EBPT Gold Coast

Three years ago I came to the Gold Coast to learn everything I could about health, fitness and the human body. I am unbelievably excited to finally have this little piece of paper. Just one more year of learning and work experience until I can start to help people change their own lives through exercise and healthy lifestyle choices, as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. I. Can't. Wait.

A quote from one of today's clients: "My muscles feel tight and like jelly at the same time". That's what I call a successful training session!

2014 is going to be a good year. I can tell. Remember, an effective way to achieve your dreams is to break them down into small, specific, achievable goals. It's a great way to stay on track and not get too overwhelmed. What do you want to accomplish this year?

This blurry action shot shows that I did not succumb to the "it COULD rain... maybe" excuse I was formulating in my head to get me out of going for a ride. It is SO easy to find excuses to get out of exercise. Too tired, too busy, too hot, too cold... blah, blah, blah. They come into my head all the time. But when they do wiggle their evil little way into your thoughts, just remember:
1. Getting ready and getting there is often mentally the hardest part. Once you're all geared up and ready to train you'll feel better.
2. You will often feel more energised after you do some exercise. Get that blood pumping and those feel-good endorphins flowing.
3. You will feel better about yourself for sticking to the plan. As I mentioned in my last post, it is very hard to succeed if you get negative and angry at yourself for not achieving.
And finally
4. A healthy and active lifestyle is all about creating good habits. Once exercise becomes a habit you will feel far worse off when you miss out, so stick to it.

I assure you, it will be worth it.

Happy New Year friends and followers! There's something in the air that tells me 2014 is going to be a good one!

While this hot and muggy weather makes it hard to get motivated, it's as good a time as any to start making those little changes to your lifestyle to ensure a long and healthy life. Some of the daily challenges I give myself include:

- Eat a proper, nutritious breakfast
- Do at least one "active" thing per day - whether it is a gym session, a bike ride, a mini bodyweight circuit at home, walking the dogs, or just a walk to the shops - move that body!
- "Cheers" to one good thing in your life each day - this doesn't have to be with alcohol (I quite regularly do it with a water bottle). It's so important to recognise your blessings.
- Try to include colour in every meal. If your meal is multiple shades of brown/white it is probably lacking the nutrients you need.

Finally, if for some reason you can't tick all the boxes on your Healthy Lifestyle Checklist - DON'T beat yourself up. Give yourself a pat on the back for the things you have achieved today, and try hard again tomorrow. You are far more likely to continue to achieve if you feel good about yourself for doing it.

Have a great day! And make sure you keep those fluids up in this hot weather. Cheers, Erin.

It's not pretty, but this is my brekkie at work today. I have a variation of this most days and it is DELICIOUS. It is important to have a nutritious and varied diet in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This bowl is full of Bircher muesli with linseed, bran flakes (fibre), frozen berries (antioxidants), banana (potassium), Greek yoghurt (protein and calcium) and cinnamon. Usually I have a splash of skim milk (but I ran out yesterday) and I just added a passionfruit because it was on the bench at the time. It may not be a breakfast that suits everyone, but I like eating my fruit in the morning because it works nicest with my tummy. It's all about finding what works for you, and using the freshest, most natural ingredients with ideally ZERO added sugar. I now have the energy to start my busy day! What is your favourite breakfast?

Exercise isn't meant to be easy. There are things I struggle with every single session. However, the human body needs to be challenged in order to adapt and improve. What have you done to challenge your body this week?

I love being a trainer! Absolutely pumped for my new CIRCUIT class at Unifitness Health Centre at Griffith Uni GC.

With summer fast approaching it is a great time to set some realistic and achievable goals for yourself. Don't leave it to 2013's New Years Resolution. You have TWO whole months before then to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle.
Write your goals down on a piece of paper and whenever you feel yourself slipping from them, bring them out - read, re-evaluate and re-focus.

Spring has most definitely sprung! The sun is shining. The birds are singing. Take advantage of the early morning sunshine and go for a walk or a run outside. Drop down and do some push-ups. Work those legs and bum by lunging from room to room. Run up and down the stairs.

Try to include that little extra bit of exercise in your life EVERY DAY.

And keep that tummy tight, during every movement, of every second, of every day.

It's been a long time, but I just want to remind all my gorgeous Hervey Bay clients to KEEP YOUR TUMMY TIGHT.

I miss everyone I've ever trained, but am on my way to becoming a more knowledgeable fitness professional. # # #

Speaks for itself. Get out there and make things happen!