600 calories a day.

The 16:8 method

This is one of the easiest ones to follow, basically, this involves skipping breakfast. You don’t eat for 16 hours of the day and then eat during the other 8 hours. You can choose which hours you would want to spend eating and which ones you will fast for depending on your lifestyle. For example, you can choose to fast between 10 am to 6 pm or 11 am to 7 pm. Whatever suits you!

The 24 hour fast

Also known as the eat-stop-method, this is pretty much as straight forward as the name suggests. A 24 hour fast is when you do not eat for one full day, either once or twice a week. You then stick to your usual caloric intake for the other days of the week.

The warrior diet

This one seems a little extreme to us. How it works is that you divide your days in 20 hours of fasting and then 4 hours of eating as much as you like. During the fasting period, you are allowed to have small amounts of eggs and nuts to prevent low sugar levels causing you to pass out.

Is there any science behind fasting and weight loss?

In order to lose weight, our bodies will need to increase the amount of time spent burning calories from the food we eat. When you do not eat (fasting), then this allows your body to burn stored energy. When your body digests and absorbs food it is in what is known as a ‘fed state’, this starts the moment you start eating and lasts roughly 3 to 5 hours after.

During this ‘fed state’, it is difficult for your body to burn any fat as your insulin levels are high.

On the other hand, your body’s post-absorptive state will last between 8 and 12 hours after the last meal you ate. This is when your body has entered a fasted state, during this time your body will burn fat as insulin levels are low.

FYI: Insulin works to decrease your blood sugar levels by moving glucose out of your blood and into surrounding cells. When we have higher levels of insulin, this prevents fat from being broken down for energy.

Essentially what fasting does is put your body in a fat-burning state that it rarely reaches during your normal schedule of eating.

Can I drink during periods of fasting?

As long as you’re only drinking zero-calorie beverages such as water, coffee, and tea, then you’re in the clear. Drinking water whilst fasting is encouraged.

I thought breakfast was the most important meal of the day?

Experts suggest that it’s better to eat more earlier in the day to avoid overeating at night. If you want to start fasting, it’s advised that you start eating at a time that gives you a 5 to 6-hour time gap before you sleep. For example, if you typically go to sleep at 10 pm, then your last meal should be at 5 pm.

Apart from weight loss, are there any other health benefits to fasting?

Studies suggest that those who have followed a diet of fasting compared to a calorie-restrictive eating plan have experienced more health benefits and sustainable weight loss. Some of which include decreased inflammation, increased energy and even an increased immune response (perhaps this is because our bodies are not working overtime to digest food all the time and can focus on immunity efforts).

However, you need to keep in mind intermittent fasting is a relatively new trend, meaning that current studies lack in control group numbers and findings are somewhat limited.

Are there any foods I should avoid when I’m not fasting?

There is no rule about what you can and can’t eat when following an intermittent fasting plan. However, it is encouraged that you eat unprocessed wholefoods and be mindful of what you put in your body. Experts suggest sticking to a healthy diet and foods that are high in fibre will boost effects felt from fasting.

While you’re here, have a look at these foods to help improve gut health.

What are the side effects of fasting?

After a few weeks of intermittent fasting, your body will start to adapt and adjust to your new eating cycle. But we must warn you the first few days and weeks can be incredibly challenging. You might experience bouts of lightheadedness, headaches, low energy, constipation, and irritability.

You need to ensure you are drinking enough water (6 to 8 glasses a day) and avoid any strenuous exercise when fasting.

Who should not fast?

If you are someone who suffers from an eating disorder, or you are pregnant, have diabetes, are underweight, trying to conceive or have issues with your blood sugar regulation, then fasting is not for you.

The final word

Before starting any new eating plan, it’s always advised that you chat with a professional such as your doctor or wellness coach. They will be able to assist you and give you sound advice on what kind of healthy lifestyle choices you need to make.

Remember, different diet and lifestyle choices work for different people. We always suggest that you make conscious and mindful decisions to lead a healthy and happy life, and your diet and exercise plan are two very big determining factors in your physical and mental wellbeing.

