Outfit Namibia

An interview with The Outfit Guy

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At Outfit we like to share the stories of our health & fitness community. As our first Q&A we decided to delve into the mind of our very own “Outfit Guy” Rowan Carstens:

Rowan, so why did you call your brand Outfit Namibia?

OUT stands for Outdoor, FIT stands for Fitness – Outdoor Fitness! Because our training is outdoors and with 300 days of sunshine a year in Namibia, we felt our name was perfectly suited to our location & what we offer!

You’re a functional fitness trainer, what made you become one?

It comes from the heart and when it comes from the heart, it comes from a space of purity. I’ve always loved being active. Staying fit and healthy and functional fitness appealed to me, as it was a form of exercise that builds overall strength & muscle for you to be at your best physically. It’s also a form of exercise that is suited to everyone, regardless of any fitness level. I became a functional fitness trainer, because it is ultimately what I believe in and a lifestyle I embody in my personal life.

What makes Outfit different to other training styles in Namibia?

Outfit is pure functional fitness training in the great outdoors! No frills, no fuss. We use minimal equipment for group training. Other than a tyre, rope or straps, we use the individuals’ body weight to strengthen the core and build muscle. Our gym is situated in a quiet neighbourhood and all our training happens outside in a garden or on the street. Outfit is more than just a gym, it’s a movement and a lifestyle and we love the community we’ve built as a result!

Apps vs. Going to a Gym- Your Thoughts?

Not everybody wants to go to a gym and some want to train in their own time, on their own terms. I love that, especially because it gets people off the couch and pushes them to be active! We see our clients using apps to monitor their heart rate, count steps they’ve taken or count how many calories they’ve burnt. Wearable tech is on the rise and we think it’s a technology that will be part of the fitness experience from now on.

Being healthier is a trend worldwide… What do you consider healthy?

I consider being healthy a lifestyle and I don’t follow a specific diet. The 80/20 principle is what I prescribe to – 80% of the time you eat natural foods, grown from the earth prepared in the healthiest way possible – raw, steamed or grilled. For the remaining 20% I indulge in whatever I want. Life’s about balance and being restrictive in any way leads to cravings, bad habits and self destructive behavior like bingeing or starvation.

I enjoy Superfoods like Chia Seeds, Maca Powder or Hemp Seeds in my Smoothies. But these are not really considered supplements, but nutrient dense foods that give you a boost! I used to take supplements, but I found the results I obtained from eating healthy and training hard superior to just supplementing with protein shakes and pills.

The more natural your lifestyle, the easier and better your life becomes! Cutting out junk food, sugar and processed foods that are toxic to your body and affect your brain’s health are life hacks I can recommend to anyone seeking to become healthier.

-End-

For more health & fitness stories from our Outfit community, follow our blog (check the homepage here) or join us on Instagram or Facebook!

To view our group training times or packages, check out the link or pop us a mail to register for a FREE SESSION

6 Reasons why you’re not loosing weight or gaining muscle

With Outfit Namibia’s Outdoor Functional Training Gym heading into it’s 5th year, we’ve had our fair share of questions around the topic of health & fitness. From questions about diet and lifestyle to fitness trends and functional training methodologies.

The most common question, however, is “Why can’t I loose weight?” or “When will I build muscle tone?”. None of which have a simple answer. The truth is, there are so many variables that determine weightloss or muscle gain.

Here are our 6 reasons why you havn’t been able to loose weight or gain muscle. Caution! you’re about to read a healthy dose of realism:

1.) The Role of Intention

The true intent of why you’re training determines the results. Yes, you read that. Whilst you might or might not be aware of the role that intention plays in your life, the reality is, intention is driven by thoughts, which creates behaviours that then shape your present moment or in this case, training. If your intention is to look great in a bathing suit, your training & eating habits will be geared to give you that result. If your intention is to just use exercise to socialize and be around like minded people, your training style & results will reflect that. Similarly, if you want to loose weight or gain muscle – your intention will define your behaviour & bring you your desired outcome.

2) Diet & Lifestyle

Most people will only train once or twice a week, with the very dedicated training thrice. On day 4-7, for most people, anything goes… “Three beers tonight, sure! I deserve it, I trained so hard this week!” or “I really shouldn’t binge watch DSTV Catch Up, but hey ..it’s the weekend!”.

