Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

I've had a bike for about 8 or 9 years and it got used precisely twice in the UK.
Over here, we got a second bike 4 weeks ago, and cycled in the pouring rain last weekend, and this weekend just gone, on that GLORIOUS saturday in melbourne, we did 20Ks!!!! Went out to Altona for brekkie, it was FAB.

Signing up for the 50K ( yes we're chicken ) round the bay in a day cycle for next month too.

Before I got here, I could be out of breath after walking up a couple of flights of stairs.
Now I take the train to work, and 4 months of walking from the train to work seems to have had quite a massive effect. I try to take the long route whenever possible, or get off at whichever CBD train station is furthest from where I'm going. And I walk really fast, to make sure I'm out of breath when I get there.
Or go on really long complicated pub crawls. :)

That said, we did choose where to live very carefully to make sure that the facilities ( train, supermarket ) were close by, and luxuries ( pubs, cafes restaurants, beach ) are a 15 - 20 minute walk, and the rule is (mostly) if we want a meal out, we have to walk down and back.

Says she, sat in of a monday, glass of wine near to hand :)

So I'm a lot fitter, and although the weight is only dropping slowly, I'm very happy with the way things are going. The OH has lost quite a bit tho, although he didnt have much more than a spare bicycle tire anyway.

Oh and processed food here is so crap( and RAMMED with salt ) , that we make everything from scratch, so that helps too.

Anyway, if its something you want to do, and its important ( for us, one of the main reasons for moving ), then the fact that you've moved to the other side of the planet, upset half your family and friends, and spent a wad of cash to get here, really helps to get you off that sofa.


Sometimes :p

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

We have a gym at work so I try and use that 3-4 days a week when I am in the office.

At weekends, generally do a medium cycle (30-40 km) and a bit of running or tennis.

Cycling here is a nightmare (close to a suicide mission) compared to where I was living previously.

I am more fit here than I was but I don't think that has anything to do with the country, just generally not happy with myself. Currently weigh 77 kg but would be happier at 72.

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

Hi,

Could I ask you how much a good treadmill would cost in QLD. I can't seem to find prices on the internet. We will be going early 09. Thanks!

Helena

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

We paid about $1200 from memory, but this is going back a few years and the guy imported them directly from overseas, so there was no middle man making it much cheaper. The main thing to consider is the horse power. If it's too low (which a lot of the cheap ones are) then you may not be able to run on it and sometimes they can't take a lot of weight if a really big person wanted to use it.

There are usually a fair few going second hand in the trading post or the weekend shopper so you should be able to pick up something cheap second hand.

Hope that helps!

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

People give them away on Freecycle too. Join your local group and put a 'wanted' ad out there.

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

gdgd

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

I actually do quite a bit less here. I used to walk the dog for one or two hours most days. Lack of inspiring off leash areas and hot weather are my excuses here.

I rarely walk anywhere, as there's nothing nearby and no footpath for the first three roads lol!

Excuses, excuses! :unsure: I do use a cross-trainer...a lot less than I should :o apart from that the only exercise I get is slow wandering around shopping centres with a small child in tow.

Steady weight gain here I come.....

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

Can't understand this - whats wrong with 2 hours walking with dog on a leash? Its so beautiful here - the gold coast has many places and beaches where dogs are allowed on a leash and between May and September you can walk almost any time of day - saying that my dog walking is keeping the dog trim but not sure about me!

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

Walking the dog...did in UK as well.
Raising a wine glass...did in UK as well.
Kayaking...did Canadian Canoe in UK but decided Kayaks more suited to Aus.
Cycling... occasionally as the mood takes but not as often as I'd like as now live on a steep hill...did there and here.

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

Thank a million. I would like one that had some power so I can run. :thumbsup:

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

I haven't read the whole thread yet (I know, I hate it when people do that too!).

Anyway, since moving here 2.5 years ago I have started doing a lot more walking - as we have no car. I also lost 35kg at the start of 2007 due to loads of stress (DH & I were on the verge of splitting) but have put about 10kg back on (grrr) now that I'm happier again LOL.

I joined Curves about 16 months ago and really love it. Granted, I've not lost any more weight (in fact have put some back on, but that'll be my binge eating again) but the difference in my fitness levels is fantastic.

I'm lucky in that I don't go out to work and that my DD is at preschool 3 full days per week so I can get there quite easily. Next year DD will be at "real" school so I may get to do 5 days per week.

It's not the cheapest thing in the world (mine is $59/month) but if I can get there 3 times per week it works out as about $4.50 per session which I don't think is too bad.

Hoping to become pregnant soon so may well have to give up Curves, depending how I feel (although last time I was pg I managed to lose a couple of stone in the first 3 months thanks to sickness LOL).

Now I'm off to read the rest of the thread... really hope it's not veered too far off the original topic otherwise I'm going to feel like a right numpty!


Edited to add: meant to say I did no exercise at all in the UK. DD's nursery was a 5min walk away. But I always drove her there and back (would have been quicker to walk). Tesco was a 10min walk away and I always drove. It's quite shameful really. When we first moved here, walking from Pitt Street Mall to Wynyard (to those of you who don't know Sydney... it's about a 5min walk really) nigh on killed me. I couldn't even walk up the slight hill from our house to the shop (5mins these days) without getting out of breath. When I think back, it makes me so sad.

I know I still have a long way to go but I feel so much fitter than I ever did when I lived in the UK. The "having to walk everywhere" thing means I get plenty of exercise without even realising it... which is the best kind LOL

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

Agree about reinventing yourself. This is the perfect opportunity and hopefully there'll be money left over from the sale of the house to buy some water toys. It will be interesting to see if this motivates the kids. Yesterday we had a beautiful 24 degrees and knowing that the weather is about to turn to rubbish I tried to encourage them to come to the beach to walk the dog. Only managed to get one child to come because it was "too hot". Gads wait till we get to Queensland.

Margaret3 - don't be scared to ask other mothers or coaches. Lots of parents work full-time now and you may find there is a way to get your kids to after school sports if they aren't held at the school. I had two kids in competition gymnastics and coached a team for a year - me and another coach shared collecting 6 kids from my daughter's school 3 times a week. Other parents from other schools did the same and one privileged child arrived every time in a taxi. If they want to do something badly enough there's usually a way.

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

Well I got on the scales about 8 weeks ago and found I was 9 kilos heavier then I was a year ago. I have now lost just over 6 of the little buggers and I am really enjoying the exercise.

Funny thing is...the company I work for pay for our pilates and are starting up boxercise for us again in the next week or so. They are also paying for a 6week boot camp style training program with weight management classes for any staff members that want it which will begin the first week of October.....and yes I have signed up for that as well.

Hopefully by the time Xmas arrives I will be just under 60 kilos, and very fit as I will be starting water skiing again.

Sharon

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

My God what company is that and do you need any more staff? :thumbsup:

Re: What exercise do you do - and has it changed since you emigrated?
 

it is a law firm..... and yes they are looking for some secretarial staff at the moment :)