November 29, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

BOUNCING BACK AFTER A BABY: GET BACK YOUR CONFIDENCE & A HEALTHY BODY

A number of new moms will start to wonder just how long it takes to lose their baby weight and bounce back to their pre-baby body. While many might wish you could magically lose the love handles and hips the moment your baby is born, the fact remains that no one, not even celebrities, can snap right back to their body before their baby so quickly.

And give yourself some credit, you just carried a baby inside your womb for 9 months. Your body was bound to change as your baby developed and your hormones conjured up what seemed to be a hungry, tired and sore body (unless you’re one of those pregnancy unicorns who glows and walks around on clouds, then kudos to you).

So, just how much weight do you lose the moment you give birth?

This will depend on the size of your newborn, he or she should weigh between 3 to 5 kgs, then there is the weight of your placenta and amniotic fluids, which you deliver at birth. All in all, you can expect to instantly shed 5 to 6 kgs during delivery. Hooray!

So, where is the rest of the weight sitting? In your blood supply, breast tissue, enlarged uterus and fat stores. In fact, when you give birth you should not expect the instant weight loss to automatically shrink your belly, this might take about 6 weeks until your uterus shrinks back to its original size.

Losing the baby weight

There are a number of ways you can go about trying to lose your baby weight but remember to give yourself a break. You literally just birthed another human being. Things have moved around, grown and stretched out a bit. This means that the trick is not to focus on getting your pre-baby body back, but rather to create a happy, healthy and slightly-differently-shaped you!

1. Setting reasonable weight loss goals

A good place to start is to chat with your doctor or a qualified dietician for them to help you set a reasonable and safe goal. Remember that everyone sheds weight at their own pace. There are also a number of factors that come into play when it comes to weight loss. One of these is your age. Your metabolism slows down as you get older – have a look at this blog on how to naturally boost your metabolism.

Another factor is your diet. If you adopt healthy eating habits (which will not only benefit you but your baby too if you are breastfeeding), then this will help immensely in your weight loss journey. While you’re here, have a look at these healthy and happy meals.

And lastly, your activity levels and exercise routine also plays a role.

2. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a great way to burn calories while sitting down. In fact, some experts suggest that breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories a day! It also stimulates the release of hormones that will aid in shrinking your uterus back to its pre-baby size. So, if you can, breastfeed your newborn. Some moms suggest breastfeeding for the first two years of your little one’s life.

3. Following a nutritious diet

The first thing I need to warn you about is to never jump into a ‘get-thin-fast’ kind of diet. These kinds of ‘crash’ diets might have you shedding a few pounds in just a few weeks through excessive and restrictive dieting, but when you start eating normally again, you will only put the original weight you lost (and some) back on.

Your body needs proper nutrition to recover from the delivery, fight off infection and aid in feeding your baby. Which is why you should not consider any forms of restrictive diets.

You need to ensure you are getting enough calories to breastfeed your little one. There are a number of delicious, healthy and easy to follow diet plans out there, especially for new moms. The WellBe Team is happy to help if you want some expert advice on where to start and what kinds of foods you should be eating as well as what kind of exercises plan to follow. Having a wellness coach is one of the best things you can do for your body and your wellbeing.

A good place to start is by cutting out on junk food, processed food and fast food and choosing whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats. But if you want a slice of cake, treat yourself. The key is moderation when it comes to implementing a healthy lifestyle.

4. Following an exercise routine

You might feel exhausted, rundown and sleep-deprived, but keep in mind that exercise, even a brisk walk, will not only do wonders for your physical appearance, but it will also boost your mood and leave you feeling great. So before you head to the couch after putting your little one down for an afternoon nap, why not pop a yoga video on the TV or a quick little workout video to follow?

It’s a good idea to find activities you actually enjoy doing and ones that don’t take up too much of your time. Being a new mom doesn’t leave you with a lot of free time on your hands, so try to get in exercise anywhere you can. Invest in a pram you can jog with or pop a few squats the next time you ‘pop a squat’ in the bathroom. Trust me, incorporating these little exercises into your day will make the world of difference.

