Virtual Healthclub Blog
Personal Training for Mental Health
Tuesday 25th October 2011 at 11:17 am
Using Personal Training as a tool to help individuals with Mental Health problems has shown me Jane Cooper , that it’s the key to encouraging them to take better care of themselves and helps balance their energy.
Personal Training for Mental Health especially in todays climate is an essential tool to Pshycological well being. Any one can develope a mental health problem. It may arise from a marriage breakdown, depression, alzheimers disease, abuse or emotional turmoil. None of us are immune and some of the strongest individuals fall the hardest.
Exercise and stroke recovery
Saturday 22nd October 2011 at 12:12 pm
Exercises for stroke are usually prescribed by the Occupational Therapists at the hospital. The first 3 months are paramount to your recovery. Once you have regained your physical abilities its important that you regain your confidence.
A personal trainer qualified in GP refferral can help you continue to exercise, improve your movement and confidence issues.
Most individuals have a confidence melt down and having your blood pressure taken regulary is a wise stroke preventative measure we can all do in order for each of us to stay as fit and healthy. Normal blood pressure range 120/80
Exercise and blood pressure
Thursday 20th October 2011 at 10:11 am
Exercising and blood pressure can be difficult. Once your Gp has prescribed blood pressure medication then exercise prescription is something you may wish to consider. Why?
Well, exercising on blood pressure medication actually require you to exercise under specific guidelines. You maybe wondering why you are stuggling to lose weight, well that’s probably because blood pressure medication caps your heart rate at about 110bpm when exercising.
It is inappropriate to stop taking the medication that the Gp has prescribed unless he states otherwise however, longeveity of walking is the key.
So get out in the fresh air, by the sea where the energy is great and stay mobile and active.
Alzheimers disease
Wednesday 12th October 2011 at 11:32 am
For information on how to deal with the impact of alzheimers disease on you and your family go to www.justcallmereg.com. An alzheimers Education and Awareness website or join me for a discussion Facebook on the following link. http://www.facebook.com/alzheimersmyexperience where you can share your experiences.
Physical Performance & Personal Performance
Monday 10th October 2011 at 09:00 am
There are a variety of reasons of why it maybe appropriate to take on the services of a personal trainer. Especially this one – Me, Janie – who has a business mind from years in private practice as a Self assessment Tax Executive for a local accountant, until I launched my second business, Virtual Tax UK.
The two go hand in hand, fear of bad health and fear of the tax man then there’s a fear of Alzheimer’s disease, Janie’s 3rd business, but more about that later.
As a personal trainer who understands what it is like to be at the forefront of your company with the pressures and decisions that are needed from time to time, you need to be able to build energy from within yourself to be able to continue and to cope with any situation that arises. If you are not in great physical shape how do you make great decisions? In my experience, much comes down to how we feel about ourselves, our confidence and what’s within us. Wouldn’t it be great to work with someone who has your best interest at heart and encourages you regardless of what you are experiencing to be the best you can be. Great question don’t you think?
Some of the business people I work with understand the benefit’s of being in great Physical shape and have been very successful this year. Some moving into larger premises, still succeeding and earning more money than they have ever had the opportunity to beofre. Others are training to succeed and I am restructuring their business to make sure the initial foundations and scripts are in place to give them every chance to platform from a secure, correct and healthy foundations.
My blue print of personal training encourages you to focus regardless of what is going on in the outside world. Too many people are preoccupied with information that they can do nothing about and is external.
When the waves of time start to move, you need to move with them and focus harder.
Watch for windows of opportunity in the diversity.
Exercise improves our minds ability to cope and become open to possibilities. Some of my clients mentor with me straight from the Gym session because that’s when their minds are open and fertile to creativity, possibilities and opportunities, producing the success they desire. They are benefiting from the direct correlation between physical health and psychological health and performance.
Peak performance requires physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing and investment. Investment from you!
Personal Training Essex
Friday 7th October 2011 at 11:00 am
Personaltraineressex is a new website – coming soon
What is Alzheimers?
