Being a single parent I endeavour to balance childrens needs, finances, work, my home, and 'real'ationships. Life can get pretty demanding and it is up to me alone to find a way to deal with these responsibilities. Although this juggle consumes most of my energy and is my biggest stress, it has also become by greatest strength. I tend to look at things from a 'learning' perspective and that strategy works best for me. Of course nothing is fool proof and I don't have all the answers but I need to keep asking myself the right questions otherwise things start to break down fairly quickly. I am acutely aware of the seduction of anything (or any one) that offers a quick fix, either emotionally or physically, and are only interested in my sustained wellness. This includes preventing what I can with the information and awareness that I have, while also staying open to discovering and trying new things. I have been watching on Tuesday nights the doco about 'Smart Animals' and I remind myself that if birds with a brain the size of a pea can learn from new experiences, and remember what is worth repeating and what is not, then I certainly can! To be open to learning new things or new ways of thinking can bring objectivity, and with that comes the opportunity for growth, evolution and freedom. One of the most distinctive shifts in my own perspectives comes from the days that I exercise. Its effects on my moods are immediate and tend to stay with me for a while afterwards, not to mention better sleeps that always follow on the days that I have exercised. I always find it curious to observe that how is it that  things happening in my life at the time, can fill me with anxiety on my way to exercise class, and those same thoughts can significantly reduce in size and power over me after class? Its not a co-incidence. Some people change their thoughts through illegal or prescription drugs, but I prefer to be in control of my own body and mind with exercise and a curiosity to my own thoughts. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2020 depression will be the second most common illness in the world, and whilst models of therapy work for some people some of the time, exercise is a choice available to everybody all of the time. As an exercise instructor I am aware that I need to offer a range of choices for a range of abilities and I think I have achieved this. Exercise can be a great first step in unlocking the door to motivation and potential, it can literally alter perceived reality.    

Hello Midweek readers and Happy New Year. I don't have any new resolutions as I am never certain what life is going to throw at me, so my dreams and goals will depend on the level of challenges that come my way. One goal I always have though that overrides all else is my attention to my health . Whilst I can not control the unforseen disease illness or accident I can prevent ill health to a certain degree through keeping my fitness and mobility levels up and my fat and stress levels down. This always requires conscious decisions to maintain this balance as my health does not just randomly 'happen', it requires my attention for much of the time. However, I am not obsessed and chasing the 'perfect' solution, just a balance. Creating a balance in life gives me the quality of life that I need. Of course everybody's idea of quality of life is all different and only relevant to what you are aware of. I read somewhere recently that approximately 40% of new year resolutions are about fat loss. Although fat loss is simply energy in versus energy out it also depends on emotions and stress levels. Everyone knows how to technically lose weight, yet everyone doesnt know how to manage stress and emotions. In my opinion managing stress and emotions is the key to a lot of preventable health issues. Some stress is good for us and can motivate us, yet at other times stress can de-motivate. Demotivation is an integral clue, a symptom which has a cause. Often once the cause can be identified then steps around it can be gained which includes goals which are more realistic to the desired results. For example when it comes to my choice of exercise, I am not a runner, nor do I enjoy the meditative type exercises like yoga and pilates. Physiologically they have great benefit and value on body and mind, yet for me I need vigour, big movement, and music. I need to move my body to the beat of the drum!..which is why I love my chosen type of group fitness which I am also lucky enough to teach others. Exercise with others has many benefits; firstly the 'social' factor is proven to be the number one motivator behind continuing with any exercise programme, secondly if fat loss is the goal then the 'group' mentality has proven to have better results on motivation levels making the participant work harder than if left up to their own devices, thirdly, exercise of any kind not only reduces anxiety levels during exercise but for some time after. And all this aside from the fact that there can be a sense of belonging and community when part of a group. It is not uncommon for myself and a few class members to hit 'The Red' for a night of dancing when Richard Littlejohn is playing, or for my older clientelle, a cup of tea and a biscuit after class complete with our own 'in house' entertainment from the delightful and talented Robyn who skillfully tickles the ivory's and bangs out old tunes like Roll out the Barrell and Danny Boy. I think to myself, where else but in community exercise do we get heart felt and community experiences like that? You wont find that in any gym that's for sure. Approach to health is not just 'functional', we are more than just walking pieces of muscle bones and tissues, there needs to be psychological factors prioritised as well. Our mainstream health model does not provide for the psycho – social needs, so as a life style coach I endeavour to bring attention and awareness to this vital componant in health care. I have the skills, personal experience, qualifications and the desire to help people work on their health holistically. For personal consultations (Free first consult)... or my group fitness time table please contact me or check out me on line @ www.carlascoachingforhealth.com



Carla.

Ph: 021 1658 961

www.carlascoachingforhealth.com