Shine Bright, Live Well: Vic's Top 10 Tips for Health & Wellness in the Highlands

Sweet Release
Sep 22
3 min read

Updated: Sep 23

Beyond the Rainbow: Mental Health Realities for Regional Queer Youth

Hello darlings! 💃✨

I’m Victoria Wells, though most of you know me simply as Vic.

For decades, I’ve lived and breathed health, fitness, and vitality. From running a buzzing fitness centre atop Sydney’s MLC Centre 25 years ago, to creating Gym and Tonic right here in the Southern Highlands, my journey has been one long love affair with movement, nourishment, and helping people become the very best versions of themselves.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve coached thousands - yes, thousands! - of fabulous humans. I’ve seen polo players elevate their game, teachers find strength and balance, clients recover from surgery, and everyday legends conquer marathons and triathlons. I’ve trained in every pool, climbed every mountain from Mittagong to Bundanoon, and even given kayak instruction at Bowral pool (yes, really!).

Now, as your Health & Wellness Glambassador for the Real Homosexuals of the Southern Highlands, I want to share my heart, my passion, and my proven approach to living your healthiest, happiest, most sparkly life.

So grab your water bottle (trust me, you’ll need it), and let’s dive into my Top 10 Tips for Health & Wellness.

1. The Five Facets of Fitness (My Golden Rule!)

I believe in this so strongly that I had it tattooed around my wrist (watch the video above where I can prove that it is there, reminding me every day).

My mantra: Walk. Lift. Nourish. Stretch. Rest.

Cardio (walk, bike, swim)
Strength training (weights, body weight, Pilates)
Flexibility (stretching, yoga)
Nutrition (whole, balanced, real food)
Relaxation (sleep, meditation, downtime)

When you tick off these five each week, you create balance and balance is the secret sauce of wellness.

2. Prioritise YOU

We’re so quick to put others first, but like the safety demo says: fit your oxygen mask before helping others. When you catch yourself making excuses, stop.

Ask: Why am I not the priority right now?

Flip the script find reasons you CAN instead of excuses you can’t.

3. Positivity Is Power

A negative attitude is like carrying a backpack of 20kg rocks up a hill. Exhausting, right? Choose to flip negativity into positivity. Can’t walk because it’s raining?

Try: I love walking in the rain,it’s refreshing and the grass smells divine. Same scenario, completely different outcome.

4 & 5. Move More (Parts A & B)

Part A: Go for a short walk. Around the block is enough. When you return, lie down for two minutes, breathe, and notice your energy shift.
Part B: Try simple strength moves. Sit-to-stand squats, wall push-ups, or even just one exercise a day. By week’s end, you’ve trained your whole body!

6. Fruit - Simple & Sweet

Two pieces of fruit a day. One mid-morning, one mid-afternoon. It’s the simplest, most delicious upgrade you can make for your health.

7. Water, Darling, Water!

Drink a glass before every meal and snack. Water flushes toxins, boosts energy, aids digestion, improves mood, and yes - keeps your skin glowing. (I heard those gasps. Yes, it even helps with weight management too!)

8. Listen to Your Body

If you’re tired, rest. If you’re hungry, fuel up with something nourishing. If you’re cranky, pause and ask yourself why. Self-awareness is wellness magic.

9. Eat Real Food

Skip the ultra-processed packet stuff. Reach for foods your grandma would recognise, fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins.

10. Strive for Balance Every Day

Wellness isn’t about extremes - it’s about weaving a little bit of everything into your daily rhythm. Move, eat well, rest, laugh, love. Balance makes life not just healthy, but joyful.