Being healthy & fit is not about deprivation. But most people dont keep up their good habits, especially over the weekend/during the holidays. The problem is, alcohol abuse, being inactive, sleep deprivation and poor eating habits all contribute to weightloss, weight gain or loosing muscle tone.

In fact, almost all training programs will be coupled with a diet plan for this reason. If your training assured results regardless of your lifestyle, then everyone would be fit & strong! However, nothing exists in a vacuum, so don’t fool yourself – that second glass of wine or your 2am stint on Friday night will reveal itself in your training & your progress.

3) Emotional Wellbeing

The state of your mind and your emotions are interchangeable. Your thoughts determine your emotions and yet few will deem their emotional state as an important factor in their training success. If you feel like you’re a failure or you’re going through a tough time in your career or relationships, it’s likely that this will affect your body either through stress, food intake or sheer energy. Taking care of your emotions and feeding your soul are pivotal in ensuring you reach your fitness goals. Whilst exercise is an energy boost and results in the release of endorphins (the happy chemical – your own personal narcotic), this is only a temporary fix, as long lasting emotional wellbeing starts with thinking positive thoughts.

4) Perseverance

Just keep at it!…In a society that values quick fixes, a DIY mentality and instant gratification, how is it possible to loose weight or build muscle quickly and without much hassle? The short answer: It isn’t. The true measure of success lies in perseverance. How many times have you given up on training or eating junk food? Countless. How often do you try again? To persevere and stick to your health & fitness goals is considered work, but it’s an investment worth making.

6) Style of Training

Fitness programs and gym’s that promise to deliver results in just 20-30 minutes are everywhere. People are pressed for time and any app or gym that promises instant results are in high demand. But is it a fad or a lifestyle that you’re after?

Functional Training at Outfit Namibia is focused on delivering results through core and strength building exercises that enhance your body’s performance in every day life.

Loosing weight and gaining muscle are a byproducts of functional training, with the main focus on movement, core strength, building a strong & lean body, correcting posture & muscle imbalances, boosting endurance and increasing your metabolism.

Functional Training is a training method that appeals to people of all age groups and fitness levels. However, true results with the functional training method is dependant on training for a longer period 45min – 1 hr, a few times a week and doesn’t offer a quick fix. (specifically for Outfit’s Training: a minimum of 2x rounds, training 3x times a week)

So, with a healthy dose of realism and hopefully a better understanding of what truely brings you results, we’d love to hear what you believe are the reasons you may not be getting the results you need? Or is there a training method that’s worked for you that you’d like to share? Reply in the comment section below.

Until next time,

Dunja

Integrative Health Coach

Outfit Namibia: Purpose, Vision, Mission

What is your purpose? Do you have a vision of where you want to be? Is there a mission you could dedicate your life to? And what values guide you through this journey? These are the questions every organization should ask themselves. We did. Here is our answer:

Purpose

To be the leading health & outdoor fitness brand by offering services and products which bring about happiness and health to people in Africa.

Vision

To create health & wellness for anyone, anywhere, anytime

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide health & outdoor fitness products and services to Africans and in future, globally, which are personal, natural and meet the lifestyle demands of our time.

Core Values

We believe our greatest wealth is health. Our values are that of strength, integrity, innovation and personal attention. We strive to create services/products that are valuable, of the highest quality and positively change people’s lives. We love to inspire & motivate the future generation.

Now go and define yours!

Outfit Namibia

How to Achieve Dreams with SLAM Goals

Achieving a dream is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding feelings in the world. Not only does it affirm that all things are possible, but that with an intention and determination, you and I have the power to create our own, perfect reality!

Everyone has dreams, but those individuals that set goals to achieve their dreams are, realistically, one step closer to success than those people who merely hope and have faith. You can pray all you want, but when the opportunity presents itself and you don’t take it, nothing will change for you.

Goals are like building blocks that pave the way to your inevitable success. Why? Because they set goals that create a grand SLAM in our lives! A “grand slam” by definition is a sweeping success or total victory…isn’t that how you’d like to describe your life now? Yes it is. So here’s how it’s done…

A SLAM goal is simply defined as:

Specific | Lovable | Aspirational | Measurable

Specific Goal

Getting clear of what it is that you desire, is the first step in realizing your dream. Most people know what they don’t want, but very little focus on what they do want. If you continuously focus on things and situations that you do not want, you’ll attract more of it and further steering you away from your goal. It’s important that you clear your head and intentionally picture only that which you do want first and then be specific about the detail. Being vague will bring you vague results.

