I discovered exercise late in life. Nonetheless, it changed everything for me. It became, and still is my salvation at 60 years old. Growing up as a teenager and in my 20’s, exercise wasn’t something that people really did. There weren’t any gyms and we weren’t encouraged to take exercise. I moved to London aged 18, took a job as a secretary and did what any normal teenager would do… I had fun! Then came marriage and three kids. I had my first child aged 28 and my second child aged 32. It was around this time that my life changed forever, this when I discovered exercise.
I wasn’t a confident woman, I saw myself as overweight (chubby) and I was hugely insecure. I don’t know how I did it, but I managed to take myself off to a local gym and I forced myself through the door. I just knew it was something I had to try. I climbed onto an exercise bike for the first time and after 20 minutes, it felt as if the scales had fallen from my eyes. I could see and think clearly for the very first time. I couldn’t believe the positive effect that exercise instantly had on me but also on my relationship with food (which was poor to say the least). Not only did I feel the euphoric effects whilst I was there but it lingered afterwards and I realised from that moment that I had been depressed for a very long time. Since then, I haven’t looked back. Exercise is now part of my everyday life, it makes me feel positive and in control. Over the last 30 years I have tried many forms of exercise and found exactly what works for me and my clients. I have become a trained Aerobics instructor and Pilates teacher (both of which I still adore) but I have also developed and perfected the 12 minute HIIT method; a form of High Intensity Interval Training. I find that above all, this is the fastest and most effective way of keeping fit. Whether you’re time poor, just starting out in exercise or advanced and up for a new challenge, I firmly believe that is the one for you.
Now… is 12 minutes of HIIT all you need? It would be wrong of me to say so. Personally, I also incorporate light weights and practice Pilates whenever I can. However, if you struggle with motivation, get bored easily and can’t be bothered with all the new exercise “fads” then this is a fabulous way to hook you in, lose weight, get fit and STAY fit (fast). I want everyone to know that at 60, it has meant I can “out star jump” most 30-year-olds! But most importantly, it is NEVER too later to start.