Friday 7th October 2011 at 09:03 am
Are you Affected by Alzheimer’s disease?
Your questions answered at my first seminar – Listen To Your Heart
Date : Thurs 10th Nov 2011 7.30pm – 9.30pm Arrive 7pm as Seminar starts 7.30pm, Cost £40. per person.Booking can be made on line or direct to Jane Cooper on 07801 287 213.
Venue: The Westcliff Hotel, Westcliff on Sea Essex
Topics covered are as follows
• Now I have a diagnosis, what’s next?
• What will I need to know for each stage?
• What are the stages?
• Can anyone judge how long my loved one has left?
• When will they stop knowing me?
• Who can I turn to for help?
• Can I get financial help?
• Who makes all the decisions for my loved one, do I get any
say in their care?
• Who is at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, is it hereditary?
• Is there prevention?
• Is there any medication to arrest the disease?
• Should I ask them about their wishes for their treatment
before they are unable?
• How am I, and my family, going to cope?
• Are there any other physical symptoms I will have to deal
with, apart from the mental aspect?
Exercise for the elderly
Thursday 6th October 2011 at 05:17 pm
Most of the older clients I train in health and fitness lessons, do so because they wish to remain healthy, independent and fit in their later years. However more importantly they wish to stay as mobile and flexible for as long as they can.
It is important to them that they remain in their own home as long as possible and are able to still stretch up to the cupboards and tie their shoe laces.
You can only do that if you do not lose your mobility and flexibility.
My over 70′s 1 to 1 exercise programs do just that.
They keep you moving, mobile, independent and socially interactive keeping to confident.
Exercise for health
Friday 22nd July 2011 at 01:50 pm
From the reports in the national press, we know that Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are on the increase.
As a trainer it often comes to my attention that more people would exercise if they could find a way that helped them feel confident in attending places, to look after themselves better.
There are more and more people these days seeking ways to stay younger for longer. Whether its going to the gym or plastic surgery.
However people cannot visually see inside their body. They cannot see their heart. They cannot see their clogged arteries and many who are overweight do know they are over weight , but have got themselves into such a state the journey back is often too much for them to consider.
Looking after yourself starts with good self esteem and not every one has that. There are many services that help people feel better these days from personal training to emotional therapy services. But it’s really up to the individual to want to change. Without that determination in my opinion it can be a lost cause.
Obesity and being over weight usually has many contributory factors. Emotional traumas, turbulence, stress and life experience.
A major reason for working out is to give yourself as long a time as possible in good health before your internal system decides to dictate otherwise. Exercise does help us to manage out weight but without the other parts of us for example the mental, emotional and spiritual side developing we soon find that we cannot manage to stay there and the weight soon returns.
Cardio vascular training, walking, swimming, cycling, going to the Gym, participating in classes and engaging with a personal trainer do just that. The key is to find what you like and enjoy it when you are there.
My father experienced the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in his later life, I still exercised him, even though I was able to bring my skills to the table as a personal trainer, he ate good food and walked and still climbed the stairs to the gym at the time under instruction and encouragement
It was all relevant to him at times, being able to engage and still participate and that’s the point. It allowed him to still verbally and emotionally engage with me until he passed away at 87years. A great innings don’t you think?
Most of the older generation are more active now than they ever were because of the services that are available to us in the community. It is paramount in my experience with a Father with Alzheimer’s and a heart murmor that he moved his body and mobilised his joints, because it’s fun and of the feel good factor it brings to the person. Whilst they are doing that, they can’t be doing or worrying about anything else.
Do I need a personal trainer?
Tuesday 19th July 2011 at 06:04 pm
Do I need a Personal Trainer?
No not necessarily. If you are like me, motivated and a bit of a go getter, I don’t engage in a trainer all the time as I can do most of the training myself. I have trained all my life in various things so I train myself because I can, but from time to time I work with someone for different reasons.
However, many are not like me. Personal Trainers can be motivational, fun to be around, have extensive and abundant knowledge about the human body and how to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
Personal training creates the changes on the body you desire as we work harder under someone’s instruction than by ourselves. They have a lot of information on how to train in a safe way and how to learn great habits from the start.