Lovable Goal

Set goals for something you absolutely LOVE. The positive emotions associated with your goal, is as important, as identifying your goal. When we focus on something with a lot of passion, we help create it faster! Anyone who has watched “The Secret” will understand what I’m talking about. The key is to get excited and follow your gut.

Aspirational Goal

Playing it safe won’t get you far in life! And so it is with goals. If you only ever set goals for things that seem achievable given the resources and knowledge you have to your disposal, you will never ever reach for your highest potential. It is not your job to focus on the HOW, you’re only job is to focus on the WHAT & WHY. How your goal will become a reality, will become clear once you reach for the stars…so ASPIRE for more than you can imagine possible!

Measurable Goal

Establish specific ways of how you will MEASURE your progress in attaining your goal.

A) Set a time frame for each goal i.e. a due date to keep you on track of your goals.

B) Next, list the results that need to happen in order for you to feel like you’re accomplishing your goals. List exactly what it is you will see, hear and feel when you reach your goal. Identifying and picturing your desired outcome will further clarify your goals.

Here’s an example to get you started:

SLAM GOAL	DEADLINE	SEE	HEAR	FEEL
Write a Novel	Within a Year	Completed Draft	Sound of Book Closing & Applause	Excited to be a writer
Travel to Hawaii	August 2016	Flight Ticket	Sound of Waves	Sand between my toes
Study Fashion	Jan 2017	Fashion Show	Vogue by Madonna	Happy & Proud

Like what you read? then share it friends and family and share your thoughts in the comments below.

I’m excited to hear about your SLAM goals and how you’ve achieved them!

Yours naturally,

Dunja

Meditation: the art of self awareness & how to practice it

One of the single most important habits to cultivate for your health & wellbeing is “Meditation”.

Meditation has been used for thousands of years to quieten the mind and to connect to one’s self awareness in the present moment.

Health benefits on a physical, emotional, mental & spiritual level contributed to meditation are:

Sense of inner peace
Stellar focus
Clear thinking
Increased Awareness
Connection to an energy higher than oneself/ to source/the universe/God
Stress Reduction
Decreased blood pressure & hypertension
Restful sleep
Lower cholesterol levels
Improvements in brain function
Increase in the production of DHEA (anti-aging hormone)

The greatest, most successful people of our time all have one thing in common, they believe in the healing powers of meditation. People like Oprah, Deepak Chopra, Nelson Mandela, Ray Dalio, Ellen DeGeneres, Arianna Huffington, Jeff Weiner and Steve Jobs credit meditation, as a source of their success.

In a post on meditation, influential companies even introduced meditation as part of their wellness programs for employees: “A number of Fortune 500 companies, including Google, AOL and Apple, offer meditation and mindfulness classes for employees.” (Huffington Post, 2013)

The technique to meditate is simple and fun to learn! It can be as easy as:

– Focusing on the breath

– Silently repeating a mantra

– Listening to beautiful music

– Visualizing a beautiful light or peaceful place

A common misconception about meditation is that it is a religious practice only practiced by holy people or esoteric gurus. This is not true. Meditation can be practiced by anyone, regardless of your age, race, religious or cultural background.

Another misunderstanding is that one needs to quieten one’s mind in order to meditate and actively stop thinking in order to reach the desired meditative state. This will sort of drive you crazy…

Whilst we can’t stop our thoughts or the internal dialogue that goes on inside our minds, we can decide how much attention to give these thoughts. To disassociate from your thoughts and becoming aware of the stories that you tell yourself i.e. your ego, is the first step in reaching self-awareness.

The purpose of meditation is to get in touch with yourself. That part of yourself that is limitless, free and filled with eternal love. Nothing is a source of greater joy than to connect to a part of yourself that is free from all fear and lovingly accepts you as you are – perfect in every way!

That sense of inner peace and compassion for ourselves and the people we encounter in our lives is what carries us through the day after the meditation and is the true benefit of a successful meditation session.

