Renew you is a highly regarded one day personal development course which gives women space to explore what they want in their personal and/or working lives.  We look at the messages we give ourselves and challenge ourselves to get rid of negative self-talk which holds us back. Through the collective wisdom of the group, you will leave Renew You ready to make positive changes and take action to move forward in your life. 

As women, we wear so many hats that it can be hard to find time for ourselves. Ask yourself “when was the last time you devoted an entire day to YOU and your well-being and personal development?”

Whether you’re at a crossroads or just want to regroup and reflect on what’s next for you, RenewYou was written with you in mind. This powerful 1 day class, created especially for women, will give you the opportunity to identify where you want to be and create a plan to get there using proven tools and techniques.

During this confidence-boosting and inspiring day you’ll learn how to connect with the power of your “positive self,” discover the labels and limiting beliefs that have held you back, enjoy the company of positive, like-minded women and feel empowered to take control of your life. So if you are…

•  Ready to make a career change but need a little direction
• An overwhelmed female entrepreneur whose work-life balance is non-existent
• A multi-tasking wife and mum who finds time for everyone but yourself
• About to retire or your children have left home and you want to figure out the next chapter of your life
• In need of a long overdue 'mental spa day'

… then it’s time to Renew You!

The cost of Renew You includes a £30 Renew You journal with the entire course contents, 52 weeks of positive psychology articles and case studies of inspirational women. 

Louise, our local RenewYou trainer tells us more about her exciting journey:
Hello, my name is Louise McMilan.  I am Passionate about developing and encouraging others to reach their goals and achieve their dreams, through delivering ‘RenewYou’ personal development courses, CV support and interview skills.

My own personal journey has been achieved through sheer hard work, determination and the odd hurdle or 3!  Born and bred in Weston-super-Mare, I have spent the last 18 years as a Human Resources professional working for a number of organisations in Somerset and Bristol.  A few years ago I turned 40 and started thinking that I wanted to do something new that complimented my skills and experience– supporting the development of others to achieve their goals mixed with some CV and Interview skills support. 

I embarked on a Personal Performance Coaching Diploma (still studying) and focused on other aspects of my own personal development.  I came across ‘RenewYou’ on LinkedIn and found out more information from the trainer (Sharon).  What I read was exactly what I needed, some space to really concentrate on me and my vision!  It was while I was sat doing this course that it dawned on me that this was it – the course really helps you review what you have achieved and what you want for the future, in a positive safe environment.  This would complement my vision and my offering to help others especially women!  Monday morning I followed this up with Jane Woods of Changing People (based in Bath) who designed ‘RenewYou’.  After a lengthy chat and because of my HR background and the courses I have delivered I was offered a place on the licencing day. 

I have delivered the course with another trainer and the feedback has been positive, here are some comments:

“Just the kind of day I needed – in line with my expectations”

“Fully met my expectations, exceeded how I thought I would feel.  I would recommend this course to any woman.  The journal attached to the course enables a revisit and refocus on where we are and how we are doing.”

“This style of course really suited me, time for personal reflection leading naturally into sharing and pooling knowledge and resources.  I hope many women will be able to take advantage of a day like this”

I get a real buzz out of seeing other people achieve their goals and knowing that I helped them discover their path to fulfillment

Louise McMilan
Licensed Renew You Specialist Trainer
Tel - 07841 039349
 
Next RenewYou course will take place on Saturday 11th October.
 
RenewYou course details - http://www.changingpeople.co.uk/courses-list/
LinkedIn Profile - http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=34192924&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Claire is a recent graduate from the University of the West of England (UWE) with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism (First Class might I add, much deserved!), who has set up a website to portfolio her work as a journalist. In some of her recent work, Claire has been writing book reviews, so highly recommend taking a look at her website if your a reader too! (this can be found in the blog section of her website). You can find Claire's work here:  http://claireherbaux.wordpress.com/.

Claire's latest piece 'A History of Reading' was inspired when completing a survey (more details below) about reading. This led Claire into questioning her own reading habits: 'how I learnt to read, what it  means to me, significant books, anything that defines how and what I read now'. Over the coming weeks- Claire will be exploring these questions and bringing to us her discoveries. I hope you'll agree, this sounds like a really interesting piece!


