Safari Zoo Run 2016 rocks!

[ Media Invite ]

It was a sea of Yellow for last year’ run, Safari Zoo Run 2016’s attires are bright Orange.
Love the contrast of Orange (and greens) as we jog along.

Another medal to add to our running achievements.
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Video (link) : Our fun Run through Mandai Forest πŸ™‚

Uncle David (from Life’sTinyMiracles) getting kids warm up with jump shots πŸ™‚
Zoo run 2016

With every run, the kids are always wild, I mean enthusiastic. I always had to remind them that this route is 5km not 500m. Yet, from the start, they will still sprint!

One of the mascots from Safari Zoo Run 2016 ready to pack us off.
Safari Zoo Run 2016

1km mark, not forgetting to wefie. Since Boon Xin and Mummy will be slower, we decided to pose at 1 and 2km marker, and I will join the boys infront.
Safari Zoo run 2016

Catch the orang utans and giraffes along the way. Singapore Zoo’s new Baby giraffe is a new addition, and we heard the new “Ah Meng” (Granddaughter) was introduced too.

Safari Zoo Run is organised to commemorate Ah Meng πŸ™‚
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Always remind the kids to lookout for one other, to encourage and motivate each other. They need to understand that teamwork is more valued than individual achievement.

As we count down the 5.5km route 1km by 1km, time passed quickly.
Zoo run 2016 photos
(Kudos to the volunteers and cheerleaders too!)

Boon Xin’s stamina has improved too, Mummy say she will lose-air (lose momentum) at the 1km mark, she managed to endure till the 2km this round πŸ™‚
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I always tell the kids that Zoo Run 2016 (series) is always fun.
Running near to the animals, deep in Mandai’s forest.
Safari Zoo run map

Greens, shades and slopes :p
I did noticed there are more uphill slopes this edition, and it is not an easy task to push the strollers uphill.
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Took our own sweet time, no rush, appreciate the animals and “green” paths πŸ™‚
Say hello to your running buddies.

We can confidently say Zoo Run offers the best family Run experience in Singapore!
Best family run in Singapore

Does not matter if we end last, just enjoy the moment, and see some animals along the way. These “pit-stops” does distract the kids from fatigue.
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Proud moments at end point, so many families were cheering each other on.
Always glad to celebrate the kids’ little milestones, be it to complete the race, improve their timings, or simply just to enjoy a family day out at the Zoo.

The Family who keeps fit together stays strong together.
Zoon Run 2016

Runners’ tickets entitled us to complimentary entry at Singapore Zoo. We pop by our favourite corner “Fragile Forest” again.
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20160227 Zoo Run

Our family is keeping fit with more jogging and cycling activities (click hyperlink), do visit our 2015 Zoo Run experience here.

Traffic management has improved, there is a temporary carpark to house more cars. Shuttle bus will bring families to the Zoo. Previously, if we were late, it means we have to park as far as 1.5km away and walk πŸ™‚

Once again, thank you to Singapore Zoo for the Fun invitation!

Fitbit Charge HR motivates me to improve my health

[ Sponsored and Giveaway ]

My Fitbit Charge HR is monitoring my health, fitness and even sleep pattern!
And subconsciously, I am making an effort to reach those “Recommended” Health milestones.
Fitbit Charge HR

Fitbit app has a nice dashboard to provide a summary of my activities (7×24 is possible!), synchronised from my Fitbit Charge HR. These are some of my daily milestones :
– 10,000 steps daily
– 20 Floors
– Perhaps sleep 6 hours plus daily
– I am even motivated to do pumpings and plankings to see how my heartrate measures up

Fitbit Charge HR

I am climbing the stairs more frequently instead of taking the lift.
I realised it took me 1800 steps (around 20 minutes) to walk from office to Boon Keng MRT station, and 1200 steps from Sengkang MRT to home.

Walking from office to Boon Keng MRT can be faster than a bus ride! (no waiting time, no traffic jams). Side benefit of healthy lifestyle πŸ™‚

My daily and weekly “exercise” is captured on my Fitbit app.
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My sleeping heartrate is 55 to 60, and jogging peak (slow pace) is around 160 to 170.
Fitbit Charge HR’s Optical heart rate monitor is constantly measuring my heartbeat.
Fitbit heart monitoring

The graph below tells me I am burning more calories when I sustain my workout heartbeat between 120 to 170.
Fitbit Cardio

Fitbit app is really cool! Track your exercise, be it Running, Walking or Hiking. I use Hiking for cycling too (Cycling is only available for Fitbit Surge)

* You will need to enable GPS and Bluetooth on your phone to track your exercise.

Refer image below, we cycled 16km around Sengkang and Punggol (Dayre blog link)
Fitbit sports tracking

If I make an effort to hit my milestones daily, day by day, I should become fitter πŸ™‚
Once I reach a new milestone, I will set a higher benchmark.
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Health is not only about physical fitness. We need to take care of our diet and sleep patterns too.
For those interested, you can even track your weight loss, calories burnt and intake of water!
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Let us look at the feature of Fitbit App, which is compatible for all Fitbit devices.
This is the app which will synchronised and extend your Fitbit’s capability.
fitbit app

Useful comparison from Fitbit website, I actually prefer the Charge HR compared to the Surge.
The small LED screen is less prominent.
fitbit comparison (image credit Fitbit)

Weekly summary, to make sure we are active and our toes haha. My Fitbit Charge HR is now my fitness companion and coach. I would also recommend moderation, do not go over-zealous and start tracking every minute of your life, every step, and every ounce of calories :p

I still feel a bit weird wearing my Fitbit Charge HR to sleep :p
weekkly status update

My Wishlist
– hope LED display can last longer, perhaps 10 seconds
– waterproof my Fitbit Charge HR, so I can go swimming (device is only splash proof)
– possible to track of cycling from app? (currently only available for Fitbit Surge)
– Love the 5 days battery lifespan, do take note battery life will be drastically shorten if we keep “tracking” our exercise (Run, Walk, Hike)

Fitbit icon

Follow our jogging and cycling links here :
Cycling
Running

I had earlier highlighted how Pilates kickstart my motivation to stay fit. Fitbit will help me gauge my performance, recommend more improvements and sustain my path of staying fit πŸ™‚

More details and updates about Fitbit can be found on their Website and Fanpage.

Fitbit Flex colourful (colourful Fitbit Flex)

Thanks to Fitbit, I have two Fitbit Flex (worth $148) to giveaway.

Do take note that Fitbit Flex will have lesser features compared to Fitbit Charge HR, notably heartrate monitoring. This would be the ideal gift idea for the sporty spouse. Being sporty can be fashionable too πŸ™‚

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
1. Contest is on our Fanpage
2. Fans must first LIKE SengkangBabies Fanpage
3. Leave your name and email on our Fanpage (or you can message email address)
fitbit giveaway

4. Share this page (refer step 3) on your Facebook Wall and tag @SengkangBabiesBlog
(so that we know you are participating)

5. If you leave your comments (Can be same content as Fanpage) on my blog, you will get an extra chance to win the Flex
6. Contest ends 11 Dec 10pm, and two winners will be randomly picked

*This contest is only for those with a valid Singapore address.

You may wish to read Ingspirations’ Fitbit Surge review.