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Miss_fit_abroad

Quit my job, rented out my house, and packed my bag to embark on my first solo backpacking trip through South & Central America. Come join me as I share my exciting adventures, foodie and fitness tips to have fun and stay fit while fully immersing myself in the culture...

Thursday 26 January 2017

Planning a trip; Packing, Transport, Accommodation & Avoiding Jet-lag!

By On 18:53

Hey guys,

I've been a travel enthusiast since my first big trip in 2008! In the past 9 years i've spent a lot of my free time researching and planning trips, and the remainder of it either travelling or dreaming about my next adventure. I have covered a lot of distance in that time and certainly learned some lessons the hard way.  Hopefully my Experience/ Advice can assist you when planning a big trip :)

Selecting Accommodation
Dorm/ Private/ Air Bnb/ Hotel...
Completely dependant on your budget and the level of comfort that you require.
I have tried all of the above AND it really varies from one place to another. Some Hostels can be as comfortable and accommodating as hotels. If you are travelling solo definitely opt for a hostel experience so you can meet people. You can bargain hunt and find some great places on Air BnB often cheaper than hotels (My friend and I stayed in an amazing apartment in NY right near all of the expensive hotels and managed to negotiate a cheaper rate as the owner really needed it rented out in that period!). If you want to know more about the place always check out ratings and reviews from other travellers on sites such as trip advisor!
Some of my favourite sites for accommodation are booking.com, TripAdvisor, LastMinute.com, Hostelworld & Hostelbooker 

Sleeping Arrangements & aids
If you are a poor sleeper like me then prepare for this! 
Supplements such as magnesium/ valerian forte are natural alternatives to assist you with getting to sleep, or get some over the counter sleepers for worst case scenarios. Nothing ruins an experience more than walking around like a zombie and not being able to it. 
Sleep aids- Pack an eye pillow and soundproof ear plugs if you might be trying to sleep in bright conditions or near loud areas. Also, there are plenty of free apps such as 'Breathe' are great to help you meditate/ play relaxing music to help you sleep.

Travel companionship 
Be prepared, travelling can bring out the best and worst in people. Before committing to a big trip make sure that you are on the same page, have similar views and are down for the same kind of experience. 
Nothing worse than jeopardising a friendship or an experience because one person wants to party all night and come home at 4am while the other one gets annoyed because their yoga class starts at 6am. Communication is essential- If you have different plans that's completely fine just discuss it, then split off and do your own things or prepare for this by not sharing a room. Compromising and being considerate is also essential when you are travelling with other people. 

Packing
DON'T overpack!! 
Deciding what to take is always a stressful experience. My last backpacking trip (7weeks) I took a large carry backpack weighing 19kgs. Rookie mistake- I carried this massive heavy stuffed backpack around with me which was just a pain in the ass and really non- functional. I had to get assistance putting it on my back, hated lugging it around and probably wore the same few items. It's TRUE what they say take half of what you want to pack. When choosing your luggage type most places Europe/ America it can be handy to select a pack with both straps and wheels. If you are planning on doing a fair bit of hiking etc a backpack with a bit more lumbar support and a waist strap is essential.
Use Packing Cubes to keep things organised, a wash bag for dirty clothes & take plenty of Zip Lock bags and use them for toiletries etc.. **Don't be that annoying person waking everyone up in your dorm room rustling through plastic bags (Thanks to my housemate Jez for this reminder)

Planning 
Be cautious of over-planning. 
It is great to have a general itinerary and planning the whole trip before you leave can relieve anxiety and work in your favour to fit things in, but it can also restrict your experience. My last 7 week Euro Trip I had such a strict itinerary with 2-3 days in most places and transportation pre-arranged. This can be great when you are trying to fit a lot of things in BUT it leaves no room for the imagination or movement. (i.e. Travelling around Europe I would have stayed less time in Venice but we already had travel arrangements sorted so wasted extra time there). 

Form of transport
I love flying! I fly all around for work, and I like to utilise things like frequent flier points for using my credit card. I find flying is generally the fastest and often most comfortable way to travel however it can also be more expensive and inconvenient. Depending on where you are travelling you can get awesome deals (i.e. UK, Europe etc) so keep an eye out on websites such as sky scanner  However, for the most part it can be really expensive (places like South America busses are the cheapest and easiest way to travel) or inconvenient (multiple time consuming stopovers and airports can be a fair distance from your location). Trains are so efficient and easy to utilise in places such as Europe where they are also a great way to enjoy the scenery, and travel in comfort.

If you are flying and buying budget flights CHECK the distance of the airport from where you need to go, and ensure you are going to the correct airport. Often big cities have several airports which can be confusing. (Missed a flight out of NY by going to the wrong airport and also had to purchase another flight once in France when the airport was hours from our destination). If you are taking the train in Europe buy a Euro rail pass before you go. I made the mistake of thinking that we would get cheaper tickets once over there- WRONG. we paid  for our individual journeys which was fine but the more expensive option. We did opt to splash out once and took a first class Bullet Train in France which was so much fun and luxurious.

