Do Fitness with Diane Oakden

Hello,

We have come to the last week of Do Fitness classes of 2025. I just want to thank you for attending throughout the year. If you are not coming to class next week, I look forward to seeing you at the Christmas lunches and/or next year.

Can you get up off the floor?
Our priorities change as we go through life, and so do the reasons we exercise. As we get older, we want to maintain our independence and quality of life, and regular exercise is a big part of that. Many things we do in class, whether it is Pilates, Forever Fit, ChairFit or Zumba, are to ensure we can get up and down off the floor easily. One of my class members follows the Physio below with ideas of what you can do. These short videos are really excellent and worth watching.

How To Get Off The Floor After 60 Without Kneeling (Step‑By‑Step)

Can’t Get Up from the Floor? THIS Will Help! (for 50+)

3 Exercises to Help You Get Up Off the Floor (Ages 50+)


Christmas Holiday Dates
Last daytime classes –   Friday 12 December

Thursday evening and Euxton Community Centre classes have finished until the new year.

All classes start again on Monday 5 January 2026

Christmas fundraising raffle for the Chorley and Leyland MS Society
One of our clever class members has made these wonderful prizes for this year’s raffle. Thank you so much, Aileen. They are beautiful. Thank you to Lynne too, who has made some beautiful scarves to add to the prizes. Tickets are available in class. The local MS Society does amazing work to support people with MS, Chorley and Leyland Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK   The raffle will be drawn at the Christmas lunch on Wednesday 17 December.
Christmas lunch dates
Our Christmas lunch dates.Tuesday 16 December 12.30pm for a sit-down lunch at Bees Country Kitchen in Chorley Wednesday 17 December 12.30pm for a buffet lunch at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland, Timetable and booking
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch on Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane OakdenMonday 8 December- Prospect House
8am Early Bird Pilates 
9.30am Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2pm Chairfit – St Mary’s Community Centre 

Tuesday 9 December
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) no class
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre  no class
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens

Wednesday 10 December- Prospect House
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates 
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 11 December
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) 

Friday 12 December-Prospect House
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever FitClasses start again Monday 5 January 2026

Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are a Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949  
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps – I am continuing to collect used stamps- they will be given to Galloways – the local sight loss charity Galloways Sight Loss Charity Preston 

x
Diane

PS- Personal note – my daughter Eleni is loving her Physiotherapy degree at Salford University.

Hello,
Christmas is coming! Just two weeks left of daytime classes and then your Christmas break. I am looking forward to our Christmas lunches and a chance to socialise with you.

Why am I so obsessed with heel raises?
I slip heel raises into every class, whether it is a standing or seated class. By doing heel raises, you improve the strength in your calves, ankles and feet, which is essential for good balance and preventing falls. Heel raises improve venous return, that is, better circulation in your legs, helping the blood return to the heart. Heel raises can be done anywhere eg when you are waiting for the kettle to boil or when you are watching TV. More explanation below:

(137) Heel Raise Exercises for Longevity | 5 Reasons You Need to Incorporate Them into Your Routine – YouTube

1 Move To Activate Your Secondary Heart | Hitanshi


Last Euxton class on Tuesday 2 December 
This will be our last class until we start again on Tuesday, 6 January 2026.

Christmas Holiday Dates
Last daytime classes –   Friday 12 December
(Euxton Community Centre classes finish Tuesday 2 December.)
All classes start again on Monday 5 January 2026

Thursday evening classes have finished until the new year.

Christmas fundraising raffle for the Chorley and Leyland MS Society
One of our clever class members has made these wonderful prizes for this year’s raffle. Thank you so much, Aileen. They are beautiful. Thank you to Lynne too, who has made some beautiful scarves to add to the prizes. Tickets are available in class. The local MS Society does amazing work to support people with MS, Chorley and Leyland Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK   The raffle will be drawn at the Christmas lunch on Wednesday 17 December.


Christmas lunch dates
Our Christmas lunch dates.

Tuesday 16 December 12.30pm for a sit-down lunch at Bees Country Kitchen in Chorley Fully booked

Wednesday 17 December 12.30pm for a buffet lunch at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland, £15 Still places available

Sorry, but we only have places at Fox Lane Cricket Club now. Bees is fully booked. Please put the money in an envelope with your name on it and give it to me in class to book a place.


