When Annie Bristol — a 36-year-old registered nurse and mother-of-three from Springfield, near Brisbane, Qld — tipped the scales at 89kg, she knew she had to do something about it. “I remember thinking that the only time I’d been this heavy was when I was pregnant with my twins, who are now four, Thomas and […]

It may not be what you eat but what you drink that’s making you fat. I had a client who recently told me that she couldn’t understand why she wasn’t losing weight. A food diary audit revealed that she consumed 2980kj a day in coffees alone. That equates to more than half the average recommended […]

I have lost 15kg in the last nine months since giving birth to my second child. The only real change I made to my diet was to stop eating bread and look for other alternatives such as wholemeal pita bread, rye crispbreads, etc. Before it was too easy for me to grab two pieces of […]

I find myself asking more often than not, what am I doing wrong? We are told to cut out fat, exercise, walk, eat vegetables. Well, I have weighed 135kg since I had my first son. I lived in an area then that was populated with fast food outlets and I admit that when I went […]

Drew Barrymore has always had a curvy figure, but since turning 30 last February and adopting a healthy new diet and exercise regimen, she’s looking more lean, fit and radiant than ever before. Drew says she only noticed she’d gained 9.6 kilos last year when she struggled to fit into her trousers. “I was a […]

“I spend my days running around looking after the kids. At night I’m so tired, I don’t even sit down to a proper meal. I really need to lose some weight — can you help?” This is a very common complaint. For many mums who spend their days looking after the family, it’s usually the […]

Lose weight without ditching bread, potatoes and pasta with the diet that’s creating waves.

Celebs are ditching Hollywood starvation diets and turning to a more satisfying way to lose weight — the Greek Doctor’s Diet. Diet expert Dr Fedon Alexander Lindberg set up his first clinic to treat obesity, diabetes and heart disease six years ago in Norway. These days the Athens-born doctor has more than 12,000 clients throughout […]

By Annette Campbell Flute teacher Diana McIntosh is one of the proudest mums on the planet. Her 10-year-old daughter Tiffanie is doing very well in school, plays the flute and piano and seems to have been born with a permanently positive attitude. “I am so proud of her — she’s wonderful and the most encouraging […]

One of the biggest dilemmas for dieters is sorting fact from fiction when it comes to nutrition claims. So, get ready to set a few more of those urban, nutrition-myths straight. 1. Eggs are high in cholesterol Even though eggs are high in cholesterol, the cholesterol in food has very little bearing on your blood […]

Bread is rightly named the ‘staff of life’, it’s a super food – low in fat and sugar, high in nutritious carbohydrates and contains protein, the essential B-vitamins thiamin & niacin and minerals such as calcium, phosphorous & iron. Like the key dietary guideline advises, when choosing bread, variety is the spice of life. Aim […]

Stuffy, allergen-laden indoor air can drain both your energy and your spirits. These tips will help you breathe easy at home: 1. Keep the air moving Use bathroom and kitchen fans to keep air moving. If your fans are noisy, look into inexpensive new models that are much quieter. 2. Consider getting rid of carpets […]

Sports drinks have swamped the market in recent years and some people see them as just another class of soft drink. However, they are more than a beverage to quench your thirst.

Much of the activity required to support functional posture occurs at the deepest level of skeletal muscle in a process that we rarely notice. But it is the carriage of the upper back, head and arms that conveys a distinctively attractive posture. This is the area of the body that clearly demonstrates grace and poise.

This exercise is designed to articulate and create and awareness of the spine through flexion.

Sports drinks have swamped the market in recent years and some people see them as just another class of soft drink. However, they are more than a beverage to quench your thirst. They evolved straight from the sport science laboratory, the athlete’s kit bag and team locker rooms. In fact, Gatorade was named after the […]

Much of the activity required to support functional posture occurs at the deepest level of skeletal muscle in a process that we rarely notice. But it is the carriage of the upper back, head and arms that conveys a distinctively attractive posture. This is the area of the body that clearly demonstrates grace and poise. […]

This exercise is designed to articulate and create and awareness of the spine through flexion. Align your bones sitting on a chair with your hands beside your knees as shown in the photograph. Take your chin down towards your throat and begin to roll down through the spine allowing the arms to slide down the […]

Lisa Pulvirenti, a 30-year-old mother of two from the south-western suburbs of Sydney, clearly remembers her “light-bulb moment” when she knew she had to lose weight. “I was at a party for my sister’s boyfriend and it felt like everyone was looking at me and thinking ‘she’s the fat sister’,” Lisa recalls. “They weren’t, of […]

