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As you may of heard the 3144 push-ups in 23 days starts tomorrow.

This challenge is a great opportunity to support an important cause as every day we lose more than 6 men to suicide in Australia, with males accounting for around three-quarters of national suicides.

The benefit of challenges such as this is the awareness and connection it creates. Many Australians come together, get fit and have fun for The Push-Up Challenge. 

It is going to take lots of effort and strong will power but it is doable. 3144 push-ups in 23 days means an average of 137 push-ups a day. 

It may sounds extreme and impossible for many people. But if you split it into small intervals of 15 push-ups every hour, it may not feel as bad.

You could raise money, or just awareness through your commitment to this challenge and you’ll improve your own health and well-being at the same time. 

Together, we can push for better mental health.

If you are keen download this 3144 Push Ups in 23 Days Challenge Tracker I’ve created to help you break it down into achievable sessions and track you progress as you go! 

The goal is 3,144 push-ups. But if sit-ups, squats or another exercise are more your thing? Then go for it. Even doing half the push-up total (1,572) is a big achievement. If it ups the heartrate and shines a light on male suicide, we’re all for it.

Stay strong and healthy 

Jacek
Join the Movember 3144 Push Up Challenge

How Can Exercise and Fitness Impact Mental Health?

As a Personal trainer, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact that fitness and exercise can have on not just our physical health but also our mental well-being. 

It’s not just about building muscles and losing weight; it’s about finding inner strength, improving self-confidence, and even preventing the unthinkable. 

There is undoubtedly a profound connection between fitness, exercise, and mental health, and its role in suicide prevention.

The Science Behind the Connection

Exercise isn’t just a mood-booster; it’s backed by science! When we engage in physical activity, our brain releases endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, often referred to as “feel-good” chemicals. These neurotransmitters help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting feelings of happiness and relaxation. Regular exercise also improves blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and overall mental well-being.

Stress Relief and Emotional Resilience

Life can throw us some serious curveballs, and stress can take a toll on our mental health. However, exercise acts as a powerful stress reliever. Whether it’s a high-intensity workout or a calming yoga session, physical activity helps us channel our emotions, release tension, and clear our minds. It boosts our emotional resilience, allowing us to cope better with daily challenges and bounce back from setbacks.

Boosting Self-Confidence and Empowerment

One of the remarkable outcomes of regular exercise is the positive impact it has on our self-confidence and self-esteem. As we set and achieve fitness goals, we witness our bodies and minds transform. This sense of accomplishment not only improves our body image but also instills a deep sense of empowerment and self-belief. Feeling strong and capable, we become more resilient against negative thoughts and better equipped to overcome difficult times.

Creating a Supportive Community

Fitness and exercise can also provide a platform for building meaningful connections and fostering a supportive community. Joining group fitness classes, sports teams, or workout clubs allows individuals to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar goals and struggles. This sense of belonging and camaraderie offers a vital support system, providing encouragement, motivation, and a sense of belonging.

Suicide Prevention

While fitness and exercise alone may not be a cure-all for mental health conditions or suicidal thoughts, they play an essential role in prevention. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which are often linked to suicidal ideation. Engaging in exercise can serve as a positive coping mechanism, providing individuals with a healthy outlet for their emotions and a sense of purpose.

Fitness and exercise are powerful tools that positively impact both our physical and mental well-being. As a personal trainer, I strongly believe that incorporating regular physical activity into our lives can enhance our mental health, build resilience, and play a crucial role in suicide prevention. 

So lace up those sneakers, find an activity you enjoy, and let fitness guide you towards a healthier mind, body, and soul.

With the turning of the season, we feel the nights becoming cooler and calling us to stay indoors and the frosty mornings that make our warm beds seem impossible to leave. 

We are not yet in winter but our home in Cedar Creek seems to be on its own seasonal calendar when it comes to temperatures and weather. 

As a Personal Trainer, I’ve become conscious of the timing of sunrise and sunset as my early morning training sessions and group Fitness classes are in the midst of both. 

