Visual Diary: NY + LA

Running- for mental strength

I have never been one of those people who naturally love to exercise or be healthy-I guess not many of us are in any case. It has taken me months to work up to the (semi) consistent exercise regime I have now. I used to resort to bulimia and other questionable eating habits or diets to lose weight and quickly got trapped in an unhealthy circle of self-sabotage and destruction. When living in an apartment complex with a gym, I'd run 7 or 8 kilometres on the treadmill and still just eat non-substantial salads, making sure I'd consume as little as possible. This was only four years ago. Amongst changing the way I look at my body, banishing scales and measuring tapes and joining gym I enjoy visiting, running has been one of the best, easiest and cheapest ways that has helped me improve upon my mental and physical health.
When I run uphill I quietly mutter swearwords.
When I run downhill I spontaneously throw my arms in the air like a child.
When I run or jog or walk I am relying on myself to be strong enough to go where I need to go.
And in times when I feel like a lot of things in my life are out of my own control, being able to control where I'm going, even if it is only for a half hour jog, gives me hope that maybe I'll be able to lead myself to the right path - whether that path leads to an increase in cardiovascular health or happiness. 

What's the deal with Pilates?

New Pilates studios have been popping up like mushrooms in autumn in the last five years. Although first developed  by a by a German gymnast and body builder in the 1930s, the exercises are still widely practised and promoted by models, celebrities and elite athletes. Of course I had to find out what the hype was about and signed up for a trial pass (which has since turned into a membership) at a local studio in suburban Melbourne.

There are two ways to practise pilates: with the help of a reformer machine or mat pilates. I'll be talking about my experience with the former in this post.
Avoid eating two hours before a class, bring water in case you get thirsty and wear comfortable clothes. Pilates is often practised barefoot, but if you prefer to keep your feet covered, bring a pair on non slip socks. If you are insecure when starting a new exercise, I suggest you watch this youtube video so you can see some of the exercises you might be doing.
The pilates reformer features a number of removable springs that attach a moving carriage to the bed's frame. It has an adjustable foot bar, foot and hand straps and shoulder rests. You'll likely work with a box, block or pilates ring at some point, depending on how your instructor chooses to teach their class. From experience no two classes are ever the same. If the studio you choose to visit has a number of teachers I suggest you switch it up and get to know their individual teaching styles. Commonly it is known to improve core strength, but a class will work all major muscle groups. I've often walked away feeling muscles being sore I never really felt before.
I've managed to improve my core strength, my gluteus are tighter and my abs are more defined since taking up pilates roughly seven months ago. My practise has also benefitted the other exercises I do, like Yoga and running. I would highly recommend trying a class to anyone who'd like to increase their overall strenght without using weights or working up a crazy sweat.

The Detox Myth

Detox becomes a buzzword every year once summer comes around. The idea of ridding your body of toxins you have ingested during the indulgent winter months sounds tempting. And you might even shred a few pounds! After all many companies deliver fresh detox juices to your doorstep or promise weight loss from drinking just a cup of diet tea every morning. Celebrities and social media stars promote it. But is it realistic to think a week of healthy eating can fix a problem that has been developing for months?

When healthy, our bodies do an excellent job at processing nutrients and expelling toxins. It is scientifically proven that most detox programs and cleanses are more prone to do harm than to live up to the hype clever marketing campaigns have built around them. Because you might be depleting you body of  fibre, nutrients and bacteria essential to your gut health, you're likely to lack energy and feel worse than ever before. Starting an extreme diet, detox or juice cleanse without professional supervision is never a good idea. By that I don't mean you shouldn't try diets or never drink green juices. Of course eating a little differently won't kill you. But more and more people are promoting questionable supplements, teas and shakes that 'will fill you' are 'meal replacements' or promise to 'bring you to your goal weight quicker!'. What we forget is that there is no quick fix when it comes to health. If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is.

The truth is: your body does react to allergens, hormones and chemical compounds found in many conventionally farmed vegetables, dairy products and meats, even though you might not be aware of it. Food sensitivity and allergies often go undetected because we've grown accustomed to breaking out or feeling bloated after certain meals. The best and healthiest detox you can start before the summer months doesn't consist of drinking lemon water with cayenne pepper for 7 days. Detoxifying your body isn't something you can do by following a diet programme from a women's magazine. What works for others might do harm to you. Talk to a nutritionist instead! Find the foods that make you feel bad and step by step reduce or eliminate your consumption of them. Buy fresh, organic produce when you can. Learn to cook healthy, tasty meals, switch it up, make it fun and feel the difference a healthy diet makes. 

New Year Wishlist

There's nothing like starting the new year not only with motivation to make this year count but also a few new outfits to make getting ready for your work out a little easier.