Melbourne Boot Camp

A recent publicity exercise gave birth to an unusual new sport – neon night surfing.

While many surfers try their hand at surfing under the moonlight, this takes the idea to a whole new level.

To welcome Summer, the event took place at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach with a dawn patrol of 17 surfers at 5.00am.

Specially designed wetsuits similar  to rashy vests featured battery packs that powered neon tubes called “Fibre Flares,” which use a  similar technology to bicycle lights.

With a bit of luck, someone may commercialise these neon wetsuits and create a brand new surfing genre.

Written by Andrew Talati

One very unusual version of Golf is played in the desert.  Australia’s Nullarbor Links holds the record for the world’s longest golf course.

Spanning 1365kms along Australia’s most isolated and desolate highway, the Nullarbor is a 18 hole, par 72 golf course. Tee off is from the mining town of Kalgoorie in Western Australia’s mid-south eastern corner along the Eyre Highway, finishing at the coastal town of Ceduna at the most western point of the South Australian border.

As part of a tourism push, participating towns and roadhouses have worked together to make the project a reality, spanning the municipalities of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Coolgardie, Dundas, and Ceduna.

So, if you’re planning on making the epic road trip across the Nullarbor this Christmas holidays, pack your golf clubs and enjoy one of 18 holes against the backdrop of the Great Australian Landscape!

Written by Andrew Talati

These two Fitmates from Moonee Ponds Boot Camp have a fantastic attitude towards their exercise.

Since joining in early 2011, Jenny and Wayne T have not missed one single session (except when  they went away on holiday).

By way of explanation, they said that while people quite often make excuses about not having the time to exercise, their attitude is more about making time.

Jenny and Wayne T received our award for the highest attendance for 2011, an awesome achievement.

Their attitude towards training focuses more on  the benefits they receive along the way to achieving their ultimate fitness goal. They see reaching their goal as an added bonus to the many benefits they experience attending a regular exercise program. Their greatest impetus is feeling more energized, refreshed and healthier every day.

Jenny and Wayne remind us that while it’s great to have a goal, it’s also important to focus on the journey towards achieving that goal. No matter how focused you are on outcomes, if the journey brings you misery and unhappiness your road to success will be full of huge potholes and detours.

When commencing any regular exercise regime you need to first prepare yourself both physically and mentally. The biggest challenge faced during the initial stages is the shock to your system as your body adapts to a different type of stimulus. It’s during this stage that your focus and commitment may wane.  Your enthusiasm level drops as your desired goal seems like a distant reality.

But there’s a well known saying that holds true here: to climb a mountain you must start by taking small steps.

By having a great mental focus at the beginning, your goal can be broken down into more achievable bite size pieces – and this makes it much easier to succeed. Begin every new endeavour with a solid foundation of mental preparation, commitment and belief that you will ultimately achieve the goal.

Written by Andrew Talati

So if you’re feeling that your excuses are outweighing your commitment, think of Jenny and Wayne T.  They’re just two ordinary people demonstrating how true commitment is a necessary step towards achieving your goals.

Written by Andrew Talati

Is there a so-called fat gene that makes people easily put on weight?

Many believe so and a recent study has confirmed their suspicions.  The study revealed that “the FTO Gene” may indeed be responsible for certain people carrying additional weight.

Is it real?
So many of us understand how difficult it is to lose weight and keep it off.

After all, there’s a whole industry built around that very fact.

There’s no denying that some individuals are more likely to be overweight or obese. Some people are naturally thin, some naturally muscular and others naturally larger.

Now scientists claim they’ve found ‘the fat (FTO) gene’ that contributes to body fat levels and increases the risk of obesity.

Released by the Archives of Internal Medicine, the study found that people of European descent have a greater chance of inheriting the FTO gene.  It also discovered that almost 50% of study participants who were of European carried this gene.

But, all is not lost.

Does this gene put you at a greater risk of obesity?
It appears carrying the FTO gene does put you at greater risk of obesity, especially when combined with an unhealthy lifestyle.

However,  it can be argued that anyone with an endomorphic body type is more likely to become obese.

At first glance it makes sense that a ‘fat’ gene would contribute to obesity. After all, if your body is pre-programmed to retain body fat, then it’s likely  you’ll become overweight more easily, especially if you’re not very active or enjoy processed foods.

However, the study found that while it’s not possible to ‘turn off’ this gene, we can reduce its impact.

The Cure
Quite often, many overweight individuals are fitter and healthier than naturally thin people.

Why?

Because they work harder to lose and/or control their weight. They eat well and regularly exercise.

It appears  this may be the key to controlling the ‘fat’ gene. The study found that while it can’t be ‘killed,’  leading a healthy lifestyle deprives the gene of the fuel it needs to function effectively – ie. predispose you to put on weight.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to lose weight and keep it off permanently.

But following a healthy eating plan and exercising regularly is beneficial to your health, well-being and weight regardless of genetics, body type or the FTO gene.

Written by Andrew Talati

Sadly, the Federal Government rejected the Traffic light labelling reforms today.

While the labelling system might have lead to some confusion for certain unhealthy foods (eg. those high in natural sugars as opposed to highly processed foods that are low in sugar), it is still a far better system than the current labelling laws.

The Government cited there was “inconclusive evidence” to support  introduction of a traffic labelling system, particularly when viewed alongside studies showing that such a system can influence buyer behavior.

The bottom line is, Australia has some extremely powerful food lobby groups whose members would have been disadvantaged  if the traffic system had been given the green light.

Written by Andrew Talati