Timetable and booking
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch on Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden

Monday 1 December- Prospect House
8am Early Bird Pilates 
9.30am Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2pm Chairfit – St Mary’s Community Centre New

Tuesday 2 December
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens

Wednesday 3 December- Prospect House
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates 
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 4 December
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) 

Friday 5 December-Prospect House
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit New

Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are a Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949  
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps – I am continuing to collect used stamps- they will be given to Galloways – the local sight loss charity Galloways Sight Loss Charity Preston 

x
Diane

PS- Personal note – my daughter Eleni is loving her Physiotherapy degree at Salford University.

Hello,
We have just 3 weeks left of our full timetable before we break for Christmas. (Evening classes finish this week and Euxton classes finish next week.) Christmas always takes me by surprise, even though it is the same date every year!

Christmas can be a challenging time for people if they live alone and don’t have family nearby. If you know anybody in this situation, please let them know about local events like the one below:


Euxton Community Centre classes- door and Christmas break.
The door is stiff to open, and although I leave it slightly ajar when I unlock it, it gets shut again, but it is not locked! Please use a bit of strength to open it. It has been reported to the caretaker.
Last class Euxton class Tuesday 2 December 

Christmas Holiday Dates
Last evening classes –  Thursday 27 November
Last daytime classes –   Friday 12 December
(Euxton Community Centre classes finish Tuesday 2 December.)
All classes start again on Monday 5 January 2026

Christmas fundraising raffle for the Chorley and Leyland MS Society
One of our clever class members has made these wonderful prizes for this year’s raffle. Thank you so much, Aileen. They are beautiful. Thank you to Lynne too, who has made some beautiful scarves to add to the prizes. Tickets are available in class. The local MS Society does amazing work to support people with MS, Chorley and Leyland Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK   


Christmas lunch dates
Our Christmas lunch dates.

Tuesday 16 December 12.30pm for a sit-down lunch at Bees Country Kitchen in Chorley Fully booked

Wednesday 17 December 12.30pm for a buffet lunch at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland, £15 

Sorry, but we only have places at Fox Lane Cricket Club now. Bees is fully booked. Please put the money in an envelope with your name on it and give it to me in class to book a place.

One of our class members is running this lovely workshop on 29 November


Timetable and booking
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch on Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden

Monday 24 November – Prospect House
8am Early Bird Pilates 
9.30am Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2pm Chairfit – St Mary’s Community Centre New

Tuesday 25 November
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens

Wednesday 26 November- Prospect House
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates 
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 27 November
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) 

6.30pm Zumba  Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30m Pilates

Friday 28 November-Prospect House
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit New

Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are a Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949  
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps – I am continuing to collect used stamps- they will be given to Galloways – the local sight loss charity Galloways Sight Loss Charity Preston 

x
Diane

PS- Personal note – my daughter Eleni is loving her Physiotherapy degree at Salford University.

Hello,
Today is a beautiful sunny winter’s day, and as soon as I have finished writing this newsletter, I shall be getting outside to make the most of the sunshine. This is really important as in winter, when most days can be grey and gloomy, we need to enjoy the sunny ones for our well-being. We can start to feel tired and low in energy as the winter progresses. Here are some tips to feel less tired:
Winter Fatigue: How to Feel Less Tired

Euxton Community Centre classes- door and Christmas break.
The door is stiff to open, and although I leave it slightly ajar when I unlock it, it gets shut again, but it is not locked! Please use a bit of strength to open it. It has been reported to the caretaker.
Last class Tuesday 2 December 

Christmas Holiday Dates
Last evening classes –  Thursday 27 November
Last daytime classes –   Friday 12 December
(Euxon Community Centre classes finish Tuesday 2 December.)
All classes start again on Monday 5 January 2026

Christmas fundraising raffle for the Chorley and Leyland MS Society
One of our clever class members has made these wonderful prizes for this year’s raffle. Thank you so much, Aileen. They are beautiful. Tickets are available in class. The local MS Society does amazing work to support people with MS, Chorley and Leyland Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK


Christmas lunch dates
Our Christmas lunch dates.

Tuesday 16 December 12.30pm for a sit-down lunch at Bees Country Kitchen in Chorley Fully booked

Wednesday 17 December 12.30pm for a buffet lunch at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland, £15

Sorry, but we only have places at Fox Lane Cricket Club now. Bees is fully booked. Please put the money in an envelope with your name on it and give it to me in class to book a place.

Cancelling a class
If you are unable to attend class, please go to Gymcatch and cancel. This can be done up to the start of the class. Gymcatch will automatically give you a class credit.

