I’m happy to report that I’m back home after breaking free from hospital, Friday evening!
The whole hospital experience has been a bit traumatic and possibly triggering for some, so I shan’t dwell on the horrors.
There were however some funny take home moments I will share to give you a laugh.
Some examples…
Encouraging an elderly ‘inmate’ who has been there for 6 months (with all her belongings around her in plastic bags) that a shower and a hair wash was a good idea and would make her feel a lot better! This was suggested after she showed interest in my hair drier as I went through my daily ritual of shower, blow dry and makeup (a girl has her standards even in hospital right?!) so I offered to blow dry her hair if she could come to me as I was on oxygen connected to my bed.
This she duly did and absolutely loved the attention and human contact. I then offered to do her make up and over she came with loads of very fancy stuff but no brushes so there I was applying make up with my fingers to an 81 year old lady and then came the line I have never said before and doubt I will say again.
“Margot I will not put your lipstick on you until you put your teeth in!” ha ha ha…
Well she came back with these huge false teeth looking a bit like this, as she agreed to just the top set!
She has an amazing and tragic back-story, just shows that we never know where life will take us.
As I could not lie flat on my back or side because of my breathing and cough (and hadn’t done so for a month) I have developed the skill to sleep bolt up right like the ‘un dead’ day and night and to get comfy I would have my legs in froggie stretch. Another position of choice was me getting out of bed and standing in a wide straddle position in forward fold, like we do in class, with my upper body laying across the bed and remarkably I could nap in this position! Well every so often I could hear Margot comment on the ‘frog in the corner coughing like an elephant all night’, hilarious.
Or was I really doing drunken Yoga?
I was visited every morning at 5am by a nurse to take stats, blood, give injections etc. and on one occasion whilst in my bolt upright pose I shut my eyes trying to sleep then opened them a few moments later to find a nurse standing there, she obviously thought I was awake because of my position, I screamed and jumped, she screamed and jumped and then I couldn’t breath for laughing and neither could she once she had got over the shock!
(I’m roaring with laughter recounting this as I type)
I remember the old lady with dementia next to me swearing like ‘Mrs Brown’ at the nurses when they tried to clean her and change her sheets, my goodness the language that came out of my other wise silent diminutive neighbour would make a sailor blush.
Across our ward of 6, there was a lady who’s ‘wind’ would wake us all up and she she would look around wondering if we had heard it, well I think they heard it in Guildford. She never owned up or even laughed about it, well it nearly killed me trying not to laugh – I certainly couldn’t look her in the eye when she did it or I would have been a goner!
I made one consultant blush when he commented that due to pneumonia my chest was small, I obviously said ‘well that’s not a line I have heard before’ we both laughed so hard I couldn’t breath and the Junior Doctor next to him bit his lip hard trying to remain professional. That same Junior Doctor came to me one evening to try and get blood (this he attempted unsuccessfully 4 times in both hands), he then got down on one knee beside my bed and romantically held my hand as if he was proposing – I couldn’t resist and said quick nurse get my camera, again causing him to blush, actually all the older women terrorised him saying ‘we want Doctor Alex! ‘Ha ha!
Anyway just a few funny stories from another wise challenging time.
You know my moto ‘when life hands you lemons go and get the Gin!’
The week ahead…
I’m having a gentle return to work as I am under strict Dr’s orders to take it very easy.
So Sarah, Rachel and Lynne will teach this week for you at our All Hallows Classes, please do give them your support and attendance this week as class numbers have dipped worryingly despite all who have attended telling me how much they are loving the classes.
I will be personal training albeit coaching and guiding rather than leading from the front, and I aim (if I continue to improve) to teach Wednesday Night Step and Barre classes and Friday Night Fitness Yoga.
My back up plan is to coach live over a class recording if I’m still too poorly. In-studio participants would really help with this too.
I would very much prefer to have everyone in the studio with me here in Church Crookham as I think this will be less physically stressful and I can do a better job instructing being in the room with you! I also need demonstrators too please.
Can you message me if you wish to join those classes please?
Good News
Whilst I was in Hospital I was notified that I gained my Mental Health First Aider qualification (I submitted all my work in December). Yayyy, good news…
…and that I have been nominated for a Fitness Teacher award (by a fellow Fit Pro and Presenter, how cool is that!)
I need lots of nominations to move on to the next round so if you feel that I am worthy please do nominate me…
Greek Chick Pea and Lemon Soup
I was so lucky to have Steve supply me with fresh soup daily whilst I was in hospital and I’m sure that helped me get out of hospital more quickly !
Check out this recipe – yummy!