Part one: Introduction 
About a year ago I took part in a survey about reading. It was a questionnaire put together by a researcher and university lecturer looking into women’s reading habits. Thinking about those questions took me on a journey and reminded me of a lot of things I hadn’t thought about in a long time and memories that might otherwise have been forgotten.

Going through my bookshelves back at my parents’ house in my old room triggered some of those memories. 

So now I am on a journey to remember all those book-related stories and really, my reading-story.

All of us readers have one: It’s about how we were taught to read, if it was a pleasure or a chore, who influenced our reading, how we read throughout different chapters of our lives and lately, how we adapt this old-fashioned activity of reading to our modern, restless and technology-led world.

Like the story of our life is defined by people, the story of our reading is defined by books: Our first one, the first one we enjoyed, the first one that taught us empathy, that made us cry, that we shared, and the ones we never let go.

Asthma UK has a long history, stretching all the way back to 1927, when the Asthma Research Council was founded after the Earl of Limerick wrote to The Times. His letter drew attention to the distress and suffering caused by asthma and called for the establishment of an organisation that would research into the "cause and cure of asthma from a firm scientific foundation". At the time, there were estimated to be around 200,000 people in the UK with asthma (Asthma History).

Asthma UK has invested hugely in research since we began all those years ago, spending more than £50 million on it in just the past 25 years. We've also reached millions of people with life-saving advice and support. 

Asthma UK scientists have also made major breakthroughs resulting in the development of new treatments that could ultimately benefit millions of people across the UK. These include flu vaccines for severe asthma, tablets for allergies and improving approaches for immunotherapy, which can have long lasting beneficial effects for people with allergic asthma.  

Asthma UK is the leading asthma charity. There are over five million people with asthma in the UK, and they provide support when most needed. Asthma UK strives to no longer make Asthma a daily battle for sufferers and to ensure others do not die from the condition. They are working to make this a reality through world-leading research, award-winning information and services, and life-changing campaigns.

What They Do: 
They provide helpful resources for every stage of your asthma journey and advice for everyone coping with an asthma diagnosis, including the Asthma UK Helpline.

The telephone Helpline service is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 
The number to call is 0800 121 6244 

You can call them with any concerns you may have about asthma. They welcome any enquiry, no matter how big or small. 

They campaign and raise awareness in the media to make sure asthma is taken seriously, and everyone gets the care they deserve. They help people with asthma speak directly to politicians and decision-makers on the issues that are important to them. They have invested over £50 million into asthma research to date. They’re looking for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure which would transform the lives of people with asthma.

Get Involved
There are a number of ways you can support ASTHMA UK charity;

• You can Hold an event to raise money and awareness of the charity- This could be a sporting event such as a walk, run or cycle ride. 
• An event at home in memory of a loved one. 
• A community event  for all ages to be involved in. 

Erin's Story 

In 2009, at the young age of 20, I received a phone call whilst watching The Knowing in the cinema, which changed my life completely. After receiving numerous calls on my phone, I decided to leave the cinema to take a call. At that point in time I had no idea how my world could come crashing down. Taking the call outside, my Grandma told me to remain calm and that my mum was coming to meet me at the cinema. I begged her to tell me what had happened. My grandma dropped the bombshell, my Dad, Stephen Wright, aged just 45 was dead. He had died suddenly and had just been found.

My world was upturned and when a post-mortem revealed my father had died from an asthma attack I realised just how deadly the condition can be. 

I grew up with Asthma sufferers all around me. My Grandfather is an Asthma sufferer and my father the very same and now my husband is one too. There were very few times when my father didn’t have to use his nebuliser after walking up my grandparents drive. I believed my father to have unusually severe asthma, however since having researched the condition more and spoken to many sufferers on forums, I have been made aware that actually, his level of asthma was not so unusual after all. 

I have decided that I would not only like to support Asthma UK in their goal to find a way to make asthma easier for sufferers, but also for my dad, a wonderfully loving man, larger than life. I have decided to give my lungs a run for their money and complete a half marathon in memory of an amazing man.

Your support would mean so much to me and the people whose lives are affected by asthma. It would be fantastic if you could dig deep and donate generously to my chosen cause, but anything would be greatly appreciated and I thank you very much in advance for supporting me.   http://www.asthma.org.uk/Fundraisers/erin-jones

The Facts About Asthma
Is asthma serious?
Imagine being paralysed by fear as you struggle to breathe, unable to speak, unable to ask for help. That’s what an asthma attack feels like.