Advance bookings are a great way to save money. Low cost airlines often sell cheap tickets but its first in-best dressed. To find bargains sign up to get airfare notifications to let you know when the cheaper flights come up. (This can be very dangerous if you have impulse spending problems). 
Travelling in off-peak times is another great way to save money (avoiding weekend travel, public & school holidays etc and booking red-eye flights).
Some of my favourite bargain hunting sites are Skyscanner, Cheapflights.com, Webjet, Expedia & some businesses such as flight centre offer price matching services where they will beat any competitors rates by up to 20%

Jet Lag- One of the least fun travelling experiences.
Give yourself a couple of days to get back into a routine and find ways to minimise the effects (see below). DON'T make the mistake of going back to work the next morning after a world trip thinking that everything will be fine. No, you will struggle through the day and be a completely useless zombie. Also, be really careful if you have to drive after long flights or when fatigued! Especially if you are driving an unfamiliar vehicle in a different country. 

How to avoid Jet lag
Some unfortunate people (myself included) suffer with Jet-Lag and changing time-zones more than others, but its always beneficial to try and combat jet lag by preparing yourself and following some of these tips. Try to prepare your internal clock by adjusting sleeping habits to your intended destination time-zone for a few days by going to bed earlier or staying up a bit later. This gradual adjustment and easing into the new time zone can be really beneficial to avoid jet lag.  Take over-night flights and get some good shut eye on the plane (following my sleeping tips from above). Cut back on your caffei-especially if you are landing at your destination at night time. Avoid alcohol on planes- I never drink when i fly....as tempting as free booze is its just not worth it to land in your destination dehydrates and either hungover or hungover pending (plus you have to get up so many more times to use the restrooms). Utilise travel time to sleep- i always try to sleep in transit.  As above consider taking supplements to assist you to sleep and sleeping tablets as a back up.

Travel Insurance!
ALWAYS get decent travel insurance. I have heard far too many horror stories about people who got caught out in situations which have ended up being so painful and costly because they skimped on travel insurance. I have always travelled with 1Cover- they are my favourite provider, really fair price and they always have come through with the goods for me. This next trip I will be using my credit card travel insurance (Provided with my Platinum ANZ credit card) so it will be interesting to see how they are in comparison. Always read your conditions and the disclosure statements. There are activities (i.e. skydiving, the consumption of alcohol etc.) which will be excluded and you may have an excess on claims. Its really important to do your research and find the best policy cover for what you need.


Hope that you found these tips helpful & happy travel planning guys :)

Take care and stay safe,

Catch ya later xxx 

p.s. don't forget to follow me on Insta for pics/ workouts and travel updates

Tuesday 24 January 2017

Chasing the Sun & Music Festivals in Europe; Tips for Planning an Epic Adventure

By On 21:14













Hey Guys :)


This blog is all about the highlights, low lights, and lessons learned from an Epic 7 week adventure chasing the sun and music festivals around the world.



Vague Itinerary
Sail Croatia Navigator One Way Cruise (Dubrovnik, Milet, Korcula, Hvar, Stari Grad, Makarska & Split). Italy- Sun & Bass Festival in Sardinia, Rome, Piza, Venice & the Cinque Terra. Czech Republic-Prague. Germany- Munich & Berlin. France- The French Riviera, Nice, Cannes & Paris. The Netherlands- Amsterdam. LA Groove Cruise LA- Mexico. Las Vegas then unfortunately back home and to work less than 24 hours later.

We met up with friends and convoyed in camper vans through Croatia. Raved in Caves in Makarska Croatia, and an abandoned fortress in Pula Croatia for Outlook Festival. Enjoyed the beautiful Croatian Islands and made so many new friends on a Sail Croatia Tour.  Experienced the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Ate delicious french patisserie goodies. Marvelled at the history and architecture in Prague. Took a gondola ride through the canals in Venice. Wandered around Rome in awe of its magnificence and rich history.  Walked along the Berlin Wall. Drank beer and ate pretzels in Munich, Experienced complete sensory overload in a Blind Dining Experience in Berlin. Made so many new friends and Partied for 3 days on the Groove Cruise Carnival Inspiration Cruise from LA to Mexico, and Hired a sexy yellow Chevy Camaro Convertible and drove from LA to Las Vegas BABY....To name a few.

It wasn't cheap and it definitely took a long time planning & researching to try and fit everything in but was worth every cent and every minute of prep for the amazing memories I'll forever cherish. SO if you want to do a similar thing get out your world map. Research times of year to travel, look at highlights and festivals in the areas that you might want to see. Keep an eye out for deals (we got a round the world flights) and speak to/ learn from others who have been there by spamming your friends on social media or reading blogs like this one.  Also, don't be disheartened if you can't get to everything you would like to (we missed out on Tomorrowland Tickets but ended up still having the best time with no regrets) its a big wide world out there & you will get the chance to visit again. Hopefully these tips come in handy as they are some of the things I wish that I had known beforehand.

