Lifestyle Trainers Blog

Curried Prawns with Noodles

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:58:52 +1000

Please enjoy another all seasons recipe from Tony Twitchett, Executive Chef at Australia's award winning restaurant Taxi. This dish is Curry Prawns with Noodles and it also has some garnish recommendations. Enjoy.

Chocolate - Is It Really Healthy?

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:00:04 +1000

Are you are a chocaholic? If so, I have some good news……… but unfortunately more bad news. Have you been sucked in by all the publicity in recent times regarding chocolate (more so dark chocolate) being ‘good for you’. I even heard a story of someone being prescribed eating chocolate for breakfast to treat their bowel cancer. I’m sorry, but ‘Give me a break’. What next, Big Macs to prevent heart disease…a bottle of Scotch every day, to rejuvenate your liver?

I know everyone is really excited about the prospect of eating chocolate…for ‘health reasons’, and that you are going to be really peeved with me for spoiling the party, but seriously, the whole issue does need a bit of perspective. So let’s try and get some.

Legs Workout At Home

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:43:16 +1000

I’ve quickly whipped up 5 easy exercises you can do at home EVERY night after you put the kids to bed. That’s right - make it a habit and a habit time of day too. We’re going to do 3 cycles through this mini workout and 10 of each.

Health is Wealth

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:00:04 +1000

During this particular topic, I will discuss the nutritious quality of foods in this day and age. Years ago fruit and vegetables were grown on organic, fertile soils. Meats, whether from cattle or poultry were also healthy and good for you. Imitation feeds and drug administration to animals were unknown.

The majority of foods were free of preservatives, artificial colours and flavours and other processing methods that are common in many of the foods today. Due to the increase in population and living standards, the need for food has therefore increased. Throughout society small farms are being taken over by bigger farms until they become factories of chemically controlled food production.

Truth About Exercise: When NOT to Exercise

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:00:05 +1000

After finishing off a pizza last night…yes, I said a pizza!!! “oh my God, the health guy eats pizza”!!! It’s true, but don’t tell me you too have been brainwashed into thinking pizza’s are necessarily ‘bad’ or too heavy for dinner.

If you get a gourmet vegetarian pizza and take off the excess cheese (easier if you get cheese cubes not melted), what do you have??…toasted bread & vegetables. Pretty light & ‘not that ‘bad’, when you really think about it. So don’t think you’re being bad next time you want pizza. Just ditch the meat & excess cheese, load up the vegies and bingo… enjoy guilt-free.

Changing directions: checking and correcting ourselves

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:31:05 +1000

I recently read an article, which asked, “What percentage of the time was the Apollo 11 on course to the moon in 1969?” The answer was a surprising 3%. That’s correct. 97% of the time they were off course and had to correct their course. Fortunately they were able to constantly make those corrections so they ended up at their destination. The idea of correcting course is not so difficult to understand when it comes to travel.

Peanut butter and jam balls

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:39:54 +1000

Vegemite sandwiches, celery and peanut butter sticks, boiled eggs with toast solders…sometimes it’s nice to regress back to childhood favourites. These beloved foods are comforting, like a delicious hug. A bit of nostalgia is good for the soul. One personal favourite of mine is peanut butter and jam sandwiches, otherwise known as the ultimate kid food. These days, although I’m all grown up, I still regularly eat this tasty combination. But I like to make it a little healthier.

What's on the Box?

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:00:04 +1000

Are you sick of running around the block, or waiting in line for treadmills, stationary bikes and other electronic cardio equipment. Have you always had trouble training without something to aim for, well read on and discover the age-old art of boxing.

Boxing as part of a fitness regime, has to be one of the most satisfying aerobic conditioning exercises ever invented. There are several aspects that you need to realise prior to throwing a punch.

Injury Prevention: Top 10 Tips

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:58:23 +1000

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, so if you want to keep yourself out of the medical rooms try the following tips.

Tony's Prawn Satay with Lime Sauce

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:00:03 +1000

We hope you are all enjoying the countdown to Christmas. Here is another all-season recipe from Tony Twitchett. An Prawn Satay wth Lime Sauce.

