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SPOR 073T
Playtime fi rst, screen time last
AS A FAMILY, WE WORK ON THE BASIS EXERCISE IS A COMPLETELY NORMAL PART OF OUR LIVES
As a personal trainer with 20 years’ experience and clients ranging in age from 12 to 73, Justin Jones makes no excuses for taking his work home. “As a family, we work on the basis exercise is a completely normal part of our lives. Human beings are meant to be moving,
not sitting on our backsides,” says the father of daughters aged 11 and five and a three-year-old son.
“Having fun is an essential part of the equation as this helps children learn and makes them more likely to continue when they’re older. I’ve met many people over the years put off exercise by having to do a sport they simply didn’t enjoy.” We have a huge problem in this country with inactive, technology-obsessed young people. What advice has Justin for parents? “Lead by example. Children learn more by observing what their parents do than
highlight the benefi ts of boxing. For Ian, it represents a workout that keeps you mentally alert while at the same time providing a great way for the mind to switch off. And for Elliot it’s all about acquiring new skills and developing strength and fi tness. “I started two years ago when I was 12 and have sessions every week,” says Elliot who now gives Dad a run for his money in the ring as he masters more complex combinations.
“An awful lot has to do with
the trainer,” adds Ian. “Tommy has a huge amount of experience and enthusiasm. He’s totally passionate about boxing – and never stops smiling! He makes the sessions fun, is incredibly encouraging and has really inspired Elliot’s confi dence.
“Like most people our lives are busy but we enjoy going to boxing together. From my perspective, I get to see Elliot’s skills improve and being trained by someone like Tommy really makes it something we always look forward to.” • Visit
tkboxing.uk &
halogym.co.uk
by what they say, so if they see you exercising or taking part in sport, they’re more likely to do so themselves. If you’re sitting on the sofa absorbed in your phone they’ll see that too,” says Justin. “Make exercise a habit by tagging it on to an
existing routine. We try to go to a soft play area or park after school rather than going straight home. It’s playtime fi rst, screen time last. “One of my biggest parenting mistakes was giving my eldest a phone at the age of eight. The evidence is mounting increased screen time is correlated with poorer social, physical and emotional development. We need a break as parents but the more we can keep exercise and activity in our lives the better for them and us.” • Contact Justin Jones on 07429 874025 or via his Facebook page
facebook.com/activechoiceuk
SPORT
THE HEALING POWER OF
Sands United is a football team established by a group of dads who’ve lost a child with the aim of bringing together men who’ve all experienced the same grief. The team trains on Tuesday evenings at Maplesden Noakes School in Maidstone and there’s no pressure to talk – people can just turn up and play a sport they enjoy. Player-manager Mike
Pollard says: “Sands United was set up as a way to get dads to talk after the loss of a baby. The emphasis is usually on the mums and, as vital as that is, there isn’t a great deal of support for dads.” In October 2017 Mike’s wife gave birth to twin boys who were stillborn. Last year, the couple found out they were expecting again. However in August, they had another stillborn baby. “Everyone has their own situation,” comments Mike. “There are so many different stories, so many unique experiences but there’s nothing better than knowing on our message group you can just put a note saying, ‘I’m having a really bad day’ and the boys are there for you and know what to say.” • You can contact the team by email at KentSUFC@gmail. com. For more information on Sands, visit
sands.org.uk
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