Maisie Marsh – March 2010
Published Saturday, March 6, 2010 | 
Maisie Marsh who is one of a handful of children who take part in our classes. She comes along to Monday night Fitness-Pilates with her Mum, Dad and sister Grace and also attends the BootCamp Workout on Thursday nights with her Mum. They have been coming to my classes since I started them seven years ago now from Crosshall Infant School and I have seen them grow from babies into lovely grown up girls and they are always a pleasure to have in class. Read Maisie’s fabulous article below that she wrote, all by herself, for her schools newspaper publication…
Maisie’s Exercise Experiences
I don’t know why, but I like going to exercise class called FitHaven with Mel and Neal Thomas.
I first met Mel when I went to her children’s class named Yoga Bears when I was only five years old. I learnt how to do the Spotty Dog and the Cat and Cow stretch. It was good fun!
Now that I’m ten I go to two adult classes, Fitness Pilates and Boot Camp, which makes you sweat a lot!
Pilates helps you to gain flexibility, tones your tummy muscles, strengthens your back, improves your posture and keeps you fit. The equipment you use is a resistance band, which is like a big elastic band, a small green ball, hand weights and a purple mat.
Boot Camp is an exercise class and you use the same equipment as you use in Fitness Pilates. At Boot Camp Mel keeps us moving around a lot, because at the beginning of the class she gets us jogging around in a huge circle in the middle of the hall, and it gets you sweating even though you’re just warming up! Some of the stretches are quite tricky to do, for example when you have to lie down on your mat and raise your waist whilst keeping your left or right arm on the mat and lifting the top leg up with all your strength.
In the summer holidays Mel has classes that mums, Grannies and children can go to, it’s a good place for them to bond! Sometimes Mel does themed weeks, in the past there has been a Bollywood week, a circuit week and an Abba week, its great fun, and I recommend it to all mums and their children!
Mel and Neal have a Border Terrier called Millie who goes everywhere with them. When you throw a ball she runs across all the mats in her way, whilst barking and sometimes skidding. Millie is fun to be with, is very energetic and has a good personality.
Mel’s husband Neal is very friendly, is kind to everyone, smiles all the time and is never in a bad mood!
Mel is flexible, stretchy and has a lot of experience. She is funny, friendly, has a nice smile and is never grumpy, even though she must be exhausted! The music is great to sing along to and some songs are well known by a lot of the adults. All the songs that I know that Mel puts on are fantastic to sing along to (but only in my head)!
During the cool down Mel puts on some blue green star lights which are used, because when Mel turns of the lights and closes the red curtains you can’t see a thing! So the star lights help to see clearer.
I love going to the Pilates, boot camp and the mother and child classes, because its good fun, helps to lose weight and keeps you strong, fit and healthy!
Kylie ‘Smileee’ Daines – February 2010
Published Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | 
“Just a little email to say a mahoooosive thank you for BOOTCAMP 
I have been BootCamping since you started the classes in Jan 2009, and I’ve only missed 3 classes in that time. I’m well and truly addicted. I can’t thank you enough for helping me shrink even more, not only have I lost lbs, but I’ve lost inches all over too…..for the first time in 20 years I can fit into a size 10, and I am regularly being complimented on my fab new body (its still a work in progress though). Thank you thank you thank you…..I can’t recommend your classes highly enough…
Thanks very very very very much… lots of love, Smilee:-)xx”
Louise Small – January 2010
Published Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 
Louise Small – January 2010
Meet Louise… She has been coming to my Fitness-Pilates classes now for SIX years now, she has 4 children, a husband, a family dog, she works, runs the family home and still finds the time to fit in 3 classes each and every week. She has fantastic energy and enthusiasm for life, has a great sense of humour and completely the right attitude towards being fitter, healthier and more toned not only for herself, but also for her own wellbeing on the inside and outside too. She has been one of my loyal class members since I started FitHaven 7 years ago, has become a great friend and makes a sensational cup of pre-class coffee too (a very important part of FitHaven!). Here is her story…
“I first started coming to Fithaven about 6 years ago now, I had damaged my knee sometime before doing step classes and wanted to find another type of exercise that I could do to get back in shape after having babies!! I attend the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday morning Fitness-Pilates classes with Mel and I enjoy the challenge and the results to my body that this class brings. Most people think Pilates is ‘slow and boring’ but I can guarantee that once you have mastered the basic techniques Mel keeps it upbeat, fun and exciting and there is never one class the same.
