For more information on the topics covered below visit www.jaxfanucci.com or email info@jaxfanucci.com for advice and customised meal/fitness programmes. 

My journey on this path of health, mindfulness and happiness began 11 years ago. I attended high school here in Dubai, and after a particularly rough patch of being bullied coupled with a divorce between my parents, I turned to comfort eating. I gained 30 Kgs during my last two years of high school, which of course didn’t help things along socially. Desperate to find that sense of control in a time where I felt that I had none, it was time to take my weight into my own hands. The first step was to complete my personal trainer certification, where I decided to use myself as my own little project/case study. Slowly the weight began dropping off and the compliments from others started pouring in (I had left high school by this period). I began to become addicted as the compliments started rolling in. This was the first time in my life where I was being complimented on my looks, which was totally contradictory to my teenage years.

Exercising two hours every day whilst being severely undernourished, I started to feel the toll this lifestyle was taking on my body and I loved the pain! The pain of hunger, fatigue and malnutrition was a welcome distraction from an incredibly difficult home environment. By the time I realized I wasn’t in control of this lifestyle and it was controlling me I was nine years deep into my struggle with bulimia and anorexia. My ribs would break at the slightest knock, I barely had the strength to leave my room and slow liver failure had turned my skin yellow…… My mother was the catalyst in changing my life as she dragged me kicking and screaming to a psychiatrist where I was placed on some heavy medication and a treatment regime. If it hadn’t been for her strength that day, I am certain that I wouldn’t be here today.

The real game changer in my recovery process was finding yoga. The art of mindfulness, meditation and true reflection slowly built me up mentally from the inside out. My mother would come home from work during meal times to sit with me whilst I ate every meal (and 45 minutes after to make sure that I kept it down) until I felt ready and confident to do it on my own (I was 22 by this stage). Her next gift to me was my 200 hr teacher training which was where I felt every corner of my mind, body and soul not only healed but stronger and more vibrant than ever before (than I ever knew was possible).

Three years later and I had completed my holistic nutrition degree, 500 hr yoga teacher training and began developing my program; Sweat, Stretch, Smile. I am alive today because of the strength and support of my mother. I am well aware that thousands suffering from this disease aren’t as lucky as I was having such an incredible outside source of strength, which is why I offer my support to those who need it. I began releasing youtube videos giving advice based on my experiences during recovery (the brutal things you don’t read about in the online self-help guides). I was shocked by the amounts of questions and emails which came rolling in and it truly made me aware of how many there are out there searching for help, answers and guidance.

My program is in no way only for people suffering from eating disorders, its about anyone looking to find a happy, healthy lifestyle that suits them. Remember there is no such thing as a one size fits all, which is why I work individually with clients to find what will work for them and help them thrive!

What causes an eating disorder?

Ah the age old misconception that eating disorders are solely driven by vanity couldn’t be further from the truth! The symptoms manifest themselves as physical (binge eating, comfort eating, healthy obsession, starvation, purging…..) The same way in which the symptoms of the flue can be a sore throat, fever and congestion. The eating disorder itself will never be cured until one establishes the root cause of the disease! The most common causes for the development of the disease can fall into a number of categories

Temperament

Certain traits and tendencies with in an individuals personality can increase their likely hood of developing an eating disorder e.g;

• obsessive thinking
• perfectionism
• sensitivity to reward and punishment,  harm avoidance
• neuroticism (emotional instability and hypersensitivity)
• impulsivity, especially in bulimia nervosa
• rigidity and excessive persistence, especially in anorexia nervosa

This category of individual benefits tremendously from mindfulness practices, and slow movement activities such as yoga. Understanding these traits and how they influence your life and life choices is the first step to recovery. The obsessive thoughts aren’t as scary when you understand where they’re coming from, and they ARE controllable!

Traumatic events (including bullying, divorce, abuse…)

Survivors of trauma often struggle with shame, guilt, body dissatisfaction and a feeling of a lack of control.  The eating disorder may become the individual’s attempt to regain control or cope with these intense emotions. In some cases, the eating disorder is an expression of self-harm or misdirected self-punishment for the trauma.  As many as 50% of those with eating disorders may also be struggling with trauma disorders.

