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 My name is Edwina and with my
husband, Jim, I came to live in Roseville Retirement Village a year
ago. Jim has had a mild stroke and he lost his confidence in using
a walking stick and was relying completely on a walking frame.
In February this year we heard that Ingrid was starting strength
training classes so along with twenty other residents we joined up
as I was hoping that the exercises would help Jim whose balance and
co-ordination was not at all good. I must admit that we were
not very helpful as I am 80 and Jim will be 90 this year but
thought we would give it a go.
Ingrid turned out to have a sunny and happy personality with an
infectious enthusiasm which made us all want to do our best.
She started us on a regime which was within our capabilities and
gradually, week by week, Ingrid has increased the levels so that
after only 4 months we are doing exercises which would have been,
in the beginning, very difficult indeed.
Jim has found her unfailing patience, help and encouragement a
great booster to his morale and his balance and co-ordination has
improved dramatically. Other professionals have warned us
that once Jim started to use a walker he would have to use it for
the rest of his life so you can imagine my surprise, delight and
utter joy when two weeks ago he left the walker in the laundry and
set out with just a walking stick. One hour twice a week for just 4
months and to me it has been like a miracle. The exercises
are good for me also so needless to say we will be going to
Ingrid’s classes for as long as she continues teaching.
Her unbounded energy and encouragement make her classes such a
help and such fun that we look forward to them and try to practices
at home with the tension bands and the weights and the balance
exercises. From the word go Ingrid makes sure that we only
use the weights which are appropriate for our levels so there is no
risk of overdoing it.
I hope that seeing my husband able to walk without his walker
will be, in part, the reward she so richly deserves.
(Edwina J. Skelt, Doncaster East, 4 June, 2008)
The Lift for Life group, which you have led in such a
fun-loving, easy manner – not that you have not worked us all hard,
but at our own individual pace, extending us to achieve
possibilities that I certainly never thought I would achieve.
My taste buds changed and I lowered my coffee intake, my aches
and pains have gone and my eye problems, after shingles affected
the nerves there, have improved so that I am back driving my car
confidently. I still have 1.5 certification to go, but can
confidently recommend the course to others in order to achieve a
richer, fuller more confident lifestyle.
(Helen, early 60s, Hawthorn)
I feel so much better, even friends and relations have
noticed. I feel in charge of my body now even in small ways,
going up stairs, handling the food shopping. I owe it all to
Maryanne and especially Ingrid for her care and encouragement,
thanks again team.
(Annette, early 60s, Hawthorn)
Ingrid is totally committed to improving the fitness and
wellbeing of her clients. I have been training with her close to a
year.
Recently I took up Nordic walking sessions twice a week. I was
surprised at how effective Nordic walking is for weight loss and
core body toning. It's thoroughly enjoyable and I fully
recommend it as a low-impact activity with great results.
(M. Ciancarelli, Armadale) | 