MelbourneTractor Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Was a mad keen long distance runner in the UK. Here, can't even consider it for half of the year due to the heat and humidity. Also have hideous hay fever pretty much year 'round. I feel your pain. I used to run 80km+ every week in the UK, I struggle to hit 10km a week here. Make up the shortfall on the treadmill but it's not the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 All I can say is that hundreds of thousands do run regularly in Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 All I can say is that hundreds of thousands do run regularly in Australia. Especially here. No matter what time of day, I see all ages, running, cycling and walking. We have fantastic tracks that go for miles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Everywhere. Just look at all the fun runs that have huge numbers competing. I always used to run at lunchtime when working in the city. You get used to the heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Triathlons are very popular with children here and I often see them competing down by the ocean in the summer. http://www.devonporttriathlon.com.au/trikids/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booma Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 my health is good since moving to oz but it wasnt bad before. i lost weight after moving thanks to beingmore active in oz. grey sky makes me feel down & not wanting to do much so the blue sky in oz helps me feel more cheerful & like i have more energy & I do more. i dont eat as much processed food mainly cause ready meals arent as easy to get here but i feel better for not having them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Everywhere. Just look at all the fun runs that have huge numbers competing. There's hardly a weekend here that doesn't have a fun run/walk. Last month was the annual "Point to Pinnacle" race - 21 km running or walking from the harbour to the top of the mountain (1200 metres above sea level). The number of participants is limited by the number of buses they can fit at the top of the mountain to take everyone back down the mountain again - only the first 3000 entries get accepted. It was a "sell out" again this year. :rolleyes: http://www.pointtopinnacle.com.au/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 My health suffered terribly as did my husbands, the root cause is stress I think. I put on over 3 stone - obviously my own fault, I had a massive lifestyle change, I had previously done a lot of hill walking and mountain biking and there just wasn't the terrain or climate to enjoy it where I lived - I cycled maybe 10km a day but nothing like I did in the UK. Socialising seemed to revolved around eating and drinking - picnics, BBQ's etc., I found fresh food much better but a very limited choice of 'healthy eating' convenience foods which as full-time working parents you do sometime eat, especially for lunches at work. I was diagnosed with RA and Fibromyalgia - I was on steroids, methotrexate (a chemotherapy drug) and plaquinel. The steriods obviously didn't help with the weight gain either. And the pain didn't help with activity. Since moving back to the UK I am in remission, off all meds and have lost 4 stone. I do believe the the RA was triggered by stress, I was just coping with so much for so long that my immune system couldn't cope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 I'm curious to know from expats in Aus if they've noticed a change in their health since moving. Has the climate cut on seasonal illnesses? Has the outdoor lifestyle helped to improve your general fitness? Does the different food and diet have an impact? Does the extra sunshine lift your mood and sense of wellbeing? This is entirely unscientific, just curious to people's personal observations No guessing that Northern Europe is now in deepest, coldest, miserable winter at the moment What deepest cold winter ? ...you are having a laugh ....its not even that cold ...we are 6 days from the shortest day ,then Xmas ,then out into spring . We haven't had anything like a winter since 2010 - 11. Very very mild .3 frosted windscreens this winter so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spangley Posted December 15, 2015 Author Share Posted December 15, 2015 Did you look at my profile to see where I live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Did you look at my profile to see where I live? no sorry ...i went through Switzerland in the summer again ...lugano and stopped in lucerne ( love that place .....so close to the Italian lakes ( stunning ) . Don't know whether I could live in Switzerland though .... How is it for you ?...including the weather at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsan Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 I still haven't found any cheaper or better food... I can understand that - especially at lunchtime - in the uk i used to live on Tescos/Sainsburys meal deals, whereas here in the city you wont get much for $6... although i think the quality and variety are better. Also encourages me to bring my own lunch which is generally healthier than picking something up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsan Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 I feel your pain. I used to run 80km+ every week in the UK, I struggle to hit 10km a week here. Make up the shortfall on the treadmill but it's not the same. Is that due to hayfever? Have found Melbourne to be oppressive at all. Tend to go out at about 6am or after about 7pm for my runs, except for the the 8am group on a saturday and usually pretty pleasant other than the damm flies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbourneTractor Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 All I can say is that hundreds of thousands do run regularly in Australia. Good for them. I've tried running here but just don't enjoy it as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbourneTractor Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 I can understand that - especially at lunchtime - in the uk i used to live on Tescos/Sainsburys meal deals, whereas here in the city you wont get much for $6... although i think the quality and variety are better. Also encourages me to bring my own lunch which is generally healthier than picking something up. I haven't noticed the