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FEBRUARY 2016 | l i v - m a g a z i n e . c o m

Healthy Homes

green up your living space for Chinese New Year

The PC Brigade

where to recycle your electronics

So Choc

healthy chocolates for your sweetie

Trail Running what beginners need to know

Bye-bye skinny fat:

Hello, muscles!

Why Hong Kong’s women are ditching the diet and getting strong

PLUS a month of free HIIT classes, coconut treats and lunch on us! p.16

Sponsored Feature

FEBRUARY 06 Editor’s Letter

LIV | NEWS 08 It’s a Date

Events for your diary

10 Hot Right Now

New happenings on the wellness scene

12 Fresh Cuts

Dining news that’s good for you

14 Cheat Day

Because #YOLO

17 Well I Never

With only 45 minutes to get fit, our columnist tries a HIIT class

26 Easy, PC

How to get rid of your e-waste responsibly

LIV | MORE 28 Food

Antioxidant-rich chocolate treats for your sweetheart

31 Recipe

Eatology’s paleo-friendly mini frittatas

32 Pamper

Tea-based skincare and a medi-spa trial

34 Travel

A healthy holiday on the cheap in Chalong, Phuket

LIV | STORIES

40 Family

18 Fat Chance

44 Q&A

Why Hongkongers are turning away from “skinny fat” and embracing muscle

22 Healthy Homes

Ten tips to get your home clean and green in 2016

28

42

Kid-friendly excursions in Western District

An ultra trail-runner shows us the ropes

50 How I Liv Colin Grant, CEO of Pure

38

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EDITOR’S LETTER

MUSCLE UP

On the outside, Hong Kong may not seem like a city with a weight problem. But there are many of us - particularly young women - who fall under the category of “skinny fat”. Though outwardly slim, skinny fat frames have a high body fat percentage but a low body weight, making them vulnerable to a range of health problems, from diabetes to high cholesterol. In our cover story (p.18), we meet two formerly skinny fat women who have taken control of their health, built up some muscle and gained a ton of confidence along the way. And if you feel inspired to ditch skinny and get strong too, we’ve got tons of tips and resources for you.

Chinese New Year is here, which means that it’s time to spring clean! We’ve identified ten easy ways to make your home healthier for both you and the environment in our healthy homes story (p.22).

We’ve also rounded up some healthy chocolates (think raw, antioxidant-rich, no refined sugar, vegan and allergen-free) for Valentine’s Day (p.28), learned how to recycle e-waste (p.26) and even discovered “Fighter Street” in Chalong, Phuket, where you can have an extremely budget-friendly, ass-kicking fitness holiday (p.34).

Speaking of which, there are loads of yoga retreats coming up, led by some of Hong Kong’s favourite yoga instructors. Whether you fancy Koh Samui, Sri Lanka, Bali or Cambodia, we’ve got all the info here (p.8 and 38), Here’s to a healthy and happy Year of the Monkey!

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS Mum-of-two Kate Farr heads west to find healthy and active family activities in Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town.

Gayatri Bhaumik speaks to the experts to find out how you can green up and clean up your home in time for Chinese New Year.

Got a sweet tooth? Shan Shan Feng rounds up the tasty, low-sugar vegan raw chocolates currently tantalising local tastebuds.

Green Queen Sonalie Figueiras schools us on how to recycle our unwanted computers and phones responsibly.

Kate Springer looks at the “skinny fat” phenomenon and discovers that Hongkongers are increasingly embracing strong over skinny.

Sarah

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Travel columnist Johannes Pong shares news about an upcoming yoga retreat in Bali, and tries a decadent sixhand massage in Macau.

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Liv Media Limited Makerhive, 10/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town PUBLISHER SARAH FUNG SALES MANAGER JASMIN BLUNCK BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STACEY MARCELO GRAPHIC DESIGN TAMMY TAN CONTRIBUTORS KATE FARR, SHAN SHAN FENG, SONALIE FIGUEIRAS, ANDREA LO, JKATE SPRINGER, GAYATRI BHAUMIK, JOHANNES PONG SPECIAL THANKS ZACH HINES, BLACKIE HUI, EDMUND IP, TOM HILDITCH PRINTED BY GEAR PRINTING Copyright 2016 Liv Media Limited. The content provided here is the property of Liv Media Limited and may not be reproduced in any part without the written permission of the Publisher. The information provided by Liv Media Limited’s contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or the company. The information provided by Liv Media Limited, or its staff, advertisers and contributors is given in good faith; readers should gather more information before making the decision to purchase any goods or services highlighted here. Liv Media Limited will not be held responsible for any action, omission or error resulting from actions taken on the basis of the information provided here. Please seek the approval of a doctor before following any health advice.

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Calendar

IT’S A DATE This month’s hottest happenings

FEB 6

IT ALL KICKS OFF

The build-up to the Sevens begins early this year with the Natixis Cup, which will see French team Racing 92 duke it out against the New Zealand Highlanders. Star rugby player Dan Carter (pictured) will be making an appearance.

Tickets from $399 from ticketflap.com. 5pm, Siu Sai Wan Stadium, Chai Wan. hkrugby.com.

APR 9 AND 16

FEB 23 BOOK NOW!

As the name suggests, the Hong Kong Stairmaster Series is a challenging trail race that’ll take you up and down hundreds of steps. With very little flat trail, this is one for serious trail runners. The first race in the series is the more challenging one, taking runners over the two highest peaks of Lantau: Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak. The second one (which is slightly easier) will have you tackling Hong Kong Island’s Violet Hill and the infamous Twins.

Both courses are in the “out and back” format, which means you do all peaks twice in one race. $270 for one race or $475 for two. April 9, 9am5pm; April 16, 8:30am-1:30pm. Register online at events.lantaubasecamp.com.

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GREAT DANES

Catch a critically-acclaimed movie and support a good cause at the same time with this special gala screening of “The Danish Girl”, co-hosted by jewelry company Plukka and AIDS Concern.

Starring Eddie Redmayne and set in 1920s Denmark, “The Danish Girl” is the story of Einar Wegener, later known as Lili Elbe, one of the first people ever to undergo a sex-change operation. $380, including a drink at Isobar. 7:30pm, Palace IFC, 8 Finance St., Central. Enquiries and tickets: rsvp@ aidsconcern.org.hk or aidsconcern.org.hk/danish-girl-1.

Calendar

Get your yoga on at these Southeast Asian retreats, hosted by Hong Kong-based yoga gurus.

MAR 31-APR 4

Sri Lanka retreat with Charlotte Johnson

This four-day retreat in Sri Lanka features a two-hour practice each morning, plus a 6090-minute afternoon workshops. The price includes all meals and classes, a standup paddleboard excursion, plus four nights’ accommodation in Ratnakara Villa with a private pool. $8,800 before Feb 15; $9,900 thereafter.

Price excludes flights. More info and enquiries: www.facebook.com/ CharlotteJohnsonYoga.

APR 29-MAY 2

Yoga retreat in Koh Samui with Nora Lim

FEB 26-MAR 3

Slow Retreat with Steffi

This six-night retreat on Gili Air, Bali, offers a seriously sloweddown pace of life (there’s no motorised transport on the island). Think raw organic meals, daily yoga and meditation with local Lululemon ambassador Steffi and Balinese massage, plus luxury accommodation in Slow Private Pool Villas. Prices start at $18,352 per head for double occupancy in a one-room pool villa, includes all meals and activities. Excludes flights.

More info and booking: gilita.com.

FEB 12 UNDERSTANDING

DON’T REPRESSED MISS TRUTHS WITHIN

Organised by The Yoga Room, this retreat takes place at the Samahita retreat and includes meditation and a marathon 2.5hour Jivamukti yoga class in the morning, followed by restorative yoga and Thai massage in the afternoon.

Prices start at $10,900 per head for double occupancy, including flights, three nights’ accommodation, three vegetarian meals per day and all yoga classes. More info and booking: yogaroomhk.com.

FEB 21 DOGA WITH SNOWBALL

MAR 8 MUMTREPRENEURS’

Grab your pup and take part in GATHERING a “doga” class - yes, that’s yoga Are you a mum with a new for dogs - hosted by local yogi Enhance your self-awareness at business? Network over breakfast Suzette Ackermann. this two-hour talk by Dr. Yuvraj with other mumtrepreneurs and $200 minimum donation to LAP. Kapadia. Donations welcome. build an insta-support network.

3pm, Opendoor Cafe + Courtnoon-2pm. Life Management $250 (includes a meal). 10am-noon. yard, G/F 120 Connaught Road Yoga Centre, 11/F, 35 Kimberley Rd., Pomegranate Kitchen, 4B, 44 Wong Chuk West, Sai Ying Pun. Details at Tsim Sha Tsui. Register at Hang Rd., Wong Chuk Hang. RSVP: jo@ tiny.cc/doga-hk. cultureofconsciousness@gmail.com. josootang.com. tiny.cc/mumtrepreneurs.

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Cool Stuff

HOT RIGHT NOW News from the wellness scene

Miss You

Sweat-chic has been gaining momentum recently, which is why we’re excited about Miss Runner, a new made-in-Hong-Kong athleisure brand that focuses on modern abstract florals and other nature-inspired prints. Founder Tania Cheung has a degree in fashion design and a background in ballet, so you can be sure that performance is just as important as style. Think tanks, leggings, long-sleeved tees and even yoga mats that are made of sustainable tree rubber.

Prices range from $335 for a sports bra to $570 for a yoga mat.

