Julieanne's Fitness Blog

Simple Step Xmas 2011

2011-12-11T21:53:00.000Z

Simple Step November 2011

2011-11-20T21:26:00.000Z

Simple Step February 2011

2011-02-21T23:27:00.000Z

My End of the Year Show

2011-01-01T12:52:00.000Z

some of the things I did, the people I met. Happy New Year everyone!

My Experience of Lasek eye surgery.

2010-12-29T18:01:00.013Z

Many people have asked me for a a blow by blow account of my recent laser correction, so to save me repeating myself and boring everyone else to death, here's what happened.

Research
I did some web research, looked at discussion forums and read reviews of clinics, along with chatting to people who had been treated. The one thing that stuck me most of all was that where people had problems it often resulted from poor prior contact with the surgeon or aftercare that did not involve the surgeon. It seems that on the High Street, you might not see the surgeon until the day of the operation and maybe not see them again for aftercare.

So, with this in mind I chose Manchester Centre For Vision as my clinic. Manchester Centre for Vision (MCV) is the private patient unit of the Royal Eye Hospital.

Assessment
There is a fee for assessment at MCV, the upside of this is that I got to meet with a surgeon and be sure that the treatment I was offered was the best one for me. I had read nightmare scenarios on the web where people were assessed on the High Street, offered a particular procedure only to have the surgeon disagree with this suggestion on the actual day of surgery.

After undergoing several tests I met with Khalid Ikram who explained to me that as I had thinning of one of my retinas I would be best suited to LASEK surgery. Mr Ikram explained that LASEK had a longer recovery time than LASIK, my dream of having surgery on a Thursday and being back to teaching on Monday was over, I would need more time off. It was also explained that LASEK can be quite painful . . . .

When I got home I did more research, on Mr Ikram and on exactly what LASEK entails. Here's a summary of the difference between the two procedures. Mr Ikram checked out to be very good and once I knew that NASA likes LASEK I was sold!

Surgery Day
My surgery was set for 12 noon, the first thing the Nurse did was to remind me that LASEK can be painful and then she prepped me with a lovely hair net, iodine and anesthetic eye drops. Mr Ikram came in for a chat, explained in detail what would be happening. The actual procedure is not at all painful, mainly 'weird' and a just a little uncomfortable when the eye is clamped open. I'd prefer this over a filling at the dentist!

By 1pm I was in the recovery room. The nurse went over all the various drops and pain relief I would have and applied eye-shields that I would have to wear until the next day and then each night.. She asked me if I wanted to take my first dose of Co-Codamol, I hesitated, I didn't have any pain. but I took them anyway. Within moments my eyes started to water, became very heavy and I urgently wanted to be at home in bed. The pain was here, but I was ready for it!

My lovely driver, Deborah, had me home in no time, she said she didn't want to leave me seeing that I was in pain. However, I wanted her to go asap so that I could get in bed. I was ready for the pain, what I wasn't ready for was how it effectively blinded me. At 5pm I got out of bed for more Co-Codamol and as I could not open my eyes without triggering more discomfort, I had to feel my way to the kitchen and bathroom - fortunate that I have a small flat!

Whilst wishing the hours away I was under my duvet, eyes closed and listening to Leo Laport's Tech Guy podcasts which I'd been saving up on my ipod, I learnt a lot, thanks Leo!

Somewhere at around 7pm the pain fell off by quite a lot and I decided to get up and make porridge, also a challenge to do without opening your eyes! I was waiting for the Ping of the microwave and realised that I might be about to faint, I staggered back to bed for a while. . .

Then at 9pm I got up again for third dose of pain relief, to eat the cold porridge and (at last) sleeping tablets. I also had to administer three lots of drops, it was quite hilarious, I got a lot of this medication on my face, mouth, ears and eventually in my eyes! In addition to steroid and anti-biotic drops I had been given anesthetic eye drops but on discovering that they only worked for 20 mins and that they can impede healing I didn't use them at all.

Day 1
Eyes are still watering, very light sensitive, difficult to open but the pain was down and I decided that I didn't need any more Co-Codamol. I was in discomfort not in pain. I spent all day hiding from the sun, under my duvet, hoodie up, sunglasses on. Every fours hour or so I attempted to apply my drops, again very entertaining. I could already see that things were happening with my vision, through the constant tears there were signs of improvement!

I shunned the sleeping tablets I was given in favour of a large swig of Nightnurse and slept well in my lovely eye-shields.

Day 2
Today I managed to watch some TV, post a message on Facebook and I even made this Pummelvision - I amaze myself! I'm still hiding from the sunlight and watching TV with the screen dimmed and in sunglasses.