One of our class members is running this lovely workshop on 29 November


Timetable and booking
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch on Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden

Monday 17 November – Prospect House
8am Early Bird Pilates 
9.30am Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates
2pm Chairfit – St Mary’s Community Centre New

Tuesday 18 November
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens

Wednesday 19 November- Prospect House
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates 
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 20 November
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) 

6.30pm Zumba  Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30m Pilates

Friday 21 December-Prospect House
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit New

Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are a Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949  
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps – I am continuing to collect used stamps- they will be given to Galloways – the local sight loss charity Galloways Sight Loss Charity Preston 

x
Diane

PS- Personal note – my daughter Eleni is loving her Physiotherapy degree at Salford University.

Hello,
Last week was a bit tough for me because of being away on a training course last weekend I didn’t have any time to rest and recover. It just reminded me that rest and recovery are as important as being busy. Even if you are retired, you can still find yourself filling your time with many commitments and pressures, so it is important to take time out for rest.

Relax and Restore with Seven Types of Rest – Healthy Monday

Christmas fundraising raffle for the Chorley and Leyland MS Society
One of our clever class members has made these wonderful prizes for this year’s raffle. Thank you so much, Aileen. They are beautiful. Tickets are available in class. The local MS Society does amazing work to support people with MS, Chorley and Leyland Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK


Christmas lunch dates
Our Christmas lunch dates.

Tuesday 16 December 12.30pm for a sit-down lunch at Bees Country Kitchen in Chorley Fully booked

Wednesday 17 December 12.30pm for a buffet lunch at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland, £15

Sorry, but we only have places at Fox Lane Cricket Club now. Bees is fully booked. Please put the money in an envelope with your name on it and give it to me in class to book a place.

Cancelling a class
If you are unable to attend class, please go to Gymcatch and cancel. This can be done up to the start of the class. Gymcatch will automatically give you a class credit.

One of our class members is running this lovely workshop on 29 November


Timetable and booking
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch on Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden

Monday 10 November – Prospect House
8am Early Bird Pilates 
9.30am Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates
2pm Chairfit – St Mary’s Community Centre New

Tuesday 11 November
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens

Wednesday 12 November- Prospect House
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates 
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 13 November
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) 

6.30pm Zumba  Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30m Pilates

Friday 14 December-Prospect House
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit New

Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are a Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949  
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps – I am continuing to collect used stamps- they will be given to Galloways – the local sight loss charity Galloways Sight Loss Charity Preston 

x
Diane

PS- Personal note – my daughter Eleni is loving her Physiotherapy degree at Salford University.

Hello,
I am really looking forward to my Pilates course for qualified instructors this weekend. This year we will be learning more about seated Pilates, spine safe Pilates, hip dysfunction, hypopressive breathing and pelvic floors. I attend this training day every year to keep my knowledge as up-to-date as possible. Plus, it is great fun. You might be able to spot me in last year’s photo.

Knees
Osteoarthritis in the Knees is a big issue for many of my class members, with quite a few of you having had knee replacements. Remember, keeping strong muscles around your knee joint before and after helps you recover from surgery more quickly. Chairfit and Seated Pilates are ideal for this.

How to future-proof your knees – BBC Future



Christmas lunch dates
Our Christmas lunch dates.

Tuesday 16 December 12.30pm for a sit-down lunch at Bees Country Kitchen in Chorley £20

Wednesday 17 December 12.30pm for a buffet lunch at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland £15

You can choose either. Please put the money in an envelope with your name and which venue you are coming to.
For Bees please state whether you want Turkey, Beef or Nut Roast and whether you want Trifle, Xmas Pudding or Cheese

Cancelling a class
If you are unable to attend class, please go to Gymcatch and cancel. This can be done up to the start of the class. Gymcatch will automatically give you a class credit.

Timetable and booking
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch on Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden

Monday 3 November – Prospect House
8am Early Bird Pilates 
9.30am Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates
2pm Chairfit – St Mary’s Community Centre New

Tuesday 4 November
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens

Wednesday 5 November- Prospect House
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates 
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday  6 November
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) 

6.30pm Zumba  Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30m Pilates

Friday 7 November-Prospect House
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit New

Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are a Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949  
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps – I am continuing to collect used stamps- they will be given to Galloways – the local sight loss charity Galloways Sight Loss Charity Preston 

x
Diane

PS- Personal note – my daughter Eleni is loving her Physiotherapy degree at Salford University.