Shop online at missrunner.com or buy from Fight Factory Gym, G/F, 16 Queen Victoria St,. Central, 2511-2110.

The Best Bar None

If, like us, you’re getting tired of the excessively sweet, overly processed health food bars on the market, check out She Squats Bars. These small batch post-workout treats are so fresh you need to keep them in the fridge. There are three types to choose from: Holy Cacao, made with raw cacao; tOATS Amazing for a slow-release carb boost; and Health Nut, which is made from sprouted cashews and almonds. Each bar is coated on one side with a slab of rich and creamy cacao for a hit of flavour without the sweetness. Can’t decide which bar to choose? Order a selection box of six and try them all.

Delivery is available from Causeway Bay to Sai Ying Pun. Place your orders by 6pm Friday for delivery the following week. $270 for a box of six. Order via shesquatsbars@gmail. com or via the Facebook page She Squats Bars.

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Cool Stuff

Urban Greening

Organic supermarket Just Green continues its expansion apace with a new outlet that’s just opened in Kennedy Town. The two-storey shop on Catchick Street sells Just Green’s usual lineup of pantry essentials, health foods, fresh and chilled goods, toiletries and free-from items suitable for people with intolerances and allergies, all displayed beautifully in a bright and welcoming space.

66 Catchick St., Kennedy Town, 2325-9997, www.justgreen.com.hk.

I Love You Honey

Honeybunch Handmade, a line of natural, organic, cruelty-free skincare treats from New Zealand, has launched in Hong Kong with the opening of a cute boutique on Aberdeen Street. Its products are all made with super soothing and nourishing manuka honey and goat’s milk; our favourite is the soy lotion candle that can be lit and then massaged into your skin as it melts.

Also available are gift sets, bath bombs and stacks of handmade soaps for an indulgent night in.

16a Aberdeen St., Central, 2785-5699, www.honeybunch-hk.com.

A New Leaf

Tea fiends will love Basao, a Hong Kong-based company with a line of single-origin teas sourced from all over Asia. The company is committed to full traceability, a collaborative approach with tea farmers and the preservation of traditional harvesting and preparation methods. It even rediscovered Smoky Bohea, a long-thoughtextinct variety of tea from Wuyishan Tongmu in outback China. The full range can be explored on the Basao website, with tasting notes, precise steeping instructions and personal stories of the tea farmers, so you really know where your cuppa’s coming from. A lovely, conscious CNY gift idea, perhaps? $130-$290 per tin. Shop online at www.basaotea.com.

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Dining

FRESH CUTS Dining news that’s good for you

SOW YOUR SEEDS Sick of gifting Danish butter cookies for CNY? Health-conscious Singaporean restaurant chain Cedele has come up with a line of all-natural cookies and pastries that make for perfect gifts, particularly if your relatives need to keep an eye on their sugar intake. Check out these pretty florentines - they’re made with almonds, pumpkins and sunflower seeds (plenty of healthy fats there) and are gluten-free to boot. $108 per box from Cedele outlets citywide, including Shop 2C, The Centre, 99 Queen’s Road Central, 2567-8919, www.cedelegroup.com.

TIME ME KANGAROO Not content with speedily servicing hungry diners from K-Town to Causeway, new-to-town delivery company Deliveroo has just extended its cachment to TST, West Kowloon, Stanley and Repulse Bay - great news for Southsiders and Darksiders alike! If you’re looking for a healthy meal delivered to your home or office, Deliveroo’s health-conscious partners include Grassroots Pantry, Genie Juicery, Zumufi and the Herbivores, to name just a few. And don’t forget: Liv Magazine readers can get $100 off their first order by using the “LIV100” code at checkout. deliveroo.hk.

WALK THE PLANKTON There’s a new “it” food ingredient on the menu, and for once it’s something that’s actually good for the planet!

Phytoplankton dishes are currently being served at PMQ’s Isono Mediterranan restaurant from now until the end of March. This marine product is produced and harvested sustainably using sunlight, seawater and CO2, before being dried into a powder and used to flavour dishes.

In addition to containing a host of healthy vitamins and minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron), its flavor is deliciously briny, making it a perfect complement to seafood. Get a taste of plankton with Isono’s seafood paella ($318), Carbonara di Mare ($328) and Ravioli with plankton emulsion (pictured, $328).

6/F, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St., Central, 2156-0688, www.isono.com.hk.

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Dining

WHAT DO HEALTHY PEOPLE EAT?

Alex De Fina, Bikini Fit

Sum up your food philosophy in What’s one thing you wished people knew about diet and a sentence. nutrition?

Can you kill it, pick it out of the Be consistent. It really isn’t as ground or pull it from a tree? If complicated as people think it not, don’t eat it. is. If you stick to the “real food” What three items do you always message, you automatically have in your fridge? mitigate most of the foods that Minced kangaroo, mashed sweet cause inflammation or digestive potato and probiotics. stress. Everyone loves to debate whether a pecan is better than What do you usually have for a walnut; meanwhile they have breakfast? a hotdog and a can of beer for I have a six whole egg omelette dinner. Consistency trumps with ham, spinach and tomato. perfection every time.

It is prepared by my helper at

MAK DADDY Vegetarian lunch options in The Landmark just got a little more exciting with the launch of Mak Mak by restaurateur Yenn Ma, the brains behind Chachawan, 208 and others. Compared to Chachawan, Mak Mak is much more casual, not quite so spicy and with plenty of recognizable dishes such as pad Thai and massuman curry. But what we’re excited about is the extensive vegetarian menu featuring veggie versions of our favourite dishes, such as tofu laab salad, or the phad bai ka pow (pictured): Stir-fried tofu, garlic and Thai holy basil. One thing’s for sure: Mak Mak has made meat-free Mondays (and Tuesdays, and Wednesdays…) that much easier. Need to rush back to the office? Grab a bite to go from the dedicated takeout counter out front.

217A, 2/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 2983-1003, www.makmak.hk.

night so I just need to reheat it at an ungodly hour of the morning.

What are your favourite restaurants when eating out?

I am terrified of being adventurous when it comes to eating out, and will tend to opt for restaurants that I know will appeal to my preferences.

It’s hard to go wrong with Bistecca, or any of the Castelo Concepts restaurants.

What do you snack on when you’re on the move with no time to prepare anything?

It depends how hungry I am. I think claiming to have “no other option” is a great excuse that people use to make garbage food choices. If I’m ready to personify violence through food deprivation, i’ll grab a Quest Bar.

When was the last time you ate McDonalds?

What do you eat on cheat day?

About four years ago This is a precise science. I leave when I had nothing to chance. I get two gastro.

I small frozen yogurts from Yo figured I wasn’t Mama, and then add in my own absorbing any confectionery at home which is a food so I may particular brand from Australia. as well. It was This then goes into the snap heinous. Tears of freezer and is chilled to a concrete lost dignity made consistency. I then attempt to the apple pie soggy. consume it with miniature spoons designed for elves. I have honed Last meal on earth: this system over many years, what would it be? and if even one element is out, I Banoffee pie. border on a panic attack.

Without question.

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Dining

CHEAT DAY

Because life’s too short to always order the salad

HEY, SWEETIE Got a soft spot for cakes? Join the club. The Peninsula Hong Kong has just upped its pastry game in a big way with the appointment of new executive pastry chef Frank Haasnoot. The Dutch dessert master has a string of accolades under his belt, including winner of the World Chocolate Masters in 2011. He’ll be gradually refreshing the lineup of pastries on offer at the Peninsula Boutique, offering up beautiful, sculptural cakes in unexpected flavour and texture combinations.

Looking for a chocolate cake for Valentine’s Day? Try the “Cocoa Noir” (pictured), a blend of dark chocolate mousse, crunchy feuilletine pastry, walnut sponge, orange marmalade and thick, rich yuzu cremeux for a pastry that’s complex, unexpected and - of course - utterly delicious.

Basement, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696-6969, www.peninsula.com.

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N U R Y L I M A FFestival 2016

傳愛同心慈善跑

To Support

Adventist Pediatic Heart Fund 捐助港安幼苗心臟基金

Date 日期 : 28 Feb 2016 (Sun) Time 時間 : 9:00 am Venue 地點 : SUNNY BAY 欣澳海濱沿岸 Registration & Enquiries

Find us on: www.hkahf.org.hk Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation

@hkahf #spreadhope

報名及查詢 :

3651 8998 Registration deadline 截止報名日期:

29 Jan 2016 (Fri)

WIN: A month-long unlimited workout pass to F45 A Sheung Wan functional training gym that focuses on HIIT sessions in a 45-minute fast-blast workout, F45 is an ideal exercise for busy Hongkongers. We’ve got two unlimited month-long passes up for grabs, worth $2,400 each. f45training.hk.

Deadline: Feb 27

WIN: A $200 dining voucher from Cali-Mex Serving up Mexican flavours with a Californian focus on healthy, quality ingredients, Cali-Mex sources top-quality proteins and the freshest veggies for its burritos, salads and wraps. Its all-natural guacamole is freshly made multiple times a day, too. Perfect for a post-gym meal that’s big on flavour but low on nasties. We’ve got three $200 vouchers to give away, good for any of its 11 outlets citywide. cali-mex.com.

