Back to it … Boxing at Fitness First

I feel as though I need to start this post with an introduction to myself it’s been that long between posts. So here’s an update on one of the things I love – getting the gloves on for a hard, sweat until you vomit MMA session. Well, since moving back from Sydney I have not been successful in finding a place that even comes remotely near Dominance MMA back in Melbourne. There are places I’ve heard of but they’re about 1.5 hours away from where I spend my days … I love it but not that much. So I’ve resigned myself to accept I will choose striking (boxing and muay thai) as there are places much closer to home.

But there is a but. I have an appointment with the specialist next month about the pins in my feet I obtained a while ago back around the start of this blog. A couple (one in each foot) are giving me a little trouble so I have put any kicking (via Muay Thai) on hold until after I’ve seen the doc.

So, I’m down to boxing. Which I still love. And the best thing is, I’ve found a great class at Fitness First (of all places some may say) at Spring St, Bondi Junction. The best thing is, they have a dedicated boxing ring and an area with a speedball and bags so it looks like some serious training goes on here. And it smells like sweaty fighters. Which I also love.

Had my first session last night and can’t wait to get back there… watch this space.

Looking for Tips for Training for Skiing!

In a couple of months I will be lucky enough to go to Vail for the American Ski Cup Classic and I’ll also get a chance to ski. I do ski and I love it. Last year I totalled about 4 days in Perisher but picked up my short turns down Olympic run fairly quickly. So you see, that is my challenge – I need to train for the 6 hours min potential skiing in Vail.

I have been fortunate enough to ski Hakuba in Japan a few years back, which I highly recommend if you have the fortune to visit. But there is something about the Vail ski trails and back bowls that will present a whole new level of skiing for me.

So, I have been back on the treadmill pushing inclines and moving   of fan belt in around 45 mins at my last run. And back to spin class. And weights sessions as well. It’s a good thing for me I actually enjoy training and pushing my body. I would like to get some more sessions in of MMA or Muay Thai, at the very least … yes I’m still looking for somewhere/someone although something tells me nothing will compare with DMMA in Melbourne. Bummer.

Would love some tips and advice for training for skiing please!

Thank you in advance… and my legs and skiing partner/guide/coach/former world cup skier/better half, Mr M, will also thank you!

http://www.vail.com/

 

 

Staying Healthy by Doing What You Love

PlanBig is a client of Edelman where I work. It’s a community formed around a website where people can post their plans – no matter how big or small – and it’s up to the community to chip in with their advice, knowledge and whatever else they can lend so the plans can come to fruition.

There is a wonderful mix of plans at the community level such as setting up local venues for homeless youth, to people looking for tips for planning overseas holidays, and people seeking help for their small businesses. There is even a planner who will be flying solo around the world!

Plans are categorised so you can check out the ideas that interest you or where you have expertise to lend. And many of the plans are part of a bigger picture idea such as raising awareness and funds for disadvantaged groups, charities and causes.

One of the categories I like to browse is health and a couple of weeks ago I contributed a blog post for this category. Many people have posted plans to get fit and healthy, asking for advice about training schedules, exercises, diets, anything to help them shed kilos and improve their fitness.

Below is a snapshot of my blog post. For the full post visit the PlanBig website here.

Caveat: it was my colleagues insistence that I be called an ‘MMA expert’ but that is far too complimentary I feel! But, PlanBig is her client so I let it roll.

 

 

 

PS: since I’m on a roll with this theme I’m thinking about writing my blog post for Edelman comparing PR to MMA!

Facing Fears

Last week I was lucky enough to have my sister visit. She had been indoor rock climbing with some friends in Sydney recently and thought it would be a fun activity for us to do here. There is a place in the city called The Hardrock Climbing Company I’ve seen many times and thought ‘I’d really like to go there’ but alas I’ve not yet found the right person to go with here in Melbourne. I also have a fear of heights.

When my fear sets in I freeze and can’t move my arms or legs. It happened at the Women’s Health Expo earlier in the year on a meager 3 metre wall… I saw something on the Hardrock website about a 17 metre wall…

And so we decided to meet after work one evening. It was pouring rain and we arrived looking like drowned rats but very excited. I was more nervous than excited but tried to channel all of that energy into excitement. And knowing she had climbed recently was a huge comfort – at least one of us had recent experience!

We harnessed up and had our training session with a guy who was exactly like your would imagine a rock climbing dude to be like. And then we were left to our own devices.

There are hand/foot holds up the wall with different colours marking out the different skill levels. We hung around the 13 level which was challenging. I cheated and used whatever holds I could reach but my sister was focused and disciplined and practiced enough to stick to the one route.

We conquered the walls making it all the way to the top – my sister on all her climbs and mine about 80 per cent. We even championed a small overhang. Our arms were aching and so were our faces and stomachs from laughing so much. I had such a great time and was so proud of her climbing ability and fearlessness.

This is one of the best times I’ve had in Melbourne so far. Thank you my beautiful sister. x

P.S. would recommend this as a fun activity and something different, especially if it’s raining! We spent about two hours there – lots of fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture: Hardrock Climbing

Headache remedies

Yesterday was a stunning sunny day here in Melbourne but unfortunately for me I was inside sleeping the day away with a horrid headache that began on Saturday night. I made sure I drank plenty of water to make sure I was hydrated, dehydration is a common cause of headaches, and took some Nurofen but it just didn’t seem to cut it. Today I’m feeling much better but vision feels a little jumpy.

Some people suggested applying pressure to pressure points in my hand and elbow… what are your headache solutions?