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Products We Love
PRODUCTS
We Love
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Like our friends over at Twisted Healthy Treats, we don’t believe in food guilt. But with their new low-energy, all-natural lite ice-creams and frozen yoghurts, it was never a consideration anyway. At just 75 calories, you can down a decadent post-dinner dessert without smashing your macros, while the live and active probiotics help you effectively utilise protein and keep your immune and digestive systems healthy. So, eat up! $9.50 (4 pack), twistedhealthytreats.com.au
New activewear brand Flextt certainly caught our attention, and we have a feeling it might catch yours, too. The brainchild of Model and Dancer Taya Brooks, and Fashion Designer and Cheerleader Tayla Hope, their first collection provides the perfect mix of fashion and function. Think dark and moody black and red streetwear in eye-catching shapes meets highperforming fabrics and quality construction to get you through your gruelling gym sesh. We love. $79.95 (Tri Crop) and $69.95 (Bikie Short), flextt.com
Sick of struggling up the stairs or sitting on the toilet after leg day? While magnesium sprays are nothing new to the fitness realm, we have found one that’s a little bit different. Karma Rub is a highly concentrated form of liquid magnesium and trace elements designed to be massaged straight into tired and tight muscles to dull the pain of DOMS and have you recovering faster. Which means you’ll be back lifting heavy (and performing other everyday tasks) quicker and ache-free. For pricing and more information, visit karmarub.com
Our favourite finds from the world of health and fitness.
Looking to add a high-quality natural protein source into your daily nutrition, but can’t find quite the right fit? Crafted from high-quality, certified organic plant proteins and ancient grains and superfoods, bRaw Ultimate Plant Protein is worth a taste. It’ll naturally fuel your body, while being free of gluten, vegan-friendly and fortified with digestive enzymes and amino acids. Did we mention it also tastes amazing? $34.95, braw.com.au
Put your milk back in the fridge and ditch the icky post-dairy feeling with Beforeyouspeak Creamer, the healthy alternative for your coffee, recipes, shakes and smoothies. With a hearty dose of heart-friendly fats and fibre, it’s perfect for anyone following a ketogenic or low-carb diet. Add the gut health benefits of the water-soluble acacia fibre, and your insides are going to be forever thankful. The Creamer contains zero gluten, is vegan-friendly, and comes in three subtle flavours: chocolate, vanilla, and coconut. $59.95, beforeyouspeakcoffee.com
Officially join the STRONG Australia family with our newly launched racerback singlets. Their flattering fit and epically soft and breathable material make you feel as though you are training in nothing at all (while still covering all the important bits). Available in sizes small, medium and large, and your choice of dark or light grey. $29.95, strongfitnessmag.com.au S EDITOR TESTED
Isabella Nichols
Professional Surfer and bRaw Ambassador
Hailing from small-town Queensland, 22-year-old Pro Surfer Isabella Nichols has been hitting the waves since before she could recall her times tables – and yet she still admits she has a lot to learn. In our third edition of Last Word, Nichols reveals the training, nutrition and recovery protocols that have enabled her to be ranked number one in the Women’s QS series, selected as a stunt double for actress Blake Lively in the movie The Shallows, and brought on board as a brand ambassador for the likes of Billabong and bRaw.
CAREER SNAPSHOT I’m a professional surfer competing around the world on the World Qualifying Series, so I get to do what I love every day while travelling to beautiful places. My most memorable moment so far would have to be qualifying for the Dream Tour in 2020 – it’s something I’d been working towards for a very long time.
ON LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Keeping fit and healthy is necessary for both my career and the way I want to live my life. If I haven’t trained in a little while, I can definitely feel a huge difference in my surfing and that sits in the back of my mind during a contest. To me, it’s all about the mind frame! When I’m eating well, training hard and surfing, I feel happy and strong – physically and mentally.
A DAY IN MY SHOES I’ll wake for the early surf and clock up about an hour in the water, depending on the weather. I’ll then come home to refuel, before hitting the gym and possibly another surf, and then I dedicate time for a massage or another form of recovery.
WHY I CHOOSE BRAW I tried one of bRaw’s products a few months ago and fell instantly in love – I knew I had to meet with the team behind the brand. They are a bunch of great people who
PHOTO CREDIT: MARINA ALONSO
are super passionate about what they do and it made me even keener to be involved. It’s easy to spread the word about bRaw when the product is so good! My favourite bRaw product would definitely be their Ultimate Plant Protein Salted Caramel flavour! You just add water and it tastes amazing. I use it before and after training to ensure my protein intake and recovery is on point, and I also drink it between contest heats as a quick, convenient and tasty energy boost.
M Y G R E A T E S T C H A L L E N G E My mind – it cooperates with me at times, but it has also been the cause of a lot of grief and self-doubt over the years. I started seeing a sports psychologist a couple of years ago, who has taught me a lot about overcoming the anxieties that come with competing in sports on the world stage. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but it’s been nice to discover new ways to deal with stress.
FOOD PHILOSOPHY Everything in moderation. I love a bit of fun food every now and then, as long as it’s not in excess and doesn’t become a habit. I try to eat as healthy as I can, as often as I can.
RELAXATION 101 When I’ve got a bit of downtime, I love watching a good TV series, as I get hooked pretty quickly. Listening to music or reading a good book are also fantastic destresses for me.
SELF-CARE PRIORITY Get your daily exercise in: it helps to keep you happy and glowing. And just find time to do something you love each and every day – there’s no better definition of self-care than that.
My day on a plate
Breakfast: Porridge with berries or avocado on toast. Post-workout or surf: bRaw Ultimate Plant Protein shake. Lunch: Salad and chicken wrap or a serving of sushi. Dinner: Vegetable curry or steak and roasted vegetables.
ON KEEPING FIT WHILE ON THE MOVE It’s definitely a lot harder to eat healthy while on the road. Finding products that are similar to the ones that are found in Australia, and eating fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible are good places to start. I also travel with a few small pieces of exercise equipment, such as stretchy bands, sliders and a foam roller, to maintain my mobility and strength. If there is a gym nearby, I try to train as much as I can while I’m away.
MY HERO I look up to a lot of the women on tour. I think they are all very inspiring and they have done so much to get the sport to where it is today.
NEXT STEPS Some downtime! I’m not travelling as much for the next couple of months, so I’ll be training hard during the offseason and getting prepared for a big 2020. S
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