I have made some good friends at my Pilates classes, everyone is really chatty and friendly regardless of their age. Everyone fits in and I love the variety because of this. No-one judges you and once the music starts we get onto our mats, into our zones and enjoy the movements. Mel has not just been my pilates teacher over the last six years but has become a good friend too. She has been very supportive to me, especially when my mum was very ill and then died suddenly last January and she was there again for me when another very close relative died suddenly in August. She listens to me winging on when I am hormonal or feeling a bit low, and we also have a good laugh and chat before classes too over a coffee.
As well as the Fitness-Pilates classes I also walk every day with our dog as well as all the usual running around after my kids!!! I love my Pilates classes with Mel and I am completely hooked and hate to miss one!! After having my four children it has got me back in shape from a size 12- 14 to a size 10 which I never could have done that without Pilates is my life!!! I call it my `therapy` as its good for my mind as well as for my body – which is great for everyone else around me too!”
Louise, you are a fitness inspiration to all busy mums and women out there who say they ‘can’t find the time’ to fit in exercise, when you have well and truly proved that you can! Thank you and long may Pilates continue in your weekly schedule! Mel xx
Frank and Gill’s ‘FitHaven’ Adventure – November 2009
Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 | 
Frank and Gill’s ‘FitHaven’ Adventure – November 2009Gill says: I joined Mel’s BootCamp in Little Paxton in April on a friend’s recommendation. I found the exercise challenging but Mel’s exuberance and enthusiasm were infectious and encouraged me to attempt everything. I loved it and felt a real sense of achievement at the end of each class. I now go to Mel’s New Body Workout class which leaves me feeling energised, younger and fitter. I’ve at last managed to persuade Frank to come and give it a try. He finds it fast but enjoyable and is keen to improve.
At Little Paxton Scarecrow Festival I tried Nordic Walking. The Physio had been nagging me about my posture and I was sure this would help. Frank and I already belong to a trekking group so I knew he would also enjoy this and I had been looking for an activity we could do together. After the first beginners session we were hooked! I find Neal and Mel’s passion for Nordic walking an inspiration and it is all helped by the friendliness of the group. Unobtrusively Neal encourages us to walk farther and faster. The highlight for me so far has been the Wednesday evening walks in September with headlamps. I felt like an intrepid explorer especially in the wooded areas. It was such fun.
Our daughter who hadn’t seen us for several weeks came and said, “Mum have you lost weight? You’re looking really slim and trim.” This has all happened while I’ve been having such a good time at Mel’s classes and Nordic walking. Also my posture has improved and my dreaded cellulite that I’ve had forever is much better. By far the biggest bonus though has been the huge drop in my blood pressure. It has been extremely high for over six years and difficult to regulate with medication. I’ve had to have it checked at the doctor’s every three months and it is always high but the last to times it has been fine. The doctor asked if I was doing something different and I told her about Nordic Walking. She was impressed and said that it was more than likely the reason as it is extremely good cardio-vascular exercise.
Frank says: She’s said it all as usual but I totally agree for once and have to admit that joining FitHaven has been her best idea. I’m beginning to feel the benefits of Mel’s exercise classes as I’m more flexible and co-ordinated. We are now taking part in Neal’s Nordic Challenge to gain more stamina and fitness. Watch out you youngsters!! Thank you Mel and Neal
Laura Taylor’s ‘Bride-Fit BootCamp’ Journey – September 2009
Published Sunday, September 6, 2009 | 
Read the proof that BootCamp classes really do work – Laura has been coming to BootCamp for only six weeks and she is already noticing and feeling fantastic results in her body and fitness levels. She started off by coming just once a week but has now upped it to twice a week and is enjoying her new active habit as she is prepares for one of the biggest days of her life next year – her wedding! This is her story so far…
My Journey with Mel, so far… by Laura Taylor
With my August 2010 wedding fast approaching and the need to get my body back in shape after I quit smoking, I decided to put on my sports bra and get down to Mel Thomas’ Bootcamp. I, like most people have tried all manner of different diets and exercise fads with no real results. A friend (Kylie “Smilee” Daines) recommended Mel’s Bootcamp. I’d had some experience with Mel at Dance Fitness and decided to take control and get committed to BootCamp. Mel enrolled me into what we have since nick-named ‘Bride-Fit BootCamp’, she took my weight and body measurements, told me to stay true to the plan and watch the results. Here’s how my first 6 weeks have panned out!