There are 5.4 million people with asthma in the UK, which means asthma affects one in five households. Asthma is not just an excuse to skip PE. For a quarter of a million people with severe asthma, even climbing the stairs can feel like a marathon, never mind going outside their home.

Three people die every single day because of asthma. But most of these deaths could have been avoided. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to changing this.

Key Facts

• 5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).
• Asthma prevalence is thought to have plateaued since the late 1990s, although the UK still has some of the highest rates in Europe and on average 3 people a day die from asthma.
• There were 1,167 deaths from asthma in the UK in 2011 (18 of these were children aged 14 and under)
• An estimated 75% of hospital admissions for asthma are avoidable and as many as 90% of the deaths from asthma are preventable.

Children, parents and asthma

• One in 11 children has asthma and it is the most common long-term medical condition.
• On average there are two children with asthma in every classroom in the UK.
• The UK has among the highest prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in children worldwide.
• There were 25,073 emergency hospital admissions for children in the UK in 2011-2012. That means on average there were 69 per day, or one every 21 minutes.

If you have been reading my blog over the past few days, you will have seen I have been using a new female only gym in Weston-super-Mare called Eden. Tamzon is the pilates instructor and one of the fitness specialists with Eden. With 25 years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer- specialising in special needs; medical disorders; sport specific injuries; postural correction; step and aerobic dance as well as previously owning her own gyms in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Tamzon can also back up her wealth of experience with qualifications such as being an academic trainer in the Diploma in Exercise Science for The Health and Fitness Professionals of South Africa with an Academy in Botswana and Zimbabwe as well as Pilates Instructor Level 1 and 2. In my recent sessions Tamzon has been introducing me to Joe Pilates – The New York Method Pilates, which is a mind-body connection and is perfect for rehabilitation of most injuries, medical disorders and postural correction. Her wealth of experience and expertise, full equips Tamzon with the understanding and know how for appropriate, supportive and engaging pilates sessions.

Pilates is known to have many health benefits and there have been numerous articles and studies in this specialism. Namely, it enhances lung capacity, circulation, nerve innervation, musculoskeletal discomfort and as it works the deep core muscles it prepares the body for the degenerative ageing process. Whilst having so many anatomical and physiological benefits it will also tone and strengthen the body.  

Pilates requires control and a mind-body connection to improve the body's mechanics and posture. It maximizes the relative arrangement of the body parts in any position allowing the muscles to function with maximum efficiency. Poor posture actually increases the strain on the body parts and supporting structures. Pilates will re-balance the body, altering muscle recruitment, restoring natural and normal movement patterns.

This may be done with static and dynamic muscle contractions using minimum energy for the maintenance of good body alignment.

The Benefits of Pilates include;

• Freedom of movement
  
• Increased muscle function and circulation
  
• Increased range of motion at the joint
  
• Pain relief
  
• Minimises stress and strain on the joints and connective tissues
• Increases balance, spatial awareness and coordination
• Ensures correct muscle balance between anterior / posterior and proximal / distal muscle groups

Pilates will

• Increase the strength length and flexibility of the muscle
• Train muscles to stabilise body parts against gravity
  
• Train muscles to mobilise body parts against gravity

The principles of Pilates are as follows

• Relax
• Concentrate
• Visualise
  
• Centre
  
• Control
  
• Precision
  
• Flowing movements
  
• Breathing
  
• Alignment

There are many conditions which can be helped and benefited by with Pilates but clients must be monitored intensely. It is therefore essential to inform your practitioner of any existing medical conditions/concerns. The below are examples of contraindications where Pilates could be beneficial;

• Arthritis – Inflammation of articulating area
• Osteo Arthritis – Degenerative wear and tear.
  
• Chronic fatigue – Energy deficit leading to complete exhaustion
  
• Fibromyalgia – Pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments (joints)
  
• Multiple Sclerosis 
  
• Cerebral Palsy
  
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries - Trauma
  
• Facet Joint Syndrome – Connections between vertebra ( facets ) become inflamed
  
• Total Hip Replacement – Change of musculature
• Osteoporosis – Decreased oestrogen – decreased bone density
• Peripheral Neuropathy – Numbness, tingling, diminished sensation
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Auto immune – hyper joint flexibility
• Adhesive Capulitis – Frozen shoulder - impingement
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome – Trapped nerve / hand or wrist
• Rotator Cuff Impingement – Tight rotator cuff muscles - SITTS

Having attended my first session with Tamzon at Eden, yesterday, I can honestly say it was the safest I felt in attending a group session. Recognising me as a new member, Tamzon and I discuss any potential ailments or illnesses that may impact on my ability to perform in the class- going into further detail where there are any concerns. 

