Isla
‘Doing more walking feels like self care for my mind as well my body’
As a child I was always active. I was lucky enough to spend my childhood playing outside and to have supportive parents who encouraged me to participate in extracurricular activities. At the age of around 10 I started figure skating and it soon became my main focus, requiring a lot of time and dedication. I would train most days, sometimes twice a day, and I was lucky enough to compete abroad with my synchronised skating team. However, in my teenage years, and after suffering from an injury, I fell out of love with it, and found the pressure too much alongside school exams and wanting to do other things with my spare time. When I quit skating, I didn’t know what to do with myself and the disengagement I had experienced for competitive sport spilled over into my feelings for other forms of exercise. Today, exercise is a massive part of my life. Now, I exercise for myself and for how it makes me feel, without the pressure of competition or a strict schedule. I attend local gym classes that make exercising fun and allow me to set my own goals. I love getting outside and going for walks whether it’s with friends, my dog or on my own. Exercise helps me maintain a positive frame of mind and generally makes me feel motivated for all aspects of life. I would recommend that everyone finds something that works for them and tell them that you don’t need to be an athlete to feel the benefits of movement and a healthy lifestyle.
Lynn
I have always enjoyed physical activity in many forms and I was looking for some way to connect/ meet people from the local area. For various reasons since coming back after a period away I had drifted away from friends and activities that I had been part of when younger. I then worked and lived outside of the town mostly working and meeting with people who were transient to the area, and circumstances of the working environment meant these were people whose home was abroad or many miles away. All at different stages of their own family life. I do not make friends easily or quickly so I saw myself as becoming fairly isolated especially after retirement. I enjoy my own company so that is not a problem but I missed the connection with people and was looking to join some sort of active group where I could have some fun and connection and also challenge myself a little. The ethos of the Newton Stewart Striders (Jog Scotland) gave me the confidence to give it a go. I had no idea if I could still jog (last time running was in my early forties and I was then 68) but the group is inclusive of all abilities with a super motivational Jog Leader who is always welcoming, enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging each and every session so although quite a shy and quiet person I felt able to give it a try. Each week I could feel the improvement in my movement – I definitely feel the benefit in my body – and I can have a chat and join in the lighthearted banter within the group each session which is lovely.
Olivia
I am new to Newton Stewart having moved here in January. I was keen to meet new people, make friends and also keep up my fitness level. I am new to running having taken it up in February 2017 where I followed the couch to 5k plan using the NHS app. I’m quite a slow runner and have never gone to a running group or club before. I thought that joining the group would be a way to stay fit and meet people. At first I was worried I wouldn’t be fast enough for the group but the leader Andy encouraged me to come along and give it a go. I’m so glad I did. It’s lots of fun and really nice to run with other people. Those in the group are always so encouraging and it’s great to see the progress in others to. I’ve got to know lots of interesting running roots for when I go out by myself. I’ve also meet lots of great people. Since joining the group I’ve seen my speed and distance improve and I’ve now entered a few 10k races. I started off run, walking them but a few months ago I got a new PB as I ran all of it, which is something I never thought I would have been able to do. It certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of the group. Having a group that meets at a set time and place means you have to go then and so I make the time for it. I know I can go running myself but i find it harder to get motivated to do so, as I often put it off thinking I’ll go in 5 min but never do. The group really helps with this and I missed it whilst it stopped for the holidays. I would recommend joining a Jog Scotland group to anyone.
Ellen
Before he could walk he was a bit fearful of sand, he would sit on it and cry! Now he’s on two feet, it’s a whole new world of excitement. We’re trying to make more effort to go to the beach now – there are lots on the doorstep and there’s so much to do when you get there. On this particular day it was beautiful and sunny. We chased each other about, we helped our dog dig a hole in the sand, we collected up shells, sticks and seaweed – we even made a boat out of sand with a moat around it..! Before I had a baby I might not have considered this as ‘exercise’ but now I need to find things we can both do – and I always feel better after a few hours breathing in sea air.
Doing more outdoor play
I need to get the written permission form so cannot be used wider.
Anthony
My name is Anthony, and I am an undergraduate student at the University Of Glasgow. I study in Dumfries as a full time student. However, I often struggle to find time to exercise. This is especially true during exam time, when I am under a lot of stress. During my last set of exams, I needed to find a way to relax and lower my stress levels. Therefore, I decided to find an excuse to exercise, rather than find an excuse not to. I decided I would commit to cycling to class instead of driving. Almost immediately, I felt more relaxed and calm, which is due to being more active. I now love cycling my bike casually, even when I don’t have class.
I challenge you to find your excuse, and experience first-hand the benefits of being active. Together, we call all move more, even if that just means we commit to taking one step at a time.
What’s your excuse – #doingmore #findyourexcuse?
Ailish
I never really appreciated the importance of physical activity until I started studying Adult Nursing at UWS. Being overweight most of my life, I always wanted to lose weight and be more active but never seemed to find the time or motivation for it. However, once I started my nursing placements within the hospital it became a lot more apparent the physical strain that the long shifts would take on my body. I was always very short of breath on minimal exertion, struggling with basic tasks within the ward. I knew that something needed to change for me to be classed within my role as student nurse, and eventually staff nurse. After all, how could I promote healthy living to my patients when I was largely overweight myself? I started to make small changes within my lifestyle to help me on my journey to losing some weight. The changes did not need to be massive, as an increase in physical activity helped with this tremendously. For example, I started taking the stairs at work rather than opting for the lift. I also increased the amount of walking I did in my personal life to help maintain a healthy balance. I was no longer shying away from physical activity or things that required that little bit more effort at both work and at home. By the time I finished my course at university, I had lost approximately ten stones in weight. Everything was so much easier for me. The twelve hour shifts were no longer dreaded. Taking the stairs became a habit. Promoting physical activity to my patients no longer left me feeling embarrassed, as I was not being a hypocrite encouraging exercise when I clearly did not do it myself. Physical activity is so important in helping maintain a healthy lifestyle. It opens the doors to so many things in your life that you never even knew you needed. It can improve your social life, self-confidence and overall health and wellbeing. It is something we really should value a lot more as once we feel good about ourselves, it can immensely improve our happiness.
