Women's Health Australia

WARM UP ED’S LETTER “Did you just say that you needed to find a new boxing gym as you hold a breakfast burger in your hand?” Celeste Barber calls out to me as she finishes posing for a round of shots on our Women’s Health cover shoot, Beyonce's Cuff It blaring in the background. I laugh and confirm that, yes, both parts of that sentence are true. One of the biggest misconceptions about “being healthy” is that it needs to be rigid. Unenjoyable. That it needs to be overly earnest. But SCIENCE SHOWS THAT WE NEED MORE LAUGHS. As WH contributor Danielle Hine uncovers, play is as essential in adult life as food and sleep, with one study showing it's associated with improved quality of life and an increase in…

Can Mindset Moves Help Curb My Spending? ANSWER Yes - but first, HALT. That stands for hungry, angry, lonely or tired. “We all have triggers and emotional needs, and shopping is a common behaviour to try to fill those,” says Carrie Rattle, a financial counsellor. These feelings can make you more willing to spend on things you don’t need, so avoid browsing in those headspaces. When buying, ask yourself questions such as, ‘Can I pay off my credit card bill if I buy it?’ or, ‘What will I give up to get it?’ To reduce kneejerk grabs, consider how funds could be better used towards a long-term goal. Think you have a problem with impulse shopping? Write down what you’ve bought and separate the list by wants versus needs, tips…

WARM UP NUTRITION 28 Flour Power Sweet potato fries might be the best thing since sliced, well, sweet potato. But have you considered using the orange root vegie in another way - as part of your next bake perhaps? When dried and ground, sweet potato forms a flour that’s packed with antioxidants, report food scientists. It’s also gluten free for those who need it. Sweet.…

WARM UP HEALTH 60 PIERCING HEADACHE Migraine sufferers, researchers are trying to prove what some have been saying for years: a daith piercing (the fold of your ear above the tragus) can ease symptoms. A trial by the London Migraine Clinic will track the effect on migraine sufferers over a year. Experts suspect it offers relief by stimulating the vagus nerve, which runs between your brain and gut.…

WORK IT IN Use it in your warm-up, prior to lifting. Start with 3 sets of 10 reps and work up to 4 sets of 12. LEVEL UP Add weight conservatively. It’s a complex move, so you don’t need to go too heavy to get the benefits. DOMINO EFFECT The more you stabilise your centre, the more force you can generate in the legs and arms, says Anjorin. WHY WE LOVE IT This ultra-fiery move works that “deep layer of your midline,” says Kehinde Anjorin, a functional strength coach and founder of PowerlnMovement. These muscles which include the transversus abdominis and diaphragm - are often hard to target but crucial in helping you get stronger, lift heavier, improve coordination and build all-around core stability, she explains. HOW TO DO IT…

WARM UP BEAUTY 2 in 3 TRENDING A FRUITY BOOST Vitamin C is showing up bigger and better thanks to fruit-based ingredients that up the ante on dull skin.…