Monday 20 January 2014

How to get paid to exercise... kinda



How to incorporate fitness into your working life


Some of the main excuses for people not working out are that they are too busy with work or too tired when they get home.

Imagine if you could do your exercise while at work? Effectively means you’re getting paid to do it… well not exactly but it’s a nice thought!

I used to be super jealous when one of my friends told me she’d go running on her lunch break, while I’d use my hour reading trashy magazines, online shopping and going for that after lunch snack!

It got me thinking how I’d be able to incorporate exercise into my day, giving me energy and motivation to get through that afternoon slump and also free up the time I’d spend doing it after work anyway. This thought was too good not to give it a shot.

Monique de Dios, personal trainer and author of fitness e-book Dizzy’s Secrets to Sexy agrees.

I defiantly think that people complicate how easy it can be to get in some exercise during your work hours.” She says.

For me it comes down to being well organized and having a stash of exercise gear and also the essential touch up items.

Here are some tips to help you get motivated-

Even if your office doesn’t have showers you can still fake it by taking the essential after exercise hygiene products-
Face wipes, hair brush, deodorant, feminine wipes as well as a towel and make up bag. I tend to have a stash in my desk draw, just some tinted moisturizer and bronzer to reapply.  Leave yourself 5 or 10mins after your workout to change and freshen up… and Voila! Another handy tip is to not put mascara on in the morning, sweaty mascara streaks is NEVER a good look!

 Other key items- Workout gear, yoga mat, weights and the right apps –

If it’s a particularly hot day or I’m feeling stressed I’ll often just take my yoga mat to the nearest park, plonk it down under a shady tree and stretch out. Sometimes several girls from the office join in as well. Not only is it good exercise but the relaxation you feel when you get back into work is definitely worth all the weird looks from people who walk by!


Running on your lunch break is also very liberating, if you’re worried about being too sweaty when you get back then you can break it up with walking or have a longer cool down period at the end. Running apps such as Run Keeper are great as they track distance and allow you to keep an eye on how long you have been. I’m lucky enough to work near the beach so a cruisy jog along the water is a great way to shake off any tension from the morning.

Fitness apps that let you choose workout length are also great when you’re on a time limit. You can grab some hands weights and a mat, find a nice bit of grass outside on a good day or close your office door with a back in 15min sign and choose a 5, 8 or 10 minute workout to do.

Monique also shared some more tips for how to combine a work day with a work out.

Go up and down the stairs a few times on your breaks or do a quick workout using your body weight. Body weighted exercises are very effective I use them with my clients all the time.”

Her favourites are walking lunges, jump squats, burpees and push ups.

“Also try bringing a jump rope with you. Did you know that 10 mins of skipping can burn the same calories as 30 min of jogging? It's convenient and gets you burning calories in no time. Stop wasting those breaks being bored and lazy and get active!!”

Exercising at work not only gets you away from the desk and makes you feel great but you are more likely to choose healthier choices to eat as well. Your brain will crave a light salad or some fruit after a work out rather than a pie or fried food. 

I’ve also found that by keeping my stuff in the car or at the office means I’m prepared if I decide to head to yoga after work at the last minute or a girlfriend invites me to do an afternoon walk. And it’s even made my bosses think that I must be extra efficient and driven, they have mentioned on several occasions that they admire my motivation… Who’d have thought that exercise could put you in line for a promotion? Double tick ;)


For more helpful tips check out Dizzy’s Secrets to Sexy for inspiration and ideas to keep you energetic and fit!

http://www.dizzyfitness.com.au/

Instagram
@jadehunter56
@dizzy_fitness
 







Wednesday 15 January 2014

Summer Playtime!




Melbourne's really turned it on this week! What a heatwave!

Lucky for us it was just perfect weather for the polo last weekend, sunny and fresh without being draining.

All the usual suspects were there and it was great running into old friends and even making some new four legged ones! (and by 'make friends' I mean that I tried to steal a horse) Oops.

Style wise most people nailed it with that traditional blend of casual and glamorous that’s showcased at polo events.

The champagne flowed, (a little too freely I’ll admit haha) and it was great to see everybody kicking of the social season of 2014 having a great time.

Compliments to the Chin Chin and Essentially Enclosure marquees for having us!


