I consider myself to be quite healthy for my age (I was 50 earlier this year).
I walk quite a bit (fair weather walking I have to add as I’m not an anorak kinda gal!). I eat fairly healthily (lots of homemade soups, juices, lots of salads and not a lot of fried foods).
A good breakfast, buy fresh from local farm shop and eat more fish
I do drink alcohol but try to limit that to Fri – Sun only (unless entertaining when I can’t say no!). I don’t smoke. I’m ashmatic so can’t run for a bus but I manage it well (I was diagnosed at 13).
I’m a sucker for cocktails, prosecco and vodka!
However, this summer I thought I needed to do something else but I wasn’t sure what that should be … can’t run, don’t have a bike, hate gyms, only like swimming in hot weather ie on holiday and so I drew a blank. Then I spotted something on Facebook that a friend had shared about a Ladies Only Group Fitness place in Halifax so off I trotted not knowing what to expect.
I found four flights of stairs difficult when I first started!
I managed to find a pair of trainers that must be about 17 years old!
I took my daughter with me as motivation as I did think without anyone to go with I would always find an excuse … but I was wrong! Although I found it hard at first I soon started to look forward to classes and actually enjoy them! Becky stopped coming with me in September as she started College and I was happy to head there alone.
HS Group Fitness
HS Group Fitness studio
Gloves and Balls!
A small early evening class
Helen owns HS Group Fitness and takes many of the classes herself and I have found I have been able to go at my own pace without feeling under any pressure to keep up with the other members, many younger than me but not all as the classes seem to have a really good mix of age and ability.
Helen Shillito-Smith
kettle bells
Skipping
So nearly 4 months on and I am still a member and I am seeing the differences I am making. Not only do I feel fitter and not as out of breath at the end of each class but I can see some changes in my body shape … good changes. I have no idea if I weigh any less as I don’t own a set of scales (bad news in my opinion – scales are only for baking with!) but my clothes fit differently and I have gained more confidence so choose more tight fitting dresses instead of the baggy frocks I’ve gone for previously.
Out for Becky’s 16th in August in a pencil dress!
I now also play tennis once a week with my hubby and two lovely pals, Gemma and Mike, who invited us along to their club … we love it; we are all very competitive but encouraging in a good way and my stamina has vastly improved too.
Tennis game once a week
My one aim I guess is to finally go out and buy a pair of jeans at some point … I have always hated shopping for jeans as there are so many styles out there I never know which style is the best for my body shape and age! I would love someone to just take one look at me, grab a pair of jeans from a rack and send me to the fitting rooms with the perfect pair!
So, if you like the sound of doing just classes which include cardio, resistence, low impact, core strength and high energy then do check out HS Group Fitness. Go along for a trial and see if it’s ‘for you’ … I did and I haven’t looked back and am now seeing the difference. Thank you to Helen for her patience and for being a great trainer who encourages and praises when needed x
Heart Gallery Blog 