Social pressures and ideals (media family and friends)

We live in a technological world where the people we spend the most of our time with are the ones on our instagram feed. What teens and most adults are unaware of is that all of these ‘models’ and ‘fitness influencers’ do not look the way they do on their posts 100% of the time, and this becomes their ‘benchmark’ for beauty and social status. I have personally had the #thigh gap and the #abs but that was only after a starvation process overnight and a brilliant light set up in the morning, but the second I ate a salad or steamed broccoli BOOM the abs disappeared. Ive worked with countless fitness models and on photo shoots and the same applies! The abs are only there for a moment in time.

Types of eating disorders, and symptoms

What exactly is classified as an eating disorder, and what are specific tell tale signs?

First things first I want to make it clear that you can not tell whether or not a person is suffering from an eating disorder based on their physical appearance! There are many different types of eating disorders all with their own little tell tales. A lot of the signs aren’t mentioned in articles online, and its only due to my past experiences as well as reflective discussions with my mother (and those closest to me during my 11 year disorder)

Anorexia

People with anorexia usually try to hide their condition.

• They may wear bulky clothes to disguise their weight,
• pretend to eat (or tell individuals that they’re not hungry because they’ve already eaten)
• An obsession with exercising (and anxiety if they miss a session)…

They may lie about their weight.

• A lot of individuals suffering from anorexia or restrictive eating develop an obsession with food, which is shown by following ‘food porn’ feeds on instagram (bookmarking tasty videos), constantly talking about food and always wanting to cook for others!
• Social isolation. Unfortunately individuals suffering from eating disorders isolate themselves and feel ‘alienated’ from the world. The internal torture makes them feel trapped in their own minds.
• Obsessing over reading food labels
• Constantly commenting on other peoples physiques and bodies
• Emotional outbursts after trying on clothes in changing rooms
• Drinking excessive amounts of water to try satisfy hunger

Bulimia

People with bulimia nervosa binge eat, consuming a large amount of food at one sitting. They then purge by forcing themselves to vomit. Laxatives are often abused, as well. Like anorexics, bulimics may exercise compulsively in order to lose weight.

Common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating, with a feeling of lack of control
• Recurrent episodes of inappropriate purging behaviors to prevent weight gain
• A self-esteem overly influenced by body shape and weight
• Going to the bathroom after a meal with a large bottle of water
• Returning from the bathroom with blood shot eyes (this was the dead give away according to my mother)
• Drinking excessive amounts of sparkling water after a meal (this helps facilitate the purge)
• Anxiety and fidgeting after a meal in public.
• A fear of gaining weight, despite having a normal weight

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge eating disorder is currently believed to be one of the most common eating disorders, especially in the US. Individuals with this disorder have similar symptoms to those with bulimia. This type of eating disorder is similar to comfort eating, where the person suffering has an emotional trigger to a binge.

Sufferers typically eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time and usually feel a lack of control during binges, people with binge eating disorder do not restrict calories or use purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise to compensate for their binges.

Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• Eating large amounts of foods rapidly, in secret and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry.
• Feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating.
• Feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust or guilt, when thinking about the binge-eating behavior.
• No use of purging behaviors, such as calorie restriction, vomiting, excessive exercise or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binging.

Orthorexia (Healthy Obsession)

I’d say that this is the most common due to todays instagram culture. Now days with #healthyrecipes #paleo and #cleaneating floating about, and making a post go viral, a lot of people lose the ability to moderate and to allow the odd cheat meal or take out on the weekend. A person with orthorexia will be obsessed with defining and maintaining the perfect diet, rather than an ideal weight. She will fixate on eating foods that give her a feeling of being pure and healthy. An orthorexic may avoid numerous foods, including those made with:

• Artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, pesticides or genetic modification, Fat, sugar or salt, other ingredients considered to be unhealthy

