7 minute read
Fitness Tips
from SE23 February 2022
by SE Magazines
What Does it Feel Like to Be Fit?
Fitness tips with Leanne Spencer | www.bodyshotperformance.com
Firstly, a definition of fitness in this context: I’m referring to fitness in a physical sense, so literally your strength and cardiovascular performance. However, to achieve a good level of physical fitness, you must also pay attention to your sleep, mental health, energy, body composition and digestion.
More Energy
Being physically fit means more energy to get things done, in both your personal and professional life. Rather than drain your energy, a workout can set you up for a more energetic and productive day, as well as giving you all the benefits of increased blood flow, potential EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption – i.e., increased calorie burn post-workout), increased heart rate and the flow of ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine.
More Resilience
Our lifestyles demand that we’re fit for the rigours of modern life. The demands made on us in terms of our availability, combined with the pressures to be ‘always on’ mean that it can be easy to become stressed and burned out. Whilst being fit doesn’t mean this won’t happen (or that the demands on your lifestyle should be met), it does mean that you are much better equipped for the tough times and have the resilience to ride the storms.
More Stamina
Being fit provides you with the stamina needed for much of life, whether that’s a long day at work, travelling or a day out with friends or family. Being fit means you don’t need to worry about the physical demands of an exercise or activity because you can be confident you have the fitness to endure it. Knowing that I can go into almost any situation, knowing that I have the physical stamina to withstand it is very empowering. This creeps into mental stamina too.
Your World Opens
You can say yes to things rather than no because you don’t think you’d be fit enough. This might range from an invitation to run Parkrun on a Saturday morning to a game of rounders on the beach. You don’t want to be the one who sits it out because of a perceived or real lack of fitness. Once you become fit, your world opens up and you are more willing to try new things.
Operate In Your Discomfort Zone
The ability to become comfortable in your discomfort zone is huge. We believe it’s important to regularly challenge yourself in some way to get comfortable with this. Sport and exercise is a great way to do this, hence we regularly take part in challenging endurance events to keep ourselves sharp. For you this might also be trying a new hobby or public speaking.
A Longer Healthspan
Being fit means you’re giving yourself a good chance of having a long healthspan. Maintaining your fitness will promote a healthy cardiovascular system; strong bones, tendons and ligaments; a healthy brain with lots of blood flow; balanced blood sugars and hormonal profile; a healthy digestive system and good mental health.
Thursdays 3, 10, 17 & 24 February: Dulwich Folk Dance Club-Thursday Dance
8pm - 10pm. So….You’ve survived January (dry or not!). You’ve been “boosted”. Are you ready for some fun?..... Dancing! That’s the answer. Meeting friends old and new, keeping fit and the brain active- and enjoying it. Wonderful.
You are invited to come country (aka folk) dancing at St Barnabas Parish Hall, Dulwich Village from 8pm to 10 pm on Thursdays. The hall is lovely, spacious and airy so you won’t feel hemmed in. No need to feel nervous or apprehensive. Even if you’re an inexperienced dancer, you won’t want to hover on the side. You can join in immediately and get the full benefit and joy of the event as all dances are first practised and then “called”. And there are many people to partner you and show you how it’s done, should you need it. Thursday 3 February: Gwen Godwin is calling tonight. And she is multi-talented, being proficient in calling line dances and international as well as English folk dances. Remember your holidays? Perhaps she’ll call a dance like the ones you enjoyed when abroad(?) Thursday 10 February: This evening, we give the nod to St Valentine’s Day. (Can you start too early? No.) So, feel free to wear your romantic outfit. And let’s see what our tremendous caller, Philip Barber, comes up with. (His Christmas themed dances were remarkable!) Whatever happens, it’s going to be good! Thursday 17 February: This evening, George Reynolds is calling and we’re bound to have lots to smile about. So, dust off the dancing shoes and join us. You’ve been “boosted”, haven’t you? So, what’s holding you back? Thursday 24 February: This evening, our caller is Les Wallace who has a wealth of experience. So, dust off the dancing shoes and join us. It’ll put a smile on your face. You’ve been “boosted”, haven’t you? So, what’s holding you back? Covid-19: The Club abides by Government Guidelines. Please do not attend if you believe you may have covid-19 or if you have recently had a positive lateral flow test. ULEZ: Please note, the Club’s Hall lies within the south circular. Entrance on door £5 (£4 Club members) ENQUIRIES: John Blase: johnhblase@aol.com. 020 8693 2873 Wendy Newall: 07821 089861 wendy.marsh@hotmail.com. St Barnabas Parish Hall, 23 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BT.
