Getting Muddy!

Last weekend I found myself waking up very very early thanks to friend and PT E (again!). We had signed up for the Warrior Dash in Northam, about 1 hour east of Perth. Coffee and tunes were my friends as I drove up the hill as the sun rose.



When I arrived the nerves really started to kick in, as the thought of the 5km obstacle course set in. E is a machine so there was no way I would be able to keep up with her, so I quickly made friends with another couple from our gym, who I though could at least give me a leg up if need be.

Here I am about to wet myself pre-race!

Having done the 10km Western Mudd Rush last year I thought this would be slightly easier. THE HILL RUNNING KILLED ME! But I am proud to say that I finished in the top 20% of racers and managed to complete all of the obstacles. I did get very very muddy and am sporting a few bruises but it was a blast!

And what better way to finish than with a beer!

H x

Puppilates!

This is me and friend J on Thursday morning!

H x

Xtending our Barres

Friends J, K and I attend Pilates classes at Perth Pilates Studio. We usually just attend the Pilates Mat classes which use your own bodyweight to strengthen our muscles and tone up the wobbly bits - and trust me, there are plenty of those!

 

On Monday, J and I attended an Xtend Barre class, just to mix things up. The class is a fast-paced, 55 minute full body workout that fuses dance, Pilates and sculpting exercises at the ballet barre. It was intense! It is quite different to the mat class we normally take, it is much quicker, has music, and involves a lot more movement. But is was really really fun - and the class went fast! I would like to think that we look like the ladies below, but as there were not mirrors (thank God!) I will just assume that we do.

 

J and I signed up quick smart for next Monday night. Definitely a class to try!

 

H x

Green goodness

So I have been going a little green crazy lately. Being the year of the 'dirty thirty', friends K, J and I have vowed to look our best when the clock strikes midnight.

 

I hit up colleague E for a good recipe and the pics above are some of the products (no they have not been scraped off a pond!). I have been trying combinations of:

• Kale
• Beetroot
• Citrus fruit (usually orange)
• Berries
• 1/2 Banana
• Celery
• Carrot

With the additions of:

• Magnesium powder
• Silica compound
• Psyllium husk
• Chlorophyll (that stuff is nasty!)

To be honest, I am yet to find one that I love, but I am definitely improving! And I must admit, they are a great way to get more veges into my diet.

 

In light of this change (and other issues...there are many!) I decided to also visit a naturopath as recommended by J, Sam Botica, from Perth Natural Medicine Clinic. AH-MAY-ZING! The woman is a godsend. I have been feeling a bit stressed and overwhelmed lately and she has given me a couple of different herbs to try and help me out. I have only been on them for a few days but will let you know how they go.

 

I am also trying to up the water and drop the coffee/alcohol intake (this will be in reverse on the weekend with what friend L and I have planned!).

 

Bring on 30!

 

H x

Run run run!

The situation was dire. I was in desperate need for new runners to ensure that my health and fitness goals were not sabotaged (first world problem?) so after discussions with friend and trainer E, I headed to The Running Centre in West Perth.

The team there do a great job and really are the experts when it comes to all kinds of running. The sales assistant was as chipper as she could be early on a Saturday morning (I suspect there may have been a slight hangover lingering) and went about fitting me for the perfect running shoe.

After a brief questionnaire whilst standing on a heat sensitive platform it was concluded that I have 'neutral' feet. She then filmed me while walking on a treadmill (a view that I never need to see again - arse close ups are never good) and she explained the type of shoes I could go for.

This is one pair that she selected, and being an Asics fan I was happy (the purple may have won me over). They are light yet supportive and very comfy!

 

I would highly recommend The Running Centre if you want to be sure that you are getting a quality shoe that is right for you. And with a $20 voucher for me and a friend, it really is a winner!

See you on the pavement.

H x

Run for your life!

I have been running for fun and fitness off and on for a few years, but really committed when I was training for the Western Mudd Rush in August last year.  I joined a training group run by E (colleague, friend and amazing PT) which was tough but well worth it. It definitely ensured that I crossed the finish line in one piece. Since then, I have kept up the weekly training (of course a few misses here and there when I have HAD to go down south), and after the Christmas period I am slowly getting back into running.

