Tory Burch for FitBit

So I was doing some FitBit research the other day to get myself back motivated to exercise when I discovered that Tory Burch has done a collab - and this is the result. 

Holy cow. Fitness just got fab. Well more fab than fitness can be. It got fashionable. It got glam. Oh I don't know. It just got a heck of a lot cooler. Look at this collab for goodness sakes. 

I've long written about how fickle I am when it comes to fitness. And that if I have something new, something exciting to wear - I am more likely to go and move my body. You can only imagine my glee. 

When a luxury lifestyle brand such as Tory Burch works with FitBit - I think it's time I put my pedal to the metal, and got out moving. 

With three pieces to the collection: the open fretwork pendant (my favourite), the brass hinged bracelet and the silicone printed bracelet - there's definitely something to suit a range of styles. I imagine these pieces will fit seamlessly into everyday so no one need even know you're ravenously counting your steps. 

Speaking of which - definitely read this piece by David Sedaris about his obsession with his FitBit. Funniest article EVER. 

Shop now. 

Ordinary Walks of Life

Fresh days bring so much with them. They're good as a clean piece of paper. Full of promise, they can unfurl in so many ways.

I've managed to pull myself out of bed early to go walks a couple of times this week - I'm up to 75% of my four walk target. I could go into bonus time a la Luigi and Mario. 

On my walks I've been busy observing. With nothing but my mind to occupy me (oh and that magpie that kept trying to swoop me - ice cream bucket anyone?), my eye has been seeking out small beauties. 

Simple beauties. 

They're all around when you're attentive. It's the season when spiders decorate the trees with their weaving. And when Mother Nature leaves a fine mist to highlight them strung up in the branches. They're beautiful artworks, and if you're very careful, you can find them hidden in odd places. 

Or how about an ocean walk when there's no one around. The rain has scared everyone off. It's just you, the sand and the water lapping. The sunrise creeping up, quietly, but the surety is comforting. 

It's my reminder that there are bigger things in life. 

Rebooting: C25K - Week One

So ages ago I started C25K. I got to the middle of week two (I think), and then stopped.

This was about the same time I fell off the apple cart. 

Today I rebooted, got out there and knocked off day one of week one. The first leg I wanted to cry and sit in the gutter. It was poorly timed on my behalf, as the first run started on a massive incline, setting the tone for the rest of the workout. 

Given so many people were running the City to Surf, I thought I should take to the streets and sneak in some exercise for myself. 

By the time I got home I was completely KOed. And now on the flipside I feel pretty good - not only physically, but mentally retuned and ready for the week ahead. 

And ready for day two and day three of C25K (the first day is the worst day, well that's my mantra anyway). 

I think I stopped exercising after holidays because work was busy, and life was busy, and I stopped prioritising myself and my time. Please don't get the world's smallest violin out, but when you're a mum, everyone else is above you in the food chain. It's called Burnt Chop Syndrome for a reason. 

I am back in the saddle friends! 

I Fell Off

Remember when I was really into walking? How I was getting my exercise on and walking with my elderly friends?

I am loathe to declare - I fell off the bandwagon.

After the chair fell onto my foot - just before Easter, I ebbed away from walking. I think I turned into some sort of man - refused to go the doctor, hellz no. I knew it was useless - if you break a bone in your foot, well there's not a lot you can do. I know this because I have broken two toes before and just had to suffer in my jocks. So I hobbled through it, and have only just regained full bending rights of my big toe.
I know. This stuff is what blog posts are made of. Dreamy material Lexi.

But it poses a problem for me. My foot is still not 100% right. And I haven't been walking since.

When I was walking I felt so good. I could feel myself getting fitter, I could feel my body feeling tighter. It was such a great feeling - and it gave me more energy.

I was in this great habit of getting up early - before everyone in the family, I snuck out under the cover of half-darkness, and walked.

Now? I struggle to get out of bed. To drag my sorry ass out of bed and go walking. I fell off the horse - and now I don't know how to get back on.

Hints? Thoughts? Prodding? All are welcome.

And the Fat Boy Slim clip? Yes. Not sure. It made me think of power walkers for some reason..?!

I May Have Rigor Mortis

Yesterday, as punishment to myself for not walking or running or doing anything for almost two weeks, I totally caned myself. I went on a six km walk/jog - or wag as I affectionately call it. 