You can't beat a locals perspective -so if you happen to meet anyone from destinations you would like to visit always chat with them and ask for advice/ suggestions/ local family and friends who might be happy to take you in and show you around. But most importantly of all be appreciative for every experience be it good or bad and just make the most of your precious time travelling.

Festivals/ Partying
Sail Croatia
Outlook Festival Pula, Croatia
Sun and Bass in San Teodoro, Sardinia.
The Groove Cruise LA- Catalina Island- Mexico.

Highlights of the trip 
-Sail Croatia and experiencing the beautiful islands and making so many friends.
-Driving through Croatia in a Camper Van with a Convoy of mates.
-Outlook music Festival in Pula- Seriously, If you are into Underground Music you can't beat raving with thousands of people in an abandoned fort perched above the Adriatic sea. Chilling by the beach in the days, then partying the nights away to house, techno, dubstep, reggae, dub, garage, grime, electronica.
-Sun & Bass; a Drum & Bass Music Festival situated in Beautiful San Teodoro, Sardinia. An island off the coast of Italy.  
-Marvelling at the nipple tasselling fiesta that was the Moulin Rouge in Paris
-The Spectacular history in Rome
-The food in France- seriously get yourself some patisserie goods, take the train along the spectacular french riviera and do a walking tour in Paris.
-The Cinque Terra Italy- romantic, breath talking little fishing villages along the Italian coastline walk or get the train but definitely spend at least a day checking out these beautiful centuries old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.
-Free walking tours! Can't get enough of them. Most places offer free walking tours where the guides are generally so passionate, entertaining and because they are working for tips their service is always top notch and you get a really good feel for the place- also great form of exercise!
-Blind Dining experience at Unsicht Bar Berlin- This was a next-level culinary experience. All of the waitstaff etc are blind, you are led into a pitch black restaurant with curiosity peaking. The menu is a complete mystery so you chose a main source of protein.  All of your senses are heightened and tingling because seriously have NO idea what you are eating or what is going on around you.
-The Berlin Wall in Germany.
-Prague, such an amazing city! So much history, the architecture is amazing, the food- WOW. Definitely stay in old town and take advantage of the walking tours.

My Experience/ Advice to take on board when planning a big trip.
When you are planning for your trip take things like the weather into consideration- air conditioning for some people is a must. I remember melting in the stinky camper van at the festival in Croatia when it would have been so much nicer to lay out in the fresh air of a tent. (Especially if you have to share your bed with a sweaty hot guy- men just seem to run hotter so even if this wouldn't normally phase you travelling solo its definitely something to keep in mind travelling in a couple.)

Sleeping Arrangements- If you are a poor sleeper like me then prepare for this! Supplements such as magnesium/ valerian forte are natural alternatives to assist you with getting to sleep, or get some over the counter sleepers for worst case scenarios. Nothing ruins an experience more than walking around like a zombie and not being able to it. Pack an eye pillow and soundproof ear plugs if you might be trying to sleep in bright conditions or near loud areas. There are plenty of free apps such as 'Breathe' are great to help you meditate/ play relaxing music to help you sleep.

Travel companionship- Be prepared, travelling can bring out the best and worst in people. Before committing to a big trip make sure that you are on the same page, have similar views and are down for the same kind of experience. Nothing worse than jeopardising a friendship or an experience because one person wants to party all night and come home at 4am while the other one gets annoyed because their yoga class starts at 6am. Communication is essential- If you have different plans that's completely fine just discuss it, then split off and do your own things or prepare for this by not sharing a room. Compromising and being considerate is also essential when you are travelling with other people. 

Venice- I was seriously underwhelmed by this city. We fell asleep on the gondola for a start because we were exhausted and our captain clearly hated his job (biggest waste of 80 euros). There was no public space to just sit & chill out which was why we paid so much to just chill in a gondola. Accommodation was really expensive and aside from eating in restaurants and looking around there just wasn't really a lot to see or do I wish we had only stayed maybe 1 night and 2 days max.

The food (in Touristy places) in Italy- I was really underwhelmed with the Italian food BUT in saying that we only really stayed in very touristy locations on this trip. I have heard that food is so much better and more authentic if you go off the beaten track. SO just don't have really high expectations in the highly populated touristy areas and if you are a foodie venture out into quieter smaller towns and try to meet some locals and sample their food.

Carb loading- BREAD... Everywhere! Seriously I love bread but when travelling around Italy and France definitely don't go to a restaurant starving and polish off 2 loads of bread with olive oil before your main meal even comes out. It is a recipe for disaster, and serious Europe weight gain. Also, Pace yourselves on the pizza's and gelato- you should sample things but don't go so overboard. (My BF at the time gained a good 8kg's at least indulging in too much of everything)

Over packing- I think I went with 19kgs. I carried this massive heavy stuffed backpack around with me which was just a pain in the ass and really non- functional. i had to get assistance putting it on my back, hated lugging it around and probably wore the same few items. It's TRUE what they say take half of what you want to pack.

