As for her philosophy on food: "We really enjoy food - I think this is also another reason I need to exercise.
"Both my partner and I love to cook and we definitely try out lots of new things. I quite often go through different phases with food, trialling out all sorts of different things like vegan and raw foods this always swings around depending on how busy we are.
"We like to explore all sorts of food and keep life interesting with it. The kids seem to enjoy the experimenting, too."
The Block NZ's Jo Neal, 34, a designer, and Damo Neal, 36, a police officer, are regular gym-goers. Damo kite-surfs and Jo also runs.
Jo eats lots of salads to stay trim, and Damo regularly opts for protein shakes and tuna and rice. "I try to have a balanced lifestyle and keeping fit and healthy is important to have a happy life," Jo says.
Damo says exercising daily gives him balance and he reckons taking time for yourself at least once weekly "helps balance out the negative things life throws at you".
TV3 news journalist Samantha Hayes, 30, enjoys running, paddle-boarding and yoga and is at the gym two to three times a week.
She tries to limit sugar, dairy and bread, which she admits can be tough "because I'd happily live on Marmite toast alone and I often like to substitute a healthy meal for fresh bread and blue cheese, French brie, goat's feta ... you get the picture".
Hayes is vegetarian and so gets protein through foods like eggs, chickpeas and tofu. She loves smoothies with pea-protein powder, frozen raspberries, bananas and chia seeds, and a favourite snack between meals is a spoonful of peanut butter.
The Edge's Dom Harvey loves entering marathons to give him goals and to help keep him motivated. "I need to do it because I have a crazy sweet tooth and can demolish an entire family-sized block of chocolate with no other family members in sight.
"I also love pinot noir, which is high in calories so it requires copious amounts of exercise to burn off the amount I drink. They say it is high in antioxidants - so I'm just making sure I get enough of them in me, ha ha."
He had a "close call with death" nine years ago when a 9cm tumour had to be removed from around his aorta. Since then, he has embraced marathon running and done events in London, Boston and New York.
He loves that this is one of the few sporting events in the world where anyone can line up with the best runners in the world.
Mai morning crew announcer Nickson Clark, 29, used to be "a bigger guy" and since trimming down he is conscious of keeping weight off. He's a fan of quick workouts.
"There's nothing worse than gym sessions that drag on and on." He mixes cardio and weight training and is on a 51-day challenge using supplements.
He jokes his goal "is to just get abs". His favourite food used to be fried chicken but now he eats "as natural as possible" and loves his nana's taro dish.
Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelGrunwell
Final Week
Lake Taupo Cycle
Challenge training
On event day (Saturday, November 29), get up early and eat . Don't add anything new to your diet. Check your clothing suits the weather and that you've got all your gear, including extra water. If it's a cold day, you might need extra food; on a hot day you'll probably want extra fluid. Watch out if it's raining: Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Guide author Amy Taylor says riders often forget to drink when surrounded by water.
A quick warm-up helps prevent injuries and can help calm you. At the start line, position yourself, wait for the hooter and get into rhythm. Focus on you, pace yourself and make the most of rest stops.
Here's what you need to take with you on the bike:
• Bike, pump and 2-3 spare tubes.
• Clothing - tried and tested and ready for whatever the weather.
• Cycling shoes, helmet and sunglasses.
• Known and trusted food supplies.
• Water bottles.
• Enough sunscreen.
• A sense of fun - that's what the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is about.
• Enter online at cyclechallenge.com
Entries close next Saturday.
- Lianne Fraser