After working really hard with my exercising – BootCamp twice a week, Dragon Boat racing twice a week and staying on track with my diet – (except the odd sneaky glass of vino) – I’d noticed that my trousers had loosened slightly, although I didn’t think there was a massive difference considering all the hard work I had been putting in. So I got on the scales and decided to weigh myself. I was shocked and upset to see that I hadn’t lost any weight, not even a pound!!!!! I nearly decided there and then there was no point, but….. I remembered Mel saying about healthy lean muscle weighing more than fat and to ignore the scales. I could hear Mel saying “Look at measurements instead”…
I measured myself at the start of this term of BootCamp and wasn’t expecting to see any difference after my disappointment with the scales episode! However, I was wrong!! I had lost an inch off of everything! Both legs, my bust and my waist! 4 inches off my whole body is quite a large amount! Obviously I was delighted and excited to see that my hard work was paying off and I was making progress. It surprised me and has given me even more enthusiasm to keep it up! I was very pleased and now cant wait for 4 weeks time to measure myself again, hopefully I’ll see a few more inches disappearing! My advice is… Forget what you weigh! It’s all about shifting inches! Thanks to the lovely Mrs Thomas for everything so far!
Bob Kittle – September 2009
Published Sunday, September 20, 2009 | 
Meet Bob… Both himself and his lovely wife Ali joined us for the very first time this year at the special Bank Holiday Easter Monday Nordic Walk from Brampton and they have been with us ever since. Not one week has gone by when they haven’t made it to a NW session come rain or shine, in-fact they are the luckiest Nordic Walkers around as they have yet to experience the ‘rain’ as they haven’t even had to get their waterproofs out yet which means walking with them is a guaranteed dry one!!! Always full of the life, constant jokes and stories and an amazing knowledge of anything flying in the air from birds to planes (which is extremely handy) and an entertaining couple making FitHaven and especially Nordic Walking what it is all about – the people who come! They both did extremely well on Sunday at the Great Cambridgeshire Walk and Run and Bob was one of the first Nordic Walkers to cross the line with Ali not to far behind in well under two and half hours for 9.5 miles is not bad going at all – especially for someone who had a heart attack 2 years ago!!! Here is his amazing story and let him be an inspiration to make you get up, get out and get Nordic Walking…
Walking back to Happiness? by Bob Kittle
On 30 July 2007, I was working as a busy manager, overseeing a team of regulators that covered half of Hertfordshire, parts of Lincolnshire and a little bit of Essex. I went to the gym regularly and kept a weather eye on my diet. On 31 July 2007, I had a heart attack that lead to unplanned early retirement.
Once Addenbrookes and Papworth Hospitals had done their magic, Ali, (my wife) and I looked for ways for me to regain my health. I attended a once a week cardiac rehabilitation fitness class and we took to walking round our home village of Cambourne. However, this can become a little repetitious.
In December 2008 we were spending Christmas in the Canary Islands (as you do when you are retired), and I went on a trial Nordic walk – two hours up a volcano and one hour back (whilst Ali had a Yoga session). In spite of not being able to walk properly for the next two days, I was hooked.
When we got back to England, Ali began a search for Nordic walking groups and we were lucky enough to come across FitHaven. Since then, through Nordic walking, we have seen new places, met new (and interesting) people, lost weight and got our fitness levels up. There are no volcanoes in Cambridgeshire and Mel also insists on a warm-up and a warm-down, so I can even walk properly after our Nordic walks.
On 13 September 2009, we joined the Fithaven contingent on the Great Cambridgeshire Run (or in our case, the Great Cambridgeshire Nordic Walk). Not only did we complete the route in a time that surprised us, we have become so fit that we went on a Fithaven walk the next day!
Being part of a group adds a dimension to a healthy activity that cannot be explained, only experienced. We would heartily recommend anyone of any ability who wants to get more out of life, to have a go at Nordic Walking. Bob Kittle.
- Click HERE for fabulous photo’s of Bob and Ali Kittle at the Great Cambridgeshire Run & Walk, September 2009
Jill Bolton (Dancercise and Friday Morning Workouts!) – July 2009
Published Tuesday, July 28, 2009 | Jill Bolton (Dancercise and Friday Morning Workouts!) – July 2009
Jill has been coming to my Dancercise and Friday Morning sessions for a couple of years now and has been extremely loyal to her fitness as well as encouraging and very friendly towards new people who come along and may look and feel a bit apprehensive. When she first told me she had shed a lot of weight I didn’t believe her and when she bought in the photos of herself I couldn’t believe it was her. The photos, right are before and after shots – Jill is on the right in the first photo and the second photo showing how amazing she look now! She achieved her healthy and fitter look by herself over time – no fads, no diets, no gimmicks – just taking it back to basics of healthier eating and doing exercise – that is purely and simply what it is all about! Thanks for sharing your story Jill…
My story… A few years ago at the tender age of 40, I was asked to be chief bridesmaid at a friends wedding. Having agreed to wear a rather ‘interesting’ olive green dress, decided more out of curiosity to weigh myself. 15 stone!! Time for action! Thought I would have a go at losing a few pounds. I had tried a slimming club a few years earlier. Lost lots of weight, got the gold star. Put it all back on again and an extra 2 stone for good measure! By merely cutting down on the snacking, eating sensible meals and doing a little exercise, I was pleasantly surprised to see the pounds melting away. I bought myself a road bike, started with a few miles and gradually built up. Instead of taking the lift, I started running up the stairs!