Your job is to check:
- To see if they are insured and who with.
- What governing body are they affiliated to.
- Ask their other clients about them for information you want.
- Recommendations, like so many other professions, are best referrals.
- Are they local? It works better for both of you.
- Are you comfortable? Listen to your inner voice.
- Are they qualified to train you on prescribed medication from the GP? You need to check as training is different for those on medication. There are specific guidelines to follow.
- What do I wear? T shirt, Jogging Bottoms- a good sports bra ( if you’re a woman) socks and trainers.
- Will I be able to do it? If the trainer is good the programme will be tailored to your ability, so your first experience, as like my new clients, will be a great and successful session.
The program will then move forward from there.
If you’ve decided that you would like a personal trainer in Essex, please contact me: Tel 07801 287213 Email: info@virtual-healthclub.com Facebook: Virtual Health Club Essex
Considering the services of a personal trainer?
Monday 18th July 2011 at 03:21 pm
If you’re considering the services of a personal trainer, here are some thoughts to reflect on before you go ahead:
- Working with a personal trainer for the first time can be nerve racking and usually in a private environment, so, before you sign up ask if the personal trainer offers a consultation
- The consultation will usually give you lots of information and it’s your opportunity to ask lots of questions – no question is too silly, if you have any doubts or need clarification, do not be afraid to ask!
- Make your decision to sign up or walk away and find someone or something else more in line for what you are looking for. You need someone that you feel comfortable training with, who will bring out the best in you.
The consultation is an opportunity for you to ask some of the following information:
- How much does it cost?
- Do they offer a package?
- Do they offer try before you buy?
- Do you pay by the session?
- Are you rewarded for referrals that you make?
- What other services do they offer?
- What times are available and what should you wear?
- What are their cancellation policies?
If you’ve decided that you would like a personal trainer in Essex, please contact me: Tel 07801 287213 Email: info@virtual-healthclub.com Facebook: Virtual Health Club Essex
Exercise and depression
Saturday 16th July 2011 at 10:43 am
A friend on mine informed me that there had been an evening’s workshop running at Wat Tyler Park recently on depression. There were approximately 200 people there listening to the speakers.
In relation to the economic climate, people worrying about their jobs, declining health such as Cancer’s and Alzheimer’s disease, life experiences, is it a wonder more and more people are finding it difficult to cope?
In my experience I have always managed to climb back regardless of what life throws at me. But what if you can’t, what happens then? Where do you turn for help, guidance, practical help, support or a kind listening ear?
It would be interesting to find out where people go to get support or help with their depression. Depression may be hereditary, related to life or ill health. What have you found useful if anything that has helped you?
From my experience in the exercise industry and as a trainer to individuals on medication, I have found that regular exercise helps my clients lift their mood in order for them at times just to function. Having someone on side to encourage them to work out and move their body has kept some of my clients going when they had no one else to turn to.
You may not feel that exercise is the answer for everyone, but, I do believe that exercise prescription for depression needs to be more available. Ask your G.P if you feel it is appropriate for you, to enquire if there are any classes or personal trainers in the area.
Little Saplings to Great Oaks
Thursday 14th July 2011 at 06:45 pm
I spend time with quality business owners listening to their concerns when we engage in the consultation regarding how I can help them with business mentoring. I find ways of accessing the answers that are already within them. They have no idea initially that the answers are internal and not external. I get so excited when they realise from the tools I use that the answers were inside them all along. The simplest things make me smile!
From little saplings in the forest they grow into great oaks, not afraid to stand by themselves with strong roots
The whole concept of working with me is about allowing me to build your confidence, self esteem and find new threads unique to you and your business in order to thrive. You will be amazed at how well you will perform.
Whether I work with business owners or their staff, one of the common threads to the most successful companies lies within ones ability to bring out the best in others. Most individuals want to contribute to something worth while. If they are considered worthy and valued they will buy in to your legacy.