10am-11am on Zoom. Join our weekly warm and supportive online networking gathering. We meet to share our offerings, meet other business owners, connect on a regular basis, find collaborations and cheerlead each other. First Huddle free then only £5/month and includes a free Facebook Group. smallbusinesshuddle.co.uk.
Friday 4 February: Live Band Karaoke
7pm - 11:30pm. Belt out classics from Dolly Parton to Metallica, live on stage, backed by a sensational 5-piece band, in front of an electric crowd at Peckham Rye’s historic Ivy House. Pick from around 300 tunes. Lyrics are provided on screen, and our compere will be on stage with you to provide additional support and / or add those critical backing vocals. Doors + signups from 7pm; £6 (adv) / £8 (door, subject to availability). Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, London SE15 3BE.
https://live-band-karaoke.designmynight.com/
Saturdays 5, 12, 19 & 26 February: Dulwich Park and Peckham Rye Park Parkruns
9am-10am. Free, weekly timed 5k run, jog or walk. Every Saturday at 9am promptly starting from Queen Mary’s Gate (Dulwich Park) and Colyton Road Entrance (Peckham Rye Park). Register once and bring your printed barcode (can be used at any parkrun across the world). First-timers briefing at 08.50am
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich/ https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/
Sundays 6, 13, 20 & 27 February: The weekly Horniman Market
10am–3pm. The weekly Horniman Market is open to provide food items including fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, cake, meat and street food. Alongside food stalls, you’ll find body care, clothing, jewellery, design and craft; most are locally produced, ethical and many use environmentally friendly materials, natural and organic ingredients. www.horniman.ac.uk.
100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ.
Mondays 7, 14, 21 & 28 February: Words Aloud:
A Reading Group with a Difference
11am-12.30pm. No Homework! Weekly discussions exploring stories and poems for sheer enjoyment, looking at how writers achieve their effects, led by author Lynn Knight. No pens, no paper, no prep, no pressure. FREE, but numbers are limited. To book a place or find out more contact lkreadingrlf@gmail.com Brought to you by the Royal Literary Fund . Anerley Town Hall, 123a Anerley Road, Anerley, SE20 8AJ.
Thursday 10 February: Rick Mather’s Millennium Museums: Dulwich, The Wallace & The Ashmolean
8pm - 9pm. The Arts Society Dulwich lecture at JAGS Sixth Form Centre. Guests welcome, £10 at the door, no booking required. This lecture looks at the architectural strategies and principles used by Mather to transform these spaces into modern masterpieces, at the same time preserving the historical buildings and creating places that people love to visit. Speaker: Andrew Hopkins. James Allen’s Girls’ School Sixth Form Centre.
https://www.theartssocietydulwich.org.uk.
Saturday 12 February: The Ionian Singers
7:30pm - 10pm. The Ionian Singers with Eulalie Charland (violin) and Timothy Salter (conductor and piano) present a programme of choral music from Germany, Austria, America and England together with duos for violin and piano. Composers include Byrd, Tallis, J.S.Bach, Bruckner, Schumann, Brahms, Karg-Elert, Holst and from more recent times Rubbra, Barber and Salter. Included also is A Sequence of Chorales and Preludes in which choral preludes by various composers transcribed for violin and keyboard are interweaved amongst the sung chorales. Tickets in advance from Eventbrite: info@ioniansingers.co.uk or 07932 766513.