I branched out of my usual walk/run/jog/feel-like-I-am-dying and did lunges, and manoevred my way around the streets like a crab. Thankfully no one else was about (that I could so), so I don't have to feel so self-conscious about what everyone's thinking about that nutty woman. 


And then it started to rain. I was only 2/3 way through my planned run - and it started raining and raining. As further punishment, I made myself stay put - where once I would have scurried home. I may have even pretended I was preparing myself for Tough Mudder. 


Over 6 kms later, I went home. Half elated, half dog tired. Then I forced myself to carry some heavy hard rubbish from the back of the house to the foothpath. Four trips in total. I am such a beefcake. 


My sneakers were trashed, I was covered in mud - and so I finally made it into the shower. 


Sadly I neglected to stretch *forehead slap* and as a result, I am now walking like the Tin Man. I think I've got a severe case of rigor mortis. 


And then I dragged my sorry ass out of bed this morning, and did it all over again. 

The Walkers

Each morning they embark on their own routines. In half-darkness they walk, sometimes together, usually on their own, lapping one another, stretching. Sweating.


There's one guy that is easily identified by his voracious appetite for red t-shirts. Each morning he walks - he's wearing a red t-shirt. Except for this week he's switched to blue. He runs one lap, then sets himself up in the cricket nets. Stretching. Pushing. Pulling. After a while he exits, runs a couple of extra laps, and heads off for the day.

Then there's Peter. Lovely white-haired Peter. He must be at least 80, he walks, we lap one another, we wave hello, we chat on every second lap. He stretches using the fence. He must have lived here forever. He's heading off for four months overseas. 

A woman - whose age is difficult to determine turns up. Her ponytail swishes side to side as she runs, effortlessly around and around the oval. She stretches with another woman (who is older and curvier), they chat as they run, under the gum trees, around to the side where the sand flicks up into your sneakers.  

Frank is there most mornings. He's a jovial man. We chat politics, war and walking.

Occasionally there are other walkers, but for the most part, it's the usual suspects. Occasionally an elderly woman will brave the slightly sodden grass, walk a few laps, but then she's out of there. Sometimes one of these women will wear a visor, or those sunglasses that flip up and down.

Some mornings see the beginnings of the sunrise. The most spectacular of which featured pale pink and lilac. Streaks of colour like a melted ice-cream. But the next day, markedly less memorable, golden clouds wafting in the sky. Yet it held on to its own beauty, though simplified from the previous.

Most mornings I walk to the dulcet tones of Ira Glass from This American Life. Perfectly timed, and I can get lost for an hour, listening to someone talk about someone else. Sometimes I carve things up and set my iPod to shuffle. Although it's risky with a mix of Playschool mixed with Rihanna mixed with Justine Clarke.

Without even thinking about it, I've become part of the community. Sometimes a silent community, or sometimes a community where a wave or a 'Good Morning' is enough to pass muster. It's comforting to share other people's lives daily. It's a really new sense of perspective, and one that I like.


image via Semantically Driven


Tell me - how does this happen??

Hooked. On Exercise.

I know. You read it right. I am completely hooked on exercise. I have rarely ever been so excited to get out there, but there you have it.

I am so hooked on exercise that I've started waking up before my alarm goes off.

I am so hooked on exercise that it's started infiltrating my dreams.

I dreamt my sister had exercise gear on sale (neither of my sisters are sportswear retailers?!) - and that besides flicking through a rack full of size 10s (RATS!) - I found a pair of exercise tights that were made from the most magnificent fish scale looking fabric. Rainbow fish scale looking fabric.They reminded me of the Rainbow Fish book (pictured). Immediately I grabbed them. And started inventing excuses to exercise just so I could wear them. (They were kind of like these, but more purple. And they could breathe).

My usual exercise gear entails a pair of black Target leggings and one of Matt's tees.

But these fish-scale tights. My oh my.

I woke up totally enthralled and told Matt we just had to go looking for them.

Of course we never found them.

But if you spy some fish-scale tights, please do let me know. Apparently they are the magic key to me continuing on my love affair with breaking out a sweat.

Out and About Pt 2

Last week not only did we go see Holly Throsby, but a dear friend invited me to see Ira Glass speak at Town Hall. Another day, another Sydney Festival gig.

