Category: Exercise

The Pedal to the Metal, The Pedal to Whatever

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Do you ever get in a funk? Like this little cloud is just chilling above your head, giving you all kinds of stormy moods and cloudy thoughts.

This has been happening to me lately, particularly with riding. No matter what I was trying, I hadn’t had a good run for so long. Even when we went road tripping down south and got to check out some beautiful new tracks, I just couldn’t get in the right head space. To be honest, with the impending Canada move at the back of my mind, I was getting a little stressed out.

I can’t handle being bad at something. If I’m not nailing it, I usually give up and move onto something within my reach… Until Andrew and mountain biking came along. His persistant encouragement and gentle coaching have pushed me out of my comfort zone and into this crazy, adrenalin fuelled sport.

IMG_0104Margaret River, such a beauty

I learn at my own pace, and will never move onto the next step unless I am confident and have learned every aspect. It must be so frustrating to watch, and even worse to ride after me, but Andrew does it all without complaining. Actually, I lie, he complains when I don’t have a good time and am too hard on myself. What a guy, right?

Even with this support behind me, I’d just not enjoyed it lately. I’ve been getting scared and frustrated with my thoughts taking over. It’s been super dry in Perth lately, which definitely doesn’t help. So I decided to take a week off and get back to me.

IMG_0109My handsome coach

Today, I woke up itching to ride. I wanted to get back out there and give it another go. My head was in the right place and I was feeling pretty relaxed. Which was a godsend, my ride was so much fun! The uphills weren’t killing me, the downhills didn’t shake me too much and I managed to get some PBs knocked out. More importantly though, I was smiling.

IMG_0118Riding in Pemberton, probably before a hill because I’m still smiling!

I don’t know if every ride will be like this, or if I’ll ever make it past this stage of riding. But, I think I’m okay with that. As long as I get some really good days in, I’m prepared to try and overcome the bad ones.

Life’s a little better today, endorphins do not suck at all. Little victories make me pretty happy too, so I’ll keep at it.

IMG_0003Kalamunda, on this glorious Perth day

Happy Thursday,
Hanbel.
x

P.S. If anyone was interested, this is where we ride:8818cbe921b37d0d76d089a0aa03cc9d

Mercury Street is my comfort zone, but lately I’m trying Goldilocks, Judderbars and Alchemy.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

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I want to ride my bike. (You just sung that a little, didn’t you?)
Just as I was last night, in anticipation of my weekly ride into work.

I’m growing to absolutely love these rides into work, even if they’re not the most strenuous or exhilarating.
It’s a perfect way to slide into the second half of the week, and changes up my routine of catching the bus every damn day.

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With the weather getting warmer the sun is shining, birds are chirping, flowers blooming and all similar clichés. But it’s so lovely!

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I ride through the burbs, past the white picket fences and gorgeous red bricked houses. I pass cafes smelling of bacon and freshly made bread.

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I love riding through Northbridge at 6:30am; when there are barely any cars on the road, the hipsters are just opening their coffee shops and the air is so clean. The Vietnamese bakeries have been busy, I get a huge waft of their sugary baked goods.

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From there it’s an easy coast into the office, where I’m one of the first few to get in and can start the day fresh and revived.

Happy Thursday, you crazy kids.

Hanbel.
x

Why You So Obsessed with Me?

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My latest obsessions and addictions are of the health variety (I know, I’m sorry!).

Lately, my aim has been to get healthier and fitter. Which has probably been my aim for about 10 years now…
In the past few months though, I’ve shifted my focus towards living a healthier life in general, as opposed to trying to lose weight, and it seems to be working!

So, without further adieu, here are my current faves:

1. Deliciously Ella
www.deliciouslyella.com @deliciouslyella
This London gal is a great source of dinner inspiration. I’m constantly stalking her instagram for salad and roasted vegie ideas. I can’t to try out this Warm Sweet Potato, Mushroom and Spinach Salad.

2. Netball
Even though it can be quite brutal, I love this game. A few of my favourite girls and I started a casual team years ago, and after a little break, we’re back at it. The Sweaty Betty’s tend to, uh… not win a lot of our games, but we try so hard and have a lot of fun. I’ve recently begun playing in GD, which means more running than I’m used to – but I am loving it!

