Takecare whenout walking

Lockdownprovestobemotivatingfactor

Police are warning folk in East Kilbride and Strathaven to take care hill walking and around beauty spots.

Walkers are also being urged to keep in line with government regulations over travel and ensure they are prepared for all eventualities following a number of recent mountain rescue incidents in Scotland.

Over the past two months (December 2020 and January 2021), Police Scotland has received 46 calls to search and rescue incidents across the country.

A total of six fixed penalty notices have been issued and six people charged with culpable and reckless conduct. The same period prior to the pandemic in 2019/2020 saw 55 such incidents recorded.

Access to a number of popular beauty spots has also been restricted by inconsiderate parking and large numbers of people travelling for outdoor recreation.

This has led to increased police patrols needed in areas around walking routes in Lanarkshire.

The coronavirus pandemic has played a huge part in motivating the nation to improve their physical health.

More than half of Brits, 54 per cent are determined to get more physically active as a result of the COVID-19, according to a British Heart Foundation survey, released for National Heart Month.

The figures reveal the toll that repeated lockdowns have had on many people’s view of their health.

Most respondents said that they were more concerned about their physical (63 per cent) and mental health (56 per cent) because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Around half said they feel unhealthier (48 per cent) as a result.

Nearly half (46 per cent) also said that they have put on weight.

However, the survey suggests most people are keen to use the pandemic as a motivator for change:

■54 per cent said they are determined to be more physically active.

■52 per cent intend to eat a healthier diet.

■34 per cent plan to cut down on drinking alcohol.

■52 per cent are determined to cook healthier meals.

In response, the BHF, backed by Olympian Roger Black MBE (pictured above), is using National Heart Month to encourage the public to do at least one thing to improve their heart health in February.

The charity has launched a range of challenges – including MyCycle and My Step Challenge – to encourage people to make gradual improvements to their lifestyle, while raising vital funds for its work.

Roger, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition aged 11, said: “During lockdown, many of us will be looking for new ways to boost our health while following the Government’s guidelines, which is why National Heart Month is the ideal time to start looking after your heart.

“You don’t have to run a marathon to keep fit – the BHF has a variety of virtual challenges such as MyCycle and My

Step Challenge to help get you started, all of which you can do outside or from the comfort of your own homes.”

“This February, I’m teaming up with the BHF to call on the nation to do at least one thing to improve their heart health while raising funds for the charity’s life saving research.”

Despite the challenge of lockdown, four in ten (40 per cent) people said they have managed to exercise more during the pandemic and one in three (34 per cent) said that they have eaten a healthier diet.

This compares to a quarter (25 per cent) who say they have done less exercise and eaten more unhealthily (25 per cent).

Simon and Ally from Base Fitness and Crossfit in East Kilbride urge people to use lockdown as a time to prioritise their physical and mental health.

Ally previously told the News: “Now more than ever, it is so important to keep active to benefit our physical and mental health. A short workout each day can be such a positive boost to your mental health and wellbeing and improve your fitness.”