Jenny Wood is a personal trainer at Les Mills.
Channel Magazine: What do you do that makes people feel better?
Jenny Wood: Apart from the obvious, with improved strength and fitness, I try and have my clients leave their sessions with the magic endorphin high that sets their day up in a positive way. Usually a big dose of laughter (at my expense) happens along the way too.
CM: What are the essential elements in your daily fitness/health regime?
JW: I'm so fortunate that my commute to work involves walking along Takapuna Beach. No matter how early I start work I always leave with enough time to just take in our beautiful environment. I always find time to do some form of exercise. I've become slightly less obsessive as I've got older but a combination of strength work, walking, running or my new passion, swimming, make up my routine.
CM: What is your number one health tip for summer?
JW: Making the most of this beautiful weather gives everyone the opportunity to get outside and walk. Instead of flopping in front of the TV after dinner, make a commitment to go for a walk instead. You'll sleep better, and avoid the sugar search when you get bored and top up those wonderful endorphins again.
CM : Who do you admire for their approach to health and fitness and why?
JW: There are so many people, so instead of just one I'm going with two. Firstly, the people on the start line of any event who are truly challenging themselves. When I ran the Auckland Marathon last year, the trip back along Tamaki Drive to the finish line means you see all the people still heading out to the turn at Kohimarama. Some of those people were still running three hours after I'd finished. They're the true heroes. Secondly, I have an amazing client who has spent her life looking after everyone else, at the expense of her own health. In 2018 she decided it was her turn to rise to the surface and in the process has turned her health completely around. I'm so, so proud of her.
CM: What is your health ambition for 2019 and how are you going to achieve it?
JW: I've always been a bit of a coward when it comes to trying anything new, but it's now or never so a couple of years ago it was skiing and now it's ocean swimming. I'm not very confident, but I'm putting on a wetsuit whenever I can and making myself swim a bit further every day. Like any fitness community, the swimming crowd are so encouraging; I'm already loving it.
