Neil Ashby

What were your reasons for joining Woodlands?
I wanted a proper exercise regime rather than 45 minutes on an exercise bike, 5 days a week, which is what I was doing. It was very one dimensional and I didn’t know anything about health or fitness. I joined to give myself a more comprehensive and interesting fitness program and one that was more enjoyable and beneficial than the one I was doing.

What lifestyle changes have you made?
I am a lot more conscious than I used to be when it comes to my nutrition. My diet is more varied than it used to be and I don’t really eat out of habit any more. I am more dedicated to exercise, I make the time for it, even though I’ve changed my job and working hours, it’s now part of my routine. I get up a couple of hours early most mornings to go to the gym or go running because I know if I don’t make the effort I will not be able to achieve what I want.

What results have you achieved?
I feel better, I have more energy, and I can do so much more than I used to.
A previous Focus Member at Dronfield spoke about ‘The joy of being fit’ and I think that’s a great phrase. Being fit and healthy is brilliant. Apart from physically feeling a lot better than I did, I haven’t been ill in a long time and I think this is down to my nutrition and training.

How has Woodlands helped you achieve your goals?
The staff give me structured exercise programs based on my personal circumstances; designed to achieve my specific goals. I also enjoy the social aspect, every time I go to the gym there’s a friendly face and a witty quip waiting for me. One of the most important things they’ve given me is the education that I was lacking. I am now a lot more informed of how all the parts of a healthy lifestyle contribute to my exercise regime. I now train a lot smarter than I used to, to get the maximum benefit from my efforts.

Your advice for others?
Let the staff assist you, listen to them, and give it a try! Be open to all they suggest and don’t just do one aspect well, while letting another go. For example, don’t do good gym workouts if your nutrition is poor; you get loads more benefits if you change things across the board.

Special praise goes to?
Matt has been great, I have to say, he’s put up with a lot of my self doubts and he has transformed the way I train and introduced me to running, which I’d never done before and now I do lots of. The rest of the staff were really helpful and did an excellent job for my Focus Member month, each providing a different workout and programme to help keep up the interest and motivation levels.