Women’s Health Australia's mission is to help Aussie women feel happier and healthier (every single day!) with the ideal mix of fitness, food, nutrition, mindfulness, wellness, fitspo fashion and beauty, plus so much more.
thoughts on SHARING A few days ago my grandmother passed away. As much as I’ve tried to write about something else for this editor’s letter, I can’t find words for anything but this grief that I’m feeling. I’m sad that advanced dementia not only took her memory, but her ability to chew and swallow food. I’m heartbroken that when she moved into a nursing home a couple of months ago, all the residents were placed in isolation due to positive COVID-19 cases, and we couldn’t visit her in her last weeks of life. I decided to share this because, as Jessica Davis writes in “Can a medium cure grief?” (page 108): “The sad reality is that conversations about death and grief are still seen as taboo for so many cultures.…
THE BIG QUESTION What’s The Difference Between Mobility And Flexibility? Answer Great question, since understanding the differences between these fitness terms might end up being the reason you see gains versus pains. If you don’t have both mobility and flexibility, your body can’t run, move, lift and push to its fullest potential. Your cheat sheet is opposite – seriously, rip this out and stash it in your gym bag – courtesy of certified strength and conditioning specialist Daniel Giordano. Mobility What it means: Mobility is how a joint moves actively through a range of motion. (Key word here is actively – with muscle engagement happening.) How it looks: Picture doing a dynamic warm-up, like walking lunges with a side bend each time you step forward, before a run. Why it…
Drink Coffee for Your Brain Let’s hear it for your AM sip. In a study of more than 200 people over a decade, researchers have uncovered an association between higher coffee consumption and a lower risk of cognitive decline. Drinking more may also be linked with a slower build-up of a particular protein in the brain, a factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. More research is needed, say the pros, but have an espresso on us while you wait. SOURCE: EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY…
59 INCENTIVE TO REINTRODUCE #MEATFREEMONDAY: NON-VEGETARIAN DIETS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT ARE 59 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THOSE LINKED WITH VEGETARIAN APPROACHES, REVEALS A NEW UK ANALYSIS. SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS Smarten Up Your Slice Opt for toasted rye under your eggs? A good move if you’re looking to lose or maintain your weight. A study found those who ate high-fibre carb products made from wholegrain rye lost more body fat and overall weight than those who ate similar things made from refined wheat. SOURCE: CLINICAL NUTRITION A SPOONFUL TO LOVE Yoghurt fans, you’ll heart this: a regular dose of the stuff could positively impact blood pressure, say University of South Australia researchers. They credit the range of ticker-supporting micronutrients (think: calcium, magnesium and potassium) found in dairy…
Workout Upgrade: Fire Flys This fresh take on an OG exercise is pure delight for your muscles WHY WE LOVE IT Doing the same strength exercises gets repetitive… real fast. But this bear plank fly from certified trainer Ashley Wilking (pictured here) is sure to keep your entire frame guessing. The reason this move deserves all the kudos is simple: “It’s low impact, but maximum burn,” she says. To reap its head-to-toe rewards, always opt for quality over quantity: fewer reps done well will get you closer to your fitness goals. Also, when it comes to your wingspan, Wilking explains, “It’s about the engagement, not how high you raise your arm.” (That whole quality thing again…) So stick to shoulder height. And prepare for lift off. HOW TO DO IT…
Rise & Shine Getting up just an hour earlier is associated with a 23 per cent lower risk of depression, compared with hitting snooze, according to a new study in JAMA Psychiatry. Researchers compared people who clocked the same amount of sleep and found that earlier risers reaped rewards. Bedtime crept later recently? Rejigging your schedule is “all about consistency,” says clinical psychologist Michael J. Breus. Try turning out the lights 15 minutes sooner every three days for two weeks. Still not a sunrise chaser? Use the tricks above to ease yourself out of bed. 16% OF WOMEN PUT UP WITH SEXUAL DISCOMFORT ‘OFTEN’ OR ‘ALL THE TIME’. WHILE LUBE CAN HELP, YOU SHOULD FLAG ANY PERSISTING PAINS WITH YOUR DOCTOR. SOURCE: DUREX Don’t close your blinds at night. (You…