quality being any better in general, supermarket or restaurant. The variety of SE Asian foods is amazing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Good for them. I've tried running here but just don't enjoy it as much. Exactly. For me, running in the UK was brilliant. Here? Well, did less than 4k yesterday and ended up with heat exhaustion; it is simply not enjoyable. Winter, on the other hand is beautiful to run in, trouble is I don't want my former passion to be only a half year activity. Like you it's a case of making the best of it with a treadmill. Still sucks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacaranda Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 I used to suffer with hayfever in Sth Aust,which then went to my chest....then chest infections!I've had one chest infection since being in the UK.As far as fitness goes,I walked a lot in Sth Aust,but not over open countryside(Most of it is private).I lived in a small country town,and apart from walking alongside country roads,would head to a small national park and walk through that.Over here,I have to admit,walking is very pleasurable.So many walkways in every direction,and usually don't see another soul on those walks either.Ive practiced yoga regularly in both countries (inside and outside)so no probs there.Also rode pushbikes in both too,again pretty easy going. As far as diet is concerned,if I buy anything processed (which is hardly ever)its a treat,not part of my regular diet,so my weight has been maintained over the years.Havent noticed anything really that different when it comes to the freshness of produce in either country.Never suffered from SAD,but I do understand it.The weather to me doesn't dictate my mood at all.I just embrace each day and season as it is.I cant change the weather but I can change my attitude towards it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 We are lucky here Jacaranda. Miles of walking tracks by the ocean. All that lovely fresh air. My husband was just commenting today on how sporty people are here. Whole families out running or cycling and kids very into sport. Not being too hot or too cold helps make things like that enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Exercising in Melbourne is best before 9 am and after 6 pm I have found. I walk the dogs in the day sometimes but I hate the flies so early and late, the flies are asleep. Also its quiet and not a lot of people about and i do my best thinking. My husband rode is bike all the time here in Melbourne and he just avoided the very hot days. Like me he went out early before the heat of the day and he rode up to 200 km a week. I hate any form of running its so bad for the joints etc. Even a lot of walking is bad. Non impact sport is best. How do I know, new knee and need another one. I used to walk 7 km every day for a long long time, had best shoes but still b.......... my knees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Exactly. For me, running in the UK was brilliant. Here? Well, did less than 4k yesterday and ended up with heat exhaustion; it is simply not enjoyable. Maybe take up swimming in the hotter months? Your body will really thank you in later years...as mentioned by Petals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Roberto Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 They love the junk food here, so it's harder to avoid - crisps (chips), everything is whether than it should be, including noodles, houmous, guacamole, mayonnaise. It's a bit like that in the Uk too. Lots of salty / sugary foods about. Also in sydney you are too busy hustling and grafting to cook lots of healthy home cooked food. It's always possible to eat healthy though. Just required a certain mindset and stubbornness. Many seem to exercise a lot, but less so around now as it's a bit warm. In the cooler months, everyone is running or moving somehow. (it seems) Aussies seem to like drinking and wine is much cheaper than in the UK, which to be honest I enjoy although it's probably not all that healthy. And the coffee is really nice, so sometimes i get overhyped and wound up on the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbourneTractor Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I hate any form of running its so bad for the joints etc. Even a lot of walking is bad. Non impact sport is best. How do I know, new knee and need another one. I used to walk 7 km every day for a long long time, had best shoes but still b.......... my knees That's only true if you have a predisposition to osteoarthritis. If you're a healthy weight and take a sensible approach to exercise (i.e. regular but not excessive) than there's is no evidence to support the idea that running alone can cause knee pain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Haydon Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Ran all year round here no matter how hot/cold. Injury put paid to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Has the climate cut on seasonal illnesses? Don’t quite understand your meaning here exactly ?! But certainly sufferer less flu in winter if that is your meaning? Has the outdoor lifestyle helped to improve your general fitness? YES Does the different food and diet have an impact? YES Does the extra sunshine lift your mood and sense of well-being? YES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scousers Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Been here 32 years my parents followed 26 years ago. My mum has chronic heart failure . She was told in high school she would never marry and would not make 20. She married had two kids both times had heart attacks and spent full pregnancies in hospital. When she came to oz 26 years ago the UK doctors gave her two years. Well she us now 85z had three mital valve replacements in her life. I do think aus conditions have helped her enourmously. me, on the other hand have had depression since the day i arrived. I am 35 kg over weight. In the uk my nick name was skinny lizzie. I was so active in the uk. Never ever watched tv. Put it this way, i have never seen an episode of coronation street. Ive seen the cat walk along the wLl but then i went out doing so many things every night. Here i am in front of the tv 24/7. I have never found anything to interest me here. Aus has been great for mum, disastrous for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.