Top Tips for becoming Active

• Why not get off the bus a stop earlier.
• Turn up the music and dance around the living room, and don't forget to sing.It's also good for your lungs and makes you feel good.
• Try to leave the car at home- log on to Walkit.com to see the distance between two points- it's easier than you think!
• Why not go for a bike ride? Cycling for 20 minutes can burn around 124 calories that's more than a 2 finger Kitkat!
• Try and go for a walk on your lunch break.
• How about taking the children or grandchildren to the park?
• Could taking the stairs give you an extra lift?
• Watch a comedy movie: it is great to laugh!

      Laughing makes your stomach muscles tighten, your heart beats faster and more calories get burnt

Tips taken from Get Up & Go! ( Active Lifestyle ) Physical Activity Guide 2011.

Friday Cycle Training

It was really fun last friday at the park with all the ladies. I am really impressed with myself because my children and I cycled from home to the park which is about 5 km or so. At first I was a bit scared because I felt it was going to be a hard task taking on the big motorway with all that traffic but they convinced me that I can do it.
In the end they persuaded me to go with them. On the way to the park, we saw our Trainer who was impressed and I felt that I have finally conquered my fear of cycling on the congested streets.
The lesson I learned is that if you can think it you can do it and sometimes we create all the excuses in the world because deep down we fear how great we are within.
And Iyanla Vanzant, the African American motivatinal speaker, writer and Orator says it best,"When we give in to our fears and avoid taking chances, it is unlikely we will ever overcome the very things we fear"
And A Big Thank you children for your support, encouragement and your confidence in me.

Healthier Life 4 You Volunteer Testimony

Holland Park Health Walks

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/pdf/walking_opportunities.pdf

African Dance session

Today's seesion was amazing! We learned some new dance moves and the music was heavenly. It is wonderful to be able to dance to the rhythm, because African dance movements are challenging if you don't focus and listen to the way the music goes and the beat.
As usual the Tutor was fantastic allowing us to move with our own pace and rhythm.

The dance group were all engaged and eager to learn and it is wonderful to see that even though it's an all ability class, we all connect to the music and Tutor very well and there was laughter,joy and harmony within us and we finished with a sense of elation and fulfilment.

African Music

Kenyan Music: Wyre & JB Maina

(mwanake) "young man"

It was great at the African dance last Monday.Our Tutor took us through the steps in an easy comfortable manner so that whatever level you are ( whether a beginner, experienced etc) you can do the moves.
She also relates to us, praising us all the time making us feel we all belong making it easier to connect and communicate with her and with each other in the group.
I think if you can spare an hour of your time a week to just dance at home if you cannot attend the session, it will uplift your spirit and it's a simple good exercise. You don't have to be a dance expert or anything like that.
I look forward to the next dance session which Wednesday at the Portobello Fitness Centre at 10.30am