I knew a little about Ira Glass, but was pretty clueless.

I sat spellbound and enchanted by him. For over two hours. I loved listening to him speak. He was charming, authentic, intelligent and funny. And I have a bit of a crush on him. Gosh darn it, he is clever.

Perfectly so, I've been walking, listening to This American Life podcasts. They go for about an hour, and so do my walks. Each morning I come home switched on and buzzing.

I am so motivated by the idea of getting up and listening to podcasts, moreso than music, this is the ticket peeps!

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On the flipside, we've been enjoying walking on our weekends, exploring new areas, old areas, and just hanging out together in the sunshine. The beauty of Summer is pretty simple.



The Birds Are Busy

A while ago I wrote about my desire to become a morning person. Well it's eluded me. Until this morning when I scraped my body out of bed at the spritely hour of 6:30am. That was half an hour of snooze-buttoning, but I made it!

I went walking, and the sky was alive with the sound of birds chattering and singing. It was a beautiful thing and I wouldn't have been privy to it if I'd have stayed in bed.

I then went on an hour of power, walking around my oval, and was joined by the over-60s club. I said hello to my new friends and walked and walked, and got 12 laps this time. My new PB.

You don't need to fear, this isn't about to become an exercise blog.

Not when I have Tiny waiting at home for me, and she greets me with "Mama, I decorated myself!" You don't say. I did initially only see her face, then she revealed her legs.

Yesterday the Doctor noted that "Tiny is crazy and dramatic". Bingo.

Old Year's Resolution

I don't do New Year's resolutions. It sets me up for failure, and I'm not signing up for that.

So today I went and exercised my little hiney off. Well. I did go for a really big walk, that turned into an intermittent walk, that ousted the crankies, and the filthies, and made me come home with a sore hip but a brighter attitude.

Exercise is really good, huh?!

I have been struggling to find a place to walk around here. I don't really enjoy walking in our neighbourhood. But tonight I found an oval in our neighbourhood. I thought, yes, I will do 5 laps of this oval, and I wound up doing 10.

I got a headstart on resolutions and I like it.

Sayonara 2011. I hope 2012 is bountiful of blessings, brightness and bold new moves.

Happy New Year my beautiful friends. x

Back In The Habit:: Days 1, 2 & 3

I've snuck into my 21 day time trial by omitting to blog about it.

I've been walking for 3 days in a row. Only 18 to go.

This last week I've realised I've been putting myself last - and exercise, oh woeful exercise, it was way down the list. Actually, it wasn't even on the list. I have a hate-hate relationship with exercise that I am so keen to turn the beat around on. So 3 days in a row - go me!

Music that got me walking (and I may have even cracked into a wee jog):

- Sam Sparro

- Rihanna

- Prince

- Salt n Pepa

- The Strokes

Tonight I walked on a wayward route to the supermarket. And got chatted up by an almost-70 year old. Now that does not happen when you don't exercise. Right?

I'm wondering if I can crack my phobia of early mornings and do a morning walk. In?

In Which We Really Turn PottyMouthed

So the last few days have been pretty darn boring. So boring in fact that the Doctor asked me if he went for a big bike ride would he feel better because he's sick of watching DVDs and lying on the couch in his general malaise.

Three weeks of being sick sucks, croup has turned into bronchial coughs. Meh!

In a bid to pick things up we visited the Doctor yesterday and now the kids are both on antibiotics. And the Doctor got the hot pink antibiotics, and Tiny wants to swap him for hers. Hers are white.

The Doctor has also morphed into the PottyMouthDoctor. He cussed on the mike on Monday. Not once. But FIVE TIMES! Shocking to the max.

So this morning in a bid to alleviate boredom we went for a walk up the street to see if we could find the neighbour's cat. The Doctor took his scooter, Tiny wore her yellow boots today. We walked right up the top, and walked right back down, and the Doctor found some energy to do four or five laps of a section of footpath. He thought it was awesome. Oh and we got to pat the cat too!

We got home just in time for the rain to start sprinkling down on top of us.

Usually I love Winter. But this Winter I am longing for warmer days. I'm sick of being sick. I'm tired of being cold.

Walking:: Internal Talking

Last night when I was walking I saw parrots and rosellas fly up as though the rains had refreshed them. Colourful against the flat grey sky.

