Tag: 18. Januar 2024

If you’ve vowed to create new habits and feel good in 2024, you’ve come to the right place.

Body+Soul has teamed up with one of Australia’s leading trainers, Sam Wood, for our Health of the Nation campaign. He’s created a free eight-week online Health Club and is offering it to anyone who wants to join. All you need to do is sign up at 28 by Sam Wood and agree to the terms and conditions (which includes a marketing consent).

You’ll have access to Wood’s specially designed Health Club program which includes at-home workouts for all fitness levels, delicious meal plans, motivation and more. Yep, it’s really free. No catch. And it all kicks off on February 5. 

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What is the Health Club? 

Our Health Club is a free 8-week online exercise and nutrition program, comprising at-home workouts (no equipment required), meal plans, and plenty of motivation created and delivered by Wood and his team. 

Based on the workouts from the 28 by Sam Wood catalogue, the sessions include general, low-impact and advanced streams, making the Club suitable for all fitness levels. 

Not only will you get access to the workouts and meal plans, but you’ll also focus on transforming your mindset to unlock an all-around healthier and happier you. 

Sign up now!

What you’ll get 

Piqued your interest? Here’s what you’ll get as part of the free eight-week Health Club: 

• Expert-developed at-home workouts in an online training program with three experience levels 
• Delicious seven-day meal plans to meet your dietary needs 
• Motivation and mindfulness tools, programs and videos to transform your mental wellness 
• Support and encouragement from the 28 By Sam Wood team for the full eight-week program 

How much does it cost? 

Here’s the best part – the Health Club is totally free; no credit card is required. 

With the cost of living rising, we believe that shouldn’t stop you from maximising your health – which as we know, is the most valuable asset of all.

Measure your progress 

To help you track your progress throughout the program, we’ve developed a Real Age Calculator to help you compare your health age (biological) with your real age (chronological). 

The calculator has been developed based on methodologies used by the Mayo Clinic and World Health Organisation and considers factors known to influence health, such as diet, exercise, and medical check-ups. 

Check back here soon for access to the calculator!

When does it start? 

The program kicks off on February 5 and will go for eight weeks, finishing on March 31. If you join late, you won’t get the full 8 weeks.

We hope you’ll join us before February 5! 

How do I join? 

To join the Health Club, head to 28 by Sam Wood and sign up, or click here. 

Sign up now!

The Health of the Nation Health Club is free and open to all Australians. No credit card required. Starts February 5, 2024, and runs for eight weeks only. Access is available only via sign-up on 28bysamwood platforms. Participants must agree to full terms and conditions (which includes a marketing consent) upon sign-up at app.28bysamwood.com/claim/health-club.

Health of the Nation is presented by Woolworths and supported by A2 Milk and Rebel.

The official Instagram page of Kensington Palace released a statement today updating the public on The Princess of Wales’ health. 

Reporting the mother of three had been admitted to the hospital the day prior and undergone abdominal surgery, the statement serves to explain the senior member of the Royal Family’s absence from her duties over the coming weeks. 

Aside from being described as ‘planned’, the specific details of her surgical procedure have been omitted from the public statement, with the palace expressing a desire to preserve the Princess’ privacy for both her and her children’s sake. 

And while we could spend the day speculating, combing through the princess’ past public engagements for context clues, we’re far more interested in what her road to recovery will look like. 

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Kate’s secret recovery weapon

The comments section on the official post has been flooded with messages of support and concern for the princess, with members of the public wishing her a restful and speedy recovery. 

While the palace is keeping tight-lipped on the details of the Princess’ operation, most abdominal surgeries are generally considered to be particularly invasive procedures.  

But, The Princess of Wales, 42, has always appeared to be in excellent health, with British tabloids flaunting her active lifestyle and healthy diet across every major publication. 

We only need to look back on those glowing images of the Princess addressing the public on the steps of St Mary’s Hospital only hours after birthing each of her children to recognise this woman’s enviable ‘bounce back’ ability. 

But, what impact will her long-enforced healthy lifestyle have on her recovery during this time?

The advantages of living a healthy lifestyle

While we don’t know the specifics of the Princess’s operation, given her expected 10 to 14-day hospital stay, and the expected time off from her public duties over the upcoming months, it is unlikely that her procedure was a minor one. 

Many factors contribute to an individual’s recovery journey after a surgical procedure, with the success of a patient’s operation and the length of their recovery period largely determined by their age, preexisting health issues and their diet and exercise habits.  

Research has shown patients with a history of frequent physical activity and good nutrition are less likely to encounter complications throughout and after major surgical procedures. Additionally, many health professionals encourage light exercise and movement following in-hospital procedures. 

“I think anybody getting ready for surgery, if they can increase the level of physical activity and improve their nutrition, they can expect that they’re likely going to have better outcomes after surgery,” Daniel McIsaac, associate professor of anaesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Ottawa shares with the Washington Post. 

While there’s no shortage of shots of the Princess donning a designer ballgown at an official event, she just as comfortable sports a pair of trainers and a high pony at her active public engagements. 

The Princess is a keen supporter of promoting an active lifestyle, being a Royal Patron of several local and national sporting associations, such as SportsAid, The Lawn Tennis Association and The Rugby Football Union and League. 

Ever the public servant, the statement describes the princess as apologetic, saying she is ‘concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.’ The Palace has stated any major updates to the Princess’ condition will be reported if deemed necessary, with the Princess hoping to return to her usual schedule as soon as possible. 

Can’t shake that wheezing cough or a bad case of the sniffles?

There’s a reason you’re chronically sick during flu season — COVID-19, RSV, 100-day cough, the common cold, oh my! — and, better yet, something you can do about it.

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For those not wanting to stick to a diet of cough drops and syrups the whole winter, experts recommend introducing simple, immunity-boosting habits into their routines.

“For some people, getting ill again after having just recovered happens regularly, which in turn can impact their quality of life and mental wellbeing,” pharmacist Navin Khosla told Metro.

“The main contributing factor in those instances is a weakened immune system.”

To strengthen the immune system, Khosla advises the holy trinity: improving diet, exercising more and managing stress.

Vitamin C is touted as an immunity cure-all, and should be diligently consumed during peak flu season, Khosla said. In turn, avoid consuming too many ultra-processed treats that contain a laundry list of unpronounceable ingredients.

“It’s okay to have a treat every now and again, but the basis of your diet should be filled with natural ingredients, such as vegetables, fruit, pulses, grains and nuts,” he said.

“Opt for those high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, and protein, which can be found in meats and dairy products.”

Exercise has also been linked to a healthier immune system, and could offer benefits even in small daily doses of five minutes.

Past research has shown that working out for only 20 minutes or so per day can offset the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle, while one study suggested that short, seconds-long bursts of exercise throughout the day can be beneficial.

“Blood flow and happy hormones are important both for physical and mental health,” Khosla said, emphasising that exercise shouldn’t “be a chore.”

“Find something you enjoy doing, be it dancing, walking your dog, ice skating or just a regular gym workout.”

Stress, past research has shown, affects the whole body — and that includes the immune system.

“The important thing here is to be aware of what causes you to feel stressed and find ways to manage it,” Khosla said.

“This can be done by doing meditation and learning more about mindfulness, taking breaks, engaging in enjoyable activities, being with loved ones and much more.”