Week beginning 13 July- summer break dates.

Hello,
The high temperatures forecast for Friday last week informed my decision to cancel classes at Prospect House that day. This can often be a difficult decision, but it wasn’t so difficult with temperatures predicted to be over 32 degrees last Friday. I hope you managed to keep cool!
I have been modifying my classes due to the heat, depending on the venue and participants. So you might find classes are less intense, shorter and with more water breaks. If you are going outdoors to exercise, go either early or late when it is cooler. (Mad dogs and Englishmen.) Temperatures are forecast to be lower this coming week – our last week before we stop for the summer break, so we should be a bit more comfortable.
Heat & heart: what older adults should know before exercising in summer – LiveWell Magazine


Summer Break
The dates for the summer break are: 
No classes on and from Monday, 20 July, until we start again on Monday, 17 August.Thursday night Zumba has finished for the summer.

Monday morning 8am Pilates
If you know anyone who has limited free time during the day due to work schedules, this class might be a perfect way to start the week.

Zoom chair-based classes for people with MS or other Neurological conditions
If you know anyone with MS or another neurological condition, who would like to exercise from home, please ask them to get in touch with me for the link. The amazing local MS Society provides these classes for free. I teach them on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtime. There are also face-to-face classes twice a month and Hydro weekly.

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

Monday 13 July
8am Early Bird Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
9.30 Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2 pm Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Chairfit Lower House, Welsby Road (For friends and neighbours of residents of Progress Housing)

Tuesday 14 July
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 

1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens, Chorley

Wednesday 15 July- Prospect House, Sandy Lane 
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 16 July
10am Seated Pilates St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive 
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list) Prospect House, Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House, Sandy Lane

Friday 17 July-Prospect House, Sandy Lane
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit

Summer break starts. Classes recommence on Monday 17 August

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

Week beginning 6 July, summer holiday dates and air travel exercises

Hello,
As you probably know, if you have been coming to class, I am going to take a few weeks off at the end of July and the beginning of August to catch up with myself and to do some studying. (You never stop learning in this job!) I am not going away, but if you are, you might be flying somewhere or sitting for long periods of time on a train or coach. Here are some things you can do while sitting there. In fact, the leg and foot exercises are almost the same as the ones we do in Seated Pilates and Chairfit. So if you come to those classes, you already know what to do.

10 exercises you can do on an airplane (and why it’s important) — Calm Blog

Exercises for airplane travel | 4 Seated Moves for Happy Holiday Legs

Summer Break
The dates for the summer break are: 
No classes from Monday, 20 July, until we start again on Monday, 17 August.
Thursday night Zumba has finished for the summer.



Monday morning 8am Pilates
If you know anyone who has limited free time during the day due to work schedules, this class might be a perfect way to start the week.

Zoom chair-based classes for people with MS or other Neurological conditions
If you know anyone with MS or another neurological condition, who would like to exercise from home, please ask them to get in touch with me for the link. The amazing local MS Society provides these classes for free. I teach them on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtime. There are also face-to-face classes twice a month and Hydro weekly.


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

Monday 6 July
8am Early Bird Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
9.30 Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2 pm Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Chairfit Lower House, Welsby Road (For friends and neighbours of residents of Progress Housing)


Tuesday 7 July
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 

1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens, Chorley

Wednesday 8 July- Prospect House, Sandy Lane 
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 9 July
10am Seated Pilates St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive 
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list


Prospect House, Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House, Sandy Lane


Friday 10 July-Prospect House, Sandy Lane
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit



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

Week beginning 29 June, Summer holiday break and muscle building as we age

Hello,
Keeping strong as we get older is one of the most important things to maintain our independence, keep free from injury and enjoy the things we love doing. Here are some ideas from the Physio Will Harlow below:

You’re Not “Too Old” to Build Muscle – Here’s Proof

The Home Strength Plan Everyone Over 60 Needs

Don’t forget to increase your protein intake as you age. Protein synthesis becomes less efficient, so we need to increase the amount we eat. Eggs, chicken, lentils, Greek yoghurt, and fish are all good sources, so don’t skimp on these foods.
If you want the science here it is: Protein Requirements Change With Age (Here’s Why)

Summer Break
The dates for the summer break are: 
No classes from Monday, 20 July, until we start again on Monday, 17 August.
Thursday night Zumba has finished for the summer.

Monday morning 8am Pilates
If you know anyone who has limited free time during the day due to work schedules, this class might be a perfect way to start the week.

Zoom chair-based classes for people with MS or other Neurological conditions
If you know anyone with MS or another neurological condition, who would like to exercise from home, please ask them to get in touch with me for the link. The amazing local MS Society provides these classes for free. I teach them on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtime. There are also face-to-face classes twice a month and Hydro weekly.


