Blog Archives

A Day of Chill... (Listen to your body...)

9/23/2016

So true: life is all about balance. Some weeks you may be super productive, feeling super healthy, and super fit, ticking off projects all over the place, and at other times you may wonder how you accomplished even half of the week just gone and feel exhausted and drained and like doing absolutely nothing. Nada. Zilch. Not a sausage. And that is way ok.

It's important to listen to your body. Really. Whether you run or not, listening to your body (and mind) and choosing whether to take a rest day (a day of chill) or not is so essential for your longer term health and happiness (and lack of injuries).

I know, it might seem like time is running out: you have 'x' amount of hours in the week, so must use them efficiently and effectively, and get ALL those things done on your ever-growing to-do list, but really, what's the worst that's going to happen if you take a day off? Watch movies, read, eat biscuits, snack on fruit, nap, sketch, write, nap some more: do whatever it is you need to do to recharge your batteries for the week ahead. After all. The choice is yours. Always.

While you're having this day of rest, why not head on over to sign up for my Eat To Win program! Nourish your body through food AND rest, to get your best body yet (feel great / look good / perform at your best!). Sign up here: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html

0 Comments

You Need This In Your Life

9/18/2016

0 Comments

Coconut ice-cream, served within the original coconut shell, with an exciting surprise lower level of deliciously crunchy peanuts and succulent raisins, topped off with some extra shaved fresh coconut and some cherries in the form of a face. Oh and the nectar-of-the-gods-drink that is coconut water/juice to accompany it. If you're anywhere in Hanoi, do yourself a massive favour and get yourself down to Havana Café over at Truc Bach for one of these delectable treats.

This amazing coconut concoction was most definitely included in my own running nutrition plan this weekend, along with various vegan buffet outings, egg and avocado banh mi's (the ubiquitous sandwich over here, with the added bonus of avocado), tofu/veggies/rice take-aways, fresh, juicy fruit and the many tempting sinh to's (smoothies to those back in Oz or UK). Find out ALL about how to Eat To Win, by joining my upcoming program here: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html

Also included in my running training plan this weekend was one moderate/shorter run followed by my first 'long' run back since my recent stint in hospital. Not a 'long' long run, by previous standards, as it was only about 16km give or take, but I'm cautious of building back up slowly, despite feeling 'back to normal'. So far: so good! Which is promising.

The rest of the week has flown by in a hectic blur of work/writing, teaching, commuting around Hanoi by bicycle, and a few other new projects. Also got some much overdue KARAOKE in this week, so you know it was a great time. I'm still yet to track down a karaoke joint in Hanoi that has a decent and wide range of English songs, including but not limited (of course) to: King of Wishful Thinking (Go West) and other awesome 80s classics, 90s tunes such as the quintessential 'Respect' by Erasure, Taylor Swift songs (ahem, don't judge me), and a few other recent chart-toppers. (Hmmm, I like to think I have an eclectic taste but I guess: 'to each their own' is worth bearing in mind here.) If you're in Hanoi and you know a place such as this - please hit me up!! Let's get our sing-song on....

Have a beautiful week one and all, and if you've got any questions re: the Eat To Win: 30 Day Program for Runners - don't be shy: send them through to me here: louise@lousweight.com.au . I'd love to have you on board. It's going to be SO motivational and inspiring, and I can't wait!

0 Comments

How Long To Lose it? Plus: When People Feel Like Home...

9/11/2016

0 Comments

I recently had a whopping three weeks of no running. Not a skip, not a trot, not a shuffle was had. This was only under strict doctor's orders and not by choice, so as you might imagine I was concerned re: losing my running fitness, my speed/pace, my muscle tone, my strength in general etc etc...

When doc gave me the all clear on Friday arvo, you can guess what my first activity 'back' was. I went for my first glorious run (a short run, but a run, none the less) along the edge of West Lake, and wow did it feel good. Reassuringly enough it didn't feel different - I couldn't even tell I had had so much time off! Was this an anomaly? Perhaps my excitement and enthusiasm for being allowed to run/cycle/work again had given me a false sense of fitness security?

I tested it again early this morning though, and again it seems: all is well (and nothing has changed). Phew!!! This comes as somewhat of a relief, and I don't think the time off resting will have hurt my training for the upcoming Longbien Half Marathon next month, and then the Bangkok Marathon in November.

Of course, as I couldn't run, I focused on the most important part of the training process anyway: the food! I made sure my nutrition was on track and that my diet was full of a variety of healthy, healing, delicious foods. Find out why this is so important and key for your training program! Join me in my Eat To Win program that starts in just three short weeks - registration is open now, so go ahead and sign up (and bring a friend or two too) - in just a few short weeks you'll be so glad that you did - what are you waiting for?! http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html

I have to admit I was a little bit surprised that my lengthy time of recuperating has had none to minimal effects on my fitness, but according to the research this is due to how many years of running prior to the time off I had had. Put simply, the longer you've been in training, then the less you'd have to worry about losing your fitness and lung capacity so quickly. If I had been relatively new to training (less than a year) then it would probably have been a different story.

Although it's still reassuring to note that if you have to rest due to an illness or injury, that if you take up to about 2 weeks off that you're progress / results / fitness won't be too badly affected. So, having a few days off to rest and recover will NOT hurt your results in the long run! So long as your sleep and nutrition is optimal, you can definitely stay on track....

Here's the word on the street (when I say street, I mean internet. Obsv):

https://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/losing-running-fitness/

http://running.competitor.com/2014/03/training/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-out-of-shape_70267

http://runhaven.com/2015/03/06/long-take-lose-running-fitness/

Woohoo - I'm now able to cycle around again too, sipping a mid-morning coconut back in Hanoi after an all too-super-brief overnight visit with my long lost bestie and friends.

