The right balance

Here at WHL we love to work out, we love our yoga and we love our green juice, but we also love our cocktails, canapés and the occasional cupcake! But sometimes it can be hard to strike the right balance. So we chatted to personal trainer and Youtube sensation Carly Rowena to get her top tips.

How much of an impact does a bad diet have on your body shape?

‘A huge impact, exercise and diet go hand in hand,’ says Carly. And your mid-section is hardest hit when you fall off the wagon. ‘If you want that flat tummy, you need to concentrate on what’s happening in the kitchen!’ says Carly. But eating healthily doesn’t have to mean eating boring food. Check out these awesome recipes from the Honestly Healthy For Life cookbook.

Is it important to match your diet to your exercise level/intensity?

‘One hundred per cent,’ says Carly. ‘I have so many clients who train hard four to five times a week but never lose weight. The reason? They’re not eating enough and their body is regressing.’ Try to think about your food as nourishing fuel for your body. ‘You need energy to go about your day, nourish it and you’ll get greater results,’ says Carly.

What are the most common mistakes people make with the diet and exercise combo?
‘Calorie counting kills me,’ says Carly. ‘I come across so many people who allow themselves too few calories and because they love the bad stuff, they would rather only eat two chocolatey things a day than eat three balanced meals.’ That’s crazy talk! As much as the WHL team loves a good choccy bar, we love a nourishing tasty meal, too.

But the problems don’t end there. ‘Low-fat products are the worst misconception,’ says Carly. ‘If it reads low fat, fat free or lite, back the hell away.’ Don’t worry Carly, we do! ‘There is nothing wrong with fat, our body knows what to do with it, our body doesn’t know how to deal with the processed stuff we put into products to make them “healthier”.’

What’s the best way to enjoy your food and strike the right balance?
‘Make your meals colourful, forget five a day, its more like eight a day,’ says Carly. ‘And choose vegetables over fruit.’ At home try to be inventive with your veggies and use herbs, spices and other flavourings such as lemon or mustard to give them a bit of a flavor boost. If you’re eating out order plenty of interesting veggie sides, try to stick to healthier complex carbs (brown rice, quinoa, sweet potato, brown bread) and go easy on rich sauces. ‘When it comes to drinking out, always go clear,’ says Carly. ‘Opt for vodka or gin-based drinks and mix with soda water and lime instead of coke.’ And drink plenty of water – it’ll keep the hangover at bay and keep you hydrated.

Check out Carly’s top workout and foodie tips on Youtube for more.