Bikram

In mid April I took my second ever Bikram yoga class. After taking a pretty long break from having any regular exercise habits I am loving the fact that i have found bikram. After my first class I have tried to get to class as often as I can - usually 4-5 times a week. I am experiencing some great positives from taking bikram both physically and mentally. At around the same time that I started bikram I also gave up drinking! This was part of a 3 month plan to cut out alcohol. So far it has been surprisingly easy and I am loving the 'high and mighty' feeling I am getting from not drinking. Each bikram class provides new challenges and depending on my state of mind I can have a very frustrating standing series or an amazing class!! One of the things that I have noticed is that if my concentration is a bit off at the beginning of the class I will usually struggle. Also since I began my extremely inflexible shoulders have begun to loosen up. This week I will only make 4 classes but will aim for 5 again next week. I have also been researching yogic diets. At the moment my diet is really lacking. Being a vegetarian I need to be putting WAY more effort into my meals!

Autumn

We have just returned from a fantastic trip to Thailand and also to Stradbroke Island for a friends wedding. Both were such amazing trips! Thailand was relaxing, amazing food and amazing beaches. Stradbroke was a great chance to catch up with friends and chill out! I have come home feeling a little bit like I still need a holiday! It is time to start planning our Europe trip and start setting some serious goals. I need to keep working on my french and get in shape!

So I have made myself another list of goals aiming at getting healthy starting from tomorrow!

Firstly I am going to steer clear of alcohol, ensure that I complete some form of exercise each day, drinks heaps of water and set myself a running goal that I can complete!

More on this to come but for now here are some pics of my trips!

Salut!

We have three trips planned this year and I am starting to get excited. The first is to Thailand for a few days of sun and fun. Then we are off to North Stradbroke for Alana and Marshall's wedding. We also head off to Amsterdam & France which I am currently planning. This is a huge adventure for us since neither of us have been to Europe. I have been researching accommodation in the Loire Valley, France and the hardest part is making a decision. This weekend I am also continuing my FebFast which is going brilliantly and will be testing out some Epsom Salts. This is the hotel we will be staying at in Amboise - pretty!!

Bye Bye Sugar!

I had been contemplating giving up sugar as part of FebFast and then I saw Sarah Wilson's post on giving up chocolate as part of FebFast also! Great minds sure do think alike! I have a serious addiction to chocolate and had been in denial about it. I practically always pick up some chocolate during the day either at the petrol station or the supermarket and they are always my 'little treats'. But enough is enough and it is time to make some changes. I am very excited about the double whammy - giving up alcohol and chocolate in the same month. I am sure worse things could happen and my body will really thank me for it. I am well aware that I will not be a happy camper after a few days without chocolate so will need to investigate a substitute 'reward food!'

Part of my inspiration has come from James Dugains 'Clean and Lean - Flat Tummy Fast' I am not so concerned about the flat tummy - although that would be nice! It is more about cleaning up my diet and eating food that is actually going to benefit my body.

So my new health plan goes like this

1. Complete some form of exercise each day - even if it is just taking the dog for a walk or doing some yoga.

2. Cut out alcohol and chocolate for one month. I will continue to eat fruit as I really, really couldn't live without it!

3. Get more sleep. I am terrible, staying up late watching rubbish TV. Must aim for some more relaxation/sleep time in my life.

Can't wait!!

FebFast

It's been a little while...

It is so hot in Melbourne today I really don't know what to do with myself!

I have been doing lots of online bikini shopping in preparation for our trip to Thailand which is coming up!

The other day I signed up for FebFast. I did try it out last year but to be honest I think I only made it one or two days! Since signing up I have been checking out FebFast ambassador Sarah Wilsons blog which I love! I think my body is going to be very happy to have a months break from alcohol. I wish I could be brave enough to give up chocolate too - I have a day or so to decide on that one!

Here is a more recent photo of Dash - what a spunk!

Lots more travel, food & health related posts to come!

The weekend

I have been so busy over the past few months I have had no time to blog. But with lots of exciting things up my sleeve and a weekend off I am keen to jump back in!

Dash

It has been a long time between posts with work mayhem and moving house.

Here is a photo of our gorgeous new puppy Dash. She is adorable and seriously cheeky but we love her to bits already!

Lots to report so I will be posting more over the weekend xx