Health & Fitness
These are archive messages - to air your views please visit our messageboard.
Steve in Pontypridd says you don't have to join a health club to keep fit:"I hear a lot of people go on about going to the gym to lose weight. Simply get a dog and take it for a 20-30 min walk every day. The dog will always be willing to go, and living in Wales there is always places suitable nearby, whatever part you live in."
Peter in Miskin has a new lease of life:"Last August my daughter & son in law bought me a year's subscription at our local golf & leisure resort. At 54 I was a bit worried because I have high blood pressure and was overweight. I had to see the doctor to make sure I was ok to take it up - he told me to take it easy. I struggled for the first few weeks doing 20 minutes workout, but I was determined to give it my best shot!
"It is now mid January and I try to go everyday it has breathed new life in to me! I am now up to 45 minutes working out, I bought an mp3 player and loaded it with all my old rock'n'roll songs and this really helps in my working out!! My blood pressure is right down and have lost a good deal of weight. I feel really good in myself and the family are really proud of me, I have a lot more energy these days and I am always trying that little bit harder in the gym!!!"
Mo Issa in Llantrisant votes for pedal power:"I think cycling is a great way to keep fit, reduce noise and save money. It would be a good idea if workplaces provide shower facilities. We need to launch a campaign to show people that cycling is 'cool' because it is."
NT from Cardiff has this advice: "Keeping fit and healthy is the best way to be positive and happy. As you get fatter, your brain goes fatter - in other words moody! I do not agree with people excersising for three months and thinking about it for nine. Exercising is forever! You work to earn money. You exercise to earn a good body and soul!"
Gareth McConnell in Belfast says it takes dedication to get results:"When I started training and getting fit four years ago I worked out with a partner who was ten times bigger than me. I was a squirt, with weedy arms and dangly legs - my partner was a giant musclular rugger lad with a 46" chest.
"He kept me at it tho and I persevered. The adrenalin rush I encountered everytime I had a work out bolstered my motivation. I soon figured out that looking at the outcome in the longterm instead of the short term is the best state of mind if you want to take it serious.
"I would advise everyone to join a local gym and discover emotions in themselves that they never knew they had. Whether u go for a swim, work out on the cardio-vascular (CV) machines or combine both with some weight training it will give your confidence a boost and rid your body of nasty toxins. You will feel healthier psychologically and physically. If your legs hurt the day after a work out embrace the feeling because u know u worked hard, just take a days break then get back down there and do it all over again.
"Now when I see my mate I used to train with he sees how far I've come along, my arms are bigger than his, my pecs are more defined and I'm a happier, more confident person. The trick is sticking at it. I couldn't imagine my life without the gym now."
Nadyne Wright in Pontypool says taking part in Sport Relief could benefit the participants as well as charity:"This Red Sock Day is a very good idea because I think there are too many overweight people in Britain. And schools don't help because for example my school only sells stale fruit and some salad, but it is out of the way where you can't see it and everthing else is full of fat."
Patrick Isaac from Dinas Powys recommends bike power: "I cycle 15 miles a day to and from work and have been everyday for two years - I started at the age of 41. I save approx £20 week-which, means my bike paid for itself within 3 months. If you want people to eat less and take more excercise - then pay them less."
Steve Badger from Cardiff enjoys cycling, but it's not without its dangers: "I was cycling to work on my nine year old racer when I was knocked off. Luckily I only broke my arm and fractured my leg, but I did get a new bike and a bit of compo."
Mark Davies from Merthyr Tydfil is all for boosting exercise as part of people's lifestyle: "Lack of activity is a major cause of ill health in Wales. However the standard of facilities here are deplorable. There are private health clubs and gyms but these are too expensive for most.
"The Welsh Assembly should fund top class sporting facilites for all, provided by local councils. It could also lead the way by giving all government employees in Wales access to subsidised fitness facilites in or near to their workplaces. This could be followed by the UK government giving tax incentives for private companies to do the same. I, along with many others, take my exercise wherever I can - but this is not practical for everyone."
News - Leisure centre time 'repair bomb'
Liz from Cardiff is a fan of power yoga for overall health and fitness: "It's the one of the most positive steps that anyone can take towards health and vitality. More and more people are going to cotton on to the added health benefits that yoga can offer. It has the ability to condition in a balanced way - all muscle groups within the body, releasing tightness and tension and increasing overall wellbeing."
Natalie Thomas from the Vale used a personal trainer to get fit: "His prices were good and I was able to workout in a private gym on weekends. Over the past few months I have noticed massive results."
Dawne Meynell from Tonyrefail says going to the gym is good idea but not affordable to all:"Although there are many free ways of getting fit, by joining a gym you can do it in a controlled way and it does become a social pleasure. But why are they so expensive? If the government want people to be fitter they should give money towards helping people join gyms and leisure facitlties."
Find out more about Health & Fitness in South East Wales.
