You time is such an important part of finding balance in our lives

Hello All

Well it is definitely feeling like Christmas

There is a frantic feeling in the air

I think that it is important to take some deep breathes and try as much as possible to not get caught up in other people's stress

It is even more important to keep up your fitness routines and really think about good food choices

When you feel good you will be less likely to become stressed and anxious

I am currently injured so it is driving me carzy not to be out running and enjoying these cool summer mornings

Instead however I have rediscovered my old fitness DVD's and it is so fun to do just good old fashioned exercises

This morning I did the Cher DVD with her trainer and it was hilarious

The time passed very quickly

Look for some fun things to do to make yourself feel great

Why is it that no matter how old we are, we never stop being unhappy with our bodies?

- Whatever our size or shape we more often than not wish for something different

- We constantly weigh ourselves hoping for a miracle overnight

My thoughts on this are (and I am in the above categories - always seeking to be thinner and lighter- - which is ridiculous)

- We need to find balance in our eating

Choosing an approach to eating that we can achieve each day

What we do daily is what makes the difference not one day a week or occasionally

- We also need to find activities that we enjoy to keep our bodies moving

This can be anything from organised fitness, running, swimming, cycling, aerobic classes, zumba, outdoor boot camp, sports, pilates, yoga etc to dancing, hiking, hula hooping, circus skills - anything that gets you moving and your heart rate up

- Finding a friend or colleague to do your selected activity with helps keep you motivated

- Setting health goals is also useful as long as they are realistic

- Having regualar contacts with friends and family is equally important to give you balance in your life

- Having a purpose in life is valuable to give you real joy and satisfaction in doing something that makes your truly happy

- Having a significant other who loves and adores you and treats you as the most important person in the world is life's true elixir of youth

If you can have some of these in your life you will be the person that you want to be and feel amazing every day

Hello All

Well it is in reflective mood that I write this blog

2011 has been a huge year for me

I had my day job with DCA Dental - my own network of dental practices in metropolitan Melbourne

Then I followed my passion for running and started Running Divas then renamed to be Run By Women - a network of women's run groups

I started this business with a long time friend Alex. She and I share the same pasion for running and wanted to replicate our own fabulous run group that has been so important to us over the past 6 years.

We were also developing and seeking to manufacture a gorgeous range of women's run clothing but that became all too difficult with manufacturing here in Australia impossibly expensive and manufacture in China challenging because of distance, language and high minimum orders.

Just yesterday Alex and I decided that it was best that she take on the business and I bow out. It was just not heading in the direction that I had dreamed of.

Alex and I will remain the best of friends and of course I will still be on hand to assist whenever required.

As well as all of the business stuff this year I have run 2 international marathons.

The first one in April in London was incredible. I travelled with my sister Ursula and after the marathon in London we had a week exploring Venice - wow so special

I trained really hard for this event and felt fantastic - just went a bit pear shaped during the race with bad choice of nutrition but loved every step

The second marathon in September in Berlin was another huge event. My friend Alex ran also, so it was extra special to share this experience.

My preparation for this marathon was not ideal. I had been plagued by hip and foot injury. However all I could keep visualising was crossing the finish line and having the medal put around my neck - dreams do come true.

Phew bit exhausted just thinking about all of this

Now I'm doing heaps of stength and conditioning training and almost no running to allow my heel injury to fully recover

So as the end of the year approaches I can look back and feel very proud and pleased with my achievements this year.

I look forward to many more blogs and lots of adventures with my newly formed EricaK Inc whatever that will eveolve into

Thanks for reading