Don't over plan- This can work in your favour but also restrict your experience. We had such a strict itinerary with 2-3 days in most places which can be great when you are trying to fit a lot of things in BUT it leaves no room for the imagination or movement. (i.e. Would have stayed less time in Venice but we already had travel arrangements sorted so wasted extra time there).

Buy a Euro rail pass before you go. We thought we would get cheaper tickets there- WRONG. we paid  for our individual journeys which was fine but the more expensive option. We did opt to splash out once and took a first class Bullet Train in France which was so much fun and luxurious.
Ensure that you know the proper attire/ dress code for some places you might like to visit or be prepared for a quick last minute shopping dash to get what you need. We missed out on getting into Berghain (Berlin's most exclusive nightclub) because we were too over dressed. This place is one very exclusive club, renowned for excluding entry to even the most famous of people. Here is a link with tips to get in if you want to check it out. Luckily, we still ended up having a great night but it was so disappointing to wait in a line for hours and get turned down. Likewise, in reverse when we went to the Moulin Rouge in Paris we spent an hour running around last minute to invest in some dressy clothes as we only had our backpacking attire.

Jet Lag- its a bitch. Give yourself a couple of days to get back into a routine and find ways to minimise the effects (i.e. adjust to time zones, sleep on planes etc. will blog more on this soon). DON'T go back to work the next morning after a world trip thinking that everything would be fine. No, you will struggle through the day and be a completely useless zombie. I thought it was worth it for an extra day of fun but it took me ages to get back into a routine and I ended up getting run down going straight back to 12 hour work days.

Anyways there is so much more I could go on about this trip forever. I will probably write up some more about the specific experiences i.e. Sail Croatia, Outlook Festival and The Groove Cruise in more detail soon. Hopefully these tips help you out with your travel planning. 

Feel free to comment and share your experiences/ feedback :)

Stay Safe & Happy travel planning!

Ciao Amici xxx

P.s. Don't forget you can follow me on Insta for updates travel pics 

Perth Fitness: Westside is the Best Side

By On 01:26
Hey guys,

Just wanted to share a few or my favourite (mostly free) places to keep fit and active in my own home town.
I may be biased but Perth- Wow. What a beautiful place to live.

We don't have the best of everything, GOOD LUCK trying to find something to do past 9pm on a school night. However when it comes to the fit and healthy life we really are spoiled for choice. Amazing weather, people, beaches, great places to eat out, and improving infrastructure with plenty of parks, bike trails and places to socialise and 'throw a shrimp on the Barbie', there is an abundance of opportunities to get out and be active *So no excuses to be lazy and sit indoors!

Why Visit?
Perth is the sunniest capital in Australia, with mild winters and hot dry summers (Perfect for hitting the beach, maintaining a tan and of course keeping active outdoors).  We have some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches you'll ever see, but don't be fooled that Indian Ocean is FREEZING most of the year. Fortunately because of our sunny days and clear blue skies Perth is a great place to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. If you drive down the coast on the weekend you'll see dozens of people out running, walking their dogs or cycling with their families and friends. The same goes for our many parks (i.e. South Perth foreshore, Kings Park, Hyde Park) with people out playing, exercising and spending quality time with loved ones. There is a massive ever-growing culture of healthy eating, and you'll get some fantastic barista made Coffee from Perth's wide selection of beautiful cafe's and health food stores popping up on a near daily basis.

Summer Months (December-February) are hot with little rainfall range from about 17-30*C degrees celsius with warm sunny days and cooler nights. Don't be fooled we get some chilly winds coming off the coast like the Fremantle Doctor so take a cardigan with you. Winter (June-August) is relatively moderate with temperatures ranging from 8-19*C with occasional storms and rainfall. The rest of the year is relatively warm and sunny with the occasional shower.

The best time to visit? Any time- depending on how well you handle the heat. If you're not down for some hot and sweaty days then maybe avoid the hotter months of the year.

Some Of My Favourite (Mostly Free) Fitness Activities In Perth

Jacobs Ladder
Head to the intersection of Cliff & Mount Streets in West Perth and you'll always see plenty of sweaty people knocking down water after running up and down the 242 stairs of jacobs ladders 'Stairway to Heaven'. Ladies you'll often be lucky enough to see some really sexy shirt-less guys parading up and down. Enjoy the panoramic views of the city and have a casual walk up Mount Eliza, or hit the stairs hard for a more serious workout (see attached). Enjoy a healthy feast or a coconut Latte at the Health Freak Cafe down the bottom afterwards and stretch your poor calves.

Kokoda Track
The Kokoda track is a memorial walk and a tribute to Aussie troops who fought in Papua New Guinea. Want an extra challenge?  Take the Kokoda/ Jacobs loop- run from Jacobs (down 242 stairs) along Mounts Bay Road and up the 150 steep steps of the Kokoda track, through Kings Park and back to Jacobs. You'll get to enjoy the beautiful views of the Park, Swan River and Perth City (My fave view of Perth).

