exellent women
OFFERING INSPIRATION FOR THE REAL WORLD, DR JULIET MCGRATTAN IS AN ACTIVIST FOR BEING ACTIVE
We all know we should be active. But there’s so much stuff that can get in the way: work stuff, life stuff, body stuff… We love Dr Juliet McGrattan because she understands. She was working as a GP when she realised, in her own words, “how powerful exercise was for improving my mental and physical health”. Looking for a way to share her knowledge beyond the consulting room, she began writing and blogging about it.
She’s also given us one of the most useful fitness books we’ve ever read. Sorted: The Active Woman’s Guide to Health is an accessible handbook to staying active, whatever your life stage. It’s won awards and you only need to read a few of its (entirely 5* on Amazon) reviews to see how many people it has benefitted.
The exciting realisation that she could pair her “medical background with helping others to exercise” to make a difference has caused McGrattan to change paths slightly. She’s now Women’s Health Lead and Master Coach for the 261 Fearless global network, which empowers women to run, and is even more keen to spread the news about how good sport makes you feel. “So many of us don’t identify with ‘sport’ being something we do,” she explains. “Perhaps that’s because we were put off at school or see it as too competitive, time-consuming or expensive. It’s really important to know that we can get enough exercise to keep us
healthy simply by introducing brisk walking into our day and making sure we don’t spend too long sitting down.”
“If you introduce one small change and succeed, then you’ll be more motivated and successful in introducing another. Every small bit of activity you can do adds up and will make you healthier; you don’t need to set aside hours.” And if that still sounds like too much, she encourages us to remember what we enjoyed as a child. “Was it riding your bike, dance, table tennis? If you enjoyed it then, chances are you will now, and rekindling some of that youthful buzz is a great motivator.”
It’s not only the buzz that McGrattan finds rewarding – it’s the ripple effect: “Encouraging a friend who didn’t think she could run, to find she can, then watching her grow in confidence and ability and become a run leader, helping other women into running.” We can all follow her example. Not just in getting moving but also in supporting others. “Many people find even the most welcoming group too intimidating,” she says. “All it takes is someone to take them by the hand and say, “Let’s go together.” Ready? Let’s go! drjulietmcgrattan.com Want to nominate a little-known excellent woman? Email thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk.
“Every small bit of activity you can do adds up and makes you healthier; you don’t need to set aside hours”