As we are all very well aware we need to exercise, eat well and think positively to live a more fulfilled life. We are also aware that obesity and diabetes are on the rise. But today we want to acknowledge our more senior clients as we recognise that the effort they all put in is so tremendous and it is such a joy training them. We have a number of clients in their 60’s, 70’s & 80’s who turn up every week with a smile on their face and a ready laugh to come and exercise with us. They are interested and interesting people who are well read but are always thirsty for new knowledge about how to improve their health, which we love to share!

A fine example is Margaret who at 83 years old, (sorry we aged you a year in the video) has been coming to the studio for over 3 years and we continue to see improvements all the time. Lisa one of our wonderful trainers has been working with Margaret and wanted to share Margaret’s achievements, so please watch this video and see how you can also achieve a 40kg cable pull – Thanks and well done Margaret and Lisa!

Taking a Nap…Did you know that taking a nap everyday is not only okay it is something we should all try and do everyday!  Did you know that even a quick 10 minute nap or meditation can count as a sleep cycle.

It’s not only about catching up on sleep cycles a midday nap between 11am – 1pm (depending on what time you get up) helps your productivity and creativity abilities.  JC has a nap most days usually later around 2 or 3pm, I sometimes do but not enough and yes there is the problem of how people may perceive you at work if found sleeping under your desk.

However if you would like to learn the art of napping there are many apps around and the one we use is call Pzizz and you can set for however long you like or use the instant 20min one.  Or you can review the article from Ben Greenfield who we have followed for many years. In his latest blog he writes about the 7 steps to mastering the art of napping.   https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2017/02/the-art-of-mastering-the-nap/

The Burpee can be either you love it or hate it! But the good or bad news is it is a really, really, good overall body weight exercise and yes can be done almost anywhere…..A beginners burped is simply – reach hands to the sky, then hands to the ground, knees bent, step back into a plank one leg at a time, hold for a second, step one leg back at a time, stand up hands to the sky and repeat. Intermediate is the same but when in plank position add one push up. Advanced is adding a jump up hands to the sky, jump down to push up position (caution: do not let your back sag) keep core and back strong and straight, then jump both feet back up, jump up with hands to the sky and repeat. Oh and I hear you asking how many should I do? Start with 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 and build up. 

A must do with this exercise is don’t rush it, get your technique right then you can fasten the pace!

PS, sorry for my giggling but JC has a tendency to over do what you should not do.

PPS. this was video’d in our backyard hence the dog barking!

We have a new blood pressure cuff & stethoscope which overtime you will become familiar with at assessment time. However if you’d like to know what your blood pressure is at anytime let us know and we can test you.

We have been asked a few times can I claim our sessions through my health insurance? It is not a simple answer and really depends on your Health Insurance Provider.  Our provider CBHS supports a number of PT sessions or memberships as well as referrals by doctors for weight loss or rehab. Others like Medibank will only if a Physio present and BUPA will if you have a doctor referral – so check with your provider you may at least be able to claim a small amount towards your fitness.

Lastly for HiCaps you need to be a Health Professional which unfortunately Personal Trainers are not – however we believe there should be more assistance for people to improve their health before they get hurt or sick. It’s well documented that exercise helps with heart disease, cancer prevention, diabetes and so many other health issues so why not help people be fitter than just pay for when they aren’t.  Just a thought….

Yes we’ve jumped on the Valentines Wagon because it is an opportunity to say or do something nice for the one you love. We also believe that we should acknowledge each other in a positive way every day. And we hear way too often “Oh I wish my husband would exercise” or ‘My wife really needs to do some exercise too, she’d love it if she just tried’.

So to acknowledge all of you in a positive way this February we have an offer to get your loved one to come and exercise with you.

For the month of February your husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, or partner in life can come along to any one (1) of your sessions a week for free.

This applies to our current partnered clients too – it’s a couple thing!

The benefits of exercising together as well as being fun, is it can bring you closer together, your both on the same path to fitness and it gives you something else in common as well as being very motivating.

To make this happen it’s really easy

• Just let us know when your partner is coming with you

 

• We’ll give you a card to write a nice little note to encourage them

 

• Then simply turn up – together

At ALTA Fitness we care about people and it’s our aim to not only help people get fitter and healthier but happier so by getting involved in raising funds for febfast and further initiatives later in the year we hope that we can contribute to the wider community as well as our clients.