I had to make several visits to the dressmaker as my waistline diminished. On the ‘happy day’ I weighed about 11 stone. Since then I’ve continued to lose weight and seem to be comfortable at about 10 stone. I believe weight loss is mostly mental attitude and a little will power. No faddy diets which merely provide a ‘quick fix’ and swell the coffers of the slimming industry. Enjoy that packet of crisps, just don’t eat 3 packets!!
A couple of years ago a friend introduced me to Mel’s classes. I was slightly apprehensive as I thought I might be surrounded by rather intimidating lycra clad lovelies! I was thrilled to discover a super group of ladies, keen on fitness and a bit of a social chat. Mel makes the classes great fun. She has a great rapport with her ‘pupils’. The music is great. I love ‘Dancercise’. No matter how weary I might feel en route to her classes, I always return home feeling positively energized. Thank you Mel.
Jilly Clarke & Mervyn Foster – June 2009
Published Monday, June 29, 2009 | Nordic Walked 46 miles at the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk – Saturday 20th June 2009!
They did it! Both Jilly (left) and Mervyn (right) set off in their separate teams at 4am from RAF Wyton, raising money for two separate and very worthwhile causes not to mention the personal challenge walking 46 miles brings to not only body but mind too. Having spent the past year with Jilly and the last few months with Mervyn out nordic walking with the poles we had no doubt at all that they would complete it. Mervyn even showed up this Monday lunchtime, proudly wearing his trophy 46-miler t-shirt (show right) ready and raring to go out Nordic Walking with the regular lunchtime group – how fantastic is that! We had a great chat about his 15 hour journey around the route course and his first words to me about the whole experience was ‘BRILLIANT’. Other than a bit stiffness in the back of the legs and thumb numbness from the nordic straps he felt really great and is now looking forward to his next challenge and will definitely be doing it again next year! Jilly’s story is below so carry on reading and a huge well done to them both. If you are interested in donating then I have a ‘Jilly Bucket’ in class raising for M.E.L (Malawi Education Link) and Mervyn has a sponsorship form on him raising for Help for Heros.
In Jilly Clark’s words… Hi Mel. Thanks for all your lovely comments, support and encouragement. Saturday was brilliant. We began at 4.13am and finished just before 9.30pm. We took our breaks at each checkpoint, and used them wisely. I have to say, I was totally amazed how well I felt at the end of the walk. I ate loads of high-energy food and drank loads of high-energy drinks. I did get to the point where I couldn’t put another ‘sweet’ substance into my mouth. That was at 39 miles at Warboys, when Steve met up with us. I think he thought I was going to pass out and not be able to complete the walk. He did say he hid up the road and waited for a good half-hour just in case I rang for assistance! How could he doubt me!
My friend had terrible blisters and tender heels by 32 miles and by the time we were at Bluntisham, I thought she might pull out. I gave her my poles so that she could push her pressure onto them and so relieve her feet. Initially, I enjoyed having ‘free’ hands but goodness, by the time I was a couple of miles in, I could hardly walk. I could not believe just how wonderful the poles had proved. My legs became heavy, my body slumped and I suddenly felt a pain behind my right knee. It was like a knot and gave a pain that was similar to cramp. I couldn’t believe it. 14 miles to go and I thought I had injured my leg so I phoned Steve and suggested he met me at the last checkpoint in Warboys with another set of poles. By this time I was at the back of our group and struggling to keep up. I have to say at the point, I did question if I would finish the walk. I had only walked 6.6 miles without my poles, and I was struggling.
The last push was about 7.5 miles, and it was with relief that I saw Steve. He gave his poles to my friend and I had mine back. I knew the end was in sight! I’d walked 32 miles with poles and just 6.6 miles without, but now I had them back they certainly did turn things around. I finished with very few blisters and hardly any aches and pains. Certainly, the Nordic Walking sessions have proved valuable, giving me the essential cross-country training I needed.
See you very soon, and thank you again, Love Jilly x P.S. I wore my tee-shirt with pride!