I weighed close to 130 kilograms when I went on Grandma Gladys’s lemon diet and turned my life around. It was so simple to follow. I’d drink undiluted lemon juice all day. I’d squeeze lemon juice over my meals. I’d eat lean white and red meats and lots of salads with lemon and reduced my […]

Worried about unsightly body bumps? You’re not alone — even the stars suffer from cellulite. But there’s a lot you can do to banish those dreaded dimples. What is cellulite? The lumps and bumps on your thighs are caused by fatty deposits under the skin. Cellulite is predetermined by genetics, not weight, so all women […]

The following diet plan is based on an average energy consumption of approximately 6300KJ or 1500 calories a day. It incorporates five serves of veggies, two serves of fruit and the occasional treat and is low in GI carbohydrates and saturated fat and high in fibre. Better still, you get to eat on this diet. […]

Belinda Myers, 31, was a self-confessed junk food addict. Now this determined mother of two from Albury, NSW, has made an amazing transformation — she’s lost more than 20kg and is completely addicted to working out. “It was about two-and-a-half years ago when I decided it was time to lose weight. At my sister’s wedding […]

By Judy Davie You’ll be jumping out of your skin with newfound energy if you stick to this detox plan. It’s the start of spring and there’s nothing better to put a new spring in your step. We’re eliminating toxins here, so don’t be surprised if you get a few headaches and feel worse before […]

By Annette Campbell When it comes to keeping ourselves healthy, sometimes we don’t think that much about our bones. So to coincide with National Healthy Bones Week (August 7-13), Judy Stenmark — the CEO of Osteoporosis Australia — shares with us her top tips for bone health. “It’s important to have healthy bones, to help […]

For general health, in Australia, it is recommended that adults, if they enjoy alcohol, take care to limit their average daily intake. The guidelines are for no more than four standard drinks a day on average for men and no more than two standard drinks a day on average for women. Plus you should aim […]

Foods, vitamins and supplements all help keep your eyes healthy. Try these ideas: 1 Eat colourfully Bright red tomatoes and capsicum provide vitamin C, which is linked with lowered cataract risk. Carrots and other orange vegetables are rich in beta-carotene, which protects against age-related macular degeneration(AMD). 2 Go fish Cold-water fish like salmon and tuna […]

What do you do when your excuses not to exercise are coming fast and furiously this winter, and suddenly there's a legitimate niggle that may stop you in your tracks?

Most people associate rippling abs with an athletic physique but it's possible to have an impressive outer definition with no dynamic stability.

You can practise these pulls as often as you like in sitting and standing postures.

What do you do when your excuses not to exercise are coming fast and furiously this winter, and suddenly there’s a legitimate niggle that may stop you in your tracks? Firstly don’t panic Getting physical can be difficult in an already busy life and often winter can open up a whole new bag of worms […]

Efficient abdominals assist dynamic stability just as dynamic stability assists alignment. This is not about developing prominent abs as these are the outer muscles that do not play such an important role in maintaining alignment. Most people associate rippling abs with an athletic physique but it’s possible to have an impressive outer definition with no […]

Sit cross-legged on the floor and align your bones in the sitting position. Visualise the diamond shape of the pelvic floor muscles. Gently draw the centre of the diamond upwards. Hold this lift and breathe naturally for up to 10 breaths. Release the muscle and begin again. If you lose the feeling of the upward […]

By Annette Campbell To coincide with the AMA’s Family Doctor Week, we asked Dr Rosanna Capolingua — a Perth-based practicing GP, and chair of the Australian Medical Association’s Ethics Committee — what she thinks most doctors would really like us to know. So the next time you phone to make an appointment to see your […]

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a personal Mr Motivator in your sub-conscious? You know, the one to help drag you out of bed for that power walk on a winter’s morning. And the one to help you say ‘no thanks’ when the dessert menu arrives. While motivation is a hard thing to harness, […]

Folate is involved in more than 100 different processes within the body. It’s essential for the formation of new cells and tissues and the health of the blood, brain, nervous and immune systems. Most people think of B vitamins giving them back their b..b..bounce. And it’s true that B vitamins are required to release energy […]

New research at the Australian Institute of Sport is focusing on the best way to test for suboptimal iron status and the findings will follow through to all people, even sports fanatics of the spectator variety. Sports scientists are honing a new, super sensitive blood test for iron status known as serum transferrin receptor. Why […]

If you’re fit, you can function – if not, you’ll find it difficult to get through the day. Try these ideas: 1. Use stairs, not lifts It’s nearly always only a flight or two. 2. Do two things at once While you’re brushing your teeth, do leg lifts or knee bends. If you have a […]

Pain and tension are enemies of good movement patterning and smooth coordination and you have to become aware of their effect on the body before you can fully overcome poor movement habits.

