Figures show that a third of the British population quit their new years get fit challenges after just one month. According to a poll carried out by Arthritis Research UK and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), 34% of those who started their new years fitness regime last year January gave up.
Sammy Margo, (CSP) commented: “set small realistic goals to keep you motivated. As you achieve these goals you can increase how much you do.”
The common excuses for leaving the road to fitness were loss of interest, the work load, and the drastic winter temperatures.
On Wednesday 26th February Ursuline, a secondary school in Wimbledon, has tackled this fitness problem by opening up a gym of their own. After the school became highly inspired by the London 2012 olympics, the idea to provide a free gym to encourage healthy lifestyles and good fitness was proposed by the schools leadership team, and was successful.
The head girl team, including Tishtrya Mehta, Rebecca Marett and Sarah-Jane Watson successfully organised the opening of the event which included refreshments, cakes and an inspirational speech from the British mountaineer Mollie Hughes. The schools leadership team worked alongside the head teacher, Julia Waters, to make their proposal possible.
Sarah-Jane Watson, the deputy head girl at Ursuline, commented: “Not only do I believe that introducing the gym to Ursuline high school will encourage the girls to get fit and follow in British Olympians footsteps, but it also is a demonstration of our schools motto ‘Serviam’ (I will serve) as it organised and run by students, who now hold the responsibility of keeping this inspiration alive.”
Mollie Hughes, who is one of the youngest British mountaineers to climb Mount Everest, spoke at the opening about her goals and methods which helped her prepare for her big climb. Students who attended were stunned by her inspirational words and the dangerous experience she had. She congratulated the students for their determination and self-belief they demonstrated during the whole process of obtaining the school gym.
Christina St John, a member of Ursuline’s senior leadership team, said: “Mollie Hughes was inspiring and passionate in everything she said. We aim to inspire all Ursuline girls to do the impossible like Molly has.”
Student leaders, who have been trained by those with experience with gym equipment, gave a demonstration to students and staff of how to use the equipment, and now hold the responsibility of running the gym.
This gym could have a massive impact on the Merton community, as they too may become inspired by the determination of the Ursuline pupils to achieve great health and fitness. Research shows that the percentage of the population in Merton aged over 55 participating in at least 30 minutes of sport and active recreation (including recreational cycling and walking) of at least moderate intensity, at least 3 days a week, was 11.9%
Irene Dutton, a local elderly resident living near the school, commented: “It is wonderful to see these young students getting so involved with their school life and being determined to look after their health. If the school I attended, many many years ago, had a gym I would have definitely made full use of it.”