Day 3
My eyes are watering less and sensitivity is gradually reducing. My vision continues to improve, its quite exciting :-) Still hanging out in a hoodie and sunglasses.

Day 4
Today I am getting dressed and taking a shower.

The nurse said 'keep your eyes closed when showering'. So I decide to go one better and fully tape on my eye shields. Trouble is they just start to fill up like fish tanks - PANIC!

Panic over, hair washed and Cilla comes to take me shopping and lovely catch up in Costa, it was bliss, I had a bad case of cabin Fever.

I'm feeling much better, able to face the world but I doubt I could have done much that required any concentration.

Day 5
I took this photo from my balcony, first shot with my new eyes.

Day 6
Today is my first follow up with Mr Ikram. Deborah takes me to see him at Face and Eye, as well as eye surgery they do cosmetic surgery, alas we did not bump into any soap stars or wags. Mr Ikram is pleased with my progress, says I'm already legal to drive (whoo hoo). After the LASEK surgery I had been fitted with protective contact lenses and today they were removed. I was warned that I might get some further discomfort, I did but it didn't last too long.

Day 14
I drove myself to my second follow up, this time at the hospital. I saw the Optometrist who scanned my eyes and gave me an eye test "hardly any prescription at all" - amazing! Mr Ikram tells me I can drop the eye shields, wear make up and generally behave like a normal person with the exception of swimming and avoiding rubbing my eyes. He gave me prescription for further eye drops to be taken over the next 4 weeks and an appointment to see him in six weeks time.

Considering it takes up to 12 weeks for the full effects of LASEK I'm very pleased with the result I have at only 2 weeks. Here's one of my post op (and photoshopped) eyes.

Week 8
I headed back to MCV for a further follow up. I was a little apprehensive because since my last visit I had become convinced that my vision had fallen off a touch. Well, I sat in the same chair looking at the same chart and before the Optometrist even began her test I knew I could read it better than last time. After the test she confirmed my vision had improved since my last visit. It was all in my head, I still have my Miracle!

I mentioned to Mr Ikram that when I wake my eyelids are stuck together and I have to gently prize them apart. No big deal but Mr Ikram sent me instructions by email on how to care for my eyes with a product called Blephasol. I confess I am finding it hard to make myself do the little routine each morning and night, its so much easier to just prize my eyes apart and there is no discomfort.

To my surprise a further appointment is made for me, I imagined that I would be discharged, but no, they are not done with me yet.

Week 18
I had my final visit with the optometrist and Mr Ikram today. My eye test shows I am better than 20/20, I'm thrilled! Mr Ikram says "I dont often use the word Prefect . . ."

As I sat in Mr Ikram's office I was once again struck by the fantastic view he has of the atrium at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. So, when he had to step out of his office, I seized the moment to capture a little momento:

Feel free to ask me any questions via the comments box, I'm happy to share my experiences.

Tameside Pilates Christmas Meal (x3)

2010-12-18T16:44:00.002Z

Christmas Meal (in three parts) (click to see)

Simple Step December 2010

2010-12-05T19:30:00.001Z

Simple Step July 2010

2010-08-10T15:24:00.000+01:00

Birthday class at Stamford House, not my Birthday, Stamford House is 30 years old!

like pink 1kg dumbells

2010-06-12T09:06:00.001+01:00

I've no idea why this tyre was in the store room of one the studios I teach in . . .

Maybe someone is practising 'tyre flips'? If, so I have bad news for them: they are using the equivalent of those pink 1kg weights, *this* is how you should do it!

You can see the rest of my Strongman photos HERE, taken at Olympic Gym in Ashton under Lyne.

Fit Ball

2010-06-12T08:39:00.002+01:00

Simple Step May 2010

2010-06-12T08:36:00.000+01:00

Functional bands

2010-04-03T08:50:00.001+01:00

Simple Step March 2010

2010-04-03T08:21:00.003+01:00

Tascam Variable speed CD player and my music set up

2010-01-23T14:18:00.007Z

I made a movie about the equipment I use for my community based Group Fitness classes:

I meant to say in the video that I find you can get a much 'bigger' sound out of a guitar amp than a similar priced domestic CD player.

I bought the Tascam CD-VT2 from Dolphin Music, you can get more info on the other Tascam players here

If you are not too bothered about portability, then this Citronic CDs2 might be an alternative, vari speed player worth considering. My friend teaches with this playing it through her guitar amp.

The Mic I use is a Gemini 1264 a cheaper alternative is the Gemini UX16. I've used them both, the 1264 has the same 64 channels as the system in one the clubs I teach in. If I didn't want to use my own mic headset in the club studio I would be happy enough with the cheaper 16 channel mic.

