Since becoming a mother there is one thing that has never before become so important to me,
my health.
Everytime I look at those two beautiful little faces and my heart feels overflowing with love and awe I realise how important it is for me to look after myself so I can be there for them, so I can live with joy and experience their childhoods with them, not from the sidelines. Nothing has ever been more
motivating for me then wanting to be healthy and well, to enjoy my life with my kids, to not miss their childhoods, to run around with them at the park, jump in the ocean with them, to be around to watch them grow up and hopefully one day have kids of their own and have that intense joy of holding my own grandchildren.
Healthy living has been my passion since after my first baby back in 2006, it was for her that I lost 30 kg and brought fitness, healthy eating, growing organic food and things like yoga into my life. Exercise made me happy, it got me through
post natal depression and kept stress at bay,
it got me back in shape after both babies (30 kg and 22 kg losses), was the inspiration for my award winning
book, the pram diet and is still an important tool in my kit for stress relief and health as well. I loved
pram walking, running and swimming but it wasn't until I went to my first ever gym that I realised how impressive the human body was, yes, even mine! When I started doing weights I started to see definition and strength I never knew I was capable of. I couldn't believe how strong I became, even things like pushing a full wayward shopping trolley, lifting my child, carrying groceries became such an ease.I realised how powerful our bodies really are and the powerful link between exercise and a happier body and mind.
When I had an emergency appendicitis with complications a bit over a year and a half ago, I was struck when I awoke from surgery at how young everyone in the hospital ward was. The room was full of people in their early forties - fifties all very ill and having all kind of operations and on restricted diets, all very sick indeed. Years of eating badly, not exercising, and stress had taken its toll on these poor people and the feel of misery in the room was awful.
For the first time I saw how
real the impact of our lifestyle choices are...
It was frightening.
I saw that exercising and eating well isn't just about losing weight, being fit and fitting into a great dress,
though that is wonderful motivation! It is about keeping the joy in your life. Doing everything you can to live a long, full life.
It is about looking after this body that
is where we will be living the rest of our lives.
I met an older man, in his 70's a few days later in the hospital. He was recovering from surgery but he was calm, as he was fit and healthy, they were about to send him home. He showed me a place in the hospital not far from our ward where you walk and sit in the morning sun and look down on a beautiful fern garden complete with sunbaking lizards. It was so peaceful. The morning sun on my skin felt amazing as did walking around, moving my body rather than lying in a bed. He was so confident in his body and his healing, it was inspiring.
I left hospital so deep in thought, so happy to be back with my young children and with a new even more inspired and motivated view on healthy living.
I was delighted to find I healed quickly and as I had been exercising, doing yoga and weights regularly my body was strong and able to bounce back from the surgery really quickly.
Health is a passion I will have for the rest of my life, and I hope I will pass on to my two girls so they can live a full, rich and vibrant life. I hope I will teach them by example that living well, eating well, exercising, moving your body everyday, being calm and looking after ourselves is the path to a JOYFULL life.
In loving health today I am SO very excited to be able to offer you an INCREDIBLE healthy living
Fitness First - NEW YOU prize pack giveaway you can enter at the end of this blog post!!
#changeforthebest
Fitness First is
changing. Fitness First Australia today launched two industry- first
initiatives, Pay As You Go (PAYG) and Fitness
Guarantee, bringing significant improvements to its members’ fitness
experience, as part of the company’s ongoing transformation.
In
recognition that people join them for a reason, a season or a lifetime, Fitness
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Change is
seen in every aspect of the business from the new look and logo, to new
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member experience
Fitness first
launches New You awards to help motivate Australians to keep their New Year’s
health & fitness resolutions
The
‘New Year, New You’ survey, conducted by Fitness First, asked 1,502
Australians nationwide about their attitudes and commitments towards New Year’s
resolutions and found very few Australians (9 per cent) are actually confident
they will stick to their goals. Too much effort (56 per cent) and not enough
time (42 per cent) were the top two factors blamed for people breaking their
resolutions.
 |
The one and only Jane Fonda (doesn't she look incredible at 76! At a Fitness First event launch today! |
Registration for
the Fitness First New You Achievement Awards open in July and close at
the end of August 2014. New members of Fitness First can pledge their goals
online at fitnessfirst.com.au/newyou
Check out why Fitness First is the place to join this year with things like free bootcamp and a wide range of group classes including yoga and more amazing features HERE and follow them on FACEBOOK
All you have to do to be in the running for this unbelievable prize below is answer this question in 50 words or less and be a subscriber of this blog! That's it!
You can subscribe either via the form or on the right hand side of this blog!
WHY is living a healthy, active life important to you and what is your health goal for 2014?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And NOW check out what you could WIN thanks to Fitness First!! Oh my gosh it is amazing! XX
The Nice Asana Jacket by
Lulu Lemon is not only stunning it is perfect for your exercise or yoga wardrobe! Fashion meets function!
Key features:
- cottony-soft luon fabric wicks sweat to help you cool down post-practice
- secure zipper pockets hold your phone, keys and cash
- thumbholes keep your sleeves in place and make layering easy
- park that zip in the zipper garage before it scratches your chin
- flat seams help prevent uncomfortable chafing
A 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tablet 3 !! So many great features a handy tablet that is beautiful, easy to carry, has all your favourite features and is designed for everyday internet.
Inspiration galore with a subscription to Women's Fitness Magazine!
"Women’s Fitness understands that most women don’t have the time or inclination to become gym junkies or slaves to their diet. It also knows they don’t want to sacrifice fun, or their social lives, in the quest for a better body.
That’s why it offers easy-to-adopt, credible and entertaining insights on subjects from exercise and sports, to delicious-but-nutritious diet ideas, functional beauty and fashion, health travel and relaxing body balance ideas, in ways that will fit every reader’s life."
Why is the Pure Mat by Lulu Lemon so great?
"When we're logging hours on our mat, we want cushiony support that won't wear down or have us slipping out. Engineered with two layers of natural rubber, this mat is grippier than a new set of tires...but it gets us to our happy place a lot faster than four wheels." Lulu Lemon
*These mats also come on a range of gorgeous colours.
*Perfect for yoga and mat work.
The Fitness First New You Give Away
#changeforthebest
Is all about inspiring you to find that fit and healthy goddess within in 2014!
This competition is in partnership with Fitness First.
Terms and Conditions
You must be a BLOG subscriber to enter.
You MUST answer the question asked.
You can do this on the left hand side of the blog.
This is a game of skill, entry's are judged with the most creative winner being selected at the judges discretion.
No correspondence will be entered into, judges decision is final.
You must be an Australian resident.
You must have a valid entry.
Winner will be notified by email
Winner has 1 month to claim prize or there will be a redraw.
This competition is in now way affiliated with or endorsed or in conjunction with facebook in any way.
Good Luck!!
Health and Happiness
Bek XXX