New Toys!

Even as someone who has enjoyed working out for twenty odd years, new stuff still helps give a little umph to my workout. I thought I'd share some things I bought while I was in the states-nothing particularly new and unheard of-but fun and helpful just the same.

First off is the new foam roller I picked up at Walmart (of all places!) for just $15.

 Most of you have heard many of us bloggers talk about Self Myofacial Tissue Release at some stage over the years, and I can not emphasize enough how awesome this is. It's something that can be done at home, at the gym, on the road..wherever. I highly recommend it to anyone that is physically active; whether you are a dancer, runner, weight lifter, body builder-you name it-this should be added to the end of your daily exercise routine. I do it every single day whether I workout with weights or run-just before my yoga stretches.
There are plenty of online outlets you can purchase one from. And there are heaps of videos and info to help you through the stretches-I've added one below.


Next up is this book on running for women.

As someone who has tried numerous times over the years to really get into running, but failed due to injury & lack of knowledge (due to laziness and not researching it!), I've been motivated by a few other bloggers like KELLY O to research it more and give it another go. Yes, even someone who's been a fitness enthusiast like me for years and years needs a kick up the bum to research something she doesn't know allot about! So, I found this great book which has given me some great tips and a good plan for improving my running technique. That along with new running shoes that I bought has really made jogging fun and less painful. I've still got a long way to go (in the book and in my running ability). But I feel this has me on the right path. If you are just starting running, or thinking about it-I highly recommend this book for getting you started on the right path too!

Last up for today is my new running shoes! I actually bought 2 different kinds-I had bought some Asics shoes (gel 1150) at the beginning of my trip as they were a good price; but I ended up seeing some Saucony for an even a better price at the end of my trip-and when I tried them on I absolutely loved them! They are the Saucony Grid Cohesion 3 running shoes.

 I really believe these are helping me to run with less pain in the hip-very airy. Love them! And they were only $50 US! If you have had pain in your body while running-it's probably got allot with your shoes-go out and get something better; it's definitely worth checking out.

That's it for today. I'll share a few other things later in the week. Get out there and get moving! And if you need a little pick me up-treat yourself to a new workout gadget!
Ciao for now!

Make a decision and stick to it

After a busy weekend of training clients, unpacking and cleaning, today I am sitting here quite happy and content in the knowledge that I did not let one drop of alcohol come near my lips during my three and a half week visit in the states. YAY ME! Yes, I am quite proud...I was truly tested as I was surrounded by alcohol almost daily. Camping, parties, eating out and any other social occasion I was at, almost everyone was drinking. But you know what-it didn't matter-I made a decision almost one year ago and I'm sticking to it, no matter what.

Oh sure, there were several times that a thread of thought passed my mind where I'd think "oh, I'd like to taste that particular kind of wine" or "oh, a beer right now as we sit on the lake in this heat would be quite nice"....I'd be lying if I said that those thoughts didn't enter my mind-I am an addict after all. But I took a moment and shut down the thought before even contemplating acting on it. For me that is the key-shut it down as soon as the thought enters the mind.

To me, the key to dealing with any craving...whether it be alcohol, tobacco, sweets, shopping, you name it, is sticking to the promise you make to yourself. If you make a decision to conquer your addiction, then you should do whatever it takes to follow through. It's different for everybody, some people need counselling, some people need full on aversion therapy, others can deal with reading books and being involved in forums. The point is, whatever your addiction-if it's serious enough to cause you trouble in your life-now or in the future and/or make you question your actions and you've decided to do something about-then do it. Stick to it, no matter what. There is heaps of help out there-something for everybody; you just have to find that thing. It will take work-but isn't your health and the happiness of you and those around you worth it? Not to mention the dangers of addictions like alcohol when it comes to driving and taking care of children. Don't you owe it to yourself to keep the promise?

I am just 2 days away from a full year of not touching alcohol. I'm not proud of my addiction-but I am proud that I've thus far conquered it and intend to keep conquering it. I will never let it control me again.