3. BodyWise App
www.bodywiseapp.com
BodyWise iPhone AppI literally downloaded this yesterday, so this recommendation may be completely false. However, I like all the aspects – being able to log workouts, rating how happy you are everyday and the way you can track what you’re eating.
Instead of counting calories, which can be an excruciating activity, it tracks your vegetable/fruit/meat/grains intake, as well as caffeine/junk food/alcohol/soft drink intake. This is such a healthier way to look at what you’re eating!

4. Tone It Up
www.toneitup.com @toneitup Tone It Up – YouTube
tone-it-up-runningOkay, so these two are super perky. There… I’ve warned you.
HOWEVER – take a look at their bodies and you can see why I put up with the perkiness. The workouts they upload to their youtube channel are serious business. Give the HIIT a try and you won’t know what hiit you 😉
I love these workouts for rainy days, or post-run when I want to work a little harder. One day I’ll have abs like them!

5. MY NEW BIKE
IMG_5479Yep, I did it. I’ve committed to this mountain biking thing and gotten my very own bike. She’s so beautiful and all I can think about is taking her out on the weekend! Wish me luck…

Have a happy and healthy weekend everybody!
Hanbel.
x

Sunshine, on My Window

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27 degrees and sunny, on a winter’s day. Are you joking? But also, how amazing!
God, I love a Perth winter. Saturday was absolutely glorious, and Sunday didn’t disappoint either.

So what does a gal do with all this sun? Soak it UPPPPP!
Papa Bell asked me kindly to housesit his place while he and Melissa flew to Broome for the weekend.
As his house is a 5 minute walk from the beach, I’m so glad I didn’t turn this offer down. After waking up early (cheers Andrew) I took myself for a little beach stroll, breathing in the fresh air and stretching my legs. I came back to a very sad looking dog, begging to be taken out… so I went for another walk. On a day like this, I couldn’t resist!

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Look at that face! I hate these kind of dogs, but Sparki is so beautifully ugly – with a huge underbite and disproportioned body, it’s so hard not to love him!
Until he steals one of your socks, develops lock jaw and then cries like a baby because he doesn’t know what to do with it.

The rest of the day was equally as blissful, celebrating a dear friend’s birthday over delicious breakfast and incredible coffee.

IMG_5433Laura chose the new spot Finlay and Sons for her special day, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. I can see this becoming my new favourite local. A full menu with too many choices, coffee I knocked back in about 30 seconds, and the most gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing interiors make this girl very happy.

IMG_5432Just look at that rose gold and exposed brick; love love love!
The staff are lovely, and the food is divine. I caved to my standard order of bircher muesli, and was not disappointed in the slightest.

IMG_5435Anh’s mushrooms on goat’s cheese toast looked and smelt unbelievable, the truffle oil wafting in my direction almost gave me food envy. I can’t wait to come back here!

IMG_5436The birthday girl, what a doll! Happy Birthday LB, we love you enormous amounts!

The rest of the day was spent riding to watch my girl’s play netball, quickly popping in to see Andrew and racing back to Dad’s place to feed the pooch.
Anh, Brooke and I had the perfect night in – thai takeaway, rosé, 10 Things I Hate About You and Sean’s homemade caramel slice.

What a classic! Bless you Heath Ledger.

Sunday began with a coffee run to meet up with Book Club over a home cooked breakfast. THANK YOU BROOKE!
Also, please do not ever read The Virgin Suicides. Or watch the movie, we made both errors.

IMG_5446One netball world cup final (YES AUSTRALIA!), a sneaky vino for a friend’s birthday and a fajita bowl on the couch whilst watching House of Cards; and that was my weekend, done and dusted.

I live for the weekend, and I’m sure you can see why! Gotta love these days in the sun, exercising, eating, talking absolute nonsense with the people I love most – I couldn’t ask for anything better.

I hope you all had an equally lovely weekend.
Happy Monday!

Hanbel.
x