Food Labelling...Don't Be Fooled

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:00:02 +1000

Are you one of the millions of people who every day get frustrated/confused/misled, by manufacturers and their food labelling? I heard on the news this week, that many of our biggest brand names, were found to be guilty of misleading consumers like you about the realities of what is actually in their products. What a shock…

Who would ever have guessed!!! Despite labels like’ low-fat’,’ Low GI’ etc, the items in question actually had more kilojoules than a big Mac or a glass of full strength beer. Not what you want for yourself or your kids. So today, I thought we’d have a quick ‘Dummies Guide’ to reading food labels, so you can hopefully avoid marketing tricks and choose the foods that are genuinely healthy for you and your kids etc.

Special People Around Us

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 03:33:04 +1000

How many of us are guilty of saying one thing and doing another? How often have you made a choice that you knew at the time was wrong, but went ahead and made it anyway? And how many times have you expected someone to be one way and they end up as someone completely the other way – and you have no problem being very happy to be wrong.

The Run Down on Running

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:00:04 +1000

If you want to improve your running, take a good look at your current style and compare it to the text book style. By developing subtle changes such as your arms working like pistons, sticking your nose up in the air, and all of a sudden you're not running through sludge anymore, and your run timings are improving dramatically. Whether it be short, medium, or long distance running, marathon or sprints, it all comes down to posture.

Throughout the community many lower limb injuries occur because people don't now how to run. Yet another misconception throughout the physical training industry is people telling you that running is a natural thing, well it isn't, you have to learn. Because the art of running can be so complex I will start at the bottom and work my way up. Improving your running technique and also hopefully reducing your run times.

Weak Muscles Get Tight

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:55:39 +1000

It’s a cliché I use almost everyday that I practice, “weak muscles get tight”. And if you exercise you will know which muscles I’m talking about; the gluteals, hamstrings, and calves in the bottom half of the body, and traps, and rotator cuff group in the top half. Well, usually.

Welcome . . . Randall Cooper!

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:00:01 +1000

Lifestyle Trainers would like to welcome Randall Coooper to its family. Randall is a former Olympic and AFL (Hawthorn FC) physiotherapist and joins the team of experts to share his experiences and knowledge with you. Take time out to read Randall's bio and look forward to his first article next week.

How to make great Egyptian rice

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:00:02 +1000

Often people ask me what is the best way to make rice. When I’m making rice at home I do it the way my mother showed me. This way will work every time and you will get a light and fluffy result.

Honey - The Wonderful Health & Healing properties

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:00:01 +1000

Honey has been recognized as a powerful healing remedy for thousands of years. That’s right, it’s not just an alternative sweetener, it’s one of Nature’s most potent ‘medicines’.

Among the many medicinal properties of honey are;

Its Astringency: In addition to being sweet, honey has the unique quality of being ‘astringent’ also. This enables it to draw fluid to it & draw out fats/pus and makes it such a great sweetener for weight management.

Operation Packed Lunch

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:15:00 +1000

I’m a huge fan of packing my own lunch. I do it every day, besides the rare lunch date. There are three main reasons why I love this practice:

I can control what ingredients go in – I know they’re fresh, nutritious and in appropriate portions for health.
I cater to my own personal tastes.
It saves money.

They’re pretty fantastic reasons, right? If one or all of the above points appeals to you, and you’re contemplating taking you’re your lunch to work or school more, here’s what I do. Hopefully it will provide you with some inspiration! Just beware that this healthy packed lunch operation does require 10 or so minutes of your time either in the morning or the night before – plan ahead.

Do you still count your blessings?

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:42:54 +1000

We have all grown up hearing the words ‘count your blessings’, but how many of us have forgotten what this actually means? There is a beautiful saying which reads "Count your blessings tonight, for those who do will have more to be grateful for, and more opportunities in their lives than those who don't.”

RUOK? - Thursday 13th September

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:00:01 +1000

RUOK? Day is a national day aimed at preventing suicide by getting people talking to someone they care about to prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

This day is your opportunity to ask that someone "RUOK?" regardless of back ground or context. Isolation creates feelings of hopelessness which is why regular communication with others is so important.

So grab a coffee with someone you care for and keep that channel open - stuck for ideas how to help? Check out the official RUOK? site for ideas.

What to eat and when to eat it?

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:00:02 +1000

The best times for consuming Carbohydrates and Proteins

Lets start by clearing up a few grey areas or misconceptions which exist with regard to the subject of food and calories. DIETS DONT WORK! If you are weight challenged or have previously been in this predicament, it is more than likely a result of either poor eating habits or not enough exercise, where as, if you are serious about shedding those frustrating kilos then a change in your actual lifestyle would be more appropriate than a periodic or spontaneous diet.