For febfast JC and I have decided to give up coffee (& he says wine!) to raise money to help disadvantaged young Australians this year. If you’d like to join the ALTA Fitness team or assist by giving a donation click on the link at the bottom of this page and it will take you through to our fundraising web page. It would be great fun to do as a team and a good excuse to maybe kick a not so good habit or just get healthier along with us.

So borrowing from the Febfast page – we’re taking a pause for a cause this February to challenge ourselves and support Australia’s youth. It’s the perfect excuse to kick-start a healthier year, whilst raising funds for disadvantaged young people in Australia.

From overcoming mental health issues and the impact of abuse and neglect, to finding safe housing and tackling drug and alcohol problems, febfast funds youth workers who connect with young people experiencing disadvantage and ultimately help them stand on their own two feet.

Thank you in anticipation of supporting us on our febfast challenge.

Having a goal is often the most underrated motivation for getting fitter. Why? If you don’t have a reason eventually exercise becomes boring or you just keep going but don’t see any improvements. When you have a slump or are feeling tired it’s that goal that you have that will keep you moving.

So how do I get a goal? You may think that is a silly question however you have a goal for family, finances, work commitments – what is your fitness goal?

Ours this year is the Otway Odessy Mountain Bike Race on Feb 25th, JC is doing the 2 day 50km race and I am doing the 30km Saturday race. Next is the big one – Switzerland Niesenlauf Stair Climb, 11,641 steps or 3.4km up a steep hill – think we are crazy! Well I do at least but JC is always keeping us motivated with new adventures that ALWAYS includes some sort of physical activity. And I ALWAYS think WHAT! NO WAY! But I end up training for them and doing them and loving them! And of course we take our children on the adventure too.

It’s nice to reflect on a year past and think of all that we’ve achieved and what we are grateful for. We encourage everyone to do this as sometimes we focus on what hasn’t happened over what has happened. We thought we would share a little with you of our year.

No doubt our wedding was a highlight for our whole family, Jackson & Jessica couldn’t be happier to have a ‘real dad’ again which means an awful lot to me after losing their dad to cancer a few years ago. And to have found JC with his loving and caring nature we have all blossomed and found a new family to love, albeit they live in California & Neveda – so unfortunately (not) we must visit them every year especially as JC’s mom is 94 and his Dad 90 years young!

On a low note losing my mum to Leukaemia has created a hole in my, and my family’s, lives. I’ve always said if I am half the person my mum is I would be a good person. We miss her deeply and I know there are others of you who have faced the grief of losing someone this year but we hope that you find some peace and wonderful memories to keep close to your heart.

On the work front we obviously took on ALTA Fitness – this has been a huge learning curve for us but one we are thoroughly enjoying!  I was looking back through photos and the change in the studio is more than I thought and we really hope you are enjoying them. More importantly we feel we are starting to really build a little ALTA Fitness community with you all and hope you feel the same. I love what we are doing and I finish my Certificate III this month so you may have me for a class or two this year – this job has to be THE most rewarding I have ever done, now I see why JC has been in this industry so long.

We’ve also had the privilege of travel when we took 14 teenagers to Silverstar in Canada for a Ski camp early in the year and we’ve been up to Falls Creek several times and of course our memorable trip to the US.

In addition we have added two very cute members to our family, Tic Tac & Grace our new cats. Our children are healthy & happy and had a good year at school and their varied activities keep us super busy from basketball and soccer, to Little Aths and Tennis, to Piano, Guitar and Singing – luckily some of these activities are done at school.  With active twins are lives are full but we wouldn’t have it any other way it’s a delight watching them develop (even despite their sibling fighting escapades!).

Lastly, we have some great plans for ALTA Fitness this year coming and we look forward to sharing some of these with you over the coming weeks and months.  It is our wish to build a friendly, happy place to get fit with expert staff to make sure you, our clients, are getting what you want from us for your fitness & health needs.

We always appreciate feedback, suggestions or comments so please never hesitate to talk, email, phone us if you have anything you’d like to tell us. PS. don’t forget our growing library of books which you are welcome to borrow.

We look forward to the year ahead and helping you on your journey to a fitter, healthier, happier you.  

JC & Linda and the ALTA Fitness Team