Mervyn Foster – Nordic Walking to help old Leg Injury – May 2009
Published Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 
– May 2009Mervyn, pictured right after a 26 mile walk, has only recently started Nordic Walking with us and after his first session was completely hooked, bought a set of poles and hasn’t looked back since. He is preparing for a long distance walk later this month and came to us to see if Nordic Walking would help an old leg injury and get him through the 46 miler he is so desperate to achieve. Since his first try in April he simply hasn’t stopped Nordic Walking, we wish him lots of luck and stamina for the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk on 20th June and have every faith that the ‘Power of the Poles’ will get him to the end – pain and injury free! Here is his story about how he came to discover this fabulous outdoor walking form…
“It was in January this year that I started to help a business friend of mine (Terry Downing) to prepare for the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk (46 miles) on 20th June 2009 which he was doing in aid of ‘Help for Heroes’. We would meet every Sunday in Brampton and walk to Grafham and back (about 8 miles), then later we would go around Grafham Water (about 15.5 miles). At the time of starting I was unable to take part on the walk due to work commitments in the Netherlands, but since then my dates have changed and was then able to take part myself.
It was in April after completing one of our Sunday morning walks, that I ended up limping to my car at the end of the walk to drive home and I continued to have a pain in my right leg for the rest of the week. This, I realised, must have been due to an old injury to my right leg (I had a metal plate inserted in 1973 after major skiing injury – fractured Tibia and Fibula). I was upset as I realised that this may put a damper on my taking part in the Pathfinder Walk, so I ceased walking for about 3 weeks to give my leg a rest.
I was still apprehensive about waking again as I thought that the distance we were going to have to cover would seriously affect my performance and I did not want to start the walk and then have to stop without completing it.
It was whilst I was working at the St Ives Complementary Health Centre that I was talking to a fellow practitioner (Maggie Whitehead) who informed me that she took part in walks using Ski Poles, called Nordic Walking. Maggie gave me the web link to FitHaven and informed me that Mel and Neal organised walking training from their fitness studio in Buckden. She informed me that not only will it improve your overall health but it has been shown to help you burn up to 46% more calories, increase heart and cardiovascular training to 20%, but more important for me is that it will give less impact on my hip, knee and foot joints by about 26%. So what could I lose?
I started walking on a Wednesday evening with Neal at the end of April and after only completing about 5 miles, I found the use of Nordic Poles to be an improvement in my walking style and improve all parameters significantly even though it is a low impact exercise. My training has increased significantly and I try and complete 30 miles per week as a minimum, I also took part in the 26 mile Oxfam Charity walk at Chilford Halls on 20th May, with no reoccurring pains in my leg….. I would not hesitate to recommend Nordic Walking to everyone, not only do you get a great workout but you have a sociable walk with likeminded people ….”
So, See you at the next walk with Mel, Neal and Millie.
Mervyn S Foster – Quantum Touch Healing and Shiatsu Practitioner
http://www.soothing-hands.co.uk/
Nordic Walking by Jordana Watts – March 2009
Published Sunday, March 22, 2009 | 
Here in her very own words is Jordan’s story as to why Nordic Walking is working for her – Jordana features in this photo taken on Sunday and looking fabulous! (She is at the front, in the pink T-shirt on the right hand side). Enjoy her story…
“I just wanted to say thank you for your Nordic Walking classes – I never would have believed that…
a) I would have attended them all
b) Would have survived a 4.5 mile walk (and twice in 1 week!)
c) Enjoyed exercise!!
So a big thank you to yourself and Neal for keep me motivated and making me feel so welcome.
Having attended a 5 week Nordic Walking Beginners Class I have been left feeling motivated, proud of not only my attendance but my achievements too. I am in the front of the queue when avoiding, making up excuses and all sorts to get out of “exercise” but Nordic Walking is something that I tried a few summers ago and was delighted to see on the timetable for a weekend.
Only once in the five weeks did I not want to go – and that was because I’d had a busy week and was feeling tried and grumpy. But I got ready to go and went for it and felt much better for doing it. My Sunday’s have certainly become my well-being day, where after a lovely walk I come home and have a relaxing bath and pure chill out before doing anything.
In just 5 weeks I feel my body has changed shape and my clothes feel looser around my middle. I’ve never been one for measuring myself so can’t give you exact measurements but I have had lots of comments saying that I look slimmer and much more healthier. I can honestly say that it’s been the Nordic Walking classes and not any magical cure as I haven’t attended any other exercise classes but do try to eat healthy.
So thank you Mel and Neal for making me work hard, feel motivated and look healthier!”