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil + extra 2 tbsps, divided
- 1 large red onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 carrot
- 2 tbsps oregano
- 1 sprig rosemary needles only, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 x 400 g (14 oz) chick peas
- 750 ml (3 cups) veggie stock
- 2 x lemons juice
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot and fry the onion over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until it softens. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the carrot and celery to the pot together with the oregano,rosemary and bay leaf. Stir well and tip in the chickpeas and stock
- Stir well and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and cook for 25-30 minutes with a lid on.
- When the soup is done, turn off the heat. Add the extra two tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice and chopped parsley if you want and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve
I am so looking forward to seeing you all, keep up the great work, keep supporting us as we keep supporting you.
Love ya,
Helen x
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DYBO Live & Online – This week’s Classes are as follows:.
At All Hallows, Farnham & DYBO Studio, Church Crookham (Book in Advance only): Zoom class details further down the page.
Monday (AH)
6.30-7.15pm: Boogie Fit
7.30-8.15pm: Total Tone – with bands, handweights and mat.
Tuesday (AH)
6.30-7.15pm: 5 in 1 Fitness – with bands, handweights and mat.
7.30-8.15pm: Dance Fit
Wednesday (DYBO Studio)
6.30pm Old Skool, Step & Strength – Step, hand weights and band.
7.15pm Barre Fit – Something to assist balance like a barre, eg. chair, worktop, mantlepiece etc.
Thursday (AH)
6.15-7.20pm: Contemporary Stretch – various equipment used at each class, contact me for info.
7.30-8.30pm: Dancespiration
Friday (DYBO Studio)
6.30pm Freestyle Fitness Yoga Express – Release, Restore, Recover and Deep Stretch.
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Joining us at All Hallows? – Protocols and information
I’m so happy to be able to run Face to Face classes at All Hallows and at the DYBO Studio in Church Crookham. My primary objective is to ensure that we all have a wonderful time with effective and fun classes that are engaging, relaxed and of course, safe.
To ensure that is the case I just want to share with you our class protocols to inform and reassure everyone. Not everyone has been out and about much over the past, almost 3 years, and some of us are more anxious than others about getting back to ‘normal’ life and activities since restrictions have been lifted. Please be patient with each other and me – I have the responsibility of keeping you all happy and safe whilst complying with governing body guidelines and providing the best experience possible.
*Denotes for you to do, the rest is just info…
Preparation
1) *Firstly ensure that you have booked by sending us an email info@dybo.co.uk confirming all the classes you wish to attend plus your payment method, be it as a member, using your voucher, or pay as you go.
No on the door bookings or payments can be taken. Bookings are not refundable or transferable. I will keep records of all attending.
2) *Preparing your kit bag/box. This depends upon the class you are attending.
Boogie Fit, Dance Fit and Dancespiration crew will only require your indoor trainers/dance shoes to change in to, sweat towel, and drink.
Total Tone and 5 in 1 crew – currently I am not sharing equipment in a group exercise setting so you will need your mat, a resistance band and light hand weights/equivalent in addition to your trainers, sweat towel and drink.
Contemporary Stretch crew need a mat, band, chi ball and at times 2 x tennis balls and a sock!
3) Re borrowing equipment – if you would like to try a class or have forgotten equipment then you may borrow equipment on that occasion and please ensure that you sanitise it before and afterwards (sanitising products supplied). I can assist you with sourcing your own equipment
On the night
*Please park in the playing courts and walk between the old school building and new sports hall, up a few steps on to the outside seating area, the studio door is to your right.
*Participants are required to arrive, enter and be in their personal exercise space between 5 and 10 mins before the class,
*Please change into your clean trainers for indoor activity as you enter, e.g. slip off your outdoor shoes, place in your bag, walk to activity area then put indoor shoes on, the same in reverse to leave. This is to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of the space, avoiding stones and glass being walked in and potentially causing injury and to protect the lovely new wood floor.
*The toilets are open to use but please arrive changed, ready for activity so as to keep use time minimal and avoiding cues.
I will be sticking to class times for sanitising and ventilation purposes. Doors and windows will be open for ventilation, unless the weather is very cold, and if it’s hot, fans will be used to blow air forwards out of the windows and open door for maximum and safe ventilation. Our exercise space is much larger than the governing body requirements (more than double in fact) indeed the government have lifted all guidelines, so it will be easy to maintain 2m social distance but please do keep your distance as some of our clients are more vulnerable to infection and wary .
I will maintain social distance, however I will have a visor/mask if I have to come close to provide first aid etc.
After an entire teaching career facing my class participants with my back to the mirrors I have made the change (for now) to face the mirrors, this is for my safety in this strange Covid world, but I assure you that I will still be able to see everything you get up to and will coach, encourage and nag as effectively as usual!!!
*After a wonderful class and virtual hugs, change from your indoor trainers to outdoor shoes and sanitise your hands again if you wish.