I hope this helps you if you are setting up your own community classes. Let me know if you have any questions by leaving a remark in the comment box below.

Simple Aerobics December 09

2009-12-16T22:05:00.000Z

White balance woes & 2 latest simple step videos

2009-12-12T08:31:00.002Z

shot with Compact camera

shot with DSLR

same studio, why does the cheap camera deliver better auto white balance?

Life Support Training

2009-11-21T21:12:00.004Z

Getting trained up for Life Support (CPR) can be time consuming and costly for self employed Group Fitness Instructors. Most training on offer takes a minimum of a full day, some of the training isn't relevant to GFI's and the cost is a problem to us if we have to get sessions covered to take a whole day off.

This little blog is about how myself and some GFI colleagues went about getting ourselves trained for a minimum cost, at a time that suited us all and it was fun too!

The first thing we (Liz!) did was find out what our insurance company required in terms of training. Then I looked on Google Maps for a local training company, I found Forerunner Training based in Manchester, got in touch and gave them our requirements:

Life Support Training
Sporting Injuries
Saturday Afternoon
Delivered swiftly
We will rent the Studio at our local leisure club.

Forerunner came back to me with a price to train up to 12 of us in 2 hours. Then I spoke to our lovely GFM, Caron at Village Hyde and she agreed to rent us a Studio for a cheap as chips fee. After I added on the rent of the Studio I could split the total cost between us for less than £25 each.

Next I set a date with Forerunner and started to recruit people. Because I was funding the cost of this myself I had to ensure prompt payment so that I could pay Forerunner 7 days ahead of our training day. Internet banking worked great for this (apart from Zoe and Liz being back in the 20th Century and giving me chqs!).

We did the training today, Carl our Trainer was great, very engaging, entertaining and able to cope with the fact that we were in a Dance Studio, he had his Powerpoint up and running in no time.

Here's a little video we made:

We all agreed that 'Another one bites the dust' is much better than 'Staying Alive' in terms of a strong beat to follow, some of us found it hard to do only 30 compressions when we were working to the music - 32 count phrasing is far more natural to us!

In all everyone thought the training good value, in particular the fact that we could do this at a time when none of us would need to pay a cover instructor.

Christmas Gifts from Julieanne.

2009-11-07T16:48:00.001Z

Christmas Gifts from Julieanne.

Posted using ShareThis

Gliding Sequence

2009-10-23T22:40:00.003+01:00

After only a couple of weeks with the Gliders, my class at Hurst are already tackling some challenging stuff.

Here we used the Gliders to add something extra to the plank. The sequence shown here does not include the beginner levels, so if you are new to this then please come to class to lean how to do this safely before you try it at home.

I should point out that we have around 25 people in class but last week only Deborah and Yvonne would agree to be filmed!

Hurst Nosh Up! Are you coming?

2009-10-08T15:11:00.008+01:00

The Community Centre will be holding their (FAB!) Pantomine on Tuesday 8th December, so, Hurst Pilates will be adjourning to the pub!

We are planning a Nosh Up at the Oddfellows Arms on Kings Road, it's just down the road from the Centre. All Hurst Pilates people are welcome, even those who haven't made it to class in a while.

Above is the menu, (click it to see full size) which do you prefer the Christmas one, or the regular one?

One you have looked at the menu, please go HERE and complete the survey, or you can tell me when I see you on Tuesday.

Once I have an idea of what works best for most people I will start to take deposits (£5) and take your orders.

I really hope lots of people can make it, the food looks great and it will be nice to have a social night, chit chat and laughs! :-)

Gliding comes to Hurst Pilates

2009-10-06T21:12:00.001+01:00

I'm really pleased to announce that I have bought a set of professional Gliders™ and the License to teach this fantastic exercise system. The Gliding sliding discs allow for smooth, fluid movements, working multiple muscles while engaging core stabilization throughout the range of motion. I hope that those of you who tried it with me for the first time tonight will agree it offers a challenging workout with no impact on the joints. Tonight we focused on legs, glutes and core abdominal muscles but there is a lot more to explore, come along next Tuesday and give it a go.

Here are some videos showing how Gliding is done:

This one would be a good one to do at home with paper plates, remember to keep your back in 'neutral'

I think we will try this one next week.

This one wont suit everyone, some of us did manage it tonight. You will notice that here it is demo'ed from the forearm position rather than hand supported as we did tonight.

If you did the Gliding class with me tonight, what did you think? Do you love them or hate them? Let me have your feedback!

