last year, but my shoulder was injured, and didn’t make for a very fun summer. So this year I am determined to have a go. I’ve already tried one new thing, I have gotten into swimming!! I only get out once a week, and always indoors, but once I got over my irrational fear that everyone would run for the exit when I bared my body in togs, I found I LOVE it, and it doesn’t hurt my back like long walks do. I may have found the perfect exercise. I’ve been going with a friend, and while we don’t really stop to chat during our swim, we have something to talk about and cheer each other on, and compare notes after. Trying something new is fun! And it makes for something new and interesting to talk about when you are hanging with family and friends.
Get thee to the beach! Most parts of NZ are not too far away from a beach of some kind. Here in
Tauranga, we are lucky to be only about 15 minutes away from Mount Maunganui, and I would love to say we spend every day there in summer, but we don’t. We barely make it there 5x a summer, which is ridiculous, and probably a big part of why our kids are so scared of the water. So this year, our goal is to spend as much time there as possible - boogie boarding, building sand castles, collecting shells, all of it is great - exercise and fresh air. And there is something so incredibly calming about the ocean, so it has to be good for your mental health as well, right? Provided you are sensible and sun safe, get out there and do your body and mind a favour!
Food -To many, this is the biggest stumbling block, and one many of us (me included) struggle with
the most. First up - making healthier choices. So you really really want to eat well over the holidays, huh? But how? There are so many healthier options out there now. Have you been on Pinterest? There are hundreds of ideas of healthier food options, you don’t have to go hungry!! Going out for a huge lunch? Have a good breakfast before you go, take some suitable snacks as well, so you aren’t starving when all the big stodgy meals come out. It’s pretty easy to rock up to Christmas lunch and fill up on meats and salads, low sugar drinks, and still have a fantastic lunch. One tip I have though is this - Sugar is sugar is sugar. It doesn’t matter if you are having bliss balls made with dates and apricots, or a piece of fruit, or some ice cream. To your body, it’s all sugar in the end, whether it be natural sugar or added sugar. That said, though, if you are tossing up between a biscuit and an apple, of course, pick the apple. It has so many other benefits to it over a biscuit… but I digress. Although that takes me on to my final point...
Food - Part 2 (See? It’s a big topic.) I have structured my Online Programmes from the
belief that being 100% good 100% of the time DOES. NOT. WORK. You restrict, restrict, and restrict some more, you crave all the foods you won’t let yourself have, and eventually you crash and burn and eat everything in sight, more than you would have eaten if you had followed the “everything in moderation” mindset. Enjoying your Christmas Day with good company, some delicious food, some nice wine and very little exercise WILL NOT DERAIL YOUR EFFORTS. Doing this every single day, well, yeah, of course it will. But for the couple of big days over the Christmas period? Enjoy yourself!! I mean it!! It would be healthier for your mind and body to just let go for a bit, enjoy yourself, and get back on track again tomorrow. Or if you know on New Years Eve, you are going for a huge booze up with fatty, sugary food and late nights, why not plan ahead, and eat well and exercise leading up to it, and once the party is over, just get back to it again. No big deal, not worth beating yourself up for.
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