My name is Madi I am 10 years old, I first met Lynne when my mum Tania was going to her for one on one gym classes in the school holidays and I had to go with her.
Lynne was very friendly and fun, I liked her helping my mum.
I used to get nervous and very shy around people and had no confidence at school, I did not like the way my tummy looked and I didn’t like people looking at it and always tried to hide it. So my mum asked if I would like to go to some classes with Lynne, I said “yes” and am so glad I did.
I have learned so many new things like making the right food choices and why, what good and bad foods are, how to eat the things I enjoy but change the ingredients, like I now make my toasted sandwiches with baby spinach leaves, I use mashed kumara, I use grated carrot and lots of other yummy foods.
I learned what is healthy for my body, brain and blood so I can grow up strong and fit.
Lynne has told me I can still have my pizza, which I love, but I have to plan to fit in my exercises or power walk the next day.
I have been shown how to power walk properly it was really hard at first, I have to use my stomach muscles (core) and push up off my heels, after the first time I was so tired and I had sore bottom and stomach muscles the next day but it went away.
I have got way better at it now and don’t get stiff or sore anymore, I just have to remember to do the breathing that Lynne taught me so I can keep going.
I am also learning how to do sit ups and stretches properly the exercises we are told to do at school hurt my back lots, but Lynne has shown me much better exercises that don’t hurt and I can really feel the stretches in my legs. I would rather do Lynne’s exercises they are much better for me and I will grow up doing them properly without hurting my back.
I have been shown how to exercise when I am sitting at my desk, because my feet hang down they get sore and tired and my back hurts. Lynne has shown me how to roll my feet and push my legs in the right places, which I haven’t been shown before and since I have been doing this at school it is much better.
I was really surprised when Lynne told me that the way I was carrying my school bag was pushing my spine and stomach out of place and my back used to arch and bend with my bag, now that she has shown me how to carry my bag right and how to use my core for balance this doesn’t happen anymore.
Thanks to Lynne I no longer feel I have to hide my tummy as it is getting flatter and firmer because of the exercises she is doing with me and also the change in my food choices.
My confidence is growing and I am no longer shy around people.
I love my classes with Lynne I am learning so much about my body and how to look after it and why. I pack my own clothes ready to go on a Tuesday and Thursday because I really look forward to it and don’t like missing my classes with Lynne she is fun, bubbly and very motivating and she listens to me.
I think I am very lucky to be doing this and wish other girls my age would be able to do it also, it is very important information that we don’t get taught anywhere else.
Madisyn Small
