I’m often asked “what is the best type of exercise” and my answer is usually…
“The one that you do regularly and will keep doing!”
There are many things to consider when deciding upon how you are going to invest your energy, sweat, time and money. Such as…
a) What do you want to achieve?
b) What do you like/love/dislike doing?
c) Do you have the time, resources (equipment, venue, and knowledge) necessary to do it successfully, effectively and safely?
Is doing b) going to give you a) ?
Are you prepared to stick with it for the necessary amount of time, giving it the sufficient amount of effort, as often as is necessary to get there?
You see, there are so many choices today when it comes to exercise and there are a huge number of facilities, classes, clubs, groups offering various levels of service and cost (bear in mind that often the cost doesn’t reflect the quality of the advice given, but more often the costs of the facility that houses these services. The local sports centre will have the same freelance group exercise instructors as the local posh clubs (with the same instructors working at all of them).
Now I’m sure you know my views regarding finding well trained, qualified and regularly updated fitness and dance professionals to trust your physical and emotional well-being and potential fitness with. Looking great (slim, buff, tanned, youthful) in an expensive outfit isn’t a guarantee that the individual wearing it isn’t up to the job of guiding you to achieve your fitness needs. At an unconscious level, instructor/co-class member image does influence people as to the classes they will and won’t attend, yet the content and delivery of the class may not meet with the expectations those images project. I would love to know about the things you regard as important to you when selecting the type of fitness/wellness activities that you choose to do and with whom, so please let me know – I honestly want to know and knowing will help me professionally.
Round Table
Last Friday I attended the inaugural Fitgroup summit with the various movers and shakers/interested parties in the industry, who have been set the task of doubling activity levels in the UK.
It seems that 75% of our nation take no exercise of any kind at all, with a large majority of the 25% who do exercise, not achieving the required 270 mins of weekly activity (which can be divided into 30 mins of daily activity or 3-5 longer sessions weekly). I would concur with that. Unless folks show up to their class/es every week and top up with other activity during the week (or do 3-5 sessions per week every week) then even those of us who say we are regular exercisers are not doing enough.
“I don’t have time” I hear you/I say… well I suppose the expression, “If you don’t have time to exercise and eat well then you had better make time to be sick”, springs to mind.
Anyway the meeting was to brainstorm how we can get more of our nation off the sofa and moving. It’s essential to us all as individuals (and encourage those we care about) for our own mental and physical health and well being (the importance of which goes far beyond appearance) and for society as a whole. Our society simply can’t afford to have the predicted levels of obesity and lifestyle related diseases – our entire health and welfare system will collapse! I’m of the opinion that it’s our own responsibility to do all we can to stay healthy and well and we only use the NHS when we are really sick.
I shall close this subject by quoting myself (well I often say I’m always repeating myself, ha ha) from something I posted this week.
“Dear everyone, if you want to train like a marine or an Olympic gymnast, fantastic, good for you – power to your elbow. If you prefer to have a more sedate gentler approach, walking, swimming yoga, pilates – fantastic, good for you, power to your elbow. If you want to dance like no one is watching or everyone is watching – fantastic, good for you, power to your elbow. I love it all and regard each and every one as valuable and relevant as the other. Do what works for you and your life. If, however, you want to sit and watch telly, computer etc. then don’t complain about your fitness, figure, aches, pains, low mood and not finding clothes to fit… get off your arse and do something about it. There is sooooo much choice and so many ways to help yourself (and there are plenty of us FitPros to help you find what suits you)”
Read on for new class news, allied groups news and a yummy healthy recipe…
Fabulous Fitness Fridays
You chose ………..(dun dun daaaa)
BOOK NOW to guarantee your place, feel fab for everyday as well as the beach!
Bravo Daisy
Daisy did it, she completed her charity run for Crisis and she thanks all of you gorgeous people who sponsored her. If you want to make a donation here’s the link…
https://smr2016-individuals.everydayhero.com/uk/daisy#/?_k=hg4ktp
ONE Pro Cycling
Steve’s riders were once again in dominant form recently, winning 4 stages at the Tour of Korea last weeks and back on home soil for this weekend’s major UK race, the Beaumont Trophy!
NEW choreography
For Tuesday nights’ Dance Fit class, see you there, 7.30pm!
I’m going to Leeds
I’m honored to be invited to present alongside Nikki Riozzi at her ‘Get Funkd’ day this coming Sunday. Nikki came and presented at our first ‘Independance Day’ back in November and now I’m going to teach my style to her Crew. I’m really looking forward to it!
James Martin Cauliflower Cous Cous
Low cal, low carb, low fat and yummy!!
1 large cauliflower, core removed and broken into florets
150ml maple syrup
6tbsp white wine vinegar
1 heaped tsp curry powder
100g shelled pistachio nuts, roughly chopped
100g toasted flaked almonds
100g chopped dried apricots
80g pomegranate seeds
1 bunch of spring onions, trimmed and sliced
3tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
3tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves
Cracked black pepper to serve
Method
Place cauliflower into a large food processor and blitz.
To make the dressing, heat a frying pan over a medium heat, add the maple syrup, vinegar and curry powder.
Stir for 1 to 2 minutes then take off the heat.
Pour this mixture over the cauliflower and stir in the pistachio nuts, almonds, dried apricots, pomegranate seeds, spring onions and herbs.
To serve, pile the cauliflower salad onto a large serving platter.
PS I leave out curry powder and often the dressing too!
Have a fantastic week and remember that I would really love to hear your views on the issues I have raised
Love ya,
Helen xx
