Lorraine Stocco from Worthing explains why she exercises, her love of partner dancing, and how weight training has improved her physical and mental health.
I have been active for more than 20 years, in various ways. When I left school, I started an exercise class with a couple of friends with the goal to lose weight. I maintained my exercise routine when I started uni at the onsite gym.
Once I was in full time employment, I had the money and time to pursue learning to partner dance which I was inspired by Strictly Come Dancing! Partner dancing then became my choice of fitness for more than ten years. I can’t believe how fit I became just from having the time of my life on the dancefloor!
Life moved on and I eventually was dancing less, but I really noticed I was becoming unfit. When I couldn’t get through one dance without becoming out of breath, I felt I needed to do something about it.
A friend recommended I started weight training as he was seeing so many benefits from it. Never in my life had I envision I would do this. However I signed up to the free seven day trial. The gym offered group personal training for weight lifting. I did the trial and I never looked back.
I love the tailored coaching you received every single session, but not too much as with 1:1 (which I find a bit awkward) and I love how every session is different to the last. I keep going back as my coach makes the training challenging but very achievable and there’s a strong sense of community among the gym members. I love feeling fit and strong!
As I approached my mid 30s, I was noticing more aches and pains. It was also around this time I decided to work on improving my mental health.
In the last few years, I’ve incorporated regular yoga practices together with weight training, walks in nature and the odd dance social to help me not only maintain my physical health but also to have good mental health.