This week Daphne Hartman is visiting Gozo. Daphne and I studied together at Teacher Training College a long time ago. Back then a very energetic and fun-loving person, and many years later she is still that glowing, enthusiastic example of health and well-being. As she is full-time teacher at a secondary school, a spinning and body pump instructor at a gym and a mother of three, I asked her what her secret is. She was willing to share two simple tips for radiant health.
Tip nr 1: keep moving all day long
Remarkably, as Daphne is a fitness professional, she does not recommend doing all sorts of fitness classes. Of course it is important to do cardio activities like cycling, jogging or aerobics regularly to maintain in good shape, but she believes it is much more important to keep moving all day doing your daily business. So, take the stairs, walk to the grocery store instead of going by car, enjoy the movements in your daily household chores and take a walk every now and then. These “natural everyday movements” have a greater impact on your health and energy levels than going to the gym once a week, according to Daphne.
Tip nr 2: stay away from bread
Of course it is lovely to enjoy bread every once in a while, nothing wrong with that. But to stay in good shape and to maintain a high energy level, Daphne recommends to stay away from bread and to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. She herself also eats all kinds of fish and white meat. But, she says, diet is a very personal matter, this is what works for her, and for someone else it might be very beneficial to eat other things. It is a matter of trail and error, and finding out what works for you and your family, taking work, daily activities and social life into account.
Yellow Rock Yoga Gozo 