Deadline: Feb 27

WIN: A Go Wild, Live Free gift pack from Coconut Matter Sourced from the Solomon Islands, Cocout Matter’s Chinese New Year / Valentine’s Day sets make for a healthy, thoughtful gift. Each set comes with two jars of coconut oil - unscented and virgin - plus a 20ml travel sized version for trips. The odourless “Free” oil is ideal for cooking, while the lightly fragrant virgin “Wild” is a great addition to smoothies, coffees or porridge. We’ve got five sets to give away, each worth $240. coconutmatter.com.

Deadline: Feb 27

visit liv-magazine.com/giveaways for a chance to win!

Column

WELL I NEVER...

45 MINUTES TO FIT Having never tried a HIIT class in her life, Andrea Lo dives in at the deep end at F45.

I overheard someone talking to a guy who has been going twice a day.

WTF?

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) did not sound like my cup of tea, to put it mildly. When I exercise (which is not too often), swimming and hiking is much more my speed. Newish to Hong Kong, F45 originated in Australia and is essentially a HIIT program: bursts of intensive exercise followed by short periods of recovery.

Apparently it’s addictive; I overheard someone talking to a guy who has been going twice a day. WTF? F45 offers 45-minute classes during the week, some based on cardio and others on resistance, while some are a combination of the two. On Saturdays, there’s an hour-long class dubbed “Hollywood,” which features exercises in a 27-station format with a live DJ. My class would be focused on resistance.

There are three stations set up, with a screen placed at each one showing a video demonstration of the three types of exercises you need to follow. You team up in pairs or threes and rotate around each station, carrying out each exercise on the screen for 45 seconds, followed by a 15-second break, then for another 45 seconds before switching to your next exercise. Ernest the trainer is on hand to help participants out throughout the session.

What’s unique about F45 is that you won’t do the same workout twice – there are 16 types of exercises in place that change daily, with a repertoire of over 1,500 different moves.

After a warmup, I paired up with my gym bunny friend (brought along for moral support) and we took our positions. Stupidly, I headed to the ridiculously intimidating pull-up bar first.

Thank heavens for Ernest, who helped my foot into the elastic band for cheaters. This was followed by planks, then weights – 4kg in each hand, arms raised then lowered.

So far, so good, I thought. I could totally conquer this whole thing.

When I got to my second station I started to struggle. I found myself kneeling on the ground, trying to follow the man on the screen who was pushing a wheel forward and making it look a lot easier than it was. Ernest told me to try to use muscles from my stomach to push rather than blind force. The two other exercises were just as hard, with weights and squats aplenty. I started to sweat profusely and my movements slowed down, although the 15-second breaks in between brought some much-needed relief. Meanwhile, my gym bunny friend, plus twice-a-day guy (yes, he was in my class), seemed to be slaying the whole thing.

Panting and groaning, I dreaded the third station, which featured push-ups and - you guessed it – more weights.

We repeated the three stations. By this point, I was seriously flagging. I cheated and slowed down before the 15-second break came, but felt better when I noticed some other people doing the same. Ernest’s final fivesecond countdown sounded like music to my ears.

I have to say that, despite being exhausted by the end, I actually came away feeling pretty good – a combination of euphoria from a good workout, and a sense of achievement after the session. I can definitely see where F45’s appeal lies: you’re very much helped and encouraged by your trainer along the way, but it’s not a heavy-duty workout – you do things at your own pace. From feeling like death during the workout to feeling like a triumphant god of fitness just after, and for the rest of the day? I’m starting to get where twice-a-day guy is coming from.

Unit 101-102, 1/F, 135 Bonham Strand Trade Centre, 135 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 6990-2403, f45training.hk.

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fa t.

C N ro Ph ow ssF ot sh it c o: e o Am co ach m bi K tio pet irs us es tee Ph at C n T ot ro ha og ss in ra Fit u ph c se y om d t pe o b ti t e s io ki ns nn . y

Cover Story

T

his time last year, you’d probably find Candy Leung watching Korean dramas on TV until 1am, with a Cup Noodles in one hand and a soda in the other. “I weighed only 95 pounds and thought I was really skinny, so I didn’t think I needed to do any exercise”, Leung says. “I think shopping might be the only exercise I ever did in the past”.

Leung, an assistant nurse, made a dramatic change in her lifestyle about six months ago when she joined women-only fitness program Bikini Fit. “I decided to start exercising because I was seeing a lot of models on Instagram with very toned body shapes and I wanted to look like that. I was trying to find out their secrets and realized that weight training would help to change my body shape and make me stronger”, says Leung.

The program comprises six days a week of high-intensity training as well as workshops on nutrition, goal planning and mental health. Leung says she has learned a lot from the workshops, and has put down fast food in exchange for a new diet of salmon, chicken, lean beef, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. “I knew that it was not good for me to eat Cup

The SKINNY On SKINNY FAT While a slender physique may seem enviable to some, many of us are now waking up to the dangers of “Skinny Fat”. Kate Springer finds out why thin isn’t always in.

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Cover Story

Noodles all day, but I just liked the way they tasted”, she admits. “I followed this website called The Ramen Rater, which lists all the best instant noodle recipes. I have tried almost all of them!”.

Making a Change Since her fitness journey began five months ago, Leung has gained four to six pounds of muscle and decreased her fat mass by more than 10 percent.

She can lift more, is sleeping better and has even seen improvements in her digestive health. “Now my friends will tell me know that I am getting more muscles in my arms and that’s really good to hear,” she says. “I am feeling physically stronger and mentally too. I don’t know why, but I have more confidence”.

Rewind to five months ago and Leung says she was what doctors consider Metabolically Obese Normal Weight (MONW) or, more commonly, “Skinny Fat”. A skinny fat person is someone who appears slim on the outside, but may have a mixture of high fat mass, little muscle mass, poor diet and an inactive lifestyle.

Many times skinny fat people don’t realize the potential health problems lurking beneath their slender physiques. Due to poor diet and inactivity, they are susceptible to health issues such as diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a dangerous gathering of visceral fat around the abdominal organs.

“If you take two people with different builds, but

Building strength at Bikini Fit

Measure Up Want to know exactly what you’re made of? A DEXA scan offers a peek under the hood.

I

n the past people would step on a scale and watch the numbers go up or down or check their BMI based on height and weight, but these methods don’t tell the whole story as to what’s going on inside your body.

Sᵉveral leading fitness programs and studios recommend using the DEXA scan, as it is the most accurate measure of body composition. Other methods, such as body fat scales and measuring skin folds, may dramatically underestimate your

body fat percentage, sometimes by nearly 10 percent.

The DEXA scan takes about six minutes; X-Rays analyse the tissue and bone density in your entire body.

It was originally used as a way to measure bone density for osteoporosis patients; later it became a useful monitor of body composition.

“A normal body fat percentage for a female is 30-40 percent”, says Glen Joe, exercise physiologist at

Hong Kong University’s Institute for Human Performance. “If you’re at 45 percent but you look thin on the outside, then you could be predisposed to having inactivityrelated diseases. Does that definitely say you are going to have diabetes?

Absolutely not, but the risk is higher”.

DEXA scans are available at HKU’s Active Health Clinic, Stanley Ho Sports Centre, 10 Sha Wan Drive, Sandy Bay, Pok Fu Lam, www.activehealthclinic.hk.

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Cover Story

I think I’m skinny fat. What do I do?

It’s not too late to make some changes.

UPGRADE YOUR DIET: Ditch the processed foods and noodles, and instead eat lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and lots of vegetables, seeds and beans.

WATCH YOUR LIQUIDS: Cut out sugar-packed drinks like soda, juice, alcohol and sweet teas that mess with your insulin levels and cause you to store visceral fat.

LIFT SOME WEIGHTS: If you have too much fat and not enough lean muscle, the most effective method to build muscle mass is to strength train.

CHUG WATER: Drink more tea and water, which will help relax you emotionally and keep your body functioning optimally.

GET SOME SLEEP: Get back to basics and make sure to get those eight hours of zzz’s to help regulate stress hormones, curb cravings and increase energy.

GET SOME TESTS: Fasting blood sugar, LDL particle test, insulin response test, blood pressure and a DEXA scan are all good ways to find out what’s going on in your body.

the same body fat percentage, you could get someone who has very, very little muscle mass and a lot more fat, but they appear thin. That’s skinny fat”, says Tricia Yap, an MMA fighter and trainer. “The more lean muscle mass you have correlates to how long you will live. It’s the stuff that you don’t see that could actually become health risks long-term”.

It’s all in the Weights

Fighting fit at Epic MMA 20

Weight training is the most effective method for gaining lean muscle mass. However, misconceptions keep some women from embracing this valuable exercise regime. “A lot of women are afraid of weight training, because they think they are going to gain too much muscle and look bulky,” says personal trainer Darrel Erxleben from Epic MMA. “But weight training is the first thing you should be doing. It will have a positive effect on your hormones, it burns calories and builds muscle - you can’t do that just by jogging every morning”.

Building muscle is important to optimise health at a young age, but it becomes even

Cover Story

Photo: Ambitious Photography

more crucial as you age. “The bigger sign of actually being healthy is the ability to hold onto your lean muscle mass”, says Erxleben. “If you don’t use them, you lose them”.

Find Your Tribe Sometimes all you need to get up and get moving is a fitness community where you can work out with friends.

“I never had a problem with weight, and I was always really skinny, so I never had to try”, recalls Kirsteen Thain, a Hong Kong native who is now a CrossFit trainer based in Dubai. “I went through a phase of eating lemon meringue pie once a day for about four months. It was pretty bad.

I was eating a lot of sugar, processed carbohydrates, burgers, dim sum, noodles, bread”.