There is a point to this post - before you close the browser due to boredom.  I wanted to let you know about a few handy resources that have made my journey from tortoise to cheetah much more pleasant.

The Spibelt

This is not your standard bum bag (or fanny pack as the Americans like to call them – just wrong people!). The pint size pouch has the ability to stretch perfectly over an iPhone and car keys, and will keep your precious items perfectly still as you run! It does not bounce, slide up or fall off, and for about $30 – THE BEST NON BUM BAG EVER!

Runkeeper

This handy little app will track your activity through your iPhone using GPS.  There are a variety of activities to choose from including running, cycling, swimming (with an iPhone??) and snowboarding (handy!). You can link it to your music, set targets and even switch on live tracking so peeps all around the world can watch you run for gold! At the end of the workout, you get an overview of your activity including total time, average pace and total distance. Quite useful if you are looking to beat your PB.

 

Get fitted for good shoes!

This is a must must must! It is all very well and good to go for fashion over practicality (as I normally would), but when your shins are burning and knees are twinging you will be cursing that you didn’t get fitted for proper running shoes. I have been to Total Triathlon in East Victoria Park and the guys are great. They have good quality running shoes at a range of price points and really know their stuff! I ended up with this pair of Asics Women’s 2170. Not exactly fashion forward but they are lovely to run in.

Find out more

I have subscribed to the running e-newsletter from Active and this weekly mail out provides me with a vast array of information on many aspects of running, from training to equipment to diet tips. It really is worth a read for additional insight and inspiration.

So there you have it folks. They are my must-haves for those interested in getting back on the track.

 

H x



Mish's Chicken Sang Choy Bow

A and I have been trying to eat quite healthy food lately so I decided to give this recipe a go. I increased the portion of mince and added a chilli for a bit of a kick. Can I blow my own trumpet and say that it was very successful!

 

Note: this is not a 'first date' meal - never had I experienced so much messy goodness!

 

 

Chicken Sang Choy Bow (Serves 2)

 

Prep 15 Minutes

 

Cook 10 Minutes

 

248 cal per serve

 

INGREDIENTS

1 large iceberg lettuce
olive oil spray
220g lean chicken mince
2 shallots, finely sliced
1 medium carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 red capsicum, diced
3 teaspoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons salt-reduced soy sauce
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 handfuls bean sprouts

 

Select the best lettuce leaves and if necessary trim them with scissors to make at least 6 large ‘cups’. Place in a large bowl filled with iced water to crisp.

 

Lightly spray a wok with oil and heat on high. Stir-fry the chicken and half the shallots for 2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Add the carrot, celery, capsicum, sauces and garlic. Stir-fry for another 4 minutes.

 

Transfer immediately to a serving bowl. Scatter the remaining shallots.

 

To serve, arrange the lettuce cups on a platter with the bean sprouts. Spoon a little chicken mixture into each leaf, top with several bean sprouts and fold the lettuce over to enclose the filling. Eat with your hands.

 

Enjoy!

 

H x

Recreating 12wbt...

So the festive season may have caught up with me and I am rehashing some of the best Michelle Bridges 12wbt recipes.

 

My stand out favourite was Caramelised Pork with Sweet Potato Mash and Apples. Here it is!

 

I cannot get over how tasty yet healthy it is. A even loves it (but his portion size would not be approved by Mish) and I highly recommend you give it a go!

 

H x

Healthy (not boring!) snacks...

One thing I really struggle with is trying to find convenient, healthy snacks. Often pre-packaged foods are laden with calories not to mention uber amounts of preservatives and other additives.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love a good old Big Mac, but I am trying to eat a little healthier and explore more options with food in general.

 

On Facebook I follow a women's personal training group, Babes on the Run. This great pic came up on their feed.

 

These snack ideas are more innovative than simply 'having a piece of fruit'.

 

I'm off to find edamame!

 

H x

 

PS - I think I just love saying edamame. Edamame edamame edamame.

Loving Travelsmart

I recently took part in a Travelsmart challenge at work, which aims to increase the number of trips employees take on either public transport, by walking or cycling, or through car pooling.

 

 

I managed to fulfill my promise and cycled once a week for 12 weeks. I really should do it more considering how close I live to work, but I do love the comforts and freedom of having my car with me.

 

But I am loving the new Travelsmart campaign. Very retro (and slightly cheeky).