Signs include

• Obsessive concern over the relationship between food choices and health concerns such as asthma, digestive problems, low mood, anxiety or allergies
• Increasing avoidance of foods because of food allergies, without medical advice
• Noticeable increase in consumption of supplements, herbal remedies or probiotics
• Drastic reduction in opinions of acceptable food choices, such that the sufferer may eventually consume fewer than 10 foods
• Irrational concern over food preparation techniques, especially washing of food or sterilization of utensils

Other tell tale signs (EDNOS; eating disorders not other specified);

• Feelings of guilt when deviating from strict diet guidelines
• Increase in amount of time spent thinking about food
• Regular advance planning of meals for the next day
• Feelings of satisfaction, esteem, or spiritual fulfillment from eating “healthy”
• Thinking critical thoughts about others who do not adhere to rigorous diets
• Fear that eating away from home will make it impossible to comply with diet
• Distancing from friends or family members who do not share similar views about food
• Avoiding eating food bought or prepared by others
• Worsening depression, mood swings or anxiety

How to approach someone who you believe could be suffering?

Unfortunately by the time you suspect an individual is suffering form an eating disorder, they’re already deep into the trenches of the disorder, and there is no ‘band-aid’ method. Im proof that no matter how deep into the throws of an eating disorder your child is there IS a way out! (Although it was a gory 4 year recovery process).

1)The first step is to educate yourself on the ins and outs of the disorder itself. EMPATHY is key to connecting and breaking through to your child, friend or family member! When something feels foreign to you, it is incredibly evident to the suffer and that disconnect in understanding will severely hinder the trust between you two. The individual suffering is in a state of torment and feels weak, so they need to feel that you are on this journey with them as a partner, and not some judgmental figure watching from the sidelines.

2) Gently approach the topic with your child, (never in an accusing manner!). A lot of the time parents have the tendency to point out all of the problems, but that can panic a child and make them feel even more hopeless then before! Make sure your child knows that you will work with them and explain the steps you will take to beat this thing together. When we have a game plan even the most unattainable goals feel attainable.

3) Consult a professional; before approaching your child to educate yourself, and to help set out the recovery strategy. Once again consult a professional with your child so that they have an external resource. (trust me from meal plans, to kidney and liver function you’ll need a professional guiding you along the way).

4) DO NOT COMMENT ON PHYSICAL CHANGES! words can trigger a relapse. “You look so much healthier” often equates to “you are fat.” “I am glad you look healthy again” often equates to “you are fat and don’t need to gain weight.” “You are so skinny I am worried” often equates to “losing weight is what will get people to care for me.” Don’t place any attention or emphasis on the physical appearance during the recovery process! Only the internal biological functions shown on medical tests.

The post Eating Disorders: All You Need To Know – & How To Prevent/Help appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Singaporean mama Jamie Lee talks in great detail about her experience with Postpartum Anxiety, including the warnings signs and treatment options, and her ongoing struggle to shake any perceived stigma of mental illness. And she is a stronger mama to her son because of it! If you have any worries or concerns about maternal wellbeing and mental health, contact Out Of The Blues here in Dubai. 

I’ve lived with anxious thoughts all my life. But not quite the kind I experienced after the birth of my son, Noah, in April 2017. I had a smooth and enjoyable pregnancy. At 38 weeks, I delivered a healthy baby boy within 7 hours of admission. Everything was going as planned and I couldn’t wait to finally embark on my journey as a mother. It was perhaps because things had gone so well that I was unprepared for what was to come.

During confinement, I had the usual worries about Noah’s milk intake, diaper output, and overall health. While these recurred throughout my day, these worries were manageable. It was not until I found myself bawling in my office toilet when I returned to work that I realized these thoughts were morphing into something more insidious.

During this episode, I saw a video of a child drowning in a baby spa because he was left unsupervised and I had thought it was Noah. My hands were shaking, my heart was racing, my chest tightened, and I was gasping for air. It took me a good few minutes to realize that it wasn’t Noah.