Kings Park
A beautiful 4.06km squared park and botanical gardens situated in West Perth. Boasts (in my opinion) the best views of the city, beautifully manicured lawns, gardens and plenty of places to play for kids and adults alike. Kings Park is a great place to go for a run/ ride/ take the family or head there with a workout plan or a friend and get sweat. Check out this link if you want to find out more about the park and its trails

If you want more walking and jogging tracks of Perth check out this awesome Guide which shows just how healthy and active Perth is becoming.

Todays Jacobs Workout:


Rottnest Island (Not Free unfortunately- unless you can manage to make friends with someone who owns a boat!)

Is a touristy MUST but comes at a cost with the average return ferry trip and island entry approx. $50/ child and $80/ adult. Bike hire approx. $30/day. Bus Tours of the island cost from $30. However, walking around the beautiful island is FREE.
Rottnest Island is a 25m ferry ride off the coast of Fremantle (90m from Perth & 45m from Hillaries Boat Harbour) with its idyllic beaches and the 'Happiest animals on the planet' you will not be disappointed if you pop over to visit for a day of waking/ cycling around the island and taking a dip in its beautiful clear beaches. Check out the Rottnest website for more info.
If you're a crazy person/ swimming enthusiast the Rotto Swim might interest you!
Once a year the craziest people in perth embark on the 19.7km Rottnest channel swim braving the fierce waves, and shark-filled waters swimming from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest island to get there and have a bevy at the Hotel Rottnest...Worth it?! I'll never swim it so I can't say- what an achievement though.


 The Quokka: 
An Irresistibly adorable & happy looking marsupial native to Rottnest Island.
<- With Quokka Selfie's apparently being the 'Cutest Trend in Australia Right Now' according to bored panda .com










West Coast Highway
Grab your bike or put on your joggers and take a cruise down this spectacular coastal track from Scarborough to Hillaries (approx 7.6km's) with a decent path for cyclists and walkers and the most amazing views of the coast line with little cafe's along the way its always a great way to start the day.





Surfing & Stand Up Paddleboarding
Perth has amazing beaches and the conditions are pretty sweet for surfing. Personally, i'm too scared of sharks to brave the waters but if its your cup of tea head on down with your surf board and get in there. If you're too chicken like me than you can take what feels like the 'safer' option and stay above the water by hiring a stand up paddle board in places like Point Walter and work your core paddling around the river. Check out Elemental if you're interested in lessons/ hire.


For a laugh & tips on how to avoid shark attacks in Perth check out this typical yobbo YouTube Clip but ignore tip #5 thats a bit cray...

Perth is such a beautiful place to live, and a fantastic destination definitely worth a visit. Whether you are a local or just looking for some fitness/ touristy outdoor activities hopefully these might inspire you  :) Feel free to comment and share more of your favourite places to checkout and workout.



Until next time, Catch ya later Mates xxx

Monday 23 January 2017

Fitspo NOT Shredding for 'Insert Festival' 101: Part 2

By On 06:39


Hola,

So as promised I'm going to share some fun tips & workouts throughout my blog & some *No BS* simple guidelines that I FOLLOW.  I get asked all the time what I do to stay fit and here are a few simple things.

1.        Set Goals- if you don’t know where you’re headed how are you ever going to get there? 
       (Without going on about it google SMART goals and write yours down) I am all about 'the secret' and mindset/ visualisation stuff and a big fan of vision boards ^ See above one i actually created last year and excitingly its all pretty much happening.

2.        Education & support are key. If you don't know what you are doing seek guidance. Ask a  PT or professional to guide you and have people to keep you motivated along the way :) Mates, Workout DVD’s, Group Fitness classes....You don't have to spend top dollar or go broke investing into crazy workout schemes but you want to make sure you're doing it right, hey? 

3.        Training regime- It doesn't have to be super strict or regimented. Start off by finding something active that you enjoy and do it as often as you can... If you want to see results then gradually increase your intensity and duration of your training, track your progress & try to change it up and keep it challenging. Make the most out of your training time & listen to your body. I love High Intensity training, training in groups and doing things fun active things I enjoy outside.  Just try to find ways to move as much as possible every day :) Hook up coastal walking dates, borrow a dog (don't steal anyones pet), get the fam and friends onboard.

4.        If you want to maximise your training time (especially if you're time-poor) and you mean business GO IN THERE WITH A PLAN- We have all been there…faffing about scrolling through Facebook doing a biceps curl here or there *NO!!!* If you are in the gym/ the park/ your living room or wherever for that period of ‘Serious Workout time’ then SMASH IT - Either google/ screenshot/ write down some form of a plan or what you are going to do and COMMIT. Saves wasting your time, annoying other gym users and actually challenges you (feel free to use some of my workouts #miss_fit_abroad). Time is precious! Of course if you are there for a perve/ to socialise by all means have fun but remember if you’re chasing results you’re unlikely to get there without a little sweat and hard work.