5. Staying positive

The key to all of this is staying positive and being easy on yourself. Focus on the things you have accomplished and the weight you have already lost and remember than fitness if more about the number on your scale.

The fact that you’re reading this blog is a step in the right direction, so here’s to you!

November 21, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Women's Health Comments Off

IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH: 5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR GUT MICROBIOME

Your gut health is more important than you think! In fact, maintaining a healthy gut is vital for mental and physical health, your immunity and much, much more.

But just how do you go about improving the healthy bacteria in your gut? Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s first explain what your gut health refers to.

What is a healthy gut?

Good question.

Basically, your gut health refers to the balance of microorganisms living in your digestive tract. Your gut flora or gut microbiome refers to the bacteria and fungi that inhabit your gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms have a big influence on your metabolism, weight, your body’s ability to defend itself against invading bacteria and viruses, your appetite and your mood.

It’s crazy to think that the little organisms in our guts play a role in our mood and our weight, but it’s true! When we start to look at it this way, it makes sense as to why it’s important for us to ensure our guts are healthy.

And here are 5 ways to do so…

1. Eat more fermented foods and take a daily probiotic

An article in Harvard Health examines the benefits of probiotics for our health. Probiotics have a range of benefits and gut health is the biggest of the lot!

Probiotics are known as good bacteria, they are found in fermented foods such as yoghurt or you can also take them in the form of supplements.

Probiotic supplements are a great way to ensure you are getting enough healthy bacteria in your diet. A number of people have found probiotics to be beneficial for effect on the gut in alleviating issues such as diarrhoea, IBS, bladder infections and even eczema in kids.

It’s a good idea to chat with your pharmacist or doctor regarding what probiotic you should take.

Fermented foods include:

Kefir
Kimchi
Tempeh
Kombucha
Sauerkraut
Miso

While you’re here, have a look at our article on supplements you need to add to your daily vitamin list (hint – we chat about probiotics here!).

2. Eat more fibre

You need to include a wide range of fruits, veggies and whole grains in your diet. It turns out, your mom was right when she told you to eat your greens!

Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in fibre. What’s interesting is that your body cannot digest fibre, but it can be digested by certain bacteria found in your gut and fibre stimulates the growth of these healthy bacteria.

Some fibre-rich foods include:

Artichokes
Lentils
Chickpeas
Kidney beans
Whole grains (whole grain oats, pasta and bread)
Brocolli
Green peas
Raspberries

A great idea is to start your day with a blended shake!

Put half a cup of dry oats, some frozen raspberries and protein shake powder into the blender with a cup of your milk of choice (yoghurt would also be great for probiotics). Blend and enjoy!

3. Stay away from artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners have an adverse effect on your gut health and can cause an imbalance of gut microbes.

A study done on rats found that aspartame (an artificial sweetener found in a number of fizzy drinks) was able to reduce their weight gain but increased their blood sugar levels and impaired their body’s response to insulin. Yikes! So the next time you’re craving a Coke Zero, rather have a glass of water with lemon and mint.

Or better yet, make your own ice tea! Here are some great recipes to try!

4. Reduce your stress levels

Now, I get that this is always easier said than done, but managing your stress is important for a variety of vital aspects of your health, one of these is your gut health.

Managing your stress can be done through a number of ways. Here are some easy ones to implement in your daily life:

Get more sleep – You need to get 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night.
Workout – Regular exercise will not only boost your mood, confidence and your mental wellbeing, but you will also get better sleep and feel great! We chat about this in the next point.
Meditate – Download Calm or Headspace and prepare to have your entire mindset changed.
Breathing techniques – The next time you feel anxious or stressed, breathe in deep for 4 seconds and out for 4 seconds. Repeat this as many times as you need to.
Eat right – Check out these 3 recipes to boost your mental health.

