It's A Wrap: 2013 Fitness Show

Men's Fitness Fit Bloke Challenge

Over the weekend the inaugural Perth Fitness Show transformed our Convention Centre into a craze of exercise, nutrition, fitness and well-being. The convention centre was packed with industry representatives and members of the public on both days, enjoying the latest and greatest in exercise equipment and apparel, supplements, and training technique.

Michelle Bridges

The main stage was constantly abuzz with presentations from industry leaders, with the keynote presentation each day from the Biggest Loser's Michelle Bridges. Michelle's motivational speech was on the concept of having a plan but remembering to put that plan into action, with her trademark "JFDI" - Just Freakin' Do It! She finished off with her three secrets of success:

1. Consistency

2. Consistency

3. Consistency

Fitness Modelling

For the majority of Saturday the main stage hosted a number of fitness modelling and bodybuilding competitions, which definitely kept the crowds entertained. It is extraordinary to see where these people get their bodies after lots and lots of hardcore training and disciplined eating. 

The other major highlight were the fitness challenges, male and female. The grand final of the Men's Fit Bloke Challenge was absolutely intense, as the final two from hundreds battled it out for bragging rights and a few thousand dollars worth of prizes. 

There were MMA demonstrations, Zumba classes, interactive "indoor walking" (resembles a cross trainer) demonstrations, and more protein samples than you could stomach!

Definitely left feeling inspired and motivated. with bags full of goodies and a head full of knowledge! Looking forward to the show coming back bigger and better next year!

Did you go the show? Comment below and let us know your thoughts! Things you liked, things you didn't. And...go!

Zumba and MMA Demonstrations

Perth Fitness Show

The Perth Fitness Show 2013 is on this weekend at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Head down to the Show and explore all things health, fitness, nutrition and wellbeing. With inspiring speeches from Michelle Bridges, cooking demonstrations from Teresa Cutter, fitness modelling competitions, and all the latest and greatest in training, there is something at the show for everyone!

For the uber-keen amongst you, you can even participate in a training session with either Michelle Bridges or the Commando. May need to work some over time though it's not cheap...a one hour session (in what we would assume is going to be a pretty large group) is going to set you back $150.

Get down there, soak up some atmosphere, and get some new tips and tricks! You can buy tickets here or at the event. Doors open 9.30am-5.00pm.

Have a great time, see you there!

Who Says You Can't? Cool Runnings v2.0

Sometimes a challenge can just seem to difficult. You can laugh yourself out of doing something by calling it "impossible" or "ridiculous". But every now and then we hear a story of human perseverance, of somebody wanting something so much that they will stop at nothing to get it.

Meet Luger Banani, a Tongan man with a dream of being the first Tongan to participate at a winter olympics, aiming for Sochi 2014. Whilst his story isn't controversy free (he changed his name to that of a German underwear company "Bruno Banani" in exchange for a sponsorship deal), it is an incredible story of human desire and perseverance.

Check out the clip!

So next time you find yourself staring at a seemingly impossible challenge, remember "The Flying Coconut", and remember that if the mind can believe it, the body can achieve it!

Perth's New Healthy Eating Option: Health Freak Cafe

Perth is buzzing with excitement about the much anticipated opening of Health Freak Cafe. With two cafes in Subiaco and Scarborough set to open before the end of the year, Perth is set to have a new, healthier dining alternative. 

Health Freak Cafe brands itself as 100% clean eating, gluten free, sugar free, whole, unprocessed, unrefined and organic.

The breakfast menu has our tastebuds going into overdrive, lots of delicious sounding options to suit everyone. All the regular menu items you would expect to see, but with a healthy twist. No doubt the sugar free, low carb, high protein pancakes will be a huge hit!

Protein pancakes

Quinoa cakes

Health Freak Cafe will also be open for lunch. The lunch menu is comprehensive, it's definitely going to take a few visits to try everything that sounds good. The gluten free oven baked goats cheese arancini catches my eye, and the layered vegie stack looks delicious!

Layered vegie stack

And the only bad news? We're going to have to wait! According to their website the two flagship cafes will be ready to go in December. 

Until then, follow Health Freak Cafe on their Facebook page for all the latest updates, and more teasing photos!

Which menu item has you salivating? Know of any other healthy dining options in Perth? Let us know below!

Start Your Summer Health Kick With Ocsober!

Summer is just around the corner and what better way to kickstart your summer health kick than by getting involved with OCSOBER. If you haven't heard of Ocsober (or, sober october) before, think Dry July but at a better time! 

The pledge is to go alcohol free for the month of October. You can get a double-hit of feel good by also using the opportunity to raise funds for drug and alcohol education programs for Aussie kids.

If you're trying to lose weight, cutting alcohol will help you reach your goals faster. Alcoholic beverages are high in calories and have negligible nutritional value, making them "empty calories". Did you know that two glasses of wine takes about an hour of walking to burn off? How much walking would you need to do the day after a big night out?

And for anybody trying to gain lean muscle, alcohol is also going to be letting you down. Alcohol inhibits protein synthesis and is bad for testosterone production. 

Then there are the other consequences. How often do you go for a big night out and then go home and have a steak with steamed veggies? I'd put money on the answer being never. You end up crawling home past maccas or the kebab shop, am I right? And then the next day when you wake up you just can't be bothered cooking, so you end up fuelling your body with more high fat high carb takeaways. Alcohol throws your entire diet out of whack.

So...take the challenge this October and go sober! 

Are you doing Ocsober this year? 

Happiness is Health

There is a good old saying which goes like this:

Happiness is health and a short memory!

It's no secret that a healthier you will lead to a happier you, and that's why regular exercise, good nutrition, recreation and sleep are so important for you.

But this saying can be challenged in a typical "chicken vs egg" debate: does good health lead to happiness, or does happiness lead to good health?

A number of studies have shown that people who are happy generally live longer and have better health than their unhappy peers. 

But the question remains: are they happy because they're healthy, or are they healthy because they're happy?

Food for thought! But we think finding happiness is an important part of your wellbeing. 

Whatever it is that makes you happy, find time for it! We will have more on "work/life balance" later this week!

But what is it that makes you happy? Think about it...then go do it! You never know, you just might live longer....

What Do You Desire?

What is it that makes you smile? What is it that makes you feel fulfilled? What do you do where you look back and think, I made a great contribution to the lives of others?

What do you desire?

What would you do if money was no object?

Watch this inspiring Alan Watts video to get you thinking.