Latest news with #fitnesschallenge
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'People don't train for cancer' - fitness coach raises over £8,000 for hospice
A PERSONAL trainer from Carlisle has completed an 'emotional' seven day challenge and raised £8,600 in memory of his dad. Barrie Mark Scougal, 49, who owns Barrie Mark Personal Training in Harraby decided to fundraise and honour the team at Eden Valley Hospice who cared for his dad, Tony Scougal, and Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice. Tony died in June last year after a battle with cancer. Barrie said: 'It's an emotional day today but it was worth it to have raised so much. It's amazing. 'You see so much about the Eden Valley Hospice on social media, or can drive past it so many times, but until you experience it and meet the staff, you never truly understand. 'You never know when you might need it and to be able to help the hospice keep their doors open is amazing.' Barrie kick-started his week of fitness challenges with a 10km swim on Monday, May 26 at Bannatyne's gym after coaching from Myles Little. READ MORE: Eden Valley Hospice to host walking group in Chances Park next month Barrie's mum and dad. (Image: Supplied) He said: 'My kids and wife swim like fish, and I couldn't! I'd never swam more than 3,000 metres. It took me four and a half hours to complete, and I loved it.' On Wednesday Mark honoured both his mum and dad by learning their favourite dance, the foxtrot. He took part in around five hours of intensive training and Let's Dance in the city, where his parents used to take their classes. He then performed in front of a group of 40 people, including his young daughters. Barrie said: 'I don't dance! This day was probably the worst of all because I wanted to do it justice. I didn't realise that the foxtrot was one of the hardest. I wouldn't have got a ten from Len but it was a laugh.' READ MORE: Two friends set off on journey from Edinburgh to Rome for Carlisle's veteran charity Barrie (left) and the team from Let's Dance. (Image: Supplied) In between challenge days, Barrie hosted full days of coaching clients back to back. To end the week, Barrie took his dad on 'one last run' and completed a half-marathon in his honour – carrying his ashes in his backpack. Tony was a keen runner who took part in 50 half-marathons and 25 full-distance marathons throughout his life. When he finished the run, Barrie was greeted by over 50 people who were cheering him on. Barrie on his run with support from family and friends. (Image: Supplied) He added: 'I hate running. I didn't train, I didn't train for any of the challenges because people don't train for cancer or radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This is all for a higher purpose. 'I wanted to use my business and my platform to do good and give back to the city. 'My wife thinks I'm mad! My kids have gone to school today telling all their friends about it. To me, it's all about family. They're the most important in my life. If they're proud, I can go to sleep happy. 'Thank you to everyone who has donated, texted, commented and supported me. The response has been phenomenal!' Barrie's JustGiving page for Eden Valley Hospice is still online, you can donate here:
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Cardiff Hyrox competition brings extreme fitness craze to Wales
Tens of thousands of people are expected in Cardiff for a gruelling fitness challenge to be held over three days at the Principality is a "fitness racing" event that has become a craze, going viral on social media since the first competition in Germany eight years ago. There are now 200,000 competitors worldwide according to organisers, with the first ever event in Wales starting on Friday. The event is set to include the oldest known participant in the gruelling indoor race of eight 1km (0.62 mile) runs followed by different fitness exercises. "Age doesn't have to be a barrier," said Prof Peter Herbert, 80, from Carmarthen. "Vitality is something we can choose to nurture every day."As the Hyrox craze descends on the capital, roads in the town centre are expected to be busy until after the final on Sunday. Competitors - either professional or everyday fitness enthusiasts - perform eight runs and eight workouts, including 1km on a standing ski machine, 50m sled push and 80m burpee Dylan Jones Evans previously said "tens of thousands" could visit the Welsh capital to take part in the event."What we saw with Hyrox when they went to Glasgow recently was 40,000 people going to the city who wouldn't have gone to Glasgow," he said. Prof Herbert, from University of Wales Trinity Saint David, is a world-renowned fitness expert, academic, and life-long athlete. Undeterred by a knee replacement, he is aiming to be the oldest known competitor to complete the full event. "If I'm able to complete this challenge, I hope it sends a clear message," he said. "Through a commitment to a healthy lifestyle and staying physically active, it's absolutely possible to have the energy, strength, and resilience to enjoy activities that many believe are out of reach after 50. "Whether it's surfing, mountain biking, rowing, swimming, or anything else that brings you joy, age doesn't have to be a barrier." What is Hyrox? Founded in 2017 