Throughout the session Tamzon was observant in my attempts of the stretches and exercises we were undertaking (I say attempting because I am so stiff at the moment, a few of them were quite challenging), correcting any techniques to ensure I was executing the movement to a). maximise the benefit from the stretch/position and b). to ensure I was doing it in the safest possible manor.  Moreover, even at a distance, Tamzon could indicate and diagnose points of constriction in movement because of my previous/existing lifestyle- of which I am assured can be corrected. However, it is highlighting to me the potential such existing lifestyle patterns/postural shape could effect my ability to move (including walking) in later life that spurs me on during my session. Something I still resonate with today as I look in the mirror, sit at my computer (ensuring my shoulders are back and back is straight) and even in the way my muscles feel the morning after- which ache in places I never knew existed! 

Tamzon and Sam x

What better way to say I LOVE YOU, than with a delicious Chocolate Torte! 

When I bake at home, I generally bake gluten free. I find it tastes far better to bake it then buy it and I know that it is so much better for me too! This torte has me sold- chocolate and gluten free! YES please! 

Over the next few days, as Mother's Day is this Sunday (don't say you forgot!), I will be bringing to you the latest recipe cards from Marks and Spencer that you can make just for Mum. 

I hope that you will enjoy them as much me!  Sam xx

Stairs are finally manageable again having run the half marathon on Sunday and it is nice to be ache free again, I heard it takes a day to recover for every mile that you ran but unfortunately I can’t take 13 days off with all of my final year deadlines approaching! 

Anyway back to why I under took this challenge in the first place.
An old school teacher of mine made a bet with me a few years back about completing a marathon one day, so I chose a half marathon as starting point. Bath is a beautiful city and I had heard that the
support there was fantastic and close to Bristol, I thought why not. 

I chose to run for The Meningitis Research Foundation, a charity that is close to my heart and is also a great cause to support. Meningitis and septicaemia can kill or disable in hours and early identification of symptoms can help to save lives (like mine). 
 
I naively went into my training pre Christmas thinking that a half an hour 5km/3 mile run wouldn’t be that hard, I was so wrong. As a lacrosse player I am much more used to short sprint running rather
than long distance so even the first little step took some getting used to with perseverance. I downloaded BUPA’s Beginner Half Marathon plan off the Internet and this was a great help with my training. Slowly increasing the distance over a couple of months is definitely the way to approach this kind of race and it does take time to get used to. In hindsight I would also try to do 14 miles in training a few weekends before the race so you know what to expect as I had only  trained to 10 miles because of injury and therefore found the last 3 miles at  the end particularly difficult in such wet and windy conditions. The feeling after a long run is a great sense of achievement too, especially when you can see that you made it around the same loop as the day before perhaps in a faster time. I also used an app called mapmyrun which was really useful – it does what it says on the tin really and interrupts your music every 1km to tell you how fast you are going and what time, this definitely helped me gauge where my comfort level was.
 
The run itself was that step up from training, it is difficult to find your own pace with everyone constantly over taking you and you over taking other so you are never next to the same person for long with approximately 12,000 runners. The Bath Half course is 2 loops and it was amazing to see the winners sprint past you at double your pace when you are not even half way and also that little bit depressing but everyone is cheering for you and handing out jelly babies along the way so the atmosphere is just fantastic.  It is so great to see the huge variety of causes everyone else is running for and their fancy dress outfits too. I ran next to one guy for a little bit and he was juggling the whole way!!
 
I definitely want to run one again, hopefully before the end of the year and I will be using Bristol’s 10k race in May as something to keep my running going. I find training is much more rewarding when you are doing it towards something like a race and it is also nice to have a running partner too. 

I would just like to mention that it is NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE and
my page is still open and can be found at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FFairbairn. 
  
Donations will help fund research into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia, provide life-saving awareness information and support for people who have lost a loved one, or are coping with after effects.  
 
Thank you for all your support, 
 
Over and out, 
 
Fiona