I knew something wasn’t quite right and became more aware of my thoughts and actions. I realized I was afraid to stand near windows while carrying Noah, regardless of whether they were opened or closed. I refused to step foot in my service yard because I had very vivid thoughts of him falling fifteen storeys. I would read horrifying news about how someone had bludgeoned a cat to death and worried this person would find my son. I would stay awake at night to ensure Noah was breathing as he slept. And when I did sleep, I had nightmares of him drowning in a bathtub because I left the water running.

I was afraid to talk about this because these thoughts seemed too gruesome for someone who had just welcomed her bundle of joy. But when a friend reached out, I plucked up the courage and confided in her. She encouraged me to see a psychiatrist and even accompanied me to the hospital. It was then that I was told my symptoms sounded like I had postpartum anxiety.

While I was familiar with postpartum depression, I was not at all aware of postpartum anxiety. Since then, I did some research and have four reasons why it is important we talk about this.

1. It’s a Hidden Disorder

In this article, postpartum anxiety is defined as when women have “a lot of fear, tension, poor concentration…and they’ll have a lot of intrusive, unwanted persistent thoughts, images, fears of the baby being harmed.”

Unlike symptoms of postpartum depression such as persistent sadness, worrying about your baby may seem normal to many, if not all, mothers. It is because of this perceived normalcy that postpartum anxiety is harder to recognize and often goes unnoticed by both mothers and the people around her. And while hospitals are equipped with the necessary screening tools to identify mothers with postpartum depression, that’s not the case for postpartum anxiety.

2. The Goddess Myth

According to TIME Magazine, the Goddess Myth is a rampant ideal that impacts mothers worldwide. It tells mothers, and everyone else, that we are expected to flawlessly journey through motherhood and feel fantastic while doing it. This ideal makes it difficult for mothers to speak freely about their struggles, for fear that they would be seen as an incapable mother unable to handle “normal worrying”.

So on top of poor public awareness, how do we prevent mothers with postpartum anxiety from falling through the cracks when the very source of this anxiety – the mother herself – thinks it’s unsafe to talk about?

3. A Higher Prevalence

While most research focuses on postpartum depression, not much focuses solely on postpartum anxiety. Results from the few studies done have shown that this disorder occurs more often in mothers than postpartum depression. For example, in a follow-up study of 310 Canadian pregnant women, postpartum anxiety was three times more common than postpartum depression. In another study done on 1,024 postpartum women, the percentage of women diagnosed with postpartum anxiety was twice as high.

4. Equally Debilitating

Just as with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety comes with debilitating symptoms. Mothers can have poor eating and sleeping habits and find it difficult to concentrate on the most menial of tasks. It may also manifest in physical symptoms like nausea, breathing difficulties, and panic attacks. In severe cases, medication is needed to cope with daily functioning.

I was offered a prescription of antidepressants and sessions once every two weeks with my psychiatrist, who was not able to give me a definitive answer on whether traces of the drug would be transferred to Noah via breastmilk. The thought of even a small trace worried me enough to reject the idea of medication altogether.

I agreed to therapy but later found it difficult to continually take time off work without anyone finding out I was seeing a psychiatrist. However, within those few sessions, I felt a sense of relief that fears I had initially deemed too gruesome to talk about, were spoken out loud, acknowledged, and understood. I was reminded of my strengths and taught how to steer my thoughts in a healthier direction.

I am still a work in progress. Looking back, I wish I knew it wasn’t “just a new mom thing,” or that I had to pull myself together on my own to be seen as a good mother. My only regret was not seeking treatment earlier because seeing a Psychiatrist meant I had a clearer understanding of what I had and how I was going to recover.

On top of medication and therapy, there are other resources that help support women who struggle with mental health issues. Mothers, if you have the slightest inkling that you may be suffering from postpartum anxiety, reach out. Nobody needs to do this alone and mama, you are no exception.

The post My Journey with Postpartum Anxiety and 4 Reasons We Need to Talk About It appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Dr. Nashila Farrah Jaffer is aChiropractic Physician, a mama of two and the founder of ‘We Rock The Spectrum‘, a relatively new play space in the Beach Park Plaza on Jumeirah Beach Road specifically developed to help child development (& a far cry from any other soft play area in Dubai). We chatted to her about why this space is about so much more than just fun!

