health&fitness
Why Sandra likes to eat, run and not sit down SANDRA BARAC, owner of Go Figure at Queanbeyan talks fitness… What’s your favourite workout or exercise? Running – I go for 10 to 15km runs every day, unless it’s raining!
What aspect of health do we need to work hardest on?
Australians are becoming obese and a lot of it’s because we look for quick fixes. People feel they don’t have time to eat properly, and they also need to get at least three half-hour workouts done every week to maintain fitness – so the answer is time management.
Precision & Fun
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HIP, KNEE & ANKLE REPLACEMENT INFORMATION SESSION We invite you to come along and attend this Hip, Knee and Ankle Replacement seminar to assist you in understanding arthritis and developing realistic expectations of total joint replacement surgery.
We will highlight recent advances, developments and the latest treatment options in hip, knee and ankle arthritis. Common concerns and queries about surgical options and life after joint replacement will also be addressed.
Come along and join in our Hip, Knee and Ankle Arthritis Information Session. DATE: TIME: WHERE: COST: SPEAKERS: RSVP:
SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 9.00am – 11am (Morning tea provided) Hellenic Club of Canberra Matilda St Woden, ACT 2606 Free Dr Paul Miniter, Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Ed Hollis, Principal, Southside Physiotherapy Mrs Helen Rowcliffe, Senior Clinical Practice Nurse Wednesday 12th August Robyn/Karen (02) 6253 3388 or Karen Fox avalonorthopaedic2@mac.com
Why did you go into the fitness industry? I started going to a gym when I was 16 – I was a bit plumper than I am now, but I soon became a gym junkie. The owners asked me if I’d thought about teaching – they said that since I was there twice a day I might as well get paid for it! So I did my qualification and started teaching. After having kids, I did my personal trainer course and went back to work.
The greatest satisfaction is when clients get to their goal weight. I’ve had clients who’ve had 30 or 40 kilos to lose, and when they get there, it’s very emotional.
If you weren’t in the fitness industry, what would you be doing?
I honestly can’t imagine not being in the fitness industry! It’s what I’ve done ever since I left school – I couldn’t stand a job where I had to sit down all day.
Sandra Barac… “I couldn’t stand a job where I had to sit down all day.”
Blokes and their body image By Megan Haggan “DOES my bum look big in this?” isn’t a question most of us would ever hear asked by a man – but according to University of Canberra body image expert Dr Vivienne Lewis, many blokes are just as worried about their body image as women. The big difference between men and women is that men keep their fears to themselves and often deal with them in unhealthy ways, Dr Lewis told “CityNews”. “Traditionally, body image and appearance concerns are seen as women’s issues,” she says. “Men typically don’t talk about the concerns they have with their bodies to their mates. “But a recent study by Mission Australia showed that for males aged between about 12 and 25, body image was the biggest concern – it ranked above relationships, girlfriends, school and university.” Dr Lewis’s own research, looking at men aged 18 to 85, has shown that there’s a big spectrum in male attitudes towards body image: Some men are unconcerned, whereas others continue to dwell on their body issues even into old age. “It’s not simply a case of getting to middle age and no longer caring about how they look. Even quite elderly men worry about health and fitness, and that they no longer look the way they did when they were younger,” she says. “However many middle-aged men do
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Dr Vivienne Lewis… says men hide their fears and deal with them in unhealthy ways. worry about being overweight, and that they’re not attractive to their partner any more, or that if they’re single, it will prevent them attracting a partner.” Hair loss and developing lines and wrinkles are also big issues for many males. For many, body image problems can lead to “manorexia” or an unhealthy obsession with building a muscular physique. “Especially in their 20s and 30s, you find a lot of men become ‘gym junkies’. “Even though they may look almost
perfect, sometimes they can go to extreme lengths to get and keep that physique: some may start dabbling in steroids, and spending time working out at the expense of relationships and socialising.” Working out in moderation and choosing healthy foods can be a beneficial way of dealing with some body issues, as can seeking expert help to address the psychological issues behind them. “The problem is that men don’t do anything about it. They’re reluctant to come forward and seek help,” says Dr Lewis. “A healthier way to deal with it is to acknowledge that you are overly concerned about your appearance, and what impact that has on your life. “GPs, psychologists, many nutritionists, dieticians and personal trainers can all help deal with the self-confidence issues involved, as well as talk about ways to become healthier.” The University of Canberra is currently running its second “Real Men: Real Bodies” program, which aims to help men prepare mentally to get in shape physically. According to Dr Lewis, the men’s program has one significant difference to those attended by women: “Men don’t come along to talk about their body image. “They want to focus on motivation enhancement, stress management and building confidence in general: Fixing the problem!”
Keep mum on exercise
PERSONAL TRAINING AT THE AIS
24 CityNews August 6-12
What do you enjoy most about your job?
MANY expectant mothers avoid exercise in the cater for expectant mothers. months before their baby’s due, concerned “Experts say that a mother’s health is more about over-exertion – but light exercise can ac- important than age when it comes to having a tually be beneficial, says Jenny Tiffen, founder healthy baby,” says Jenny. of Canberra FitMums and now FitMums-to-be. “Many of the more uncomfortable pregnancy side-effects like cramps, constipation, aches and pains, insomnia and even headaches respond well to gentle exercise,” Jenny says. “There are also benefits to the baby. When done appropriately, gentle exercise raises the level of oxygen in the bloodstream, which lifts the oxygen levels in the baby’s blood.” At a time when the baby’s growing and changing rapidly, this extra oxygen is a great way to encourage healthy development, she says. FitMums has just launched FitMums-to-be to