Simple Step September 09

2009-09-10T22:37:00.003+01:00

Bendy Like Beckham?

2009-06-29T14:17:00.005+01:00

DAVID Beckham is hoping to stretch his career out until he’s 40 — by doing body-bending Pilates exercises.

The England star, 34 — subject of hit film Bend It Like Beckham — says he is in his best shape in years due to an hour-long daily routine.

He is desperate to show Three Lions boss Fabio Capello he is fit enough for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and play on for years afterwards.

Becks was introduced to Pilates — a stretching and breathing routine particularly popular with women — on loan at AC Milan.

He said: “I do an hour of Pilates a day. The medical set-up at Milan is fantastic and fitness-wise I am the best I have been for a long time."

The Italian giants insist all their players take up Pilates as it helps with balance and suppleness.

The fitness regime has reduced Becks’ body fat from 13.7 per cent to a super-toned 8.5 per cent.

He played the whole of England’s 6-0 thrashing of Andorra at Wembley earlier this month — his first full match for his country in three years. A source said: “David covered every blade of grass.

“He might get a bit of stick from the England lads as Pilates is seen as a bit of a girlie fitness fad — but he won’t care if he gets to South Africa.”

The midfielder returns to LA Galaxy next month. He and wife Victoria, 35, have signed up for Pilates classes at Los Angeles’ exclusive Sports Club.

Men are rediscovering the benefits of Pilates and their ranks include: Tiger Woods the best golfer the world has ever seen, England’s cricketers and New Zealand’s rugby team.

(taken from www.thesun.co.uk)

Simple Step June 09

2009-06-13T15:15:00.002+01:00

Core strength exercises using the Fit ball

2009-06-03T13:05:00.004+01:00

Maybe you have a Fit Ball at home but don't now what to do with it? I made this little film for Barb, it shows a progression of abdominal/core exercises that you can do at home with your Fit ball. There's also a little Tricep add-on, great for your Bingo Wings!

This film almost didn't make it, not sure how but I seem to have corrupted the file, took YONKS to save and edit it, grrr, I've still got lots to learn :-)

Simple Step April 09

2009-05-01T22:18:00.011+01:00

Here's my latest Simple Step, thanks LOTS to my Friday night class for suffering my video camera again, I promise to film elsewhere next time!

Leg Lengthening

2009-04-27T13:36:00.005+01:00

A great exercise for strengthening the muscles of the back and increasing spinal mobility.

Filmed at Hurst Pilates, April 21st. I'm *really* pleased with the quality, my new iMac and camera have paid off! I just need to sort out a better place for the camera so that I don't have Debra and Yvonne's heads in frame! Oh, and I should spend a little more time on editing. . . .

Pilates Tricep Press Up ~ at last!

2009-04-26T18:47:00.005+01:00

I've been struggling to get my head around Tricep press ups for some time, usually I have a bash at it, it doesn't feel right and I give up!

Today I have been going through the video files on my old computer, deciding what to keep and what to move to my lovely new iMac. I found this video of Cherry Baker demo'ing the perfect Pilates tricep press up, it's a teacher training video so you only see a couple of reps but it was enough for me to see where I was going wrong.

I'm looking forward to sharing this with my classes soon, planning to do it in every class, apart from Aqua!

another video, slightly better quality?

2009-03-20T20:50:00.003Z

I like to think this is a bit better than the last one...

Latest Video (& woes)

2009-03-09T13:27:00.005Z

This is my latest video, taken this morning at my Lifestyle Class, Hurst Community Centre.

Once again the quality is not what I would hope for. I've tried two different video editing progs, numerous export formats and still it looks rubbish!

I'm starting to think I might need a new camera for my Birthday...

First Hurst Pilates class

2009-03-03T22:55:00.003Z

Tonight was WONDERFUL, I was really chuffed to have 16 people at my first Hurst Pilates class. I enjoyed teaching the class and got lovely feedback.

Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who offered advice, support and encouragement. I can't wait to do it all again next week!

I'm FAMOUS!

2009-03-02T16:55:00.001Z

Last week I started some new sessions for Tameside Sports Development - Older Adult classes for 50+, Deconditoned, New Exercisers etc. Imagine my delight when I turned up at the sports hall to be greeted with 'Hey, its Julieanne, from The Village!' Quite a few people knew me and were pleased to see me, it made for a great start. I really enjoy teaching these types of classes, I find them very rewarding both in the way that people come and tell you how much they enjoyed the class and also the knowledge that I am 'doing good stuff' that will make a difference to their health and well-being.

