Guilt-free snack ideas from your Physios!

Now we are not wanting to add to unnecessary panic, but by now most people are aware that the year is more than 90% over (sorry, that information isn‘t really calming!)

For most of us, that generally means a diary quickly filling with things like school events, exam timetables, work demands, wind-up parties, Christmas shopping and holiday planning. It can be easy to forget to pay attention to self-care, and as your physio's, we want to remind you that physical activity is one of the key components of self care.

“But I’m too busy!!!”

Not only do we hear that from many of our clients, we are guilty ourselves of this trap. Filling the schedule is easy, and generally happens without even trying.

But the great news is that you don’t actually need big blocks of time to have a movement impact.

It all adds up….just like those little food snacks we sneak in between meals (yes, guilty as charged).

So just like grabbing a few crackers and cheese, or a couple of rows…I mean squares … of chocolate, you can ‘grab’ some movement snacks at any time of the day.

Some of our favourites:

• Squats - can you hold a wall squat while the kettle boils? Or deep squat each time you pick up a piece of clothing from the wash basket?

• Calf raises - how many can you do in 30 seconds? Could you complete 12 each side while brushing your teeth?

• Step ups - if you are one of those who decorate your house like a true Christmas fanatic, then use that step you got out to hang some decorations and try to go up and down a few extra times (maybe not the same day as your epic decoration efforts). Set a timer or pop on your favourite song to create your own mini step class.

• Get-Ups - now we don’t necessarily mean the Russian kind where you hold a kettlebell above your head and get up without using your hands. Just lie on the floor or back lawn (or the couch, if the floor is a tad too tricky) then get up as quickly as you are able. You could try to race the kids or grandkids to a REAL snack, or the remote control!

• Savasana (Corpse Pose) we have saved the best til last! It’s a tricky one, as any yoga fans will know. The pose is simply lying flat on your back with palms open and body relaxed - the challenge is to be still! And the movement? Just the gentle movement of your breath as it enters and exits your body. This is also a great one to remember when your family catch you lying down to catch 5 seconds peace in the middle day - just say you’re practising your yoga!!!

So please enjoy your movement snacks (

as much as your food snacks) and take care of yourself as we head into some busy times. We’d love to hear about your ideas.

Happy Snacking!