Why did you decide to set up WRTS in Dubai?

I have been practicing as chiropractor for 17 years now and over the years I have seen more and more cases of children having developmental delays such as gross motor weakness, postural weakness and back pain at very young ages. I believe the reason for this is the sedentary lifestyle that we are all leading compared to 15 years ago when ipads and phones were not available. In the past, children led more active lifestyles because gadgets were not readily available like they are today, so kicking a football around or playing in the garden were the norm. Nowadays, children go to school from such an early age and have regular routines when really they should be actively learning and playing through movement. Movement is essential in the development of children’s neurological system. In fact 90%  of stimulation to the brain comes from movement of the spine. So this lack of movement I feel has significantly affected the growth and development of children today.

Being a mother myself, I have seen how important it is for my children to do something active every single day and in Dubai it is not the easiest with the hot summer months. Thankfully the parks are fabulous and they are a fantastic way to keep children moving and active and encourage a healthy lifestyle in the winter months. So when I came across We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym whilst searching online, I thought this would be perfect in Dubai as an indoor playground for children to fulfil their sensory and motor development needs whilst having fun.

I call it “Play with a Purpose.”

What kind of services and classes do you offer?

We have Open Play whereby you can come with your child at any time of day, just like a regular gym, so you don’t need to prebook in advance, just show up at any time during the day. We encourage parents to play with their child inside the gym, but we also have a Drop n’ Shop option where we can supervise your child for an hour or two. We have kids fitness classes, dance and drama classes, a maths enrichment program, birthday parties, coffee shop and free wifi too. We also work very closely with Pure Child Health, a centre that offers occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, and we run parent workshops at the gym to help educate parents about child development.

Why is it so important that parents take their children to a gym?

In a day and age where computers and ipads are so readily available, it is important for children to get into good habits early on and understand that movement is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. Just as adults go to the gym and exercise to keep themselves fit, the same should be available for children so that it becomes a habit. If we can encourage the importance of exercise from a young age we will avoid many more health problems later on in life.

What age should parents think about taking their kids to the gym?

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym welcomes children as young as one year old. There are fun swings to help with spatial awareness and movement as well as soft play toys, role play and arts and crafts to encourage fine motor skills, as well as social skills interacting with other children. From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other time in life. Scientific research has made clear that the quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life helps shape how their brain develops. Therefore, in my opinion I would encourage movement and activity as early as possible.

Tell us about some of the specific benefits from the exercises you offer?

There are ten pieces of equipment that will be found in every We Rock Kid’s Gym. These specialised pieces of equipment are all designed to stimulate your neurological system. For example, the climbing apparatus enhances body awareness, body scheme, motor planning and bilateral coordination. The child’s body weight, combined with gravity, provides additional proprioceptive feedback to the joints, helping the child coordinate their movement. The bolster swing provides a swinging side to side motion that is a great motor planning and motor sequencing activity. The trampoline builds lower body strength and helps to teach balance and provides a full body workout. The zip line, by far the most popular piece of equipment in the gym, is a great way to build upper extremity strength, muscle endurance, enhance the ability to integrate and tolerate movement and help give self-confidence as children challenge themselves to hold on long enough to get to the crash pit at the other end. the best part about it is that children are having fun whilst having a full workout without realising it!

How do your services and classes cater to children on the Autism spectrum specifically?

The equipment found at all We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gyms are the same pieces of equipment used in occupational therapy offices to help regulate children on the spectrum who experience sensory processing difficulties. In fact, statistics show that as many as one in six children experience sensory symptoms that could affect their everyday lives. We encourage parents with children on the spectrum to come and play with their child in an inclusive environment with children of all abilities. This encourages parent-child bonding, social interaction and a place where children of ALL abilities are welcomed. In addition, there are long waiting lists for some occupational therapy clinics and it can also be unaffordable for some families.

How is the gym fully inclusive? And how do you cater to differently abled children?