This exercise gently releases and mobilises the spine.

Pain and tension are enemies of good movement patterning and smooth coordination and you have to become aware of their effect on the body before you can fully overcome poor movement habits. Poor alignment causes tension and tightness. Muscle imbalances can cause aching in the lower back or tightness in the shoulders and neck. Unfortunately, […]

This exercise gently releases and mobilises the spine. Align your bones in the standing position. Soften the knees and swing the arms diagonally across the body with fingers dropping towards the floor. Lift your arms up to the ceiling extending the legs and begin to turn your head to the other side. Soften the knees […]

By Annette Campbell Try this exercise for a few minutes … Close your eyes or put something on as a blindfold. Cover your ears with headphones or use earplugs so you can only hear muffled sounds at best. Now imagine what challenges would present themselves if you tried to go about your daily routine. This […]

Marion Weatherburn says she was “just so debilitatingly tired” and growing more and more tired seemingly every day. Although there were obvious reasons for her fatigue (running a household with a husband and two children and working), one day about eight years ago, she knew “it wasn’t right or normal tiredness”. “Then I actually fell […]

In the 1980s a new type of naturally occurring dietary fibre was discovered and named resistant starch, as it “resists” digestion in the small intestine and makes its way to the large bowel. Good bacteria in the large bowel ferment the resistant starch and in the process enhance protection against bowel cancer. Over the last […]

In days gone by there wasn’t a lot of choice in milk. In most cases it came straight from the dairy or in glass bottles, with cream on top and delivered to your front door. Now, the dairy case is bursting with a huge range of milks, plus there’s the convenience of UHT long life […]

Try taking a journey through your bones. Stand in front of a full-length mirror in your underwear or something tight fitting. Have a close look at the general shape of your posture and begin to identify some of the bony landmarks, working from the ground up. Feet Place the feet underneath the hip joints, about […]

Align your bones in the standing position, with hands on hips and use your fingers to monitor activity in the oblique muscles. Remember to direct your sit bones towards the floor, lengthen the natural curves of the spine and soften the knees. Begin to move the pelvis by directing your sit bones forward to the […]

Pick your favourite treatment, or better yet, try them all! Relax in the bath An Epsom salts bath is an inexpensive way to make your skin feel much smoother. Add 2 cups to bathwater. Polish your body Combine 1 cup oatmeal, 2 tsp each honey, olive oil, and powdered milk, and sufficient water to make […]

There's nothing worse than finding the motivation to drag yourself out of the house for that run, swim or cycle than to be struck down with a cramp or stitch. The pain can really hit you hard and literally stop you in your tracks.

Ballet dancers are renowned for their grace and beauty and Bodywise, a posture book created by highly respected members of the teaching staff from The Australian Ballet, introduces the reader to some of the ideas that dancers use to help achieve their physical goals.

There’s nothing worse than finding the motivation to drag yourself out of the house for that run, swim or cycle than to be struck down with a cramp or stitch. The pain can really hit you hard and literally stop you in your tracks. Common as they are, funnily enough, there is not that much […]

Ballet dancers are renowned for their grace and beauty and Bodywise, a posture book created by highly respected members of the teaching staff from The Australian Ballet, introduces the reader to some of the ideas that dancers use to help achieve their physical goals. Bodywise presents a fresh program of exercises chosen for their simplicity, […]

By Annette Campbell Amanda Williamson believes she’s found her key to being fitter, happier and generally healthier than she’s been for years. So what is her magical, mystical elixir? “I’m learning how to surf!” smiles this 33-year-old mother of three and police officer, from Jervis Bay, near Nowra, NSW. “It’s so much fun and as […]

By Annette Campbell Until one day in June 1997, Amanda Jones’ life was “pretty normal”. The then 26-year-old was living in Sydney, working full-time in a bank and engaged to be married. But then the degenerative disease multiple sclerosis (MS) stepped in. “My right arm stopped working — it became really heavy,” she recalls vividly. […]

By Annette Campbell Donna George is a 39-year-old mother of two and legal secretary from East Maitland, near Newcastle, NSW. And this humble, unassuming mum is also nothing less than an absolute hero to kids doing battle with life-threatening illnesses. Donna is an enthusiastic volunteer for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the national organisation whose mission […]

Congratulations! By deciding to quit smoking you’ve made one of the most significant steps you can take towards good health. Every year 150,000 Australians quit smoking for good. When smokers quit however, most get cravings, feel anxious, hungry and irritable. They also find it hard to focus and concentrate and many worry about the unwanted […]

