Be inspired by Sue Shipley
Sue has demonstrated how distance is no barrier to training with us. After tackling some back problems in Pilates classes she moved to Bath but continued to workout with me through Body Reset and as an Online Fitness Member. She has got stronger, leaner and confesses that she feels fitter at 60 than she did at 40.
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I first met Debbie Jones at her Pilates class. I was having problems with my lower back at the time and needed to get back into a good exercise regime and to looking after myself more. This was a critical time for me. I had just set up my own business, yet was trying to wind down work wise. I needed to focus more on my fitness and wellbeing, and to develop a more balanced lifestyle. This is much easier said than done, but at 58 I knew I needed to make changes, I just wasn't quite sure what they should be. This period also followed the loss of both of my parents, which was a difficult time emotionally, and marked a time when my health was beginning to suffer.
What I didn't foresee was where those first few sessions in Swanmore church hall would lead. I particularly recall one morning when Debbie was talking to some of the class about a programme they were following that week which required them to change their eating habits and to do regular exercise each morning. I was intrigued not least because I could see the results the participants were achieving in a week in terms of improved shape, energy levels and skin tone. Cathy P in particular stood out for me. I decided to enrol on the next online Body Reset programme in September 2015 and since then I have participated in a couple Debbie's online programmes each year with some great outcomes! The biggest change has been in my eating and drinking habits. I rarely binge eat on biscuits (I could eat a packet in a session previously!). I now tire of sweet things very quickly and I also notice that I feel very sluggish after consuming anything with a high sugar or carb content. I can go without wine mid week as I now value a good night's sleep and the lack of hangover more! I feel much more energised, have dropped a full dress size and am now back to what I call my fighting weight, which is 6.5kg lower than last year. Weight loss was not my main motivation however, as I was looking as much to improve my emotional wellbeing as my physical shape. |
I say give the online programmes a go - you have nothing to fear and lots to gain including better emotional wellbeing, health, sleep, energy levels, shape and skin! So what are you waiting for?!
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I should also say that I am still no saint when it comes to food and drink. I frequently lapse from the new regime. I still drink alcohol, and I still love chocolate - dark rather than milk now. I still drink tea and coffee but alongside lots more water. Thankfully when I feel I need to get back in check Debbie always seems to come along with another programme!
I have since moved away from Hampshire to Bath where I am settling into a lifestyle which allows me to get more balance in my life. Access to the programme online and the support of Debbie and other participants means it doesn't matter where I live, although I do miss Debbie's classes and the face to face moral support. To plug this gap I joined my local YMCA gym which is the best value in town and offers Pilates and Yoga classes. The hills of Bath also keep me fit as I live in the centre and walk or cycle almost everywhere. My new found energy and fitness levels have also given me the confidence to try new sports. Encouraged by a local friend I enrolled in a council sponsored, learn to row course in the summer and now row twice a week with Minerva Rowing Club on the Avon. I never thought I would look forward to getting up early on a Monday morning to go rowing at just above freezing temperatures but I do! The team work and the close contact with nature are uplifting and a great start to the week. Inspired by Olympian rowers, who are also members of the club, in two weeks time I am going to enter my first race!
So thank you Debbie. On the eve of my 60th birthday I am in as good a shape as I was at 40, but still have lots of scope for improvement.
If anyone is thinking of doing an online programme I say give it a go - you have nothing to fear and lots to gain including better emotional wellbeing, health, sleep, energy levels, shape and skin! So what are you waiting for?!
I have since moved away from Hampshire to Bath where I am settling into a lifestyle which allows me to get more balance in my life. Access to the programme online and the support of Debbie and other participants means it doesn't matter where I live, although I do miss Debbie's classes and the face to face moral support. To plug this gap I joined my local YMCA gym which is the best value in town and offers Pilates and Yoga classes. The hills of Bath also keep me fit as I live in the centre and walk or cycle almost everywhere. My new found energy and fitness levels have also given me the confidence to try new sports. Encouraged by a local friend I enrolled in a council sponsored, learn to row course in the summer and now row twice a week with Minerva Rowing Club on the Avon. I never thought I would look forward to getting up early on a Monday morning to go rowing at just above freezing temperatures but I do! The team work and the close contact with nature are uplifting and a great start to the week. Inspired by Olympian rowers, who are also members of the club, in two weeks time I am going to enter my first race!
So thank you Debbie. On the eve of my 60th birthday I am in as good a shape as I was at 40, but still have lots of scope for improvement.
If anyone is thinking of doing an online programme I say give it a go - you have nothing to fear and lots to gain including better emotional wellbeing, health, sleep, energy levels, shape and skin! So what are you waiting for?!
