Written by:
Alexandra Tan, Year 12
With exams always looming and workloads escalating, many of us set aside out healthy lifestyles in exchange for late nights and stress snacking. However, there are many studies that reveal the benefits of balanced diets, sufficient sleep and regular exercise to enhance concentration and memory. So instead of aimlessly procrastinating, go for a quick run or workout! These teachers offer great tips on how they manage live healthily despite a jam-packed schedule. For extra motivation, keep in mind that vacation is always just around the corner, and we have little time to prep our beach bodies!
Mr. Barker
Newbie Mr. Barker is not your ordinary English
teacher. Running is one of his biggest passions, and can be spotted jogging
around the Fort almost everyday. Mr. Barker can beat just about anyone in BSM
at the bleep test (with the exception of Mr. Wooldridge), and his running
achievements and experiences around the world are nothing short of impressive.
Mr. Barker: I have been running from the age of 5.
I started running cross country races in my village of Linton in South
Cambridgeshire. There was a lovely, strong running community in the village and
there were many organised runs. Every summer, the running club would travel to
London for the Hyde Park Fun Run which broke people into age groups and then
they would compete over courses around the park. It was fab! My best finish was
13th out of about
1500 entrants in the boys under 13 race.
My family loves running and in our village we were
the best family in the March Hare Fun Run about 5 years in a row. Having a
local running community helped me become interested and competitive in running.
However, when I moved away from Linton at the age of 12, I stopped running
competitively, until I entered the Moscow 10km run about 5 years ago. I managed
38 minutes for 10km which is good for me but way off the winners who were about
31 minutes. Since then I just try to improve my own times, especially on
Wednesday mornings at Running Club. I run barefoot which is a lovely feeling,
dew on feet, and changes my running style completely. Oh, and I do compete
against Mr Wooldridge whenever there is a bleep test, but he is fitter than me.
Q: How has moving to the Philippines affected your
fitness?
A: My fitness has
improved here. I do not go out partying anymore. I am almost 40, so that kind
of lifestyle just does not work for me. I suffer what I contend are the world’s
worst hangovers if I imbibe. My diet has improved and although I possibly run a
little less than in Moscow or Bogota, I feel healthier overall.
Q: What’s your fitness routine?
A: I train 6 days
a week. 2 of those are resistance workouts with weights and things. The other
four are a mixture of swimming, running and cycling. I try to keep it mixed as
it maintains interest to an extent (I don’t think anyone would identify
running, cycling or swimming as particularly entertaining sports) and varies
the way my body works. I am swimming more now than I ever have. It is a great
way to improve cardiovascular fitness even if you are a good runner already.
Q: Any nutrition tips?
A: Eat what you
want as long as you exercise. Fast food is evil. Not so much because it is bad
for you, just the way it has impacted food production and the environment.
Don’t drink beer.
Q: Any advice to people wanting to get fit?
Just do it! Not terribly constructive, I know, but
if you don’t make the decision to do something then you never will.
Madame Barrett
“Madame Barrett has more
gains than I do” –Anonymous senior school boy
Aside from her bubbly
personality and impeccable fashion sense, Madame Barrett is known for her
physique and active lifestyle. She’s involved in just about every action ASA in
the school, and credits her health and fitness to her youth and roots in France.
Madame Barrett: I started
dance and basketball at the age of 6. In France, ASAs are not organised in
school and are done in sport centres on Wednesday afternoons. As I lived in a
little village, it was a great way to be active and meet people. I guess, it
gave my mum some free time too! Et voila! I never stopped training since.
Training became part of my daily routine, just like brushing my teeth. It still
is. I never ask myself the question “Do I want to go training?”, “Do I feel
like it?” Otherwise, I would never go! It is just part of my timetable. I
squeeze it in!
Although it was just in a
village, the club had really high standards and the coaches were all
professionals. We were involved in regional and national competitions for
basketball and we had training 3-5 times a week. When I moved to senior
school, I enrolled a Sport School programme for 2 years. Instead of having
music, DT and art, I had training in 1 or 2 sports at higher level. It is
called “Sport Etudes.” This is when I started taking swimming more seriously.
Training was part of your school timetable and was not negotiable as it was
assessed. It was part of the curriculum in a way.
Attendance, discipline and
results were assessed alongside attitude and motivation. Strong ethos were enhanced
and there was no room for complaints or tiredness. This I guess modelled the
way I am today: motivated and energetic. Discipline, commitment and
organisation were the key words as academic results had to match your sports
results, or you were out!
Q: What’s your current
fitness routine?
A: It is very disciplined:
1 day yoga, 1 day cardio (running and biking) 1 day swimming and repeat same
routine again. My day off is now filled in with an extra yoga lesson. Having a
family is motivating. Sport is not an “instead of” but an “as well as.” It has
helped me to be more organised. The less time you have, the less time you
waste. Because I want to be with my family as much as possible, I squeeze
training in when it does not affect family time. Not always easy but with good
organisation and energy I can manage.
Q: Any nutrition tips?
A: Eat well, balanced and
not in huge quantities. Plenty of fruit, yoghurt, a very small amount of red
meat, lots of green tea and hot lemons, chocolate and allow yourself the odd
craving (not to be frustrated and because you can!) All in moderation.
Q: Favorite workout
song/playlist/artist?
A: All! I like techno,
house, strong beats, good DJs mix, anything that makes me move.
Q: What’s your best advice
for people wanting to start a healthy lifestyle?
A: Start now! “It is not
what you do, it is how you do it.” (10 good push ups are better than 50 bad
ones!) and above all, as one of my coaches used to say: “You may not like your
body but it is yours forever, so respect it. Learn to live with it happily and
enjoy!” Listen to your body! Rest when you need and learn your limits (I should
learn that one!). Find the sports or the activity that is good for you! It has
not got to be at competition level, walking your dog is an exercise! Keep it
going, be committed to it and never give up!
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