Wellness

Dip into the wilderness

Want to get away from daily distractions, out into nature and work on self reflection? Julia D’Orazio discovers a tour that’s made for you.

There’s no doubt we live in an age of constant rings, pings and brrrrings, distracting us from what is truly important: connecting with oneself. It has never been more important to learn how to take a step back from it all and have a moment of clarity – especially in breathtaking scenery. kunanyi/Mt Wellington will take your breath away in more ways than one on the Walk on kunanyi’s Wild Wellness Fire and Ice Walk tour. Along this intimate walking tour, you’ll learn about Hobart’s soaring icon beyond face value, discovering its history and unique flora and fauna. But you’ll also realise things about yourself, with a focus on self-reflection through guided meditation and journalling. Oh, and did we mention an icy dip in fresh alpine waters too? The 4km walking tour winds through the

North West Bay River and follows the Cathedral

Rock track to arrive at a secret locale for an icy awakening, be it a natural plunge pool, a mountain shower or a mountain-water bath. To brace yourself for a chilly plunge in the Tasmanian wilderness, you’ll follow the Wim Hof Breathing Method. Created by Dutch extreme athlete Wim ‘Iceman’ Hof, the method is about helping you realise your full potential, connection to others and with nature itself. Tour leader Piet, trained by Wim Hof himself, will guide you through specialised breathing techniques, cold therapy and the art of patience and dedication: the key pillars in heightening oxygen levels. Advocates claim the method can reduce stress levels, increase energy and heighten focus and creativity. And perhaps most handy for high-altitude walks, greater tolerance to freezing temperatures. After the dip, regain warmth with a guided journalling session by a log fire. And to help warm up the insides? A hearty Tassie fare of gourmet burgers and East Coast cheeses to feed the soul. Reason enough to take a walk on the wild side.

Plan Walk on kunyani hosts both short and full-day walking tours year-round. Find one that suits you at walkonkunanyi.com.au

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND BRAIN FUNCTION

ONE OF OUR goals at Personal Best Fitness is to encourage everybody to look and feel better and function in a more optimal way.

Robert is certainly a ‘shining’ example of that. Diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) over the last 3 years, which is characterized by the nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain being lost. It can impact behaviour, personality, language and movement.

Robert’s wife Heather has been a member at Personal Best Fitness for some 10 years and is well aware of both the physical and mental benefits of exercise and knew that Robert was eligible for the Home Care Package that included funding for personal training.

Prior to starting personal training with Fran, Robert had difficulty getting into and out of a chair due to his posture and lack of strength. He had put on weight due to his brain wanting him to be sedentary.

Since Robert has started personal training with Fran, Heather can see many positive changes.

‘He is learning new motor patterns and movements and when he comes home from Personal Best Fitness, he is more engaged with the world around him and is more vibrant. Robert even now notices weeds in the garden and pulls them out, which is a great help to me.’

Robert’s carer Sandy brings him to Personal Best Fitness in a taxi and recently Robert gave the driver directions to the gym from the Eastern Shore, an example of his engagement with the world and improved brain function.

Heather feels that going to Personal Best Fitness is the most stimulating part of Robert’s week as it extends his brain function and it is significantly slowing down the rate of deterioration in brain function.

Six months ago, when Robert started on the exercise bike, he could pedal for 3 minutes on resistance 4, now he has progressed to 2 x 5 minutes on resistance 7. Robert’s walking gait has also improved, and he is able to co-ordinate his opposite arm and leg.

‘It is so rewarding to work with Robert, he has a wonderful sense of humour, and he has started to ask why we are doing specific exercises. His posture, balance and strength have improved greatly, and he has lost weight’. Fran Master Personal Trainer.

Robert now moves with more confidence and feels a great sense of achievement when mastering new exercises.

If you know of someone who is eligible for the Home Care Funding Program and could enjoy a better quality of life, exercise may well be their best medicine!

Personal Best Fitness have helped and inspired hundreds of people to feel, look and function better. Their certified Personal Trainers have simple tips and easy to understand advice that will give you amazing results.

Restart, Refocus, Readjust and Reset. Want to Look and Feel Better?

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