5. Exercise

Regular exercise contributes to weight loss, weight maintenance, good heart health and great gut health.

Studies have found that regular exercise helps create a wide variety of good bacteria in your gut. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week with at least 2 strength training activities on 2 or more days a week.

Here are some great workouts to get you started!

Need some expert help? Have a look at why it pays to have a wellness coach in this blog.

What it comes down to

Your gut bacteria play an important role in many aspects of your health. The best way to maintain a healthy gut is to eat right, get enough sleep, reduce your stress and take part in regular exercise.

The trick is to create a healthy lifestyle as opposed to the ‘get-fit-fast’ or ‘lose-weight-now’ approach. And it all starts with a healthy and determined mindset.

November 12, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

HOW TO INSPIRE A CULTURE OF FITNESS IN THE WORKPLACE: 4 SIMPLE STEPS

A number of companies are starting to see the benefits of wellness in the workplace. From improving employee’s happiness which is directly linked to their levels of productivity, a healthy workplace allows for not only healthy and happy employees but a boost in sales and your company’s bottom line.

To fully understand the benefits of workplace wellness we wrote a blog on the topic which you can have a look at right here: 8 reasons why your company needs a wellness program.

Personal wellness is a top priority

As working professionals, our personal wellness is of top priority and when a company enables its employees to work in an environment that supports their personal health and wellness, it creates loyalty, decreases sick days and creates a workplace that boosts morale and decreases stress levels.

One of the first steps to improving personal wellness in the workplace is to inspire a culture of fitness. But it takes more than just some healthy snacks in the breakroom and encouraging employees to take the stairs.

More than a few simple acts of wellness

To truly make a difference in the lives of your employees and sustain these positive results, you need to create healthy habits of wellness in the workplace, it’s these habits that help develop a culture of health and fitness.

It’s important to understand that whilst a culture of fitness is important to implement and sustain, as a company, you need to look at the bigger picture of corporate wellness. Which is why it helps to get some professionals in to help. Wellness coaches offer expert advice and implement effective practises to improve the wellness culture in your office.

In any case, one of the first steps to creating a culture of wellness is to inspire a culture of fitness.

Why fitness matters

Exercise is known to make you feel good. From the runner’s ‘high’ to the great feeling you get after working out, even when you go for a brisk walk around the block, exercise does more than just improve your physical health, but it also taps into our mental wellbeing on a number of positive levels. As with healthy eating and positive thinking, exercise helps us to feel great about ourselves which has a direct impact on our work lives.

So, how great would it be if your place of work inspired this kind of healthy living? It would be amazing.

1. Get moving – step up to fitness

It’s all about the little efforts that make the big difference. Rewarding employee’s ‘stepping’ milestones is a great way to encourage movement.

For example, set daily goals of 10 000 steps a day. Those who reach this goal for 10 days in a row are celebrated and rewarded with discounted gym memberships or healthy snack baskets.

Walking meetings offer a fun alternative to the boring boardroom.

Provide safe bike parking for those who cycle to work.

Did you know that staff who spent 30 to 60 minutes working out during their lunch break reported an average performance boost of 15%? Encouraging staff to work out during lunch and better yet, providing them with the space to do so is a great way to improve productivity.

2. Bring fitness into team building

Fun soccer games, 5k fun walks/runs or even jumping on trampolines at Bounce are all fun and engaging ways to interact as a team.

3. Offer yoga and meditation classes

During lunch and after work, bring in a yoga instructor or offer a meditation class for those who want to get involved. You can also offer this before work starts in the morning to ensure employees start their day feeling relaxed and ready to take on the challenges of the day.

4. Clear communication and celebration is key

It’s all fine and well having these various fitness and health opportunities available to employees, but you need to ensure that they know about them too!

And what’s more, your staff need to know that you care about them. A fitness culture in the workplace will not happen without reinforcement.

This means you need to create a clear communication plan and timeline that lets employees know exactly what activities will be taking place and when as well as what rewards and incentives are linked to these activities.

