Trampolines are the new jogging...

As ‘going on holiday’ time approaches so does the race to get rid of those last few remaining pounds for the holidays. Most of my pals are on a detox this week in order to confidently don their swimsuits. I’ve been trying to be good as well for the past few days but I just know I’ll blow it at the weekend. As I’ve said many times, I’m rubbish at sports, cannot stand gyms and I am useless at jogging. My only form of exercise is walking which I must say I do regularly.

Recently, however, I’ve learned of two other forms of exercise which I might try. Rollerblading and trampolining. Both have conveniently opened up near to where I live.

My pal Maureen has sampled the Roller Rink and has all the gear including the pristine dazzling white roller boots. I remember in the 80s my sister Gillian was a whizz on them and had all the gear which is back ‘in’ again. So I might give it a go but I’ll wait till after the holidays in case I break something.

My nieces have a trampoline in the garden and I have been known to, after a few wee sherries, bounce about on it. It’s always a good idea at the time!

Trampolining is the hot new exercise trend. With six new trampoline parks opening up in the UK this year alone. Apart from it being a fun way to exercise, studies have shown that you burn the same number of calories in 10 minutes of trampolining as you would jogging for half an hour. Now, I like the sound of that. Better still, the experts say that using a trampoline instead of pounding up and down on concrete reduces the impact on limbs by 80%. They say it can exhaust you but that it tones you up. Fantastic!

So don’t be embarrassed to jump on to the children’s trampoline during the summer nights, just don’t drink too much beer. Trust me!

Glasgow Times:

Graduations and celebrations

The reason why I know that my detox/healthy living regime will be blown at the weekend is because we are going out to celebrate my sister-in-law Lynn’s graduation. Congratulations Lynn! We are off to our friend Irene’s house for a wee party so all that good living will be undone in a weekend. Never mind I’ll have a wee bounce about on Sunday and see it off!

I should also at this point pay tribute to my darling husband who got confirmation on passing his Law degree this week. Well done son. He can add that to his Masters’ degree in Social Research and his other BA Joint Honours degree in Politics and Economics. He really is a wee swot! Pity he can’t change a light bulb.

Tommy’s graduation ceremony would have been this week as well but he stupidly forgot to register in May for the ceremony because he was too busy campaigning in the General Election. He’s now got to wait till November. Crazy!

Tommy and I are notorious for breaking or losing all things techno like PCs and mobile phones. A few weeks ago I lost my watch which I got for my 50th from my sister and brother-in-law. I then lost my mobile phone. I eventually found them both. Then I did the unthinkable and dropped Tommy’s super-dooper, all singing, all dancing mobile phone down the toilet pan. It wasn’t deliberate although there have been numerous occasions when I have indeed wanted to do just that, but I haven’t. He has taken it to a few shops to have it fixed but to no avail. You’d think part of him has been cut off and I suppose in a way it has. Shame!

Glasgow Times:

A resigning issue - homesless caseworkers strike

According to a report in yesterday’s Evening Times, one third of Glasgow’s Labour Councillors will resign rather than contest the 2017 local government elections.

Read: A third of Glasgow's Labour councillors could quit before 2017 elections

Apparently they fear electoral annihilation at the hands of the SNP juggernaut. The truth is their collective failure to settle the Homeless caseworkers strike should cause them all to call it a day. This group of dedicated frontline workers are now into their 14th week on strike. That represents a colossal failure to manage and nurture an essential service. This group of workers deserve the re-grading they are striking for. The Labour council’s failure to recognise the professionalism of their own staff highlights their inadequacy to run the city. I support the Homeless caseworkers and would ask everyone else in Glasgow to do likewise.