I walked in the rain. I know this neighbourhood. I know the secret laneways. I see snails making their slow way across footpaths that are like freeways for them. I hear cockatoos that sound more like pteradactyls. Sometimes I wave at someone I know, or I over compensate for a co-walker who tries to ignore me.

I know the house where a mother found her son after he'd overdosed on heroin. Her garden is like no-one else's. An leafy, green and flower-laden oasis. A salute to her son.

And another home, palatial, where a two year old once tumbled from a second storey balcony.

These are true stories. Testament that everyone has their own private struggles.

Sometimes I manage to walk and just tune out altogether. It isn't often, but when I do, it repays in dividends.

Last night I listened to this. One of my favourites.

See those stripey socks? They make me walk faster.

Old School Skating

We went on a leisurely Sunday afternoon walk. We like to do that. I threw a chicken in the oven (that I had stuffed after gagging, I hate touching raw chicken, and stuffing them for that matter - enter the squeams!) and then we walked. The Doctor had a minor meltdown as he couldn't find his helmet, and in our house no helmet equals no racers. So he had to walk.

This may have been fortuitous because just down the road was a pile of rubbish. And you know what that means in our language. Good times. The Doctor and I rummaged 'til our hearts were content. Matt, of course, stood back. Because he's too cool to be seen going through other people's junk. Me? No way Jose. I'm in there. I'll show you tomorrow what I found - not today because today I am too lazy to take a photo. But the Doctor triumphed over his helmet downfall. He scored this old school skateboard (here he is rad dawging), check out the handle that helps him steer the deck, and gain a little confidence, le old school way.

The thing I particularly loved about our work, besides the rubbish of course, was a couple of ginger cats coming out to say hi to the smalls. We've met one of these cats on a previous walk before. But yesterday, not only did ol' Ginger run out, his mate did too. The smalls were in cattie heaven.

You Don't Know Unless You Ask

Remember when I was writing about good intentions, and the beautiful roses we walk past sometimes? Well today on our walk (this is a constant lately, yes?) Tiny and I happened upon the lady in the garden. So we started chatting. It's nice to chat to elderly people. I think so anyway. They hold such wisdom, experience and knowledge - that seems to come with age. Just last week I got chatting to a 92 year old war veteran who was blinded in Burma - told you I get chatting.

Back to the garden. She told me that she's not much of a rose gardener, but she keeps them going in her father's memory. He was an avid rose grower, and they had over 50 rose bushes one time. Now they're getting old, they're getting black spot, and she's afraid she doesn't really know how to grow them. But to me they still look beautiful, and my goodness, you've never smelt roses this rosey. She pointed out roses that were planted in 1921 and 1922.. I love learning little snippets of history, no matter how small, it paints a picture of people.

I'm enjoying getting out into the sunshine. When it's here. For the most part, I am bunkered down inside. I've been sewing a little, baking a little, sleeping very little, and watching Tiny do the zombie baby walk. It might be Winter but it's not for long.

The Paps Are Following: Less Talking, More Walking

Yesterday, before the sun left the sky, before my breath froze in the air, before my blood froze because oh-yeah-it's-really-bloody-cold, the Doctor, Tiny and I went for our afternoon walk. I've written before about my own personal cheer squad. It being - the Doctor. Well yesterday, he came out in force and told me that I looked like a rockstar. Kudos to you small man. Then he grabbed a few *secret* things and we walked out the door.

I urge you to enlist your own ego-leader, after the Doctor gave me my pep talk I could barely get out the front door because my head was so inflated. I just awaited the flashbulbs, alas they never came, so we just went walking. BUT - not before the Doctor quickly transformed himself with his *secret* sunnies and *secret* 'train-driver' hat and told me he was now a rockstar too.

Together we were going to rock the world.

Instead we went to the nursery, bought some seeds. And then it happened. The Doctor scammed me.

Feigning fatigue (we'd walked a grand total of 100 metres) he told me he was feeling very hot.

Impossible I say - yesterday was close to blizzard temperatures (ok not really, but it might as well have been). If I had left the Doctor outside too long yesterday he would have turned into a snowman. The Doctor then informed me that if we were to continue walking, he really would need an ice cream to cool himself down.

