Merry Christmas from Smart Fitt

A Look Back at 2019
As we all look forward to spending time with family and friends celebrating Christmas and New Year it’s a perfect time to have a look back at 2019. We’ve had a fantastic time at Smart Fitt and it’s been great to help support all of you on your fitness journey. It was great to meet new people at the Bring a Buddy classes we had back in February and the taster class at the Seniors Holiday Club over the summer. As it’s the festive season we have had lots of fun in our classes, trying different routines and listening to Christmas music to really get us in the spirit!

Fun and Laughter at Move It or Lose It!
The Move It or Lose It classes are designed to improve muscle strength and balance which helps reduce the risk of falls. All of the classes can be carried out either seated or standing making them ideal for older people and those with limited mobility. 
At our last Essendine Move It or Lose It class we played the ball and beanbag game. Everyone was partnered up and then the game started with a bouncy ball that the partners bounced to one another. Next the ball was put aside and they started overhand throws with the beanbag. Lastly, one of the partners had the bouncy ball while the other had the beanbag and they then had to throw both at the same time! Of course this meant they needed to talk to each other to decide how they would know when to throw! Everyone had a great time and it resulted in much laughter!
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At Elsea Park we played a ball game where alternate people had a ball then moving from left to right each person bounced the ball in between themselves and the next person. That person then caught the ball and bounced the ball to their left. By the end all the balls were moving around the circle. 

Christmas Total Body Class
At our HIIT circuit we had a Christmas themed class which consisted of ‘Pass the Present Back’ (passing a 3kg Cross-Fit ball), ‘Shopping Bag Carry Relay’ (10kg “shopping bags”) and ‘Driving the Sleigh’ (using a resistance band looped around their feet as reins and performing the Russian Twist). In the photo you can see two inspirational class members driving their sleighs, they have been coming to this class for nearly 3 years and don’t they look amazing?

The Total Body Blast class is made up of HIIT exercises and varies from week to week. Every class is designed specifically to suit the individuals depending on age, ability and mobility. HIIT is where a workout consists of short, intense bursts of exercise followed by short periods of rest. These classes are excellent for improving fitness, stamina and burning calories.

Keeping Fit Over Christmas
At Christmas it’s easy to over indulge so it’s good to be mindful about what we’re eating and drinking. The Independent asked a dietician for calorie guides for our favourite Christmas lunch and treats:

• Christmas roast dinner is about 930 calories (depending on portion sizes)
• Mince pie is about 240 calories
• Christmas pudding is about 350 calories

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​Add to that the odd glass of wine or festive tipple and the calories soon stack up. 
To help keep healthy over the festive period while classes aren’t on be sure to stay active- go for a walk, do some light housework or some gentle exercises in your chair if you have limited mobility. 

Enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations and stay active!