The transition to these cooler months can be an invitation to prepare our bodies for the journey inward and an opportunity to proactively build our immunity so we can keep up with our schedules and have the energy to do what we love. 

One of my favourite immune boosters is homemade Bone Broth.

Why is Bone Broth a great immune booster?

It can be a meal on its own, a 3 pm pick-me-up snack at work or added to any meal to enhance nourishment.. this last one can be very useful when you have picky eaters in the house.

Bone broth contains several nutrients that can support the immune system and helps keep the body healthy.

It is rich in amino acids and gelatine which are crucial for maintaining the integrity and function of the gut lining. By consuming bone broth, you can support the health of your gut, boost your immune system and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria

Bone broth is a great source of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and selenium, which are also essential for immune function.

Additionally, its collagen and amino acid content can help to repair and rebuild tissues, reduce inflammation, and support joint function.

The Bone Broth Recipe we use for our family is below. We try to source as many greens from our garden and top up from Four Season’s Organic product range. We source our organic Chicken frames from local Butchers. When purchasing try to make sure they are from pastured and free-roaming chickens that eat a variety of food.

Bone Broth Recipe

Ingredients:

1x organic full chicken frame

2x carrots roughly chopped

3x stems of celery

1/2 onion

2-3x garlic cloves depending on size

1x piece of fresh ginger

1x piece of fresh turmeric

2 tbsp Himalayan coarse salt 

1 tbsp chilli flakes

Several Bay Leaves

1/2 teaspoon of peppercorns

A full pot of water

Any other greens you have- parsley, coriander kale, etc (not lettuce)

Process:

1. Cut all ingredients and add to slower cooker or pot.
2. Slow cook for 24- 48 hours depending on what you are using. Slow cooking allows all the nutrients to be maintained.
3. Then strain and keep in the fridge.
4. Heat on stove prior to serving in mug as a drink or add to any meal whilst cooking in place of stock.
5. Use within 2 weeks.

I hope you enjoy this tasty super food and all its healing and nourishing benefits.

If you would like to learn about more nurturing meals and habits that you can incorporate into you life reach out for a complimentary fitness assessment here !

As we get older, and our lives change focus our perception of fitness changes too. We may move from caring about our waist size and weight to worrying about our cholesterol and sugar levels.

As a father of two young men who are stepping into a world of social media where body image and self-identity can cause a world of confusion and trauma, I’m now reflecting on what being fit means to me. 

I’ve come to see fitness as not just a physical attribute but rather one that encompasses body, mind, and spirit. 

On a physical level it’s:

• Being able to get up in the morning free of aches and pains
• Having the energy to keep up with the kids after school and weekend sports activities 
• Challenging them to stretch themselves with new goals like learning stand-up paddle boarding, surfing or rock climbing
• Managing my own garden maintenance and building projects to keep my agility
• Staying mobile so I can play with my grandchildren in the future

On a mental / emotional level it’s;

• Being able to fall into a deep and restful sleep easily
• Waking up alert and with a clear mind
• Having emotional stability to problem solve and react consciously not through my automated trigger response 
• Having mental agility and creativity 
• Staying positive and having sustainable resilience to manage those challenging times
  

On a spiritual level it’s;

• Reflecting on my purpose, values and goals
• Prioritising and making time for connecting with family and friends
• Devoting time for sacred practices such as meditation and mindfulness  

What can we do to invest in our fitness so that we can achieve these lofty goals? 

I believe it all comes down to introducing simple and short exercises daily that accumulate to create meaningful changes. 

It can take 5 to 15 mins of stretches, push ups, crunches, and lunges in your living room.

Start small, gain confidence, see the impact it makes and then challenge yourself a little more. Gradually building up your routine allows you to set realistic goals that you can achieve. 

Celebrate when you keep your commitment and reach a milestone, whether that be a week of working out without skipping a day, or being able to touch your toes, or making it up the hill at the end of your street. 

Ride the adrenaline high of achievement and let it fuel you to continue investing in your health and wellbeing.