Time to take it easy and escape the heat, try flying fox ice blocks as a yummy organic treat to cool down or embrace your inner 10 year old by grabbing some water pistols or water bombs and going nuts!




This weekend is a quiet one in Melbourne, as everybody is hiding inside with their air conditioning and saving themselves for Australia Day antics!

My tips for things to do this week are:



St Kilda Night Market 
http://stkildatwilightmarket.com/




 




Check out the Beach Volleyball on Sunday (South Melbourne Beach)



Head to the Australian Open or watch the action on the screen at the Emerson rooftop!



Stay posted for next weeks fitness tips with the inspirational Monique de Dios!

JH

xxx




Wednesday 8 January 2014

Portsea Style...


Polo fashion…


The Portsea Polo is the perfect event to showcase the laid back effortless style that Australian fashion is renowned for. The most important thing is to be comfortable; think beachside glamour and casual chic, rather than the attention seeking high fashion of the Spring Racing Carnival.

Here are my tips for Portsea 2014 and my favourite looks from years past…

Ladies
Tick!

Wide Brimmed Hats
Playsuits
Bohemian patterns
Shorts






Cross 
Race Style fascinators
Peplem dresses
Heavy makeup
Bandage dresses










Men-


Tick!
Boat shoes
Bow ties
Aviator sunglasses
Coloured shorts/ chinos 
Suit Jackets









 


Cross
Caps
Actual polo shirts

Boring black
Dress shoes 
Thongs








If you havent gotten you're tickets already my tips on the hottest marquees are Essentially Enclosure, AMUK and Chin Chin. With 3 Palms doing an exclusive after party that will be well worth checking out! 

So far the weather is looking like a fine day of 24 with plenty of champagne and lots of fun! Will  See you all there!

JH

xx



Tuesday 7 January 2014

Time to escape....


Wanderlust~

A strong longing for or impulse toward wandering…


 As much as I love Melbourne, this New Year I was craving an escape, that feeling of freedom that comes from not knowing where you’re going and no hurry to get there.

So we packed the car and slowly headed up the east coast to eventually end up in Sydney. For anybody else wanting some inspiration for a Summer escape I thought I’d share the best bits.

Cape Conran is a secluded little spot that was just perfect for our first night, a small beach with plenty of walking trails to keep us busy and off the beaten track to ensure some privacy. A few beers and guitar tunes as the sun set created the most magical moment; it felt like our own little world.



Eden is a  popular holiday destination for a reason, the cliffs surrounding the bay are absolutely stunning! Running along the beach in the fresh morning air was beautiful. There are plenty of other little inlets around and the Seahorse Inn is worth a look if you prefer a more luxurious holiday treat or dining experience!

http://seahorseinn.com.au/
 
We past several more quaint little towns as we snaked our way up the coastline, Mogo and Pebbly Beach were some of our favourite stops.


Jervis Bay is well known for it’s incediblely picturesque beaches, with white sand and crystal water. It’s a must see for anyone making the drive to Sydney. We happened across a very unique B & B called Wollamia Village Retreat- which was set up like an old fashioned Village, with each cottage a different part of the town. It was absoluetly adorable! Our cottage was the old NSW Bank and had a spa bath as well as a private courtyard. They are pet friendly too so a good one to keep in mind if you take you're four legged friend on holiday.

http://www.wvr.com.au/
 
 Hymes beach was without a doubt our favourite even if it did leave us a little sunburnt! There was plenty going on around town, with the Huskisson pub serving good food with live music booked on weekends and the National park had plenty of walking tracks and beaches to explore.

http://www.thehuskisson.com.au/


 As we came into Sydney on NYE there was a little twang when I thought about all the glamourous cocktail parties I’d be missing in Melbourne to ring in the New Year. However the party in Paddington we attended has to be one of my favourite nights. We spent it with good people, sharing laughs and stories with my sister and friends. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Rather than lay about sleeping off the patron shots on NYD we managed to drag ourselves along to Field Day in the Domain.  Flume and Chet Faker were the musical highlights.

What a magical week, with the perfect mix of relaxing beaches, divine company, delicious food and fun parties.

Don’t think too hard about it guys… Just make up your mind and take off for a little adventure… go wandering..

JH

xx

P.S - It's time for the Portsea Polo again this weekend- I'll be sure to keep you up to date with all the latest fashion, parties and goss!