5.        Moderation is key- YOLO we only get one life. I am a massive advocator of balance and moderation…. eating chicken and broccoli all day er’ day and compromising on family events/ regular social opportunities is no fun (well not for me). Been there…done that... so unless you are competing or training with a strict goal/ timeline than you have to remember life is to be lived- you are beautiful and don’t be so damn hard on yourself. Its all about finding the balance and still enjoying your life. :) 

6.        Remember your body is like a fine piece of machinery. You want to use the best fuel to keep that rig in working order. Eat a healthy balanced diet, try to eat as much fresh produce and nutrient rich foods as possible and stay hydrated. (Apps like MyFitnessPal are great to help you track calories/ macros/ workouts etc but DON’T GET obsessed with it!) 

Like i said this is by no means a bible on getting shredded- I just want to share with you some tips and workout challenges and ways to keep fit and healthy while on the road. 

Thats all for now.

Stay tuned for more workouts and updates.

Buenas Noches xxx

p.s. Don't forget to follow me on Insta for more updates, my workouts & travel pics

Fitspo NOT shredding for 'insert festival' 101: Part 1

By On 06:37
 




Hola,

So seeing as this blog is created predominantly to share my passion for love travel, adventure and fitness I thought it would only by (be) FIT-ting that I should post a little bit about myself, my training techniques and (to)share some workouts etc.
I will be uploading some fitness challenges and workouts that I do both on this blog and my insta (#miss_fit_abroad) before my trip, and continue uploading once i’m on the road as well. I am pretty excited about getting creative and fun with fitness on the road to inspire and motivate myself and others SO feel free to follow along/ join me. Your health & well-being is always the most important thing so make sure that you are training within your limitations, using correct form and listening to your body :)  Its the only one you are going to get, so look after it.


Ok so safety pre-amble aside a little bit about me & my background…
I have a Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sport Science
KettleBell Level 1 & 2 Instructor
Battle Ropes Instructor Studio Pilates Mathwork Certification
Les Mills GRIT instructor
But just general fitness loving exercise junkie… 


Everyone these days seems to be selling some magic solution to 'burn that fat', 'get you ripped', 'build that booty in 5 mins'  but don't be fooled it all comes down to a balanced diet, hard work & dedication.  In part 2 I've detailed some general guidelines I follow to keep happy and healthy :) 

History:
I have been working FIFO as a Health and Wellness Coordinator/ Coach for almost 5 years. During that time I have been involved with injury Prevention, Health Promotion, Exercise Prescription (PT), Fitness Testing, and Group fitness (among a range of other more admin/ events related things). i have dabbled in fitness competitions and admire those who have the determination to be ever dedicated & work their asses off but it is not for me anymore (Not at this stage of my life anyways- i'm all about the social, travelling fun YOLO life)I LOVE my group fitness and team training- although I try my very best i am kind of retarded at team sports but i’ll still get involved. 

One of the things I love most about my work is being able to empower, educate, motivate and inspire people to change their health and wellbeing. Some of my proudest achievements have been weight-loss challenges that i’ve conducted with hundreds of people over the years & seeing how happy and healthy people are afterwards.
YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE PEOPLE! One Life, One Body, One Family- make it all count. Please look after yourselves and make health a priority so that you can enjoy the finer things in life and be with your loved ones for longer. The Obesity Epidemic and terribly unhealthy lifestyles of modern day life makes me really sad- if I can begin to inspire or motivate a few people to make some positive changes through this blog i will be one happy camper!


Flashbacks:
I used to be chubby myself- i managed to lose over 10kgs post high school and turned from a greedy food loving chubby-chops to someone who still LOVES food but have learned that moderation is key and you need to work hard for it (Insert bicep bulging emoji). Anyone can get fit and turn their life around!


Disclaimer
I am by NO MEANS a fitness guru or a saint- I love a good drink, eat greasy foods and die when i’m hungover, I love to party and often injure myself when i’m overly confident -drunk BUT probably 80-90% of my time I live as healthily as I can and stay as active as possible... and that's what its all aboutenjoying the balance.  I am just one fun loving Aussie chick trying to have fun, keep fit, find the balance and share it with the world. You CAN have your cake & eat it too (in moderation).


It Seems So Simple Right?
I believe that training and fitness should be FUN. If you are hating on it then you aren’t going to come back so find things you enjoy and keep it interesting OR find ways to make things more enjoyable (i.e. Group training, Personal Training, Outdoor activities, Family Fitness, Walking the dogs, Bootcamps etc)- I love the ability to mix Socialising with Exercise and I think it is such a great way to have fun and stay motivated) 


Part 2 is coming your way so stay tuned for more fitness tips and No BS advice from me, to you, with love. 

That's all for now folks,


Until next time... Adios Mi Amigos xxx 

P.s. Don't forget you can follow me on Insta for updates pics, workouts and updates from my travels

Friday 20 January 2017

Trip prep 101: Why is packing such a nightmare?

