A large part of our focus at On the Bench is the treatment of aches, pains and injuries brought on, often, by a particular activity or event.  It's quite common for our clients to come in with a painful back, for example, and cite a step class or a weekend spent gardening as the source of the problem.

Armed with their completed homework sheets and tallied scores our band of health revolutionaries arrived at our second meeting eager to find out what all the questionnaires and food diaries had been leading up to.  After a quick totting up of scores each person had a starting point for their journey to better health, they had their metabolic type established for them.  This was just the beginning though (it would have been a really quick meeting otherwise!) as knowing your metabolic type is just the start of discovering the right mix of macronutrients  that fuel you best.

Today is the Spring Equinox - day and night are equal and about to tip the balance in favour of longer, lighter days. Yippee! Nature is reawakening, it's a time for energy and growth, and the perfect time to cleanse, inside and out (and I'm not just talking about housework)!

I was planning to write today's blog with a focus on the combined effects of Remedial Massage and Corrective exercise, how they complement each other and why they are such a powerful combination.  But then the sun came out, it's turned into a beautiful warm spring afternoon down here at the wharf, I was reminded of a talk I had with a client last night and plans changed.

We were talking about how things change, plans don't work out as you intended when you first set out along their path.  About how sometimes you arrive at an entirely unforeseen but entirely welcome destination and about changing perceptions of what we want and what we value.  It got me thinking about how lessons and learning will come to you from lots of different sources.  I'm positive that I learn as much from my clients as they do from me and that I am a better teacher for it.  We are I believe the sum total of our experiences.  This chat we had whilst taking a breather from wood chopping meandered a little (what a shocker, for a quiet fella I can talk when I get going!) but essentially the take home message was that enjoying the view as you travel toward your goals can provide life lessons as important as the goal itself so don't be in too great a hurry.

Original huh!?  I know, it's been said a thousand times in a thousand different ways but on a lovely sunny day forgive me this one little indulgence.  I'm off to enjoy a cup of minty tea on the balcony (fire escape steps) looking out over the Solent before circuit training. 

Do something that makes you stop and appreciate the moment today. 

Love and life.

Neil.

Last Thursday we launched our Healthy Lifestyle Club at On the Bench HQ in Portchester.  Half a dozen determined souls arrived, not really knowing what to expect from our self proclaimed "Health Revolution", but dead set on ditching the diets and fads in favour of a more sustainable solution to their health concerns.

As part of my New Year's Resolutions, I wanted to replace as many 'toxic' products with organic alternatives. With the press reporting in the past few weeks the link between parabens (used extensively in beauty and skincare products) and breast cancer, and revelations about leading cosmetic companies using lead in their lipsticks it seems a good time to elaborate on my own personal crusade!

We've long advocated and advised on the benefits of a diet of "real food" but what do we mean by that?  Well, we mean foods that are fresh, natural and un-processed.  Foods that you might have been able to get your hands on a thousand years ago.  Before we invented oh-so clever ways of making non-foods and chemicals into something edible.

So much of our modern diet is made up of non-foods, chemical and processed ingredients that it is actually toxic to the body.  The result of this is plain to see in our health and disease levels.  We are at present the sickest most medicated we have ever been and it's our nutrition that has got us to this sad state.

I haven't made any New Year's resolutions for several years now - because I never keep them. But this year I feel more motivated to make changes for the better so I thought I'd give it a go. And perhaps sharing my progress will help me stay on track and reach my goals.

So what's so different this year? Well, I have a significant birthday coming up and they tell me "life begins" so it's an added incentive for change. Plus, over the last two years I have managed to address a few minor health issues that used to get in my way (and provide an easy excuse when I couldn't be bothered).

The importance of fitness and exercise is becoming firmly established advice given to expectant mums which is great news, it’s something we've been advocating for years now. As we’re fond of saying: Pregnancy (let alone labour!) is an endurance event and you should train as such.

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, are currently pregnant or have just had a baby, there are bound to be a whole host of questions that you are looking to answer. Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to do just that!

You know the story, it's as old as the hills.  Overindulge at Christmas, swear it'll never happen again and start an uber strict detox diet in January with all the best intentions.  If you make it to February it's a miracle of willpower and self deprivation.

This year I'd like to suggest something different, something that is sustainable all year around and most importantly works!