HELLO!

What I'd like to do in this blog is bring you new ideas in ways of training and eating to get you on track with your health, fitness, shape change and weight loss goals - and then keep you there!

"Who on earth are you to tell me this?" I hear you ask. Let me introduce myself and give you my story......

My name is Jo Underhill and I have been involved in the fitness industry since 1992. My interest in health and fitness began when, aged 30, I was tipping the scales at about 17 stones, smoking 40+ cigarettes a day, did no exercise and spent 5 days a week sat at a desk. I looked awful, felt dreadful and was very, very unhappy – something had to be done!

I took the plunge and went along to the leisure centre close to where I worked. I started with simple conditioning classes (you know - legs, bums and tums - that kind of thing) and found it challenging but I persevered and gradually progressed to step classes (step was HUGE back then!) and then on to high impact aerobics. Within a year I had lost 3 stone and was working part time at the leisure centre advising on classes and basic exercise programmes. Soon I had a personal trainer and discovered the gym – I loved it! A year later I was training family, friends and colleagues, tailoring my knowledge to their needs.

In 2004 I decided to formalise my knowledge and earn a living by sharing my passion for living a healthy lifestyle with others, so I embarked upon the YMCA PTA (Personal Trainer Award). In 2005 I tried setting up as a freelance Personal Trainer but found it difficult to get started so I decided to get a job in a local gym. I went to work as a Personal Trainer at David Lloyd in Woking and I left at the end of March 2008 and I’m now working freelance in Woking and surrounding areas. I can honestly say that I LOVE my work!

I work with my clients in their homes, gardens, Woking Park, on the towpath of the Basingstoke Canal as well as at Peak Fitness in Woking town centre - anywhere really! I think variety is important.

Now, at 47, my personal goal is to be as fit and healthy as possible, feel good and enjoy myself at the same time! I’m not going to be taking part in the next Olympics, I’m not the next “Paula”, I just want to show others that it’s never to late to start and share my knowledge and passion for exercise. To this end, I am always endeavouring to further my knowledge by going on courses, attending workshops, reading and seeing what I can find on the internet.

Whenever I devise or discover a new workout or training plan for my clients I always try it first - I need to know how it feels and if it works.

I hope to run another half marathon (see, you don't have to be built like a whippet!) towards the end of this year or the beginning of next. I'm not fast - my personal best is 2:08 - I just like running (at the age of 30 I never thought I'd be saying that!). That's a long way off, I hear you say! Well, currently I'm involved in trialling an new training programme devised by a Personal Trainer colleague and until that's over I have had to put my running on hold. I'll bring you more news of this new programme in the future - WATCH THIS SPACE!

And that brings me back to the start really, I'll be posting regularly telling you how I'm getting on and what's working for me (and my clients) because whenever I devise or discover a new workout or training plan for my clients I always try it first - I need to know how it feels and if it works - and, hopefully, you can learn by my mistakes and my successes.

Just in case you were wondering - these are my qualifications:-

YMCA Personal Trainer Award - Level 3

YMCA Circuit Training

YMCA Exercise Nutrition

YMCA Exercise in Different Environments / Power Walking

NASM Personal Trainer - Expert Level 3

NASM Pregnancy Specialist - Expert Level 3 Advanced

NASM Exercise & Physical Activity for the Older Adult

PADBOX

Happyweight Practitioner (weight loss coach)

So that's me!

Jo Underhill

JZK HEALTH & FITNESS

BE YOUR BEST!

If you would like any further information, you can contact me via this blog, by email at: jz.underhill@btinternet.com or by phone on: 07966 26 26 07.

So, until next time.....BE YOUR BEST!