Hitchie

Welcome! Good to have another Kiwi around. I'm from Raglan, though I live in China now. Definitely hit up the guild leaders and go introduce yourself in the warriors guild. They have a huge knowledge base for weight training and are always keen to help people out. See ya around.

On a day like today I shower 3 times. I work a split shift so I shower once in the morning, once after gym, and once after getting back from work again in the evening. But it is the hot season here in China at the moment so when it cools off I'll probably ease back on the showering.

Yeah, thats about what I could find too. Oh well. It was dirt cheap after all.

Hello again Rebels. Thought I would inject myself back into the community with a re-introduction. I joined NF a while back, but I went through some big changes (I moved to china) which distracted me from NF and a generally healthy life style. However, the change meant a new job and money, so I have spoilt myself and got a gym membership and the Rebel strength guide, and I'm full of determination to buck the trend of all the other foreigners I've met here who have for the most part all gained bad weight and become unhealthy. I have started on the Barbell Battalion workout routine (on Monday) and am following the healthy bulk up diet. Any way, I hope to be more involved in the community here and maybe get to know some of you better. Until then. -Hitchie.

I am living in China. I work in Yangzhou.

Hey guys. I'm a kiwi based in China. Cool to see other kiwis on here. Lived all over the place in NZ but home will always be Raglan.

So I just bought a bottle of olive oil. Packing date was 9th of November 2011. I opened it and I think it smells fine, but I don't have much experience in olive oil to know what smells good and what smells bad. Any pointers? Cheers.

Before you read any further, I want to say that I have no intention of using a console to get fit. At the moment it is body weight exercises for me and when money and time afford I'll be back in the gym (can't wait). However I just wanted to ask if any one has had any success stories with them? I saw a post of a friend on facebook that they wanted to get fit and was doing a 90 day programe to get fit. Naturally, I pointed them to Nerd Fitness, and I think that they have a fairly good mentality and goals going into this. But it was a comment of a friend of their on facebook that got me thinking about this. They were hoping that my friend getting fit would encourage them to plug in their console and get fit too. I am the kind of person that can pick out a gimmick pretty quick and throw it by the way side. But I am just curious if any one has had experience with console fitness programes, and what kind of result have they achieved. Thought it might spark some conversation. -Hitchie.

I got up to burning belly fat. Before that point I was completely suckered. I need to remember not to let my guard down after April fools is finished in New Zealand. Every year I get fooled because websites prank me on the 2nd of April. One of the few downsides to seeing in the new days first.

If you don't know how already, learn how to hand wash. Extremely helpful when packing light. I sometimes take it a step further and wash my clothes when I shower, two birds one stone. Then after you've dried yourself with your towel roll your clothes up in your towel nice and tight to squeeze the water out. This helps to dry your clothes quicker. Also if you can, get a micro fiber towel. They don't really feel like real towels but they dry you really well, they dry out ridiculously quickly and they scrunch up really small. Summer is never summer in the UK especially, but just check with your friend what the climate is like, nothing worse than having to fork out precious money for clothes you could have brought from home. The other thing is that you wont see everything in 2 weeks, its impossible. You can stay in London for 2 weeks and not see everything. I spent 7 weeks there last year and didn't even get to Camden Markets, which you should do if you can. But if you plan well enough you can see a lot if thats what you are wanting to do. There's a lot to know about backpacking, and a lot of different opinions and ideas. I think that you have to take advice with a pinch of salt and find what works for you. And most of all, have fun and learn. If things get uncomfortable just embrace it, find the high points and relish in them. I hope you enjoy your trip. I love Europe and can't wait to get back there again.

Welcome, Rockets!

Nice to have you around Rafv. I know how you feel about wanting to bulk up. If you've been reading the blog posts you'll know that diet is 80% of success, regardless of if you are wanting to lose or gain weight. Its a good idea to get yourself into a routine with your body weight exercises. Gyms aren't necessary unless you are set on being a tank. you can gain a lot from body weight exercises. Any way, good luck and have fun! -Hitchie.

Yeah, thats helpful having some solid times and distances to consider. Thanks jfreaksho.