NHS backs 'lose a little, keep it off' plans

NICE is asking us to ‘lose a little and keep it off’ (BBC News 28.05.14)

Well that’s just great – we have been saying that for ages!  If you’ve got a little to lose we can help – we have a great weight management programme launching next week, and we can help you to keep it off – we know how to help with diet and activity and we know how to keep you on track.

However if you have a lot to lose this could be viewed as an excuse to hang on to it and just lose a few pounds.  We understand that the government is trying to help us to set goals that we can manage – but we do also need to be aware that being obese is a health risk.

Losing the first 3% is a start on the journey – not the end of the journey.  But breaking weight loss down into small chunks is a good idea – its much less daunting and more manageable.

If you would like help and advice on managing your weight – ask one of our staff – they will be happy to get you started on your journey.

Even the Chief Exec

I just want to let you know that it can happen to anyone.  Any of us can become ill because we take our eye off the ball. 

There’s a great article in yesterday’s Guardian (17.05.14) by David Nicholson who until recently was the Chief Executive of the NHS.  Now you would expect him to be reasonably aware of the hazards of being overweight wouldn’t you? 

He tells us he was fairly busy (job, new baby, new house) and didn’t feel too good.  Maybe just a bit ‘run down’.  He was feeling really tired and was getting up to the loo several times a night.  When he finally got round to going to his GP it was quickly obvious that he had developed Type 2 Diabetes. The realisation that this could have a significant impact on his life expectancy was profound.  His GP told him that the complications of Diabetes are ‘heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation of a limb.’  Of course, David ‘knew’ this, he had told the public accounts committee all this a few months earlier, but as is so often the case, ‘knowing about’ and knowing it could happen to you are not always the same.

We all ‘know’ that being overweight and having a larger waist measurement predisposes us to Type 2 Diabetes but we don’t always believe it will actually happen to us.  Or maybe we pledge that we will ‘do something about it’ if it does happen – that that diagnosis will be the wake up call we need.

Of course, David is doing something about it, weighing in at 17stone 6lb he knew he needed to lose weight. Alongside that he has altered his diet, looking at content and portion control.  (‘Told you so,’ comes to mind – he should have come to Forefront Fitness!)

So, what about you?  Are you waiting to be told or are you going to do what David now advises – take your own health seriously?  We suggest you check your weight, check your waist measurement (we are more than happy to help if you contact us) and adjust your diet accordingly if necessary .  We also suggest you follow the government guidelines and get your heartbeat up for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week, after all – if its good enough for the ex CEO – its good enough for us!

Overweight?

Well, the Chief Medical Officer in her recent report tells us that most of us are now overweight.  We eat too much fat and sugar and don’t do enough exercise – and I guess we knew that.

But you and I don’t have to be in the majority – we can have a healthy body weight and get the recommended amount of exercise.  By keeping down the amount of processed food we eat (the report tells us that this is calorie dense and nutrient poor) and cutting out the sugary drinks we will be on the right track.  We are about to release a great cook book with some lovely recipes that help us to eat really ‘clean’.  Healthy foods made from raw ingredients but quick and simple to prepare. 

And as for exercise – 150 minutes of moderate activity a week – I feel really excited when I read that – it gives me a great excuse to work out in the gym 6 days a week!  Or to go for a walk (aiming for those 10,000 steps a day) or oil the bike and venture out. 

I’ve worked hard on building muscle in the last few weeks – knowing that muscle is great at burning calories and gives great definition.  Combining this with some cross fit training has made a big difference to my fitness levels – it could work for you too!

Don’t be one of the crowd – let us help you keep healthy and Be Your Best

Sexycise

I would like all men reading this to look away now. Us women are going to concentrate on things that really matter for a few minutes.

Right ladies – you saw it here first – Sexycise comes to a gym near you. We are putting together a women only class aimed at improving ‘down there’. This class works your abdominal muscles, strengthens your core and your pelvic floor. It includes the sort of exercises that you don’t want to do in the gym when the men are around. I can’t guarantee that it will improve your sex life – but it might help you to be more ready should the chance to shine arise. It will help with continence issues and self confidence.

Give it a go – we have soft lights, gentler music, nice smells and a great work out – what’s not to like? (and no men, sweaty or otherwise!)

Currently in Willingham on Thursday evenings for 45 minutes starting at 18.30 and soon to be relaunched at Bluntisham. Phone the gym to book your place, £3 for members and £5 for non-members - if you bring a (female ) friend.

Come along and find out what TF stands for !

Reasons to exercise

Reasons to exercise – let me remind you again why you are bothering to come to the gym!

·         Even moderate exercise during the day improves sleep.  Chronically sleep – deprived people are more at risk of heart problems . 

·         Exercise boosts your mood and self esteem (tell me that you don’t feel better about yourself after you have worked out ?)

·         Burn calories – keep your weight under control!

·         Reduce your risk of developing diabetes –

·         Help to keep your blood pressure under control – reduce your risk of strokes

·         Minimise the impact of osteoporosis

·         Keep mobile !

What’s not to like ?!

Help your brain, exercise!

Would you like to help your brain, slow down the decaying process, prevent dementia?

Latest research in today’s Times tells us that exercise such as brisk walking, can help to fight off degenerative disease – there is even some evidence to show that exercise can help with regeneration of damaged areas.

We know that the aging process is likely to be slower if we keep our minds active (yes, the crossword again!) and if we keep our weight under control. The news that exercise can even repair some of the damage done is really good to hear.

So, eating well, not smoking and only drinking in moderation, combined with brain activity and a bit of serious exercise and we have a good chance of holding on to all our marbles for a bit longer? Add in a good healthy diet and we are on a winner.

Dig out those trainers and if its just too awful outside for a walk – pop into the gym. Easy to do a quick workout and just think of all the benefits!

Fruit Juice

Do you have fruit juice for your breakfast? Do you have it because you think its really healthy – just made from fruit?

Lots of Vit C in fruit juice ? Yes, you’re right – loads – but it will cause a huge spike of Vit C in your blood stream and as we can’t store the excess – it will simply be excreted in our urine. The same is true of the sugar in fruit juice – big flood of sugar, high dose of reactive insulin and off you go again, swinging backwards and forwards. This is all enhanced by the fact that there is no fibre left in fruit juice so the juice is able to rush through without the slowing effect of the fibre on your body. Really you are much better off eating an orange than consuming full glasses of commercially produced fruit juice.