Recently, and over the last few months of networking, I have taken the opportunity to observe people’s one to one personal performances. What is going on? I have been to a breakfast event this morning. People do me a favour would you? When you stand up to speak, please, please, please, do some preparation and stop reading from your notes. In my opinion if you want business and people to buy into you, be prepared and don’t wing it. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Step up and raise your game. It is your one chance to get noticed.
Improving your business starts with you!
The Physical Performance
Tuesday 12th July 2011 at 05:41 pm
There are a variety of reasons of why it may be appropriate to take on the services of a personal trainer. Especially this one:ME – Janie – who has a business mind from years in private practice as a Self assessment Tax Executive for a local accountant, until I launched the second business, Virtual Tax UK.
The two go hand in hand, Fear of bad health and fear of the tax man then there’s a fear of Alzheimer’s disease, Janie’s 3rd business, but more about that later.
As a personal trainer who understands what it is like to be at the forefront of your company with the pressures and decisions that are needed from time to time, you need to build energy within yourself to be able to continue and to cope with any situation that arises. If you are not in great physical shape how do you make great decisions?
Much comes down to how we feel about ourselves, our confidence and what’s within us. Wouldn’t it be great to work with someone who has your best interest at heart and encourages you regardless of what you are experiencing to be the best you can be.
Great question don’t you think?
Some of the business people I work with have been very successful this year. Some moving into larger premises and still succeeding, others training to succeed and I am restructuring their business to make sure the initial foundations and scripts are in place to give them every chance to platform from secure, correct and healthy foundations.
Exercise improves our minds ability to cope and become open to possibilities. Some of my clients mentor with me straight from the Gym session because that’s when their minds are open and fertile to creativity, possibilities and opportunities.
They are benefiting from the direct correlation between physical health and psychological health.
To find out more about personal training with Janie and business mentoring, please contact Janie: Phone: 07801 287213
Personal training – Fit for Business
Friday 8th July 2011 at 08:23 am
Personal training for individuals at the leading edge of business
Jane is currently working with business owners who understand the importance of psychological uplift, energy and the correlation regarding success.
Personal training and exercising with Jane once or twice a week has allowed them to deal with difficult staff and challenging financial times. Their mood is enhanced, they have more energy and they are much more focussed. However, her approach and demand for focus and deliverance has raised their own internal awareness and strength. Great for them, great for business!
Are you fit enough to lead your business? Want to get in shape to deal with everything that running a business entails? Contact Jane
Exercising with Medication
Thursday 7th July 2011 at 06:07 pm
A unique section of our business is offering a personal training service to those individuals on prescribed medication from the G.P. Jane is a qualified G.P. referral consultant which allows her to offer this unique service. Individuals need to adhere to a specific structured programme taking into account guidelines in order for them to exercise safely. Assessment and measuring progress are paramount at Virtual Health club.
Services re medication include:
- Exercise for depression
- Diabetes
- Asthma and COPD
- Blood pressure
- Overweight and metabolic syndrome
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease
- Post cardiac rehab
- Post natal
All these are dealt within private practice to ensure you are safe, confident and cared for.
Guidelines for Training with medication.
- Make sure your trainer is qualified
- Ensure you are happy with your environment and time of day you are training
- Inform your trainer of your medication, normally taken care of in your consultation/assessment
- You may be asked to sign a disclaimer from
- You may be referred to your G.P. before commencing an exercise programme.
- Once you have engaged in the service at any point you are not feeling well, stop, inform your trainer, refer back to G.P.
- Listen to the trainer’s guidance and listen to your G.P.
There is no reason why you should not exercise if on prescribed medication unless a medical expert has advised differently.
Personal Training with Jane
Wednesday 6th July 2011 at 09:01 am
I am not a conventional personal trainer. There is no shouting or screaming to make you feel bad in a session with me. I am motivational but more than anything encourage you to try and do the best you can. The rest comes from your investment as I guide you but more importantly teach you how to exercise appropriately.