By On 01:12
Its a month out from my trip i've paid for my flights, quit my job, sorted my insurance and started doing my research. The one thing that was giving me more grief than anything...PACKING?!

Now, I would say i'm pretty low maintenance for a female. I don't particularly love shopping, i'm not by any means high fashion and I tend to wear the same outfits (a few playsuits no doubt you'll get sick of me wearing in my blog posts). I am always ready within 30mins and forever waiting for girlfriends to apply their seemingly never-ending make up and change outfits a million times  (love you guys).

So I have no idea why when it comes to packing I have so much grief. I don't seem to be alone on this though, there are actually thousands of you tube videos and never ending articles about what to pack, how to pack, video diaries, tips, tricks and believe me i've watched so many of them. As I started to pack up my room etc to prepare for someone to move in I found myself struggling to put things into the 'Give to good sammys', 'throw away', 'not taking', 'maybe taking', and 'definitely taking' piles...some weird attachment to all these items like a pair of denim shorts I hadn't worn in about 4 years and probably wouldn't even fit anymore... 6 months... this will be the longest i've ever travelled for how the hell does someone live with 15kg's (that is my packing goal!) for so long. Also, why do we get so attached to our possessions? Maybe this is something I can learn to change within myself. Now, to some this whole exercise of packing/ sorting doesn't seem like such a big deal but I swear I was mentally packing and unpacking, and agonising over what to bring with me for weeks...probably months actually. Literally, laying awake at night going through a mental catalogue of every item of clothing, toiletries, and imagining myself putting it all together rolling it up and taking it on my travels- what a weirdo!

Its kind of ridiculous, even what different packing cubes to buy, storage solutions, electronics etc... so many 'overwhelming' choices to make which seems crazy in hindsight. Like, what is the worse that will happen- i bought the wrong brand of packing cube haha certainly not the end of the world. However, the decision over which backpack was definitely the most difficult it took me weeks and kept me awake at night, reading blogs, constantly asking all of my well travelled friends- wheels...or no wheels. As though it was a matter of life or death. I went to kathmandu extremely hungover one day and just wondered around for about an hour scrutinising every bloody bag (meanwhile my inner dialogue screaming at me c'mon kristy just trust your gut, make a bloody decision and lets get out of this hell hole, i'm starving and possibly have a parking ticket by now HURRY UP). Alas, no decision was made that day and I left the store deflated, empty handed but without a parking ticket yay. it wasn't until a week or so later, FINALLY, after what felt like an eternity of indecisiveness I settled on the Osprey Wayfarer 70 combined backpack/daybag combo (will definitely give it a full report once i'm all packed and we have spent a bit of time on the road together).

The Ebay rookie: So a couple of days after I had finally selected my purchase & made payment relieved that the Osprey 70 would be mine in a couple of short weeks. I received an email from eBay reminding me to pay for my purchase (DOH) I had accidentally committed to buy a 85L version of the same bag half asleep at about 11pm one night...I bailed out at the 'confirm and pay' stage after doing an assessment of my actual height vs. the size of this mammoth bag which I could probably fit in. However, being a relatively inexperienced ebay user I didn't realise this was such a faux pas and now I was stuck into this binding contract with Mr Bag Seller Man. Damn it! I had clicked 'Commit to pay' SHIT! now i'm stuck with 2 bags- one of which was definitely too large for my 5"3' freme.

Was this a sign.. did I need to convince some tall thing to come on my travels? haha no I got in contact with the seller and hallelujah Paddy Palin (cheers buddy) was actually a really nice Mr Bag Salesman and was really good about it all. He cancelled the sale and saved me a few hundred dollars and the pressure of another unnecessary item to decide what to do with... Probably could have put it down at mum and dads along with all my other stuff gathering dust (next to the wedding dress i still haven't decided what to do with haha).

So here I am:
Flights Booked
Tour booked for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro I didn't want to do Carnival alone so for piece of mind i booked a tour with STA travel for 6 days (which cost me almost as much as my return flights with emirates.) I Booked the 5 night 'Rio Carnival Hostel Experience' so will give a full report on it -hopefully from some tropical relaxing beach location while I recover from a carnival hangover.
Bag Purchased.
Physical packing by no means done but all neatly rolled and packed into packing cubes in my crazy head.
General itinerary research well under way- I want to do all the main touristy attractions of course, all the adventure things too like the bolivia death road, some hiking and I have volunteering opportunities in mind as well but it all comes down to trusting that gut instinct and just going with the flow.

My parents are freaking out about me travelling alone to such a 'Dangerous Place' so every other day i'm waking to a message off my dad with a news report about people dying overseas, or the failing economy and unemployment...bless his cotton socks I know there'll be a few tears at the airport. Speaking with a lot of friends who have been to SA and apparently there is a general touristy route that people follow so it will be fine to trave alone and i have no doubt will meet so many friendly people along the way- hopefully once they can see how well i'm doing it will ease there mind :)
Now to finish this last few weeks of work...