I say just stick your tongue out and you'll grow your own icicles, but that didn't cut it. So the Doctor scammed me. Tiny had a pink fit and wanted a bite. Lucky for Tiny, our little Doctor is a good sharer and loves sharing with Tiny. She scored too.

On our walk the Doctor crunched in the carpet of Autumn leaves. We looked and admired our long Wintery shadows. Tiny called the neighbourhood dogs. We played with the 'helicopter' seed pods for a while (I was still walking!). We admired two small boys taking out the garbage. Well, we lauded them at least. For me, walking is a nice way to end the day, talk about what we're going to do the next day. A sort of reconnection. And then whizz home and get dinner on the hob.

No paps, but some pretty snaps.

Stuff

image via

When I was in high school my friends and I used to sing well known songs (such as Pearl Jam's 'Alive) opera style. It was the cause of much amusement and made lessons pass a little quicker (not that I wasn't listening up Mum & Dad, it was just sometimes a slow day). Try it. When you're in a bad mood, pick a well known song, and sing it mezzo soprano and try and stay in that bad mood. Bet you can't.

Anyway, I have no idea why I remembered this when really what I wanted to say is, I've been walking a la Move It Like Mike.

I been moving baby. We've been taking in the neighbourhood. Checking out the Autumn leaves. Checking out this and that. Yeah, baby. We all been movin'! But more on this tomorrow.

If you need some motivation to move, listen to this. Gets me every time. I lurve a little bit of Andre 3000. (I've linked to this before, but I can't get enough Andre 3000). Did you ever see Class of 3000? Was it good?

And last but not least, there's a super giveaway (two uber cute softies are up for grabs) taking place over at Pepper Stitches. Check it out.

A Little Junk In Yer Trunk?

In the interests of getting a little less Fatty, and a little more Boombastic I am signed up sisters.

While I've been super busy contemplating my navel, hiding my chocolate stash from my husband, and looking out the window at the rain, my muffin tops they runneth over.

It's official gang. I'm hooking up with Move It Like Mike. I am getting un-muffin topped. I am going to recharge my batts and get out there and get walking.

And here's just the inspiration I've been looking for. Ready. Set.



Wiggle it. Move it. If you've got it, shake it.

Autumnal Afternoon Walks

The smalls and I have been enjoying afternoon walks. We make our way, late afternoon, down to the park, in time for the smalls to play for a while, the Doctor scoots around the path on his scooter, Tiny goes crawling off into the crisp leaves. It's clear from her expression that she's having a hoot.

Tiny loves the swing, and it's usually at this time that Matt rolls in fresh off the train.

We've been enjoying the fresh Autumn air on our faces, watching the trees shift from greens into golds, reds, leaves crunchy underfoot. Sometimes the smell of someone's fire, the Doctor asks me why they have a fire. Conversations transpire, conversations evolve. The Doctor shows us his break dancing, begs to go and play leaf races. Alas, there's been no rain lately, so leaf racing is off the walking menu. But we make our way through the second park and watch the dogs prance around on their evenings walks. We greet strangers. And those who divert their eyes - as though we're imaginary - I make sure I say an extra jovial hello. What am I, cellophane??

I don't think I've ever enjoyed Autumn as much as I do now that I have children. It's like rediscovering each of the seasons all over again.

Welcome Autumn:: Hello Magical March

So it's the first day of Autumn here. Thank goodness.

I got to enjoy some time outdoors with my smalls. Just me and them. It was calm. Beautiful. They'd both had huuuuge sleeps, their batteries re-charged. We played hide and seek. The babes giggled. We dug in the sand pit. Tiny sampled some. Delicious! Extra fibre! The Doctor and I dug roads and rescued trucks. I looked skywards - oh how I love to look skywards, through tree branches. It almost makes me giddy, those green leaves, that sky. Oh hello Autumn, we welcome you with open arms. We're waiting for the coloured goodness you're about to show.

Later the four of us went for a walk. A nice long walk. The Doctor rode his trike. We saw the black and white bunny again, but she hid because of the dog. Next time we hope to stroke her softness.

Welcome March, and welcome Autumn.

This is the start of my 'Magical March'. Each day I'm going to find something magical to blog about. Play along if you're feelin' it. Tell me too. (I might even go so far as to make a Magical March sidebar - I know, I know, amazing. But it is Magical March after all.)