Sometimes we need an accountability partner to keep us motivated and on track. As a mobile Personal Trainer, I can come to you in your lunch break, before work or after school drop-off. I can create a customised program to help you achieve whatever it is that fitness means to you; losing weight, increases endurance, eliminating bloating or enhancing vitality.

I also welcome you to join my Friday morning Fitness Class at 5.30 am in John Scott Park, Samford. It’s a 45 min fun and challenging workout session designed to invigorate, strengthen, and stretch you with a combination of Fitness Boxing, Cardio and Strength-based exercises. Only $20 a class or $15 if you have 10 sessions up front.

Call 0401 831 987 or email jacek.purefitness@gmail.com to book your spot.  

May you define and reach your fitness goals! 

Ubuntu – I am because we are is a Zulu proverb that means “I am because we are… I am a person through other people. My humanity is tied to yours.”In essence, it is the perfect word to describe the importance of creating a tribe around you of health practitioners to support you on your fitness and well-being journey.

I could go really deep with this post and one day over a coffee I would love to chat with you about my deep love of this word and its meaning.

We have partnered with many over the years that have supported our family through sickness and health to optimise our mental, emotional and physical well-being. As a Holistic Coach and Fitness Instructor I love recommending practitioners to my clients to leverage the work we do together and look at their healing journey as a whole.  With this approach, we can break through even more barriers and boundaries that may be conscious or unconscious.

So grab a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy exploring and learning more about these incredible healers in and around north Brisbane.

And my promise to you is that I’ll continue to add more as I discover them through my own journey…

Meet Our Tribe

Tracy Malone
Holistic Counselling, Life Coaching, Family Constellations and Hypnotherapy
www.tracymalone.com.au

Eva Klenovics
Certified Sound Therapist in Biofield Tuning, Sound Healer and Dowsing Practitioner
www.lightnessofbeing.com.au

Robert Vicary
Remedial Massage Therapist combining lymph, fascia, trigger-point massage, energy and reflexology
www.alivetherapies.com.au

Healing with Cherie
Registered Professional Kinesiologist specialising in Applied Physiology
www.healingwithcherie.com

Samford Acupuncture & Massage
Acupuncture, bodywork and herbal medicine
www.samfordacupuncture.com.au

Harshani Walgama Energy Healer
Reiki Practitioner and Medicine Drum Sound Healer
Harshani Walgama Energy Healer

If you would like to book a complimentary health and fitness assessment with me and kick off your fitness journey get in touch here

Want to learn how to improve your vitality, increase your energy and reverse the signs of aging?

The Five Tibetan Rites, or the “Fountain of Youth” are a series of five yoga poses. It’s a traditional practice that’s been done for more than 2,500 years. People perform these rites with the intention of restoring youth and increasing vitality.

The Tibetan rites are made up of 5 principal exercises or poses, which are believed to create a cyclic effect on your breathing, emotions, and insides. This ancient practice when performed in order is said to activate and realign the 7 chakras, energy centres, enhancing the body’s ability to heal and function.

It is believed that the Tibetan rites originated in India over 2500 years ago. Author Peter Kelder ’s book; ‘The eye of revelation, The true Tibetan Rites revealed’ is a great source of information for those who want to learn more.

The benefits of practising the five rites daily are said to be improved health, energy and well-being. As well as improved memory and the reversing of age.

For best results, it’s recommended to regularly perform these poses. You can do them alone or with another exercise program.

If you have a health condition or are new to exercise, be sure to check with your doctor before trying these moves.

Safety Tips

Like all exercise programs, the Five Tibetan Rites should be done with care. Start with gentle movements and a low number of reps. Take extra precaution if you have:

– Heart or breathing problems. Before trying these exercises, talk to your doctor to find out they’re safe for you to do.

– Neurological disorders. Disorders like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis can cause poor balance. If you have one of these conditions, these exercises may not be safe for you to perform.