The gym is fully inclusive as we encourage children of all abilities to learn, play and grow together in a safe environment. We do not differentiate children into separate groups as the whole purpose and vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all kids to play together. Our staff are fully trained on the specialised equipment and we have a Calming Room for children who may need a break from the excitement of the gym.

We took our kids to We Rock The Spectrum and they LOVED it, mamas! Check it out for yourselves: 
www.werockthespectrumdubai.com

The post The Play Space That Promotes Fun With Purpose & Child Development appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Why do it?

In celeb-land, everyone who is anyone has been on a juice diet. Beyonce swears her cayenne pepper concoction helped her drop twenty pounds in two weeks for a movie role, while Gwynnie, Fergie (Black Eyed Peas not disgraced royal!), Olivia Wilde and Salma Hayek are just a few of the hot mamas out there crediting juice diets with helping them get red carpet ready.

Now awards season may be over (and all my invites must have got mysteriously lost in the post!) but summer is coming and I’d really like to go home for the holidays, looking and feeling my best. So when the guys at Wild and the Moon invite me to try their entry-level essential detox programme for three days, I jump at the chance.

They tell me their carefully balanced juices will help my body eliminate toxins, reboot my system, increase my energy levels and even help me lose weight. And, they promise, their juices actually taste good. Where do I sign?

Read more: Mamas Who Lunch (Healthily) At Wild & The Moon

What does it involve?

Put simply, juice! For three days, I have to cut out everything but their essential programme, which consists of a ‘bam shot in the morning and five juices to have, spaced at different intervals (they suggest 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm), through the rest of the day. They also advise cutting down on processed foods and upping your intake of leafy greens in the days before you start but I’m afraid I warmed up with a McDonalds because I have a demanding four year old (and a sugar problem). Hey, if I were already a healthy eater, I wouldn’t need the programme, right?

So is it hard?

I must admit I felt totally daunted when the first delivery (yes, mamas they’ll bring them to you so there’s really no excuse!) arrived and I unwrapped five bottles of juice, some of which looked like pond water. But of the ten different juices I tried (day three’s juices are the same as day one!) there was only one that I didn’t like (and that’s because I hate pomelo). The rest were delicious and because you get to have five a day, you genuinely don’t have the chance to go hungry.

What do the juices really taste like?

See above. One of them was a bit too grapefruit-y for my liking but there’s a huge variety. I could swig on ‘better than botox’ all day long. The juices are also a mix – some are fruitier and refreshing, while the ones that you drink instead of a lunchtime meal tend to be a bit creamier (yummo almond milk) so they fill you up and make you feel like you’re having a treat.

Are there any side effects?

Other than suddenly sympathising with the dog every time she eyed up somebody’s else’s food, none! No headaches, hunger pangs or emergency trips to the loo. Hub claims that my temper was shorter than usual, but perhaps he was just being more annoying than usual. Jury’s out on that one!

Did it work?

Definitely! Not only did I lose 0.2 of a kilo in three days, but my stomach definitely felt flatter. More importantly, it made me more mindful when it comes to food. I realized how often I reach for a snack out of boredom, deal with stress by diving into the biscuits or finish the kiddos’ food because it’s there. Cutting out the crap has made me reevaluate my entire approach and I’m already planning my next cleanse.

The details…

Wild and the Moon offers two detox packages – the essential for beginners or the intense for those who’ve juiced before – for either one, three or five days at a time. Packages start from 270 AED/day. For more information click here. 

The post Summer Juice Cleanse: Why do it and What does it involve? appeared first on Sassy Mama.

I have been pregnant for what feels like two years now and I have reached a stage, 36 weeks in, where just getting up from the sofa is a job for a professional contortionist. I am still working full time so pampering has not been very high on my priority list but when the Sassy Mama team got in touch asking me if I would review the pregnancy massage service at Sensasia for their online magazine, I was literally on it.

