Move your body and feel fantastic
DAY 3 OF OUR LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH SERIES
Being stuck at home has meant we’re spending more time than ever sitting down – even with those daily walks. A sedentary lifestyle can harm your health and waistline in many ways. But exercise can have huge benefits for you too and we’re here to give you a hand and show you how...
WHILE lots of experts say there has never been a better opportunity to start losing weight and getting more active, the truth is many of us are struggling to stay healthy in lockdown.
In fact, research by Slimming World has found that nearly two in three UK adults were finding it more difficult to manage their weight during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Health and Wellbeing Study also found that four in 10 people said they had been less active (39 per cent).
During these uncertain times, Slimming World members have found support to stay on track and focus on their goals by attending virtual groups, which launched after in-person groups were temporarily suspended back in March.
Many of them have become more active and found keeping moving to be a great way to maintain a healthy routine, spend time with loved ones, and look after their mental wellbeing as well as their physical health.
Build up gradually
Being active doesn’t have to mean wearing gym gear, running or aerobics... unless you want it to, of course.
Slimming World’s activity programme, Body Magic, has been designed to encourage its members to take small steps towards a more active lifestyle, alongside eating a healthy, balanced diet.
It’s all about moving more and giving health, fitness, wellbeing and weight loss a boost – which is where the magic happens.
You don’t have to do a huge amount of activity to start to benefit. The important thing is to start.
If it makes you breathe faster, feel warmer and gets your heart rate going, then it counts.
It might just be five minutes of walking per day to start with. The key is to get into a regular habit and you can build up gradually from there, exercising for a little longer or picking up the intensity as time goes on and your fitness improves.
Some might choose weight training or following one of the many workout routines and classes available online. Fans of the outdoors
might enjoy cycling in the countryside or adventurous hikes. Even vigorous cleaning, dancing and car washing count as activity.
Social distancing rules permitting, being active also presents lots of opportunities to spend quality time with family, friends and pets – there will be lots of dogs loving their extra walks right now.
Or, if you prefer to go solo, going for that jog, walk or bike ride, or finding a quiet corner to roll out that workout mat, are an opportunity to grab some elusive “me time”.
Slimming World developed its activity programme with help from psychologist and government physical activity adviser Professor Ken Fox.
He said: “Slimming World has taken
the ‘threat’ out of activity and devised a programme that can only have a very positive impact on the health, fitness and weight of members.
“This approach addresses psychological barriers, then behavioural ones, and helps members develop a regular habit of being active.”
Slimming World’s head of nutrition and research Dr Jacquie Lavin said: “Just as members find a new groove with healthy eating, our activity programme helps members to find their own enjoyable, achievable and sustainable ways of building new active habits into their routine. “Anything goes, from heavy gardening or vigorous housework to brisk walking, dancing, cycling or playing frisbee. “There are loads of ways to get active that fit with your interests and your lifestyle.”
While we’re still in a form of lockdown, there’s no better time to get more active and inspire others to do the same.
So until July 12, Slimming World is encouraging everyone to share their #BodyMagicMoments on social media using the hashtag. This can be anything from climbing the stairs or washing the car, to walking, cycling, hula hooping… anything.
If you’re stuck for ideas, check out the hashtag for thousands of inspirational people just like you pledging to move more.
Slimming World members can also choose from a long list of daily activities including videos to follow, and are being given awards for their achievements as their confidence and ability improves, and activity becomes a new regular way of life.
Together, everyone taking part can share their hurdles and successes, supporting each other to become more active more often, and have a great time along the way. *Slimming World’s Health and Wellbeing Study is an on-going research project. Reported findings are a snapshot of data from the research relating to 1,000 UK adults polled during April and May 2020 and asked how COVID-19 restrictions had affected various health-related behaviours and aspects of wellbeing.