Posts

Learn to Run 5km this Summer

/in /by

It’s light in the mornings, the temps are warmer – a great time to start moving, be active, get energised and head outdoors.

As I was preparing to write this blog post, I googled images for a ‘Mature Woman Runner’. (At 51yrs old, I consider myself mature.)  The image above popped up, which got me interested.

Harriette Thompson completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Diego last year, in a time of 3 hours, 54 minutes, 16 seconds. She became the oldest woman to ever finish a half marathon. Harriette was 94yrs old!

This is truly inspirational! To think that at the age of 94yrs, this lady is still making the most of life. Wouldn’t you want to be like Harriette?

“Mummy you’re fat!”

Another inspirational story is about our very own run coach, Andrea Drury.  Andrea’s fitness career started in her 40’s. Prior to that she was overweight, heavy smoker (20+ cigarettes a day), and never did a day of exercise!

At 40 she ran her first distance of 50 yards for a taxi, and nearly passed out! At which point, her 5yr old son sat in the taxi, looked at her and said, “Mummy you’re fat and you can’t breathe”.  That was the start of her health & fitness journey – cigarettes went, exercise began, and feeling great followed.

“Surround yourself with positive people on a similar journey to you, and you will achieve your goals.” Andrea Drury

About the program

Our latest learn-to-run program will give you the tools to achieve exactly that!  It is aimed at supporting women who are beginners or just getting back into running. Those who want to get active, lose weight and create a new healthy habit – which becomes part of your lifestyle.

  • Our 8-week program is gentle and nurturing – starting at a low fitness base and gradually build you up to running 5km non-stop
  • We meet weekly on Thursdays at 9.15-10.00am in Manly Vale
  • Groups are limited to small sizes to ensure our coaches are able to give you their personal attention
  • Sessions focus on running technique which includes stride, cadence, posture, foot position, breathing, and much more
  • A few sessions will be filmed, so that we can guide you on how best to improve your running style
  • We also explore running-related relevant topics such as mindset, nutrition, safety, gadgets, etc.
Plus more!

Our 5km-FIT learn-to-run program is MORE than just a running program – it is about getting active, getting fit, making friends, building confidence, joining a community and achieving a very special goal. We want to ensure you fall in love with running, so that it becomes a habit and part of your lifestyle.

About our coach

We are so excited to have the wonderful Andrea Drury lead our 5km-FIT learn-to-run program. Andrea transformed her life (see above) and is passionate to share her journey with you.

Program details

  • Thursdays weekly
  • 18 Oct to 6 Dec 2018 – 8-week program
  • Thurs 9.15-10.00 am
  • Passmore Reserve, Manly Vale
  • Cost: $200
  • BONUS! Free 4-week meal plan with shopping list

“Running is a great way to keep your body fit and healthy but the best thing is, it really helps your mental heath – especially when running with an awesome bunch of supportive, happy people in the BEXI group.” Kate Power

 

FIT-TO-BE Program

/in , /by

 

Our FIT-to-BE program was borne out of the desire to support women who want to become fit, healthy and happy.  The name FIT-to-BE suggests becoming fit… to be who you want to be. To be healthy… to be active… to be happy!

If you’re a woman who has lost your exercise mojo, or looking to rebuild your fitness after having a child/children – we will support you in your journey to being fit, healthy and happy. You don’t need to have exercised much, own fashionable gym wear, or organise a baby sitter – just turn up to each session and we will do the rest.

About the program

Our 8-week program will inspire you to learn to love exercise again. To find your mojo and feel supported in the barriers you might have to fitness and nutrition. Each week we will meet at a different location in our beautiful northern beaches backyard and do 45 minutes of exercise to develop strength, cardiovascular fitness, but most importantly make you feel happy and connect with like-minded women.  We will chat, laugh, share stories and catch up for coffee after we finish.

About our Coach

Our coach is the gorgeous Emma Just – mum-of-three, wife, nurse, runner, triathlete… and simply the most humble, beautiful, kind and accomplished lady around. Emma started competing in Triathlon after the birth of her second daughter, where she progressed to competing in the World Champs in Kona (the ultimate accolade in the world of triathlon). But if you did not know this, Emma would not mention it.  Be sure to read her full bio.

