Hooked on fitness

More than 100 fitness enthusiasts discovered different ways to
stay in shape after participating in a free six week wellness
programme in Perth.

The team challenge prize was presented by Prime Health to Rio Tinto City to Surf challengers for being the largest corporate team in the annual charity event.

Over the course of the programme, fitness fiends tried a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, offered at varying times and days. Over that time, boxercise classes packed a punch for participants who experienced the cardio exercise for the first time.

Wellness enthusiast and City to Surf marathon newcomer, Dirk Kotzee, had only six weeks to train before the event. He had intended to run 16 kilometres and walk the rest, but to his surprise he summoned up the energy to run the entire distance.

Dirk was in good company when he put on a pair of boxing gloves for boxercise for the very first time and became hooked on the classes. “It was great fun and very rewarding…exercising with others is a great motivator,” he said.

Easy cook healthy menus were also provided, with the support of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, available online.

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Avoid festive blues

Christmas may be the season of goodwill, but for some people there is a darker side to the holiday celebrations. Suicide levels rise to their highest in January, and the Samaritans expect to receive one call every six seconds over the Christmas and New Year period.

Everyone is under a great deal of pressure to appear happy over the festive season and the anticlimax of the new year can hit people hard. According to the Samaritans, the bright lights of Christmas emphasise problems and for people on their own, without family or friends, it can be really tough.

The Samaritans Survival Guide

1. Don't give yourself a hard time, you’re not alone.
2. Spot the signs of trouble – difficulty sleeping, problems eating, excessive drinking, feeling angry and anxious.
3. Look after yourself – eat sensibly, exercise regularly, take time out for yourself and don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to get you through.
4. Confide in someone you trust – talking helps you think more clearly.
5. Ask for help – know when you need help and don’t be afraid to ask. Call the Samaritans Careline on 9381 5555.

Support is also available from Beyond Blue, the organisation that provides help and advice with depression, anxiety and substance misuse disorders – call the info line on 1300 22 4636.

Happy new you!

If you haven’t yet thought about making a New Year’s resolution because you always break them, think again, because there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.