The word metabolism is derived from Greek and simply means ‘change’ or ‘transformation’. Human metabolism represents the sum total of all physical and chemical changes that take place within the body; the transformation of food into energy, the formation of new compounds such as hormones, the growth of bone and muscle tissue, the destruction of body tissues, and a host of other processes.

Metabolism aids digestive function as well as absorption of nutrients, and is most affected by nutrition, hydration and physical activity. Each of these factors is an imperative contributor to optimum metabolic health. When any one of them is deficient, the metabolic rate decreases. Consequently, weight loss and weight maintenance are directly related to healthy metabolism. While lowering your calorie and fat intakes may be important components of weight loss, both decrease your metabolism, making it essential to stimulate the metabolic rate through ...   Read more...

The practice of massage therapy is an ancient healing art that dates back many thousands of years and is currently enjoying a modern day rediscovery. Used by Shamanic healers to cleanse the body of evil spirits, massage therapy was also used by many ancient civilisations, such as the Egyptians, Indians, Greeks and Romans. Historical records suggest that the Greeks and Romans enjoyed the luxury and therapeutic worth of massage therapy in conjunction with bathing. In more recent times, massage therapy is being enjoyed by many as a pleasurable experience to relieve the stresses of modern day living, and is holding its own in the face of increasing scientific investigation into its worth.

Many people today seek massage therapy as a treatment for specific ailments such as back pain, while others enjoy this form of touch therapy as a soothing experience that helps make them more aware of their body, stimulates their senses and cares for their body, mind and ...   Read more...

So you've heard about 'interval training' but what actually is it?

Interval training is a strategy that your trainer may employ with you, to allow greater energy to be

expended, aid your weight maintenance program and/or to improve your physical performance.

The benefits

Due to the brief periods that the heart rate is elevated higher than comfortable, sustained training pace, interval training has several distinct advantages over continuous moderate-intensity exercise.  These advantages include an increase in:

• speed of movement

• VO2 max, which represents the maximum consumption/utilisation of oxygen in your muscles

• the muscles' resistance to fatigue

• the muscles' ability to tolerate and buffer lactate

• neuromuscular recruitment patterns at high intensities.

During the last decade, interval training has ...   Read more...

7 Reasons Why Plateaus Occur

A common frustration during a shape-up program is hitting a weight loss plateau, especially when you feel you are doing everything right – eating less and exercising more. So, why hit a plateau?

1.         Reduced metabolic rate – First, you should know there is a good scientific explanation. Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), or the energy you need just to survive, accounts for 60-70% of the calories you burn. Your BMR depends on how much you weigh, so the less you weigh, the slower your BMR. As you drop kilos your BMR slows. This is perfectly normal and explains why your weight can stabilise at certain times.

2.         Overeating – Underestimating caloric intake is ...   Read more...

Want a happier year? Having goals can fast track you there. Yes, sometimes life can get in the way; old ingrained patterns can infiltrate good intentions. What to do? Here are 10 easy ways to help rebuild those neural pathways, so that the new goals on your happiness journey can stick.

1. Have a Big Enough Reason:
   The "why" you are even undertaking a goal has to be important. It's not enough to say "I need to drop some weight." Saying "I am in the process of improving my HDL cholesterol to be around for the people I care about" is way more powerful. Think of the benefits of what you want, and say it in present time (I'm in the process of...).
   
   
2. One Goal at a Time:
   Choose only one thing to focus on at a time, and make it something that's specific and achievable. Also, the result should depend on what you do rather than situations where ...   Read more...

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