As soon as summer hits, there’s a flood of articles about the perfect bikini body workout, but I can do one better – why not exercise at the beach? Yep, our favourite summer destination isn’t just for sunbaking and splashing in the waves. The beach is also the perfect place to break a sweat, as sand resistance will upgrade any strength, cardio or endurance workout.  I love exercising outdoors, and I’ve been doing these beach workout circuits for years. Let me tell you, they never get old! They’re challenging, fun, and a natural energy-booster. Best of all, they require zero equipment. Wit ..read more

It’s no secret that Christmas can be a big financial strain for many Australian families. A rather depressing headline in the Sydney Morning Herald commented that ‘Christmas is becoming a luxury‘ – between gifts, food, decorations and travel, the holiday season adds extra expenses many can’t afford.  I think we can all agree that financial pressures are one of the biggest sources of stress over Christmas, especially as the cost-of-living crisis is squeezing household budgets from every angle.  Perhaps this is why Aussies are less positive about Christmas this year – it can be hard to ..read more

Let’s talk about Gatorade and Powerade. Many of you might have that iconic orange-capped bottle stashed in your gym bag, ready to rehydrate after a serious treadmill sweat session. And why not? Sports drinks are touted as the holy grail of workout hydration. When you’re looking to smash your workout, the drink of pro athletes seems like a natural choice. But, have you ever paused mid-gulp and wondered, “Is this neon-coloured liquid actually good for me?” Gatorade and Powerade may be marketed as a refreshing ‘healthy drink’, but in truth, they’re more like sports supplements and unsuitable for ..read more

As Christmas approaches, it’s time to face the challenge of creating a healthy holiday menu. After all, the festive season is all about indulgence, isn’t it? Well, the good news is that you can put on a delicious Christmas lunch or dinner without compromising your health goals.  By making mindful menu choices, you can still savour plenty of yummy treats without compromising on taste or health. There’s no need to end up uncomfortably stuffed or guzzling sugar to have a great Christmas with the ones you love.  Why not bring a healthier mindset to the holidays this year? That means ditc ..read more

Ah, Christmas! What a fantastic time of joy, carols, twinkling lights, and… let’s not forget the stress, shall we? While the holiday season is meant to be a time of celebration, it can also leave us feeling pretty frazzled.  Juggling everything from Christmas shopping to cooking that perfect roast, and the ins and outs of family dynamics, it can all get a little overwhelming. A few years ago, just two days into our holiday, my husband turned to me and said he’d be more relaxed if he went back to work! That was the moment it hit me: something had to change. Since then, I’ve made it my miss ..read more

With a Christmas pudding here and a cocktail there, our health goals tend to take a back seat over the holidays, along with our usual workout routine.   I completely understand why: there are presents to buy, family and friends to entertain, the kids are home from school, and if you’re lucky, you might even be jetting off on a big blowout holiday. In other words, squeezing in a big gym session this time of year is not easy! Your schedule may be more stuffed than the turkey, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get active. Instead of pushing your luck (and swearing you’ll get to t ..read more

Have you started an exercise program with the best of intentions, only to lose motivation and quit? You’re not alone! According to Australian guidelines on physical activity, we should be active most days of the week (if not all of them). The goal is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise – including at least two days of muscle strengthening exercises. That’s 30 minutes of exercise five times per week. Sounds doable! However, most Aussies aren’t getting anywhere near this target. Why is it that some people can stick to ..read more

In a fast-paced world modern world, stress is an everyday companion for many of us. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with work pressures, family responsibilities, and life’s unexpected twists and turns. The obvious place to start is to identify and eliminate the causes of stress. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done! Many of us will have a considerable amount of stress that we simply can’t avoid. That doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it, though. There are plenty of natural and effective ways to manage stress and regain our peace of mind. Whether you’re a time-strapped professional ..read more

Despite all the ways that exercise helps with depression, getting motivated can be an uphill battle. When even the simplest tasks feel like climbing Everest, the last thing you want to do is don a lycra outfit and bounce out the door for a workout. One in seven Australians deal with depression during their lifetime, so chances are that you or someone close to you knows this struggle. As an exercise scientist and health practitioner, though, I know that the benefits of exercise for depression are undeniable.  Reviewing 97 studies to date, University of South Australia research found exerci ..read more

You’ve probably heard the classic “eight glasses a day” guideline for how much water we should drink. As with most health-related advice, though, it’s not always that simple.  We know that we need a certain amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates daily, and you might even track your calories or macros. But most people don’t know exactly how much water they need, let alone keep track of their fluid intake. And that’s a big mistake! As a nutritionist and exercise scientist, I’ve seen first-hand the impacts of dehydration. Most clients I work with just don’t get enough fluids for their bod ..read more