So i’ve started to go again, and its not as easy as I recall it to have been. I hope that I pick it up again quickly and learn a lot more.

I used to go to a Tuesday class by one teacher and it was good but I seem to be busy on odd tuesdays and it was a block booking set so wasn’t really an option – a main reason why I stopped going. I’ve started going on a monday night with different teachers and noticed some of the people that help tuesdays go here which means I know a few people already.

I really enjoyed it yet it was very tiring. Probably not the best thing to do soon after trampolining at the uni but fun all the same… Got to help with the fitness I’m so egar some times to do.

I tried instead of just the gym – going out and running outside. That was totally different to on a treadmill – it was a lot harder breathing wise but was more enjoyable at the same time with the change of scenery.

I’ve got a set of DVDs that are dance aerobic based ones that are meant to help your body core – to stregthen and tone. I tried the begginer version that was meant to be easy and I was quickly tired out – I think its becoming easier but still hard.

It is something I’m going to try a few times a week and then every day. The documentation that comes with it all suggests a big change within 8 weeks. I’m thinking that its going to take a month to learn the basics and get into it – a kind of warming up to be able to do the 8 week plan.

I’m going to try and do a weekly update more so that I can see IF there is any change, and once a month check IF I change weight/waist size etc.

One series is called “Core Rhythms” which is a mixture of different dance techniques to get you moving and try different movements many of which seem to be aimed at the abs. Another one is a dance one called Push it up or something like that – its quite energetic but the main one i’ll be trying is the series.

I’ve tried the kick start and some of the short sessions but so far I can’t keep up as things change too often without enough explanation. I can pick it up if I rewind and look again but first time through its quite hard and looks to be getting faster and more intense if you keep with it.

Good things are the help and options to view the moves from different angles, so I think it will help – if nothing else it should help cardio and me work out how the connection from the brain to the action actually happens.

All in all I think it will be a hard few months still to go, but IF it actually works then excellent.

It has taken me a while to understand when someone says things like “Move your hips” how to use the brain to tell what part of the body to move to do the action. Its a training experience that will go on for a long time yet.

With the trampolining, I’ve attempted a competition and won a trophy for the event and most recently (end of 2008) I qualified as an assistant trampolining coach which is quite excellent – especially coming from something that could have been a joke invite.

Other Things i’ve tried/am trying is Dance – I’ve tried Ballroom Dance (Very hard without a partner) and Salsa Dance – which is possable without a partner but more complex with.

I discovered a while back that I enjoyed dance but was always afraid of what others thought of me while doing it – Would I be good enough for others etc. But found when I tried it I really loved it – all those people I worried about watching and judging me just disappeared and I was free to move and enjoy. I don’t think of myself as “good” at dance – but I do enjoy it.

I discovered how much I enjoyed it at Harvest 2008 – I joined with a few friends in the street dance class that was very energetic and fun. I was part of the stewarding team as per usual of many years now and people came and pointed/ laughed/ made humor at me to start with… but then stopped as I think they saw how much it meant to me and saw how I felt and then it all changed… People were supportive after the giggle stage

Recently, this year I’ve been trying to get myself fitter and the more I do the more I realise how unfit I am. I’ve been going to the gym and trying to run, and cycle a bit – I’ve not really cycled since the early 1990′s.

I like diversity in life so running isn’t my only way to getting fitter and training. Running is only my newest addition.

I’ve spoken to friends with the idea of this Great North Run and getting fitter and they have said I do a lot already – I don’t think so, but certainly do more than I used to.

Three years or so ago I started trampolining after a friend invited me to it. It was a bit of fun that was something I hadn’t done since probably the early 90′s.

I can only do the basics still after 3 years but enjoy it a lot. I have completed the assistant coaching for trampolining and can help others up to the same level I am now.

I’m slowly getting further with it and go to the club at least once a week, usually a wednesday night or other days through Teesside University.

Last year I started doing dancing – I tried to get others to go who wouldn’t but it looked like fun so I went for it – wishing I tried the year before as intended but backed out because no-one would go with me.

First was ball room dancing – something that is very difficult without your own partner. That lasted about 8 weeks. It was more energetic than I thought it would be but quite a lot of fun.

Next I tried salsa where as a guy, you always have the opertunity of a partner. Much faster than ballroom and a lot more fun. I’ve met a lot of people the same age as me and made a lot of new friends.

I think the dance has helped with co-ordination and stamina – Dance and Trampolining. Using these I think will help me train and enjoy it too.