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

Monday 29 June
8am Early Bird Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
9.30 Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2 pm Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Chairfit Lower House, Welsby Road (For friends and neighbours of residents of Progress Housing)


Tuesday 30 June
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 

1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens, Chorley

Wednesday 1 July- Prospect House, Sandy Lane 
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 2 July
10am Seated Pilates St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive 
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list


Prospect House, Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House, Sandy Lane


Friday 3 July-Prospect House, Sandy Lane
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit



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



 

Week beginning 22 June, Summer Break dates, Zumba Thursday night finished for the summer and hearing loss

Hello,
I am looking forward to seeing my wonderful Dad later today. My Dad is 87 this year and fit and healthy, very busy travelling, seeing friends, doing a multitude of DIY and gardening projects. The main thing he and his wife have had to deal with is a deterioration in his hearing. Fortunately, he has been able to have good-quality hearing aids, which have helped enormously. You will see in my chair-based classes that I encourage anyone with hearing loss to be at the front so they can hear what I am saying more easily. 
Once you stop hearing easily, it is harder to socialise. Remaining socially engaged is one of the key factors in increased longevity. Don’t hesitate to have a hearing test when you start to notice you are missing out on conversations. Many Opticians have this facility. A local one I use is: Hearing Care – Wrights Opticians – Hearing aids & Hearing Tests

A couple of my class members will give me a microphone that I can wear around my neck during the class. This makes a huge difference to them being able to follow what I am saying.
Our lovely class member John, who has severe hearing loss has sent me some information to share about these Mics:

‘This is the link to the Partner Mic I have.  https://www.connevans.co.uk/product/27960966/3P0764001P510/Phonak-Hearing-Aid-PartnerMic-for-One-to-One-conversations   We get the EX VAT price.
It works very well for 1:1 use as with a class teacher who is moving around.   Very relaxing to just be able to hear.   We use it in the car too.  The down side is that it focuses on the person with the Mic  (1:1)  and other ‘casual’ conversation is worse as you found on Monday.  It is simple and effective at what it does well.’


Summer Break
The dates for the summer break are: 
No classes from Monday, 20 July, until we start again on Monday, 17 August.
Thursday night Zumba has finished for the summer.


Monday morning 8am Pilates
If you know anyone who has limited free time during the day due to work schedules, this class might be a perfect way to start the week.

Zoom chair-based classes for people with MS or other Neurological conditions
If you know anyone with MS or another neurological condition, who would like to exercise from home, please ask them to get in touch with me for the link. The amazing local MS Society provides these classes for free. I teach them on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtime. There are also face-to-face classes twice a month and Hydro weekly.


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

Monday 22 June
8am Early Bird Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
9.30 Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2 pm Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Chairfit Lower House, Welsby Road (For friends and neighbours of residents of Progress Housing)


Tuesday 23 June
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 

1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens, Chorley

Wednesday 24 June- Prospect House, Sandy Lane 
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 25 June
10am Seated Pilates St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive 
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list


Prospect House, Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House, Sandy Lane


Friday 26 June-Prospect House, Sandy Lane
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit




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



 

Week beginning 15 June

Hello,

Sometimes we think we have to do dramatic things to keep fit, like run a marathon, and that is way too much and overwhelming, so we end up doing nothing. Small, consistent daily habits are the best way to long-term fitness. I like this video by a GP and fitness instructor that shows you how to do short bits of exercise and how to progress with them.
(20) Facebook
And whenever you can get outside, a great way to exercise outdoors is through gardening, and as you know, I love my allotment. Gardening gets you doing all sorts of movements like lifting, squatting, bending and pulling, which you would do in the gym, but you are outdoors enjoying nature.
(116) The Surprising Health Benefits Of Gardening – A Physician Explains – YouTube




Monday morning 8am Pilates
If you know anyone who has limited free time during the day due to work schedules, this class might be a perfect way to start the week.

Zoom chair-based classes for people with MS or other Neurological conditions
If you know anyone with MS or another neurological condition, who would like to exercise from home, please ask them to get in touch with me for the link. The amazing local MS Society provides these classes for free. I teach them on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtime. There are also face-to-face classes twice a month and Hydro weekly.


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

Monday 15 June
8am Early Bird Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
9.30 Move It Mondays
10.30am Pilates
11.30am Zumba Gold
12.30pm Seated Pilates

2 pm Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Chairfit Lower House, Welsby Road (For friends and neighbours of residents of Progress Housing)


Tuesday 16 June
10am  Forever Fit Euxton Community Centre (class full- waiting list) 
11.15am Chairfit Euxton Community Centre 

1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens, Chorley

Wednesday 17 June- Prospect House, Sandy Lane 
9.30am Zumba 
10.30 am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30amChairfit 

Thursday 18 June
10am Seated Pilates St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive 
11.15am Chairfit St Mary’s Community Centre Broadfield Drive (class full – waiting list


6.30pm Zumba Prospect House, Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates


Friday 19 June-Prospect House, Sandy Lane
9.30am Zumba
10.30am Pilates (booking essential)
11.30am Forever Fit


On the theme of gardening, here’s a competition if you know someone who has a wonderful front garden, containers or hanging baskets.

May be a doodle of text that says 'lévland In Bloom KEEP BLOOMING 2026 WE LOVE YOUR GARDEN/CONTAiNER/HANGING BASKET! WHY NOT ENTER OUR KEEP LEYLAND BLOOMING COMPETITION? ENTRY is EASY; EMAiL KEEP.LEYLAND.BLOOMING.COMPETTION @GMAiL.COM PiCK UP AN ENTRY FORM FROM THE CiViC CENTRE OR THE PLANT STALL AT LEYLAND MARKET South Ribble Borough Borough.cound sorougn SEND US A DM ON FACEBOOK OR SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW For more information find more.informationfinduson us on Facebook or email kcop./eyland.blooming.compettion @gmail.com'

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