HUMP DAY FACTS

A few interesting day health and exercise facts to get you through this mundane Wednesday! (by the way, how much do you love our glittery camel?)

1. A Swedish study has revealed that a greater percentage of hair-loss has been found in people who follow low-carbohydrate or crash diets. So don't be scared of or neglect healthy carbs such as bananas, oats, beans, lentils, peas, potatoes, brown rice, polenta and wholewheat pasta because your body clearly needs them to function! 

2. 1.5 million Australians are currently living with Type 2 Diabetes. What they may not all know is that exercise can very well save their lives. Regular exercise; that is, 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by 32%, according to a North American study. A recent Swedish study found that people with type 2 diabetes who only exercised once/twice a week or not at all have a 25% greater chance of suffering from a heart attack or stroke than those people who exercise three times or more a week. Even more chilling is the fact that these people with type 2 diabetes that rarely exercise have a 70% higher risk of dying (than those people who exercise three times or more a week). Scary stuff. 

3. Who wants to grow a few centimetres? According to Body & Soul, wearing bright colours and/or vibrant jewellery will make you stand out and appear taller by enhancing your presence. 

4. Don't hesitate to get your skin checked out if you find something out of the ordinary. Melanoma killed over 1500 australians in 2011 and continues to be on the rise, with 2 in 3 australians diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they turn 70. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and 30 plus SPF sunscreen when in the sun and apply every 2 hours. Even better, try to stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10am and 3pm in spring and summer. 

5. Not sure what to do with Chia Seeds? 

• Add 1 tablespoon of these great omega-3 fatty acids to a smoothie
• Place 1 1/2 cups of any type of milk (regular, skim, rice, oat, quinoa, coconut) in a jar with a screw-top lid with 1/3 cup of chia seeds and a tablespoon of a natural sweetener (such as honey). Shake well and place in the fridge for one hour, then remove and shake again. Serve 4 hours later and you have got yourself a beautiful chia pudding and a healthy dessert. 
• Sprinkle on top of yoghurt or your morning cereal or museli
• Add a few tablespoons to a muffin, cookie or goodie ball batter 
• Sneakily place some in a risotto or casserole

HAPPY WEDNESDAY! 

x Emily 

JOHN STAMOS HAS THE LAST LAUGH in his PILATES CLASS

The famous John Stamos, or perhaps better known as Uncle Jessie from Full House, reveals that he gets teased in his Pilates classes! The age defying actor says that Pilates makes him feel a little 'ridiculous' but look good so he's sticking to his exercise of choice despite the laughter.

We kid you not; if you look up 'John Stamos does not age' you will find over 1.7 million Google results. In spite of this reputation, the 48-year-old actor says that he works very hard to maintain his toned body. 

The actor joined stars Stacey Keibler and Paris Hilton for a yacht club launch party in Malibu just the other day and was happy to talk about how he got beach/yacht-ready. 

Stamos reveals his love-hate relationship with Pilates; 'I go into class and its all women except for me. I'm the only guy there and I know they make up these exercises to make me look ridiculous; they plot before I get there.Because every exercise involved my legs up, like I'm in the stirrups or something. And it looks like I'm getting a pap smear. They do it to make me look silly, but it keeps me in shape'.

John was more than happy to talk about the benefits of his commitment to Pilates. 'I have a beautiful woman's body now. I have a great ass now.'

Stamos even accepted the challenge to get his co-star Kelly Osbourne's father, Ozzy Osbourne, to Pilates! 'I'll take him!' offered Stamos. 'Can you imagine?'

Think John Stamos is a pretty good looking guy and wouldn't hate to look like him? Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily 

MEN are CHANGING THE TRENDS and THEIR BODIES with PILATES

Here at Premium Pilates Studio we have recently noticed an increase of male presence in our reformer classes and we must say that we love it. The outdated notion that Pilates is just a female exercise is a thing of the past. Recent statistics don't lie- more men are taking up Pilates & Yoga as a form of fitness! 

The gentleman of the world are becoming more flexible, more toned and are changing preconceived exercise trends with an influx starting regular Pilates and Yoga classes. Eight years ago, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that only 0.4% of males in Australia practised Pilates or Yoga. However, the latest IBIS World report revealed that that participation number in these forms of exercise has increased an average 12.1% every year in the last few years, particularly among men. The Pilates & Yoga industry is also projected to grow by 4.8% every year until the year 2017.

Elixir Health Club's Richard Chew has really noticed the increase in male participation in Pilates, with one of every five clients in his classes men. "Five years ago, it was quite rare to see a guy in a Pilates class...now it's normal to see three or four men at least in all of our (Pilates) classes". A male client of Richard's reveals that that he participates in regular Pilates classes and relates it to a similar intensity as strength training. 

