Be An Active Aussie!

HBF Run for a Reason - Perth, 2012

I really enjoyed participating in the 14km HBF Run for a Reason 2012 a few weeks ago!

8km Harry's Spring Run-Off to fight
prostate cancer - Toronto, 2011 

There are loads of awesome benefits associated with heading outdoors, getting active and enrolling in some upcoming community events. The list of positives is endless but here's a few inspiring thoughts that come to mind for me:

• The fantastic weather we've got here in sunny Australia
• The inspiring stories that motivate people to fundraise and donate
• The chance to meet and socialise with other healthy, active people
• The enthusiasm of the crowds as the count-down begins
• The noticeable Australian mate-ship at big events that encourages the crowds to pull together and support each other 
• Involvement alongside peers gives us a sense of belonging 
• Event completion leads to satisfaction and accomplishment - Aussies love getting personal bests



Bike the Drive with buddies - Chicago, 2010

• Results and healthy competition push us to reach for the stars!

About this time last year I was discussing fitness goals with friends. I remember saying how great it would be to participate in a range of 'fun runs' all around Australia. Why not do the City To Surf or City to Bay in every state? Would be a pretty cool accomplishment! I'll add it to my fitness bucket-list.

The great thing is that there will always be a range of great team events and community challenges to participate in here in Australia.

Are you getting involved in any upcoming events that I don't even know about yet? Keep me in the loop - I hope to see some of your friendly faces at awesome outdoor events in future!

I ran to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation in last year's
City to Surf - Perth, 2011

30 Day Detox

In the spirit of fitness and holistic healthy living I decided to go for one month without an alcoholic drink.

Enjoy a Booze-Free Month

No I'm not a massive drinker. Not these days anyway! But it's always nice to have the occasional glass of wine. Or a beer with the boys. Perhaps a G&T on a Friday night. Or a cocktail for a special occasion...

Incredible how much these things add up. Time and money alone are great incentives to cut back the social drinking. Since recently I was a little lacking on both the time and money fronts, I figured a one month detox was the perfect solution.

Quite surreal how hard you can find it to 'just say no' though. With friends, family, colleagues and pretty much all other social circles meeting regularly at the local watering hole, you realise it's the social aspect that you miss, rather than the drinks themselves. Australian pub culture lives on!

I know many who still socialise at the bar but switch out a beer for a coke or lemonade... But as far as I see it that's switching from one toxin to another. As anti-social as it may feel at first, try swapping the booze for a mineral water; soda water & fresh lime or... herbal tea? You'd be surprised how quickly your mates will get over caring about what you're drinking, they'll soon get straight back into their ongoing banter and fun conversations.

Don't get me wrong, it's good fun to go out and grab a drink with friends. But the one month detox was a great way to learn a little self-disciplin, re-prioritise and catch up with people for coffee rather than wine. Enjoyable experience and a little mini-milestone achieved, but I still believe it's no worries enjoying everything in moderation - including moderation! ;)

Run Forrest Run!

Over the past few years I've fallen in love with running. It's an effective, free and fun activity you can do absolutely anywhere, anytime. 

In case you haven't heard, I'm a total travel junkie. Moving country and being frequently 'on the move' makes it hard to commit to just one gym or health club. So running is my drug and the easiest way to get fit fast with a transient lifestyle.

Chuck on a quality sports bra, a breathable top, decent pair of sports socks to prevent blisters. Then grab your sneakers, a hat and, for those who can't move without tunes, your iPod and you'll be ready to rumble!

I've been blessed enough to run in a number of epic locations. From the 'Rocky' steps in Philadelphia, to the canals of London, through snowy streets of Toronto, the New Jersey waterfront where I could see views of New York City, the suburbs of Santiago and parklands in Bosnia Herzegovina. But want to know the best bit? You can run right here in Perth: around Herdsman Lake, through Kings Park, along the beachfront, at Perry Lakes, through your local suburbs. The list is endless (as will be your passion for smashin' the pavement after a couple of jogs!)

Epic ocean views from the jogging path 

by Hillarys Marina

Running burns calories quickly helping you to achieve weight loss, increases your cardiovascular health, strengthens your bones, stimulates your mood and improves your coordination.

Make the most of the remaining sunny weather and exercise outdoors NOW. Release those positive endorphins, sweat out the stress. Run today, you'll smile tonight (and don't forget to stretch, or you'll feel mighty sore tomorrow!)

Connecting with Sand, Surf and Yoga

I need to share with you my absolute favourite outdoor activity last weekend!

