Use it, or lose it!

(A little rant) by Coach Rosie

I bumped into somebody today and we were chatting and she told me she’d given up Strength Training.  I asked her what she was doing now and she said she was doing a lot of walking with the dog.  I couldn’t have just walked away without saying that although it was great she was walking and it helps so much physically and mentally, if she wants to keep this up into her next decade, she is going to have to do a bit of strength training.  That may sound quite harsh but it’s the truth! 

So, I felt a rant coming on!  Well not exactly a rant. But something I feel strongly about and when I feel strongly about something I have to share it!

I have always exercised. Whether it be the local gym, classes at the leisure centre, dancing or swimming and I have always walked.  But I have never exercised or walked as much as I have since I started strength training.  The reason I can do something every day is because I have been doing Curves for 6 years and 2 months!  Regularly.  On average 3 a week.  I would not go on about Curves like I do if I didn’t believe in it. 

I used to go to the local gym, and I’d run or walk on the treadmill, and I’d do a bit of biking and odd machines.  Not once was I told about the importance of strength training for women and I wasn’t doing any.  I’d begun to ache in my hips and my knees.  Partly wear and tear and partly menopause.  I would do everything I did and take an ibuprofen.  But they were getting more regular and the grunts when I stood up from my desk or chair were beginning to start. 

I can honestly say since doing the Curves workouts I jump around and do everything I do and I don’t get that pain.  I sincerely believe that the strengthening of my muscles has saved my hips and my knees.

Why do you think the ladies who have formed the Curves Ilkeston walking group do what they do every week?  Take Kaz Pepperell (pictured left).  She joined us and she will tell you openly she could only walk a mile at the most.  She is now planning a 14 mile hike (and that’s another tale – she has the confidence now to plan a walk and lead it!  Getting lost is another matter!) She can do all of this walking because her legs are so much stronger than they were 3 years ago.

I feel so sad when women decide they’ve had enough at Curves and give up.  They say they are walking their daughter or son’s dog now and that’s their exercise.  But it isn’t enough! Walking is great!  It’s brilliant!  But it’s not going to be there for you for ever if you don’t keep strong too.  Those muscles need strengthening. By doing this you’ll help those joints as you age.

We’ve recently had a lady start and her goal is to get rid of her stick.  How amazing is that?  She doesn’t want the stick and she doesn’t want to go past the stick to a motorised scooter or something else.  She is determined and her determination has already enabled her to get on and off the leg press by herself within 6 workouts.  She is taking control of her life now before things get worse.

It’s not easy to start off on your Strength Training journey.  It takes a little time to see results for some ladies.  We can’t do the journey for you, just like we can’t control what you eat and what you drink. That’s your choice. Only you know what goes into your mouth! We all know that and we all have days when we put all sorts in! We are human! Equally we can’t do your strength training for you.  Only YOU can do it but you have the full support of all the ladies around you and all your coaches.  That is what is unique about Curves.  You have constant support. 

There are things that happen to us that we can’t change and are unavoidable, illnesses etc.  But whilst I am this fortunate, I fully intend to be strength training for the rest of my life, and you know what?  It doesn’t take that much time out of your week. 

Do you really want to be the one left behind on family walks etc? 

Do you want to be the one who sits down when everyone else is dancing? 

Do you want to always have to ask someone to carry your shopping etc? 

Women today are changing. We are strong mentally and physically.  We don’t want to have to be dependent on others if we can do it ourselves.  And as I’ve already said.  Only YOU can do this for yourself.  So yes, walk the dog, but if you want to keep on walking the dog well into your nineties……. You’d better get a bit of strength training in now! 😊

The Curves Ilkeston walking group making the most of the benefits of their Strength Training!