Gentleman, if you want to isolate muscles, reduce your stress, improve posture & flexibility and strengthen your all-important core, reformer Pilates is for you! Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com to find out more. 

x Emily 

PILATES DEVOTEE VANESSA HUDGENS' SECOND HOME IS AT THE STUDIO

Former Disney actress Vanessa Hudgens was snapped attending Pilates classes 3 days in a row just last week! The 24-year old may have had a few days off to attend the popular music festival Coachella, but she was right back to her healthy routine just days later participating in tough Pilates reformer classes. That's what we call dedication!

The paparazzi crashed one of Vanessa's gruelling LA Pilates classes and took photos of her in action. Pictured above performing a tough abdominal pike exercise, Vanessa cut a trim figure in her causal workout gear. The young actress is used to cameras flashing at her before, during and after her exercise classes, as the Pilates studio she attends has fast become her second home! It seems that for the last year not a week goes by in Hollywood without pictures of Vanessa arriving or leaving a Pilates class. 

Vanessa has been very vocal about her need for regular Pilates classes, due to a chocolate addiction. "My secret to flat abs is Pilates". Vanessa also hits the gym at least four times a week to attend spin classes and get her heart-rate up on machines. The half-Filpina actress showed off her well-deserved toned Pilates tummy at Coachella festival just days before, with her boyfriend Austin Bulter on her arm (picture above). 

Vanessa's toned and taut thighs, trim stomach and defined arms make lots of appearances in her latest feature film, Spring Breakers, out in cinemas now. Obviously Hudgens has found an exercise routine that works for her, as she has never looked more fit. 

Fun fact: an hour of challenging reformer Pilates burns approximately 360 calories and most of these exercises can be performed whilst lying on your back! Find out for yourself why Vanessa Hudgens and so many other celebrities swear by Pilates. Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily 

DIET versus EXERCISE

Let’s solve some myths right here right now. Yes exercise is very important and essential for improving your health. Exercise also has the power to boost your energy, prevent cancer, enhance your mood, reduce the risk of heart disease and potentially stop the onset of diabetes. However, when it comes to losing weight, the best and most efficient way to achieve this is to focus on your DIET. We explain why below.

The Goal: To Lose Weight

Focus: Your Diet.

Why: You may have heard of the 80% diet 20 % exercise ratio and the fact that abs are made in the kitchen, not at the gym. Whilst I do not entirely agree with this statement- in my opinion abs are made with Pilates- the ratio seems right on track. If you are falling short with your weight loss goals, the first thing to do is to look at your diet. If you are not fueling your body with healthy foods, you are never going to lose weight and keep it off. Also, never ever use exercise as a way to justify indulgent meals that you consume. It’s a terrible downwards spiral to say “I'll just eat a pizza / tub of ice cream / block of chocolate and exercise the calories away”. That would take many more hours than you realise!

The reason that diet is so crucial and directly linked with weight loss is that what you eat is much easier to modify than your exercise routine. If you want to lose weight, you plan an eating program where you ditch high calorie foods with high GI levels and little or no nutrients for low calorie foods with low GI levels and lots of nutrients. Saying no to the pizza and saying yes to a baked chicken breast takes all of a few seconds and reduces your copious hours at the gym to make up for eating that greasy pizza. Women’s Health Magazine weight loss expert Tara Diversi explains more. “A 7km walk takes a little over an hour for most people and burns around 2000 kilojoules. It takes much less time and less effort to cut 2000 to 4000 kilojoules a day with some small and consistent food changes”. Consequently a healthy balanced diet is the most direct and shortest way towards  dropping a dress size.

Without realising it, people tend to underestimate the calories they consume and overemphasise the calories they burn. Controlling your portion sizes and the food you put in your mouth is much simpler and more efficient than going for a 5 hour run every day (and who has the time to exercise 5 plus hours a day! Not I).

A nutritious diet is imperative to weight loss, as your body needs energy to function. You cannot go on a 10 km walk/run or participate in a tough Pilates class without your body functioning at its best ability.

We definitely do not mean to say that you should cease exercise and lose weight by just eating well. Exercise is vital because if you never challenge your body, you will never see results. Toning and sculpting muscles comes from regular and frequent exercise. Pilates, swimming, running, lifting weights, whatever your exercise regime is important as it assists you in increasing muscle mass, strength and endurance. Diet alone will not and cannot do this.

It appears that the old saying is true; it really does take two to tango. With a healthy and nutritious diet and frequent exercise weight loss will happen! It won’t be easy by any means, but the things we want most in life never are. One thing is for certain though; it will be worth it.

x Emily