QUESTION: Do I need to train hard to get results? ANSWER: It depends. Figuring out your goals and nailing your reason why helps; also having an idea of where you want to be in the future. One of the key reasons people don’t reach their fitness goals is a lack of consistency. So how do you need to change your training in order to continue being consistent – not just now, but in the long term so you don’t end up back at square one? There are many ways to exercise For example, if your goal is weight loss and/or to improve your fitness, you could: Train hard most days – you will get results fast ..read more

As an activity for the kids at my daughter’s 4th birthday party recently, we made these mini mindfulness bottles. At face value they’re pretty ‘potions’, but kids can use these to help them relax if they’re feeling stressed out or worked up. They can either shake them up and watch them while practicing slow deep breaths until the glitter settles, or if there are multiple glitter colours or shapes older kids can associate different ones with different thoughts, feelings or emotions. Watching the swirling glitter slow down can have a calming effect. This is a great way of introducing easy mindf ..read more

Feeling unmotivated with your training now that winter is here? It’s common for group fitness class numbers to dwindle, and gym-goers and outdoor exercisers to pause their routine in the colder months. But just because it’s colder, darker in the morning/evening and sometimes rainy outside doesn’t mean you need to stop moving your body! Here are some tips to help you maintain your training. © Pixabay1. Change your routine We’re creatures of habit – I get it! But winter lasts for three months, that’s a quarter of a year – so if you stop exercising completely during this time it can really mess w ..read more

Want to eat healthier and exercise more but find it difficult to focus on your nutrition and workout routine when there’s so much other stuff going on in your life? You’re not alone! So many of us lead busy lives today that it can be hard to put yourself first (even when you know you need to). Here are some tips specially for busy people, that can help make it easier to create a health and fitness backup plan for yourself. © Ange Noy | NZ Real HealthWhen you’re on the go Make sure you have a plan for your main meals. Whether it’s packing a salad or sandwich ahead of time, having some tuna and ..read more

Sometimes self-care isn’t just about gym time or nourishing food, or getting a massage or having some time out. It could be as simple as the ritual of putting on an outfit for the day that makes you look and feel amazeballs (even if you’re not going anywhere or seeing anyone, you’ve only had about an hour’s sleep thanks to baby and you’re feeling somewhat seedy… #mostdaysin2018). © Ange Noy | NZ Real Health I never really used to take much notice of clothes. But after having two kids in two and a half years I got sick of wearing the same milk-stained black breastfeeding tops and invested in ..read more

When you’re busy it can be hard to find the time to exercise. As a business owner and a mum to two young girls, I get it! However, getting your body moving is important, so if you training sessions aren’t happening, you need to shift your mindset and perhaps try a different approach. Train short but often Cumulative training – a workout split up over the course of your day – makes sure that you still clock up the exercise mileage but just not in one hit. Consider how you might be able to break up a 30 minute session into two 15 minute blocks, or three 10 minute ones. For example, in the mornin ..read more

I’ve always had sensitive skin, but during my first pregnancy in 2015, I began having allergic reactions to all sorts of products that I had previously been fine with – moisturisers, hand wash, deodorants, detergents, bleached/normal toilet paper, feminine hygiene products… The only thing that made any difference was using products that were as natural as possible, and so I made effort to ditch anything around our house that used harsh chemicals or other ingredients. Although my skin’s pretty much returned to normal, it’s because of this experience that my beauty reviews are relatively few and ..read more

???? ??????? ? ??? ??????? ?? ????????? ????????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ????’? ??? ???????? I’ve been taking myself through my own 8-Week Find Your Balance programme which aims for sustainable results across nutrition, fitness and wellbeing and today measured my halfway point results for the end of the fourth week. My weight is the same and I can’t see results just from looking at myself in the mirror BUT in 4 weeks: I’ve lost 5cm from my tummy I’ve lost 1cm from my hips I’ve lost 3cm from my thigh measurement I’ve lost 1cm from my arm measurement Guess what? I’m still e ..read more

I’m always on the lookout for new and amazing health and wellness products for life in the kitchen, the gym and at home. Here are my current faves; a combination of some of the latest sample products (gifted) that have come across my desk for me to try out, and the products I’ve found myself that I can’t get enough of right now! Alter Eco Chocolate Chocolate is always a fave in our household but I have zero self-control if it’s milk or white chocolate. Because of this we always have dark chocolate in the cupboard which lasts for ages as I can have one or two small pieces and I’ve had enough (p ..read more

This post is written in collaboration with Auckland Eye. Learn more about laser eye surgery and other eye care services here. I can still remember being around 12 years old and squinting at the classroom board, trying to decipher what the day’s lesson was all about. I didn’t really think much of it at the time – assuming everyone else was having the same problem as well. It was only through a routine vision check I found out I needed glasses for myopia, or near-sightedness. I muddled through most of my school years trying to avoid wearing them unless it was necessary because it made me feel ‘u ..read more