as an indoor discipline, athletes take part in eight legs, each a 1km run, followed by a fitness exercises competitors are put through include 1km on a standing ski machine, 50m sled push, 50m sled pull, 80m burpee jumps, 1km indoor rowing, carrying a kettlebell 200m, 100m lunges carrying a sandbag, and finally 100 throws and catches of a medicine ball off a wall. World championships are held every year, with contestants taking part in singles and doubles races. The 2024 world championships in France featured a new relay event by sport is closely related to CrossFit, but has different, simpler exercises and prioritises endurance over raw popularity is primarily put down to two things: accessibility and visibility. Hyrox has been designed with the intention of going viral, whether by giving contestants patches instead of medals to wear on their gym bags, or by pushing "training club Tuesdays", getting people to tag gyms that offer top athletes in the sport are doing the event in under an hour. But Hyrox competitor and former Wales rugby player Laura Payne said the race could be geared to all abilities, with some using lower weights, walking the sprints and taking up to three hours to finish."It's quite open and inclusive," said the co-owner of Penarth gym Arth Strength. "If you've not done much fitness you could get by if you did it with a pair," Ms Payne, who has done Hyrox events in Birmingham and London, added."There is 8km of running but spread out a little bit and some of the stations can be made harder or easier." According to Ms Payne, it is a mass participation event like a half marathon, but "less boring" because running is not the only event. The training is mainly around endurance, with hour-long sessions, she said.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Hampshire colitis patient hopes to make fitness history
A colitis patient who was nearly killed when childhood bullies stamped on her stoma is taking on a fitness challenge in the hope of inspiring Bowers, from Southampton, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis aged 41-year-old hopes to become the first person with a stoma to complete the Spartan DEKA FIT Europe, which involves eleven 500m runs, interspersed with exercise said: "People don't always see what you're dealing with but if I can show one person what's possible, then that's enough." Ms Bowers first became unwell at age eight, and after experiencing severe stomach pain, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, rectal bleeding and weight loss, was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative was bullied at school for needing a stoma bag and suffered a life-threatening attack on a bus, which left her in intensive care with a damaged stoma, broken jaw and cracked Bowers said: "My childhood bullies beat me up, stamped on my stoma so much that I nearly died."If they couldn't solve the surgery, it would have been murder at the end of the day – which is quite scary to think about."I'm proud to represent hidden disabilities." 'Officially a Barbie' She became the first child in the UK to undergo J-pouch surgery – a pioneering procedure performed by a US can reverse a stoma by connecting the newly created pouch, made from the small intestine to the anus, allowing waste to pass through the body naturally procedure, which gave her 20 years without a stoma bag, was filmed and is used as a medical teaching in 2013 the J-pouch failed and she said she experienced a painful decade of 2022, Ms Bowers had life-changing surgeries that saw her undergo a full hysterectomy and a "Barbie butt" procedure removing her anus and colon."I'm officially a Barbie, so I'll take that," she said."It's closure for me. I wouldn't want to leave it open and then get scans five years down the line and find I've got cancer." Ms Bowers said she now wanted to inspire other stoma patients."There's nothing positive in the hospital discharge literature that says life can be normal," she said."It takes time but you can feel happy and healthy again."Determined to show life with a stoma can be full and active, she began researching feats never attempted by someone with a stoma and discovered Spartan DEKA."A lot of my friends asked, 'Are you drunk? Are you sure you want to do this?'" she said. "But I was like, no – I'm doing it.""I wanted to be able to say to other people with stomas: you can do this and this is what healthy feels like," she added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle man begins seven day challenge in memory of ‘real life hero'
