Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
27th November 2021
Stretch Yourself
Last week I qualified as a gym instructor, after completing the intensive course at Usk College and passing two exams. It’s been tough to be honest, juggling college (albeit part time) and work – and at this time of year. I was seldom at school when I was supposed to be and returning to education at 54 hasn’t been easy. But it’s been worth it. It’s great to be learning again (although retention is a bit hit and miss), I have loved learning how our bodies work and all about nutrition. It has already impacted my life positively with regard to food and exercise. So that’s a brand new shiny qualification, an improved diet and awareness of the importance of stretching. And there is still some of the year left yet.
The stretching thing has been revelationary. Trying to keep it brief whilst talking too an old farmer, I said, ‘Basically I think we all need to eat less and stretch more.’ Thinking he wouldn’t be the slightest bit interested in what I thought, I was humbled when he replied wisely, “The first thing dog does when he stands up is stretch. He won’t go running around without limbering up – and he hasn’t been to college.”
Live and Learn
I am fascinated by the functional side of fitness – possibly because it impacts my type of work so much. Stretching, flexibility, balance and mobility are all so important in our daily lives. We expect so much from our bodies with very little help from ourselves. There is so much emphasis on mental health at the moment but it will be really hard to achieve any level of mental wellbeing without addressing your physical fitness too.
It can be the simplest of steps to start. Chris, one of the absolutely awesome tutors at Usk, and the woman responsible for bringing most of the fitness classes – like aerobics, Body Pump and even Pilates – to Wales, advises imagining you have a belt on, tightening that belt by three notches (so your belly button is taken toward your spine) and keeping it there without holding your breath or raising your shoulders and holding this core position throughout your day. You will forget, but when you remember just ‘pull that belt in again’. It will work wonders for your core stability and posture, and costs nothing but effort.
I still have a few months of college to go to obtain my personal training qualification – and am looking forward to learning a lot more. I just can’t recommend Usk College enough – it’s become like being part of a big family (and a functional one rather than a dysfunctional one!). The tutors and assessors are so professional and go above and beyond ‘a job’, making time for that really essential personal help and encouragement when it’s needed. The other students are absolutely brilliant. Such an eclectic group, but all kind, courageous (following a new path) and enthusiastic to help others improve their health. I am the ‘oldest student on the course’ but feel really integrated and benefit from loads of help with the techy stuff. The advantages of being ‘older at college’ (I can’t bear ‘mature student’) are numerous – including being disciplined enough to put time aside for study, to be able to manage exam nerves and simply keeping everything in perspective.
As we can almost touch a new year on the nose, if you are thinking about a career change or addition, I highly recommend getting in touch with Usk College, or your own local college, to see what options are available to you. www.coleggwent.ac.uk/campuses/usk
I love the saying, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” and I have learned so much more than A&P and different body and training systems. Life is all about growth. In nature if something isn’t growing then it is decaying. I’m a huge fan of self development and personal growth and whilst I love being alone and the peace and comfort of my animals, the healthy balance is to be able to retain that harmonious feeling whilst being amongst people. So thank you to everyone involved with the gym instructor and personal training courses at Usk College for enabling that.
Take Your Time
I have started running again and use the ‘old fashioned’ heart rate monitor chest strap and watch.
I kept an eye on it as I ran up the Sugar Loaf last week – 152 bpm – 154 bpm and then all of a sudden 1520.
Horrified, I stopped to check it to realise that the watch had reverted to telling the time – it was twenty past three.
Leaf It Up To You
Although I freely admit to absolutely loving my petrol blower for clearing fallen autumn leaves, raking leaves is one of the best forms of exercise at this time of year. It’s quiet, it’s free, and it will improve mobility in your upper body and raise your heart rate. Lots of every day activities can be beneficial with a bit of effort and the right attitude. Whether it’s gardening, housework or running errands use them all as an opportunity to improve your fitness. And remember to stretch.
Clearing up leaves – especially with a mechanised blower – is controversial. With regard to the environment, not all blowers are petrol now, and the battery ones are equally as efficient, and with regard to wildlife, yes leafy blankets will provide a lovely winter habitat for lots of ‘wild’ things’.
But I still advise keeping fallen leaves to beds and borders where they will provide good over-wintering facilities for wildlife and a leafy mulch for plantlife. I always remove leaves from steps and paths – as they decay or freeze they are incredibly slippery and I would much rather spend a few hours clearing up leaves than waiting in A&E. Thick carpets of fallen leaves on grassed areas will also weaken the grass beneath as it cuts out the light air. So I always keep lawned areas leaf-free too, otherwise you’ll create problems with weeds and bare patches next year. It’s obviously totally up to you. If you can be bothered to compost leaves, they make brilliant compost so are worth putting on the compost heap or bagging up and leaving to break down.
And be warned that blowing leaves out of your garden onto a pavement, public path or road is considered to be a ‘littering offence’ and carries a hefty fine. Honestly.
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