I found this really interesting article detailing 6 different types of tea for different moods. The first one I found of particular interest because I would like to cut back on my coffee and as the article suggest, black tea is a lite caffeine fix. Perfect!

Other teas listed include chai, barley, green and fruit flavored.

Read the full article here.

My work and an injury later in the year really did put a bit of a dent in the spirits and I must admit that I was quite happy to say goodbye to 2009 and a big hello to 2010!

Although I felt like I let myself down last year in relation to changing jobs, which by the way I really must do this year otherwise I may go completely mad! I am very thankful that everyone I love continued to be healthy and reasonably happy in 09. The thing I am most grateful for is that I got to spend another wonderful year with my dear Nan who despite losing her leg a few years back continues to amaze us all with her fighting spirit. She is 84 this year and I am incredibly proud to have her in my life. Nan is a true inspiration to me and everyone she meets and a true blue Aussie, good on ya Nan! ;-)

Exercise and diet have remained pretty stable although Christmas was a challenge, as always.
Today we hiked for 3 hours, it was great to be back outdoors and enjoying the West Australian coast and bush. We are so darn lucky in this great land downunder.

My focus this year is get myself sorted work wise as it has slowly been dragging me down for sometime. That being said, I am incredibly grateful that I have a job and thankful I live in a State that offers many opportunities in a World still struggling with finance and employment.

I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2010, lets work together to make ourselves the very best we can be this year and beyond. Don’t dwell on the past as there is nothing you can do to change it, look to the future with fresh optimism and a simple promise to do the very best you can and not lie to yourself when you don’t.

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

In this video you will see Craig using a pretty heavy set of dumbbells, it is not necessary for you to do the same – it is important that you are comfortable so find a weight that works for you.

For some, years of crash dieting and expired gym memberships tell a tale of inconsistent effort. Others, simply never get to the point of really trying. In both situations, the impact is pretty much the same.

You look in the mirror and you don’t like what you see. All those years of not caring, eating whatever you want and not exercising come flooding back. A rush of anger or dismay as you continue to assess your body only compounds all the emotions you are feeling at that exact moment.

It is then often replaced with a resolve to do something about it. To start working out and eat right. But as the day goes on, the week draws to a close, all of that resolve starts to wane and you are left feeling disappointment, confusion and anger at your inability to hold on to all those emotions you felt when looking at the mirror.

Most will just give in to it. Deciding it’s all too hard. Some will continue on and achieve what they set out to do. But for those who don’t or can’t, I have two words for you

Small Steps

It is really easy to jump straight in when you first feel the need to shed the weight and get in shape. Many will cut out food groups including some they really shouldn’t. Lots of you will try and skip entire meals altogether, thinking that it will help to lose weight – it won’t by the way.

Quite a few of you will jump online and do a google search “lose weight” how to lose belly fat” how to lose weight quickly” “30 minute exercise routines”, etc.

The intention is all really great, the problem is that it can be very overwhelming. Information overload is rarely a good thing and there is so much good and bad advice out there that you can be left wondering where to start.

I have two words for you

Small Steps

Resist the urge to jump on to a fad diet regime. Don’t rush out and buy a room full of exercise equipment..odds are in 12 months you won’t be using it.

Instead, take stock of your situation. Look in your fridge and pantry and be honest about what food is in there. Do you have a mix of fresh fruit and veg? How much package, processed food is on the shelves?

Odds are, it’s probably not a good picture. But that’s okay, you can change that.

Throw out the rubbish and head down to your local store and stock up on healthy foods. Our blog has some great lists of foods and food groups to get you started.

Start walking everyday.

Find activities you enjoy doing, perhaps it’s playing some football with your kids or taking them down to the park for a day out.

Cut your portion sizes and use smaller plates. It will be hard to start with and many will find they are hungry after their meals. If you are hungry then check out these posts for tips on eating well and not getting hungry.

1. 7 Tips to Stop Eating After Dinner
2. Know your portions
3. The Benefits of Beans
4. Healthy Snacks On The Move
5. Random Stumble – Six Uncommonly Known Power Fruits
6. Random Stumble- Oatmeal Is The Perfect Breakfast For A Long Day

If you need the motivation, visit a gym and check it out. Be honest with yourself though, can you commit to visiting your gym on a regular basis? If you are going to buy a membership, you really have to use it and not for a few months but for the entire length of your membership. If you don’t commit then you are only letting yourself down and will inevitably end up back to where you started.

Find a buddy. It might be your partner, friend or co-worker. Find someone who wants to be fit and healthy as badly as you do and commit to each other to push one another when it’s needed.

Small Steps can yield big results. It’s a bit like saving money. It’s fairly common knowledge that if you put in small deposits each week on a regular basis one day you will have amassed a small fortune.

The same applies with fitness and your health.

I thought about many things last night, my life, family, friends, work, our dog (who had surgery that day), fitness and diet. I’m not sure what it is about restless sleep but I often find myself challenging thoughts as they pop into my head.
One such thought related to my health and just how quickly I had fallen off the *fitness* regime after suffering a calf tear and subsequent blood clot. I found myself questioning why I hadn’t been to the park recently to workout or why my exercise bike is still in our spare room.
Excuses and questions followed, my leg still hurts, what if I injure it again and so on.

For a split second I felt rising anguish over my lack of workouts and a real sense of fear that my health and weight would suffer as a result of this lack of motivation.
Then as quickly as it came, my anguish was challenged by a word that popped into my head. RESPECT.

Light bulb moment
I had lost respect for myself, for whatever reason my leg injury had got the better of me, emotionally and physically. I let it win and in the months it has taken to heal, I had lost respect for myself and my body.

When you make the choice not to exercise or to eat food that you know is not good for you, it’s a lack of respect you are showing to yourself. The only one hurt by it is you. And the more you disrespect yourself, the harder it is to make the change that you know is needed.

Craig has a great video on a body warmup and interval training.