‘We’re using time at home to get fitter & improve Our diet... we feel better already’
The Stephensons, from Newport in South Wales, are using lockdown to get fit and improve their diet.
One positive that’s come out of lockdown for the family is that they have more time to improve their health.
Retired nurse Nettie, 59, and surgeon Brian, 61, are together with their daughter, Alice, 26. Their other daughter Bryoni, 28, is working as a paramedic, and son Ben, 30, is teaching in Thailand.
“Now we all have more time on our hands we are looking to get fit and eat a healthier diet,” says Nettie. “We are cooking a wider range of dishes than we would usually, based on recipes from books at home and by going online.
There are lots of amazing recipes out there. It’s all about trying different ingredients.”
The family have also got a newfound interest in fitness. Nettie explains: “None of us are usually runners, but we are doing the Couch to 5k, which helps you build up your fitness gradually. We’ve also got a treadmill in the house. We’ve only
been doing it since January 1, but we’re already feeling a lot better.”
Rediscovering hobbies has also been important to Brian and Nettie.
“Brian has taken much more of an interest in gardening,” says Nettie. “We’ve also been doing a lot of redecorating.
“And I’ve made about 80 masks for nurses out of material around the house, using a template from the internet.
“Alice is trying to set up a sustainable clothing business. It will help put money back into companies that protect endangered animals.”
For help on getting active, visit nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitnessstudio/. Download the Easy Meals app for healthy-eating ideas.