You know when certain people feel 'like home'? Well that's how I would describe this weekend. Having only spent the night with them has made me achingly miss living so close to them and seeing them regularly back in Oz.... Quality time (but way way too short for my liking) with my some of my favourite and most amazing people - this was definitely the highlight of the weekend (week/month/year?), with all my other 'faves' making an appearance too: i.e. running, travelling to a new place and hanging out in airports/hotels, and eating so many delicious things. Case in point: this delectable Japanese feast followed by matcha ice cream that (along with various plans and thoughts) kept me busy for at least an hour out of my transit time yesterday after I sadly said goodbye:

Not sure how you would fit sushi, seaweed salad, sticky rice, salmon, miso soup, matcha ice cream and beer into YOUR running/nutrition plan? Again - come and join me to find out! http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html

Aaand, just because I miss my amazing bestie so so much now (even more than if we hadn't had this short time together I think, weirdly enough - maybe because the time was ridiculously short - literally fly in / fly out kind of timeframe) - here's a group shot of these excellent humans - thanks for having me stay for the night, and I'm thinking of you all and wishing you the best rest of your holiday! Love you all and miss your faces. Thanks for the fun times and I hope to see you soon! xxxx

0 Comments

Eat To Win - Registrations Open Now! Plus: What To Do When You CAN'T Run or Work...

9/3/2016

0 Comments

One of the many benefits of now being free and out of hospital is the peaceful area I am lucky enough to live in. This was the other evening, just before a huge torrential storm (apparently it's typhoon season out here?). Not to dwell on it too much, as in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter - but STILL no running/being active, and probably won't be until the hospital gives me the go ahead in another week's time, eek....

So, what to do when you're forced to spend most of your time resting indoors? For me it's been: catching up on lots of writing and work, eating/drinking some wonderful natural healing things (salmon, ginger, garlic, dark chocolate, veggies, fruits, turmeric etc...), spending time with some wonderful friends, reading, and lots of time reflecting (while resting, of course). I am wondering if this forced 3 weeks ish (fingers crossed it's not more) of not much movement is the universe forcibly putting me on a kind of vacation - as if: I had too many things going on or on my to-do list and some greater power has decided this is unsustainable and has stopped me in my tracks perhaps?

It has taken some getting used - suddenly not having running or daily exercise in my life. I mean seriously, how are you supposed to know when to shower and eat breakfast (post-run fuel) if you haven't been for a run or work-out first?! I feel I am adapting ok though. Like anything: it's a habit, and I'm getting there bit by bit.

As you can imagine, I am itching to get back into the swing of things (marathon training, fiction writing, nutrition ebooks and writing, teaching, learning Vietnamese, travelling to new parts of Vietnam, performing stand-up comedy, and a myriad of other things I was planning on doing). However, I have come to realise that I can't get all of this done at the same time as well as getting enough sleep and not getting mysterious illnesses (I have my suspicions re: my lack of sleep recently being a culprit in getting ill, but who knows), and that's ok! I will get there. Step by step. Instead I am choosing to focus (when I've been given the all clear next week, that is) on teaching and nutrition work / running for a while.

What's inspiring me and motivating me right now, running-wise, are a couple of future races that I have registered for (because there's nothing more motivating than an upcoming race, right?) and my new exciting nutrition program for runners: 'Eat To Win'!!

It kicks off on Monday 3rd October, but registrations are open now! Here's the link for more information and to sign-up: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html

I am hugely excited about this program (that contains a wealth of information, resources/tools, extra info and bonuses, support/motivation, and weekly prizes - I have packed as much as I possibly can into the 4 week program, and I hope you love it as much I have loved creating it!).

It's very close to my heart, and I feel like I will be starting from scratch again (almost) by having so much time off from actual training. However, really, I know that as long as I'm keeping up my regime of wonderfully healing foods and occasional gentle walking (while I can't run) that I will be fine, and when I can move more I will be back in usual form in time for the races. Following this program (yes, I'll be doing the challenge right along with you! Always good to go back to basics and overhaul your diet occasionally - get back on track, so to speak) will be so motivating and perfect timing for my two races in October (23rd - The Long Bien Marathon) and November (20th - the Bangkok Marathon).

If you have any races/events coming up in October / November / December / next year, then this program would be perfect for you! Or if you are new to running and are looking to improve your times/running performance/fitness, then again: this program is perfect for you too! It is suitable for every runner. I am so excited! Would love it if you can join me.

There will be more information on the Eat To Win program, along with the latest TURMERIC news/updates, future races coming up in the next few months in YOUR area, PLUS my review of an absolutely amazing restaurant that a good friend so kindly took me to the day before yesterday: La Verticale, where there was a wonderful plethora of the most delicious (and yes, healing: lots of lean seafood, dark green veggies, garlic, and turmeric featured throughout the meal - including turmeric mousse and turmeric ice-cream!!) little meals and surprise-in-between-meals tasty treats, mmmmm - all in the next Lou's Weight Online Newsletter - don't miss out!

Sign up here to get this newsletter, and you'll also receive a free bonus 'Healthy Eating On the Go For Runners' guide:

http://lousweight.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a79193a9250d21160624d6f9&id=3c7b2ebad9

Wishing you a wonderful start of your week ahead, wherever you may be! Stay happy and healthy xx

For me, I'm off to have more rest now and lots of these:

0 Comments

A Day of Chill... (Listen to your body...)

You Need This In Your Life

How Long To Lose it? Plus: When People Feel Like Home...

Eat To Win - Registrations Open Now! Plus: What To Do When You CAN'T Run or Work...

Author

Archives

Categories