This may ring a few bells, about two thirds of your calories should come from carbohydrate sources, about one third from proteins and fat should be kept to a minimum. This is not only the basis for a healthy eating lifestyle, but also one that offers a solid basis for any type of physical exercise. With this, it is best to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day to maximise the absorption of nutrients and most importantly to increase our metabolism, this is also known as grazing.

Great Scone Recipe - naughty or nice!

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:00:04 +1000

When you’re at home on those wet weekends or you have unexpected guests, scones are a great quick and easy snack that are simple to whip up and can be as healthy or as naughty as you like, depending on what topping you choose.

Blue September - Cancer Awareness for Men

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:00:03 +1000

Blue September is a nationwide awareness and fundraising initiative about all the cancers that affect men – not just prostate and testicular cancer, but also bowel, lung, liver and other cancers. The campaign aims to raise funds for the Australian Research Foundation and Bowel Cancer Australia charities to raise men's awareness of cancer and help them to reduce the risk of developing and dying from cancer by making better lifestyle choices and seeking help sooner rather than later.

Some time in September paint your face blue and show your support. If you are interested in fundraising, want more info or to order a kit go to the Blue September website and read all about it!

Grazing - Healthy or Not?

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:00:01 +1000

This week’s article is “Don’t be a Cow” It’s nothing personal, I’m talking about ‘grazing’. Grazing – eating lots of small meals regularly throughout the day – has become an all popular pillar of many weight loss & energy boosting regimes in recent times.

It came about because most people generally eat ‘too much’ at any given meal, thus overloading their digestion, leading to sluggishness & weight gain etc…”I’ve got a ‘slow’ metabolism”.

The Kettlebell Jerk Part 2

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:00:02 +1000

Click here for Part 1

Standing up and completing fixation

After the second dip, the upward phase of the jerk is simply completed by standing up. You want to hold the kettlebell in overhead lockout position for a moment, and then bring it back to rack. A lot of people try to drop the kettlebell back to rack as they stand up from the second dip, which robs them of many of the benefits of the lift such as building supreme shoulder stability and means fixation isn’t completed.

The Evils of Cold Water & The Fantastic Benefits of Warm/Hot Water

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:00:02 +1000

This simple tip (written here for winter, but applicable to some degree year round) is one of the simplest, yet most profound things you can do to protect yourself from getting sick (colds & flu’s etc), to prevent that ‘heavy/depressed’ winter feeling & helping avoid those extra kilograms that always seem to enjoy making themselves at home at this time of year.

Tip: During Winter, COMPLETELY AVOID ‘Cold or even room temperature’ drinks – Drink Warm & Preferably Warm-Hot (Boiled) Fluids.

The Facts on Fat Loss

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:00:02 +1000

A common phrase and/or misconception that is commonly heard throughout society is that people that want to lose weight, when in fact they want to lose bodyfat. Seeing that the subject of fat loss is so vast I am going to break it down into several easy to understand segments.

The body has several different fuel sources , two of which are fats and the other being carbohydrates. To burn fat as a primary source of fuel there needs to be oxygen present. The lower the intensity of exercise (e.g. - walking) the more fat is being burned due to your oxygen intake (breathing) being greater and more accessible. In fact, you cannot burn anymore fat as a fuel than when you are relaxed and sitting at rest, much like you are doing right now.

Boys and scrambled-brain syndrome

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:00:03 +1000

At the end of a recent parenting presentation a mum told me of her frustration with her 12 year old son.

“He just can’t remember a thing I tell him! I asked him to do clean his room and tidy this stuff off the kitchen table and he told me to stop nagging!”

Another mum who was listening chimed in and said, “That’s one instruction too many for a boy of that age! Your son probably has Scrambled-brain syndrome.” Ha!
This mum is right. I’m not too sure about the term she used, but many boys in early puberty battle their physiology.

The Current Fish Market

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:00:02 +1000

With winter set in and the water temperatures a little lower the types of fish available has also changed. You can usually get most varieties of fish at the market but if you want fish that hasn’t been frozen and the best available you should be looking for the following:

OCD & Anxiety Disorders Week

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:00:02 +1000

The 4th to 12th August is officially OCD and Anxiety Disorders Week and is run by the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria a charitable, not for profit community support organisation for people living with anxiety disorders and their families.

The week will include a series of seminars, workshops and events aimed at increasing community awareness and understanding about Anxiety Disorders in Adults and Children and access to evidence based treatments, support and resources.