This October, Cancer Research UK launched their Skipping Challenge, encouraging participants to skip their way to fitness while raising funds for life-saving cancer research. And guess who's joining the movement? None other than our very own Liz, who at 60 is taking on the challenge of 100 skips a day!
Now, Liz is no stranger to fitness—she’s fairly athletic and keeps active. But this skipping journey has been a real test! In a candid video, she bared it all, showing the start of her skipping adventure and admitting that it’s not as easy as it sounds. There’s more to skipping than just hopping over a rope, especially when you’ve got knees, ankles, and the age-old need to “spend a penny” before getting started!
A Surprising Challenge at Any Age
While skipping might remind you of childhood playground fun, it’s a whole different game when you’re balancing fitness, life, and a body that’s a little wiser with age. Liz quickly learned that form and stamina are key. "It’s not just the cardio challenge," she says, "it’s about making sure my knees and ankles don’t revolt after 20 skips!"
But she’s sticking with it! With each day, the 100 skips become less daunting, and she’s found ways to adapt. Warm-ups are essential, and she’s swapped between different types of skipping ropes to find one that’s gentle on her joints.
A Fun Way to Get Involved for a Good Cause
The Cancer Research Skipping Challenge is not only a fun way to stay active, but it’s also a meaningful way to contribute to a cause that’s close to our hearts. Liz, like so many others, has been deeply affected by cancer, having lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 20. This challenge holds special significance, reminding us that every skip counts toward funding research that could save lives.
Knees, Ankles, and the "Spend a Penny" Strategy
As Liz laughs through the journey, she’s sharing a few tips for others who might be thinking about picking up a skipping rope:
Prep Your Knees and Ankles
Make sure you’re warmed up properly. Skipping is high-impact, and your joints will thank you for it! Liz found that a few stretches and a light walk before skipping helped ease the pressure on her knees.
It’s Okay to Take Breaks
It doesn’t have to be 100 skips in a row—start with small sets and build up. Liz started with 20 skips at a time and worked her way up to 100 a day. There’s no shame in pacing yourself!
Don’t Forget the "Spend a Penny" Rule
Skipping is a bouncy activity, and as Liz humorously points out, make sure you’ve visited the bathroom beforehand!
We’re rooting for Liz as she skips through October, and we encourage you to join in too! Whether it’s 100 skips or just a few, every bit helps support cancer research. You’ll get a great workout, and more importantly, you’ll be making a difference.
Follow Liz’s journey on social media, where she’ll be posting her progress (and a few laughs along the way). Who knows—you might just be inspired to grab a skipping rope and give it a go yourself! Send us your video’s and we’ll post them along side ours! Let’s do it!