 

 

How do you get to work?

 

H x



Plasticine Therapy

As part of Staff Wellbeing Month at work, we participated in Plasticine Therapy, as it is supposed to help calm and destress.

The theme was 'A walk in the park'.

My team did a warped version of 'When Willy met Alice'.

I think we spent most of the time high on sugar.

Yum!

H x

Loving Lorna

I have been trying to ramp up the exercise as part of the Michelle Bridges program, and one thing that really motivates me is great workout gear.

Lorna Jane is known for her inspirational quotes smacked all over her clothing, which is a bit much for me, but having delved a little deeper, I have found some really great stuff.

How fun and bright! Enough to make you want to get up at 5am for a run!

H x

Beautiful bicycles

Cycling has certainly increased in popularity around Perth over the past few years. We have some beautiful bike paths and as wrokplaces become more Travelsmart, it is becoming commuters mode of choice.

 

Last year I jumped on the bicycle bandwagon and purchased a Giant Cross City 4W 2012 from Cyclebuzz. I love the colour!

 

It may not be the trendiest of bikes, but I find that it is a dream to ride. I used to work in Subiaco so was clocking up 30km a day, but now I use it more for exploring the city with A.

 

I do get bike envy when I see girls leisurely riding around on their trendy bikes on a Sunday morning with fresh flowers and a french stick in their basket. The only thing that bothers me is they never seem to wear a helmet (what helmet would you wear with a bike like this??) and this scares me. But here are some cool options.

 

Vintage Bikes by Papillionaire

Reid Cycles



Jellybean Bikes

Jellybean Bikes allow you to custom design your own bike, right down to the colours of the seat and gears. Very cool!

 

For those who can afford to splurge, how about this Chanel bike for a measley $17,000?

 

Why not.

H x

 

Getting our skinny on...sort of.

So school friends K and J and I are relishing the last year of our 20's (this is code for, "I must be hot by the time I turn 30") so we have jumped on the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation (12wbt) bandwagon. I must admit that I was fairly skeptical, thinking "there is no way in hell I can do this for 12 weeks". We all love our cheeses, cured meat and WINE and somehow I didn't think these would fit into Mish's plan.

The philosophy behind the program is fairly simple. You pay $199 for access to the 12wbt website, you put in your measurements, set some goals and Mish spits out a nutrition and exercise plan. You get 1200 calories per day (300 per meal and 300 for snacks/drinks) and an intense six day workout plan. 

So the day before we kicked off I got the horrid flu that is going around (the one even takes out women) so I didn't feel like eating. Win! Week one consisted of me drinking sugar-free lemonade and sleeping, so I managed to lose a few kg's. Double win! Even though I wouldn't say it was strictly successful, the end result was good. 

Week two proved to be more difficult. You see, I am a little piggy at heart. I love chocolate, cake and biscuits. I eat even when I'm not hungry - I eat out of boredom, I eat out of habit, I eat as a sport. The 12wbt has taught me to be more aware of what I am putting into my body. It makes you question yourself - do you really need a giant cookie and a Mars Bar at 3pm to survive? Old me would have said, "hell yes!", but having paid nearly $200 for this, new me says, "try a yoghurt". 

We are now in week four. To be honest I have not stuck to the exercise plan (I am hoping the fact that weight loss is 80% diet will work in my favour), but the real winner has been the recipes. They are (mostly) delicious, but to stick within the calorie intake the portion sizes are small. Here are some samples of what I have made so far.

Lamb chops with mint peas

Beef and vegetable pies

Ok - just kidding! I wish!

In terms of exercise, I like to do my own thing. Doing a million burpees in the park is not my idea of fun, so I have been mixing it up with running, group circuit classes, Body Balance and Zumba. K left us both for dead and was in the gym bright and early on day one and has stuck to her program. By the end of week two J had read her exercises, but was yet to put on her runners. Love it!

To be honest, I think the program is fabulous. I guess I could try harder, and maybe I would see results quicker, but I also want to have a life. I like to go out for dinner, I like to drink wine. So I figure if I can stick to this 90% of the time, then it might be a lifestyle change, and less of a fad diet.

I'll keep you updated on how we are going. Who knows, maybe I'll post my 12 week bikini photo on here!

H x