What is fructose? Fructose is a naturally occurring type of sugar found in many fruits, some vegetables and honey. Just like with lactose (milk sugar) intolerance, it appears that not everyone has the ability to absorb fructose properly. Why is fructose malabsorption a problem? Researchers are now concentrating on investigating the role fructose malabsorption plays […]

Many so-called healthy foods contain excessive sugar, salt and fat. Here’s what to look for – and avoid: Breakfast cereal Your breakfast cereal should have an ingredient list that starts with whole grains, and provides at least 5g of fibre per serving. If your brand is low in fibre, stir in some oat bran. Fruit […]

In studies that have compared physically active subjects with their sedentary counterparts, it has been found that those that are more active develop protective defenses against many chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Let's take a closer look at the mechanisms involved.

In studies that have compared physically active subjects with their sedentary counterparts, it has been found that those that are more active develop protective defenses against many chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Let’s take a closer look at the mechanisms involved. Diabetes and exercise Exercise is known to improve glucose control, i.e. […]

By Annette Campbell Julie Pike is, unfortunately, well qualified to talk about living with the pain of arthritis. First diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at only 13, the 36-year-old mother of two and part-time primary school teacher from Adelaide has come to terms with the condition and is living the healthiest life she can. “It’s a […]

By Annette Campbell Melbourne-based marketing consultant and mother of two Rebecca Collins is one of the growing number of people around the world discovering the joys of a good laugh. The day-to-day stresses of a full-time job and being a mum meant Rebecca was looking for some sort of release. Then she read a magazine […]

1. Love your own body Does my bum look fat in this? We know that children mimic behaviour…that’s how they learn, and it’s no different with body image issues. If they hear mum complaining about the size of her thighs or the fact that dad has never had a six pack or that big sister […]

People all over the globe have a love affair with this feel good food. And it’s not just the warm, fuzzy childhood memories conjured up by chocolate that boost your mood. Chocolate is thought to actually promote the release of endorphins, natural chemicals, in the brain. As chocolate is high in fat and kilojoules, big […]

In days gone by children used to walk miles and miles to school and back each day, often without shoes! And perhaps in your childhood you walked or biked to school alone or with your neighbours and siblings. But in today’s busy world it’s not so common. Kids still love to ride bikes and a […]

By Annette Campbell Linda McRae knew she was on the verge of developing Type 2 diabetes and had every intention of not letting it happen. “I’d had a pre-diabetic condition (was glucose intolerant) for a while and had been warned that it could develop into diabetes,” Linda explains. “It did scare me a lot, so […]

Almost two million Australians are living breathing proof that life with asthma goes on. Most people with asthma are diagnosed during childhood, but it’s important to remain vigilant as we grow up.

By Annette Campbell Like most of us, Michele O’Grady never thought she’d get sick. She had the career she’d always dreamed of — as a registered nurse — and was working hard to pay off the mortgage on her home and the investment property she’d bought years earlier, as security for her and her son […]

You know you’re meant to drink 2-3 litres of water a day, but if you’re drinking other liquids, do you factor them into your kilojoule count? There’s no denying that fluid replacement is a vital part of keeping your body functioning. And most of us know that somewhere between 2-3 litres of water a day […]

By Annette Campbell Leonie Fryar does not fit the description of your “typical” heart patient. When we generalise about the most likely heart attack candidates, most of us think of overweight, unfit men. But when Leonie had her heart attack three years ago, she was young, well within her healthy weight range, very fit … […]

Are You Eating the Wrong Vegetables? Even if you ‘do the right thing’ and eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, it doesn’t mean you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. According to a recent study at Arizona State University, the top three vegetables eaten in Western countries are iceberg lettuce, French […]

Whether you’re raising funds for a charity or washing up in a local shelter, volunteering boosts your self-esteem and gives you a sense of purpose. But, if you need more reasons for helping other people, social researchers have found that it also helps you live longer, with adults who volunteer up to three hours a […]

If you look past the fads and the spin, what we should actually be eating is pretty simple and these seven principles have been around for a long time.

