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It’s nearly that time of year again so let everyone know to get involved, remember to register and switch off your lights for Earth Hour, 8.30pm, Saturday 26th March.

On March 26, hundreds of millions of global citizens, from one hundred different countries, will unite in the action of lights out. Will you be one of them?

Earth Hour is a call to action to every individual, every business and every community. It starts with a simple flick of the switch at 8:30pm on March 26 2011, in a collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all – the planet. http://www.earthhour.org.au/up to show your support.

Here is some very interesting information in regards to how many calories are in junk food. Check out the table at the bottom of this page

From 1 February this year, all major fast food chains must display the kilojoule (calorie) counts of their food with the same prominence as the price. For instance, the Grand Angus has 2630 kilojoules (630 calories). This “in-your-face” information is designed to make consumers take stock of what they, and their children, are eating.  

It’s not only the Macca’s, Pizza Huts, Pizza Havens, Eagle Boys and KFCs that have to comply. Any food outlet that has 20 or more outlets in NSW, or 50 or more nationwide, will have to display the average adult daily energy intake of 8700kJ plus the kilojoule content of their foods. They have a year to comply.  

So if I ate a Grand Angus 630 calories + a large fries 452 calories + a chocolate thick shake 440 calories = 1522 calories (that is over a whole days calorie intake for me in one meal)

To burn that off I would have to run nonstop for two and three quarter hours! 

There is an awesome calculator on the My Doctor website for working out how many calories you burn during different exercises. 

[Image & Information via Foodwatch & My Doctor]

Recently I was reading an article in our Fraser Coast Chronicle by Peter Chapman | 29th January 2011 titled ‘Local firms lose tourism tender’, where (after some investigation) apparently only one local marketing firm actually got to tender!)

Fraser Coast Tourism chair Anne Nioa said, “that while the local companies’ tenders were given extra weight the tender accepted was considerably cheaper.”  …  But no local PRINTERS were given the opportunity to tender? 

After news of this got out there was a Tourism Fraser Coast MEDIA RELEASE on Tuesday 1st February 2011 Statement by Tourism Fraser Coast CEO Damien Massingham quoting , “Tourism Fraser Coast confirms today that McTaggarts The Printers, our only local Printer member has been invited to quote on this aspect of the project.” … hmmm pardon me but has local print company Inkworks not been a member since Tourism Fraser Coast first started 9 years ago plus successfully operated a printing business in Hervey Bay for 20 years?
(Not sure what value for money you are getting for your fees there Anton?)

(Download Media Statement Here)

When asked from several sources around town both the Council and Tourism Fraser Coast are refusing to say who won the tender, even to their members and the media.
What is the big secret?
Is there some corruption involved?
What’s wrong with being open and transparent?

Well I have found another new love to add to my fitness regime and that’s SPIN (RPM Classes) 3 to 5 times a week!

WHAT IS RPM?
Take on the terrain with your inspiring team coach who leads the pack through hills, flats, mountain peaks, speed work and interval training. Discover your athlete within – sweat and burn to reach your endorphin high.

1.    Warm Up – Warm up the legs and increase the blood supply to the working muscles.

2.    Pace – The intensity increases as you work through intervals of speed to prepare for the demands of the class ahead.

3.    Hills – Designed to increase leg strength and endurance, you perform a series of climbs with increasing intensity.

4.    Mixed Terrain – After some initial active reovery, we ride a series of fast flats and short climbs.

5.    Intervals – You burn lots of calories in this track! It’s a race simulation with a series of attacks which will peak your heart rate. The main objective is to work and revcover through interval training.

6.    Speed Work – After some initial active recovery, you develop fast leg speed through high-speed intervals.

7.    Mountain Climb – As in Track 3, the focus is on strength and endurance in a series of climbs that build in intensity. This is the last working track.

8.    Ride Home – Finish the journey and recover by lowering the heart rate and flushing the working muscles.

9.    Stretch – A final stretch to complete the workout and assist recovery.

Most people go once and vow never to return where as I get excited at the prospect of a full hours maximum workout every time guaranteed that hits the PAIN meter!!

You could burn between 600 – 1200 calories per class, talk about shed those extra kilo’s in no time flat!

Oh and it’s wise not to eat before your first class!!!

I do my classes at Breath Health Club in Hervey Bay where I also do Body Pump (weights), Body Combat & Zumba Classes (all classes go for an hour).

[Information via Les Mills website]