Thirty Years of Fitness and Friendship
It’s a double celebration in December! We award member of the month to two gym buddies – Sally Green and Jill Douglas, who celebrate thirty years of fitness and friendship.
Sally and Jill met through their love of fitness at the original Grimsby Leisure Centre in the early nineties, when Fitness Instructor Jenny Jones inducted them into the gym – pathing the way for the start of two fitness journeys and a very special friendship.
Back then, Sally was smoking nearly fifty cigarettes a day, but knew she needed to quit the habit for the sake of her own and her family’s health. And so, after much willpower, a new addiction formed – fitness!
It was at this time she met Jill, who was also at the start of her fitness journey, enjoying the sense of wellbeing and social that exercise classes brought to her life.
When Sally developed rheumatoid arthritis, she started hydrotherapy sessions at Scartho baths and was helped by Joss at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, who taught her exercises to help loosen the joints. She credits her active lifestyle for maintaining her wellbeing
My little moto is you’ve got to keep moving. I love the buzz of exercise – it’s my life and I’m determined to come as long as I can. Some days, I’ll come here to the gym, go back home for a quick cuppa and then come back for a class! It’s like an extended family here – Jill is a great friend and an inspiration!
Sally
Jill, who turns 85 this year, attributes her good health and longevity to her active lifestyle and is thankful she started her fitness journey when she did.
“I look at people my age and some have given up – I hate to see that! I have a friend who doesn’t leave the house. The less you go out, the more you stay at home because it’s the easy option. It can even turn into a bit of anxiety.
“There are some caring people here at the leisure centre. People check in with you if you haven’t been. We all have a group chat on our phones, and we even have afternoon teas and carveries too!
“The classes have a brilliant atmosphere. From the moment I arrive here, I’m not grandma, I’m not mum, I’m me – and it’s my time in the day”
Jenny, who nominated the friends said: “I think they are both an inspiration! They’ve made exercise a part of their lives and they both keep going. They show that anything is possible when you set goals and stay dedicated. They should be very proud of themselves. It’s a pleasure to have them both as loyal members.”
A massive well done to Sally and Jill for their collective sixty years of dedication – we wish you many more years of fitness and friendship!
