Website to get ladies leaping
By Jayne Warren - 18/12/2006
A new website aims to get older ladies back into trim. And if anyone knows how to motivate and organise, it should be the website's creator, Lady Marie Stubbs - best known for her work in taking on failing schools and turning them into "beacon" ones. Marie's work at St George's RC School was turned into an acclaimed TV film starring Julie Walters as Marie.
A former headmistress, author of bestselling "Ahead of the Class", mother of three and grandmother to eight, Ladie Marie herself is "60ish" and brings a very pragmatic aproach to the task. "Well, exercising isn't rocket science is it?
"And as women get older, it's the health issues that become important, like diabetes and obesity, not just looks. I was never naturally sporty, I preferred books, a good few G and Ts and chocolate. Until I turned 51. Now I still enjoy those things - but exercise as well. And if I can put on the lycra and do it at my age, then I don't see why my example shouldn't motivate others as well."
The Female Fiftyplus Get Fit website offers practical advice and information to mature women on nutrition, exercise and how to get and stay fit. It's also dedicated to encouraging women over fifty to enjoy life more fully - especially as many of them have given so much to others and often left too little time for themselves.
Written in an simple style, the site has an easy-to-follow menu, a regular newsletter focusing on topical issues, and sections demystifying issues relating to healthy eating, nutrition, exercise and fitness. There is also comprehensive advice on the benefits of exercise, flexibility, what home gym equipment to use and free exercise tips and routines.
How it all began
"The idea began about two years ago" says Marie. "People began to ask me - in a very polite way - how I managed to stay so, well ... fit. I thought 'how kind'. The fact is that I'd started some training after I turned 51. I realised I had to. I joined a gym and, amazingly, got interested in it. Then with all the publicity over the book and the film, I thought I could help motivate others to do the same thing. Hence the website. Once a teacher always a teacher, I suppose."
Marie Stubb's fitness coach, Jason Paris, was also key to starting the website. His training and in-depth knowledge of the health and fitness industry led them both to realise that there was a gap in the online exercise, health and fitness market for the more mature female. They decided to combine their expertise and the rest, as they say, is history.
Female Fiftyplus Get Fit's section with free excercise tips and routines is typical of the whole site. Whether you have never exercised before or you have done a bit, the routines cater from the beginner up to the more advanced exerciser who needs an extra challenge.
Marie Stubbs divides the exercises into three main categories: bodyweight, resistance and aerobic. "Bodyweight exercises are exactly what they say, you just use your own body, no equipment needed. This type of exercise can be done anywhere, in the home, gym, even outdoors in the local park.
"Aerobic exercise, like jogging, swimming or cycling works the heart and lungs and helps with fat burning. But it's often resistance exercise that is overlooked by women because they think that they will "get big muscles" where in fact the opposite is the case!"
Resistance exercise speeds up the metabolism which helps weight loss, muscle tone, burns fat and generally improve your self esteem. Examples are dumbells, weight machines, resistance bands, body bars etc.
She is also very strong on flexibility: "As they get older a lot of womens' shoulder and back muscles shorten and become tighter, so they develop that rounded shoulder 'witch from the fairytale' look. A 10-15 minute daily program of stretching can reduce or even reverse those ageing signs, prevent injury and make you stand tall once again."
Marie is still involved with several charities and schools who try to make young peoples lives better, and spends a lot of time as a speaker on 'Transformational Leadership'.
"I make it a priority to stay fit. I believe keeping fit and looking as you want to, and can, is of interest to many women of 40, 50, 60 and indeed 90. It is important for our health and well-being so that we can enjoy life to the full whoever we are and however we live. I enjoy being a leaping granny!
"I say come on girls, get off the sofa, put down the mars bar, look what I can do - and find out how you can do better."
To find out more visit the website link below.