– Conditions that cause dizziness. If you’re prone to dizziness, talk to a doctor before trying the first rite. The spinning motion may aggravate various conditions, including vertigo, circulatory issues, or nausea from medication.

– Pregnancy. The spinning and bending movements may not be safe if you’re pregnant.

– Recent surgery. The rites may cause complications if you’ve had surgery within the last 6 months.

How to do the 5 Tibetan Rites

While each rite is meant to be practiced 21 times a day, you need to introduce it slowly. During the first week, practice each rite 6 times. Add 3 repetitions per rite the following week. Continue adding 3 reps per rite each week until you’re doing 21 rounds of each rite every day.

RITE 1

The purpose of the first rite is to speed up the chakras. It’s common for beginners to feel dizzy during this exercise.

– Stand straight stretching arms outward until they’re parallel with the floor. Face palms one down and one up.

– While staying in the same spot, slowly spin your body in a clockwise direction. Without bending your head forward, keep your eyes open and cast gaze toward ground.

– Spin as many times as you can, but stop when you feel slightly dizzy. You’ll be able to spin more over time. It’s best to avoid excessive spinning, which is said to overstimulate the chakras.

RITE 2

During the second rite, it’s important to practice deep rhythmic breathing. You should continue the same breathing pattern in between each repetition.

– Lie flat on your back. Place your arms at your sides, palms on the floor.

– Inhale and lift your head, moving your chin toward your chest. Simultaneously raise your legs straight up, keeping your knees straight.

– Exhale and slowly lower your head and legs to the starting position. Relax all your muscles.

RITE 3

Like the second rite, the third rite requires deep rhythmic breathing. You can also practice this rite while closing your eyes, which helps you focus inward.

– Kneel on the floor, knees shoulder-width apart and hips aligned over your knees. Straighten your trunk and place your palms on the back of your thighs, below your buttocks.

– Inhale and drop your head back, arching your spine to open your chest.

– Exhale and drop your head forward, moving your chin toward your chest. Keep your hands on your thighs during the entire rite.

RITE 4

The fourth rite, sometimes called Moving Tabletop, is also done with rhythmic breathing. Your hands and heels should stay in place during the entire exercise.

– Sit on the floor and extend your legs straight ahead, feet shoulder-width apart. Put your palms on the floor at your sides, fingers facing forward. Straighten your trunk.

– Drop your chin toward your chest. Inhale and gently drop your head back. Simultaneously lift your hips and bend your knees until you’re in a tabletop position, with your head gently tilted back. Contract your muscles and hold your breath.

– Exhale, relax your muscles, and return to starting position

RITE 5

The fifth rite involves both the Downward-Facing Dog and Upward-Facing Dog poses. For this reason, it’s often called Two Dogs. This move also requires a steady breathing rhythm.

– Lie on your stomach and extend your feet behind you, toes curled and shoulder-width apart. Straighten your arms and arch your spine while keeping the tops of your legs on the ground. Drop your head back into Upward-Facing Dog.

– Then, inhale and lift your hips, moving your body into an upside down “V” shape. Move your chin toward your chest and straighten your back into Downward-Facing Dog.

– Exhale and move back into Upward-Facing Dog

For best results practice daily.

Download our Tibetan Rites Instructions with diagrams to support you in your practice Tibetan Rites Introduction & Instructions

If you would like to learn more please get in touch https://purefitnessandwellbeing.com/contact/

New Year New You

With the beginning of each calendar year comes the opportunity for renewal for all of us. We often start the year with hopes and aspirations for our health and fitness.. yet struggle to keep those goals alive.

As great as it might feel about setting new goals each year, it’s important to remember that we are still the same person as we were the year before. This means that unfortunately the same obstacles, and thought patterns that got in the way of us achieving our goals in 2022 have the potential to do so again.

Luckily, we can change and grow any day of the year, and the transition to a new calendar year just provides us with an opportunity to reflect, reframe and apply new ways of thinking and behaving.

