Fit With Vic

31/10/2026

Next week you have five opportunities to get Fit with Vic!

Monday evening at the University of Dundee gym, Sleek Physique @ 18:35

Wednesday evening Kettlebells for ladies @ 6pm and 7pm at St. Leonard's and St. Fergus church hall

Thursday evening - fun and fitness for young women at Downfield Juniors @ 18:15

Last but not least Studio Strength as part of the active living timetable back at the university gym @ 10:35

Message for more information on any of these classes 💜🩵🩷

29/10/2026

🚭 Sometimes, you don't realise how much something affects you until it's gone...

I remember when Scotland introduced the smoking ban in enclosed public places in March 2006.

Growing up with a parent who smoked, I had become so used to second-hand smoke that I barely noticed it. When the ban was announced, I remember thinking I wasn't sure how much difference it would really make.

Then I saw it for myself.

Where I worked had previously allowed smoking. When the ban came in, the carpets were ripped out and replaced, and the walls were repainted.

Seeing the changes made something click for me. The smoke I had become so accustomed to had left its mark on the environment around me. I had stopped noticing it, but that didn't mean it wasn't there.

It made me think about how easily we can become accustomed to things in our surroundings, and how difficult it can be to recognise their impact when they're part of everyday life.

Scotland's smoking ban was introduced to protect people from the harms of second-hand smoke. Research following the ban also found improvements in some health outcomes, including a reduction in hospital admissions for childhood asthma.

Looking back, it's a reminder that public health isn't always about something we can immediately see or feel. Sometimes, the evidence helps us understand what we've been living with all along.

The NHS has more information about smoking, its effects on health and support for anyone who wants to quit:

🔗 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/

Do you have any memories of the smoking ban being introduced?

I have no digital pictures from 2006 🤭, but we did then have the old olympia, so pic for nostalgia 🩵💜🩷

28/10/2026

Block starts tomorrow - message me to book...

There is a new programme of free youth activities in the Strathmartine area, which is great news!

The first eight week block will be held at Downfield Junior Football Club.

More details in the poster below, including booking details.

26/10/2026

MYTH MONDAY: Exercise only counts if it changes how your body looks...

❌ **MYTH!**

Exercise isn't just about losing weight, changing your shape or looking a certain way.

💪 It can help you build strength.
❤️ Support your heart health.
🚶‍♀️ Improve your balance and mobility.
😴 Help you sleep better.
😊 Boost your mood and confidence.

And sometimes, the biggest win is simply feeling more comfortable moving your body, having a laugh with others or taking a little time for yourself.

You don't have to change how you look for exercise to be worthwhile. Your progress might be feeling stronger, finding everyday tasks easier or discovering that you actually enjoy being active!

What's one benefit of being active that has nothing to do with how you look? Tell us in the comments!

And if you're looking for a friendly, women-only space to get moving, come and give one of my classes a try. Your first class is just £5 🩵🩷💜

26/10/2026

First class £5, sign up now for the next block...

Wednesday nights will be kettlebell nights for the next 4 weeks

Strength and cardio using kettlebells

Ladies, don't worry if you've never picked one up - I will explain everything and give you lots of options so you can choose the way to move that feels right for you

Classes are at 6pm and 7pm message to book in advance 🩷🩵💜

Come join the fun!

22/10/2026

Dundee can you help me find 12 young women aged between 15 and 20?

They need to be free on Thursday evenings and able to get to Downfield juniors.

Each week we'll have a different theme we'll be talking about stress, nutrition, female health and well-being followed up by a chance to get active.

Don't worry if you're not active already -the idea is that you become more active by the end of the eight week block.

By then you'll have tried lots of different exercises and you'll have built up your own at home workout programme!

Like and share this post so I can get all 12 spots signed up ready in time for next week.

Joint venture with Strathmartine Empowerment Team - message for more info and how to sign up 🩷🩵💜

20/10/2026

Have you ever thought about coming along to one of my classes, but not quite got round to it yet? 💜🩷🩵

Maybe you're not sure what to expect, or you'd just like to get a feel for what my classes are like before coming along in person.

Well, this Wednesday, 7pm, you can join me for a class online, from the comfort of your own home!

You'll get to meet me, see how I run a class, and try a workout without having to walk into a room full of people you don't know.

You can take part at your own pace, and you'll get a feel for whether my classes are right for you.

Then, if you fancy joining me in person, you'll already know a little bit about what to expect.

So if you've been thinking about giving one of my classes a go, why not start here?

Send me a message if you'd like to join us on Wednesday! 💜🩵🩷

19/10/2026

MYTH MONDAY 🩷💜🩵

“Exercise isn't for me if I have a long-term health condition.”

If you live with a long-term health condition, have you ever worried that exercise might make your symptoms worse?

You're not alone. Fear of worsening symptoms is a recognised barrier to physical activity for people living with long-term conditions.

But having a long-term health condition doesn't automatically mean physical activity isn't for you!

Around 4 in 10 adults in the UK have a long term health condition - so it's time to rethink about exercise and who can take part.

A 2025 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine explored how we could remove unnecessary barriers for people with long-term conditions who want to become more active.

The researchers found that existing screening processes can sometimes send people for medical clearance when it may not be necessary. This can create extra hurdles, delay participation and undermine people's confidence. It has made me change how I book any new clients into my classes or PT sessions.

Of course, this doesn't mean ignoring symptoms or that medical advice is never needed. New, unexplained or concerning symptoms need appropriate assessment, and some conditions require individual advice.

But, a long-term health condition shouldn't automatically mean missing out on being active.

We need to make physical activity accessible, provide clear and appropriate guidance, and help people find ways to move that work for them.

Because public health isn't just about telling people to be more active. It's also about removing the barriers that make it harder for them to do so.

💜🩷🩵

14/10/2026

Remember Parklives?

They were free exercise classes in local parks but did you know it was Coca-Cola that funded these classes?

Coca-Cola spent £20 million in the UK funding free physical activity programmes — roughly equivalent to a whole year's budget for Leisure & Culture Dundee.

Yu can see why cash-strapped councils would be interested in funding that offers free exercise opportunities to local people.

But here's the bigger question: what does a global drinks company get out of funding public health initiatives?

It can build a positive brand image, associate itself with healthy lifestyles, and gain a seat at the table in public health conversations.

This is where my business degree and my public health studies collide — because marketing isn't just about selling products. It's also about shaping how we think about brands, health and what's good for us.

So next time you see a brand supporting a health initiative, it's worth asking: who's benefiting, and what might they be getting in return?

If you find this kind of health-related marketing interesting, let me know in the comments. I've got more examples to share!