[boonkien]

Read somewhere that someone after arriving in NZ, he felt much healthier and fitter than he was before due to the lack of junk food and the increase in outdoor activities.

What about you guys? How do you keep fit?

I just gave away my treadmill because I don't think I want to bring that over to NZ. Was wondering if it is ok/safe to jog in the streets, since jogging is the cheapest and most fuss free exercise one can get. :yes

[jubjub]

Streets are full of joggers/cyclists. there is even a specific fitness trail in Auckland (there may be more that I dont know about...) at Panmure, its a 3.1km tarmac path around a lagoon with fitness stops, like sit up benches and monkey bars (think there are 14 in all). I feel perfectly safe walking round there by myself with the baby in his buggy.

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/places/parksonline/detail.asp?pParkId=65880

[Smiler]

I feel exhausted just watching the joggers round Oriental Bay here, there are loads of people just walking too. It's certainly safe. There always seem to be people windsurfing and sailing in the bay too.

I was a member of a gym in the UK and went to classes most days. Here I haven't done so much exercise but have just joined the Peeled Banana dance class which is great fun twice a week(and not full of young skinny cropped top girlies either, just imagine Dumbo in a tutu :eek:). I have a spin bike from Trademe and whizz (metaphorically speaking) round on that too.

I fancy the fitness trail thingy though, wonder if there is one round here. :confused::confused:
We are eating more heathily because I have a bit more time to plan and cook. I didn't get that working full time in the UK.

[katandbob]

Read somewhere that someone after arriving in NZ, he felt much healthier and fitter than he was before due to the lack of junk food and the increase in outdoor activities.

What about you guys? How do you keep fit?

I just gave away my treadmill because I don't think I want to bring that over to NZ. Was wondering if it is ok/safe to jog in the streets, since jogging is the cheapest and most fuss free exercise one can get. :yes

I just gave away my treadmill ....hope you have better will power than we did...we had our own Gym, but when we sold our house, excercising went out the window, due to work hours and all this Moving Melarky.

The one thing that I am looking forward to when we reach NZ is to start getting fit again and thats a fact!

we plan buying bikes, going skiing and walking (cant do jogging...does my knees in!.........oh and eventually buying a horse :D )

[Trigirl]

I’m a triathlete and my other half is a runner. One of the things I loved about Wellington was that everywhere you looked people were running and cycling. One of the local running clubs was really welcoming even though at that point we were only there for 2 weeks. They have a huge walkers section too. Endurance sports appear to be massive in NZ – there were three races in Wellington while we were there!

I’m so looking forward to living somewhere where people don’t think I’m some sort of freak for wanting to exercise and stay healthy.

[clg]

Much easier for me to stay in shape here then in Los Angeles. I walk/train to work so get excercise there and if the weather is not foul I walk for about 45 minutes along the waterfront most days at work. Almost literally in our back yard are quite a few tracks I can walk on and I Just bought a mountain bike. Without trying too hard I have lost a little weight since I got here and I don't really notice going up the hills anymore. I have been eating better too, less junk food and the portions are smaller.

I think that the outdoor activities here are what make NZ special. If you are coming here and not interested in doing much of that you will be missing one of if not the best things about this place.

[ruthyroo]

Agree with most of the above - but don't forget that you take 'you' with you, wherever you go! Much to my disappointment the move the NZ didn't magically transform me into a super-keen fitness freak, worshipping my body with the finest beans and sprouts etc etc. There's still plenty of junk food here and it's very available, not to say compulsory - the kiwi institution of morning tea complete with sarnies, sausage rolls and cakes being one factor I hadn't counted on...

Notwithstanding the above I do find it easier to be active in NZ than I did in Edinburgh. Firstly, kiwis are active people and there is an expectation that the natural way to spend your free time is doing something active - especially outdoors. We've taken up kayaking, and Mr Rr bought a serious mountainbike. I would say that the lack of 'cultural' activities in NZ contributes to this as well - all else to do around here sometimes, and the pubs are generally pretty rubbish so you might as well jump in a kayak / on a bike / dangle off a mountain / head into the hills and wear the same pants for a week etc etc.

So yes the opportunities to be reborn as a healthy person are here - but you still have to get off your butt and take them up!

[jess]

Like Ruthyroo I just wanted to point out that there's plenty of junk food available here. I have to try to have just as much willpower when it comes to that as I did in the US.

Plenty of walking opportunities though as mentioned by others. And loads of young kids in my neighborhood out playing ball in the streets when I walk around in the late afternoon. I came from a city with a high violent crime rate, so to me this feels extremely safe here. That makes it a lot easier for me to get out and walk and try things. And loads of sidewalks! : ) That's a welcome change. I've lost a little weight just being more active, even though I'm eating the same amount as always. I now walk quite a bit each day.

[Paul and Linda]

Hi All, we've just bought a house, think I mentioned it, and on first looks everything was cool with the garden, then you start to realise where all the bits of wood and tree and grass clippings have been chucked......anyway, to get to the point I'm just as fat as in the Uk but built like Arnie (well he is getting older) at the mo. I've been sawing off tree limbs mowing endless amounts of grass, shifting fridges and tellies and trying to start my ex mower. I've struggled with it for 3 months (cos I couldn't admit defeat and take it back to the shop) and let me tell you, forget about all the health stuff you see on the telly, just get a knackered lawnmower and getting the thing started will toughen you up big time.

Of course for you ladies who don't want to be built like a bloke, my wife has gotten fitter by rushing to close all the doors and windows (to protect our kids ears...... and minds!) when I stand in the garden howling at the moon after 2 hours of pulling on a rip cord with a broken handle on a lawnmower with a busted spring and bad electric points.

So...I sold it, got a lovely 4 stroke that starts just by being quietly asked to do so!

ah well, think I'll turn over the lawn into a gardening patch, and sell on the mower, it's just no challenge any more cutting the grass!

I'll be back

Paul

[kiwidollie]

Paul that made me chuckle....

We've been here since February (me, Hubby and 2 kids) and since then we've all lost weight and are becoming much fitter. Hubby's job is more physical than in the UK and this is something that he really enjoys, he looks soo much better and is far more active its like having a new man about the place! Both kids are far more active too. In the UK they travelled to school and back by car - now they walk everywhere and are more active when at school. I used to be very active in the UK but had put lots of weight on and got out of the fitness habit during the last year while we were living in limbo. In the last couple of weeks it's come together for me. I've entered the Auckland Half Marathon and have until October 29th to get my butt in shape. I'm back into running now (ran marathons in the UK), eating much more healthily, leaving the Red wine alone and feel much better for it. Its so encouraging to see people running, walking, cycling etc., makes you feel like joining in.

Oh and having the dog helps - we went for a 10 mile walk yesterday but neither of us are feeling very active this morning - think we'll have a rest today.

Keep on keeping on .......

Alison