Finding Balance

As National Sugar Week comes to a close, this feels like the perfect reminder, balance takes practice. ⚖️

It’s not about cutting everything out or chasing perfection. It’s about finding what makes you feel your best, in movement, in food and in life.

The same principles we use in Pilates apply everywhere: control, awareness and consistency. When you bring those into how you eat and move, everything feels a little steadier, a little calmer and a lot more you. 🌿

Let’s keep finding balance, one mindful move at a time.

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Finding balance

Weekend sugar challenge! 👀

Can you spot which of these has more sugar?

1️⃣ Pasta sauce or homemade tomato sauce?

Many ready-made sauces are packed with hidden sugar to boost flavour and shelf life. A homemade version using chopped tomatoes, herbs and olive oil can cut that sugar right down, and tastes fresher too!

2️⃣ Orange juice or cola (per 75ml glass)?

Surprisingly, both contain a similar amount of sugar, around 6–7g per 75ml serving. The difference is natural vs refined: orange juice sugar comes from fruit, but with the fibre removed it hits your bloodstream almost as fast as the refined sugar in cola.

3️⃣ Plain yoghurt with blueberries or a cereal bar?

Cereal bars can contain 2–3 teaspoons of added sugar, even the ones marketed as “healthy”. Pairing plain yoghurt with fresh fruit gives natural sweetness plus fibre, antioxidants and protein, far more satisfying and nourishing.

It’s not about perfection, it’s about awareness. Knowing what’s really in your food helps you make small, smart changes that keep your energy steady.

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Can you spot the sugar?

Juice or Cola

Yoghurt & Blueberries or a Cereal Bar

Pasta Sauce or Homemade Sauce

Stress & Sugar Cravings – The Surprising Link

Ever wondered why stressful days often end with you reaching for something sweet? 🍫 It’s not just willpower, there’s real science behind it.

When we’re stressed, our body releases cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol raises blood sugar to give us a quick energy burst, preparing us to “fight or flee”. The problem is, modern stress doesn’t come from sabre-toothed tigers (well not normally), it’s work, family, traffic, life! So when cortisol rises, we crave sugar to feed that response.

Short-term it might make you feel better, but over time it can leave your blood sugar on a constant rollercoaster, leading to energy dips, mood swings and even more cravings.

Here’s the good news: movement and mindful breathing help reduce cortisol naturally. A few minutes of Pilates, a gentle walk or some deep belly breathing can calm your nervous system and steady those cravings before they hit.

So next time you’re feeling stressed, try this: pause, breathe, move — then decide if you really need that sugar fix. You might be surprised by the answer 💛

Follow me for more tips and exercises.

#NationalSugarWeek #HealthyHabits

#corporatepilates #corporatewellbeing #corporatewellness

#pilates #gateshead #birtley #chesterlestreet #lowfell #pilatesgateshead #pilatesbirtley #dawnchambersfitness

The Surprising Link