A PERSONAL trainer from Carlisle is beginning a seven day challenge this week in memory of his dad. Barrie Mark Scougal, 49, who owns Barrie Mark Personal Training in Harraby, set off this morning (Monday, 26 May) on a 10km swim. He has a whole host of other physical challenges planned to raise money and honour the team at Eden Valley Hospice who cared for his dad, Tony Scougal, and Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice. Tony, who Barrie describes as a 'real life hero', died in June last year after a battle with cancer. Barrie and his dad, Tony. (Image: Supplied) Barrie said: 'In his final days, Eden Valley Hospice gave him peace, dignity, and comfort. They also gave my family a place of safety and compassion during an incredibly painful time. 'To say thank you—and to support the many other families who will need this kind of care—I'm taking on a week of fitness challenges. 'Whether it's running, lifting, swimming, dancing or coaching, I'll be putting my heart into every challenge.' READ MORE: Penrith woman 'inundated' with messages after sharing her endometriosis story This morning, Barrie began the week with a 10km swim at Bannatyne's gym after coaching from Myles Little. His wife, Marie Scougal and his two daughters were watching on the sidelines with banners. Marie said: 'I'm so proud, it's amazing. As a couple we have faced so many challenges, but Barrie always finds the positives. 'He's relentless in doing good and it's great to put a spotlight on and shine a light on something so special in the area.' Tony with his two granddaughters. (Image: Supplied) On Wednesday, 28 May, Barrie plans to honour his parents by learning one of their favourite dances – the foxtrot - and perform it at his gym in the city. They used to have lessons regularly at Let's Dance in Carlisle. The week will end with Barrie completing a half-marathon, following in his dad's footsteps, who took part in 50 half-marathons and 25 full-distance marathons. In between challenge days, Barrie will also be hosting full days of coaching clients on the gym floor, training with them and alongside them. As of now, he has already raised £4,455 of his £5,000 target which Marie says is 'bonkers'. Eden Valley Hospice added: 'A huge good luck to Barrie. We are honoured Barrie has chosen to support the hospice.' You can donate to Barrie's JustGiving page here:
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Simple Trick I Used to Go From 500 to 10,000 Steps A Day
A few months ago, I was averaging about 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Some days, I barely move, spending hours on my laptop and amassing only 500 steps total. Pitiful, I know. So when I took on a 10,000-step challenge for March, I initially thought I was way over my head. How was I supposed to dedicate a month to 10,000 steps when my step count was 514 the day before? 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊After some trial and error in the first two weeks of my 10,000-step challenge, I discovered a hack. It was so simple, and I still use it today to get at least 7,000 steps, even on a busy day. As a health writer, I'm not here to gatekeep, so I'm sharing it to get us all Have you ever felt there's so much to do and so little time? If your goal is to walk more, then follow these three steps. The first thing I had to do was break a bad habit, which I'm sure most of us have—scrolling on our phones in the first few minutes after waking up. I had to be honest with myself: A "few minutes" of mindless scrolling would probably have me lying in bed for another half hour. That half hour could be spent doing something more productive, like getting my first few steps of the day in. After I shook off sleep, I forced myself to stand up for a minute. I found that just a minute of standing snapped me out of my sleepy daze and stopped me from accidentally falling back asleep or going back on my It was tempting to dive straight into checking my emails and getting ready for work after I shook off the morning drowsiness. But instead, I dedicated the first 30 minutes of my day to walking. Whether taking a stroll around the block or walking up and down my hallway, I gave myself the "me-time" to get my body moving before I had to sit for hours at work. When I did a brisk walk, 30 minutes gave me about 2,500 steps. Most of the time, I walked slowly while drinking my morning coffee. Still, this amounted to 1,200 to 2,000 steps before 7:30 AM—shaving off almost a third of my 10,000 daily step best part was the mental and emotional boost I gained from my walk, leaving me feeling focused and motivated to tackle everything I needed to do for the Doing 10,000 steps a day sounds daunting. But 500 steps an hour? That's doable. I gave myself 5 to 10 minutes every hour to walk around, even if it was just circling the room a few times. To make the time fly by, I would use that time for more passive activities like replying to emails or checking was also a good reminder to avoid sitting too long anyway. According to science, it would be even more ideal to get up and move every half hour. One Columbia University study found that just five minutes of light walking was enough to counteract some of the health issues of prolonged sitting.A few minutes here and there might not seem like much. But breaking up my steps after eight hours added 3,000 to 4,000 steps. Adding in the approximate 2,000 steps I did in the first 30 minutes of the day, I already had about 5,000 to 6,000 thousand steps didn't seem intimidating when I was already halfway there. Knowing I was 50% done helped me relax and finish my steps leisurely instead of trying to cram it all in for the last few hours of the day or give up altogether. While my 10,000-step challenge is over, I still use this method to avoid sitting around all day. Even as I wrap up this article, I plan to get up and walk another five to 10 minutes. I recommend you do the Next:Rx for Prolonged Sitting: A Five-Minute Stroll Every Half Hour. Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
