Griffen Fitness - Newsletter

December newsletter

santa does press ups

"Santa does Press Ups to fit down chimneys"

Greetings healthy people,

I hope you are having a wonderful end to your year. Have you reached your fitness goals for 2009? If not, worry not, just drop me a line and book in for 2010 and we’ll make your fitness goals a reality. Speaking of making your goals a reality, Edinburgh WeightShed Boot Camp will be running again at Stewart’s Melville College in February (15 – 20th), email me for a booking form or visit www.weightshedbootcamp.com for more information.

I will be taking a fortnight break over the silly season, so there will be no newsletter for January. I have published newsletters every month faithfully since September 2005 (that’s 50+ in a row), and I even sent one out when I was on honeymoon in Cuba! No fear, I’m still literally brimming over with fitness ideas (it’s all a bit messy) so follow me on Twitter for daily updates and workout ideas over the darkest months. Also check out this months Bite, Trinity and Stockbridge Spotlights, Leither and Spectrum magazines for a whole swag of fitness articles.

What’s in Season for December
It’s good to eat seasonal fruit and vegetables, so here's a list of what's in season locally:
apples, beetroot, carrots, celeriac, chestnuts, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, parsnips, pears, potatoes, pumpkin, quince, turnips, red cabbage, sprouts, swede.

Easy Recipe: Butter Bean Pate
This is a great recipe to make at the beginning of the week and use as a sandwich spread for your lunch. It’s low fat and high in protein, so an ideal alternative to the usual fatty sandwich spreads. You can leave the garlic out if you like, or change the herbs to suit your taste.

one can of butter beans, drained
1 lemon, juice and rinded
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tbsp fresh mint finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water (approx)
salt and black pepper, to taste
fresh mint to garnish

- Place the butter beans and lemon juice in a food processor and blend.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, adjusting the amount of water to give a smooth pate.
- Season and add the mint to garnish. Spread in toasted wholemeal pita bread (they have 6g protein each!), or it’s also delicious with salad or mezes.

Resisting Temptation: Rope in a Mate
Worried that your fitness programme is going to go to pot over Christmas? Rope in a reliable mate and pre book your workouts. It’s especially important at this time of year with the usual round of Christmas parties and engagements. You’re much more likely to exercise if you’re answerable to someone…

Fad or Fab: Boxing
Fabulous! Boxing is brilliant for cardio, coordination and upper body strength... all in the comfort of your living room! It also tones the upper arms and back and makes you feel great.

Three weeks ago I qualified as a Thump boxing instructor and so have been getting clients boxing. I like to intersperse 3 minute bouts of boxing with resistance exercises, so you will keep your heart rate up for as long as possible, and also get an excellent all over workout.

Would you like to have a bash?

Website of the month: One to Watch… Fitness TV
Working out in your living room can be fun if you know what to do. Tune in online at www.fitness.tv or on Sky Channel 282 for a variety of aerobics, yoga, Pilates and more. It’s on 24/7 and there are even children’s workouts – the perfect way to wear ‘em out! :)

Article of the Month: Winter Walking in Edinburgh
An energetic walk is a wonderful thing on a wintry weekend. Rug up in your woollies and waterproofs, don some outdoor footwear with good tread and get out and explore some of the wonderful places we have right on our doorstep. Here’s a list of favourites, in alphabetical order:

Arthur’s Seat: This goes without saying. It’s rocky near the top, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. If you’re feeling less energetic, try walking around Salisbury Crags, or even behind the Crags through Hunter’s Bog.

Blackford Hill: Coming around from the Hermitage, circle around Blackford Hill and as a grand finale, up the hill.

Botanic Gardens: Great if you’ve got children in tow, or if you fancy an easy wander. I like going into the greenhouses on a very chilly day to defrost.

Calton Hill: We often take visitors for a Sunday stroll up Calton Hill for a photogenic view of Edinburgh.

Cramond: Sometimes it feels like everyone in Edinburgh is there for a wander, and the car park can get quite full. Try cycling there instead.

Pentlands: How could we forget, so close to Edinburgh, and less crowded. There’s a walk near Hillend Ski Centre (Boghall) which is signposted and well worth the journey.

Portobello Beach: It’s romantic to watch the weather blowing in from the sea. With the added bonus of cafes on the Promenade to stop in and warm up.

Union Canal: From Fountainbridge the gravelly paths are good for winter walking and it’s a lovely spot to watch the seasons changing. Alternatively, for a longer walk catch a bus up to Balerno and walk back down along the Water of Leith, joining onto the Union Canal.

Water of Leith: It can get a little slippy, but the walk from the Modern Art Gallery down to The Shore at Leith is a scenic way to spend an afternoon. You can always pop by Stockbridge for a cuppa too!

Need more ideas? A brilliant resource I purchased from a book fair is “25 Walks: Edinburgh and Lothian” by Roger Smith, published by Mercat Press. A Spokes map of Edinburgh, available from any good bike shop or online at www.spokes.org.uk for £4.95 will also show you lots of hidden walks and paths.

And Finally…. The Desert Dauber
And to finish the newsletter on a completely non-fitness theme, click here to see a video of my father, Australian abstract artist Peter Griffen, who recently appeared on ABC TV. How clever! If it's photography you like, check out my brother David's website at www.davidgriffen.com.

Have a happy and healthy Christmas and Hogmanay,

:)
Tracy

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December newsletter