Stu brings yoga back to nature on the sand at City Beach

Went down to City Beach at about 8:45am on Saturday morning, wandered over the dunes and down onto the sand. There I met up with Stu Watkins and his awesome group of devoted beach yogis who hit the beach most Saturday mornings during summer (dependent on good weather) to follow his practice on the sand.

Stu's Akhanda Yoga Flow is a beautiful chance to get outside, soak up some rays and get in touch with nature. The hour long practice takes you through many traditional yoga poses as well as a few fun combinations that Stu puts together. He always saves some time for free-stylin' so you can do whatever feels natural and right in the moment. There's some additional fun times and giggles too - I've never gone to one of his classes without cracking a massive smile! :)

A gorgeous location and blissful way to start my Saturday

Amazingly enough I have known Stu since we were kids. Perth, as everyone who lives here probably realises, is quite a small and interconnected place! Stu and I both attended Coolbinia Primary school what feels like a very long time ago. But having having common background with him is irrelevant. His manner and grace with everyone he meets is so evident. People gravitate to him and appreciate his calm nature and friendly smile. These beautiful attributes shine through in the way he leads his practice - sharing a soulful message with those who practice in a way which offers thought provoking ideas, fitness and fun!

AKHANDA & VINYASA ASANA YOGA FLOW: Stu's classes incorporate two adaptable styles of yoga and cater to people with all levels of experience. He has taught and practiced all over the globe and travelled to the Himalayas in India to study Akhanda Yoga with its founder, Yogi Vishvketu. Stu is a holistic life coach as well as fitness trainer so you will notice his classes combine the ancient teachings of yoga with the application of modern Western philosophies. The end result is an awesome and effective experience which leaves you feeling inspired and focused on health, well being and balance.

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Saturday morning, 9:00-10:00am. On the sand at City Beach (drive along West Coast Highway
• COST: This blissful session is what you make it and you get to pay what you wish to attend
• TEACHER: Stu Watkins
• STU'S WEBSITE: www.stuartbwatkins.com

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Pilates for a Healthy Life

Revisited Healthy Life Fitness Centre to use their great facilities and massive upstairs group fitness room. This time decided to check out a pilates class. The teacher, Lisa, was very patient and dedicated effort to explaining and demonstrating each exercise and showing us what not to do. Sounds simple but very important to know because it's often easy to take a shortcut option which will not only minimize the benefit of the exercise but sometimes add additional strain or stress to weak points in the body like your neck and lower back.

Noticed a few familiar faces from the Yoga class I took at this gym a few weeks back. Great to see a few regulars who clearly love this gym and come back time and time again. Based on my experiences I'm happy to say that I'll be back again soon too!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Thursday morning, 8:15am-9:15pm. Healthy Life Fitness Centre.
• COST: $17.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Lisa
• BRING: You need to bring along your own mat, a towel to support your head, neck or knees and a water bottle.
• BEST BITS: Liked that Lisa spent time explaining the postures for the benefit of everyone in the class.
• HEALTHY LIFE FITNESS CENTRE TIMETABLE: www.healthylifefitness.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★

Yoga for a Healthy Life

Shakespeare once asked 'what's in a name?' At the Healthy Life Fitness Centre the name just says it all. It's a well laid out gym located right by Whiford City Shopping Centre where people can move about, twist and shout plus (most importantly) sweat it out to raise their fitness levels and develop a healthy life.

Today's class with Sandy was an experienced yoga class and I could definitely tell the difference when I compare it to some of the beginners classes that I have recently attended. Although she began the class slowly and eased us into our practice it was not long until she was asking us to take a complex sun salutation series at our own pace and hold advanced balance poses for significant periods of time.

The Healthy Life Fitness Centre has a really large group fitness room and the class was clearly a popular choice. Sandy had a great rapport with a number of students and although the skill levels varied it was pretty clear that everyone in the room had practiced yoga at least a few times before. Really enjoyed the experience and would definitely go back again!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Friday morning, 11:15am-12:15pm. Healthy Life Fitness Centre.
• COST: $17.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Sandy
• BRING: You need to bring along your own mat to this practice. An ideal option is 'The Mat' from lululemon athletica. It is a serious yoga mat with super-grippy PU (polyurethane) top layer to stop you slipping during your power and flow yoga class. This ultra-thick mat has four different layers of rubber and PU so gives excellent cushioning for your knees, hips and spine. It is treated with an additive called ultra-freshTM which prevents the growth of mildew and bacteria. 'The Mat' is clearly called 'The Mat' for a reason! ;)
• BEST BITS: This class was just great but I'd say definitely for advanced yogis rather than first timers. Everything from shoulder stands to self-led sun salutations, the group was definitely kept on their toes! 
• HEALTHY LIFE FITNESS CENTRE TIMETABLE: www.healthylifefitness.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★