It’s important that you reward and celebrate those who take part in fitness challenges. As mentioned earlier, some rewards include:

Discount gym memberships
Healthy snack baskets
Healthy reward vouchers for shops like Total Sports or Sportsmans Warehouse
Free yoga vouchers

The list goes on.

Open up an honest conversation around fitness in your business. Talk about topics like work and personal life balance and nutrition. Create an environment where employees are encouraged to talk openly about their health and mental wellbeing and have the right tools to improve their health.

It starts at the top

Don’t forget that effective fitness in the workplace starts with the boss. As a leader, your staff will follow you so ensure you set a good example and take part in the various fitness activities in the office.

November 8, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Move Well Comments Off

EYE & EAR HEALTH: FOODS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY VISION AND HEARING

We all know that our eyes and ears play a vital role in helping us to function in everyday life. I for one know that my vision and hearing are two things I often take for granted.

Ensuring our eyes and ears stay in tip-top shape directly relates to us living our best lives. And as it turns out, there are certain foods that can help us to do that.

Foods for eye health

Do your eyes have all the minerals and vitamins they need to prevent glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts? Food has a HUGE impact on not only our mental wellbeing (pssst, here’s a great blog on handling anxiety in the workplace), but it also plays a role in our body’s health and wellbeing.

Kale

This popular leafy green is a great source of zeaxanthin and lutein, both of which are closely related to beta carotene and vitamin A which are known to protect health issues with your eyes as a result of sun damage and reduce your risk of macular degeneration (eye disease that results in vision loss) and cataracts.

Other great sources of these nutrients include collard greens, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, red grapes, oranges, corn, mangoes, honey melon, and yellow squash!

Keep in mind that your body needs fat in order to properly absorb zeaxanthin and lutein, which is why it helps to eat these with some healthy fats such as avo or olive oil.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, this is a powerful antioxidant that gives orange vegetables and fruits their vibrant colour.

The body converts this nutrient into vitamin A which helps prevent night blindness and dry eyes. Vitamin A and beta carotene also reduce your risk of eye infections. Carrots and butternut squash also contain this nutrient!

As mentioned above, vitamin A and carotene are best absorbed when eaten with a healthy fat.

Strawberries

These contain plenty of vitamin C, this is an antioxidant which can help reduce your risk of cataracts.

Salmon

Suffer from dry eyes? The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fish can help treat this!

I suggest you aim to eat fish two to three times a week or include omega-3 supplements in your diet.

Green tea

The antioxidants found in green tea help lower your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Green tea also contains catechins which have anti-inflammatory effects.

What’s an antioxidant?

Antioxidants are important substances that can protect the cells in your body against the effects of free radicals. These molecules are produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation

Foods for ear health

Thinking about foods for your ear health is not really a common thought. But there are in fact a number of yummy and delicious foods that contain a variety of properties that can help to maintain healthy ears and lower your chances of hearing loss.

Bananas

Bananas contain magnesium (which also assists with cramping from sports and gym), but this nutrient is known to help expand blood vessels and improve circulation, all the way into your inner ear!

Magnesium is also responsible for controlling the release of glutamate. Glutamate contributes to hearing loss related to noise. When glutamate is controlled, this lowers your risk of hearing loss.

You know what they say – a banana a day keeps hearing loss at bay! (Well, I mean they should say that!)

Salmon

This wonder food makes a second appearance in this blog!

The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon are well known for their ability to reduce your risk of age-related hearing loss.

The trick is to start eating two to three servings of salmon a week and including omega-3 supplements into your daily routine BEFORE you reach old age.

Broccoli

Broccoli is full of folic acid which has incredible effects when it comes to slowing down hearing loss.

Broccoli also contains vitamin C, vitamin K, and fibre which are all nutrients that help reduce damage to the sensitive and delicate tissue in your ears.

Dark chocolate

Your tummy may have already started grumbling a little after reading about all these healthy and delicious foods, and this grumbling is just about to start getting worse because here comes something bound to get your mouth watering…

Drum roll, please…

DARK CHOCOLATE!

