Meet Jo
Jo says “It is my passion to help you improve your fitness and get healthy. I am a qualified fitness instructor and specialise in working with people who are overweight and/or unfit. I also know what it is like to be overweight, so I plan my classes carefully using my personal experiences, knowledge and skills.”
Meet Helen
Helen says “I joined the team in October 2024 and lead the classes in Norton on a Monday evening and in Stowupland on Tuesday mornings & Wednesday evenings.”
“I first tried Paracise a few years ago after I had been looking for something that would be a fun, low impact exercise class because of a history of back issues which resulted in a back operation for slipped discs.”
“I had tried various exercises and ended up continually getting injured and feeling disheartened, but found that Paracise helped me to embrace my body and helped it to get stronger in a safe and enjoyable way.” “I was thrilled (and nervous) at the thought of training to lead the sessions but I knew it would be such a wonderful opportunity to have a great time with brilliant people while keeping our bodies moving, and I really wanted to help people the way that Paracise has helped me.”
Before embarking on Exercise to Music training my background was as a Youth Worker and then as a Play Therapist for children; working in Pastoral roles in Schools and the Community.
I have two wonderful boys whom I home educate so I am busy providing them with diverse learning experiences.
I love that I am feeling fitter and healthier and they are seeing their mum who was once struggling with movements enjoying exercise again – exercise really is so beneficial for the body and mind.”
Jo’s Story…..
I started gaining weight when I was 15: I loved my food (and still do!) and it seemed the more calories it contained the more I loved it, with chocolate, cookies and cakes being a real weakness of mine….and later on wine! I’ve been with my husband since I was aged 14 and he never seemed to mind my ever expanding waistline, so at the time nor did I.
Over the years after many embarrassing comments including people thinking I was pregnant, the last straw came for me when I didn’t recognise my own reflection in a changing room mirror. I swore to myself there and then that something had to be done…. and properly this time! No more losing a bit and then gaining back even more. It was time to be honest with myself – that I was truly fed up with feeling uncomfortable and overweight.
And I really was unhappy: my inner thighs would chafe and bleed, my tummy overhang would get sore and I found myself being short of breath a lot of the time…… And exercise? Well, I hated it, so I didn’t do any – I was totally unfit and out of shape.
And that is what I did: By the time I went on holiday with my family in the June – just 22 weeks later I’d lost 4 stone and was a size 10. I then went on to lose another stone to be a size 8 and became a Regional “Slimmer of the Year.” I can honestly say losing weight and getting fit was the best decision I ever made. I live my life now, instead of it being a daily struggle to do everyday tasks and I would recommend anyone to do the same. So if you’ve been putting off joining my classes because you feel “ashamed” or “embarrassed” or you think I won’t understand, then I hope that you now know I will.
Following my weight loss I decided to train as a fitness instructor and qualified in nutrition and for 5 years ran Diet & Fitness classes for a local franchisee until April 2014. It was at that point that I was offered the opportunity to buy my classes: So along with the support of my wonderful members, I decided to grab the chance to go it alone.
……And that’s how Jo’s Fit4all Classes began, which is what brings me here to help you. So please, if you’re reading this really wishing you can lose your weight, then do come along as I’d really love to help you.
You can do it too!
