Fun Run

I just signed up for the annual Run for the Kids fun run on the 1st of April!  Last year I couldn't run in it due to injury, and it is one of my favourite fun runs.  It also raises money for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday appeal, so it's a great cause as well as a reason to get in better running shape!  I have elected to go in the 14.38km course which means some serious training will be happening over the new couple of months!

And with serious training comes the need to get some cute new shoes.  We have a little unofficial competition at my work for loud and colourful shoes and this is certainly reflected in my choices below!

1. Nike Lunar Racer Plus
2. Asics Gel Blur
3. Adidas adiZero F50
4. Saucony ProGrid 
(my current favourites for general gym work/classes)
5. Nike Free
6. Saucony ProGrid Kinvara
All available here

**international shipping tip**
There are shipping restrictions to Australia on some footwear purchased from the US as the items are significantly cheaper from US retailers.  I use hopshopgo.com to freight my shoes, its reliable, easy to use and still saves you a lot of money :)

The diet

In order to try and be far healthier in 2012, I have taken on the Bodyism diet, also known as the Clean and Lean Diet.


Devised by Australian personal trainer James Duigan, he now live in the UK and trains some of the most famously in shape celebs: Elle MacPherson, Rosie Huntington Whitely, Holly Valance and Hugh Grant are just a few of his clients.  


I first bought James' book "the Clean & Lean Diet" around 12 months ago.  I was really impressed by what he was writing about and his approach to food.  I have since bought his second book "Clean & Lean: Flat Tummy Fast".  Again, full of useful info and a few great recipes.  But the real clincher to me getting on board this diet was his latest release "The Clean & Lean Cookbook" which has a heap of recipes, rather than just a few dotted throughout the book.  And can I tell you I am now an absolute convert to his ways.  The reason is I love food.  Like really love it, and this does not feel like deprivation.  He encourages you to have a calorie laden meal once a week and really enjoy it.  Its just rather about smarter choices that will last you a lifetime, not a crash diet.  You don't feel as though its chore to stick to, and you don't wake up starving in the middle of the night!!


Many of my workmates are also converts and we work in the fitness industry, so talk about food diets etc all the time.  This has been the biggest hit!


I now find myself looking at food so differently.  All the "low fat" food has been ditched from my diet.  It is full of chemicals and sugar to make it taste good.  Into my diet are fresh vegies, lean meat cuts, berries, seeds and good fats like coconut oil and avocado.  I have followed his diet pretty closely for the last 2 weeks and have lost 1.5 kilos.  I really only want to lose about 5, so to have 1.5 come off so quickly is amazing.


So if you are looking to re-educate yourself about food and get off the low fat diet train, I highly recommend you pick up his books.  

Health and Fitness - Running the Tan!

So it has been just over a week of trying to get back into health and fitness and I feel as though it is going great guns so far.  I have been able to stick to a healthy diet, with a few enjoyments along the way.  I have also been able to stick to the exercise plan; despite being quite busy at work.  I guess the important thing is to make it a priority for yourself, and also get a friend or family member involved. 

On Saturday I ran 'The Tan' with my Cousin.  Knowing that he was going to turn up on my doorstep meant that I actually got out of bed at 6:30am on a Saturday and made the trek into town to jog around this famous running track in Melbourne.

The Tan is a 3.8km track that takes its name from the colour of the sandy wide pathway that circles the Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain.  Its pretty flat aside from one absolutely killer hill (which I do at the start to get it over and done with).  Its also a place to play spot the sporting celebrity as it is frequented by Aussie Rules Footballers and some tennis players have been spotted recently due to the Aus Open.

As you can see, it was a little chilly and overcast on Saturday, but the lovely wide paths and City views are worth it!! (PS these shots were taken with a phone, so excuse their fuzzyness!!)


If you live in Melbourne or visit, make sure you give the Tan a go!  You can take it easy, or set a pace for yourself, and the scenery is worth it.  So is the breakfast afterwards!!

New Years Resolutions

Hi lovely readers, sorry for the lack of blog posts lately.  I have been coming and going to our beach house which has absolutely no internet connection.  Not even my phone has internet coverage.  So I am a little disconnected, which is perhaps a good thing :)


Now to my New Years Resolution.....


I know what you are thinking, New Years Resolutions are a waste of time, particularly health and fitness ones.  You never stick to them, the good intentions long forgotten as soon as temptation is waved in front of your nose...or you actually just forget what you promised yourself after a few champagnes.


Oh, and I am a week late......


But I decided that starting a fitness and health regime cold turkey on January 1st could likely kill me, and that I needed to ease into this slowly. 


My first goal is to run the 14km "run for the kids" in Melbourne on April 1st.  To get there I am going to be doing a variety of training, not just running, and will overhaul my carb overloaded diet.  I will blog a little bit about this along the way, trying out new fitness trends, different exercise techniques and posting some healthy recipes.


I also wanted to give a shout out to the following blogs who gave me a little inspiration to tackle this!


Reidy's WBT challenge
Beat the Binge


I hope you enjoy reading about my fitness and health adventures :)