Killarney resident and teacher with Turtle Mountain School Division, Stephanie Outhwaite, has been focusing on her own physical fitness over the past number of years and is wanting to offer more opportunities for others to join her in an exercise program that is designed to be adaptive for all levels of abilities, and disabilities.
Outhwaite has been training for the Highland Heavy Games events and has competed in a number of meets over the past few months, including the Deloraine Summer Festival.
As a gym teacher and coach of multiple sports at Killarney School over the many years, she says she not only has the training, the experience and the drive to instruct adults, but also the passion and compassion to help others who are finding it difficult to achieve a greater level of fitness.
As a strong competitor in the Heavy Games, and at 47-years-old, Outhwaite says it's not about the age of a person, it's about how much movement they're doing on a regular basis.
"I'm turning 48 in October, so now at 47, I'm fitter now than I was when I was 37. So, it's not age ...it's what you do, and when you see these amazing seniors out there and you hear about the people who start running when they're 65 ... it's not about age, it's about movement."
"I see that with my own behaviours," she adds. "You know what? I am in less pain. It's easier to move because I'm doing more. So, I keep doing that and my husband is my coach - and he might start training as well and competing. Right now, he's happy to be the coach this year and maybe next year he'll give it a go again too!"
Looking forward to the new school year, Outhwaite will be teaching Grades 1-4 at the Wellwood Hutterite Colony, which will allow for more time to dedicate to a community health program that's soon to get rolling.
"I am planning on having more time doing my own training and also get back into the women's fitness world in Killarney," Outhwaite explains. "When I first moved to Killarney, I did a lot of training with the ladies before we had a Shamrock Centre, before we had any Spin cycle facility. At that time, I offered aerobics for a $2 drop-in fee and I'm planning on doing that again," she adds.
At a $2 rate drop-in anybody can join at any time, and at any level of physical fitness. She says this makes it affordable for everyone to participate in a fitness program.
"I really like aerobics. Aerobics is movement to music. But it's also a lot of weight training, and core training and stretching all in one, because people often miss the stretch," she says. "So, I'll be offering something that is affordable, and you don't have to sign up, but it'll be like a drop-in program. And if you can come, great! You can come and drop your toonie in - and if you don't, that's OK too!"
Please listen to more with Stephanie Outhwaite below as she shares more on a fitness program for the community of Killarney.
"Because I am a Phys Ed teacher by trade, and I'm really good at modifying exercises so it's safe for everybody, I feel like I can provide those services," she explains. "And when I did my university degree, I took my option in aging. So that's just like an 18-hour credit program working to specialize with seniors. And so, we'll be using that training. I've already started volunteering in May and June offering a free senior's program on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lakeview Gardens. And that was really good for me and the residents," she adds.
"And so hopefully we'll keep doing that and building this because, you know, everybody needs help getting going, even me. So, we'll hopefully get a bunch of people going and then after you start moving more, you feel better."
"And once we can move more, and you get the good feelings we get from working out, it gets a little bit easier," adds Outhwaite. "So, I'm hoping to share that more and just improve the quality of life for our seniors in town, and everyone else who wants to join!"
Outhwaite notes the program is still in its development stage but launching it won't take long. She encourages folks to keep watch on social media platforms such as the Killarney Facebook page, and the local newspaper, for times, location and more!