For Thain, the turning point came when she tried a package of CrossFit intro classes, which was a gift from a friend. Though she didn’t stick with it at first, Thain came back to it a year later and began training regularly.

“I guess normally when you go to a gym or a Bodypump class, you don’t really talk to anyone”, says Thain.

“There’s a teacher who tells you what to do at CrossFit, but it’s so much more sociable. I made a lot of friends there and people were really supportive. It became a thing that I looked forward to doing, because I wanted to go work out with my friends”.

From skinny PR exec (right) to fitness coach (above) Kirsteen has never felt healthier

Photo: Ambitious Photography

It didn’t take long before Thain began competing regionally on a team and working professionally as a CrossFit coach, first at CrossFit Asphodel in Hong Kong and later in Dubai. “I have gained two kilograms of muscle. I am still very small but I have really muscular arms, which I need to be competitive on the team”, says Thain. “But more important than how I look is how I feel about my body. I used to be really insecure because I was thin but flabby.

And now I don’t even think about how my body looks, and that’s so liberating”.

As Thain and Leung discovered on their own health journeys, there’s so much more to health than appearing slender - it’s about building lean muscle mass, following a healthy diet, sleeping enough and finding confidence in your own skin.

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Cover Story

It’s Chinese New Year, which means it’s time for the mother of all spring cleans.

Here are 10 easy ways to make your home cleaner and greener.

By Gayatri Bhaumik.

Wonder walls by eico paints

1

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Buy Wisely, Discard Sparingly Invest in quality materials made from sustainably sourced woods and limit waste - choose a design that you won’t get bored with in a few years’ time, or see whether you can find ways of adapting the existing decor so that less stuff ends up in the landfill. Hong Kong has plenty of sustainable options, including TREE (tree.com.hk) and Verdee Bamboo (www.verdeebamboo.com). If you are looking to dispose of unwanted furniture, make sure it goes to a good home - Green Dot Home (green-dot-home. com.hk) redistributes second-hand furniture to those in need or sells it to benefit non-profits and charities.

Cover Story

2

Monitor Air Quality The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes indoor air quality to be one of the top five environmental health risks. “Air purifiers are an absolute must for all families due to the pollution we experience in Hong Kong”, says Nyree Chung, Director of Peek Concepts (www. peekconcepts.com), a local company specialising in air pollution monitors for the home. Check the air in your home with PeekAir’s Air Quality Monitor ($1,398, www.peekconcepts.com) so you know when you need to use it and when you can turn it off to save electricity.

Also, it might seem counterintuitive, but open the windows regularly so that air can circulate.

4

3

Clean Green Switching to eco-friendly cleaners is probably the easiest thing you can do to reduce your home’s chemical load.

Ditch the chlorine and ammonia and instead look for words like “petroleumfree” and “biodegradable”. Australia’s environmentally-friendly Earth Choice line can be found at Park N Shop for $28.50, and Resparkle’s organic range is available at Bumps to Babes.

Paint Smart VOCs are organic compounds released as gases from certain solids and liquids, housepaint being a common culprit. According to the EPA, VOCs can cause adverse health effects, and are found in higher concentrations indoors. Opt for VOC-free paints bearing third-party certifications. Try eicó paints (www.eico.hk). Made in Iceland and Sweden to strict European Union standards, they are water-based, odourless and contain few to no VOCs.

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Cover Story

5

8

24

Power Down Energy-guzzling appliances are not just bad for the environment, they also leave you with a hefty electricity bill.

Do your research before buying white goods to make sure they meet local energy standards.

Bust DusT It’s hard to see, but dust can trigger asthma and allergies, among other health concerns. Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood or tile flooring, and vacuum at least twice a week with a device that has strong suction and a HEPA filter. Try Philips’ PerformerPro Vacuum Cleaner ($2,198, www.philips. com.hk) or Miele’s Complete C3 Allergy Powerline ($3,688, www.miele.hk).

6

Grow Your Own

7

Drink Safe

For a spot of urban greening, try your hand at growing your own fresh, pesticide-free greens - no garden needed.

City Hydroponics’ CH64 system (from $2,750, www.cityhydroponics.org) lets you grow greens and herbs such as tomatoes, lettuce, rosemary and mint in our city’s shoebox apartments. Check out the dinky gardens that you can squeeze onto balconies (left) and rooftops (below).

We know that water can contain a range of nasty contaminants, so paying attention to your home’s water supply is only prudent. Have your home’s water supply tested by the Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre (www. stc-group.org), and get water filters if necessary. Aquasana (www.aquasanahk. com, from $1,100) and eSpring (espring. com.hk, from $9,800), both have great options.

Cover Story

9

Call in theExperts

Vivid Living’s eco-friendly showroom

To meet the demand for green, healthy homes, Henning Voss set up Vivid Living (www.vividliving. com), an interior design and realty consultancy that focuses on creating healthy, eco-friendly homes.

“We not only practice source control, but also install professional air purification systems to remove particles, bacteria, CO [carbon monoxide] and VOCs”, says Voss. “We also apply effective water filtration systems”. Contact them for a home renovation that keeps the health of the planet in mind.

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Avoid pesticides In a subtropical climate, pests are all but inevitable. Choose organic pesticides like neem oil, or if you have a serious pest problem, Johnson Group Pest Specialists (www.johnsongroup.com.hk) provides eco-friendly pest control and cleaning services.

Choosing an Air Purifier There’s plenty to consider when choosing an air purifier, but one thing’s for sure – it’s prudent to have one. “Air purifiers are an absolute must for your home”, says Nyree Chung from PeekAir. “There are plenty on the market, and options to suit every budget, but make sure the filter meets HEPA standards, meaning it captures 99.97% of particles sized 0.3 microns or smaller”. Vivid Living recommends IQAir’s Swiss-made purifiers (www.iqair.com.hk), while Fortress (www.fortress.com.hk) carries a good range of affordable models by Whirlpool ($1,695), Sharp

(from $3,990), Panasonic ($7,880) and LG ($3,440).

CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET There are purifiers for all price ranges, but if you don’t mind a second-hand model, you might be able to score a cheaper one off a Facebook swap site.

SPECIALIST KIT Does anyone at home have asthma, allergies or chemical sensitivities?

You might need a purifier specifically designed to combat these.

WHICH FILTER? Chung recommends HEPA filters, but activated carbon, electrostatic and

UV filters are also available. Be sure to choose a model with a pre-filter, as this extends the life of HEPA filters.

MOVING AROUND Will the purifier stay in one place or move from room to room?

It sounds simple but it’s easy to forget to choose a model with wheels!

COST OF PARTS Consider maintenance. More polluted environments means filters need to be replaced more often.

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Cover Story

OK,

Computers Got a stash of outdated phones and clunky old laptops?

Green Queen’s Sonalie Figueiras finds out where to dispose of your e-waste responsibly.

S

martphones and laptops break and get out of date so quickly that pretty much all of us have a drawer full of old gadgets we don’t know what to do with. Electronics pose a special challenge for even the most green-minded amongst us, as they cannot safely be discarded in the regular rubbish bin and require specialised recycling and disposal services. Whether you are moving, renovating, upgrading or simply de-cluttering, we’ve pulled together your go-to guide for electronics recycling in Hong Kong.

EcoSage RECYCLES: Any electronic product

including computers, tablets, mobile phones, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines.

EcoSage is a recycling service that can accept pretty much anything that uses electricity. With their easy-to-use web form, your recycling is done completely electronically. You start by simply selecting the type of item you would like to recycle, and then the form allows you to submit photos of your items, list out where you live and when you can have them picked up. EcoSage will then provide you with a quote for how much they will offer you - yes, they will actually pay you for your old items! Quotes will depend on the quality and demand for each item. If you agree to go forward, they will then come and pick everything up in one of their many vans. The service is free as long you have an elevator. Ecosage will take pretty much everything, as its team does repairs and also strips for base materials.

Register your waste at www.ecosage.com.hk.

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Cover Story

Caritas Computer Workshop RECYCLES: Computer equipment including

computers, printers, scanners, and monitors.

Some locations may take mobile phones.

Managed by well-known Christian NGO Caritas HK, Caritas Computer Workshop works with the government’s Computer Recycling Programme to provide an environmentally safe place for Hongkongers to recycle their computer equipment. It provides collection points where you can drop off all of your equipment free of charge. Caritas Computer Workshop will then assess your items and donate those in good working condition to those in need, or properly recycle items that no longer function.

There are 18 collection points; visit www.ccw.org.hk/collection_point.html to find one nearest to you.

WEEE Go Green RECYCLES: Home appliances including televisions, washing machines, microwaves, air conditioners and fans.

Specializing in restoring used appliances, WEEE Go Green is run by Hong Kong charity St. James Settlement and helps provide appliances to families in need. Their site is effectively a matching platform between you and those who can’t afford appliances. You simply register with WEEE Go Green and schedule a pick up, which is free of charge.

After they collect your appliance, it will be brought to their Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling Centre in Tuen Mun where a technician refurbishes each item (if possible) and also tests for safety before they can be donated.

Items that cannot be repaired are dismantled to be safely recycled in parts and/or to recover any materials that can be used. weeegogreen.sjs.org.hk.

Sonalie Figueiras is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Queen (www.greenqueen.com.hk) Hong Kong’s premier green living platform.

Sign up for their newsletter at getintouch@greenqueen.com.hk.

