Eight-year-old me was ecstatic at the prospect of home-cooked meals, undivided attention and free reign of the television.
It was then, in 2010, that I concluded that this woman, over 60 years my senior, was fitter than me.
Before long I joined a gym and started lifting weights five times a week. I’m not surprised by the finding that 27 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds consider membership to a gym a “necessity” – every friend of mine, whether they use it or not, has a gym membership.
Today, lifting weights is hailed as vital, especially as we age, for building and maintaining muscle mass, increasing bone density, improving heart health and reducing the risk of injury.
My routine is very much focused on building muscles, and I like it, but could flexibility be more fun? And am I neglecting cardio too much?
Kia Elise-Green usually lifts weights five times per weekThe gym was around, of course, but it wasn’t the hang-out zone it is now. My nan used to go to dance classes with a group of friends and my Grandad, who died in 2012. Or they’d dance the night away at home.
In fact, the idea of formal exercise didn’t even really exist – with no obesity crisis, and less technology that allows you to sit down all day, they didn’t need it.
I threw myself into the deep end and started with a dance class. Much to my nan’s dismay – and my boyfriend’s delight – I couldn’t find a couples ballroom class, so I headed solo to a dance fitness class at David Lloyd. It’s worth noting that I cannot dance in the slightest.
We went through a range of dances, including hip hop and street, but it was mostly salsa – my worst nightmare – which I know my grandparents enjoyed.
And, after 45 minutes, I had done 7,000 steps, burned 300 calories and sweated copious amounts.
Kia Elise-Green’s great grandparents, who used to attend dance classes together
I thought I’d got the worst over with by starting with salsa, although the advanced spin class I inadvertently signed up for, thinking it was for beginners, made me almost vomit twice.
I found myself looking longingly at the squat machine I’d usually be using as I walked past the weights section in the gym, going into a studio to complete the workout I’d found online.
Thirty minutes, it turned out, was plenty. My body didn’t ache so much, but my heart rate was still high, and I was (disgustingly) dripping in sweat.
square LIFESTYLE I left the NHS to work in Dubai - my salary is over £100k, there's no way I'd return
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Back in the day the Jane Fonda exercise instruction class really shifted the perception of women’s fitness by allowing them to work out at home.
“Resist, resist, make it burn,” she repeated as we rotated our arms around for a few minutes. I usually start to feel the burn when I’m used to having 30kg weights in each hand.
Their way of exercising won’t get me the muscular physique I try to have, but I must admit it was a lot more fun, and a lot better for my cardiovascular system.
I think in future I’ll be going for a balance of both. Except for the dance classes, that is. No amount of practice is going to give me rhythm.
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