1st Fun Run - City to Casino

Now that I am finally over the experience of my 1st City to Casino, I wanted to let you know....

IT WAS GREAT!

Having never even attended a fun run before, it was exciting, nerve-racking, and exhausting all at the same time.

I entered in the 7km Walk event as part of the Blundstone Corporate team. I was thrilled to be part of this event that saw a record number of entrants this year. The City To Casino raises funds for The Heart Foundation which is such a good cause.

My event started at Cornelian Bay and finished at the iconic Wrest Point Casino in Sandy Bay. If you enter at a walking level, you can walk, shuffle, jog and run to get yourself to the finish line. So, being my first event, I did a combination of walking and jogging (there may have been a little shuffling).

I crossed the line at exactly one hour, which gives me a good and achievable goal for next year.

Just a tip: If you can enter events like this one as a Corporate team member, the perks are usually worth it, like the entry fee paid for and the 10 minute massage at the end.

Do you have any experience with Fun Runs? Maybe you have also entered The City To Casino in Tasmania, or better still, maybe you entered this year too?

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What Was That For?

The look on his face as he says for what must be the millionth time "what was that for?", is pure innocence. It would be fair to say that our son is always on the look out for adventure and invariably gets himself into multitudes of trouble.

Master 5 is quite the expert at timeout, not to mention having his favourite things banned. Neither of these punishments seem to dull his need to poke, prod and pull things that he is not meant to.

Is he seeking attention? A troublemaker? Or just a curious boy with a good amount of energy?

We are quite sure he is quite run of the mill when it comes to boys. Also being second born assured he was keen for adventure from the get go.

His face is just as cheeky as his nature.

I should be putting all of our savings on backing that Master 5 will be standing in front of various people throughout his life, trying to justify his actions.

Defending the Biggest Loser Approach

There has been a lot of flack across the social media with the latest season of The Biggest Loser-Australia.

Tweets and posts on Facebook about torturing kids for ratings. People saying that the contestants must sign a clause to be dehumanised on TV. Comments about The Biggest Loser becoming a freak show when they bring out the bigger contestants, and that watching fat people on TV is not entertaining. I'm sure with every season comes a new barrage of haters.

The Biggest Loser is currently being show by Channel Ten in Australia, and you should check this preview out here if you are not sure what I am talking about.

I am standing up for their approach,

While watching this season, as well as previous ones, I have seen the trainers push the contestants to reach their potential. They are not degrading the contestants and name-calling. They are truthful in what it takes to get results. They are truthful and honest about how the contestants came to be in their current situation. They know all of the excuses and whinges to slow down or give up, and hear it all of the time. They are not there to pretend, or give these people a break; that is not their job. They are not there to make friends. 

They are there to share their expertise, get results and be professional in their role as a trainer.

These contestants put their hand up for the show because they knew they needed help.

The selectors chose these particular contestants because they were prime candidates to improve their lives.

Just as putting on weight does not happen overnight, the process of losing yourself, your self-worth and confidence is a gradual process.

The facade that a person will put up to say they are happy with life or that they accept that this is the way life is for them, is never their ideal situation or their lifetime dream.

The family and friends of these people may tell them from time to time that they need to get off their bum, that they need to eat better or look after themselves, but mostly, they bite their tongue, or the arguments turn into disapproving looks over time. 

When people approach a personal trainer or go to the extreme of applying for a national TV weight loss show, they are asking for help. 

They need help with their eating schedule and choices. 

They need help with food portions and selection.

They need help keeping motivated. 

They need help with their mindset, confidence and self-worth. 

They need help with exercise routines, techniques and equipment use.

They need help to see that their decisions and the way they choose to live affects a wide range of people.

They need help seeing the truth behind the consequences of poor eating habits, loss self esteem and inactivity. 

They need to know there are options.

They need to know they are capable, to do more than they think, to achieve their dreams.

They need to be told what to do, a push to keep going, and the encouraging words.

They need goals to aim for and rewards.

Many are asking for help in one of these areas; but many need help in all of these areas.

2013 The Biggest Loser, Australia Trainers Shannon, Michelle and The Commando

If the task was easy, there would be no contestants, no trainers, and certainly no show.

This year, there is the added challenge of dealing with family issues between the contestants being the child and their parent.

The fact is, obesity is an epidemic. Obesity causes multitudes of health problems. Obesity has detrimental effects on the person and those around them.

There is no doubt that the creators of The Biggest Loser are making money and getting ratings over this show. Whether that is the driving factor behind the show, or why it has survived many seasons; I really, truly don't care.

I do care that this program gives opportunity to people who need it, whether it be the contestants who appear on the screen, or whether it is the people at home who are being inspired by the efforts, motivated by the words, and grossed out by the hard truths.