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Food

Chocs Treat your beloved to a healthier kind of chocolate this Valentine’s Day, writes Shan Shan Feng.

H

ot on the heels of Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year make February a big month for sugary sweets and snacks. Give your sweetie something a little healthier this year with these chocolate treats that are actually good for you. Whether they’re raw, allergy-friendly, packed with antioxidant cacao or free from refined sugar, they’ll satisfy that sweet tooth and give your body a boost too.

Hemp and Nibbles

Handcrafted in Australia and made using low GI sugars, Pana Chocolate is raw, vegan, organic and free from preservatives. The packaging lives up to its earth-friendly ethos and is completely recyclable. With creative flavors such as fig and wild orange, coconut and goji, and - the latest addition - hemp and nibs, the intensely dark rich recipe is bound to satisfy chocoholics.

Do note however that the low melting temperature means you have to store it in the fridge. A Chinese New Year selection pack is also available for $299. $65. Available at Food for Life (Wan Chai and Happy Valley), Green Common (Wan Chai & Sheung Wan) and Catch Juicery.

Peace of the Action For fresh, handmade raw cacao chocolates, get in touch with Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen.

The talented raw chefs can make three raw balls for $60, each dusted with cacao nibs, matcha maca or hazelnuts. Want to learn how to make your own? Peace of Green runs regular workshops at $550 per head.

To order the truffles or learn more about classes, email info@peaceofgreenkitchen.com.

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Food

Raiz the Roof Hong Kong’s first and only bean-to-bar local chocolate makers, Raiz The Bar takes healthy chocolate to a new level. Using ethically sourced ingredients, these chocolate bars are low GI, organic, raw, glutendairy- and refined sugar-free. Most importantly, they taste just as good (if not better) than conventionally produced bars. For the holidays, you can buy a gift pack of six bars that come in a hand-painted case by local artist Alison Tan. We recommend the “Love me” bars, infused with chai, chaga and chipotle chili; and the “Passionate Me” with raspberry rose acai. $398 for a pack of six. Available online and at selected retailers. www.raizthebar.com.

I Like Q

Om Nom Nom

Known as the superfood chocolate, IQ Chocolate is high in minerals, nutrients and antioxidants. It’s also organic, raw, vegan and low GI, making it suitable for diabetics (the mild sweetness comes from coconut blossom nectar). The intoxicating flavors - including espresso, lime, peppermint, orange and raspberries - will definitely keep you coming back for more. $70. Available online at FoodCraft.

Free delivery over $500. www.foodcraft.hk

The “naturally better” Ombar Raw Chocolate bars are packed with natural antioxidants. Made from 100 percent cacao, these raw, organic and dairy-free chocolates are minimally processed so that you can get the maximum health benefits of the cacao beans. There are plenty of flavours to choose from; if you’re not keen on dark chocolate, go for the “mylk” bars, which are lightened with coconut cream. Like fruit in your chocolate? Try strawberries and cream, orange and cranberry, or acai and blueberry. That’s one of your five a day, right? $39 per bar. Available at health food stores citywide, including Natur’O. 3188-9326. Shop Q1B1, G/F, Kaiser Estate Phase 3, 11 Hok Yuen Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon. www.naturo.hk.

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Food

HEALTHY RECIPE

BASIL AND TURKEY MINI FRITTATAS By chef Rico Chan of Eatology

This high protein, low-carb dish is ideal for freezing in batches for when you need a quick savoury snack.

INGREDIENTS: • ½ white onion, finely chopped

• ½ cup spring onion, finely chopped

• ½ tsp salt

• 200g minced turkey

• 20 cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 cup basil leaves

• 10 eggs

• ¼ tsp pepper

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit (180 degrees celcius), lightly grease the muffin tin.

2. Heat the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once heated, add the chopped onion and cook until softened.

3. Add the minced turkey to the onion and cook until browned.

4. Distribute the onion and turkey mixture evenly between the muffin tins. Then do the same with the basil and green onions.

5. Top each muffin tin with two to three cherry tomato halves, cut side up.

6. In a large bowl combine the eggs, salt and pepper. Whisk or beat with a hand-held mixer until well combined and starting to froth (around 2 minutes).

7. Distribute the egg mixture evenly in the muffin tins, pouring around the cherry tomatoes.

8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the muffins have puffed up and are starting to turn golden brown.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOKING TIME: 25-30 minutes

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Pamper

SPA REVIEW

Organic Facial at The Face Spa

THE BUZZ: An aesthetic spa offering an array of dermatologist-dispensed aesthetic treatments and chemical peels, The Face Spa also has a line of gentle but effective facials by highly trained aestheticians, with a focus on results.

THE PROCEDURE: The Face Spa carries the organic, FDA-approved Eminence brand, which has different lines for different results - pigmentation, dehydration, fine lines, acne and dry skin, for instance. If you have a range of concerns, the therapist can pick from different lines for a tailored experience.

BEST BIT: We got a masterclass on skincare from Helen, our facialist. She dispensed plenty of tips on our skin condition, how to avoid clogged pores (answer: exfoliation) and other advice on optimal skin health. Did you know it’s best to wash your face in the shower? It ensures you get all the soap residue off the edges of your face.

WORST BIT: If we’re being nitpicky, we were left alone in the room while the face mask took effect. It would have been a great opportunity to carry out a quick hand or head massage to really feel spoiled.

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WHAT ELSE? The spa also carries the Dermalogica line, facials for which start at a very reasonable $680 for 75 minutes.

THE COST: $1,080 for 75 minutes.

14/F, The Loop, 33 Wellington St., Central, 2815-1580, www.facespahk.com.

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Liv readers can redeem a free half-hour microdermabrasion (valued at $680) with their first facial.

TEA OFF

TRIE D TEST AND ED

Rich in antioxidant polyphenols, the health benefits of black tea have been widely researched. Skin care companies are starting to take notice too, with products hitting the market that are harnessing the goodness of tea.

Splash of milk, anyone?

Cleansing Powder

by Cha Ling

A brand new French-Chinese skincare line, Cha Ling uses pu’er tea as its base for providing effective but natural skincare. Started by a husband-wife team of environmentalists with a background in biodiversity, the brand provides a fair wage for tea farmers, offers full traceability and ensures that the traditional ways of cultivating the ancient tea forests of Yunnan are preserved. Oh, and the skincare is great too - antioxidantpacked tea leaves combine with the technology of LVMH’s skincare labs to create a product line that’s effective and indulgent, too. Their hero product is the cleansing powder, which can be mixed with water to form a rich mousse for daily cleansing, or combined with oil to make a scrub that smoothes and deep cleans.

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A new addition to Fresh’s popular black tea line, which is known for its age-delay qualities, this light serum combines fermented black tea (kombucha) with black tea, lychee seed and blackberry leaf extract. The result? A serum that offers long-lasting hydration, lifting, and protection against environmental stressors.

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Travel

Go on the 5k BUddha Run with Titan Fitness

and

Looking for a holiday packed with hardcore workouts, MMA sparring and personal training? Pay a visit to “Fighter Street” in Chalong, Phuket, where you’ll find fitness classes and clean eating options that are seriously easy on the wallet.

By Aoife McGillion.

H

aving recently paid a visit to Chalong, a district in the south of Phuket, I was amazed to find that an entire industry has developed around three or four gyms that have set up on one street. Soi Tad-ied (locally known as “Fighter Street”) is littered with gyms offering a full array of martial arts; others have a range of fitness classes including High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT),

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CrossFit, strength and conditioning and spinning as well as hot yoga, meditation and Pilates. All the other businesses on the street complement the whole fitness theme; every other shop sells protein shakes and smoothies, restaurants advertise clean eating and others offer massage or laundry services. With six daily direct flights from Hong Kong, Chalong offers a one-stop frugal fitness retreat.

Travel

Hop o oyur bike at Unit-27

THE GYMS Unit-27

Although the area is best known for martial arts training, my focus was on HIIT and Unit-27 was where I spent most of my time. What really draws me into a gym is the energy and I was totally addicted to this place.

Unit-27 offers a number of HIIT group sessions each day as well as strength and conditioning and CrossFit. Most sessions are an hour long, with 15 minutes for warm up, another 10 to explain the exercises, half an hour of sheer intensity and a period at the end for cool down and stretch. All of the instructors are fairly fierce but Frankie in particular, who missed his calling leading troops in the army, takes no prisoners. With classes called “the Punisher”, “Kalorie Killah” and, aptly, “Drill Sergeant” you know that it’s no pillow fight. Classes are structured so that you work for yourself, but if you’re slacking the whole group suffers.

If spin is your thing, Unit-27 holds several classes per week, in what is ostensibly an indoor disco. Bring dayglow for max effect. The most oddly addictive thing about this gym, after a few days of serious workouts, are the ice baths.

They are said to aid recovery and prevent next-day muscle stiffness. Call me a glutton for punishment but I couldn’t get over how much I loved it.

If group sessions don’t float your boat, there are personal training options available for standard fitness routines and martial arts. I left after a week with Unit-27 already planning my next trip and also determined to find similar classes in Hong Kong. Classes start at $90 drop-in, with a package of 12 classes costing $760, which includes a week-long pass to Primal Fitness, their open gym. www.unit-27.com.

Tiger Muay Thai and Titan Fitness

Tiger and Titan specialise in martial arts including Muay Thai, Krabi Krabong, Muay Boran, MMA, BJJ and western-style boxing. They also deliver strength and conditioning classes, bodyfit and outdoor combat-style training. Titan organises a run every Tuesday morning called the “Buddha Run”, a 5k canter uphill to the Buddha lookout point. It’s the only organised run on the street.

