February 2012

FAB IN FEB

Get your health back on track this month with our top finds

WORDS RACHEL FARNAY JACQUES

1 Squeeze to Fit
The buzzword in exercise gear is "compression". Canterbury's Compression Fit range is for all sports and activities, and specifically designed to mould to the body to control movement, preventing energy-sapping muscle oscillation while reducing the build-up of lactic acid. Customer Service: 1300 551 133; see www.canterburyshop.com.au

2 DIY
Keep yourself hydrated. Forget eco-unfriendly bottled water — make your own with 321 Water (AU$39). Just fill with tap water, plunge the press filter system, and voila! Delicious clean water is yours. See www.321water.com

3 Footloose
Run and jump with ease with Reebok's new RealFlex footwear (AU$150). With 76 sensors on the shoe's sole, the flexi design helps provide all the benefits of barefoot running while reducing the negatives of running on hard surfaces. Stockists: 1300 364 964.

4 Track your Trail
Forerunner 610 is Garmin's first touchscreen GPS-enabled training watch for runners, accurately recording time, pace, distance and more (US$349.99; AU$341.28). Tap the screen to choose training options, plan workouts and customise the display. Afterwards, 610 wirelessly sends your data to Garmin Connect, where you can plan, analyse and share your runs. See www.garminfit.com.au

5 Sun Smart
An Australian company has created a world first with the invention of a warning device to help people avoid skin cancer and sunburn. Called U-B-Safe 1®, it's a small electronic ultraviolet alarm that fits discreetly to a hat which goes off when you've had enough dangerous UV for that day (AU$58). Inventor Tony Pearson says: "The device's memory keeps up with the skin's daily dose condition and uses this to compute the next day's dose." See www.sunsafe.ws

6 Bye Bye Booze
This month, the folks at Febfast are encouraging us to "send grog on a holiday". Skip the alcoholic drinks for just 29 days and imagine the benefits. Register as an individual or team, then get sponsors to spur you on. The money goes to great causes. See www.febfast.org.au

TOP NUTRITION TIPS

Give your new year a healthy twist, with these top tips from the Dietitians Association of Australia, www.daa.asn.au:
• Eat breakfast every day. Breakfast eaters are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and less likely to re-gain lost weight.
• Pledge to improve one part of your diet. For example, try swapping to low-fat versions of three foods you regularly eat. Check out what changes others are making at www.healthyweightweek.com.au
• Swap soft drinks and cordials for diet versions — or better still choose water and reduced-fat milk.
• Add one more piece of fruit and one more serve of vegetables each.