I have Ronan Keating’s “Life Is A Rollercoaster” playing in my head as I write to you this week.
In a recent Blog you might remember that I wrote about the rollercoaster of life – just as I felt I was on a gentle bit of my roller coaster then eeek here comes an uphill bit (not sure if I mean a scary, too fast downhill bit here, but it feels uphill, ie. in control, just blinkin’ tough!).
Last week the sun shone, the virus figures show that it is in retreat and R numbers are looking good and I was feeling more hopeful and more relaxed.
The DYBO studio reopening is going well and my clients are giving me fantastic feedback, they are feeling happy and safe with their workouts and treatments which are providing them with great results…happy days!
Then ‘boom’, on the back of losing Bonnie the cat a couple of weeks ago and associated vets bills, Mini the DYBO mascot and star of our videos, (sorry Divas and Dudes but we all know she is) suddenly developed a terrible lameness.
A quick trip to the vet (the same one that appears to have missed a tumour behind Bonnie’s heart) resulted in a ‘I can’t see anything wrong’ diagnosis. Clearly there was, as she could not put any weight on the leg. My gut instinct was telling me that this wasn’t right, the same instinct that made me take Bonnie to the vet one month before she passed to be told she was in good health and just had a mild UTI, so I did something very out of character, I looked for another vet for a second opinion (out of character because loyalty and thinking the best of others are part of my core values).
Lucky I did, as Mini has a complete rupture of a cruciate ligament! Expensive surgery, treatment and extended rehab is required plus crate rest. Back to instinct/luck/universe, something was holding me back from organising a holiday the day before this happened!!!
On the same day I took Mini in for the second assessment I got a call to tell me that I had been over paid on a commission, which will have to be paid back!
Aghhh more bad news, am I on an up or whizzing down out of control? I still think it’s on an up i.e. I am in control but it’s challenging.
(The saying goes that bad news comes in threes, I hope that I have had my three unlucky things now)
Back to Mini – we are awaiting surgery dates but I have had the quote and luckily I have saved for my holiday so can pay for everything.
Remember life is good when you look for the evidence, I asked my FB community if anyone had a chariot for Mini so that we can still get out and about, within minutes a kind pal dropped off a lovely blue pet push chair, which Mini is laying in, dozing as I write this (she is very needy of comfort at the mo’), we were given lots of love and support via social media and a dear friend took us out and treated us to an alfresco lunch, the sun shone and we made the most of it.
Every day I aim to create the day that I want (even when there are bumps in the road) and so over the weekend I attended an online dance class, walked Miki in our favourite woods where it was quiet and we saw and heard the birds, squirrels and deer, bliss!
I felt good to be out but I do wish people would keep their distance – I think going out in the evening when folks have had a few is off my list for a while. Slightly ‘squiffy’ people make unwise behaviour choices e.g. whilst I as sat at my table under a gazebo one women was leaning over me as she was talking to me, now usually I would be able to step back but I was sat hostage. To avoid conflict I will stay in when the drinkers are out, I’m ok with that.
I have seen lots of hugs and kisses and people from different households meeting up sitting closer than 1m and dropping their guard.
I know there are conflicting views on moving forward, my view is that we can get back to normal but with hand washing, sanitising, mask wearing/keeping a distance.
My protocol here in the studio is, full sanitizing between every appointment, plus hand washing, maximum ventilation and PPE for close contact massage, pre-session Covid check, plus temperature taking
If you are attending other classes please remember that you must still maintain 3m social distance for moving off the spot classes, (2m for on mat stationary work). The sharing of equipment is not recommended at this time (if it is, it must be thoroughly sanitised between each user and left for 1 min for products to work).
Covid is an airborne virus with particles remaining in the air for a while (which is why being outside and ventilation indoors is key) so don’t walk into others exhaled air.
I’m seeing sessions that are not compliant with these National governing body directives, which increases risk of cross infection and invalidates insurance. This practice in my view is both unprofessional and negligent.
Outdoor 5 in 1 Class
Is going really well and we are loving it, it’s a confirmed booking with the Zebon centre (which I have to pay for).
So moving forward I request that you book 4 weeks ahead to ensure the class is viable (Zoom too please, due to the set up of the equipment to broadcast live).
I’m sure you understand that in order for the class to work I have commitment from attendees. If the weather is deemed too awful for the session to be safe I will add the booking to the next available session, or you can transfer to another session within the week.
Online event
I’m presenting on the Saturday at 12.30 (some debate over the title as I write this but will confirm later) so pop the date in your diary!
Book with my code FCW HC
May 17th
The government road map suggests that Indoor Group Exercise may recommence on this date however we are awaiting both confirmation and what the mitigations and rules will be relating to safe return.
With restricted numbers It will not be viable for many venues (community based instructors in particular) to reopen, which will benefit the large chains as opposed to the small and boutique operators.
Presently All Hallows have said we cannot return until September, but if all things go well and they get more guidance themselves I hope that we might be able to return (for at least a few sessions) before that date.
I plan to continue with Zoom Classes and One to One (for those who are a long way away) whilst you guys are enjoying attending this way.
I haven’t heard back from most non-Zoom attendees despite reaching out to them, hopefully all are safe and well.
Remember there is more than Covid-19 going on that can impact our health.
So check out this simple message to help you stay well…
DYBO Live & Online – This week’s Classes are as follows:
Monday
6.30pm Boogie Fit (Beginners/Returners)
7.30pm Total Tone (All)
Tuesday
6.30pm 5 in 1 Fitness Class – Outside Face to Face & on Zoom!
7.45pm Dance Fit (Intermediate)
Wednesday
6.30pm Old Skool Step (All levels)
7.15pm Barre Fit (All levels)
Thursday
6.15pm Contemporary Stretch (All levels)
7.30pm Dance & Perspiration (Fitness with a Dance focus, more experienced)
Friday
6.30pm Freestyle Fitness Yoga (Relax, Restore and Reboot)
****** All the above classes change and vary weekly! *****
How to prepare your 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.
Fees, you have THREE options!
£6.50 per class. Paid in advance please.
10 Class Voucher £55 ( to be used within 12
weeks of purchase)
Membership, unlimited classes, £50, plus a lockdown bonus of free access to all videos of the classes! (Valid first to last day of calendar month, paid on the first day of the month)
If things get so tight that you can’t afford it then please reach out to me, I want to keep you healthy and happy and help you through this tough time and trust that no-one will take advantage of me.
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. As reference, I do have a Paypal account but it costs money to receive and move money.
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.
Attending any DYBO class will assume agreement with above terms and disclaimer.
Chia and Fruit Pot
Immune boost and gut healthy breakfast, dessert or snack
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond milk (can substitute cashew milk, oat milk, or coconut milk)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- ¼ cup strawberries, sliced
- ¼ cup blueberries
- Other toppings of your choice, such as nuts, seeds, nut butters, spices, or dried fruit
Directions
- Add the chia seeds, plant milk, and honey or maple syrup to a bowl or jar and stir together. Let sit for 10 minutes, and then stir again once the seeds have started to gel.
- Cover the bowl or jar and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Chia seeds can also be made overnight for breakfast the next morning.
- Stir the chia pudding before serving and add strawberries, blueberries, and other toppings of your choice
Yummy!!
Wishing you a fab week.
Love ya,
Helen x