Fighting fit at Tiger Muay Thai

www.tigermuaythai.com, titanfitness.info 35

Travel

EATING

SLEEPING 2Home Resort

You would struggle to spend a huge amount on accommodation in this area. I stayed in the most highly recommended place on Tripadvisor - 2Home Resort - and it cost $990 for a week. How was the view of the parking lot and how far did you need to walk to the communal showers, I hear you ask. I assure you, this was absolutely not the case. Sure, the decor is fairly uninspired, but it was safe, comfortable and clean, and most importantly I would happily go back. The pool on the grounds was a bonus. Rates at 2Home start from $140 per night (low season) with deep discounts for longer stays.

My biggest complaint when it comes to healthy holidays in cheap locations is that I find myself at the mercy of whatever is on the menu, and generally that’s a combination of deep-fried and processed dishes. Happily, that is not the case here.

Every restaurant on Fighter Street claims to offer clean eating options. I tried a number of them and the best by far (in terms of quality of food and value for money) is the Muscle Bar. Don’t be deterred by the name, which evokes images of weightlifters slamming protein shakes. This place offers a full menu of healthy food options which can be as plain or as complicated, as you like. It’s inexpensive too. It also arranges food plans for long-stay visitors. Other popular eating spots include Tony’s and Tiger Muay Thai.

The pool at 2Home Resort

www.2homeresort.com.

The Anchan Boutique hotel and The Cocoville Phuket

Both guesthouses are similar to 2Home. Rates start at $260 per night (low season) with bigger discounts for long stays. Very popular options for people training at Unit-27. anchanboutiquehotel.com, cocovillephuket.com.

The Blue Hotel

The most expensive place on the street with a great rooftop pool. The only official hotel on the street.

Rates start at $520 per night. thebluephuket.com.

Facilities

There are launderette facilities everywhere on the street. There are two conveniently located ATMs and most places take credit card. There are a number of pharmacies dotted along the way. There are two large spas, one at either end of the main road, with smaller independent massage specialists in various locations along the street.

36

The Cocoville

Tips:

None of the gyms are open on Sundays. If you’re going for a weekend, you will want to factor this in!

Peak season is November through April. During peak season, classes will book out. When you are reserving your accommodation, contact your preferred gym and find out what sort of volumes they are dealing with.

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Solo travellers will enjoy the simple yet comfortable yoga caves, while those travelling with friends may prefer the more spacious bungalows, with sweeping ocean views. Vikasa’s on-site restaurant promises healthy yet delicious natural cuisine, while luxurious treatments in the open-air cliff-top spa will ease any residual tension and leave you lighter, with regained focus.

Sheryas’ approach is totally unique; guests come to master yoga taught in the authentic ashram style, committing to daily yoga, meditation, chanting and alcohol-free, vegetarian cuisine for the duration of their stay. You are also invited to perform community service, in the form of serving a meal to children living in the local orphanage. However, deprivation is most definitely not part of the package; Shreyas’ plush cottages, Ayurvedic spa and stunning leisure facilities (including an infinity pool, sauna and even cricket nets) all add up to a rejuvenating and pampering stay, with the focus firmly on wellness.

ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY A little slice of Morocco in the heart of this tropical paradise island, Absolute Sanctuary is a wellness resort with a focus on perfecting and enhancing guests’ physical and spiritual wellbeing through improved yoga practice. Offering workshops led by world-class instructors across a wide range of disciplines, Absolute Sancutary’s yoga retreats offer unlimited classes in beautiful pool, ocean and jungle settings. Your yoga practice is supported by massage to assist with muscle repair and recovery, plus gourmet vegetarian cuisine and juices that will nurture and heal your body – both inside and out.

Flight Centre proudly partners with a wide range of destinations to offer a truly enriched holiday experience.Targeted workouts, nutritious dining and serene spas in some of the world’s most stunning settings will leave you feeling renewed, revitalised and ready to face the world once again.

For any more informations, call + 852 2830 2864 | email retreats@flightcentre.com.hk | visit flightcentre.com.hk Terms & conditions apply, visit our website www.flightcentre.com.hk for full details. Written quote must be presented prior to booking. *Travel restrictions and conditions apply. Prices are per person in HKD, exclude taxes & subject to availability, and only applicable when two people are travelling together. Prices are correct at time of print and subject to change without notice. Flight Centre (Hong Kong) Limited trading as Flight Centre.Travel Agent licence no. 350062

t

Travel

TRAVEL WELL with Johannes Pong

RIEP THE BENEFITS Local yoga instructor Charlotte Douglas is doing a four-day yoga retreat on March 2-6 at Blue Indigo Yoga Cottage, a bubble of tranquility minutes away from the Siem Riep city centre, Cambodia. There’ll be morning meditations, followed by two yoga classes per day (Vinyasa in the morning and Yin in the evening) surrounded by chirping birds and monks chanting in the distance. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your yoga background.

It’s a great opportunity to develop your practice

SOUTH POLE SAFARI My friend just came back from Antarctica and all their photos on Instagram looked impossibly photogenic and totally otherworldly! I asked what the cold white south is like and he said it’s like being on an alien planet. They went with A2A Journeys. The luxury adventure travel company offers a range of itineraries, from nineday safaris that actually include setting foot on the geographic South Pole, to shorter trips for tighter schedules on a range of cruise ships (with jacuzzi hot tubs and private bathrooms way more comfortable than what you’d imagine

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and to find space to explore the spiritual side of yoga (think of yoga as school; “physical” yoga is just P.E.), and of course, take time out for yourself. There will be opportunities to connect with nature via meditation and yoga sessions on ancient temple grounds. It’s $3,700 with shared accommodation, $4,000 for single room (limited availability), including three healthy home cooked meals, plus fruits and snacks from the cottage’s open kitchen. Flights booked separately.

Call 6680-0340 or visit www.lovelifehk.com for more information.

ice-breakers would be like), as well as glamping opportunities at White Desert’s Whichaway Camp. Polar specialists hold daily lectures on the region’s fascinating geology and wildlife. And you’ll get to meet humpback and orca whales, several species of seal, and of course, penguins.

If navigating past majestic icebergs and pristine snow-capped peaks through emerald green bays whilst listening to whale song is your thing, this once-in-a-lifetime safari trip to the southerly continent is for you. US$13,000 for a seven-night, eight-day trip, departing from Santiago, Chile or Cape Town, South Africa.

Learn more by calling 2525-2776 or visiting www.a2asafaris.com.

CNY THERAPY If I’m in town, I always head over to Macau for fireworks on the fifth or sixth day of Chinese New Year. There’s nothing more therapeutic than purchasing a carton of completely legal explosives with my Macanese housemates from my uni days and setting them off by the harbour. Speaking of therapy, spa treatments at the casino hotels are always a sumptuously soothing experience, worlds apart from the gaming centres they’re housed in. My favourite is at the Wynn Encore, which is all private spa suites (Macau’s got a LOT of space). When the gracious Thai therapists close the doors, you’re ensconced in your own spacious lounge, steam room, sauna and a hydrotherapy aroma bath, swathed in gilded gold, rich woods and bathed in soothing darkness. If their “Double Happiness” massage with four hands (MOP2,000+15% - 60 minutes; MOP2,500+15% - 90 minutes) isn’t enough, try the decadent “1-6-8” treatment (The numbers rhyme with “prosperity along the way” in Cantonese), a 168-minute experience performed by six hands in perfect synchronicity (MOP3,600 + 15%). An auspicious commencement for CNY! Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau, (+853) 2288-9966, www.wynnmacau.com.

Johannes Pong is a dining and travel writer based in Hong Kong. Follow his adventures at johannespong.com.

OUR SERVICES: • Anti-ageing Medicine • General & Family Medicine • Bio-identical Hormone Therapy • Genomics • Mental Health Services • Sports Medicine • Paediatrics • Dentistry • Aesthetics • Osteopathy • Acupuncture CONTACT US: www.laurenbramley.com Dr.Lauren Bramley & Partners 901 Pacific House, 20 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong 2877-6068

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Family

Looking for healthy family activities on Hong Kong Island? Kate Farr heads west to see what Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun has to offer.

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ou don’t need to hop on a ferry or head for the hills to find fresh(ish) air, open space and healthy eats. Believe it or not, Western District has family-friendly fun in spades. Whether you’re looking to burn off excess energy, refuel the fam with healthy eats or stock up on healthy food for you and the kids, Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun has it all - and it’s right on the blue MTR line, too.

EAT

2 Opendoor Café & Courtyard offers families who stop by for a snack that rarest of commodities – outside space. With room for strollers, unsteady toddlers and even pets, this is the ideal place for a pit stop after a day at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park.

If you’re dairy-free, grab your latte with almond milk while the small fry refresh with a smoothie – add chia or hemp seeds or gutfriendly kefir for a sneaky health boost. Dad-friendly handmade burgers can be washed down with local craft beer if your hideand-seek session has been particularly gruelling.

G/F, 120 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 3460-3880, opendoorcafe.hk.

1 New Kennedy Town eatery Butcher & Baker Cafe takes the family-friendly formula that Castelo Concepts has deployed to great success and elevates it to the next level, with cool add-ons including a kids’ play area and free Wednesday yoga classes. The airy 2,000-square-foot space packs in a restaurant, florist and - yes - a butcher and baker (candlestick maker as yet unconfirmed) and is set to become the default hangout for babyccino-fuelled toddler play dates, casual weekend brunches and K-Town families alike.