So there I went on a Sunday morning (best time to have a pampering treat and start the week on a high, trust me!) to Sensasia’s Jumeirah 1 branch to road test their Yummy-Mummy to be massage for a whole 90 minutes of what I can only describe as pure bliss. The whole experience was flawless in my book: from the warm welcome with cold towel and fresh lemon infused water, to the perfectly executed massage itself (I think my wonderful therapist called Margie may have a been an angel fallen from the sky) and the after-treatment healthy snack and ginger tea in the relaxing room.

Being 8 months pregnant is pretty challenging in itself physically let alone when trying to lie down in a comfortable position. The treatment rooms have ridiculously comfortable massage tables and they use a bunch of lovely soft pillows and perfectly rolled up towels as props to get you in the right position. I felt so cosy I think I nodded off a few times throughout the treatment. Sorry Margie! Another bug bear of mine, and pregnant ladies out there will understand my frustration, is that usually getting a massage when expecting is not much more than a gentle light rub and a stroke up your back for a hour.

Lovely enough and better than a kick in the teeth of course but not exactly doing anything for those tired limbs, swollen ankles and painful lower back… My therapist at Sensasia knew exactly what she was doing and actually applied decent pressure to those tragically painful areas of my pregnant body and it did wonders for my water retention. I relaxed completely for over an hour, something I think hadn’t happened in about 8 months! I had read on various mama forums about the reputation of Sensasia’s mum-to-be massages and it certainly lived up to its high expectations. Their website has a warning their massages can get addictive and I am sorry to report it may well be true as I am already planning to book my next session in a couple of weeks.

All the details:
Yummy Mama-to-be Massage
A specialised bump friendly massage to prevent stretch marks, relieve fatigue, hydrate the skin or ease fluid retention.
Price: 445 DHS | 550 DHS
Timings: 60 MIN | 90 MIN
4 locations: Downtown, Emirates Golf Club, Palm Jumeirah/Golden Mile, The Village/Jumeirah 1
www.sensasiaspas.com

You get 10% off your next treatment if booked within 30 days from today on your initial massage. The offer expires on June 15, 2018.

The post Yummy Mummy-to-be massage at Sensasia appeared first on Sassy Mama.

The daily grind of being a mum can be chaotic. We have never-ending to-do lists, are constantly juggling schedules and social calendars, and work hard to keep our families healthy. The sad truth is often times our own health routine can get put on the back burner. It’s important to remember, however, that taking charge of your health through regular check-ups can address potential health issues before they become a problem. To help you be your best self, we put together a list of some important health checks for mamas in their 30s, 40s and 50s to stay in tip top shape.

In your 30s

Full Gynecological Check

Something you should already be familiar with! All women in their 30s need to make sure their gynaecologist is conducting annual full pelvic and breast exams and a Pap smear (Papanicolaou test). Pelvic exams are a screening for cervical cancer and check for abnormalities such as growths. A breast examination looks for things such as bumps, lumps discharge and rashes. Pap smear tests include a collection of cervical cells with a swab. The purpose of this screening test is to pick up pre-cancerous abnormalities in the cervix prior to becoming cancerous.
If you do get a call from the doctor indicating your Pap smear test results are abnormal, then don’t ring the alarm bells just yet. Remember, this is a screening (not diagnostic) test and a further investigation or a re-do of your swab test may be required.

Thyroid Test

This blood test checks your level of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). High TSH levels can mean you have an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), which is often linked to weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, and brittle nails. Low TSH levels associated with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) are linked to symptoms such as a fast pulse, insomnia, and weight loss that can’t be attributed to diet or activity changes.

The American Thyroid Association reccomends screening to start at age 35 and then every five years thereafter. If you have a family history of this disease, however, it’s recommended to start testing even earlier. If you start to notice symptoms at any age, it’s recommended to get checked out immediately. A thyroid problem is treatable and can be temporary. Up to 10% of women develop one after giving birth, which is often mistaken for post partum depression. If youre pregnant, chat to your GP about getting tested after the delivery of your baby.