Just a few minutes each day allow you to reap the benefits of meditation. That is all it takes. The more time your dedicate to this, the happier and more peaceful you’ll feel. Over time, this beautiful habit will become your own unique way to connect to yourself and your dreams and desires. Life will become enjoyable and you’ll be able to manage any challenges that you encounter in your life.

Meditation Guide

Find a quiet space to meditate, free of distractions.
Turn off all devices and put your phone on silent.
Set the scene – light a candle or play beautiful music
Get comfortable – either lie down or adopt a comfy sitting position, with your palms facing up
Close your eyes – (this limits you from being distracted)
Realize that whilst your mind will try and wonder, this is only natural and will fade with time
Focus on your breath and let your expectations go
Meditate for as long as you wish – there is no set time frame
When you’re ready to come out of your meditation, set your intention to carry this stillness and peace of mind into your day/evening
Practice meditation a few times a week, if not daily – make it part of your daily routine like brushing your teeth or making your favorite cup of tea

Enjoyed reading this article? then share it with family and friends and tell us how meditation has changed you in the comments below.

Yours in health & wellness,

Dunja

Affirmations for money, love, success & health

Ever heard of “Thoughts become Things”? Our thoughts are incredible at shaping our lives, but how do you attract your desires faster? The answer lies in a little practice called AFFIRMATIONS.

“Affirmations help purify our thoughts and restructure the dynamic of our brains so that we truly begin to think nothing is impossible.” (Huffington Post,2013) A simple statement repeated on a daily basis can become a mantra to live by and a way of life that will shape your reality.

If an affirmation can inspire, energize and motivate you to reach your dreams, then it is an action worth incorporating into your lifestyle. You can either create your own affirmation or choose one from the list of money, success, health & love affirmations below to get you started.

There are no limits to how many affirmations you can use, but choose the ones that most resonate with you. The more you use them, the faster you’ll rewire your brain to think new thoughts and become what you believe most.

Word of caution…all affirmations should be positive and focus on that which you want to attract in your life.Create visuals in your mind of the affirmations, whilst saying them out loud or quietly in your mind throughout the day. It’s similar to creating a vision board of your desires, only you’re using words to describe them, instead of keeping them as ideas inside your mind.

So let’s get down to it and start affirming 😉

Money

Money comes to me easily & effortlessly.
Wealth constantly flows into my life.
I am a magnet for abundance. Prosperity is drawn to me.
I am able to handle large sums of money.

Love

Love is my divine birthright, and I claim it now.
I am very grateful for all the love in my life.
I effortlessly radiate positive and loving energy.
I welcome love and all the good it brings into my life.

Success

I possess the qualities needed to be extremely successful.
I am superior to negative thoughts and low actions.
My ability to conquer my challenges is limitless; my potential to succeed is infinite.
I wake up today with strength in my heart and clarity in my mind.

Health

I am health, strength and vitality.
I have a beautiful, healthy, happy body.
I eat food that nourishes and energizes me.
My body is healthy; my mind is brilliant; my soul is tranquil.

Like what you read – then share it with family and friends or leave a comment below!

Yours in health & wellbeing,

Dunja

Fitness Motivation: Be stronger than your excuses

Self motivation is described as the “ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations. People with self motivation can find a reason and strength to complete a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them.” (businessdirectory.com)

Being self-motivated is therefore essential to your success in life. Your willingness, determination and above all, consistency, pave the way for your success or failure in achieving your goals and dreams.

Without self motivation, your time, effort and money will be wasted. It’s like you owning a car, but not going anywhere or owning a blender but never using it to make a smoothie.

We all have setbacks and situations we find challenging, but shouldn’t we be stronger than our excuses?

What does being self-motivated look like?

Let’s break it down for you:

A) It’s managing your time well, so that you can get everything done with ease

B) Its taking time out to work on yourself, even if you’ve never prioritized yourself before

C) Its being stronger than your excuses and going through with it, no matter how you feel or what’s happened to you

D) It’s ignoring the negativity from people who are too weak, jealous or afraid to support your goals

E) Its being consistent over time and not letting set backs keep you from attaining your vision

D) Its getting up every time and not allowing your fear of failure take over

Ultimately, self-motivation is putting your self that loves you unconditionally, in the driving seat!

So get your training shoes on, dress for the occasion, put on a smile and motivate yourself to greatness…we’ll be waiting for you on the other side.