This delicious treat is high in zinc. A deficiency in zinc is linked to age-related hearing loss. This means that eating a square (note I didn’t say the whole block), is a great way to keep your hearing in good shape as you get older.

Want some more advice on healthy living?

Get in touch with our team of health and wellness experts!

November 5, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off

4 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A WELLNESS COACH (FROM PHYSICAL TO EMOTIONAL BENEFITS)

“Health is a state of the body. Wellness is a state of being.”

What if I told you there was a way to not only better your physical health, but your mental health too?

Cue health and wellness coaches.

Health and wellness coaching is fast becoming one of the most beneficial and constructive financial commitments you can make. But the thing is, a number of people don’t quite understand the concept or see the benefits of it until they try it out for themselves.

More than an exercise trainer

A wellness coach is more than just a personal trainer. We look at your entire wellbeing and focus on giving support and guidance to help develop both your psychological and physical health.

Basically, a health and wellness coach is someone who not only helps you reach optimal physical health but helps you improve your mental state of being too. This person becomes your guide to holistic wellbeing (a good health guru, if you will). Combining healthy lifestyle choices, a good diet, exercise, stress optimisation and sleep are ways your coach will help you to become the best version of yourself.

Some of the focus areas of wellness coaching include:

Nutrition
Health
Weight
Stress

For business and individuals

Wellness coaching can also move beyond the focus of one individual. We also work with companies to help improve their brand’s work culture and improve the health and stress levels of employees.

Have a look at this article on how to bring wellness into the workplace (it’s a great read!)

Let’s take a look at some of the psychological and physical benefits of a wellness coach…

Psychological benefits of a wellness coach

There is a close link between mental and physical wellbeing, in fact, the two of them work hand in hand.

Here are some of the focus areas of psychological improvement through wellness coaching:

1. Guidance and support

Trust us when we say we have “been there and done that”. Our personal experience and background expertise are what allows us to help you work through struggles in your life.

Our outside perspective can offer a grounded and objective reality to help bring about concrete goals and a tranquil mindset.

Issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are tackled head-on to help you take logical steps in overcoming these mental blocks.

Check out this article on how to handle anxiety in the workplace. It is this kind of support and guidance that we seek to consistently give you.

2. Real advice for real people

We don’t believe in fads. We don’t do ‘get-fit-fast’ plans or ‘lose-weight-today’ diets. We create our plans based on your individual needs and goals.

Everyone is different. Everyone has different goals and capabilities. We work with you to create health and wellness plans that not only provide you with advice and steps to reach your mental and physical goals, but we are with you every step of the way to ensure you get to your end goal.

3. Mental wellbeing and positivity

Health starts in the mind. We help change your mindset and work with you to get healthy through positive reinforcement.

This isn’t some kind of “you can do it” on repeat, we help you to shift your view of yourself into one that is positive, allowing you to believe in your capabilities and be comfortable in your own strength and body.

Physical benefits of a wellness coach

1. Tailored fitness and eating plan

We create our eating and exercise plans to include real, nutritious and healthy meals, as well as exciting and interactive workouts.

We encourage you to eat healthy food that makes you happy and give you all the information you need about healthy eating and ingredients.

We also ensure you are fully equipped with all the knowledge needed to never feel like you are ‘doing something wrong’ in the gym.

2. Someone to motivate you

You’re less likely to cancel a gym session when you know one of our coaches will check in with you, if not train with you at the gym.

This accountability helps encourage you to stick to your plan and give you both an in-person and digital (we’re always just one message away) training buddy.

3. Challenge yourself

When working with you, we get to know your limits and capabilities. We help you to push outside of your comfort zone (but never force you to the point of injury), helping you to create new limits and reach new heights in your physical abilities (you’re stronger than even you may know!).

Your wellbeing starts with you

Want to take the next step and find out more about our wellness coaching? Get in touch with our team and we can work on finding the balance and health in your life.

October 25, 2019 Gemma Oberholzer Eat Well Comments Off