Skin Examination

Skin examinations are recommended from an early age. Even people of colour can get skin cancer from UV damage, so everyone should be taking care to use protection when out in the sun. Being aware of your own skin and noticing moles, freckles blemishes or birthmarks can help detection of skin cancers early. The American Cancer Society recommends women examine their skin every month at home. If you are fair skinned, have a history of sunburns or tanning beds, have a weak immune system, or have a family history, you may be at higher risk and should speak with your doctor or dermatologist about frequency of in-office exams. It’s time to schedule your next appointment right away if you notice any asymmetry (A), changes in border (B), changes in color (C), changes in diameter (D), or any evolving moles (E). Also, keep in mind that skin cancer can happen anywhere on the body so don’t be modest when speaking to your doctor or dermatologist about ANY areas of concern (even places where the sun don’t shine).

In your 40s

Mammogram

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breasts which screens for cancer. There are two types: film and digital. Both are effective for spotting tumors, but research shows that digital mammography is significantly better if you are under the age of 50 or have very dense breasts, according to the National Cancer Institute. A mammogram is essential for picking up smaller tumors that are likely to be in a more treatable stage. Early detection and treatment can help prevent the spread of the disease and increase your odds of recovery. It’s recommended that women have this check-up annually starting at age 40. However if your sister or mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, then it is advised you get tested five to 10 years earlier than the age in which she was diagnosed.

Most mammograms are followed up with a routine email/ letter letting you know that the results were normal, but if you do receive a call back from your doctor, don’t assume the worst. It may mean that images were unclear or need to be retaken, or that your doctor may want to examine an area more closely to compare it with your screening (previous) mammogram. Any areas of concern can then be more carefully studied.

Diabetes test

Checking your blood glucose level is helpful in diagnosing pre-diabetes and diabetes (which can often times go unnoticed). Diabetes is a growing threat to people world over, and its estimated that one in 10 people suffer from this disease due to poor nutrition, lack of exercise and/or unhealthy lifestyle choices. The health risks are serious and linked to problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or blindness.

Diabetes blood testing is recommended to start at age 45 and then every three years thereafter. If you are overweight, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoke, or have a family history of diabetes, you should talk to your doctor earlier and receive regular check-ups more frequently (every one to two years). Your risk factor for diabetes can be significantly lowered through diet and regular exercise.

Cholesterol Test

Cholesterol screening should begin at age 40 and should continue every five years thereafter (unless you smoke or show risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease). Cholesterol levels are measured through a blood test to provide your total cholesterol: “good” HDL, “bad” LDL, your triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood). Triglycerides are affected most by what you’ve recently eaten so that’s why it’s recommended you fast before taking your next cholesterol screening.

High cholesterol is linked to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Estrogen levels raise HDL “good” cholesterol so as you approach menopause, and your estrogen levels naturally drop, it is thought that your risk may increase. If your cholesterol levels are high, your health care practitioner will be able to provide you with information on cholesterol control through diet, exercise and/or medication.

In your 50s

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopies are known to be pretty unpleasant but are a necessary test for early detection of colon cancer. This is important because colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers (for both men and women) in Hong Kong, which increases with age. In a colonoscopy test a doctor will insert a long malleable tube with a small camera through the rectum to check for small growths that can potentially become cancerous. During this time you are sedated and any suspicious growths are removed for further testing. This test is recommended every five to 10 years, however if you have a family history of this disease than earlier/more frequent testing may be required.

Bone Density (DEXA) Scan

DEXA scans measure bone mass (levels of calcium and minerals) in your bones through an X-ray to indicate bone strength. It’s recommended that women entering menopause should receive this test. As your oestrogen levels decrease with age, your risk for osteoporosis increases. Those at higher risk for this disease are Caucasian and Southeast Asian, those with small frames, or family history. Bone density testing is a good indicator of fracture risk; a serious health concern that can leave you hospitalised and/or immobile for some time.

Prevention is helped by consuming calcium-rich foods, a high consumption of vitamin D, and by making weight bearing exercise part of your health routine.

Sassy Mama Tip: Just remember to always be your own advocate when it comes to your health. If something doesn’t seem right, be sure to seek second (or, perhaps third) opinions in cases where your life and health may be affected adversely.

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