GUEST BLOG: Why Pilates is for everyone?

Everyone’s heard of Pilates right? It’s been around for a while now (since the 1920’s). To be honest when I first heard about Pilates I thought it was just another one of the many fitness fads that would come and go. That was until my running obsession was interrupted by injury! I was forced to take a bit of my own Physiotherapy advice and give Pilates a try and from that day on I was hooked.

What is Pilates?
The most common answer I get to my question, ‘have you done pilates before?’ is no but I’ve done yoga. Well, that’s like comparing apples and oranges. Pilates focuses on core stability. It works all those small muscles that your body has forgotten we have but need to use. The ones that stabilise your joints and work to create a ‘powerhouse’ to take the load off your spine. While Pilates can be performed on a mat the rolls Royce of Pilates is the Reformer. This machine uses different spring resistance to challenge, strengthen, stretch and lengthen muscles.


Pilates is for EVERY-body
No Pilates is not just for women. I’m sure some people think that Pilates is airy-fairy just lying around the floor. I challenge anyone with that perception to a 1 hour reformer class! In fact Pilates was actually developed by a male, Joseph Pilates back in the 1920s for the army and athletes. 
Men, women, children, athletes, elderly people, pregnant women….. anyone can (and in my opinion SHOULD) do Pilates. The amazing reformer and it’s spring resistance mean endless exercise combinations and difficulty levels.

Injuries
All injuries can be accommodated which makes it the perfect mode of cross training. This low impact exercise is also the perfect way to rehabilitate post injury. Pilates is also the perfect way to prevent many injuries through addressing muscle imbalances, improving muscle strength, flexibility, balance and even body awareness. In the same way it can lead to improved athletic performance. 
Just want a solid workout

If it’s easy, it’s probably not pilates! Pilates should be challenging, you should feel that deep muscle burn. It works all those problem areas- abs, butt, inner thighs, love handles and backs of the arms. You think your squats are working your butt? Wait until you discover those deep glue muscles!
Like any type of exercise correct technique and expert instruction is critical. It’s often a good idea to do a one on one session with a Physiotherapist to teach you the basics and address your specific goals. Health fund rebates apply too!

If you haven’t tried it make 2017 the year of Pilates. Your body will love you for it

Kirsti Leeson
www.handsonalliedhealth.com.au
29 Ben Lexcen Drive Sunrise Beach
Ph: 0418885027
E: kristi@handsonalliedhealth.com.au
FB: www.facebook.com/physiopilatesmassage
Insta: @physiopilatesnoosa

Sunshine Coast Dietetics: Tips for Children Who Are Fussy Eaters

Feeding children can be one of the hardest tasks a parent undertakes, particularly with today’s vast range of colourful and highly-flavoured food, complete with superheroes adorning the packaging. Most children are likely to become ‘fussy’ at some stage in their development, whether it is picking at their food, pushing away their plate, eating only a few of their favourite foods, or flat out refusing meals. In these cases, GPs are likely to be one of the first ports of call for parents who are desperate to get their little ones to eat.  Accredited Practising Dietitians recommend a few tips to help parents manage children’s food fussiness.

Do not beg or push children to eat

Studies have indicated that when parents insist their children eat particular vegetables, a dislike of those foods they have been ‘forced’ to eat often continues into their adulthood. A better option is to present children with a range of vegetables on their plate (including some they like), and sit with them to enjoy dinner quietly, not interrupting or coaxing them into eating. Whether they choose to eat it is up to them, but it is important to keep offering a range of vegetables from which they can choose, including those that have been refused previously.

Do not offer dessert as a reward

Sweet foods are easy to eat and very palatable for children. This can, in turn, give the message that savoury foods are less enjoyable. It is okay to provide dessert foods as part of a family meal, but not as a mechanism for encouraging a child to eat.

Do not praise children for eating

Eating is and should be a pleasurable experience, unless there are other issues, such as food allergies or intolerances, present. Praising children for a behaviour that is natural can lead to the need for ongoing encouragement and praise for every meal and snack.

What else can parents do?

It is helpful to be a good role model and enjoy meals with children. Children are likely to eat the foods that their parents eat on a daily basis, so encouraging parents to regularly eat healthy foods in front of their children is crucial to uptake and acceptance of these foods. This approach teaches the child the food is safe and part of normal, everyday nutrition. Enjoying meals together has a positive impact on children’s health, particularly those of school age. It increases intake of vegetables, fruit and dairy foods, and decreases consumption of unhealthy foods.

While eating every meal together may not be realistic, increased benefit is seen with more meals shared. Encouraging children to play with the food, either with a utensil or with their hands, and to get messy, can be helpful. They should gradually put some in their mouth and may spit back out, but that is a step closer to eating and enjoying that food.

Some other key pointers that can be offered to parents include:

• Turning off the television and other distractions

• Leaving children to eat in peace (keeping an eye from a distance)

• Letting children make some mess

• Mixing foods they already like with some they don’t

• Making sure their feet are always supported while eating

• Focusing on weekly, rather than daily, intake (children will have days where they eat more or less)

• Serving dinner foods at lunch time – this may help if they are tired at the end of the day

• Making sure they are not drinking too much milk (no more than 600 ml per day)

Peta Adams

Sunshine Coast Dietetics
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCDietetics
Snapchat: @dietitianlife