With Christmas just over eight weeks away you might be busy organising catch-up events with friends and family, present planning and increasing your workload before a break.
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Health and fitness goals could be the first thing to go out the window during a hectic festive season so it is a good idea to have a plan in place.
This could mean getting up 20 minutes earlier, making time at the end of the day or at lunchtime to head out for a walk or gym session, and being disciplined with your diet.
I like to look at it as making some deposits into the bank account before you withdraw during the silly season.
Add a healthy touch to your Christmas catch-up or work party. This could mean entering the Variety Santa Fun Run which is on December 8 and has five-kilometre and 10km courses. You also get a Santa suit included in your entry fee.
The event is staged out of The Station (as in the old Newcastle Railway Station) and courses hug the harbour foreshore and Newcastle coastline.
By entering, you're also doing a good deed by supporting Variety - the Children's Charity. Early bird entries are open and you can find out more at santafunrun.com.au.
Free bootcamp for women
Speaking of The Station, Lissome Newcastle will hold a free outdoors bootcamp for women there on November 2.
Lissome is teaming up with The Station to give women of the Hunter region a taste of what is offered at their gyms in Newcastle and Maitland.
Lissome founder Nerida Bint says her goal is to get more women moving and the bootcamp will cater to all ages and abilities. Bookings are essential, so trainers can gauge numbers and equipment. Find out more and book through searching "Lissome" at eventbrite.com.au.
Build strength, help others
ActionAid Australia is holding its third annual Strong Women Challenge and is calling on Australians to sign up to the 21-day strength building challenge which raises funds to support women's fight for equality and justice.
The Strong Women Challenge is an opportunity for Australians to become physically stronger while standing in solidarity with women around the world.
ActionAid Australia executive director Michelle Higelin said participants are asked to commit to increasing their own strength to symbolically increase the strength and resilience of women in countries like Vanuatu, Cambodia and Kenya.
The Challenge is open to all Australians, regardless of gender, age, location, ability or fitness level, and runs from November 4 to 25.
You can find out more at strongwomenchallenge.org.au.
Trail running event off
The Point Run Enduro set down for November 2 at Green Point has been cancelled but organisers are looking to set a date for 2020.
Upcoming Fitness Events
Maitland Triathlon, Morpeth, November 10: Offering a mid distance (2km swim, 60km cycle, 15km run), standard of 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run and sprint distance (750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run). There is also the option of doing a 10km run.
Variety Santa Fun Run, The Station, December 8: The event has 5km and 10km courses and is fully inclusive and family friendly. Each participant gets a Santa suit to wear.
Coastal Ascent, Dixon Park, February 16: With 11km and 25km options, this trail running event winds through Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Spring Sessions Week #9
With five weeks of spring left, summer is looming large.
Here is a 30-minute session that could also be broken into 10-minute segments and done throughout the day. Or two 15-minute workouts instead. Add a warm-up and cool-down.
Workout: Six four-minute sets with a one-minute rest between each. Each set has two exercises. Go from one to the other until time is up. Set 1: 10 squats, 10 lunges. Set 2: 5 push-ups, 50 mountain climbers. Set 3: 10 dead lifts, 10 shoulder press. Set 4: 5 burpees, 20 plank jacks. Set 5: 10 bent-over rows, 20 metre bear crawl. Set 6: 10 ab crunch, 10 glute bridge.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a writer, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.