Why I started Virtual Healthclub
Monday 4th July 2011 at 05:55 am
From a girls hobby to a girls main business – Virtual Healthclub
I started working with individuals in personal training because I love bringing out the best in them – and that’s what I’m good at! I identified that there was a niche in the health & fitness market place, initially, for those individuals who were embarrassed to go to the gym.
From mind reading to not wanting to get all hot and sweaty in front of others was a real concern for some people. So I fixed it and created an opportunity for them to be included. My reason for this service is that no matter what happens in our lives, exercise has proven to me to be a golden key to survival because of its direct correlation to Psychological health.
I have been in the industry for about 30 years now and the consistent thread shows itself again and again.
“ Am I doing it right ? ” that’s what people want to know.
People want to know they are doing exercises correctly and exercising for the desired outcome.
Confidence is one of the major reasons why we step back from engaging with others and improving or developing ourselves. We have tendencies to believe what others say about us and most of this is based on unfound truths, instead of believing in, or trusting ourselves. People make statements that are incorrect because they are coming from a place of ego not encouragement and sometimes that’s all we need, a little encouragement.
Exercise 121 is one of the methodologies I use to help people feel really great and confident.
And why not ?
For me most people can do some form of activity or another and the key for me is to find what they enjoy.
Weight gain is linked to many things as we all know and I am not about to explain them now. However, finding our happiness is part of the key to unlocking our potential.
Structured training – ‘arrive, exercise and go’ works for people at the high end of business, their staff and individuals on prescribed medication from the GP.
“I am constantly surprised at just how brilliant people are when they are under my instruction when they thought at first they could not do it”
I love seeing people come good !
If you are not achieving your personal fitness goals and would like Jane to help you achieve these through personal training, please contact her on 07801 287213
Stress & Comfort Eating
Friday 24th June 2011 at 03:38 pm
A study published by the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified that stress and the feelings of stress are linked to comfort eating. The stress hormone known as ghrelin is the possible culprit. Any ideas appreciated as to what you would like to see happen in order to get it under control. Post a reply please, Thanks
Exercise and Depression Essex
Thursday 23rd June 2011 at 07:33 pm
A friend on mine informed me that there was an evening’s workshop running at Wat Tyler Park this week on depression. There were approximately 200 people there listening to the speakers.
In relation to the economic climate, people worrying about their jobs, declining health such as Cancer’s and Alzheimer’s disease, life experiences, is it a wonder more and more people are finding it difficult to cope. In my experience I have always managed to climb back regardless of what life throws at me.
But what if you can’t, what happens then. Where do you turn for help, guidance, practical help, support or a kind listening ear? It would be interesting to find out where people go to get support or help with their depression.
Depression may be hereditary, related to life, ill health. What have you found useful if any thing that has helped you?
From my experience in the exercise industry and as a trainer to individuals on medication, is that regular exercise helps my clients lift their mood in order for them at times just to function.
Having some one on side to encourage you to work out, move your body has kept some of my clients going when they had no one else to turn to. You may not feel that exercise may not be the answer for every one, but, I do believe that exercise prescription for Depression needs to be more available. Ask your G.P if you feel it is appropriate for you to enquire if there are any classes or Personal Trainers in the area qualified to help you.
Latest testimonial from Vernon Harris
Thursday 2nd June 2011 at 09:26 am
My testimonial to Jane Cooper
Jane this is just a short note to thank you for the help, advice and guidance that you have been giving me with the repositioning of my business. This was done with great professionalism, warmth and understanding over a fairly short period of time.
Using your unique system of doing things you guided me to reset my target audience and setting out an action plan to achieve and develop a client database to achieve the success we worked out.
Thank you for your help, sincerity and honesty, I can say with complete confidence that your guidance has assisted me in dealing with the areas of my business that have been causing me difficulty. I also feel sure that your continued guidance and assistance in the future will help me to grow my business.
I would be happy to recommend your services to any of my business associates, this is a tribute to your unique skills, ability and expertise.
Vernon Harris Hypnotherapy - At AIM for Total Health
Visceral Fat
Tuesday 24th May 2011 at 07:52 pm
The importance of a body fat assessment identifies the good, bad and excess fat, that we may have when we first have the assessment.