3 It may not be on the same scale, but Just Green is probably the closest thing Hong Kong has to a WholeFoods. With two locations in Western district, Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town, you’ll find a huge range of organic, free-range and fairly traded food, home care and beauty products. Just Green sources products responsibly to minimise environmental impact and prioritises small and handmade brands. It also stocks Happy Cow low-GI vegan ice cream for a sweet but healthier treat.

On Fat Building, 57-59 Cadogan St., Kennedy Town, 2591-0328, casteloconcepts.com.

66 Catchick St., Kennedy Town, 2325-9997; 24 High St., Sai Ying Pun, 2559-0550, justgreen.com.hk.

SHOP

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Queen’s Rd W Eastern St

First St

Centre St

Western St

Des Voeux RD W

Second St Third St

High St

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6 Offering panoramic views of the harbour, plenty of room to roam and a lawn to lounge on (yes, you can walk on the grass!), Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park is an easy escape from the concrete jungle. The park’s sculptures and water features are interesting enough, but the large circular grassy area is where it’s at, particularly at the weekend when families kick their shoes off and congregate on this rare green space. The park also boasts a large and well-maintained playground, with climbing frames, slides and wobbly bridges for young adventurers.

16 Eastern St., (main entrance from Connaught Road West), Sai Ying Pun, lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/sysmp.

7 If it’s pouring down in K-Town, head over to soft play nirvana/kiddy zoo FunZone at the Westwood mall and let them run themselves ragged while you chill out in the parents’ area.

With 10,000 square feet of space to climb, bounce, run, jump and tunnel, this is a full workout for small people with energy to burn. A dedicated toddler area separates the little ones from the rampaging masses, and there’s a café and WiFi if you want to zone out for ten minutes. We won’t tell.

Shop 121, Level 1, The Westwood, 8 Belcher’s St., Kennedy Town, 2258-9558, funzone.com.hk/kennedy-town.

4 Delivered straight from New Zealand twice a week, The Fresh Grower stocks fruit and veg grown in mineral-rich organic soil, resulting in nutrientdense produce that packs phenomenal flavour.

Although there’s a delivery option, you’ll want to hit the store in person; there’s up to 20 percent off every Monday and Thursday if you shop in store.

41A Belcher’s St., Kennedy Town, 2872-0801. freshgrower.com.hk.

5 Offering a carefully curated selection of products and friendly, knowledgeable service, Cabinet Organic is your go-to if there are food allergies in your family. Products are searchable online by their dairy- gluten- wheat- or yeast-free status and vegans also have their own category. Stock up on store cupboard staples and any purchase over $300 can be delivered to your door free of charge (with the exclusion of the usual far-flung regions).

8 Alternatively, get those wellies on and get splashing in puddles along the little-known Pik Shan Path, which runs a total of seven kilometres between Pokfulam and Kotewall Road.

This peaceful trail is great for young kids who long to roam free and its gentle slopes won’t tax tiny legs too much. It’s just as nice to wander on a sunny day – the overhanging greenery keep things shady and junior entomologists will find plenty of exciting bug-hunting opportunities.

Pik Shan Path, off Pokfulam Road (near Queen Mary Hospital), Pok Fu Lam.

9 If those once-little legs are now longer than yours, keep on past the Pik Shan Path signpost and head all the way up to The Peak. You’ll pass by Pokfulam reservoir (itself a lovely family stroll), before the path rises steeply up through thick woodland towards the disused Pinewood Battery – a worthy diversion that’s also a great break point for a picnic. Continue your climb and you’ll eventually emerge at Lugard Road where you can congratulate yourselves for having made it all the way up to the very roof of Hong Kong.

27 High St., Sai Ying Pun, 2799-9317, cabinetorganic.com.

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Family

FIT FAM with Kate Farr

Hong Kongers are lucky to celebrate two new years, meaning twice as many opportunities to renew our focus on a healthy new start (until we’re derailed by huge holiday dinners, that is). Here’s what’s keeping us motivated this month.

EASY QUEASY The first trimester of pregnancy, and sometimes even beyond, can knock your metabolism for six, leaving you with mad food cravings (jalapeños and chocolate milk, anyone?) or simply feeling seasick without the benefit of a relaxing cruise. If you’re spending excessive time hugging porcelain these days then Erbaviva’s Quease Ease organic lip balm might just be the silver bullet for morning sickness. Featuring a blend of peppermint and ginger oils, this smart little stick will quell your nausea… or at the very least keep your lips looking good while you recover. $160 from Mayarya, 26 Jervois St., Sheung Wan, 2968-0929, www.mayarya.com.

MONKEYS IN THE TREE If you’re expecting a baby monkey this year, congratulations! (and we hope you’ve stocked up on lipbalm). TREE has launched this stripey pair of primates just in time for Chinese New Year. They make for a thoughtful gift for any new additions arriving in 2016. As well as brightening up the nursery, these irresistibly cute and cuddly toys provide a valuable income to the women of Do Son in Vietnam. Their talent with yarn helps to provide for their families while you get a plush new pal to add to yours. $325 from TREE, 22 Elgin St., Central, 2841-8844, www.tree.com.hk.

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Family

STRETCH YOUR WINGS Flex Studio is debunking the myth of the junk food-scoffing, screen-addicted couch potato teen by empowering youngsters to take care of their bodies with dedicated FlexTeens Pilates sessions. Encouraging better posture, improved concentration and - crucially for this age group - promoting body confidence, the fun sessions get them into the habit of exercising from an early age and allow them to feel smug when they’ve made it to a workout that day but you haven’t. Surely the best motivation of all for any teen...

FlexTeen Pilates drop-in classes cost $260; packages available. 3/F Man Cheung Building, 15-17 Wyndham St., Central, 2813-2399, flexhk.com.

Kate Farr is the co-founder of writing and editing agency Editors’ Ink (editorsinkhk.com). She also blogs about Hong Kong family life at Accidental Tai-Tai (accidentaltaitai.com). Send your family health news to kate@editorsinkhk.com

“Hong Kong is full of discriminating consumers who demand only the best. But do we ever stop to think what is on our walls? In the heart of our homes?”

Joakim Cimmerbeck, eicó’s owner

Environmentally-friendly decorative paints from Iceland www.eico.hk / info@eico.hk 5367 6716/ @eicopaint

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Q&A

Avid trail-runner Echo Gong first put on her running shoes in 2011, and hasn’t looked back.

From her first 10k run, she’s gone onto run full marathons, and has recently taken on the challenge of ultra trail marathons, including a multi-stage 250k race in Madagascar and a 100mile race in France. She talks to Liv Magazine about her journey from running newbie to longdistance pace-setter.

TRAILBLAZER How did you get into running?

I started running in mid-2011 as back then I really liked a guy who had just finished a 10k race.

I had also made some new friends who were into running. I never imagined I would ever do a full marathon - it seemed like an insane distance only for serious, elite runners. When I was preparing for my first 10k, I could only run 5k in one go. But once I finished 10k, I thought that I should probably be able to do a half-marathon as well. So I kept running and training, increasing my weekly mileage. After I finished my first full marathon I got hooked on ultra trail marathons - any distance of more than 42k.

When did you start trail running?

In October 2012 I signed up a for a race on Lantau Island with no idea what trail running was all about. I thought it was the same as road running until I saw all the hills and stairs. It was tough, but I was rewarded with beautiful views along the trail.

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What kind of equipment and fitness level do you need to start trail running?

If someone can run 10k flat then they should be OK on a 10k trail run. Road running is a repetition of smooth, efficient movements. Trail running requires alternating speed and effort plus more lateral movement. It’s essential to carry more water; road runners do not like to carry water. But you need it as you’re spending more time on trail and there’s increased effort involved. Road shoes can be used but trail shoes offer more support for the feet.

What are the main dangers that you should be aware of?

Underestimating the effort needed for trails and misjudging the amount of time you need are the biggest dangers. New trail runners coming from the road often misjudge pace and end up out longer than expected. This can lead to dehydration and

Q&A

exhaustion. Dogs are common in rural areas and can be as much of a threat as the monkeys around Shing Mun. Hong Kong gets crazy hot in the summer.

How do you get around that?

Trail runners slow down in summer and fast hike more. They also carry more water and add electrolytes. Planning routes with water stops is essential. The biggest mistake we see in the summer is new trail runners not bringing enough water. Alternatively, you can start in the early morning at around 6 or 7am or in the late afternoon at around 4 or 5pm.

Can you give us some health tips for people about to try trail running for the first time?

As with any exercise routine, make sure your doctor says it’s OK, considering the increased effort required. Factor in the heat, which can raise sweat rate and heart rate.

Have you ever suffered an injury while trail running?

I have only experienced minor injuries and overuse injuries while trail running. People often worry about falling or tripping, which can happen.

Trail runners do need to pay attention to the trail but we also slow down and don’t mind stopping to look at a great view or the beautiful scenery.

What was the hardest run you’ve ever done?

UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), a 100-mile race with total elevation of 9,600 metres across France, Italy and Switzerland, which I ran last summer. It took me over 40 hours to complete it and I only had a total of 45 minutes’ sleep.

Together with a group of equally running-mad friends, Echo has set up Lantau Base Camp, an online store that also organises trail running races and activities for beginner runners.

Find out more at www.lantaubasecamp.com.

