Welcome back to our series of Step Over Hunger guest blogs.
We’ve invited some of our favourite Step Over Hunger participants to answer a few questions for our blog, sharing some top tips and spreading motivation to hit our step goals.
This time, we’re excited to introduce JeedaJumps.
We’re delighted to welcome her into our Charity Right family and can’t wait to hear what she has to say.
So, over to you, Jeeda!
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Jeeda, I am from the Midlands in the UK, currently work as a Marketing Manager in a local FE college. I love to weight-train and learnt how to skip in lockdown.
2. Have you ever done any other fundraising in the past or is this the first time?
I have done a few fundraising challenges in the past, helped host charity events locally and visited Palestine where I got to do some charity work in refugee camps. It’s always nice to give some of your time towards a cause that matters and can really bring change in people’s lives.
3. How did you get into skipping? Why is it so great in your opinion?
Lockdown made me get into skipping – gyms were closed, and I really needed something to keep me going and help my mental health. It was not feasible to buy a whole gym to put in the house so I looked at the minimal equipment I had and a skipping rope was one of them. I started rather clumsily at first, tripping over but persevered.
Skipping is great for cardio, if done correctly it has minimal impact on your joints and you can burn a lot of calories just skipping for 10-15 min. There are always new tricks to learn, so you can’t get bored and most importantly there is an amazing community online that you are suddenly a part of.
4. You’ll of course be getting the skipping rope out to hit your step goal. How do you monitor steps?
I use my iPhone to monitor steps and my exercises.
5. What’s your favourite part about exercising or going out for a walk?
Exercising makes the stress and noise of life come to a stop. In that moment, I am just thinking about what I am doing and can switch off. It helps to be mindful and take some time to reflect too.
6. Do have a funny / memorable story when you’re out skipping?
The most memorable moment for in skipping is going to London and meeting a whole group of skipping enthusiasts for the first time and realising the amazing community I was not becoming a part of. I got to meet people who have skipped for years and also people who are new and still learning.
I think the most lovely thing was a lady stopping in Hyde Park as we skipped and saying she recognised me from Instagram. I was really surprised because there were so many other people who have so much more followers than me and I kept thinking she has mistaken my identity, but she was adamant it was me she followed. I was really touched.
7. What does fitness and health mean to you, and why do you think it’s so important for women?
Fitness and health is really important not just from a general wellbeing perspective, but religiously our bodies have been loaned to us by Allah. It’s important we look after the gift that houses our souls to remain strong but also keep a good mindset. There is a lot of discipline involved and that can only mean good things. I think fitness is equally important for men and women to be able to live a more balanced life.
8. If you had to choose, what’s your favourite? Walking outside; going to the gym; using a skipping rope? And why?
I would say weightlifting is my favourite. The moment I lifted 100kg in a deadlift – the feeling was incredible and the time it took to master the technique and form and to be able to finally lift the weight was a great feeling.
I like being strong and it gives me strength mentally and physically. Sorry skipping rope!
9. We know you love your sneakers! Are there any particular shoes you’d recommend for skipping or walking on Step Over Hunger?
For skipping, I’d highly recommend a shoe with some flexibility and that is not too heavy. I really like skipping in boxing boots.
In terms of walking – anything that is comfortable really. There are some great walking shoes available. Generally, everyone finds comfort in different footwear, the hardest thing doing any physical activity is having the wrong footwear that hurts your feet. You simply will give up before you even start.
10. What do you think are the best ways to sneak in a few extra steps each day?
I think you have to consider options in all situations, at work don’t use the lift, walk the flights of stairs, take a little walk at lunch, do your errands by foot rather than car, meet friends and go for a walk together.
11. What top tips do you have for fitness newbies working towards their step goal?
Do not put too much pressure on yourself; the important thing is to be consistent, set a goal and use that as motivation to move each day.
Do what you can, the worst thing is forcing yourself to do something you hate, eventually you will give it up, so finding something you enjoy is always good. I think listening to a podcast helps; if you walk while you listening to a podcast or a book, you won’t even realise the exercise element.
12. Why support Charity Right with this campaign?
I felt it fitted with what I do on a daily basis and it enabled me to give some time back in order to help a good cause.
13. Share why you’re so passionate about school meals?
My time of working in a college has highlighted to me the difficulties students can face when they are hungry.
While I was a first aid officer, I was regularly asked to see to students who were feeling faint or upset and this was purely due to them not having enough sustenance to concentrate on their studies. So, I would usually go and buy them a meal.
Many came from families that were trying to find the next meal and their younger siblings would take priority. This really impacted their ability to learn and to enjoy being young. Knowing this made it important for me to take part and to support as much as possible.
