James Crickmore's Support for CareZone

James Crickmore, owner of Yarwell Mill, with Hugh Caithness and Roger Larmond from CareZone at Kingsgate church receiving beds from Yarwell Mill. EMN-190104-214540009

Yarwell Mill Country Park has supported furniture recycling charity Care Zone in supporting Peterborough’s most vulnerable.

Donations of much needed furniture and equipment have been made, with beds donated by directors James Crickmore (pictured with Hugh Caithness and Roger Larmond from Care Zone) and Maurice Sines.

Care Zone, run by KingsGate Community Church, provides emergency support to people in financial crisis.

More donations of the following are needed: beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers, dining suites, sofas, bedding, curtains and kitchen items.

Call 01733 575083 or email info@carezone.org.uk.

This article and image were originally published on peterboroughtoday.co.uk by Joel Lamy on Sunday, April 7, 2019. Visit their website to learn more. 

Top Fitness Routines for Beginners

Everyone knows that physical fitness is an important component of a well-rounded life. That said, it can be hard to get motivated and actually start to get fit. For people who aren’t currently fit, a new workout routine can be intimidating. Whether they have never been fit or they’re backsliders, the idea of a new fitness regime can be daunting. Luckily, there are some great resources out there for people who want to take the plunge and start to get fit. Even an absolute beginner can find great plans that will help them get started.

Once people have some grounding, a good fitness program isn’t that hard to construct. FITT is a guideline can help people develop an effective workout regime on their own. Frequency, intensity, time and type are the elements that make up the FITT acronym. Frequency is how often someone works out.

Typical advice from professionals for frequency is five days per week. Those five days should incorporate three sessions of strength training and three sessions of cardio. Typically, one workout day is active recovery or easy cardio, for example, a walk and a gentle stretch.

Intensity is a huge variable when it comes to workouts. For absolute beginners, intensity should never go beyond about the halfway mark. Doing too much too soon can lead to injury that will curtail a workout program altogether. Light to moderate intensity in both cardio and resistance training is ideal for a beginner.

Time refers to the duration of a workout. For beginners, each workout should last just 20 to 30 minutes. Again, overdoing it can lead to injury or burnout. The time per workout typically grows naturally as a person gets more fit. For example, if someone enjoys running, they will want to do greater distances each time they set out. Instead of one mile, they will want to do three, then five and so on.

Finally, type refers to the kind of workout being done. Generally speaking, there are two types of workout, cardio, and strength or resistance training. However, for fitness to continue to develop, muscle confusion is necessary. A program that mixes things up will have great results. Options for cardio include walking, running and swimming. Resistance training can involve weights, bands, or body weight.

This article was originally published on JamesCrickmore.org.uk.

How to Train for Your First Half Marathon

Are you planning on running a half marathon for the first time? These tips will help you prepare!

Don’t Start From Scratch

When you decide to run a half marathon, you should already be running consistently. The 12  week plans you find for training normally already assume that you’re running on a regular basis, with a mileage base of 15 to 20 miles. You should be able to easily run at least five miles.

If you haven’t been running on a regular basis, your body will have to acclimate to the distance as your train. Unfortunately this often overwhelms you body and causes injury. You may need to find a longer training plan, and sign up for a half marathon further in the future if you don’t already have the necessary running base.

Choose (and Stick to) a Plan

Most half marathon training plans range from 10 to 16 weeks. A longer plan is better because it allows extra time in case you get sick or busy because of of work. You should especially consider a longer plan if this is your first half marathon. The available plans vary in their structure, so you should choose one that fits your schedule. For example, you may not be able to run every day. If so, don’t select a plan that suggests it!

Settle into a Routine

After you choose a plan that works for you, the next step is to settle into a routine. Vary the lengths and speed of your runs. Don’t burn yourself out! On days you aren’t running, you should cross-train. Swimming, cycling, and using the elliptical machine are all great aerobic exercises. Core exercises with light resistance will help you keep good running form during your half marathon.

Buy the Proper Gear

Before you run the half marathon, you should make sure that you have all the gear you’ll need. Shoes are the most important. Some speciality shops help analyze your running style to help you choose the best shoe option for you. Don’t run the half marathon in clothing you’ve never worn before. Make sure you test everything, even socks or earbuds, to make sure you’ll be comfortable for the entirety of the race.

By selecting and implementing a plan that works for you, and preparing for the race with any necessary gear, you’ll make your first experience with a half marathon a good one!

This article was originally published on JamesCrickmore.org.uk. 

Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits in Children

As a parent, you’re responsible for helping your children establish healthy habits that will affect them the rest of their lives. The following are suggestions to help create an environment that encourages your children to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Support Mindful Eating

Make sure to remove screens from your dining table to help your children remained focused on their food. Talk to your kids about listening to their bodies. Ask what it feels like to be hungry, full, or uncomfortably full, and the discuss the differences between those feelings.

Make Sure Everyone Is Present

Not only is eating at home with the whole family normally healthier and less expensive than eating out, but it also makes a big difference in relationships! Eating at home allows you to better monitor what your children are eating, and creates a special time that children can look forward to.

Encourage Kids to Enjoy Fruits and Vegetables

Doctors recommend that children consume at least two cups of vegetables and one and a half cups of fruit each day. Try to provide fruits and vegetables with every meal, and offer them as healthy alternatives to other snacks. Make eating fruits and vegetables fun! Keep an eye out for new recipes, and encourage your children to help you prepare them.

Limit Soft Drinks

Sodas and other soft drinks are full of added sugars, and are especially unhealthy if children are drinking them instead of drinks with the nutrients they need, such as milk. Even fruit juice often contains added sugars! Encourage your children to drink water before anything else. To create replacements for soft drinks, make homemade iced tea or lemonade with only a small amount of sugar.

Make Sure Your Kids Eat Breakfast

A healthy, balanced breakfast provides an important start to your child’s day. Children who skip breakfast are often unfocused and tired during the school hours. Offer healthy and filling breakfast options such as yogurt with granola and fruit, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal.

Pack Your Child A Lunch

Not only is packing your child a lunch cheaper than purchasing one every day at school, but a homemade lunch is often healthier than the mass-produced school lunches. Sandwiches on nutritious whole-grain bread are a good option. Make sure to include sides of fruits and vegetables rather than chips.

These techniques will help you and your child develop nutritious eating habits. These habits will be the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.

This article was originally published on JamesCrickmore.org.uk.