Fitness First New You Give Away

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 First has redefined the member experience with unbeatable flexibility. 
Change is seen in every aspect of the business from the new look and logo, to new equipment in state-of-the-art gyms, through to new services that optimise the 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

WIN a gorgeous  Nice Asana Jacket by Lulu Lemon R.R.P $149.00

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

WIN a  Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7” R.R.P $228.00!!

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.

A Women’s Fitness subscription Regular Price $107.40 (12 issues)

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."

The Pure Mat 3mm by Lulu Lemon R.R.P. $39.00

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

RECIPE - No Added Sugar Choccyliscious Muffins

Sometimes you just want something gorgeous and CHOCOLATE right?
Well as many of my facebook followers would know this year I am really cutting back on SUGAR. But I still love to eat and cook and love baking and of course my choccy fix.
I also like to give my kids "treats" that are not full of junk, numbers and sugar.

These muffins really are super moist and melt in your mouth.

Enjoy! XX

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates (check packet to make sure no added sugar or anything nasty), soak overnight, covered or for at least 3 hours in enough water to just cover them.
• 1 cup natural yoghurt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Planet Organic Natural Cocoa
• 1 free range egg
• 1/4 cup Natvia Stevia powder
• 10 drops liquid stevia in chocolate
• A couple of drops pure vanilla or vanilla stevia drops
• 1 & 1/2 cups wholemeal SR flour
• 1/4 cup Walnuts
• 1 Sweet William No Added Sugar chocolate bar, chopped

Method

• Pre heat oven to 180'c.
• Line a muffin tray with muffin cases.
• In a bowl use a hand mixer to combine butter, stevia drops, stevia powder.
• Best in egg.
• Mix in the cocoa powder.
• Add in the yoghurt, make sure mixed through and then drain and add in the dates.
• Very carefully add in  the flour until just combined.
• Spoon mixture into muffin cases.
• Top each one with some walnuts and chopped chocolate.
• Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until muffins are golden on top and bounce back from your touch.
• Allow to cool on wire racks.
• Serve.

Notes

• Stevia can be swapped for honey.
• Mix chocolate and walnuts carefully through mixture before adding flour for flavour hits through the muffins as well.
• Get a big chocolate hit by serving with a mug of hot chocolate made with Planet Organic natural cocoa and stevia to sweeten.
• Freezable.
• Great for school lunches.
• Can be made gluten free with a gluten free flour, you may need to adapt recipe though, possibly include another egg etc.

Toddler Tips

• Use a miniature muffin tray to make toddler friendly sized ones.

Why not get excited about cutting back the sugar and join my facebook - sugar free for 1 week fun event! Have a sugar free recipe? Come share it with us or just come and join in the fun event! xx
https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.mugridge#!/events/137590813073302/

You can get the Stevia sweet drops, Planet Organi Cocoa Powder and Natvia Stevia Powder used in this recipe from the Maleny IGA

Embrace a Healthy Approach-Not a Quick Fix

Embracing a healthy lifestyle is different to losing weight in a quick fix.

Embracing a healthy lifetsyle empowers you in your own body. It makes you stronger.
It gives you self belief. It actually gives you power.

Following a quick fix might work in the short term but it can also have dangerous risks.

Risks to your health. Skipping meals, having meal replacements or folowing a wierd or overly strict diet can have potential very damaging long term effects, especially as many of these methods actually restrict nutrients and most of real, wholesome fibre-something you body really needs to be healthy.
The human body is designed to eat food. To taste it. To digest it. To get what it needs from it and then finally to clean itself out with it.
You might lose weight-but that does not mean you are healthy. Skinny does not equal healthy just as overweight doesn't either.
Healthy is eating a balanced diet, proper nutrious fibre rich food, drinking lots of clean water, exercising, stretching, and having important moments to relax and be calm, having creative pursuits, laughing often and appreciating and respecting yourself.
This is balance and self worth...
The key to a healthy, happy life.

Quick fixes also pose real risks to your happiness. The  biggest issue with quick fixes and ''miracle'' fads most experts will tell you is they are not maintanable long term.

You lose weight quickly but as soon as you try and live a normal life again, eat meals with your family or try and be in the real world again the weight comes back and this is where it is very dangerous to your happiness...It risks your self esteem, your sense of self worth. It can make you feel cheated, feel frustrated, feel weak. It can make you feel that it is your fault. Your just not strong enough...
It can lead to depression and even eating disorders in extreme cases.
You are not actually learning healthy habits. Your not learning about your body and what fuels it and nourishes it. What makes it work really well and makes you feel really good.

As someone who spent years having issues with my body and an eating disorder in my teens and has been very, very underweight right over to topping the scales at 100 kilo's and followed SO MANY fad diets and quick fixes during this period-many with quick results followed by weight gain I can personaly tell you that the only way truly that you will be really, honestly going to be happy with your body and find that place within yourself where you feel proud to be you is through embracing whole heartedly a healthy lifestyle.

Don't waist time trying to find a short cut. Don't waste time thinking it is unfair to have a body type that seems not naturally carry extra weight.
Be excited that you do because it is what will motivate you to find your personal power. To be the exciting, healthy, strong version of you!

If you ever find yourself feeling down because you have to work at a healthy weighjt remind yourself if you were naturally tiny and very slim you might take your health for granted. You might never think to exercise really, to try fun ways to get fit to be active with friends, to experience all the great many benefits from exercise and how it boots your mood and reduces stress too.

To be an inspirational role model to your children and your friends and family by embracing being you! Being a healthy, vibrant you!

Rebecca xx