It identifies the health risk to us.
Internal body fat, Visceral Fat, affects our lives and release chemicals into our bodies.
Excess body fat has a direct correlation to Type 2 Diabetes.
Diabetes falls into two groups:
Type 1 – usually diagnosed at birth.
Type 2 – from being over weight and encouraging the pancreas to work harder than it was designed for, from excess use of breaking down the excess sugars.
Visceral Fat is the first fat you start to lose when you commence a healthy eating plan and exercise program
Skipping breakfast
Sunday 22nd May 2011 at 07:36 pm
What you need to know if you skip breakfast:
- Starving or going for long periods of time without food starts to play havoc on your moods and blood sugar level.
- When you skip breakfast your brain identifies the fact that foods high in fat are appealing.
- When you eat, graze little and often. In the first instance your blood sugar level is managed better removing the cravings for high fat sugary foods.
- When you are not hungry the brain cannot identify the difference in good and bad foods.
So start to listen within, instead of the listening to the brain washing society we live in.
Considering the services of a personal trainer?
Wednesday 18th May 2011 at 04:34 pm
Here are some thoughts to reflect on before you go ahead:
- Working with a personal trainer for the first time can be nerve racking and usually in a private environment, so, before you sign up ask if they offer a consultation.
- The consultation will usually give you lots of information and it’s your opportunity to ask lots of questions.
- Then make your decision to sign up or walk away and find someone or something else more in line for what you are looking for.
The consultation is an opportunity for you to ask some of the following information:
- How much does it cost?
- Do they offer a package?
- Do they offer try before you buy?
- Do you pay by the session?
- Are you rewarded for recommendations you may make to other people about your personal trainer
- What other services do they offer?
- What times are available and what do I wear?
- What are your cancellation policies?
Variation to continue losing weight
Saturday 28th August 2010 at 04:24 pm
Most of the clients who train with me Jane Cooper have identified an increase in their focus, confidence and body image.
Most of them though, still have difficulty in increasing their water intake. However, when they do, they notice that their weight decreases and they feel less fat and bloated especially around the tummy area. Also less tired and grumpy.
Weight loss with the correct exercise presciption is achievable with the correct water intake and nutritional guidance.
If you have reached steady state, and struggling to get to the next target, change your routine! Avoid doing the same routine in the same order as the body gets used to it. Variation on the theme can be the key.
Remember also, losing too much weight too quickly will pull the fat out of the cells way too quickly and will leave you with a lot of excess skin, that’s not nice. A gradual weight loss program will allow you to manage and adjust to all the other factors including the psychological impact and emotional impact that losing weight brings about. Some individuals who have trained with me post rapid weight loss, still have not made the emotional shift required to allow them to be really ok in their new body image or cope with the attention others give them. Managing other peoples comments can be difficult but not impossible, you just have to know how to do it and keep yourself on track.
So, slow down, but stay focused and get the correct advice for your goal. Then go for it!
Please test & measure before starting an Exercise plan
Saturday 21st August 2010 at 12:52 pm
Whether you are going to the gym or engaging the services of a Personal trainer make sure that before you start you undertake a health assessment or obtain GP approval.
This includes blood pressure, peak flow test ( lung capacity) body measurements, bmi, body fat, core stability test, stretch test and heart rate recovery test. If you don’t test and measure you will not know if the exercise plan is working . Blood pressure test is also stroke preventative.
Some trainers may include other tests.
Fat Loss
Saturday 21st August 2010 at 12:43 pm
I have been teaching in the health industry for the last 25 years or so. I know that the health industry is a multimillion industry but for goodness sake , isn’t it about time to take note that if you want to lose weight do the correct exercise program that will help you do it.
Free guidelines
For those of you trying to improve your endurance (ie time spent training ) you will need more strength.
Personal trainer
Saturday 21st August 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hi I am Jane Cooper, founder and head Personal Trainer at Virtual health club.I am based in Essex
A unique exercise training concept for people who are embarrassed to go to the gym.