I am so excited for the adventures, all the new friends I am going to make, but scared at the same time- generally i'm pretty confidant but its daunting being so vulnerable and alone in the big wide world. I usually always had a fall back- my gal pals, a partner or family member there with whenever travelling. I feel like that lost nervous little 11 year old kid again on my first day of high school in a too-large ugly green uniform, without a single friend, not knowing who i'll meet wondering what kind of friends i'll make, whether i'd fit in, if people would be nice or mean, where i'd sit in the social hierarchy, what my new friends would be like...just hoping that everything will be ok (and it was)... and so it will be (I hope).


Only time will tell...
Thats it for now Adios Mi Amigos :)  xxx

P.s. Don't forget to follow me on Insta for updates pics & workouts

Thursday 19 January 2017

Leaving Behind Fear & Enjoying The Journey

By On 01:47
Hi,

This is the weird wonderful and hopefully exciting and insightful Journey of me.

I almost 30... this year I was supposed to get married... I had a great job, loved my partner and although the relationship was full of issues my life felt like it had a purpose and a direction. Then things weren't working out and we broke up 6 months out from the wedding date. I found myself in a downward spiral of feeling lost, and wondering what next?

I have been working as a health and lifestyle/ wellness coordinator fly in fly out for the past 5 years  since graduating from university. The job was great it was challenging, allowed me to help people achieve their health and fitness goals, I got to work in some really interesting places, had been promoted to a leadership role and my career was tracking well.

However, working away from home in remote mining villages started to take its toll after the break up. I felt really lonely, isolated, missing friends and family and struggled working on a roster where only a third of my life was at home. I loved my job, had done well in my career, and have been fortunate enough to buy my own house and afforded to travel a fair bit over the past few years which has been my passion.

At the start of this year when the wedding date loomed upon me I decided I was really unhappy and what I really needed was a change...and adventure... a YOLO experience... what was I waiting for? I didn't want to be that person that looked back in 20 years time like 'Well, that was great, good on me i worked really hard' NO I want to be the person who looked back and says 'Wow, I had some pretty amazing adventures'.

The decision to quit my job and embark on this adventure did not come easy, there was a lot of heart ache, anxiety, indecisiveness. I was riddled with stress and anxiety about not being satisfied with my current life but fearing the changes and the risks of the unknown. I started trying to do things like meditating, yoga, went to go see a counsellor to help deal with the grief of the relationship breakup all of what helped me immensely. I have always been a fairly spiritual and positive person- i LOVE ALL THAT SHIT 'The secret' etc, the power of the mind...positive thinking...visualisation etc however when you're in a dark place sometimes its hard to see the light and even feel like your normal self.

One day I started reading a book 'The universe has your back' By Gabrielle Bernstein. This really resonated with me and the particular phase I was in. Basically, its all about having faith, trusting your gut and just believing that everything will be ok.... and if its not all ok then it will work out. Like, what was I afraid of? Worst case scenario the trip doesn't work out its fine i'll just come back. Leaving a great job- what if i can't find the same level job...thats fine something else will work out I'm capable qualified and a hard worker... for every excuse or fear there was really an answer. I'd make it work it was going to be ok! This book (even the first chapter) just really helped me to let go of all the fears and insecurities and just gave me faith that it will all work out. (follow my blog and adventures and see if it does #miss_fit_abroad)

So i did it. Booked flights to Rio De Janeiro- 5.5 months return (because you need return flights for travel insurance)...the $200 fee to change flights means i can always come back sooner if i want or extend if I choose.  There were so many other hurdles like trying to rent out rooms in my place, organise all the financial side of things etc etc but thats all the boring stuff i won't waste your time with. Dealing with the minor freak outs, my parents extreme dislike that I would be travelling to this 'Dangerous country' alone etc but i'm getting there.

As soon as I had made my decision and resigned i felt this massive weight lift off my shoulders and a sense of elation and excitement about the scary but wonderful journey that I was about to embark on. A lot of firsts-My first big backpacking trip, My first time in South and Central America, My first time travelling alone, My first time quitting a great job. Exciting times.

Then, as the universe usually does, I was tested. i had applied to do a graduate diploma in Education (a month or so prior whilst fretting about my unknown future). Just a week after booking my flights I received notification I had been accepted into the course BUT being a post-grad I could not defer (doh). ALSO this was the last intake for the 1 year course, as it changes to a 2 year masters degree as of 2018. I kind of laughed to myself - how was that for timing- However I felt even more confidant and assured then ever that I had made the right decision. Trusting my gut...Living without regrets... and facing the fears, excitement and adventure of the unknown.

SO Come with me on my journey. I promise you a lot of laughs, some crazy stories, plenty of pictures and hopefully some cultural/ foodie/ fitness blogs about keeping fit and healthy overseas.

Time to finish preparing & pack... Speak to you soon

Adios Mi Amigos,

Kristy Jade

p.s. Feel free to follow my journey via Instagram 

Just doing my thing...

Just doing my thing...

Where will I go?

Where will I go?