SUMMER TIPS TO GET FIT
It’s that time of year when we can finally dig out our summer wardrobes and dust off the garden furniture. Yes, it looks as if summer is finally here.
And it’s about time we all started to make the most of the long evenings – which means winding down from work, not with a night filled by viewing the nation’s favourite Soaps, but by burning up some calories.
And 2008 really is a bumper year of sport which will culminate in the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. So why not get in the mood for the action ahead with a few motivational tips from the Sports Council for Wales?
S is for: saddle up
What better time to get on your bike than summer - when the weather is warm and we love to look and feel good? Why not set a target to take to your bike two evenings a week until Le Grand Départ of the gruelling Tour de France on 5 July? By then, of course, you might be hooked and an evening on the sofa, watching the riders traverse their way through the Alps and Pyrenees, might just inspire you to kick-start some more challenging cycle routes.
Of course, cycling is also one of the most cost-effective ways to travel after walking. According to Sustrans – the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity – the energy equivalent of a single litre of petrol will allow you to travel 650 miles on a bike!
And, just 20 minutes of moderate cycling can burn up to 100 calories, depending on your age and fitness level. Cycling works your thighs, bottom and tricky lower abdominals. It will also help raise your metabolic rate, helping you to keep the weight off.
It’s also a great way to spend time with friends and family. Plus, it’s supremely eco-friendly so you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re doing your bit for your carbon footprint.
You could also do your bit for charity and sign up to the North Wales Bike Ride which takes place in Rhyl (8th June) or the Gower Bike Ride (6th July) – all in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
www.bhf.org.uk/northwalesbikeride
U is for: Use your lunchtimes too
There’s nothing worse than when the sun is shining – we’re stuck in an office, hunched over a desk.
If you live fairly near work, think about ditching the car and try walking or cycling to the office. If that isn’t possible, it might be a good idea to take a break from the endless emails and paperwork. Try and take a break at lunchtime – a brisk walk can clear the head, help to de-stress and provide an energy boost.
An exercise routine is always easier to stick to if it becomes part of your daily routine. It might be worth asking your work-mates if they want to join you in your health-kick. There may even be some money available – the Sports Council for Wales’ Community Chest scheme offers up to £1000 to qualifying projects. Grants have traditionally been awarded to sports clubs and sporting bodies but now most organisations seeking to develop physical activity and sporting projects will be eligible for an award. And that includes workplaces.
If you have a bright idea, call your Sports Council for Wales regional office:
South East Wales: 0845 045 0902
South West Wales: 0845 045 0906
North Wales: 0845 045 0908
Or visit www.sports-council-wales.org.uk