Later that day I went to GT Grafix to chat to them about sign-writing my Mini, promoting Hurst Pilates Once again, my 'fame' went before me, Leanne who works at GT also knew me from my Step class at the Village. Leanne suggested that I should have my name on the back of my Mini and I knew straight away that she was right. I've taught a LOT of people in Tameside since I qualified in 1995, perhaps some of them will see my Mini in Sainsbury's carpark and remember me!

I went to have my sign applied today, the boys at GT had it done in no time and I am very pleased with the result. Look out for me in my Mini and give me a wave or a toot!

a little Gift.....

2009-02-25T16:02:00.012Z

I wanted to make a little thank-you gift for my participants at Hurst Pilates.

As I don't bake, I thought a video CD showing answers to common Pilates questions and some exercises to do at home might be a good idea.

I used a video from the Pilates on 5th youtube collection. The original video is 25 mins long so I edited it to make it more relevant to my participants and then made a CD that I will hand out with my Welcome letters.

(this is a cut down version of the Video I made)

I highly recommend Pilates on 5th as a great resource for instructors and participants alike. One day when I am in New York I hope to visit their studio :-)

I wonder how many CD's I will give out at my first session next Tuesday?

It's easy!

2009-02-21T08:56:00.005Z

I've spent the last 5 days furiously setting up my new Community centre class and to be honest I have to say its all very easy!

Well, compared to when I last did this in 1996. I have memories of designing and printing flyers with a word processor, photocopier and copious quantities of Tipex. This time with my mouse, Photoshop and ebay I have created what I hope will be a professional looking flyer and have 5000 of them on their way to me soon.

For my Flyers I used a printer called Fairprint on ebay, sent the design that I made with Photoshop to them by email, paid online with my Creditcard, all done in a morning - in 1996 this would not have been so easy!

I've also put myself on Yell.com and on Google maps, again it was so EASY (and free) with just a few mouse clicks.

I registered a domain name and built a website for my new venture, along with Facebook Group. I used Wufoo to create a professional looking contact form, there are so many great free webtools available that make all this so EASY!

In 1996 I had a computer with word processor (a PC with 386 processor if I remember correctly), I had no Internet connection, no design software, those were the days... LOL!

One thing that hasn't changed much since I last taught in the Community is distribution of flyers, next Saturday I will be pounding the streets around Hurst, hoping not to get barked at as I put my flyers through letterboxes ;-)

Facebook Event

2009-02-18T16:54:00.002Z

I set up an Event for my first Hurst Pilates class on Facebook and invited everyone I know. My intention was for a 'virtual' invite that my friends could sign up to, not that the would actually be there on the night, just with me in spirit egging me on.

Amusingly some of my local friends have declined giving various excuses whilst friends in New York and Los Angeles have said they will be attending, if only in spirit and wishing me good luck. Thank you everyone for your kind words of support!

So, all I have to do now is to find some Real Life participants!

I have just sent of my artwork to Fairprint for 5000 flyers, next I have to find someone to distribute them for me :-)

Hurst Poster

2009-02-16T23:26:00.005Z

Here's my first stab at a Poster to put up in the Community Centre. I can't decide if I should have my name and phone number on it....

much EXCITEMENT!

2009-02-16T15:14:00.007Z

I'm so excited! Today, Don, the Secretary at Hurst Community Centre told me that I can rent the Centre to teach a Pilates class on Tuesday nights.

I have been dilly dallying over going back in to Community teaching for too long, Hurst was one of my most preferred options, so I am delighted.

I plan to start on Tuesday 3rd March, I've already set up domain and made a simple web hurstpilates.com along with a Facebook page but there's so much more to do:

poster for the centre and elsewhere
flyers
dig out my mats from garage
decide on session fee
screening and contact forms
contact from for web
logo

I think I need to get cracking on the logo next, then I can make the poster and flyers, oh heck my head is BUZZING!

Boot Camp

2009-02-06T19:47:00.004Z

I was asked to cover a Combat Aerobics class this week. Not being a Kicker/Puncher and only teaching very simple aerobics to my Lifestylers I didn't have anything ready to teach.

So, undeterred, I pondered a while and decided a Boot Camp workout was in order: essentially aerobic/anaerobic interval training. I had a look on Choreography to Go and decided to use some of this from Jane Nicholls:

I added in upperbody and balance work with dumbells plus pressups and The Crawler (dynamic version of the plank).

It went well, I think!

Simple Step January 2009

2009-01-23T22:45:00.000Z

I am no longer writing my choreography on bits of paper, only to loose them, I bought a video camera to keep a record.

This is my current Simple Step choreography. I'm just getting used to using my video camera. I'm not entirely happy with the resolution, still learning! (and it would help if I had a fully charged battery.)