From The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Series: Constipation. Buy the Book. The toileting position and muscle action you are used to will influence whether you empty your bowels effortlessly, inadvertently strain or obviously strain over time. Whether you sit or squat to defecate (empty your bowels) depends on your ethnic group, and whether you use […]

Diet, exercise, sleep and other good health habits are the key to looking good. But sometimes you need a quick fix to look better straightaway. Try these 6 tricks: 1. Move gracefully If you don’t, you look old and tired. Poor posture can result even from just slinging your handbag over the same shoulder every […]

By Annette Campbell David Sandoe, 59, is a general manager with a financial company in the heart of the city of Sydney. But even on his busiest, most high-pressure days, this executive refuses to stress. “Nothing at work can really worry me now,” he says calmly. “I’ve survived worse!” Eight years ago, David was diagnosed […]

Get back on track this year with my top 10 healthy lifestyle tips for 2005. You might like to adopt 1 or all 10. Print out the lifestyle tips and stick them on the fridge or your pin board at work, as a daily reminder. Or write them throughout your diary as memory joggers at […]

With focus these days on functional foods, breakfast cereals are one group that has its fair share of super ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits in your bowl. There’s no debate on the power of breakfast as the most important meal of the day for good health, disease prevention, weight […]

When it comes to introducing solids, slow and steady certainly wins the race. Let’s take a look at a few of the fundamentals and latest advice. If you’re a first time mum and have a baby around the four month mark, you’re probably getting excited about starting solids. But before you rush into stocking the […]

This new exercise craze is taking off around the world, not just as an intensive 'get-in-shape' tool, but as a regular part of a training program. But what’s involved in this military take on physical activity?

This month we take a look at Tai Chi, an ancient craft that's suitable for any age and any stage.

This new exercise craze is taking off around the world, not just as an intensive ‘get-in-shape’ tool, but as a regular part of a training program. But what’s involved in this military take on physical activity? What’s the difference? Just like any other group activity or fitness class, boot camp, provides added motivation of working […]

This month we take a look at Tai Chi, an ancient craft that’s suitable for any age and any stage. Walk around any bustling Asian city in the early morning and you’re bound to see countless locals practicing the ancient craft of Tai Chi. Public parks, gardens and even balconies are filled with people of […]

By Annette Campbell The new year always comes loaded with hopeful resolutions but many don’t actually make it into action. Right at the top of many lists is the declaration: “I’m going to quit smoking!” No one knows the reality of how hard it is to quit more than Sydneysider Michelle Stanger. But now that […]

The celebrity mums make it look a breeze, but most women will agree that it takes a lot of hard work to lose the baby bulge.

Even though your mum harped on about eating your greens, for maximum health protection, you should really eat your reds, purples, oranges and blues too!

A drink or two too many and you can wake up feeling awful. Here are some tips on how to cope with the day after.

What to consider when choosing a personal trainer?

What to consider when choosing a personal trainer? Personal trainers used to be confined to a celebrity’s entourage, but now they’re commonly used by many people and there’s a huge range of different types of trainers and training on offer. Not only are they sought by the young and fit, but older people are using […]

By Annette Campbell We’ve all heard the saying that giving is better than receiving. And no-one understands that more than 51-year-old Yvonne Sutherland, who has spent most of her working life volunteering her skills both here and overseas. “Volunteer work gives a real sense of community,” she says. “It is amazingly rewarding and a two-way […]

Here's our detailed zinc counter to help you keep your levels on track and boost your immune system.

I love cooking and entertaining, however my husband has just been diagnosed with coeliac disease. I was hoping that you could provide me with some hints on how to approach his special...

Too often, holidays mean ringside seats to pointless annual sparring matches between relatives. Here are some ideas to encourage a spirit of togetherness.

By Annette Campbell Angie Innes, a 45-year-old mother-of-two from Sydney’s north-western suburbs, has a health and wellbeing message for all of us. “Have a hit of golf!” she smiles. “It’ll do you the world of good.” Earlier this year, just before her 45th birthday, Angie made a list of things she wanted to do for […]

If you’re a woman in her 40’s it’s likely that you’ve started to face changes to your body. These changes can have big effects emotionally and physically, but the good news is that a wealth of ongoing research is being conducted into your specific nutrition requirements to best protect your health.

The use of plants as medicines is steeped in thousands of years of tradition and can be found in all societies in every part of the world. In countries such as China or India traditional healing therapies are used by up to 60 per cent of the population as primary treatments.

The use of plants as medicines is steeped in thousands of years of tradition and can be found in all societies in every part of the world. In countries such as China or India traditional healing therapies are used by up to 60 per cent of the population as primary treatments.

The use of plants as medicines is steeped in thousands of years of tradition and can be found in all societies in every part of the world. In countries such as China or India traditional healing therapies are used by up to 60 per cent of the population as primary treatments.

Your body creates energy from nutrients, oxygen, and invigorating stimuli, such as fragrance. These natural mood and body boosters suit busy lives because they give an instant lift and are so simple to do.