My journey with Burn It Fitness began in August 2017.  My friend Alison had been going for a year or so and I remember thinking at the time that she must be off her head going out in all kinds of weather just for exercise.  For years I had been going to various classes and did lots of walking for the Kilt walk and moonwalk, I did sign up for the gym but that just wasn’t for me.  Time to try something different. 

Along with one of my friends Irene we decided to give ‘Burn It’ a go and see what it was like.  Never having been any good at running and not really quite sure what to expect I was a bit apprehensive.  We signed up for the Body Transformation too, an 8 week programme of fitness and healthy eating.  I am lucky in that I don’t really have weight to lose but I did want to get fit for 50, do a 5k and just generally eat more healthily and feel good in myself.  It was only an 8 week challenge so thought we’d give it a go.

The Body Transformation group met and Paul gave us our motivational talk and we set ourselves some goals.  It was good to meet others who would be joining us on our journey and some had done it before and shared their experience.  Motivated and ready – we can do this.

The first few classes were a real challenge and I struggled to get on track.  Working full time V’s family v’s Burn It was a real challenge.  It was a good laugh though and there was loads of encouragement not only from the instructors but other Burn It members.  Everyone worked at their own pace and you could push yourself to where you felt comfortable and could manage.  By the end of the programme I hadn’t done as much as I’d hoped but results were amazing.  Body shape, body fat, hydration and even a bit of weight loss and more importantly feeling great.   

The good weather started to fade and winter was upon us.  Surely the classes would be cancelled during heavy rain, snow and ice!  Nope not with Burn It.  Dress for the occasion and classes are on, I hate the cold.  To be honest you’re never cold for long by the time you’ve done a few hundred burpees, squat jumps and press ups your body just doesn’t feel it. 

Fast forward to 2020 here are some of my highlights – 

3 body transformations, running across the Forth Road Bridge, Weekend away to Portavadie, 5k without stopping, lots of new friends, x2 Super Burn Its, Stadium Stairs, Burn It Ball, Multi Pass Member, running round Livingston Centre in fancy dress with a pumpkin, running around Livingston with the rain so heavy even your underwear was soaked, Loving Burn It and feeling great 😊

I have now found a good balance of being able to go to classes mixed with home and work life which is sustainable and enjoyable.  I miss classes when I can’t go. Never would I have thought that I would enjoy being out in all weathers doing fitness and having a great laugh at the same time with a great bunch of people.