This conscious practice is the key to achieving your New Year Resolutions whether that be personal, family, work or health-related. Being really clear on what it is you want to achieve, and why is also the anchor which keeps you focused and helps you to roll out of bed in the morning when you really want to hit the snooze button once again.

5 simple steps to convert your practice into habits.

1. 1. Create realistic goals. Aim high and stretch yourself, but not so high that you feel discouraged if your progress is slow.. incremental improvements lead to transformations.

1. 1. Set yourself up for success by creating practices that you can fit into your daily routines.

1. 1. Commit to doing something each day. Even if you can’t do your full workout because of a late night or change in schedule. Just do a 10 min stretch routine (e.g. Tibetan Rites or a few lunges and sun salutations)

1. 1. Track your progress so you can celebrate the little wins and keep motivated.

1. 1. Choose an accountability partner to join you on your fitness challenge. Working out with a friend or partner can help you stay engaged and committed, even when you feel like missing a day or giving up.

Our ‘Get Fit With A Friend’ personal training sessions provide the perfect opportunity to learn simple yet effective routines that you can continue on your own at home.

Book in your Complimentary Fitness Assessments with PURE Fitness & Wellbeing and let 2023 be the year you achieve your fitness and health goals!

8 Simple Pilates Postures for Core Strength and Balance

Pilates is a low-impact great full-body workout suitable for many different fitness levels. As an addition to your exercise routine, it can help improve your posture, core strength, flexibility and balance. The exercises below only require your mat.

It’s important to use lateral breathing, directing your breath to your rib cage rather than your belly, and practice each posture with focused attention and control. Key points to note are keeping your abdominal muscles pulled up and in as you inhale and enter the pose, and exhaling as you release.

 

Knees Side to Side

– Lie face up with your arms extended by your side and bent knees.
– Whilst keeping your lower back and feet on the floor, slowly lower both knees to your right side.
– Repeat the same to the left.
– Repeat the sequence 10-15 times altogether.
 

 

Pendulum

– Bend knees at a right angle over your hips with your feet hovering above the mat.
– Lower both knees fall to the right, keeping your lower back on the floor.
– Repeat the same to the left.
– Repeat the sequence 10-15 times altogether.

 

 

 

Pelvic Tilt

– Lie face up with your back flat against the floor and your arms by your sides, palms down.
– Tighten your abdominal muscles and tilt your pelvis up slightly so your bum is lifted above the mat.
– Hold for up to 10 seconds. Repeat 10-15 times.

 

 

 

Single Leg Heel Slide

– Lie face up with your arms by your sides, palms down.
– Bend your left knee and place your left foot flat on the floor.
– Slowly extend your right leg keeping it slightly above the mat and perpendicular to the floor.
– Repeat 10-15 times
– Repeat on the other leg

 

 

 

Clam

– Lie on your side with your hips and shoulders in a straight line.
– Bend your knees so that your thighs are at a 90-degree angle to your body.
– Keep your feet together as you slowly rotate your leg in the hip socket and raise your knee
– Bring your knee back to the start position.
– Repeat the clam 10-15 times, then change sides.

 

 

 

Side Lying Leg Lift

– Lie on your side with your hips and shoulders in a straight line.
– Bend the knee resting on the mat and extend your other leg up so that it’s perpendicular to the floor.
– Slowly lift the extended leg up and down.
– Repeat 10 – 15 times, then change sides.

 

 

 

Dead Bugs

– Lie face up.
– Inhale, lift your hands straight with elbows above your shoulders.
– Lift your legs to a 90 degree angle with knees above hips.
– On exhale, slowly lower your right arm and left leg, then on inhale bring them back.
– Repeat on the opposite side 10 – 15 times altogether.

 

 

 

Bridge

– Lie face up.
– Raise your hips off the floor until your hips are aligned with your knees and shoulders.
– Return to the start position.
– Repeat 10 – 15 times.

 

 

Would you like to have a printable instruction guide for these postures?

Pilates Exercise for Strong Core and Balance

If you would like to learn more and book in your complimentary fitness assessment click here