“I’m really passionate about the importance of women’s health and well-being. Feeling nurtured and being part of a community and finding something that makes you love being active is vital in changing your life to be fit, strong and happy.”  Emma Just

Program details:
  • Tues 16 Oct to Tues 4 Dec 2018 (8-weeks)
  • 9.30-10.30am
  • $160 for 8-week program
  • Limited to 10 x FIT-to-BE women
What to bring:
  • Yourself
  • Your child (if you have one)
  • Current runners that you use for walking/running
  • Gym tights/leggings
  • Short-sleeve t-shirt/running shirt
  • Sun visor/hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Bottle of water (for child as well)
  • Lots of enthusiasm and a big smile
  • Money for coffee afterwards

We believe the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. 

 

 

Supporting Women Move

/in /by
We’re passionate about moving. In fact, it’s hard to stop us from moving (fact!). So when it comes to sharing our passion, we’re at the front of the queue.

Beauty of Exercise (BEXI) is a community of women committed to improving our lifestyles. We are mums, wives, business professionals, home executives, taxi-drivers… and anything else that comes our way. Our lives are busy… but we understand the importance of moving regularly.  Not only does moving improve our fitness and manage our weight, it also reduces the risk of chronic disease, and is super-important for managing our mental wellbeing.

“Running is my happy place. It is a great way to keep your body fit and healthy but the best thing is, it really helps your mental heath – especially when running with an awesome bunch of supportive, happy people in the BEXI group. Running has taught me how to keep mentally well.” (KateP)

To support women moving, we have developed a gentle, nurturing, learn-to-run 5km program. This program starts off from a low-fitness base and is structured around each individual. Each week we gradually increase the distance, so that by the end of the 8-week period, you are running 5km. There is no pressure or expectation – it is all having fun while getting fit and healthy. The added bonus is that you will meet amazing friends to support you along the way!

Special ‘Bring-a-Friend’ Offer

Because we are so passionate about supporting women get moving, we are offering a ‘bring-a friend’. You both only pay 50% of the package – that’s $90 each for 8-weeks training (vs $180 for individual registration). We know that if you are accountable to your friend – you are 100% more likely to commit to a program. That’s why we have introduced this amazing offer. Nudge a friend and come join us.

Our next 8-week program starts on Sat 11 Aug through to Sat 29 Sept 2018. We train at a ‘sensible’ time – 8.30-9.30am (unlike our other BEXI buddies!).  We offer a fun, supportive, encouraging environment, where no-one is left behind. We would be honoured to have you join our BEXI team.

 

 

 

“BEXI provides me with the structure to get me there week-on-week throughout my program. A bonus is the awesome friends that you share the journey and train with.” (KayeC)

Exercise and the F-word

/in , , , /by

On Tuesday morning I found myself engrossed in a conversation on ABC 702 between Wendy Harmer and Martha Lourey-Bird (Exercise Scientist), discussing family fitness (conversation here.)

So many families are embracing sedentary lifestyles these days – watching TV, playing computer games, glued to their iPhone’s – which is causing heaps of health and social issues.

It was great to hear Martha’s views about the importance involving kids when it comes to choosing activities and how to focus on the positives when it comes to exercise.

For kids/teenagers who are wired to their screens, a great idea is to head to the park and play some touch footie, cricket, soccer, hockey, netball, etc. Or another suggestion, which I thought was awesome, was to get them involved in training for an event with you. Make it a joint challenge – enter a charity event, fun run, parkrun. Not only will this give them a sense of purpose, but the training will stretch over a number of weeks, which will enable them to get into a routine.

Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate

The benefits of training as a family are vast – physical health, mental health and also bonding the family. If you have traditionally chosen a sedentary option over the weekend (i.e. watch sport on TV), why not make a small change and try something active – take the dog for a walk, ride your bikes around the lake, meet friends in the park for a walk. Setting positive lifestyle patterns is so important.

Our values at Beauty of Exercise is always FUN! Whatever we do, we make sure to have fun. If it’s getting up in the dark, running up hills, chasing our buddies around the lake – it’s all fun! And the key thing with having fun is to surround yourself with like-minded people to have fun with.

So, the moral of the F-word — always keep it FUN! And remember, your children become what you are… so be what you want them to be.

Debbie2
~ Beauty of Exercise