Like what you read? then share it with friends and family and leave a comment below about how you use self motivation to overcome any obstacles.

Til next time…

Yours in Health & Fitness,

The Team at Outfit Namibia

The Business of Health & Fitness

Our latest feature on 99FM’s Master Your Destiny Smart series. Here is an excerpt, click the link to read more:

Being in the business of improved quality of life, Outfit Namibia is making its mark on the health, wellness and fitness arena in Namibia for their holistic view on how to live life to the fullest. 99FM’s MYD Smart sat down with entrepreneur and business owner of Outfit Namibia, Rowan Carstens, to find out how their approach to functional training makes business sense.

You are leaders in outdoor fitness in Namibia, why did you choose outdoor fitness?

“Many people are tired of conventional gyms and considering that we in Namibia have 300 days of sunshine a year, we have the perfect environment to train outdoors. Plus, there is something powerful about training outdoors, feeling the sun, the wind and the earth. We in fact encourage our members to kick off their shoes when they arrive at our facilities and feel your connection to the earth. Training is actually a very spiritual practise because it is firstly about connecting with yourself and your body, the benefits of exercise seen in the body are a by-product of training.”

99 FM MYD Smart Series Article: Outfit Namibia

How to loose weight & burn fat (the healthy way)

Congratulations on taking the first step to a healthier, happier you! Admitting to yourself that you need to change is the hard part, it gets easier from here onward.

There are various weight-loss techniques on the market, however what you really need is a change in lifestyle. There’s a reason you’re unhappy with your current weight and to change this, you will need to look at the following to see the results you desire:

A.) Your diet
B.) Your exercise / physical activity levels
C.) Emotional & mental health

I’m sure you’ve heard that a healthy, balanced diet is essential to weight-loss. But what does that entail? All it means is that you need to watch what you’re eating. Your stomach is not a waste basket. You are what you eat.

What to Eat

Focus on eating fresh vegetables, fruit and protein like eggs, chicken, fish. The less red meat you eat, the better for weight-loss. Meat takes on average 7 days to digest in your system and most of it converts to fat. The same goes for any sugars or carbs like white bread, cakes, biscuits, rice etc., limit these and you’ll see a huge improvement in your energy levels and you’ll see and feel the results in your body.

What to Drink

Water is essential, you need to drinks at least 2 liters a day. This is a secret weight-loss technique that most models and athletes use. It’s so simple and yet so few people do it. The water not only hydrates you, but also flushes out toxins in your body. Often when you think you’re hungry, it’s actually just your body craving water. Do not drink alcohol during your weight-loss program. Most alcoholic beverages add weight, because it converts to sugar in your body. If you’re serious about loosing weight, you can have a glass of wine/beer/ or whiskey on a night out, not more.

Exercising Your Way to Health
Staying active is key in weight-loss. You cannot expect to loose all the weight on eating well alone. You need to burn fat through regular exercise and build muscles, to get the lean and strong build your body was designed for. It’s not just about looking good, it’s about feeling good too. The stronger you are, the more capable you are of dealing with life’s challenges.

Regular exercise means that you’ll need to get your heartbeat going by doing 20 minutes of cardio every day i.e. running, cycling, skipping rope, swimming, walking up stairs or going for a brisk walk. This will kick start your metabolism and trick your body into burning fat.

Besides cardio, you should also focus your workout on building muscles. Building muscles helps your body do the following:

1. Burn calories (by maintaining muscles instead of maintaining fat)
2. Increases your metabolism ( to burn more FAT)

Exercises to build muscles include: Lifting weights, push ups, sit ups, squats – ask your personal trainer to help you. Don’t have a personal trainer? contact: outfitnamibia@gmail.com (Namibians only, sorry 😉

Emotional & Mental Health Check

Emotional eating is the surest way to never see any results during your weight-loss regime. You need to be emotionally ready to make a lifestyle change, in order to eat right, be committed to training every day and achieving your fitness goals. Changing your lifestyle is hard, but the results are worth it. Silence the critic in your head and mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for a rough ride. To begin is always the hardest. Persevere, the devotion pays off.

When will you see results?

It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body is changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice & 12 weeks for the world to notice.Give yourself 12 weeks to change your body, mood, health & your lifestyle!