Family Fitness Magazine

Pregnancy and beyond is a time of great change for Mums. Within a year your body goes through a cycle of changes in weight, posture, strength, function and mood alongside little sleep.

It is a time to take extra care of yourself by balancing activity with rest . Here are some suggestions:

Pregnancy Yoga
Yoga combines movement and stillness and includes exercises to stretch and strengthen, relaxation and breathwork for calmness, rest and labour preperation so is a perfect choice for Read more…

Personal Trainer, Maz Marrison, shares her advice on fitness during pregnancy

Exercise can be used to help maintain a healthy pregnancy and will certainly help you get back into shape more quickly after the birth, but, first and foremost it should be about caring for your body and your baby. Your body needs to prepare to help you through the labour and to help speed up your recovery time.

So, what should you be doing?

1. Pelvic floor
I tell women daily to work on their pelvic floor and remind them weekly. Why? It will shorten your labour, reduce your risk of tearing, aid healing after birth & help seal your abdominal muscles post birth. Your pelvic floor is a sling of muscle that supports all the internal organs. Imagine you are drawing up from your rectum towards your belly button like you are trying to not go to the toilet, do this as you exhale and relax when you inhale repeat at least 6 times and then try to hold this contraction whilst you inhale and exhale 6 times then relax. Read more…

The Benefits of Exercise: www.curveswokingham.co.uk

Nowadays most women spend their days rushing around juggling family, domestic chores and work. They tend to help everyone around them but leave little time for themselves. Some women even feel guilty spending time or money on themselves and sadly, this is often to the detriment of their own health and well-being.

Most women know they should exercise more. A lot of attention is given to the role of exercise in weight management, but exercise also plays a critical role in helping you stay healthy and even if you’re not overweight exercise is vital. Read more…

Essential oils are a wonderful addition to your healthcare routine with their exquisite aroma and the many ways in which they can be used, plus they offer the opportunity for some essential pampering!

“Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.”

Aromatherapy seems to have existed for over 6000 years although the term itself was created by RM Gattefosse, a French chemist in a book written in the first century. Read more…

Easter can be a difficult time if you’re trying to keep yourself and your kids on a healthy diet or if they have an allergy to chocolate. Nutritionist and Cookery Expert Christine Bailey shows how to make some delicious, healthy treats which not only taste great but will give your children hours of fun in the kitchen..

No sooner have you packed away the Christmas decorations Easter arrives in the shops – shelves crammed full of chocolates, eggs, chicks, bunnies and no endless number of sugary treats. But before you ditch your New Year resolutions or attempt to tackle hyperactive children gorging on a mountain of chocolate, why not try an alternative approach this year? It is possible to create some scrummy treats with your kids that are considerably healthier (and often cheaper!!) than the supermarket options. You can also make them dairy free or switch to chocolate alternatives if your children have allergies or you simply want a healthier option. Read more…