I never really liked exercising. I hid under the blankets with my comfort foods watching DVDs, never really exploring what it feels like to love being in my body.

My attempts at fitness were many, but futile. I came up against musky gyms and ultra fanatical fitness trainers that made me feel like I’ve just been enlisted and was being punished for every chocolate, every ice cream and every Sunday sleep-in whose evidence had accumulated on my hips and thighs. I never really thought it possible that fitness and healthy living could be something that felt natural and peaceful. I’ve never known what it is to feel fabulous for my size and my shape, only shameful for not fitting into the mould of the girls on the covers of magazines. From the view of the Safeway queue, the magazine models looked 20 centimetres tall, with a 3 centimetre waistline.  How could I compete with that?

Then one day, a friend recommended me to Race Redomra- a fitness guide who is relatable, fun and a very compassionate person. Very soon my thinking changed…and my life followed. “I believe in progress, not perfection” is what she teaches in her very wise, Zen sort of way. “I’m body positive, not wanting an extremist fitness lifestyle. People should have a balance, and learn to incorporate the things they love doing to a lifestyle which they wouldn’t change for the world.”

The good news: I never had to break up with my long-term lover, Cadbury.

The better news: Rather than focussing on what I couldn’t eat, Race helped me to introduce better foods which I slowly chose to replace other less healthy options, never feeling starved, but always feeling excited about the possibilities.

The best news: I’m no longer hogging Race’s talent, you can all have as much of her as you like at the Star Creatures Wholistic Fitness Retreats.

What can you expect from someone so positive and who already sees the very best in you, the potential star creature within? Well, being a dancer, performing artist, musician, fitness trainer, energy healer and martial arts teacher for over 20 years, you can expect a whole lot of fun by the ocean with a twist of meditation and perhaps even a little enlightenment.

So what is a star creature? Race believes that within us all exists the higher version of us that is busting to come out- that happy, positive, successful, relaxed, funny, wise and balanced person- our inner star. She’s lived by this belief all her life as she bravely explored all of her talents and led a life in alignment with her true purpose.

So if you feel a magnetic pull to this article, if you feel your inner star creature is saying to you, “Bam! Just the thing I need to manifest!” then do it. The next retreat is from the 15th to the 17th of November at Whale Beach, Sydney. Prepare to annihilate your negative thinking about living healthy when you indulge in the most deliciously catered foods, chilling by your ocean view room. You won’t escape back into the city until you receive aromatherapy, massage and guided whale watching hikes.

The retreats are GLTBI, gluten-free, vegan, halal, kosher- just all round friendly!

Check out the Star Creatures Wholistic Fitness Retreats on Facebook and register today or contact Race at [email protected]