Have a great week!
Ciao for now!

I'm Back!

Hello Blog Land!  I'm back in Aus after a month away visiting family and friends in the US. Had a really great visit with everyone from Oregon to California. Got out for jogs, zumba, kickboxing and did some kayaking. Even got into the gym for a decent upper body workout...was originally going to take the whole month off from weights-but, well, ya know how I love my weights!

So, even with all of that activity, I did gain a few pounds from too much eating. I was quite vigilant the first couple of weeks-however, but I did indulge in some sweets (ice cream anyone?!), and too much bread; not too mention dealing with many different eating habits and schedules of my friends and family. But that's ok....no reason to beat myself up over it. I knew what I was doing when I did it, and I know what to do to rectify it.

Now that I'm back home, I am straight back on to my "normal" eating and exercise habits. That's the key here folks-get straight back into it when you get home. Don't kick yourself and start emotional eating from stressing out about the mistakes you made-just get back in there.

Today I went for a nice jog; I will get back on the weights starting on Sunday...after all, I just flew in yesterday-I don't want to push myself too soon otherwise I leave myself open to injury and illness. So, a couple of days of clean eating, and mild exercise and by Sunday I will be rip roaring and ready to go!

My hip and hammy are doing better since I have been doing some new yoga stretches regularly; still not %100 but moving in the right direction.

I've got lots of unpacking and cleaning to do and a brand new client this arvo, so I'm off to the races; but check out my garden! John went to town while I was away and surprised me with it. Before I left, it was a mud patch since it was raining every day and I couldn't even get out to weed it-he weeded, mulched, fertilized, and put up new climbing lines-what a lovely coming home gift!

Ciao for now!

Greetings from Oregon!

Hi guys! How are ya? I'm doing great!  Been having a super fab time visiting with the family...getting a bit of exercise in...though I am eating quite a bit more than normal-but NOT DRINKING! Yes-I have managed to have heaps of fun while maintaining my sobriety...go me! I will pat myself on the back, thank you very much. It's simply been a test of mind over matter; I just set my mind to not want to drink. Not easy at all times-but I never gave in and won.

Like I said, though, I have been eating a bit more, I'm on vacation after all! But I've done a bit of jogging and yoga-will go to the gym tomorrow and again next week-so am keeping the vacation bloat minimal. I know as soon as I get back to Aus and my normal schedule and eating patterns-it'll all come good pretty quick.

Below are a couple of pics from my first weekend here-with my BFF and one of my little brothers...gettin' down! :-)

That's about it from here. Just thought I'd check in and say hey! What do you do to keep the holiday bloat minimal when on vacation? Do you still exercise or bag it all?
Ciao for now!

Vacation is no excuse to neglect the body

Hi guys! How are ya? Me, I'm great! Having a wonderful visit with family & friends. Jet lag barely affected me this year; allergies have been quite minimal (with the exception of one night this week); hip and hammy not too bad-even went for a jog today!

That's right, went for a jog even on vacation. After all, my body doesn't know or care that my mind is taking a break-it still works the same way-burns calories or builds fat...day or night, vacation or not!  So, yes-I'm not be super anal with my food...have enjoyed a bit of cake and chocolate...but still eating my good healthy proteins and veggies! Yes, I'm taking a break from the weights-but that is for healing purposes; I've still been out doing good brisk walks, did a zumba class, have been doing my yoga stretches and even went for a jog today!

Tried out my new Underarmour bra and Asics running shoes-both quite awesome! I highly recommend both for running.....well the bra only if you are a bit more full up top....hehehe.

We are off to camping tomorrow-so today is prep, prep, prep! Should be fun, and I'm planning...if the water is too terribly cold-to get some therapeutic swimming in...hoping to heal that damn  hammy.

So, there ya go!
Are you keeping yourself well? Hope so!
Ciao for now!