James White

Hey there everyone!

I thought this would probably be the best way to get my message to you all. I imagine I’ts going to be a little lengthy so a Facebook post just wouldn’t cut it!

You’ve hopefully noticed there have been some pretty huge changes to GymFit recently and I’m not sure we communicated all of that with the members as much as I would have liked. On my part it was really easy to get so engrossed in the moving of equipment and knocking down walls that I don’t think we actually told enough people it was coming. Myself, Diane and Gareth have had this vision of what we wanted to create in our heads for years, and as you can imagine had hundreds of conversations about the end goal for this awesome place. SO, lets tell you the whole story.

In this building there has been a gym for nearly 30 years (even with the leaky roof and uneven floors). It’s pretty amazing that something like this has lasted this long in our local community, we even have some dinosaurs (wink) that have been members since the very beginning! But unfortunately, over this time the gym had built a reputation as a place of grunting men who all take steroids and spit on each other (I made that last part up, but you get the point), There was a ladies only gym, yet only around 10 female members. It was all a mess, in those 30 years the building had been adapted and changed to meet the needs of the previous owners, this meant strange rooms that didn’t make sense to us, and a layout that wasn’t suited to the demands of people in this modern world of fitness. The roof was almost beyond repair and people only came here because it was cheap!

When we came along 4 years ago, we really wanted to change that, we believed that we could make somewhere that could accommodate a competitive bodybuilder or a retired grandma of 3 that wanted to lose weight. But to do that, it would take some serious work, time and money! And slowly, over time I think we’re nearly there. We started with the obvious small things like paint and flooring, started to put on classes and honestly got a bunch of staff involved that have been amazing. I just want to put it out there that without them this whole task would have been impossible, they’ve been supportive, reliable, honest and understanding from the very start, so thanks you guys.

The layout of the gym just wasn’t working for us and we felt that we needed to create 2 separate spaces for the different needs of our members. I get that gyms can be intimidating places, and the last thing I want anyone to feel is that they don’t belong somewhere. If you’ve ever met me, I’d like to think that this is something that comes across. So, we’ve moved studios, created huge open plan gym spaces to give people more room to train, provide more options when choosing exercises and given the place so much more light. We’ve invested in equipment and provided structure and support for members. We’re so so proud of what we have.

So, going further forward we have a few more changes coming your way, a new reception, sports massage therapy room, a dedicated spin studio and a host of new classes hitting the timetable very soon! All awesome things that we think will just make us that little bit better. Once the building has been finished don’t think we’re stopping there, you can expect upgrades to our equipment as we keep pushing to be the best gym we can possibly be!

There we have it. 4 years of GymFit and the finish line is in sight! Thanks for being members, you’re an amazing bunch and make it so easy for us to come to work with a smile on our faces every single day.

Let’s keep getting better together!

James and the team x

These are 10 benefits the Express Online claim I can experience through my vegan diet, some measurable, some not so much. Either way, they are some VERY bold claims!

Taken from; https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/diets/549526/Vegan-diet-benefits

1. Great if you want to lose weight or slim down

When you cut out animal products you’ll find that it’s easier to stay slim as you’re not consuming high amounts of saturated fats from dairy and meat products.

2. It’s easier to get your 5-a-day

Never mind five, you can easily get double that on a vegan diet. Eating fruit and/or vegetables at every mealtime means that your diet will be much more nutritious than those making up a third (or less) of lunch and dinner with vegetables. Eating snacks such as N?kd bars also count as your 5-a-day, are totally delicious and vegan.

3. Vegans are healthier

Vegans and vegetarians typically have lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, lower rates of Type 2 diabetes, lower body mass indexes, a lower risk of death from heart disease, and lower overall cancer rates. Science and research confirms that you don’t need meat to be healthy at all, in fact statistics point to quite the opposite.

4. Going vegan can improve your sports prowess, not impair it

What you may not be aware of is just how many great and successful athletes are vegan. You may not be familiar with the name, but Scott Jurek is recognised as probably the greatest ultrarunner (distances of 50, 100 and more miles) of all time. He has been a vegan since 1999 and has won most of the toughest long distance races in the world, and many of these on numerous occasions. You’re more likely to have heard of Carl Lewis but did you know that he’s vegan? One of the world’s greatest athletes, Carl attributes his dominant and record breaking performances of 1991 to being vegan.

5. Having a vegan diet boosts immunity and is anti-cancer

Since fruits and vegetables are rich in super nutrients and many have anti-oxidant purposes, they can bolster the immune system and help the body fight against disease.

6. Vegans are more beautiful

Vegans who consume a large amount of fruits and vegetables are feeding and nurturing the health of their skin, hair and nails meaning that they literally glow with health.

7. Plant-based diet can aid arthritis

Eliminating dairy consumption has long been connected with alleviating arthritis symptoms, but a new study by Karolinska University in Stockholm indicates that a combination of gluten-free and vegan diet is very effective in improving the health of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Boost your energy levels

On a vegan diet, you will find your energy is much improved. NFL star Tony Gonzalez has talked extensively about how swapping from an omnivore to vegan diet has helped him gain energy while playing at the top of his career in the NFL.

9. You’ll live longer

Several studies indicate that those following a vegan or vegetarian diet will live an average of three to six years longer than those who do not.

10. No bad breath and less body odour

Eliminating dairy and red meat from your diet significantly reduces body odour, and vegans frequently experience a reduction in bad breath.

There you have it, I’m going to smell better and be more beautiful, can’t wait for that! I’m hoping that my impartial stance on all this will give you all an unbiased view on the Veeg World!

So here we go, next stop Veganism! I think I’m going to do some video vlogging of this… I don’t think I can do it justice in written format, as you can probably tell from the few of these I’ve done, I’m no JK Rowling. Plus, via video vlog you’ll hopefully see me become “More Beautiful” as point 6 promises me!

Wish me luck, and please, my Veeg brothers and sisters, send me over some tasty suggestions. I’ll need all your help.

Over and Out, Plant Power, JW.