Training with a difference

Well, it's been several days since my last post, so I thought it about time I get back to it. Today I want to talk about training with a difference.

What exactly do I mean? Well, we all know the standard training methods - gym, pool, classes, home gyms/treadmills etc, running, cycling, organised sport.

These are all fantastic ways to increase health and fitness, as well as lose weight for those wishing to do so.

But you don't have to fork out money for gym memberships or equipment to train, and changing up your training, doing something different, does two things:

It keeps your motivation and enjoyment levels high, and
It keeps your body guessing, thus maximising the benefits of training.

Let me share some of my own examples.

Last week I went out hiking on the Bibbulmun Track for two days, covering some challenging terrain in high heat.

Hiking is a brilliant way to cross train - every regular hiker I know is lean and fit. It works two of the three areas of fitness - endurance and strength, and often even balance!

But you don't even have to spend all day hiking to enjoy the benefits. Getting out in nature for even just a couple of hours allows you to relax, enjoy your beautiful surrounds, open your lungs to fresh, clean air, soak up a bit of vitamin D (be sun-smart though), give your body a good workout, and just have fun.

Some people, like me, like to challenge themselves on the trail. How far can I get today? How quickly can I complete the next section? Can I wear different shoes and still maintain the same pace? (Incidentally, the answer to this is no! Last week's hike I wore my Vibram Five Fingers. Brilliant, brilliant shoes for running - not for hiking in rough terrain though! I met a fellow hiker on the trail, and after a day and a half hiking in these shoes, I simply couldn't keep up with his pace due to pain in my feet).

So anyway, hiking is a brilliant way to train differently. Another thing I've only done a few times is rogaining. Rogaining again takes you outdoors - it's similiar to orienteering.

However, you have a set time and a map, and you have to collect as many points as you can by navigating to various co-ordinates before being back at the start in the designated time. These are usually 6, 12, or 24 hour events. For something a little less taxing, try urban orienteering - usually only goes for an hour or two, and it's in various suburbs each week whilst the competition is on. And again, they have easy, medium and hard options.

A really fun way to stay fit, and if you're doing it with a partner or in a team, it's a great way to spend some time with that person/people. If you're having trouble picturing what's involved, think Amazing Race minus the wacky challenges.

Another thing I enjoy doing is just putting my ipod on and running parallel to the train line. That way I can get as far as I feel like going, and just jump on the train home.

Today, after going to the gym, I will be putting my inflatable kayak on my back (about 15kg), walking to the city (27km), blowing up my kayak and paddling up the Swan River to the Swan Valley, where I'll enjoy a nice meal before turning around and coming back.

Other ways of training differently -

Go swimming at the beach. Fighting a few waves is always good for a complete body workout.

Indoor rockclimbing; you don't need any experience to get along and have some fun whilst challenging yourself. For some, it's also a great way to overcome a fear of heights in a very safe and controlled environment.

Go to a waterpark! How much fun can you possibly have whilst doing a cardio (swimming) and strength (climbing stairs etc) workout?

Find a friend and have a game of squash or tennis. Or kick a ball around a park, or shoot some hoops on a local basketball court.

Go mountain biking. Very few things work the entire body - and mind - like proper mountain biking, having to maintain control of the bike whilst navigating some interesting terrain.

Go dancing. Find a style you enjoy, and take some dance classes. It's great fun, and really good exercise at the same time. And guys, women usually appreciate a man who can dance!

Go kayaking. Fantastic upperbody workout, and a really different way of spending some time on the water.

Go for a big walk. Take a day out of your busy life, and just walk. Here's what I like doing. I like thinking to myself that I'd enjoy a nice glass of wine or pint of beer at the end of the day - so I'll have in mind a pub I know is going to take me all day to get to. For instance, from Joondalup it's a fantastic walk to Fremantle along the coast.

Head down Ocean Reef Road, and walk along the brilliant paths along the coast. And along the beach itself once I reach it. Stop for a swim wherever I feel like, and when arriving at places like Hilary's and Cottesloe, enjoying a cool drink or lunch in a great place. And upon arriving at the preferred pub, seeing the looks on people's faces when they find out where you've walked from. Priceless!

So at the end of the day, what I'm saying is that even if, like me, you deep down don't really like the gym, it doesn't mean you can't exercise effectively. And for those who do enjoy the gym, these are some ways to increase the benefits of the training you already do.

People often ask me what my training regime is. It's both a simple and difficult question to answer.

Basically, I don't have one. I train however I feel like on the day. I tend to go to the gym a few times a week, but then again, not always. I run - a lot! - but again, not always. And when I run, I run varying distances; no set pattern. If I'm struggling a bit, I'll only do 10km, or sometimes even just 5. If I'm feeling good, I'll run to the city and back, or around Lake Joondalup once or twice. I enjoy classes at the gym, particularly Wednesdays, when I'll often do Combat/Pump/Balance back to back. I'm just starting to swim. I go walking/hiking a lot. Whether around Perth, or up in the hills, depends on what I feel like doing each week.

Once I've completed my record attempt, I plan on taking up martial arts for more of an anaerobic-style of training.

So get out there people! Live life to the fullest! Change the way you think about training - most of what I do I don't even consider training, even though I know it is. To me, it's just fun.


Finally, I'd like to give a shout-out today to a few of my weight loss clients - I think this will be a regular feature of my blog.

Kevin, you're a star mate, having almost achieved your goal weight within a matter of weeks, and not months like we originally thought it would take. And managing a 1.9kg loss this week, despite St Patrick's Day! Well done on exercising restraint.

Ann - probably my most consistent client, who has been to every single one of my Sunday morning group walks, and consistently loses approx. 1kg each week. Well done Ann, I know you inspire several of the others.

Elly - a 16 year old girl who has really struggled, and threw in the towel. She came back this week, we reassessed her program, and she's keen to go again. Thanks Elly for being brave and coming back to see me.

And last, but certainly not least, Josie. We both got very excited when Josie registered a weight this week of 99.9kg - the first time she's been under 100kg since she was 13 years old. Bring on the 80's!