Still With A Twinkle In My Eye

I was just reminiscing. This time last year, according to my blog, I was exhausted. We all were!
I was so thankful that the children were finally going on holiday. I needed the break from the mundane morning hassle. Luckily, I am not feeling so zapped this year!

So what's the difference?

Well, I should be even more exhausted, with having two children to get ready for school, as opposed to just one last year. Two children, I might add, who often like to do anything accept what they are meant to in the morning.

So does my extra energy burst come from increase in exercise and healthier living?

Or

Could it be because I did the 30 Day Sugar-Free Challenge, to give my body a break before Christmas?

Either way, I have altered my lifestyle and habits, and the proof is in the pudding (sorry for the pun so close to Christmas), with more energy, better fitness and weight loss.

Finally, this year, I am ready to start the New Year from a really good point.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas
                            .... and if you don't hear from me again this year,
                                                          I wish you and your loved ones a Safe and Happy New Year.
                                                                                                                                                 xxxx

The Things I Know about Breakfast

When I get up in the morning,  I have a routine. Many people do. Mine includes breakfast and always has. My morning does not feel complete without it. I question how people who choose to skip breakfast can function properly, or get through the day.

Oats, milk + blueberries. Green tea + 1/2 lemon

I am so glad that Schools in Australia are aware of the benefits of breakfast now. My children's Primary School offers free breakfast options before the start of school each day, which assures that even if the parent is not enforcing the importance of eating breakfast, the children can still have the option.

An article in The Herald Sun recently highlighted the findings of a study of over 800 students over 5 years, and concluded that children who eat before school get better academic results.

It has been talked about for quite some time that eating breakfast also triggers the metabolism into action. I have known of people on diets skipping breakfast, thinking this is a good way to reduce their calorie intake. It definitely reduces calorie intake initially, but the body may also think that food is scarce and slows down the metabolism to survive, or it may cause you to binge on other foods to get you through to lunch.

I don't need research to tell me that I am much more focused and energetic through the day when I have had breakfast. I encourage my children to have breakfast every morning too, though this is sometimes a struggle in the morning madness. I persevere though, trying to set my kids up with healthy habits that will benefit them now and into the future.

What are your morning habits regarding breakfast? Have you always eaten/not eaten breakfast?

Anxiety: The Dark Cloud

Did you come here wanting to read something bright and bubbly today? Are you looking for inspiration or assurance that the world is a wonderful place? Were you hoping to see a lovely , bright picture? Did you wish that I posted an insightful quote?

Are you a new reader ... or do you know I have Anxiety Disorder? As much as I try to retrain my brain waves, push the negativity away, and bring the sunshine in .... there are days when it's just not going to happen.

Grateful for ... being accountable

Most people moan and groan about their place of employment. They say there is too much taking and not enough giving. They feel like they are just another cog that makes the company tick. The company's main concern is the number on the bottom of the Profit and Loss report. This is possibly why so many people work for themselves.

So let me tell you a little story about an Australian company (that, fortunately, I am associated with) that actually says they care about their employees, and does something to prove it.

On Thursday I met with my personal trainer. No this isn't a separate story, so stay tuned. We discussed my goals, my history, my habits and noted down my personal measurements. I will record my food intake and physical activity in my diary over the next four weeks, then meet with her again.

So where is the link?

The personal trainer has been hired by my place of work. 

Meet Sherri, of Energy Health Concepts. 

 

Those who wish to have access to her and her company's tools and expertise can do so, all at the cost of the business.  This includes nutrition consultation, cholesterol and glucose testing, massages, Pilates workouts, a Company Challenge and monthly check-ins. Those who would like to take part in the group training sessions can do so at half price, with the company paying the other half.

So this week I am more than happy to be accountable. I have signed up for all the bells and whistles and am really looking forward to the support and the information they can offer. I have done the exercise, watching what I eat, and dieting all before, but all on my own.

How often does an opportunity like this come my way? How hard is it to lose weight, and maintain a good fitness and lifestyle without support? How often in your life would you like to say to someone "just make the decision for me and tell me what to do"?

So I guess I am grabbing this opportunity and running with it. 

I will keep you all posted.

Grateful for ... end of day exhaustion

image source

What a strange thing to be grateful for ... end of day exhaustion. It may be strange, but I welcome it.
Why?

Exhaustion at the end of the day means I have been busy.

Exhaustion at the end of the day is so much more preferable to exhaustion through the day from anxiety.

Exhaustion at the end of the day means I have expended all of my energy and will sleep well.

Exhaustion at the end of the day I feel I have given it my all

What are you grateful for? I would love to know.

Join in being Grateful with Maxabella loves and also a favourite website of mine Kidspot