New Gym!

Well we've done it! Our very first gym is now open in the village of Bluntisham. We are located at The Vibe Studio (above Budgens), do come and have a look around, we are really proud of what we have achieved. We have tried to provide a gym for the residents of Bluntisham and its surrounding villages. Everyone is welcome, you will not be judged by age, size, shape or ability. We already have members ranging from 17 to 70+ We will always have a member of staff on hand to offer advice and support, so why not pop down and have a look round!

For our international readers!

We have been reviewing the amount of traffic our blog gets and we see we have numerous readers from abroad - including Russia and the United States. You don't have to be living in Bluntisham, Cambridge or indeed the UK for us to help. Marion recently supported a client whilst they were travelling in the States, all via the wonders of technology! Why not take a look at the PACT session of our website and see if we can be of help to you. We can even do a personalised workout with you via webcam!

Exercise prevents prostate cancer

To all the men out there, this is another reason to make sure you are getting enough exercise. A recent study has found that men, particularly, Caucasian origin, who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer and especially have a lower risk of the aggressive high-grade disease. So up your activity levels and you could reduce the risk by up to 49% You don’t even have to join a gym just try and achieve 30 minutes of activity that raises your heartbeat 5-6 times a week. Walking the dog and doing the garden all count! More info regarding the study can be found here

Live Longer No 4

4 Drink in moderation One or two units a day may help reduce heart disease, but most people drink a lot more and it is doing us an increasing amount of damage. Alcohol can cause cirrhosis, which is now the 12th-highest cause of death and ill health in western Europe, fatty liver disease and liver cancer. It is also implicated in other cancers – mouth, throat and breast. And then there are all the accidents and fights in which people get hurt or killed.

OK - all you out there who like to work from a firm research base - a newly published report (in the journal of Psychological Medicine) written by Dr Dregan of King's College London tells us a great deal about the benefits of a life time of exercise. The longitudinal study shows that those of us who have engaged in regular intense activity since childhood perform better in mental tests at the age of 50. Dr Dregan says ' It's widely acknowledged that a healthy body equal a healthy mind'. He also tells uys that exercsie represents a key component of lifestyle interventions to prevent cardiovcascular disease, diabetes and cancer. So, lets all get active - its never too late to start! Contact us if you want help to be your best!

And here's your handy hint number 3 - helping you to live longer. 3 Eat seeds – not junk Curiously, the Global Burden of Disease lists not only eating too little fruit (sixth-highest risk factor for early disease and death) but too few nuts and seeds (not far behind, at eighth). Too few vegetables are 12th, and low omega-3 (in oily fish, not tablet form), high processed meat and low fibre follow in that order. Too much trans fat is 19th, low calcium is 22nd and low milk consumption 23rd. So, yes, diet matters a lot and not just because eating too much makes you fat – high BMI or body mass index has a separate ranking as the fourth highest risk factor, causing heart disease, strokes, diabetes and cancers. But on a diet of nuts and seeds it is also pretty difficult to get overweight.

your second 'Live Longer' tip 2 Get your blood pressure checked Like checking the pressure of the tyres on your car, this is a very good idea. Some people have high blood pressure in the family. Others eat too much salt, don't take enough exercise, are overweight, stressed, smoke or drink too much. Most of this you can do something about, but for those who don't, a trip to the GP, who will prescribe pills, may prevent a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure is the No 1 risk factor for early deaths and years of poor health in Europe. But if you have low blood pressure and none of the above risk factors, just a routine check on any visit to the GP for other matters is enough.