*Please tell friends and family about our wonderful classes, I now have to rebuild my group exercise business after months away from face to face teaching due to the pandemic and more recently these flu and cold bugs.
When joining me at the DYBO Studio (No.42, GU52 0YA) I will send information directly including entrance code for the Studio and please note, advanced booking is required.
Fees, you have THREE options!
Please note that all Classes must be booked and paid for in advance and are non transferable or refundable.
Online payments only.
£7.50 per class.
10 Class Voucher: £65 (to be used within 12 weeks of purchase).
Membership: £50, unlimited classes, plus a bonus of free access to all class recordings on our DYBO TV channel, and another bonus of a £5 discount for one to one services for current membership holders.
To be paid by the 1st day of the month and is valid from the first to last day of calendar month,
One full month’s notice of membership suspension/cancellation is required with one membership restart permitted within a 12 month period.
Bank details are UK Fitness Academy Ltd.
Sort Code 09-01-28, Acc No. 04284324
Please email me when you have made a payment and use your name and what it’s for as a reference. eg. Jane Smith Class Voucher
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Joining us on Zoom? – Links and Information
Monday
6.30pm Boogie Fit
7.30pm Total Tone
Tuesday
6.30pm 5 in 1 Fitness Class
7.30pm Dance Fit
Wednesday
6.30pm Old Skool, Step & Strength – Step, hand weights and band.
7.15pm Barre Fit – Something to assist balance like a barre, eg. chair, worktop, mantlepiece etc.
Thursday
6.15pm Contemporary Stretch
7.30pm Dancespiration
Friday
6.30pm Freestyle Fitness Yoga – Release, Restore, Recover and Deep Stretch.
****** All the above classes change and vary weekly! *****
How to prepare your Zoom environment
- You need space to move 2 side steps, 4 walks forward, 4 backward. Move trip hazards and furniture as much as you can (get help, be careful!) to give you maximum space for upper and lower body movement. Roll up rugs or secure them so they don’t slip or cause you to trip.
- Plugging your device in to your TV with an HDMI cable is brilliant as it gives you a good picture of you (like a mirror) and me – as well as boosting the sound if you go through the TV/Hi-Fi sound system. If you can place your device under the TV, then even better.
- I know some of you are using your phones – try to plug in to a speaker system (even those little speakers we have when we go on holiday would help) so that you can hear better as you move back from the phone. Angie has tried Bluetooth earphones and it worked well.
- Ensure you have maximum access to your Wi-Fi in the house and as close to the router as is feasible. Take phones off the Wi-Fi system and pop them on to your 4/5G network or place on airplane mode, unless that’s what you are using to join us, obviously. Ask family to do the same for the duration of your class – keep them off the internet whilst you need the bandwidth. The more bandwidth you have, the better the picture and sound and the less likely you are to lose the feed. Your health is a priority at this time and I’m sure they can do something else for that short time!
- Ventilate your exercise space, have plenty of water and towels to hand, keep your exercise equipment close – if you need anything, let me know.
- Wear correct footwear for your activity – putting an old pair of socks over the toes and ball of your trainers will help reduce friction when exercising on carpet (if they are a really old pair, cutting the toes open and then just having them over the ball of the foot is even better). It’s up to you if you want to dance or train in bare feet but be careful if you don’t usually do this as it takes time for the muscles and connective tissue of the feet and rest of the body to adapt to barefoot training.
- Make your own gym equipment. Save laundry liquid or milk bottles – you can fill them with water or wet sand/rice etc. to add weight and make a dumbell/kettlebell. I recommend you make a few in differing weights and you have written on them so you know what they weigh and seal the caps with tape to prevent leakage. Get a heavy duty shopping bag and put weighty items in it, check they can’t fall out and you have a kettlebell alternative. Make your own hurdles, put cushions, pillows, boxes, books on the floor to jump over. Use household items as floor markers for circuit activities. The stairs and outdoor steps are great temporary steps/benches for cardio and upper body work. The garden is a great open space to make an assault course or if you can get a signal, take your class or PT session outside, but do make it safe.
Disclaimer
I declare that all of the information I have given (both written and verbal) is accurate and truthful. I know of no reason why I cannot participate fully in any exercise programme and I do not deem it necessary to consult my medical Practitioner/GP/specialist. I undertake to inform my instructor should any information change.
I understand that I participate at my own risk and that any information given is not intended to replace or represent medical advice. I agree to comply with all terms conditions and class protocols and instructions as outlined above and whilst attending DYBO classes/training.
Do not attend classes if experiencing symptoms of Covid 19, Flu or airborne transmissible infection or have tested positive.
Attending any DYBO class will assume agreement with above terms and disclaimer.