ROUTING FOR YOU

Want to give trail running a go? Echo recommends three easy trails that are ideal for beginners.

1. Lantau Trail Section 9 is also accessible and has varied terrain.

It passes by Lo Kei Wan beach.

Distance: around 6.5k.

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2. The South Lantau Country Trail on Lantau island is a good trail on which to get used to varied terrain, and it has beautiful views.

Distance: around 8k.

3. The Hong Kong Trail Sections 2 and 3 are accessible and not too technical. Distance: around 11k.

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The Guide RAW RESOURCES

Foodcraft

Allergy-friendly packaged foods, including raw coconut yogurt and parfaits, stoneground nut butters, dehydrated nori snacks, flax crackers and cocoroons. Available online or in health food stores citywide.

Kitchen: Flat A, 21/F, Yiuga Factory Building, 62 Victoria Rd., Kennedy Town, www.foodcraft.hk.

Greenwoods Raw Cafe

Raw food, Asian-style. Greenwoods has raw vegan soup noodles, sushi rolls, raw tofu cheesecakes and other sweet treats. Fruit “pizzas”, wraps and Western-style raw dishes also available. 13/F, 2 Carnarvon Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3428-2416, www. facebook.com/GreenwoodsRawCafe.

MANA! Raw

Raw food to go. Think vegan leaf wraps, smoothies, juices, raw balls, zoodles, chia puddings and more.

97 Wellington St., Central, 2259-5125, www.mana.hk.

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Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen

Maya Cafe

Mediterranean raw takeout spot, with a few seats available for dine-in.

Offers raw dips, zoodles, plenty of raw desserts and juices, as well as non-raw vegan mains.

GRASS-FED MEAT Farmer’s Kitchen

2111-4553, www.facebook.com/

Grass-fed australian beef and lamb, with plenty of large cuts at a good price for carnivores on a budget.

Also available are barbecue packs, salts and sauces, and even Australian barbecue grills.

MayaCafeMediterraneanLifestyle.

www.farmerskitchen.com.hk.

G/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan,

Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen

POG holds regular raw cooking workshops, where you can learn how to prep raw food - from tree nut cheese to bliss balls - at home.

Also does regular pop-up brunches, catering and private meals. www.facebook.com/pogkitchen.

Farmer’s Kitchen

MANA! Raw

Gonzalo Kosher Meat

Specialises in grass-fed beef from Uruguay, which is certified antibioticand hormone-free. Also happens to be Glatt Kosher. Also on offer are lamb, turkey, chicken, veal, sausages and cold cuts. www.gonzalo.hk.

Meat Market

Predominantly sells grass-fed bonein cuts, roasting joints, secondary cuts, steak packs - and that’s just the beef section. There’s a handy key on every product, telling you everything you need to know: the country of origin, whether it’s chilled or frozen, how the cattle is fed, and more. Also as a great selection of organic and hormone-free pork and chicken. www.meatmarket.com.hk.

Mm Fresh Food

Grass-fed, wet-aged beef and lamb from New Zealand that’s free-range, hormone-free and fully traceable.

Also offers sustainably-caught

seafood from the waters off New Zealand and Australia. Deliveries are made on Fridays to Hong Kong Island, and Saturdays to the rest of Hong Kong. www.mmfreshfood.com.

Pacific Gourmet

Has plenty of choice when it comes to beef. Each product is marked as grain- or grass-fed on the website.

Prices start at $282 per kilo for grassfed striploin. Organic, hormonefree poultry, Australian pork and deli meats also on offer. Delivery available six days a week. www.pacificgourmet.com.hk.

Tenderloin Fine Foods

Offers grass-fed beef from New Zealand and Argentina, both of which offer free-range, lean and hormonefree cuts. Also has free-range lamb from Australia or New Zealand.

Preparation tips available on the website. tenderloin.com.hk.

OUTDOOR WORKOUTS Apefit

Functional training inspired by the movements of animals. Classes take place in Kennedy Town, Mid-Levels, Sai Ying Pun and the Southside.

Prices are $200 for a drop-in session; packages make this cheaper. ape.fit.

Bikini Fit

Women-only outdoor training club with programs in Victoria Park, Hong Kong Park, Sun Yat-sen Park and Kowloon Park. Workouts take place daily over a 12-week cycle, with plenty of support, personalised attention and lectures for a full lifestyle overhaul. bikinifit.com.hk.

Circuit 25

One of Hong Kong’s first outdoor bootcamp classes. Runs sessions in Bowen Road, Victoria Park, ICC and Happy Valley. circuit25.com.

NT Bootcamp

Bikini Fit

An outdoor bootcamp based in the New Territories. Classes currently run three times per week: Sundays at 11am in Sha Tin Wai, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm in Kowloon Tong’s Cornwall Street park. The first class is free; packages are $180 for three sessions, down to $140 each if you buy 10. www.facebook.com/ NTBootcamp.

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MARKETPLACE LA CABINE • Affordable French-run spa conveniently located in Sai Ying Pun • Clean, stylish and cozy • Warm and welcoming staff • Prices start at $400 for a mani-pedi; $150 for waxing • Try a massage on our amazing waterbed heated at 37oC

FIND US! G/F, Shop 9, 68 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun (Sai Ying Pun MTR Exit B2) lacabinehk.com

WANT THIS AD? Reach out to our network of health-conscious Hongkongers from just 17 cents per reader. sales@liv-magazine.com

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Distribution List

WA NN A L IV ?

Pick up a copy of Hong Kong’s wellness magazines at 100+ locations citywide

FOOD AND GROCERIES

Yoga Bam Bam

Locofama

Flawless

Yoga Room

MANA! Cafe

Four Seasons Spa

Mano Cafe

Indulgence

HEALTH CLINICS

Mum Veggie + Coffee

Iyara Spas

Opendoor Cafe

Melo Spa

Foodcraft Deliveries

Alive Wellness

OVO Cafe

Green Common

Balance Health

Posto Pubblico

Hey Home Food

Sohofama

I-Detox

Byrne Hickman Physiotherapists

Just Green

Dr. Lauren Bramley

The Herbivores

Maya Cafe Takeaway

Central Health

TREE Cafe

Mr. Green Juice Deliveries

Kinesiology Asia

Zumufi

Spicebox Organics

SOL Wellness

Anything But Salads Cabinet Organic Food for Life

Stanley Wellness

GYMS

The Sanctuary

Barre 2 Barre Bodywize BounceLimit Cityfit Epic Fight Station H-Kore International Fitness Studio Optimum Performance Studio

PRIVATE CLUBS United Services Recreation Club

RESTAURANTS Be-juiced Cafe O

Options Studio Pilates

Catch Juicery

Pherform

Chicken on the Run

Power Station

Corner Kitchen Cafe

Ryze

Crafty Cow

Sane Fitness

Fish & Meat

Studio Fitness

Fresca

Torq

Grassroots Pantry

Ultimate Performance

Kale

Ursus Fitness

Kinnet Cafe

Utime

Limewood

Versus Performance

Linguini Fini

Stone Nullah Tavern

Plateau Spa Sense of Touch Spas Strip Thann Spa The Landmark Mandarin Spa The Nail Library

RETAIL a Day With Fe Beauty Nest

The Mandarin Oriental The Peninsula Spa The Strand

Gone Running RC Outfitters Thann Tiny Footprints

SALONS AND SPAS 10/10 Space Browhaus Capelli Salon Chuan Spa Emmanuel F Fast Beauty Feel Good Factor

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Back Page

I was here in the mid-nineties, when California Fitness first opened at the bottom of Lan Kwai Fong. They took that big space and everyone wondered how they were going to be successful.

I’ve got no regrets. We’ve made some mistakes but from those we can learn. We’ve got to make mistakes; if you’re not then you’re probably not pushing enough.

Of course, they were hugely successful and that was the turning point for fitness in Hong Kong.

It’s evolved and grown a lot since California came onto the scene.

We’ve made mistakes but there’s been no whoppers.

I took a yoga class in the summer of 2001.

I was on a golfing holiday and it was raining, so I took my first ever class. I loved it, came out and thought, “you know what, I’ll open a yoga studio”.

It took me six months. I took the class in July and opened the studio in January.

The fitness industry is constantly evolving, so if we sit back and think that we’re successful this year, it doesn’t mean we’re successful next year. We are constantly looking at innovating and doing new things.

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Right now the wellness industry is thriving. We’ve noticed a renewed interest among a much wider group of people. You get a lot of standalone boutiques which I think is fantastic for the whole community.

I was at my least healthy in 2005. We were growing the business and we were a young company and I was working 15 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s ironic in the health industry when your business’ growth leads to you not being healthy - which doesn’t make sense! I made a promise to never let that happen again.

We have 1,500 employees now. Building a business from scratch; having an idea and executing it behind the scenes it’s never been easy.

My workout routine is not as good as it should be.

I do two to three yoga classes a week and a bit of tennis. No excuses.

I only sleep about six hours a night. that’s enough I have a sweet tooth.

Creme brulee, ice cream that’s my vice. But there are worse vices to have.

The population of Hong Kong is 7.2 million and only 3 to 4 percent of people have an active gym membership. in the US it’s 20 percent. So if we go for half of where the US is at, it means the market can triple in Hong Kong.

HOW I LIV

COLIN GRANT

The founder and CEO of the Pure Group, Colin Grant’s impact on Hong Kong’s contemporary fitness landscape has been significant to say the least. He talks to Liv about his path to establishing the city’s biggest fitness brand.

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